Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 290 Aunt Mei Returns Home

Seeing that her cousin had stopped there, Yun Yao was too nervous to say anything more. Instead, she looked around at the furnishings of the bedroom and naturally started talking about jewelry. After a few sentences, she mentioned the snow cloud gauze that Consort Chun had worn at the banquet.

Consort Chun had already prepared many gifts for the first meeting. Seeing that her cousin was so sensible, she called to Mengzhu, "Mengzhu, go to the storeroom and fetch the gifts for my cousin Yun."

Seeing this, Yun Yao quickly stood up, at a loss for words, and said, "When I left Chuzhou, my mother said that I was able to enter the palace thanks to my cousin's kindness, and it is my blessing to be able to spend time with my cousin now."

“Cousin, there’s no need for formalities. Ganlu Palace isn’t far from here. You can come here often in the future.” Consort Chun pulled Yun Yao to sit down. Consort Chun was also willing to take care of this cousin she was meeting for the first time.

Like Consort Mei and Consort Pei, when a girl from the Yun family entered the palace, the mere faction alone naturally led outsiders to regard Yun Yao as part of Consort Chun's faction.

Before long, Mengzhu entered the hall carrying two bolts of cloth and Mingyue carrying two brocade boxes.

"This Snow Cloud Yarn is a new fabric recently launched by Yongxiu Cloth Shop. The other piece is Floating Cloud Brocade. There are a few pieces of jewelry in the box. Dress up brightly later, there's no need to wear something so... plain."

Consort Chun remained outspoken. Yun Yao's attire today was anything but simple; it was exactly the same as yesterday's, which felt somewhat incongruous.

Yun Yao paused for a moment before smiling and thanking her.

Ruizhu brought in the tea and said happily, "Your Majesty, the petals of this Golden Jade Chrysanthemum tea unfurled instantly after brewing, it's truly beautiful. The chrysanthemum tea has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and I added a few drops of honey to the winter melon tea while brewing it."

"My cousin sent many; you may all take a few to try." Consort Chun was delighted to see the golden chrysanthemums, as big as a baby's fist, dancing in the tea.

Yun Yao was slightly taken aback. She had long heard that her cousin was always outspoken, and today's first meeting made her understand that.

She composed herself and replied, "I have more. If you like them, I'll send them over in a few days."

After drinking her tea, Hua Yan found an excuse to return to the side hall.

"Go to the kitchen and keep an eye on that girl named Dujuan. Then call Xiaoyuanzi over."

Green Willow responded and went to the front hall to summon Little Yuanzi.

When Xiao Yuanzi arrived, Xiao Nianzi followed him to the side hall.

Hua Yan was admiring the flowers in the flower garden in front of the side hall, while Xia'er served her.

"Your Majesty, did you call me?" Xiao Yuanzi asked after bowing.

Hua Yan turned around and instructed, "On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, when performing the Zhong Kui Palace Tour Ceremony, avoid Consort Guo's Dieqiong Pavilion and Consort Shen's Shujing Palace. The red beans, glutinous rice, and other items scattered along the way must be handed over to Physician He of the Imperial Medical Bureau for inspection in advance, and remember to leave a trace."

After thinking it over, Xiao Yuanzi replied, "I understand. When I go to the Imperial Medical Bureau tomorrow, I will choose a time when all the adults are on duty."

Xiao Nianzi said, "Your Majesty, this morning I chatted with Eunuch Dong, and it turns out that some of his eunuchs intend to dress up as little devils during the Zhong Kui Palace Tour ceremony."

Hua Yan was already worried that something unexpected might happen during the ceremony, so it would be even better if the eunuchs from Funing Palace were there.

"That's perfect. Xiao Yuanzi, go and fetch them this afternoon."

After receiving the order, Xiao Yuanzi left to carry out his errand. Xia'er noticed that Xiao Nianzi seemed to have something to report, so she consciously retreated to a distance.

"Your Majesty, I have found out."

Dong Ming inadvertently mentioned that when Consort Chun celebrated her birthday, the Emperor originally prepared a zither made of paulownia wood as a gift. The workshop worked day and night to complete it, and the strings were made of gold-threaded strings, which were tributes from the Xiongnu royal court, making it extremely precious.

When he mentioned this, he also expressed deep regret for Consort Chun. The Emperor's high regard for her was a testament to his great favor, but it was a pity that the congratulatory gifts sent by the Marquis's residence happened to include the Nine Heavens Jade Pendant..."

Hua Yan listened without any change in expression and instructed, "There is no need to inform the Empress about this matter."

Favor?

Hua Yan sneered. When Consort Mei returned to the capital, she transplanted a phoenix tree from Changchun Garden. Perhaps such favor was truly sincere.

.......

Aunt Mei left the palace in the early morning and arrived at the Marquis of Lin'an's residence by carriage at the end of Chenshi (7-9 AM).

Madam Yun had received prior notice and sent Wei Mama to wait for her at the gate of the mansion early in the morning.

Aunt Mei stepped off the carriage and looked at the solemn and majestic Marquis's mansion. She was filled with mixed feelings. If the Second Miss had not entered the palace and had married as the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's mansion, everything would have been very different.

But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. If the second young lady had not entered the palace as a concubine, even if the head of the family had made tremendous contributions, he would probably not have been able to be ennobled.

This was Aunt Mei's first time returning to the Marquis's mansion. As she listened to Mama Wei introduce each part of the mansion and witnessed the comings and goings of maids and servants, she gradually regained a sense of familiarity.

Madam Yun and her daughter-in-law Su Wanwan received Aunt Mei in the flower hall. Before Aunt Mei could even kneel down to pay her respects, her eyes were already slightly red.

"Why must Xiangmei perform such a grand ceremony?" Madam Yun gently touched the corner of her eye, then personally rose and pulled Aunt Mei to her side. Su Wanwan also stepped forward to help Aunt Mei sit down.

Aunt Mei dared not sit in front of her mistress, and after some polite refusals, she quickly thanked her, saying, "Thank you, young mistress."

After exchanging pleasantries with Madam Yun, Aunt Mei recounted Consort Chun's recent situation in detail for most of the hour.

"It's good that Wan'er knows about Yu Chan's matter. The Empress (referring to Hua Yan) has acted appropriately. In less than half a year, Wan'er will be eighteen years old."

After Xiangmei returned, she told Wan'er and the Empress that the Emperor was only in his twenties and there was no need to rush to conceive.

Everything must be planned carefully before action. Isn't His Majesty the last prince of the late Emperor? Giving birth to a prince only provides a sliver of... opportunity. Raising the prince safely to adulthood and carefully educating him is of utmost importance.

Aunt Mei noted everything down, then cautiously glanced at Su Wanwan out of the corner of her eye. Madam Yun immediately said, "It's alright, Your Highness, do you have any message to bring?"

After Aunt Mei finished recounting the events surrounding the First Brightness Banquet at Linde Palace and the matters concerning Consort Mei, she took out a handkerchief from her bosom, inside which was the steel needle.

After examining the situation carefully, Madam Yun said to Mama Wei, "Madam Zhou is currently in the capital. I will send someone to invite her right away."

After Wei Mama left, Su Wanwan suddenly spoke, though her tone was slightly hesitant: "Does Your Majesty suspect that Consort Mei is faking illness?"

“I just remembered something. Years ago, when the Duke of Qing’s mansion was very powerful, I visited it several times with my mother and grandmother. Consort Mei was frail from childhood, but she didn’t see many people until she was four or five years old. It was around that time that news of her heart ailment spread.”

Madam Yun's eyes narrowed slightly, and she said meaningfully, "Your Highness would not speak without reason. Besides the possibility that she is really faking illness, I'm afraid that there has indeed been some unknown secret between the two young ladies of the Duke of Qing's mansion."

"The people we've placed in the Duke's mansion have sent a few messages, but it's inconvenient to leave a written record. Xiangmei will explain everything carefully to Her Highness when she returns..."

One hour later.

Madam Zhou entered the Marquis's mansion through the back gate. Originally a member of the martial arts world, she wore a lotus-root-colored dress to avoid attracting attention, but she felt uncomfortable all over.

"—These steel needles look rather familiar?"

Madam Zhou frowned, racking her brains, but she still couldn't recall where she had seen him before.

Following Hua Yan's guess, Madam Yun reminded her, "Madam Zhou once accompanied the head of the family to the border. Did you see her in the military camp?"

Madam Zhou shook her head in denial, "The army operates with broad, open movements; such underhanded weapons are never used openly..."

I remember now! Last time, I was ordered to protect the young lady on her journey to the Northwest. On the way, I happened to encounter a few martial arts practitioners. The leader of them was the same group of villains who released snakes in the Prince's mansion. I killed them on the spot.

Besides a letter, the man was also found with over a dozen poisoned steel needles. (Chapter 226)

......