Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 347 Movements in the Palace

When the imperial procession arrived at the Vermilion Bird Gate, Consort Xie and Consort Rong stood side by side in front of the imperial concubines to greet them.

In just two months, Rong Meiren's previous suffering caused by her family had vanished. Her hair was styled in a high bun, her face was radiant, and her delicate features appeared even more tender.

Everyone understood the reason for this change. It was assumed that because the head of the Li family had redeemed himself through meritorious service, Consort Rong would soon regain the Emperor's favor and enjoy renewed imperial grace.

Since they had just returned to the palace and were busy with many matters, Meng Shu and the other accompanying concubines needed to be settled. Therefore, the customary summer banquet after returning to the capital was scheduled for the hour of You (5-7 PM).

After respectfully escorting the Empress Dowager's carriage to the Cining Palace, the Emperor also departed for the Funing Hall to attend to state affairs. The Empress glanced at them with her phoenix eyes and said gently, "My sisters must be tired. Let's disperse for today." After saying this, she took Xingyu's hand and went to the Renming Hall.

The concubines bowed respectfully to see her off. After the Empress had gone far away, Meng Shu and Consort Chun were about to return to Huining Palace when they saw Consort Xie gracefully approaching.

“Sister Meng,” Xie Jieyu said with a smile, “His Majesty specifically instructed me to oversee the renovation of Lingcui Palace. If you find anything unsatisfactory, I will report back to His Majesty and have the Imperial Household Department redo it.”

Upon hearing this, Qu Cairen, who was standing to the side, froze for a moment, and subtly moved away from Xie Jieyu.

Rong Meiren parted her red lips slightly and said in a coquettish voice, "What? Sister Xie, haven't you had enough of assisting in managing the six palaces? Now that Consort Chun has returned to the palace to take charge, how dare you interfere?"

The atmosphere suddenly froze. Xie Jieyu felt slightly embarrassed, a breath caught in her throat, and she didn't know how to respond.

Upon hearing the words "return to the palace to take charge," Consort Chun frowned slightly.

Meng Shu said, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Xie. I am a free spirit, and the arrangements are entirely up to His Majesty."

Xie Jieyu's expression softened slightly, and she lowered her eyes without saying another word.

Meng Shu slowly turned to look at Consort Rong: "Consort Rong's words are inappropriate. Consort Chun is favored by the Emperor to assist in managing the six palaces, and her actions are all in accordance with palace rules and ancestral laws. According to what you just said, it seems that you are going to overstep the bounds, wouldn't that be a betrayal of the important trust the Emperor has placed in her?"

Consort Rong, who had only disapproved of Consort Xie's behavior, quickly explained to Consort Chun, "Your Majesty, please understand, I had no such intention. I misspoke just now, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"Consort Rong is young and impetuous, and I will not hold it against her. However, she should think carefully before she speaks."

Consort Rong curtsied and agreed. Consort Chun and Meng Shu returned to Huining Palace first. Passing by Taiye Pond, Meng Shu instructed Xia'er to take the trunks and luggage to Lingcui Palace to settle them.

In front of Huining Hall.

Granny Kong Lian (formerly the head nanny in Empress Dowager Zhou's palace) led Xiao Yuanzi, Mingyue, and the others who were left behind to wait outside the palace gate. When they saw Consort Chun and the others from afar, Mingyue lifted the hem of her skirt and went to greet them first.

"Your Majesty is finally back!" She frowned and bowed to Consort Chun with a wronged expression. Meng Zhu Ruizhu rushed forward to comfort her.

Consort Chun smiled as she watched this scene and promised, "If there is another opportunity next time, I will definitely take you with me."

Mingyue grinned and said in a low voice, "Granny Kong has us clean carefully every day, hoping that the ladies can come back soon. Donggua came back yesterday and is helping to put things away at Lingcui Palace now."

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the rear hall. Aunt Mei led Ruizhu and the others to settle their trunks, while Consort Chun summoned Granny Kong and two others to the study for questioning.

"Has anything happened in the palace these past two months?"

Granny Kong reported, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, everything in Huining Palace is as usual. Most of the concubines who remain in the palace are also behaving themselves. Consort Xiuyi usually stays in her own palace to rest during her pregnancy and has never gone out. However, Consort Shen..." She hesitated slightly, "...often associates with Consort Qu."

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun asked in confusion, "Since Consort Shen became pregnant, she has always been arrogant and haughty. How could she be involved with Consort Qu?"

A thoughtful look flashed in Meng Shu's eyes: "That's not surprising. Consort Shen loves being flattered. Qu Baolin must have been trying to please her."

However, she also felt a little strange. If Consort Shen's pregnancy was truly stable, she would not have missed such an important occasion as welcoming the emperor today. Why hadn't she been seen earlier?

Xiao Yuanzi chimed in, "Your Majesty is right. I often travel outside and have seen the two of them strolling together near Taiye Pond. Consort Qu... not only personally held a fan to shield Consort Shen from the sun, but she even had her handkerchief ironed with incense before handing it to her. She was extremely attentive."

Then she added, "But in the last few days, Consort Shen has not been seen leaving Shujing Palace."

Meng Shu and Consort Chun exchanged glances, both seeing the same suspicion in each other's eyes.

They then inquired in detail about some trivial matters in the palace. Apart from the fact that Consort Rong received a reward from the Emperor half a month ago, and Consort Xie was busy preparing for the welcoming ceremony and the summer banquet, nothing else of great importance had happened.

Consort Chun raised her arm slightly, signaling Granny Kong and Xiao Yuanzi to step back.

After the two left the study, she turned to Mingyue and asked, "Did Physician Jian send a message?"

Mingyue shook her head.

Meng Shu said, "Tomorrow, Imperial Physician Jian will take Her Majesty's pulse. If there is anything unusual... he will be on duty at the Imperial Hospital and should be able to detect something."

......

After lingering in the study for a while, Consort Chun said, "Why don't you go check the side hall? Donggua might not be as meticulous as you, so don't forget anything important."

The two walked slowly toward the side hall where Meng Shu used to live, pushed open the door and entered. They saw that apart from the empty dressing table, all the familiar furnishings were still there.

Green Willow frowned behind Meng Shu and said, "Strange, didn't Winter Melon already come and clean up a while ago?"

Meng Shu lightly stroked the chrysanthemum-petal jade teacup on the table, a guess forming in her mind. "It must all be settled in Lingcui Palace. However, some things were sent by Madam. I'll make a list later and then slowly gather them over."

When Meng Shu was brought into the Prince of Jin's residence as part of her dowry, Madam Yun gave her many gifts. Later, whenever she sent festival gifts to the palace, she always made sure to include one for Meng Shu. These items were all deeply meaningful, and Meng Shu cherished them greatly.

Although Lingcui Palace was only separated from Huining Palace by a few courtyards, they could no longer see each other simply by opening the door. Consort Chun was somewhat reluctant to part with her, but she suppressed the bitterness in her heart and said softly, "It's getting late. I'll call Aunt Mei and the others, and we'll escort you there together."

Meng Shu teased deliberately, "Why are you being so formal? It's like you're sending me off on my wedding day."

Consort Chun covered her mouth and chuckled upon hearing this, then said reproachfully, "You always have such mischievous ideas. Fine, then I won't see you off. That person wouldn't stand to see us being so close anyway."

I might as well make it for him to see first.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S. It's necessary to review the beauties of the imperial harem (currently eighteen concubines).

1. The Empress resides in Renming Palace.

2. Consort Chun resides in Huining Palace; Meng Shu resides in Lingcui Palace.

3. Consort Song resides in Hanxiang Pavilion; Consort Qu (the big idiot) resides in Qianying Pavilion.

4. Consort Shen (pregnant) resides in Shujing Palace; Consort Guo (pregnant) resides in Dieqiong Pavilion.

Entering the palace through imperial summons or selection of imperial concubines:

5. Consort Qing (Mei Fei), resided in Zhaoqing Palace.

6. Consort Xie and Consort Qu reside in Chunxi Palace; Consort Rong and Consort Yun reside in Ganlu Palace.

7. Consort Pei resides in Hanxiang Pavilion; Consort Wu and Consort Yang reside in Yulan Pavilion; there are also three other consorts (currently without roles).