Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 582 Inviting the Empress to Perform

No one dared to respond to that.

Jingming carefully observed the situation, and the whisk in his hand moved slightly. The eunuch at the door understood and immediately lowered his head and retreated.

He returned to Funing Palace and bowed to Consort Shun, who was waiting there, and reported: "Your Majesty, His Majesty is currently in Consort Jin's palace, and his dinner... will also be served at Lingcui Palace."

Consort Shun's face remained expressionless, but she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief in her heart. She said calmly, "In that case, I will come again another day."

On the way back to Chenghui Palace, Xiaodie carried the food box and tentatively whispered, "Your Majesty, this servant is thinking... this soup should be prepared in a different way. When the head cook from Consort Jin's side was still around, even the Empress Dowager liked her cooking, so the Emperor naturally often went to Lingcui Palace."

Consort Shun first said, "You should say that to the nanny. All she knows how to do is cook ginseng soup for Father..."

She paused, then shook her head: "No matter what kind of medicine or snacks we send, the Emperor won't use them. Tell the old woman later that the Emperor's heart isn't with me, and it won't make a difference even if we come every day."

Xiaodie was in low spirits. As she walked, she suddenly sighed, "Consort Jin is so lucky. Fang Sishan is a respectable palace servant. If it weren't for the excitement of her wedding yesterday, people would have almost forgotten that she was once Consort Gui's personal attendant."

Upon hearing this, Consort Shun reached out and tapped Xiaodie on the head. "You think a table of fine food can lure the Emperor there? Consort Jin is so beautiful; if I were the Emperor, I would definitely go to Lingcui Palace every day..."

Xiaodie was shocked and wanted to cover her mistress's mouth with her hand, "My young mistress, how can you say such nonsense?"

......

Lingcui Palace, study.

Meng Shu carefully examined the painting that the Emperor had altered, and after a while said, "Since Your Majesty has this intention, why don't I add a few more strokes?"

She paused for a moment, then picked up her pen and lightly sketched a few strokes next to the sparrow, adding a companion with outstretched wings, as if it were about to burst out of the paper.

The Emperor's gaze swept over the pair of birds, their movements mirroring each other, but he remained noncommittal. Once the scroll had dried, he ordered, "Take it away and mount it carefully."

Jingming reached out and took the two paintings, offered a few words of flattery, and then left the study with the paintings in his hands.

September 29th was Consort Chun's birthday, and also the third day after Donggua's marriage. According to the customs of the capital, it was the day for the newlywed to return to her parents' home.

Before dawn, Donggua got up to wash and dress, carefully putting the prepared gifts into a box. There were also two boxes of pastries, which she had rushed to make the night before.

Steward An helped with the arrangements, a pleased smile in his eyes: "This is wonderful! Who would have thought? Our Donggua's family is from the imperial harem. This kind of prestige is something others can only envy."

The steward's granddaughter, only eleven or twelve years old, looked at Donggua with eyes full of admiration. "The pastries Auntie made last night, were they for the ladies in the palace?"

Donggua smiled shyly: "Neither of the two ladies likes sweets. They are sisters that my aunt made. One of them knows martial arts, so I reckon most of these snacks will end up in her stomach."

That perfectly describes the bright moon. Upon hearing this, Steward An couldn't help but reminisce, "It's been almost ten years... in the blink of an eye, hasn't it?"

She took out a plain-colored purse from her bosom and carefully placed it in Donggua's hand: "This is a peace charm that I sincerely prayed for at the Jinan Taoist Temple before coming to the capital. I already told you to carry yours with you. Please give this one to Consort Jin on my behalf."

She didn't mention Consort Chun. The reason she didn't ask Consort Chun for a peace charm was because in her heart, Consort Chun came from a marquis's family and was a high-ranking mistress. Consort Jin was different. Because of the connection with Donggua, she was closer to her and felt like a younger family member to care about.

When Donggua boarded the carriage, it was already dawn, and Jianzhi had already gone to the Imperial Hospital to wait for his shift.

Holding her waist token, she entered the palace, first heading to Huining Palace to pay her respects to Consort He Chun. There, she was held back by Ruizhu and Mingyue, one on each side, and lingered for nearly an hour before turning towards Lingcui Palace.

"Your Majesty, Physician Jian's wife has arrived!" Green Willow's slightly teasing voice had barely faded when Winter Melon walked in carrying a gift box.

Meng Shu was sitting by the window reading a book. When she saw her come in, she immediately put down her book, stood up, and quickly walked over, grabbing her hand: "You've finally come! Sit down quickly, let me see...you look so good!"

Donggua was pulled down to sit by her, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Meng Shu looked at him carefully, her eyes full of smiles: "Are you settling in well after marriage? How does Jian Zhi treat you?"

Donggua answered each question and then presented the safety charm that the steward had entrusted to him.

"Jian... my husband is on night duty tonight. He said that the Imperial Concubine's birthday banquet will be held in Linde Hall, and he and several other imperial physicians will be guarding the side hall."

Meng Shu felt a warmth in her heart, took the small purse, and examined it for a moment. She took out the amulet inside, checked it, and then put it into the purse at her waist. "Now that you are married, it's not appropriate for you to stay overnight. Otherwise, you could go back with Physician Jian tomorrow."

"I am already extremely grateful to be able to come to the palace to see you." Donggua smiled and reached out to pick up Yu Nu'er and hug her. "Has Your Highness been well-behaved these past two days?"

Upon seeing this, Meng Shu quickly said, "Take him to play in the front! He's been hanging around in front of me for half the day."

......

By evening, the Linde Hall was brightly lit.

The Emperor was naturally present at Consort Chun's birthday banquet. The concubines took turns offering toasts and presenting their prepared gifts.

When it was Consort Yun's turn, she gracefully rose and raised her cup to Consort Chun, saying, "This concubine wishes my cousin good fortune, long life, and eternal blessings."

Consort Chun raised her wine cup, and the two drank together. Consort Yun then presented two ancient books collected from the common people before returning to her seat.

Then, a group of musicians entered from outside the hall, and the melodious and pleasant sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, making the atmosphere even more lively. Just then, Yun Meiren quietly raised her eyes and gave Zhao Baolin, who was not far away, a meaningful glance.

Zhao Baolin understood, and after the piece ended, he stood up and said softly, "I heard that His Majesty bestowed upon Consort Jin a mother-of-pearl inlaid sandalwood pipa a couple of days ago, its sound being exceptionally clear and melodious. Today is Consort Jin's birthday, I wonder... if it would be honorable for Her Highness to play a piece to add to the festivities of the birthday banquet?"

Consort Lin, standing to the side, spoke softly and smiled as she echoed, "I've heard that the Imperial Concubine is well-versed in music. If Consort Jin could perform, it would be the icing on the cake."

Many eyes in the hall quietly turned to Meng Shu.