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If they were ordinary marbles, she could have accepted them, but she had already accepted such significant favor from Sister Zhaoyi, how could she possibly accept something so valuable?

Even if she was not well-versed, she could recognize that the set of gem marbles was quite valuable; saying they were worth a fortune would not be an exaggeration.

Nanny Qi nodded in approval, seeing that the young girl really liked this gift, yet did not claim it as her own, showed she was measured.

Although the young girl seemed to love wealth on ordinary days, she was not greedy for wealth, which was good.

It was acceptable for a person to have likes, but maintaining one’s heart and clarity without being blinded by riches and splendor was the right path, especially important within the Imperial Palace, for it allowed one to go far in the future.

When Ming Jing arrived and had performed her courtesies, Lian Hua formally had the box of gem marbles sent back with Ming Jing, also telling Xu Zhaoyi that she appreciated the sentiment and asked her to thank Sister Zhaoyi on her behalf.

Ming Jing clasped her hands in front of her chest, slightly smiled, and said, "Master Lian, since you were vindicated from injustice and elevated to Beauty, the master pondered and couldn’t decide what to gift you.

Fearing your days might be dull, she took out a set of marbles she played with in maidenhood to gift you, for you to play with.

These things are not rare for the master, please accept it. "

Indeed, Ming Jing spoke the truth. General Xu had been collecting treasures from the battlefield for many years, quite a lot of which he turned over, some distributed downwards, and the rest kept; such was the tacit approval during military campaigns.

These marbles were fashioned for the master by General Xu from some large raw gemstones during her maidenhood, and she brought them into the palace fearing boredom.

Lian Hua glanced again at the wooden box, shook her head once more, and said, "Sister Zhaoyi has been a great help to me, I am grateful, and to give me such a grand gift, I truly feel undeserving.

Please convey to sister that I am aware of her kindness towards me; if she would not mind, I will certainly visit her. "

Ming Jing knew well that her master had not misjudged, for Beauty Lian, clearly fond of the marbles, had rejected them without hesitation, showing genuine purity, a rarity in the palace.

Xu Zhaoyi liked Beauty Lian very much, and she knew it better than anyone else, having personally selected the celebratory gift after much deliberation.

Xu Zhaoyi so adored Beauty Lian for reasons she was well aware of, likely transferring the affection of a younger sister onto Beauty Lian.

Initially, she worried whether Xu Zhaoyi was being deceived, as it was hard to differentiate friend from foe within the palace, encountering someone with ill intentions could be problematic.

Therefore, today she personally represented Xu Zhaoyi in delivering the gift, and now having met in person, she was reassured, knowing that her master had not misjudged. The palace was too desolate, having someone endearing for the master to befriend was also a good thing.

She slightly lowered her probing eyes and said, "The master is indeed looking forward to your visit, how could she mind? However, it is the master’s principle to never take back a gift once given.

If you do not want it, then it seems the gift was not to your liking and must be disposed of by smashing and discarding it. "

Saying so, she pretended to take the wooden box to dispose of the marbles.

"Ah? How could that be allowed?" Hearing the last sentence, Lian Hua panicked: "Xiao Qing, grab it quickly, don’t let it be taken away!"

If it were really smashed, she would be heartbroken.

Ming Jing chuckled, finding Beauty Lian really amusing. Her straightforward nature really did resemble her master in some ways; her feint had indeed worked effectively.

Lian Hua’s face instantly reddened, that hadn’t been her intention, she had simply spoken hastily in her urgency.

She feared being misunderstood, held back her embarrassment, and repeatedly waved her hands, stammering an explanation, "Auntie Ming Jing, I didn’t mean that, I...I don’t dislike them at all, please don’t destroy them, what a pity that would be, it would be such a waste..."

In fact, she liked them tremendously. The items sent by the consorts from other palaces, she appreciated them more because they were valuable, but she was not necessarily interested in the items themselves.

But marbles, she would definitely love them, for she had dreamed of owning a set of marbles in her childhood, and if she dreamed about them, she would chuckle in her sleep.

She actually had had a set before, secretly given to her by her father. She had owned it for merely two days before it was confiscated.

Back then, when she had just received them, she adored them so much that she couldn’t control herself, playing day and night, even enticing the child next door to skip the tutor’s class to play marbles, which led the tutor to complain; her mother found out, confiscated them immediately, and forbade her from losing focus on trivial things, severely reprimanding both her and her father. ..

Ming Jing suppressed a laugh, and asked seriously, "So, Master Lian, you’re accepting them?"

Lian Hua found herself in a difficult position, accepting this gift would put her in debt she couldn’t repay, but not accepting would mean the destruction of the marbles, which was unthinkable.

Nanny Qi merely watched quietly, sitting silently to the side, letting Lian Hua make her own decision.

Lian Hua hesitated for a while, and finally, looking at Ming Jing, she decided, "I’ve accepted them, I really like the marbles. Please thank Sister Zhaoyi for me, I’ll visit her another day to express my gratitude."

Ming Jing bowed slightly and said, "Huaying Hall has a complete set for playing marbles; the master said that if you wish to play, you are welcome anytime."

Lian Hua’s eyes sparkled, reflecting some longing.

Ming Jing finally said, "When Nanny Qi is available, the master will come to visit Nanny. May Master Lian and Nanny Qi enjoy prosperity and health, I shall take my leave now."

Nanny Qi nodded, "Convey my thanks for Xu Zhaoyi’s kindness."

"Yes." Ming Jing bowed and took her leave.

Once she had left, Lian Hua placed the wooden box on the table, and flipped open the entire lid, touching the marbles with a love she could not let go off, fondling this marble, then that marble, the more she saw, the more she loved them, she was excellent at playing marbles and couldn’t wait to organize a Canglan Court marbles tournament.

Nanny Qi sat to the side sipping tea, quietly watching her play with the marbles, wondering somewhat, how this young girl differed from the usual girls, showing no such enthusiasm for clothes and jewelry.

A few days ago, the consorts had sent gifts, including jewelry, but the young girl barely glanced at them, handing over all decision-making to her.

Today’s gem marbles, precious as they were, seemed peculiar for a girl since they could neither be worn nor adorned; yet, how she was so captivated by them, unable to put them down.

It was rather curious, this young girl’s interests were truly unusual, Nanny Qi couldn’t quite understand it.

Nanny Qi shook her head secretly, thinking if the young girl had been born into a rich noble house as a young master, she would surely have been involved in cockfighting and such.

After enough handling them, Lian Hua started worrying again and sought Nanny Qi’s advice, "Nanny, Sister Zhaoyi helped me before, and now she has sent such a valuable gift. I want to find a time to visit her to both thank her for her previous help and for the gift. But I don’t have anything valuable to give in return, what should I do? "