Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 493 Abnormal Astrological Phenomena

The ebony-wheeled carriage didn't linger on the bustling street, kicking up a light dust as it headed straight towards Qinrenfang.

The carriage was covered with soft mattresses. Xiuyun sat upright in the middle, holding a baby wrapped tightly in swaddling clothes. Her gaze would occasionally fall on the little one in her arms, and her expression was slightly solemn.

Dingxiang, dressed in a neat blue cloth dress with a plain silver hairpin in her hair, looked like a capable woman from an ordinary family. She called softly through the carriage curtain, "Brother Zhuang, slow down. The young master has just fallen asleep. Don't disturb him."

Ah Zhuang, who was driving the carriage, was Ding Xiang's husband. He nodded upon hearing this, and only after realizing that she couldn't see him did he whisper, "Understood!"

The residence they were heading to, located in Qinrenfang, originally belonged to Consort Chun and was given to Meng Shu years ago, specifically to settle Zhou Bai's family. Later, Zhou Bai was transferred from the Court of State Ceremonial to an outside post and was away from home for many years, so he did not acquire any other property in the capital. This residence was then looked after by people sent by the Marquis's residence.

After passing Chunming Gate, the carriage continued along the wide main street, and soon the archway of the East Market came into view. When they passed the Disi Pavilion at the street corner, Xiuyun subconsciously lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked inside.

The blue silk banner hanging in front of the pavilion swayed gently in the wind, and the ladies and young women who came in and out were dressed in fine silks and satins, followed by maids carrying bundles, making it much more lively than before.

“Miss, look,” Dingxiang also came over to take a look, her tone tinged with reminiscence, “Ever since Manager Qi took over the Disi Pavilion, business has been getting better and better. In the blink of an eye, many years have passed since we left here.”

Looking at the familiar storefront, Xiu Yun's worries eased slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips: "Yes, although I've only been away from the capital for a year or so, I've spent more than three years in this embroidery building."

She lowered the carriage curtain and turned to Dingxiang, saying, "I originally said that it would be enough to have Yingchun come along, but you insisted on coming and causing trouble. The children at home are still young. If we go back and forth like this, it will probably be May before we return to Yangzhou."

“Hey, Sister Yingchun doesn’t want to get married, and she likes Zhu’er the most, so I’ll just leave him to her and take this opportunity to relax.” Dingxiang smiled and said softly, “Besides, I’d be happy to accompany Miss back to the capital.”

After passing the East Market, the carriage turned past the archways of Pingkangfang and Yiyangfang in turn, and finally stopped at the entrance of Qinrenfang alley.

The two vermilion gates of the Zhou residence were wide open, and servants were already there, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Ah Zhuang jumped out of the carriage first and said in a muffled voice, "Madam, look, isn't that Granny Wei? The Lady of the Marquis must have received the news in advance and specially arranged for Granny Wei to wait here."

Xiuyun helped Dingxiang out of the carriage. As soon as she stood up, Granny Wei quickly came forward, curtsied, and said, "This servant, Wei, greets Madam Zhou. Our Madam has been calculating the days for you to arrive, and has had the house prepared well in advance."

Dingxiang took the swaddling clothes, and Xiuyun quickly stepped forward to support Wei Mama's arm. "We feel really bad that Madam Yun is so concerned. Right now, the Marquis and the eldest son of the manor are far away in Lin'an, so it is not convenient for my husband to visit them rashly. Once I have settled things here, I will go to the Marquis's manor to visit you, Madam."

Granny Wei nodded repeatedly in agreement, leading everyone past the screen wall as she walked to Dingxiang's side.

Seeing this, Dingxiang gently lifted a corner of the swaddling clothes. When Granny Wei saw the pink and tender little one, she immediately smiled warmly and said, "Oh my, this must be Wen'er, right? Look at those eyebrows and eyes, that little face, she's a little person carved from jade, even more beautiful than a doll in a painting!"

"She's just three months old and still very timid. My husband hasn't had time to give her a formal name yet. He just said he wants to ask Consort Jin to choose a name for her, so that he can share in her good fortune."

The servants in the mansion had already prepared hot water and snacks. Before Zhou Bai returned from the Ministry of Personnel, Xiu Yun made some simple arrangements and then followed Granny Wei to the Lin'an Marquis's mansion.

In the Yun Gui Courtyard of the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, when Madam Yun saw Xiu Yun enter, she immediately stood up with a smile to greet her, took her hand and asked her all sorts of questions, being extremely warm and friendly.

When she saw Wenjie being held by Dingxiang, she was overjoyed. She carefully took the child and held her in her arms, playing with her affectionately for a while. Then she asked a maid to bring a brocade box. Inside was an exquisitely crafted red gold longevity lock with the four characters "Lan Gui Qi Fang" (meaning "fragrant orchids and cassia trees") engraved on it. "This is a gift for Wenjie. Wearing it is for good luck, and we hope that the child will grow up safely and peacefully."

Xiuyun smiled and bowed, thanking Madam Yun for the generous gift on behalf of Wenjie in her arms. She then turned to Azhuang, who was waiting outside the door, and gestured for him to bring up the gifts he had brought from Yangzhou. These were all carefully selected local specialties, which showed his heartfelt sentiments.

The maids collected the gifts, and a few more pleasantries were exchanged in the hall. Several young ladies from the Marquis's mansion also came out to greet Xiuyun. At her mother's signal, the Fifth Miss took Wenjie in her arms and invited Dingxiang to the other courtyard.

Madam Yun led Xiuyun to the inner study. After the maids closed the door, only the two of them sat facing each other in the study. The incense burning in the burner slowly released light smoke, and the atmosphere gradually became solemn.

Madam Yun picked up her teacup, took a sip, and looked up at Xiuyun. Her tone was more serious than before: "Consort Jin must have written to you and your husband. This trip back to the capital is not just for reporting on your duties."

"Consort Jin sent a message a few days ago, and I reckon... the Emperor intends to see you."

Xiuyun paused slightly in her hand holding the teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Seeing this, Madam Yun comforted her, saying, "This involves the deceased eldest daughter of the Duke of Qing's mansion, and it seems to be related to your aunt who 'left home' in your early years. Her Majesty specifically asked me to tell you the details in advance, so that you can be prepared..."

Xiuyun listened for a while, then suddenly realized, "So, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qing's mansion is really my aunt's daughter?"

......

Meanwhile, inside the Funing Hall of the Imperial Palace.

On the bright yellow imperial desk lay a thick stack of memorials. The emperor had just put down his vermilion brush, which was soaked in cinnabar, and his knuckles were still bluish-white from gripping the brush too tightly.

Inside the hall, Tong Bo and Wei Ying, unaware of what was happening, were kneeling on the ground, just laying out the clues they had been uncovering over the past few months in their investigation of the Duke of Qing's mansion. They were at a crucial point when footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

Jingming, who was standing guard by the imperial desk, felt a chill and quickly looked up.

The eunuch guarding outside the hall almost touched the threshold as he entered, quietly approached him, and hurriedly reported, "Your Excellency, Director Qin of the Imperial Observatory... is requesting an audience outside the hall. He says he has urgent matters to report to the Emperor in person, and he looks very flustered."

"The Imperial Observatory?"

Jingming's heart skipped a beat. Just half a month ago, the Emperor had issued an edict that the Imperial Observatory would not request an audience unless it observed unusual celestial phenomena. He dared not delay and hurriedly stepped forward to the Emperor, bowing and relaying the eunuch's words.

The Emperor's gaze fell heavily on the memorials concerning the drought in the north on his desk. His fingertips traced the edges of the memorials for a long while before he said, "Let him in."

After saying that, he looked up at Tong Bo and Wei Ying, who were kneeling on the ground, and said, "You may leave for now. I will summon you back later."

Tong Bo and Wei Ying exchanged a glance, then took out a thread-bound folded document from their bosoms and presented it to Jing Mingqian with both hands: "Your Majesty, we have recorded all the clues and witness testimonies we have obtained in our investigation, and we are presenting them to Your Majesty for your review."

After Jingming accepted the memorial, the two men respectfully kowtowed, rose, and quietly withdrew.

As soon as I reached the palace gate, I saw Qin Jian, the director of the Imperial Observatory, standing by the corridor pillar. His white hair at his temples was slightly disheveled by the wind. He held a scroll tightly in his hands, and his body was trembling slightly.