Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 515 The Empress's Arrangements

Others might not realize it, but Meng Shu's words, though seemingly innocuous, actually contained a probing intent.

Consort Shun and Consort Mu could barely be considered part of the Empress's faction. At this moment, the two of them frowned and exchanged a glance.

There was no other reason than that Consort Jin, who was usually low-key and taciturn, was behaving very differently today, which inevitably made the two of them more alert. Consort Shun even had time to glance at Consort Chun, but Consort Chun always kept her expression hidden in front of outsiders, so she couldn't discern anything from her for the time being.

Consort Shen, on the other hand, was straightforward and had never been scheming. Hearing Meng Shu say this, she looked up at the Empress and said happily after a moment, "Your Majesty looks to be in excellent spirits today, which shows that the recuperation prescriptions are indeed effective."

"The Imperial Medical Academy has always been dedicated, so I imagine the prescription written by Physician He must be extraordinary." Meng Shu spoke slightly quickly.

"Where is Physician He—"

Shen Jieyu subconsciously tried to speak, but suddenly fell silent, a hint of embarrassment appearing on her face.

She then remembered that Physician Chu, who had previously treated and cared for the Empress, had already committed suicide by running into a pillar out of fear of punishment.

Seeing this, Consort Mu quickly stood up to smooth things over: "Sister Yi'an may have misremembered. Although Physician He has not been in charge of the Empress's health care over the years, he has still given a lot of useful advice." As she spoke, she secretly gave Consort Shen a look, signaling her to stop talking.

The Empress's smile faded slightly. "Sister Shen didn't mean anything by it, so please don't take it to heart. My health has been weak and difficult to recover from since my miscarriage. It is thanks to the careful treatment of the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital that I have gradually improved."

The Empress was quite surprised by Meng Shu's seemingly veiled words, but the surprise was fleeting. She quickly changed the subject: "Speaking of which, among the sisters in the palace, only the Noble Consort and Consort Jin are truly blessed. Especially Consort Jin, who gave birth to the Emperor's eldest son, a great contribution to the nation. Yesterday, when the Emperor came to Renming Hall, he mentioned to me several times that the eldest prince is intelligent and quite gifted."

Meng Shu bowed and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I, Yu Nu'er, am not worthy of the word 'intelligent'. It is Your Majesty who has just been released from confinement and the Emperor has come to Renming Palace to visit you overnight. This imperial favor is a blessing that all the sisters in the harem should envy."

The Empress smiled and glanced at him: "It's been several months since I last saw you. I never imagined that Consort Jin would not only remain as beautiful as ever, but also become even more eloquent and insightful. No wonder His Majesty always cherishes you so much."

Then, she shifted her gaze to Consort Chun beside her and asked with concern, "I heard that the Second Prince was born with a weak constitution. I wonder if he is alright now?"

"No need for Your Highness to worry," Consort Chun replied calmly, "Kang-ge'er is fully recovered now."

“That’s very good. Speaking of the Second Prince, his status is especially noble... It’s my fault as his mother that I haven’t seen the child yet. I’ll take the Emperor to Huining Palace to visit him when he has some free time. We should make up for the baby’s third-day celebration and full-month celebration.”

After a brief pause, the Empress turned to the crowd and said, “The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and His Majesty intends to keep it simple. Yesterday, when I went to Cining Palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, she told me that all officials of the rank of Consort and above should attend the banquet at Cining Palace on the Mid-Autumn Festival. You should all make preparations in advance and not be impolite.”

Consort Chun, along with Consort Meng, Consort Shun, and others, rose and acknowledged the order.

Consort Shen lost her rank of Consort and was not on the list of guests for the palace banquet. However, she did not react much. On the contrary, several lower-ranking concubines, such as Consort Yun, could not help but show some undisguised envy in their eyes.

The Empress's gaze fell on Consort Shun, showing a touch of closeness: "Sister Shuyi, you have been in the palace for some time now, and I know you always miss your family. Now that Uncle Han is stationed far away in the northern frontier, you can invite the old lady to the palace these few days, and you and your grandmother can have a good time together."

Consort Shun quickly bowed and thanked Your Majesty, saying, "Your Majesty, I am very grateful for your kindness."

"The old lady is also my elder, so there is no need for such formalities, Sister Shuyi."

The Empress then turned to Consort Shen and said with a smile, "Madam Shen has not seen the Second Princess for some time. I will summon her to the palace tomorrow."

Consort Shen was overjoyed upon hearing this, her voice filled with gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness."

"After Lady Qing passed away, Zhaoqing Palace was indeed tainted with bad luck. Yesterday, Consort Yang came to me and pleaded with me. I am not an unfeeling person. The main hall of Ganlu Palace is still empty, so you may choose a day to move there."

Yang Baolin was taken aback upon hearing this. When had she ever asked the Empress for this matter?

However, she quickly composed herself, glanced at Yun Baolin sitting next to her, and immediately stood up, knelt down, and respectfully thanked her: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

To be granted the position of Baolin in the main hall of the palace was nothing short of a stroke of good fortune for her. As for the deeper meaning behind the Empress's move, having already chosen to align herself with the Empress, she naturally understood it perfectly.

Yun Baolin's heart tightened. Since Consort Rong left, she had lived comfortably alone in Ganlu Palace. If Consort Yang were to move here, the two of them, both holding the rank of Baolin, would find it awkward to be together. That was secondary; the Empress's move seemed to also be an attempt to elevate Consort Yang's status. If Consort Yang were promoted in the future, wouldn't she be under her jurisdiction? She had previously tried to persuade her cousin to move to Huining Palace, but her cousin had never agreed. Now that the Empress had spoken, even if her cousin agreed, it would likely be impossible.

Meng Shu tapped the table silently with her fingertips, her eyes darkening slightly. The Empress's arrangement was both a favor to Consort Yang and a way to keep Consort Yun in check, and even to spy on Consort Chun's movements.

She hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, “Since Lady Li died for her crimes, the main hall has been sealed off. I think it is not much different from Zhaoqing Hall. Your Majesty the Empress is kind and compassionate towards Consort Yang. Why not move her to Sister Shen’s palace? Shujing Hall is spacious, and the two side halls have elegant scenery and are in suitable locations. Wouldn’t that be more appropriate?”

Upon hearing this, Consort Shen pursed her lips, looking displeased. Just as she was about to refuse, Consort Mu stopped her with a look.

Consort Mu replied coldly, her tone indifferent: "Your Highness Consort Jin's words may be inappropriate. The two princesses are frail, and Shujing Palace is not suitable for noise. If Consort Yang does not mind the simplicity, she may move to my palace, where she can keep Consort Pei company. The two sisters have always been by Qing's side and naturally get along very well, so it would be more suitable for them."

......

My apologies, I fell asleep again yesterday... There will be another update tonight.