Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 335 Sisterly Affection

Madam Yun did not stop her, but instead stood up and bowed deeply to Meng Shu.

"In the end, it was the Tang family that ruined you, and it was the Marquis's mansion... that took advantage of your kindness to repay the debt."

This time, Meng Shu did not avoid it and accepted the bow.

Madam Yun's voice carried a hint of apology, "With Shu'er's intelligence and the Emperor's high regard for her, it's not impossible for her to reach that point in the future. You could have severed ties with the Marquis's mansion from now on, and I suppose... the Emperor also intends to do so."

Meng Shu tucked the cloud-patterned pendant into her sleeve and turned to look out the window.

Consort Chun was standing under the pear tree, lost in thought, seemingly oblivious even when Xiao Qi spoke to her. As if sensing something, she suddenly looked up at the study window, her eyes meeting Meng Shu's.

Meng Shu's lips unconsciously curved into a smile. She gave her a reassuring smile, then turned to Madam Yun and said:

"To be honest, I feel that I have repaid a lot of the kindness that the Madam and the Marquis's family have shown me over the years."

She paused, then continued, "I told you all this to you just now, Madam, not for any other reason than to preserve the sisterly bond between Wan'er and me that we've shared over the years. Wan'er is different from me; she has thousands of people in the Marquis's mansion and the merchant guild behind her. Ultimately, she... carries a heavier burden."

Upon hearing those last words, Madam Yun felt a sudden pang of sorrow. She turned her face away, using the act of wiping away tears to conceal the emotion in her eyes.

"I have another request for you, Madam."

Madam Yun understood: "Don't worry about Donggua and Lvliu. Although they have entered the palace register, if they ever leave the palace, the Marquis's mansion will arrange good contracts for them."

Maids who accompanied their mistresses into the palace needed to be registered in the palace register, which was handled by the Palace Attendant Bureau's Registrar's Office. Their names were entered into the register (they needed to show their register to receive their monthly allowance). Generally speaking, maids who accompanied their mistresses into the palace would not be released from the palace by their mistresses. Even if they left the palace and were removed from the palace register, their contracts with the household were still valid.

A hint of relief flashed in Meng Shu's eyes as she curtsied and said, "Shu'er thanks Madam on their behalf."

Madam Yun hesitated for a moment, which was uncommon, before advising, "Winter Melon and Green Willow know each other well, and Winter Melon, in particular, has spent the most time with you. Why not let her stay by your side..."

"They should live their own lives. Why should they waste their days confined in the palace because of me? I appreciate your kindness, Madam."

Meng Shu interrupted, saying that she had already thought of a way out for Donggua, and as for Lvliu... it was too early to say.

Madam Yun said no more, but felt even more indebted to Meng Shu and could only hope to make it up to her in the future.

Not long after the two finished their conversation and had lunch, a series of light footsteps could be heard outside. Jingming led two groups of palace servants in single file, carrying a bright yellow silk cover on a vermilion tray.

Jingming stopped at the steps, first bowing to Consort Chun and Meng Shu, saying, "Greetings to both Your Highnesses." He then turned to Madam Yun and bowed, saying, "Greetings to Madam Yun."

He straightened up, a smile on his face: "His Majesty specially instructed me to send over some trinkets, saying they were to be given to the young ladies and gentlemen of the Marquis's residence for their enjoyment."

As she spoke, she stepped forward and gently lifted the silk cloth, "Look, this is a new tribute of brocade, gemstones and pearls from Suzhou, as well as the Four Treasures of the Study for the Emperor. They are all unique gifts."

After Consort Chun expressed her gratitude, Jingming respectfully said, "His Majesty has another imperial edict, requesting that Lady Yun move to Zhuohui Hall for a discussion."

Unaware of the reason, Yun Baolin and Su Wanwan both looked up at Madam Yun with some concern. Madam Yun nodded slightly to them and left Chengguanzhai with Jingming, followed closely by Wei Mama carrying the ebony lacquer box.

After that, Meng Shu didn't linger. She said goodbye to Consort Chun and then took Green Willow and Xia'er back to Bilang Pavilion.

Consort Chun escorted her all the way to the palace gate, where Meng Shu stopped her, saying, "The Fifth Miss and the others are still waiting to catch up with Her Majesty. We can save our conversation for tomorrow."

"Shu'er, you have no idea how happy I was for you when I heard Mother mention this. I'll come to talk to you again later. Don't forget to prepare another pot of lychee green tea."

Meng Shu reached out and gently flicked the tip of Consort Chun's nose, teasingly saying, "I've got it. If Aunt Mei blames me later, I'll say it was Your Majesty's idea."

......

The evening clouds are tinged with autumn, and the cicadas sing their mournful songs.

On the carriage back to the city, Madam Yun and Tang Xian looked at each other in silence.

Just now at Zhuohui Hall, Madam Yun handed Meng Shu's indenture to the Emperor. In fact, this indenture had already become a worthless piece of paper the moment Meng Shu entered the Prince's Mansion. Besides, if the Emperor wanted to elevate Meng Shu's social standing, why would he need the Marquis's Mansion?

Times have changed. The Ninth Prince, who once humbly sought advice from Tang Xianzhi on matters of public life and governance during his journey south, is now an emperor who looks down upon all living beings from a high position.

The mind of a sage is unfathomable; this is no exception.

"The Emperor just suggested that you adopt Consort Meng as your goddaughter, but you declined."

Madam Yun's lips curled into a sneer, then she sighed, "I do like that girl Shu'er, but the Emperor's casual remark was just a test. How could I not know what was going on?"

"However, the rule that 'those who are not of good birth shall not be allowed to enter the Nine Concubines' is an ancestral rule of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The fact that the Emperor has given her such high regard shows that he truly cares about Shuer."

But if one harbors the intention of using this to sow discord and isolate Wan'er, then one will likely disappoint him.

Madam Yun felt a surge of comfort as she recalled Meng Shu's words.

Seeing this, Tang Xian flattered her, saying, "Jin'er has the best eye for people. She recognized him as her husband after only one meeting. I'm sure she won't be wrong about Meng Jieyu either."

Madam Yun paid no attention: "This time when I saw Wan'er, she has improved a lot. I only hope that she can truly grow up in the future."

There was silence for a long time, with only the rumbling of the wheels coming from inside the car.

“Some business deals are better left unsold; let’s find an opportunity to hand them over,” Madam Yun suddenly said, gently patting Tang Xian’s arm.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xian raised his thick eyebrows slightly. The carriage curtain was lifted by a corner by the evening breeze, letting in a few rays of the setting sun.

"The Tang family's trade routes stretch across the north and south; how could the imperial court possibly take over such a business with just a few upright civil officials?"

Madam Yun frowned: "A tall tree catches the wind. It depends on the Emperor's opinion..."

Tang Xian's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he lowered his voice and said, "Jin'er is overthinking it. For at least the next ten years or so, His Majesty will still need the support of the Tang family."

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has implemented benevolent policies and shown leniency to the remnants of Prince Yu and Prince Heng, thereby creating an opportunity to reform the imperial examination system and promote those from humble backgrounds. It can be said that he is a man of great talent and resourcefulness."

However, taking action against the gentry by using the Li family's canal transport case is inevitably too hasty.

Furthermore, although the war in the northwest had subsided, the chieftains in the southwest were restless, and the various Jurchen tribes in the northeast were also preparing for war. The imperial court needed to maintain its army, reorganize its military, and fortify its border defenses—all of which required the assistance of the Tang dynasty.

......

The imperial palace, Bilang Pavilion.

Meng Shu sat alone in the study, a bowl of hangover soup on her desk. The steam had long since dissipated, but she showed no signs of drunkenness.

Hearing footsteps, Meng Shu looked up and asked, "Have you sent Her Majesty back?"

Green Willow carried in a basin of hot water, her expression somewhat displeased. "It's here. Aunt Mei just said... the Marquis's residence will release Donggua's indenture, and in the next couple of days, Consort Chun will have the people from the Registrar's Office come to correct the old records."

"I know about this."

Meng Shu threw the handkerchief into the basin, wrung it out, and wiped her face.

Green Willow bit her lip and suddenly raised her voice: "Now that Shu'er is a Jieyu, she even has to do these things herself. Does she want to shoulder everything herself in the future and no longer need me and Donggua? Will she send me away then?"

"--ah?"

Meng Shu called out blankly, the alcohol taking effect, and she now truly appeared somewhat drunk.