Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 269 Truly Malicious Intentions

"title?"

The Empress's expression changed slightly, and she almost lost her composure.

Consort Mei felt the same way, muttering, "This favor is a bit too much."

When Consort Mei caught a glimpse of the growing displeasure in the Emperor's eyes, she snapped out of her daze and hurriedly rose to apologize, her words barely concealing her grievance: "Your Majesty, I misspoke. Please punish me."

Consort Mei looked pitiful, and the Emperor couldn't bear to scold her. "Your body is delicate, go back to the palace to rest early. I will come to see you again this afternoon."

Consort Mei managed a weak smile and said softly, "In that case, I shall take my leave."

The Empress looked up at Xingyu, who understood immediately and took out a pipa score from the treasure pavilion, presenting it to Liuli, who was standing next to Consort Mei.

"I was just about to show this to Consort Mei. I came across this pipa score by chance. I heard that Consort Mei is very skilled at the pipa and often practices diligently at night, so I thought I would compile it and give it to you."

Only then did Consort Mei understand the Empress's intention in keeping her there; she probably knew all along that the Emperor would come to Renming Palace after court. She immediately followed the Empress's words apologetically:

"Your Majesty, I did not do it intentionally. Yesterday, I was so engrossed in practicing the Xunyang Night Moon that I did not notice how late it had become."

The Emperor frowned, his deep voice revealing a hint of displeasure: "Although Zhaoqing Palace is adjacent to Plum Garden, it is not far from the Empress Dowager Cining Palace. The sound of the pipa is disturbing my peaceful sleep. From now on, I should not practice it too much at night."

The Empress concealed the sarcasm in her eyes and said insincerely, "Consort Mei's mistake was unintentional. I have always longed to hear Consort Mei play the pipa."

After Consort Mei left, the Empress remained silent for a moment before asking, "I wonder what title His Majesty has proposed for Consort Meng?"

For some reason, the Emperor had lost all interest. "Promote her to the rank of Beauty, but keep the title for now."

The Empress had no objection. These days, the Emperor rarely set foot in Renming Palace. The Empress couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, would you like to have lunch in my palace? I will instruct the kitchen to prepare a few dishes that Your Majesty likes."

......

Huining Hall.

After having breakfast with Consort Chun, Hua Yan immediately summoned Green Willow upon returning to the side hall and changed into casual clothes.

She reached out and took off the golden phoenix hairpin, placing it together with the five-tailed phoenix hairpin with pearls and red gold given to her by Consort Chun into a brocade box. "Put it away."

Liu carefully put the outer garment made of shimmering brocade into the wardrobe, and couldn't help but ask, "The phoenix hairpin that Her Majesty sent is just right, why don't we leave it in the dressing case?"

"No need."

Hua Yan was feeling a little tired. After drinking a cup of tea, she was about to take a nap when Meng Zhu came to the side hall.

"Is the coral bead string finished?" Hua Yan asked.

Mengzhu opened the brocade box in her hand, and Huayan saw only a coral bead. Not only was the size of the bead exactly the same as the cord, but even the twisted pattern carved on the surface of the coral bead was exactly the same as the one that had been given away.

"The craftsmanship is truly exquisite, but why wasn't the string that was originally sent out delivered to the palace?"

"The lady said that two of them were indeed not coral beads, but a type of ruby ​​from the southwest. This gemstone, when in contact with the body, can cause symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and nausea. If worn for a long time, it will lead to a short life. She deliberately made them into coral beads to deceive people. Her intentions are truly malicious."

"The truly wicked person is the one who knowingly bestows this extraordinary pearl upon others," Hua Yan sneered.

Mengzhu nodded and replied, "Madam ordered the original pearls to be destroyed. Her Highness sent me to ask you, Miss, whether this string of pearls should be sent to the Xiu Rong Palace?"

"Send it, why not send it? Not only should we send it, but we should also tell her the whole story."

After Hua Yan finished speaking, she asked, "It's been almost three months since Xiu Rong got pregnant. Has Jian Zhi sent any message recently, asking if the pregnancy is going well?"

"Seven days ago, Imperial Physician Jian sent word that the pregnancy was fine. Although Xiu Rong was a little weak, she took good care of herself during her confinement. Moreover, since becoming pregnant, Xiu Rong has strictly followed the doctor's advice and dared not slack off in the slightest."

Hua Yan gave her some instructions, and Meng Zhu followed them.

Later that afternoon, Dong Ming arrived at Huining Hall again with an imperial edict promoting him to a higher rank and numerous rewards.

Effective immediately, Hua Yan has been promoted from a sixth-rank talented woman to a fifth-rank beauty.

In the following days, the emperor stayed in Zhaoqing Palace, Huining Palace and Hanxiang Pavilion in succession, but each time he visited Huayan, he stayed in the Funing Palace.

Therefore, although Hua Yan served the emperor infrequently, everyone in the harem knew of her great favor.

On February 23, Guo Xiurong's confinement period ended, and she went to the Funing Palace to express her gratitude.

The next day, when Consort Guo went to Renming Hall to pay her respects to the Empress, she was wearing that multi-layered coral beaded necklace.

Guo Xiurong knelt before the Empress, and when she looked up, she tried her best to suppress the resentment in her eyes, and her face also became much paler.

When the Empress first saw Consort Guo wearing this jewelry, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, but her gaze softened considerably when she looked at Consort Guo again. "Now that you have been released from confinement, let bygones be bygones. From now on, you should abide by the palace rules and serve the Emperor wholeheartedly."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have learned your lesson."

After standing up, Consort Guo bowed to Consort Chun and Consort Mei in turn. Consort Chun nodded in response. Consort Mei was seeing Consort Guo for the first time since entering the palace, and looked at her curiously.

Perhaps seeing Guo Xiurong's pale face, and feeling a sense of shared suffering, Consort Mei said softly, "This is the first time I have met Xiurong. You may visit Zhaoqing Palace often in the future."

Consort Guo smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have met you. Now that I have received your words, I will have to shamelessly visit you often in the future."

Consort Mei smiled and said, "That's very good. Zhaoqing Palace and Dieqiong Pavilion aren't too far apart."

The Empress said, "Consort Mei and Consort Guo hit it off immediately. It would be good if all the sisters in the palace could be so harmonious."

After Guo Xiurong took her seat, which was next to Hua Yan's, she took the opportunity to sincerely congratulate the Empress and Consort Mei while they were talking: "When I was under house arrest, I often heard that Consort Meng was favored by the Emperor."

Hua Yan said calmly, "His Majesty is wise and adheres to the principle of distributing his favors equally. It is truly a cause for celebration that Xiu Rong will have someone to rely on in the future."

Guo Xiurong's face flushed slightly, and her hand unconsciously fell on her lower abdomen. She quickly stopped and gently held onto the armrest of the chair. "This matter has not yet been reported to the Emperor."

"The time has come, right here in the Renming Hall," Hua Yan reminded her.

Guo Xiurong seemed to be deep in thought.

......

Since August of last year, weddings in the capital were temporarily suspended, but by February of this year, there have been a series of happy events.

On February 24th, Tang Ling'er, the second young lady of the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion, married the young master of the Song family, who was the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. On that day, Consort Song claimed to be ill and did not come to the Renming Hall to pay her respects.

On February 28th, Zhou Bai and Huan Yun tied the knot.

Hua Yan, being confined to the inner palace, was unable to attend her uncle's wedding with Huan Yun, which she deeply regretted.

But who is Zhou Bai? He asked Tang Lin's wife, Su Wanwan, to enter the palace and send steamed cakes and auspicious fruits to Hua Yan. He also brought a lot of dates and chestnuts, but in the end, it was only a small consolation. After entering the palace, it would be difficult to see each other again.

In early March, the day before the general election, Guo Xiurong arrived late when she went to Renming Hall to pay her respects.

Consort Shen made a few provocative remarks, and although the Empress did not punish her, Consort Guo turned pale and fainted in Renming Palace.