Li Yuyu was lost in thought as she walked, until she heard Feng Yin softly remind her.
"Master, it’s Han Guiren."
Han Guiren was dressed in an elegant light green dress, coming gracefully with Shui Yun’s assistance: "Greetings to Sister Li. May Sister Li be well."
"Han Guiren, such grace, wandering out under this harsh sun."
Li Yuyu remarked with a smile.
"I just returned from Cining Palace. The vegetarian dishes at Empress Dowager’s palace are quite tasty, made by the small kitchen there. They should not be worse than the skills of small kitchens elsewhere in the palace. Sister, you should try them when you have time." Han Guiren finished softly, saluting as she took her leave.
Li Yuyu raised her eyebrows: "Hold on."
"Did I give you permission to leave?"
Han Guiren turned back, her voice still gentle: "Does Sister Li have any other instructions?"
"No instructions, just a reminder for Han Guiren—my mother did not give birth to any younger sisters for me. Han Guiren should not always call me sister. It makes me quite uncomfortable in my heart after hearing it."
Li Yuyu, with her charming willow leaf eyes, said with a smile.
Han Guiren’s smile did not fade, but the anger in Shui Yun’s eyes next to her instantly surged, though she had to bow her head to conceal it.
Li Yuyu raised her eyebrows, not expecting that even Han Guiren’s maids had such endurance. No wonder she wasn’t aware of this figure in the past few days since she arrived.
"Yes, Lady Li is right to teach me a lesson. It’s my fault for making Lady Li unhappy. I admit my mistake."
Han Guiren slightly bowed her head, placing herself in a subordinate position, speaking softly in acknowledgement.
"Since you know your mistake, go ahead and accept your punishment." Li Yuyu looked up at the sky: "Let Han Guiren stand here for half an hour then."
"Yes, I respectfully send off Lady Li."
Han Guiren saluted once more to Li Yuyu’s departing back, then stood there obediently.
"Noble, Lady Li is too much!"
Shui Yun, having held back for a long time, finally burst out.
"Shui Yun, how can you speak ill of your master behind her back!" Han Guiren’s face grew stern.
"Yes, I see my mistake." Shui Yun reluctantly conceded, but still felt indignant inside. On what grounds could Lady Li punish her master so easily?
Isn’t she just a concubine?
Han Guiren pressed her lips together, speaking softly: "Shui Yun, if you are unwilling to stand with me, go back to the palace and switch with Shui Bai."
"Noble!" Shui Yun looked up at Han Guiren in disbelief.
Han Guiren expressionlessly said: "If you can’t remember what I usually teach you, then take a few days to rest and come back when you’ve thought it through."
Shui Yun turned pale, kneeling down: "Noble, I realize my mistake and won’t dare do it again."
"Rise." Han Guiren sighed and ceased speaking, standing quietly with her eyes lowered.
Their conversation was overheard clearly by Li Yuyu and Feng Yin from their hidden spot. Li Yuyu gave a sign, left with Feng Yin, and only when they had walked a distance did she chuckle lightly: "So this is what palace scheming looks like."
Feng Yin looked at her puzzled: "Master, why did you punish Han Guiren?"
"Didn’t I already state my reason?" Li Yuyu saw the flowers bloom beautifully on the branch, gently pulled it lower, and leaned in to smell the fragrance.
Feng Yin felt even more confused: "Master, I feel like that’s not your reason."
"Oh? It’s not a reason," Li Yuyu released the branch, tilted her head and thought for a moment before speaking with a light smile: "If I need a reason, it’s simply because she annoys me."