Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 426 Working Diligently

"Consort Chun is in charge of managing the affairs of the six palaces. Consort Jin is about to give birth, so it would be inappropriate for her to leave the palace at this time."

The Emperor paused briefly, then changed the subject slightly: "However, what the Empress Dowager said is quite right. Now that Afu's illness has greatly improved, I will let Consort Qi stay at the temporary palace for a while. She has beautiful handwriting, and it will also be a good opportunity for Afu to meet the Empress Dowager."

Speaking of which, Empress Dowager Zhou has not yet met the two princesses. When the Emperor thought of this, he felt even more that it would be best to send Consort Qi over.

The Empress's eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at Empress Dowager Jiang and Consort Qing, then lowered her gaze, took a sip of tea, and did not speak again.

Empress Dowager Jiang was somewhat displeased with the Emperor's suggestion, and her voice deepened: "Consort Qi has lost face in front of Sister Zhou. Letting her go will only upset Sister Zhou. Does the Emperor's vast harem really not function without Consort Chun?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Qing's eyes shone with even greater hope, and she unconsciously leaned forward.

The Emperor tapped his knuckles lightly on the armrest: "Let Consort Qi go first. We can discuss this matter again after Consort Jin has given birth safely." Although he was dutiful to his mother, he also knew her temperament, so he did not go along with her wishes.

Consort Qing Zhao's lips parted slightly as she was about to speak, but she suddenly saw a hint of mockery flash across the Empress's eyes, and she swallowed the words that were about to come out.

......

"Consort Qi?"

Meng Shu's fingers suddenly tightened. "The Emperor actually intends for Consort Qi to take Princess Lingyi to the imperial palace?"

She slowly rose, supporting herself on the table, her wide sleeves sweeping across the jade paperweight. "Green Willow, call Xia'er over."

Green Willow dared not delay and quickly left the study.

Meng Shu paced back and forth in the room, the tassels on her hairpins swaying rapidly with her steps. Seeing this, Donggua dared not utter a word of comfort, yet he was still worried, so he could only follow her as she circled the study.

As Xia'er hurried inside, Meng Shu suddenly stopped: "Did something go wrong when I instructed you to pass a message to Granny Yu?"

Xia'er hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, yesterday I specifically sought out Granny Yu for tea and relayed Your Majesty's instructions word for word. I said that Empress Dowager Zhou is chanting scriptures day and night at the imperial palace to pray for the soldiers, and Consort Chun is copying scriptures until the third watch of the night, all of which are personally delivered to the imperial palace by Aunt Mei..."

Green Willow said, "Yesterday at Shenshi (3-5 PM), Consort Qing went to Cining Palace. Presumably, the Empress Dowager failed to persuade the Emperor."

Little did Meng Shu know that the Emperor insisted on keeping Consort Chun in the palace to take care of her precisely because she was about to give birth. Although the Emperor disliked their close relationship, he knew that Consort Chun would do everything in her power to protect Meng Shu.

She simply assumed that the Emperor was wary of the Marquis of Lin'an's family getting too close to Empress Dowager Zhou. After all, Empress Dowager Zhou still held considerable prestige, and compared to the one in Cining Palace, several senior officials in the court respected the late Emperor's Empress Dowager more.

Donggua twisted the handkerchief tightly in her anxiety: "What should we do?"

Meng Shu sighed softly, and the next moment she called Green Willow to her side and whispered a few words in her ear. A moment later, Green Willow strode out of the Spirit Essence Palace.

Inside the Renming Hall,

Zhixue quietly replaced the tea with fresh tea and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is concerned about Consort Jin's safety during this pregnancy, so it seems he won't easily let Consort Chun leave the palace."

A dark glint flashed in the Empress's eyes as she looked towards Lingcui Palace. "There are still two months left, no need to rush. Besides, even with Consort Chun here, she might not be able to guarantee her safety."

"Go to the Imperial Hospital yourself and have Physician Cui come to see me."

......

Unlike Meng Shu's reaction, Consort Chun felt a great weight lifted from her heart upon hearing the news.

Although she also missed Empress Dowager Zhou, staying in the palace to take care of Meng Shu during childbirth suited her better.

Aunt Mei was a little anxious. Madam Yun had already made proper arrangements in advance, and no one expected that unexpected complications would arise.

Fortunately, only one day later, Jingming came to Huining Palace to deliver the imperial decree.

On the 21st day of the third month of the second year of the Zhenghe era, the Emperor issued an edict ordering Consort Chun to go to the temporary palace two days later to serve the Empress Dowager and pray for the country's well-being.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I know that the Empress Dowager prays for the country's well-being day and night with utmost devotion. Consort Chun is gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and of exemplary virtue. She is hereby ordered to go to the temporary palace to serve the Empress Dowager. Firstly, she will transcribe Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager to aid in her merits, and secondly, she will fulfill her filial duties on my behalf. This is the imperial decree."

After Consort Chun received the imperial decree, Aunt Mei felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. With a smile on her face, she urged Ruizhu to pack her things, while Mengzhu followed Consort Chun to the Funing Palace.

Inside the imperial study, the emperor remained in the posture of holding a pen, staring blankly at the pile of memorials on his desk, his gaze seemingly piercing through the papers and landing on a very distant place.

The reason for the last-minute change of mind was entirely due to Jingming's visit to the imperial palace yesterday, which brought back a lukewarm remark from Empress Dowager Zhou: 'Lingyi has only recently recovered from her illness and is not even a year old yet. Why torment the child? I appreciate the Emperor's filial piety...'

These words were spoken in a tactful and polite manner, but the distance in his tone reminded the Emperor of the time when Empress Dowager Zhou protected him and his mother.

"Your Majesty, Consort Chun is waiting outside the palace." Jingming coughed lightly and bowed slightly to report.

The Emperor put down his brush, the wolf-hair brush trembling slightly on the jade brush mountain. "Please come quickly."

Consort Chun gracefully entered the study, her lotus-like steps swift and delicate. As she bowed, the tassels of the peach blossom hairpin at her temple remained perfectly still. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. On my way to the temporary palace, I will always keep Your Majesty's decree in mind and serve Your Majesty the Empress Dowager with all my heart."

The Emperor's gaze swept over her lowered eyelashes, and he said gently from the other end of the imperial desk, "Wan'er, on your journey, please fulfill your filial duties for me. The war in the northern frontier is not yet over, and the Empress Dowager is worried. She recites scriptures and prays for blessings day and night. Please comfort her and encourage her to take care of her health."

Consort Chun nodded in agreement. Faint wisps of smoke rose from the golden beast-shaped incense burner on the imperial desk between her and the emperor, forming an invisible boundary.

"Wan'er hasn't ground ink for me in a long time," the Emperor suddenly said, pointing to the table.

Consort Chun's eyes flickered slightly, and she subconsciously walked to the right side of the imperial desk. She picked up the pine soot ink stick with her slender hand and slowly ground it on the jade inkstone. When she lowered her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the Diamond Sutra on the desk.

The emperor picked up his brush and copied the scriptures, and for a moment the only sound in the hall was the soft scratching of ink sticks drawing circles on the inkstone.

After serving the tea, Min Rong stepped aside. Jing Ming gave Meng Zhu a wink, and the three of them quietly retreated outside the hall.

Consort Chun remained silent and focused solely on her work.

About fifteen minutes later, the Emperor suddenly spoke: "Wan'er, go to Changchun Garden for a two-month stay. Before Consort Jin gives birth, I will personally go to fetch you back."

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun smiled faintly and gave a slight curtsy to express her gratitude.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your consideration."

"Rest assured, I will also allow Min Rong to visit Lingcui Palace from time to time," the Emperor said, looking up at Consort Chun after writing the last word.

"As for the affairs of the six palaces, the Empress is often ill, so someone has to share the burden. Although Consort Qing is not as capable as you, she should still gain some experience. What do you think, Wan'er?"

Consort Chun's fingers tightened slightly beneath her wide sleeves, and she thought to herself, "Just as Shu'er predicted."

She showed no emotion on her face, only saying calmly, "Your Majesty is wise. Given Consort Qing's rank in the harem, it is indeed her duty to share the Empress's burdens."