Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 552 Step by Step

Inside the warm chamber of Huining Palace, the charcoal fire burned brightly. Aunt Mei paced back and forth beside the couch, holding the Second Prince, who was wrapped up tightly, humming an off-key Lin'an folk song. Seeing Mengzhu lift the curtain and enter, she lowered her voice and asked, "Did you go to Funing Palace with Her Highness just now?"

"Hmm," Mengzhu warmed her hands by leaning closer to the charcoal brazier, and casually poked at the oranges roasting beside her. "I took the green bamboo purse that Consort Jin sent yesterday."

Aunt Mei paused for a moment upon hearing this, and glanced out the window.

The snow in front of the courtyard reflected the pale sunlight, making it dazzling.

She withdrew her gaze, reached out and carefully tucked the edge of the swaddling clothes around the sleeping Second Prince, before giving him a word of advice: "From now on, whatever Your Highness wants to do, we'll accompany you. As for anything else..." She turned to look at Mengzhu, "...Madam specifically instructed in her letter before the New Year that we shouldn't say anything more, let alone try to persuade you."

Mengzhu paused for a moment, then replied softly, "This servant understands. Just now... this servant originally intended to offer a few more words of advice to Your Highness, but I didn't know how to bring myself to say it."

Aunt Mei nodded in satisfaction. "From now on, we should follow Her Majesty's wishes. The sisterly relationship between the two ladies is not something we should interfere with."

Although she comforted Mengzhu with these words, her heart was far from calm.

Compared to Mengzhu, she had served Madam Yun since childhood and knew the Madam's temperament and methods best. Given Madam's past tendency to be ruthless and willing to clear all obstacles to achieve her goals, having planned for so long, she should have cleared the final "obstacle" on the Second Miss's path to the Phoenix Throne.

But now, it seems that the Madam is gradually changing. Not only has she written a letter explicitly forbidding them from interfering with any of the Empress's decisions, but she even seems to be subtly protecting Consort Jin. Even Aunt Mei, who has served the Madam for decades, cannot fathom the deeper meaning and change in this matter.

......

The Lantern Festival had just passed, the snow had just melted, and the palace and gardens were shrouded in a refined silence.

After the upheaval of the Zhenbei Marquis case, everything in the imperial court and the harem seemed to be operating smoothly and according to established rules and regulations.

However, this year coincides with the imperial concubine selection. This important matter, which has always been managed by the empress and demonstrates the power of the empress, has become even more delicate now that the position of empress is vacant.

Surprisingly, the task was neither assigned to the most esteemed Consort Chun nor to Meng Shu, who was in charge of the six palaces. Instead, it was designated by the Emperor to be handled by Consort Shun, who usually kept a low profile.

Chenghui Hall.

After arranging for the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree, Xiaodie returned to her bedchamber with light steps, her skirt fluttering in the wind.

"Your Majesty, this is a joyous occasion. This is the first time His Majesty has entrusted such an important task to you alone, which shows His Majesty's favor..." Before she could finish speaking, Consort Shun shot her a sharp glare, which frightened her into silence and standing to the side with her head bowed.

Suqin, the old nanny standing to the side, said, "Although Xiaodie spoke a bit too hastily, her reasoning is sound. In the end, it's a very good thing. When the old lady in the manor finds out, she will surely be happy for the young lady."

She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice, "Your Majesty, presiding over the selection of imperial concubines may seem like a difficult task, but in reality, it is a position of prestige and power that many high-ranking officials in the palace would rather die than attain."

"Leaving aside the fact that this is acting on behalf of the Empress, Your Majesty holds the power of the initial selection. Your selection alone is enough to determine the fate of countless young women and even their families. This favor is truly genuine."

"Secondly, Your Highness can take this opportunity to show everyone in the harem that you not only have the ability to assist in management, but also the demeanor and skill to preside over the overall situation. From now on, your words will carry more weight in the harem."

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie couldn't help but whisper, "What the old lady says is true. This not only allows us to discern the Emperor's intentions, but more importantly, it helps us to consider and plan ahead who is suitable to enter the palace, who needs to be screened out early, and who... might become Your Highness's future assistants."

As Consort Shun listened to Suqin's analysis, she was still lost in thought, her fingers unconsciously twisting her handkerchief. After Xiaodie finished speaking, she suddenly looked up, her gaze falling on Xiaodie's face, her tone carrying a hint of melancholy: "Xiaodie, you've been with me in the Northern Frontier for over a decade, and you're always the most straightforward person. Now, you've only been in the palace for half a year, and you've already learned to be so calculating."

She paused slightly, let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh, and then continued, "Tell me, who advised you on those words just now?"

......

Lingcui Palace, Cuiyu Hall.

Meng Shu had just finished handling several palace affairs in the front hall. Consort Mu was nearly three months pregnant, so she needed to be extra careful about everything in Hanxiang Pavilion, including food, clothing, and daily necessities. Other trivial matters did not require too much attention.

Green Willow lifted the curtain and came in to pour her fresh tea. After tidying up, she said softly, "Your Majesty, the New Year has just ended, and the selection of imperial concubines is already scheduled for March. Isn't that a bit too rushed? I remember that last time we started preparations five or six months in advance."

Meng Shu put down her pen, picked up a warm teacup to warm her hands, and said, “His Majesty originally had no intention of holding a selection of concubines. I guess it was the Empress Dowager who spoke up, and several senior ministers submitted memorials to remonstrate, that made His Majesty agree. This selection of concubines will be much smaller in scale than the last one, and everything will be kept simple, so there is no need for such a long preparation period.”

"I've heard that the eligibility criteria for this selection have been set: eligible women must be from families of officials of the fifth rank or above," Green Willow added, her tone tinged with inquiry. "In that case, the family backgrounds are all set, but I wonder... how many will ultimately be chosen."

With the threshold raised and the scale streamlined, the Emperor's attitude is self-evident; perhaps his intention is to select officials' wives and daughters who can truly assist in managing the inner court and demonstrate virtue.

As the mistress and servant were talking, Dong Ming came over to report: "Your Majesty, Consort Shun is outside requesting an audience."