"Only working when paid—what vulgar servants." Liu Ruyan shook her head.
The eunuch delivering ingredients from the imperial kitchen pursed his lips silently, a flicker of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
The imperial kitchen had strict daily meal regulations. If a consort wanted an extra dish, she had to purchase additional ingredients and compensate the chefs for their overtime. There was no such thing as a free meal—naturally, the consorts had to pay.
Liu Ruyan's lunch left her in a sour mood.
In the afternoon, the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau delivered winter fabrics to each palace. As Liu Ruyan inspected the garish red and green cloth, her discomfort grew.
She asked, "Why is there no plain cloud brocade?"
The attendant from the bureau replied, "Plain cloud brocade costs fifty taels of silver per foot. It's expensive and not warm, so it was removed from the selection."
The attendant left behind three brightly colored bolts of fabric and departed.
