Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 373 Visit

Before the full moon celebration, the Empress summoned all the concubines to visit Consort Qi's palace and specially sent Xingyu to Cuiyu Hall to deliver a message to Meng Shu.

Meng Shu refused them all.

If it were the day of the celebration, she would have no choice but to attend, but given the circumstances today, she could easily decline. Besides, the Emperor had already issued an imperial edict, so the Empress couldn't say anything to blame her.

Over here at Dieqiong Pavilion.

As the Empress led the concubines into the palace, Consort Qi was holding Princess Lingyi in the flower hall, talking to her wet nurse. Seeing everyone enter, she hurriedly tried to rise to pay her respects, but the Empress gently helped her up, saying, "She's only just finished her postpartum period; there's no need for such formalities."

Consort Qi wore a light purple palace dress today, with only a gilded hairpin in her hair. Although she looked slightly thinner, her complexion was much better than a month ago, with a faint blush on her cheeks. The little princess in her arms was wrapped in a bright red brocade swaddle, revealing her exquisitely beautiful face.

"Did Afu sleep well last night?" The Empress gently stroked the baby's cheek.

"Thanks to Her Majesty's blessings, the night was relatively peaceful."

Qi Zhaorong noticed the gilded nail guards on the Empress's fingertips and subtly moved the child closer to Consort Chun.

Consort Chun disapproved of the Empress's behavior and moved closer. Upon seeing the tiny, soft baby, her heart softened. "Sister Qi is so blessed. Afu's eyebrows and eyes are becoming more and more like the Emperor's, but his nose and mouth are like yours."

Knowing that she was coming today, Consort Chun had specially instructed Ruizhu to scrape off the dyed nail polish from Consort Qi's hands with a bamboo stick last night. Now, her outstretched fingers were slender as jade, and her nails were round as shells. Consort Qi, who was already grateful to Consort Chun, felt even more favorably toward her upon seeing this.

Consort Shen also did not come, citing the need to rest during her pregnancy. Consort Rong, however, was lively and couldn't help but feel happy upon seeing Lingyi. However, with the Empress and Consort Chun present, she couldn't go forward.

"Princess Lingyi's good fortune is still on the day of the celebration. I heard that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager prepared many gifts for the princess, and the red gold longevity lock alone cost twenty taels of gold."

Rong Meiren's words came from her heart.

She came from a distinguished family and naturally didn't care about any rewards. Just looking at the Emperor and Empress Dowager's affection for the princess was enough to make her the envy of everyone.

Song Jieyu and the others were not as lively as her. Although they also had smiles on their faces, it was only out of politeness and upbringing.

Qu Baolin wanted to speak, but with Qu Cairen in front of her and having just received a gift from her cousin, she held back.

The Empress's smile deepened: "I have brought many of my sisters here today, firstly to see you and your daughter, and secondly to discuss the arrangements for the full moon celebration."

She looked around at everyone, her gaze lingering on each person's face for a moment.

"At that time, as the birth mother, Sister Qi will be attending with Lingyi, which will be a great honor. All the sisters should learn from Consort Qi in the future. Among all the concubines in the palace, she is the only one with childbirth experience."

Upon hearing this, the concubines all reacted with varying expressions.

Qu Cairen stood at the back of the crowd, her gaze sweeping across Qi Zhaorong's joyful face like a dragonfly skimming the water.

"Don't stand, everyone," the Empress said, taking the lead and sitting down in the main seat.

Consort Qi hurriedly handed the child to the wet nurse, who then took the princess away from the flower hall. She then led the others to their seats.

Just then, Xingyu walked in and curtsied to the Empress and the concubines: "Your Majesty, Consort Jin said that she needs to rest and recuperate during her pregnancy, so she will not be coming today."

(Note: In this article, palace maids and eunuchs are referred to as "concubines," and are all referred to as "Concubine X," where X is a title or surname. Not every concubine had a title.)

Upon hearing this, the Empress smiled and gently stroked the rim of the teacup with her fingertips.

"The heir is the most important thing. If she doesn't want to come, then so be it. Right now, Sister Meng is only two months pregnant, so it's understandable that she's hesitant to go out due to her health."

Now that Sister Qi has finished her postpartum confinement, you should visit her when you have some free time. Also, tell her if there's anything you need to be careful about, after all…” she paused, “you're the most knowledgeable about these things in the palace.”

Qi Zhaorong quickly got up and agreed.

Seeing everyone seated, the Empress recounted the arrangements for the celebration in detail. "His Majesty specially allocated silver from his private treasury, and the officials in charge of the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department have all done their best. If Sister Qi has anything to add, please feel free to speak today."

All the concubines' eyes were focused on Consort Qi, some with envy, some with curiosity, and a few with hidden jealousy.

Feeling the intense gaze, Consort Qi said somewhat uncomfortably, "Your Majesty has worked hard to make these arrangements, and I am extremely grateful. I really can't think of anything else to add."

The Empress nodded in satisfaction and reached out to stroke the nine-phoenix pearl hairpin at her temple. "You are a 'meritorious official' who gave birth to the Emperor's eldest daughter, and you deserve this honor."

The group sat idly in Dieqiong Pavilion for about half an hour. Before leaving, the Empress announced that all those of Baolin rank and above should go to Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager the day before the celebration. At that time, Consort Qi Zhaorong would also go with Lingyi. After that, everyone dispersed.

Consort Chun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. After leaving Dieqiong Pavilion, she realized that she hadn't been to Cuiyu Hall for two or three days, so she changed direction and went straight to find Meng Shu.

A few potted flowers were scattered under the corridor of Cuiyu Hall, and a few late-blooming osmanthus trees in the courtyard still had a lingering fragrance. Unlike the rich, powdery scent and other unknown smells in Renming Hall, the atmosphere here was always light and just right.

Consort Chun raised her hand, signaling Mengzhu and the others who accompanied her to stay under the corridor, and then lightly lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold into the flower hall.

Meng Shu was taking a nap on the soft couch when Green Willow saw Consort Chun enter. She deliberately didn't wake her and smirked to herself.

Consort Chun unconsciously smiled and approached with light steps, her fingertips just about to touch Meng Shu's hair scattered on the soft pillow.

"—Green Willow has gone bad too, why doesn't she call me anymore."

Meng Shu suddenly opened her eyes, still sleepy, but she had already accurately caught Chunfei's fingers before she could retract them.

Consort Chun smiled and sat down on the soft couch, asking in surprise, "I've come here two or three times these past few days, but every time I come back I see you sleeping. Even when Sister Qi was pregnant, she wasn't as sleepy as you."

Green Willow took the teacup from Xia'er's hand. "Your Highness, please rest assured. I asked Imperial Physician Jian, and he said that everyone's constitution is different, and being sleepy is normal." As she spoke, she gently placed the teacup on the small table next to Her Highness.

Meng Shu hurriedly asked, "Did anything happen in Consort Qi's palace just now?"

Consort Chun finished speaking, and then sneered, "The Empress is always good at pointing the finger at others without making a sound. Today, under the pretext of discussing the regulations, she went to visit in such a big way. I'm afraid Sister Qi won't be able to sleep."

Meng Shu focused on the key point: "The celebration is scheduled for the 24th, a date calculated by the Imperial Observatory. The day before isn't a big day, so why are so many concubines suddenly going to Cining Palace to pay their respects? There must be something fishy going on here."

Consort Chun nodded and said, "I think there's something fishy about this too. You really couldn't refuse that day, so we need to be careful."