Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 288 Difficult to Stir Up Any Waves

Lying on the dragon bed that countless concubines longed for, Consort Chun was wide awake. She turned her head slightly and quietly gazed at the emperor's sleeping face on the other side.

As she wearily closed her eyes, she thought to herself with a self-deprecating smile: Chu Zhaoyan must have done it on purpose to summon her to his bedchamber that day.

Consort Chun couldn't help but think deeper—she had always deliberately avoided this in the past, which was partly self-deception.

However, during their long time together, there were always one or two moments when she was clear-headed. Moreover, the words of Empress Dowager Zhou and Hua Yan's calm analysis were still ringing in her ears.

Consort Chun had to admit that her sincerity had gradually faded away, and her heart could no longer be stirred.

......

The next morning, while Hua Yan was getting ready, Aunt Mei came to the side hall.

Xia'er was quick-witted and hurriedly pulled Chun'er out of the bedchamber. Since Hua Yan was promoted to the rank of Beauty, Consort Chun intended to select a few more palace maids from the Shanggong Bureau. Hua Yan did not like too many people, so she only took Chun'er. Now Hua Yan has four servants serving her: Chun, Xia, Dong, and Lü Liu.

"Your Majesty, I have been ordered to return to the manor today. Do you have any messages for Madam Zhou?"

Before Hua Yan could answer, Lü Liu laughed, "Aunt, you suddenly brought up Madam Zhou, I didn't react for a moment."

"You silly girl, Miss Huanyun is marrying Lord Zhou, so she should be addressed as Madam Zhou. You and Dingxiang are good friends, so if you need anything, just bring it."

Hua Yan shook her head slightly and said to Aunt Mei, "Aunt, just find out about my uncle's recent situation and tell me the truth. Be sure to convey the words I asked you to say to Madam, and then we'll see what Madam's instructions are."

After Green Willow finished speaking, Hua Yan hesitated and said, "I really have two pieces of jewelry that I want to ask my aunt to give to Ding Xiang. Last time I heard that Sister Huan Yun wanted to find a marriage for her, but I don't know if there has been any progress. I'll just consider it as adding some dowry for her in advance."

Aunt Mei smiled and replied, "It's alright, Donggua has also prepared a small package, you can go and get it."

Green Willow let out a soft "Hey!" and happily went out.

Hua Yan suddenly remembered something.

"By the way—Auntie, please pass on a message to Madam, asking her to secretly investigate Yang Yunu from Shu Prefecture. How was she selected? Does Lord Yang, the Registrar of Shu Prefecture, have any connection with officials in the court?"

Aunt Mei carefully noted down, "Consort Chun is serving the Emperor in the Funing Palace. Fortunately, she had already properly explained the arrangements for returning to her residence to me yesterday, so I will now leave the palace."

"This time when you return home, Aunt might as well stay a couple more days and spend some time with your family."

After seeing Aunt Mei off, Hua Yan took Green Willow to Renming Palace.

Renming Hall.

When Hua Yan arrived outside the palace, Consort Chun also happened to arrive in her sedan chair.

Although Consort Chun's expression remained normal, Hua Yan, having spent over seven years with her, still keenly sensed a hint of melancholy in her mood.

However, Hua Yan did not speak. She simply stepped forward and took Chunfei's hands, telling her about Aunt Mei's return to the mansion. Perhaps thinking of her family, Chunfei smiled.

"When Lord Zhou's official rank rises higher, Sister Huanyun may be able to attend the palace banquet in the future, and then you will be able to meet her."

Hua Yan felt a warmth in her heart. Consort Chun always thought of her, and so did Lady Yun.

Unlike Hua Yan, Huan Yun had spent many years in Chunfeng Tower and was quite famous. As for Hua Yan, she only stayed in Chunfeng Tower for a little over ten days. When she entered the Tang family as a maid, Madam Yun had already erased all traces of her.

Although Zhou Bai did not care about her background, she had after all entered the court as an official. The mistress of the house could have a humble background, but she must not be allowed to become a handle for outsiders to attack.

Therefore, Madam Yun specially arranged a new identity for Huanyun. Now she is a Jiangnan embroiderer. She is not only the owner of Disi Pavilion, but also a distant niece of Yongzheng Shop's second uncle, Chaofeng. Her maiden name has also been changed from Huanyun to Xiuyun.

Hua Yan snapped out of her thoughts and stepped into Renming Palace half a step behind Consort Chun.

Upon entering the hall, Consort Xie and the other concubines immediately rose and bowed. Hua Yan glanced at them, her lips twitching slightly.

Shen Jieyu actually came too.

Before the Empress arrived, Consort Mei saw Consort Chun enter the hall, and a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

After Consort Chun took her seat, she frowned and said, "Consort Shen is less than two months pregnant, and the pregnancy is not yet stable. Her Majesty the Empress has specially exempted you from paying your respects every day. Why have you come today as well?"

Consort Shen gently stroked her flat stomach and replied in a sweet voice, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician came to check my pulse yesterday, and I can walk normally without any problems. A new lady has arrived in the palace, and I endured it all night. Today, I have come to see her beautiful face."

That's a really straightforward statement.

Consort Song could hardly bear to look, so she deliberately sat down next to Consort Shen, saying, "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will be here to take care of you."

Consort Chun only asked the question out of her duty to assist in managing the six palaces. Since Consort Shen herself didn't care, Consort Shen naturally wouldn't bother with it either.

"I heard that Consort Guo is more than five months pregnant and still suffers from morning sickness. I am at ease about this pregnancy, as I am certain it will be a well-behaved and gentle little prince." Consort Shen was overjoyed, and her voice rose slightly.

Consort Mei coldly replied, "If someone is born only obedient, what can they accomplish?"

Consort Shen's expression darkened, but due to her rank, she dared not easily refute. Consort Song sighed softly upon seeing this. The Song and Shen families had a long-standing relationship, and she intended to protect Consort Mei, but she dared not offend her.

All the newlyweds remained silent, their eyes fixed on their noses and their minds, completely absorbed in meditation.

Hua Yan took a look around and found that the candidates for the imperial concubine selection were quite qualified. At least none of them were as "stupid" and clumsy as Consort Shen, who was both inside and out.

The Empress arrived late. The newlyweds, led by Consort Xie and Consort Rong, performed the full kowtow ceremony as the palace eunuch Chen announced the proper etiquette. As usual, the Empress gave them some instructions and encouragement before bestowing gifts upon them.

Apart from Consort Xie and Consort Rong receiving a box of jewelry, the rest of the people only received one or two bolts of tribute satin.

"Consort Shen need not come to pay her respects anymore. She can rest and recuperate in Shujing Palace." The Empress's gaze lingered on Consort Shen, and she instructed Xingyu, "Take some nourishing items from the storeroom and send Consort Shen back to Shujing Palace."

Consort Shen had come today to catch a glimpse of Consort Rong and Consort Xie's beauty. However, she found that while the two were beautiful, they were not as beautiful as herself. After expressing her gratitude, she obediently followed Xingyu and left Renming Palace.

"The Dragon Boat Festival is just a few days away. The entire palace must exorcise evil spirits and ward off disease. How are Consort Chun's preparations going?"

Consort Chun rose and replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Medical Bureau has specially prepared orchid-infused water. On the Dragon Boat Festival, at the beginning of the morning, each palace will go to the Department of Pharmacy to collect it. At that time, they will also collect insect-repelling herbs such as mugwort, atractylodes, and elm."

The Imperial Kitchen has prepared realgar wine, five-poison cakes, and zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), which will be distributed according to the regulations for each palace.

Hanging mugwort and calamus, bathing in orchid-infused water, and practicing dietary epidemic prevention were all customary practices in the imperial palace during the Dragon Boat Festival, with everything following established rules.

The orchid-infused bath was made by boiling together herbs such as agastache, calamus, peach branches, and honeysuckle. At the beginning of the morning, palace maids would first use cypress leaves dipped in the bath to wash the concubines' faces, and then they would bathe in the orchid-infused bath to ward off evil spirits and prevent disease.

In addition, the "Zhong Kui Palace Tour" ceremony would also be held in the imperial harem.

The eunuch, disguised as Zhong Kui, led twelve little demons on a tour around the palace, scattering red beans and glutinous rice along the way to ward off evil spirits and plague.

This year, Xiao Nianzi was really looking forward to dressing up as Zhong Kui for the Dragon Boat Festival, but he messed up his job at the first banquet, and the honor fell to Xiao Yuanzi instead.

After hearing Consort Chun's report, the Empress did not raise any objections. She sat for a short while and then got up to lead the other concubines to Cining Palace to pay their respects.