[Suggested song for this chapter – La Vie En Rose by Annapantsu]
The Chief Eunuch motioned to a junior eunuch who carried an ornate lacquer box.
"Princess," the eunuch brought the box to Meili and bowed, extending the box towards her.
"Thank you," Meili took the gift from the fellow and opened the gold latch, her hands shaking slightly knowing that everyone was watching her.
The newly minted Duchess Yu leaned in, curiosity bright in her eyes as Meili lifted the lid of the lacquer box, her reluctance to do so in front of an audience evident on her face.
Nestled within, on a bed of imperial yellow silk threaded with dragons, shimmered jewels of exquisite craftsmanship—elegant gold hairpins inlaid with tiny seed pearls and delicate pink sapphires from Tianzhu, a pair of rare South Sea pearl earrings, teardrop shaped with a pink sheen, and a necklace strung with matching South Sea pearls.
For a heartbeat, no one spoke, the clearly priceless gift silencing the happy chatter.
