Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 214 Entering the Palace (Part 2)

Green Willow seemed lost in thought. After a while, she wanted to say something, but then swallowed her words back.

After having breakfast, Hua Yan and Ming Yue went to the flower hall to replace Meng Zhu and Rui Zhu.

Inside the flower hall, the masters had just finished their breakfast. The palace servants, led by Consort Min, had all headed to the front courtyard; there was still an incense stick's time left before dawn.

Consort Chun chatted with the old lady for a while, and then, at Hua Yan's prompting, she got up to bid farewell to her elder brother and sister.

Consort Chun faced her grandmother, slowly curtsied, and said, "I am grateful for the Emperor's grace to be able to return to my residence to visit you. Today I am returning to the palace and will not be able to stay by your side for long. I hope you will take good care of yourself."

With tears welling in her eyes, the old lady gently wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, her words filled with reluctance: "Wan'er, be careful in the palace, don't worry about home."

Consort Chun slowly knelt to bid farewell to Tang Xian and Lady Yun, saying, "I will always remember Mother's teachings. I only wish Father and Mother good health and longevity."

Tang Xian looked reluctant and said in a deep voice, "My son, do not be afraid. Once you enter the royal family, the most important thing is to guard your heart. The Tang family and Lin Ge'er will be your support."

Lady Yun remained relatively calm. She patted Consort Chun's shoulder and whispered, "Love others before loving yourself. Even if there are a thousand difficulties and dangers, you must protect yourself first."

Tang Lin stood to one side, his fists clenched, his eyes glistening with tears. "Second sister, do not worry. Your brother is here at home. It is you who must navigate the palace with caution, maneuvering among the Emperor, Empress, and numerous concubines. Think things through carefully before you act."

Then he whispered in Consort Chun's ear, "Hua Yan is brave and quick-witted. The two of you should support each other and not let any misunderstandings arise between you."

The Fifth Miss and the Seventh Miss stepped forward with tears in their eyes, and Consort Chun embraced them one by one, bidding them farewell.

Time was running out, and the eunuch's shrill voice urged her on. Surrounded by her family, Consort Chun slowly walked to the gate of the mansion, where Consort Min stepped forward to support her.

Hua Yan's gaze swept over her uncle and Huan Yun, who were hidden in the crowd, and she nodded with a slight smile before turning around and joining the group, resolutely leaving.

......

"I don't know if we'll ever meet again in this lifetime," Huanyun murmured, her eyes glistening with tears.

As Zhou Bai watched his niece's departing figure, his gaze grew increasingly resolute, and a surge of heroic spirit welled up within him.

"If you rise to a high position in the future, what was difficult to achieve in the past will naturally come to pass. After we are married, I will help Yun'er obtain an imperial title, and then it will not be impossible for Yun'er to visit me in the palace."

Huanyun, who was immersed in grief, was startled when she heard these words. Then she looked around shyly and saw that Dingxiang and the others were far away. She then pinched Zhou Bai playfully.

Zhou Bai chuckled softly, "We should have gotten married yesterday, so that Shu'er could have drunk our wedding wine."

Upon hearing this, Huanyun felt quite regretful, "Why didn't you say so yesterday? Why did you only become so clever now?"

Zhou Bai completely forgot about Hua Yan and said with undisguised joy, "So Yun'er has agreed to marry me? I will take my leave now and go to Qinrenfang as soon as possible to make preparations."

Huanyun: "......"

Dingxiang eavesdropped, feeling anxious for her mistress, which somewhat eased her sadness at Huayan's departure.

Green Willow wiped away her tears. In her sleeve was a list she had written the night before at Hua Yan's request. As the procession gradually moved away and the mistresses, including Madam Yun, returned to their residences one by one, Green Willow gave Ying Chun a slight nod and followed Wei Mama into the mansion.

Yun Gui Courtyard, Flower Hall.

Tang Xian held Lady Yun's fingertips and comforted her gently, "Jin'er is already a Marquis's wife. She can see Wan'er during palace banquets on holidays. There's no need to worry too much."

Madam Yun's eyes dimmed slightly, but she forced herself to suppress her emotions and sighed softly:

"I thought the only obstacle was the Jiang family, but I didn't expect the Duke's Mansion to cause such a change. Fortunately, you didn't take action against the Jiang family when you were in the Northwest... Otherwise, leaving Wan'er alone to face the Emperor's 'beloved' would have been difficult. Wan'er is a child with many worries and has fallen in love with the Emperor. Even with Hua Yan's help, it would have been hard to succeed."

Tang Xian and Madam Yun never regarded the Jiang family as an adversary, so they were not too worried about the Second Miss entering the palace.

According to the original plan, the Jiang family father and son would 'die' on the battlefield before the Northwest war ended. Jiang Jie was all bark and no bite; even if he had some cunning, he was not a threat. With Hua Yan around, getting rid of her would be a piece of cake...

At that time, the Second Miss will be the most respected in the harem, and with the Tang family's contributions, it will be a natural progression for the Second Miss to be made Empress.

After hearing what his wife said, Tang Xian put his arm around her shoulder and said:

"I have been working with the Emperor since he was a teenager, and I know his character best. The so-called art of the emperor is to be cold-hearted and ruthless, and to only see the advantages and disadvantages. There may be childhood sweethearts, but the biggest reason for the Emperor's actions must be that he wants to use the Duke."

"The civil and military officials in the court each have their own agendas, their power structures are deeply entrenched, and there are numerous aristocratic families. The Jiangnan region alone is enough to give the Emperor a headache for a long time. Bestowing favors upon the Duke of Qing's mansion is a wise move to turn the Duke into a sharp sword for his own use..."

Moreover, the Emperor has likely long been wary of our Tang family. If it weren't for the significant implications of our business, he might have other ideas. The involvement of the Duke's mansion now would be a good way to maintain balance.

Madam Yun was incredibly clever; in an instant, she grasped the key to the matter.

Tang Xian said quietly, "There are many emperors who are obsessed with love, but our emperor, who has just ascended the throne, is concerned with protecting his family and the country."

......

Consort Chun's entourage marched in a grand procession through the streets in front of the mansion, attracting large crowds of onlookers along the way.

Mengzhu, accompanied by Mingyue, slowly walked to the back of the procession. The eunuchs, in their high-pitched voices, sang in unison: "The Pure Consort returns to the palace, bestowing her grace upon all. Copper coins are scattered on the ground, bringing blessings. May the people all enjoy the Emperor's grace, and may their homes be peaceful and prosperous year after year."

After the eunuch finished singing, Mengzhu immediately ordered the servants to scatter handfuls of copper coins. The people on the roadside knelt down and kowtowed, their cheers of gratitude rising and falling.

Consort Min said to Hua Yan, "This is one of the rituals for returning to the palace. The common people receive copper coins, tie them with red strings, and have them worn by the children in their families to pray for blessings. This is to show the imperial grace and also to express the wish for good fortune."

Hua Yan nodded slightly and thanked Consort Min. This Consort Min worked in the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau and had served through two reigns, holding considerable prestige among the female officials in the harem. Although she was the emperor's spy during this visit home, she repeatedly showed goodwill to Consort Chun, which Hua Yan remembered.

Consort Chun's entourage entered the palace through the Xihua Gate, while only the Empress's phoenix palanquin was entitled to enter through the Xuande Gate, the main gate of the palace.

Upon arriving at Xihua Gate, the palace gates slowly opened, and an eunuch stepped inside first to announce their arrival. Consort Chun, having composed herself, stepped down from the carriage with the assistance of Consort Min.

"Please accompany me, Consort Chun, to the Funing Palace to express our gratitude."

Hua Yan stepped forward and took Chunfei's arm. Min Shangyi led the way slowly. After the group passed through Xihua Gate, a group of palace servants carrying brocade boxes, led by a nanny, went to Huining Palace first. Mengzhu, along with Ruizhu and others, also separated from Hua Yan and followed.

The palace walls are like the sea, the halls are majestic, and their power seems to exert a silent but overwhelming force.

A breeze rustled their clothes, and the only sound was the tinkling of jade pendants. Hua Yan and Consort Chun walked along the secluded palace path. When they reached the middle of the path, they looked up almost simultaneously and saw a patch of azure sky above them, so pure and untouched by any dust.