Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 360 Birthday Banquet (1)

Granny Gui and Xingyu exchanged a glance, then immediately bowed and stepped forward, awaiting the Empress's instructions.

Renming Palace had made a great plan, but unexpectedly, the next morning, Green Willow noticed Dong'er's unusual behavior.

......

Back when they lived in the side hall of Huining Palace, Meng Shu had taken Dong'er to her side as a maid. Later, when they moved to Lingcui Palace, she arranged for Dong'er to sweep and clean the front hall.

Relying on her past experience serving Consort Chun in the Prince of Jin's residence, Dong'er acted arrogantly towards the four newly arrived palace maids. Naturally, the new maids dared not speak out against her.

However, which of those who managed to enter the palace through layers of selection didn't have their own ulterior motives?

Therefore, as soon as Dong'er stepped out of the Lingcui Palace gate, Hongyu followed silently behind.

Hongyu was the least attractive of the four maids who served in the palace. They were all assigned by Consort Xie to serve Meng Shu. Given their background, whether or not they were truly connected with Consort Xie, they were inevitably treated as spies and guarded against.

Therefore, they have been acting with extra caution for the past month. After all, Consort Meng is currently enjoying great favor with the emperor, and no one wants to cause trouble at this juncture.

Hongyu followed Dong'er all the way to the Imperial Garden. Through a few flowering trees, she saw Dong'er talking to a man who looked like a eunuch.

Fearing discovery, she dared not get too close, only catching glimpses of "Consort Chun" and "pregnant" through the wind. Hongyu's heart skipped a beat, but her mind also began to race.

About fifteen minutes later, seeing the two separate, she immediately took a shortcut back to Lingcui Palace.

Upon entering the palace, she went straight to find Green Willow without much hesitation.

After hearing this, Green Willow only told her not to make a fuss.

Under the warm autumn sun, Meng Shu was embroidering cloud patterns on the hem of her dress by the window. Once the last stitch was finished, the birthday gift she was preparing for Consort Chun would be complete.

After listening to Green Willow's report, she pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, "Does the Empress perhaps think... that Wan'er's illness is actually due to her pregnancy?"

Green Willow pondered, "But Consort Chun's medical records are all in the Imperial Medical Bureau, so it's not difficult to find them... Besides, Dong'er is no longer working at Huining Palace. What can the Empress's people find out if they come to her now?"

“Illnesses in the palace are always a mix of truth and falsehood, so it’s not surprising that she has such suspicions.”

Meng Shu's eyes shifted slightly. "As for approaching Dong'er, it's not necessarily to ask her questions; it's more likely to instruct her on something."

Following this line of thought, Green Willow quickly added, "But she didn't even have a chance to go to Huining Palace. Even in our Cuiyu Hall, she couldn't even get through the main hall's door..."

"There's nothing she can do, but she still has a mouth. Keep a close eye on Hongyu and the other three. Also... keep a close eye on Jinxi. I told him to keep an eye on Dong'er, but half an hour has passed and we still haven't seen him."

Meng Shu patted Lvliu's hand, "We've at least gained an advantage in the open, so we have nothing to fear."

Green Willow nodded in agreement, then hesitated and said, "It was Hongyu who came to me to tell me about this. I think she's quite clever. Would Your Highness like to meet her?"

“No need,” Meng Shu put the clothes into the brocade box and said calmly, “If she is smart, she will know how to show her loyalty and pledge her allegiance.”

......

Another day has passed.

Meng Shu left Green Willow at Cuiyu Hall and went out with only Xia'er and Donggua.

They traveled in a sedan chair all the way to Linde Hall, where they saw Aunt Mei already waiting with Ruizhu and Xiaonianzi at the foot of the stone steps in front of the hall.

"Tomorrow is Wan'er's birthday banquet, so everything must be thoroughly inspected. Make sure the palace roads leading to and from each palace are cleaned carefully beforehand." Meng Shu, supported by Dong Gua, stepped down from the sedan chair.

"Donggua, take the menu to the kitchen first and tell them that samples of every dish at tomorrow's banquet must be kept and sealed, including tea and snacks."

Donggua responded and went to the kitchen with the two chefs from the Imperial Kitchen.

Upon entering the main hall, Xiao Nianzi, Ruizhu, and Xia'er immediately divided the tasks and each checked their own items.

After looking through the palace's layout, Meng Shu said to Aunt Mei, "Remove all the incense burners. Have Imperial Physician Jian come over in advance to check all the potted plants and bouquets that need to be used for decoration."

Aunt Mei hesitated and said, "Wouldn't it seem disrespectful if we didn't use incense at tomorrow's banquet?"

After carefully checking the seating arrangements in the hall, Meng Shu explained, "Consort Shen is currently more than five months pregnant, so we must be extra careful and cannot afford to make any mistakes. In addition, not only should she be placed in the same location as Consort Song, but we should also borrow two experienced old nannies from the Empress Dowager's palace to take care of her."

Tomorrow, Aunt and Xiao Yuanzi will guard the side hall, while Donggua and Chun'er will be in charge of serving meals... and Xiao Nianzi will also be there..."

After hearing the arrangements, Aunt Mei curtsied and said, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough; tomorrow's birthday banquet will surely proceed without any mishaps."

She paused slightly, then spoke softly, "This servant has another important matter to discuss with Your Highness. When I returned to the Marquis's residence a couple of days ago, the Madam specifically instructed me to ask Your Highness..."