Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 431 An 1 An Lin'an Marquis's Heart

Consort Chun performed the grand ceremony with utmost propriety before stepping forward to take Rongxiu's place and support Empress Dowager Zhou's arm: "Your Majesty has done me a great service. I had originally planned to go to the Buddhist hall to see you at this hour."

Empress Dowager Zhou felt a warmth in her heart and couldn't help but glance at Consort Chun a few more times.

It's really different now. Although there was still some intimacy in the past, given Consort Chun's personality, she would never have said something so witty and lively.

"I was just taking a walk after my morning lessons; I didn't come all this way to wait for you."

Empress Dowager Zhou deliberately put on a stern face, which made Rongxiu and others chuckle under their handkerchiefs.

“That’s right,” Rongxiu chimed in. “After the Empress Dowager finished reciting the sutra, she said she was going to the back garden to enjoy the flowers and relax. But somehow she ended up in the front hall.”

Empress Dowager Zhou glared at her reproachfully: "You talk too much."

Jingming stood there stunned. He had been to the palace many times by imperial decree, but he had never seen the Empress Dowager like this before.

Mustering her courage, she glanced behind Rongxiu and saw, besides the somewhat familiar Physician Zhou, an old man with white hair and beard standing there. He must be the physician surnamed Zhen from the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.

"This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress Dowager." Jingming knelt on the ground, presenting the gift list with both hands. "His Majesty specially selected some tribute gifts and instructed this servant to deliver them..."

Rongxiu stepped forward half a step, took the document, and handed it to Empress Dowager Zhou.

"Get up. Jing Neiguan came by a few days ago. It's kind of you to run back and forth to deliver the message."

Twelve eunuchs brought up the rear, carrying or lifting several boxes that stood out conspicuously.

Empress Dowager Zhou glanced at the list of gifts before opening it for a closer look.

The items the Emperor sent this time were not particularly valuable, mostly everyday necessities. However, one item was a gilded battle Buddha, which was specially made for praying for the soldiers of the northern frontier.

As Rongxiu led the palace maids to arrange the tribute, Granny Kong, who had arrived a day earlier, led Aunt Mei with many trunks to the side hall.

After Jingming got up, he followed behind with a bowed back and a respectful expression.

Back when he was still a young eunuch, he accompanied the Ninth Prince to pay his respects to the then Empress. In his memory, Empress Dowager Zhou was like a still lake, without any ripples or waves. Over the years, only when she saw Consort Chun would her calm eyes show a slight ripple.

With a sigh in his heart, he followed them all the way into the main hall of Yichun Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhou took her seat, preoccupied with talking to Consort Chun. She was slightly surprised to see Jing Ming still following her: "Eunuch Jing still needs to serve the Emperor. There's no need for him to linger here with me."

Jingming quickly replied, "Your Majesty, His Majesty instructed me not to rush back. He will come to pay his respects to you in person after a few days."

Empress Dowager Zhou raised her hand and said in a calm tone, "Political affairs are of utmost importance. Go back and tell the Emperor that he doesn't need to keep thinking about me." She paused and then added, "If I miss him, I can return to Shou Kang Palace at any time."

The hall fell silent upon hearing this.

Even Consort Chun was stunned for a moment, then, as if she had thought of something, she lowered her eyes to hide her expression, and her fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.

Jingming felt a chill run down his spine, wondering what Empress Dowager Zhou meant by those words. Years ago, when the Emperor sent him to invite Empress Dowager Zhou back to the palace, she had clearly said, "I have lived in that square palace for decades and am tired of it."

Why are you agreeing to this now?

He dared not think any further, and simply bowed even lower.

After spending half an hour in Yichun Palace, Jingming, following the Emperor's instructions, carefully inquired about the Empress Dowager's daily life and medical records from Imperial Physician Zhou. Only then did he bid farewell to Empress Dowager Zhou and Consort Chun, and hurried back to the palace on horseback.

Inside the Fu Ning Hall of the Imperial Palace.

"Did Mother really say that?"

The Emperor had just finished the morning court session and hadn't even changed out of his court robes. At this moment, he stood by the window, gazing into the distance towards Changchun Garden, his expression unchanged.

Jingming bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager herself said that 'one can return to Shou Kang Palace at any time,' and this servant thinks... it doesn't sound like a casual remark."

The Emperor's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked again, "Is the physician sent by Tang Xian still there? How is he treating the Empress Dowager?"

"After the New Year, I would visit the imperial palace every now and then, and the Empress Dowager's complexion had clearly improved."

Consort Chun brought some pastries prepared by the head of the kitchen. The Empress Dowager ate some, and if Aunt Rongxiu hadn't stopped her, she probably would have ordered more.

Consort Qi asked Consort Chun to deliver a portrait of the eldest princess. The Empress Dowager was delighted to see it and even sent a jade pendant to the eldest princess as a reward.

Consort Song also asked Consort Chun to send a handwritten sutra, saying...that it was handwritten by Consort Shen herself, and that the Empress Dowager said it was very thoughtful..."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's cold and stern expression softened slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly said, "Go and fetch that painting by Mr. Dunzhai from my private treasury. You personally deliver it to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence. That brat Tang Lin has asked me for it several times already."

Jingming was taken aback, almost missing the emperor's message. He secretly thought to himself, "Lord Tang Lin is two years younger than you, so why did you suddenly think of rewarding your brother-in-law?"

He asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, is it that painting, 'Returning Fishermen on Frosty Shores'? You took it to Consort Jin's place before the New Year to have it copied together. I noticed you really liked that painting."

The Emperor's lips curved slightly, but his eyes were unfathomable: "Consort Chun must be pregnant. I will use this authentic work to... put the Marquis of Lin'an at ease."

Jingming's breath hitched, nearly causing him to lose his composure before the Emperor. His Adam's apple bobbed twice, and he finally couldn't help but let out a short, sharp "Ah?!"

Even after he left the palace and was on his way to the storeroom, he was still in a daze.

Dong Ming followed behind, and seeing him walking straight towards the vermilion pillars, he quickly reminded him, "Watch your step..."

With a loud bang, Jingming's forehead slammed into the pillar, making him see stars and stagger back two steps.

Dong Ming hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, only to see Jing Ming touching his forehead in a daze, saying, "No wonder...no wonder the Empress Dowager suddenly agreed to return to the palace..."

......

Lingcui Palace, Cuiyu Hall.

At noon, Donggua busied himself setting out the meal in the flower hall.

Today she cooked several new dishes, and after setting them up, she happily rubbed her hands together, waiting for Meng Shu to taste them and receive her praise. Mingyue helped her from the side, occasionally flattering her: "I'm so glad I came!"

Consort Qi arrived at this moment, looking somewhat dazed.

Hearing the commotion outside, Green Willow rushed out to help, only to find her hands covered in icy cold liquid.

When she returned to the flower hall, Meng Shu was already sitting at the octagonal table, and Dong Gua was diligently serving her food.

Meng Shu's gaze swept over Consort Qi's slightly pale face, and she immediately understood: "Consort Qi, did you just return from the Yeting Palace?"

She pretended to take Xia'er's hand and stood up, about to greet her according to her rank.

Consort Qi quickly stepped forward to support her, "Good sister, thanks to your guidance, otherwise I... I had no idea she was such a person."

Meng Shu gently patted the back of her hand and led her to sit down: "Sister, you are too kind. It is understandable that Consort Qu wants to climb the social ladder, but she cannot use Afu as a stepping stone. In the future, you should be more careful."

As he spoke, he handed over a cup of warm jasmine tea.

Consort Qi took the teacup and suddenly, without warning, raised three fingers.

"Huh? What is this...?"

Qi Pin lowered her voice and said, "Three slaps! I heard it all clearly, even through the wall!"

-

I overslept last night, so there will be 1-2 more chapters today. *bows*