Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 325 All Matters Postponed

Consort Mei was seething with anger. She felt ashamed and furious as she was in the palace. However, she was not as good as others when it came to wit and reasoning.

He then gave the Empress a perfunctory curtsy and left without regard for etiquette.

The Empress was not expected to lose her composure like this, and her figure on the phoenix throne stiffened slightly. "Consort Mei has always been domineering and eccentric. Consort Chun and Consort Meng must be used to it by now."

Meng Shu turned slightly to look at Xia'er behind her. Xia'er immediately understood and turned back to see Granny Yu. She was determined to learn the meaning of the words "arrogant and unruly" very well.

After Consort Chun and Meng Shu sat down again, Meng Shu did not respond, but instead asked, "I have been ill for several days. I heard that Consort Qu has contracted tinea versicolor. I wonder if her condition has improved now, and whether the imperial physician has been able to determine the cause?"

The Empress looked at Meng Shu with a calm and indifferent gaze. "Physician He personally examined her and determined that it was caused by Qu Cai's weak constitution. She has now moved to a clean room to recuperate, and she should recover soon."

Consort Chun said meaningfully, "Although the Phoenix Palace is not as lush with flowers and trees as the Fragrant Garden, Her Majesty the Empress is of noble health, so it is best to be careful with these flowers and plants."

The Empress's face darkened. "Is Consort Chun criticizing my arrangements? If you are dissatisfied with Xiefang Garden, I can easily find you another place to live."

Consort Chun curled her lips and said, "How dare I, Your Majesty? I was merely offering a reminder."

"I heard that yesterday Consort Chun suggested to the Emperor that Consort Yun be summoned to the imperial palace to accompany him." The Empress changed the subject. "If Consort Chun feels that Xiefang Garden is not suitable, why not place her with Consort Meng? She is your cousin, and I think she will get along well with Consort Meng."

When Yun Baolin was mentioned, the Empress's eyes glanced at Meng Shu, intentionally or unintentionally.

Consort Chun said, "Your Majesty need not trouble yourself with this matter. I specifically asked His Majesty for a favor, and my cousin is here to keep me company for a while."

Seeing that Consort Chun had brought up the Emperor without any expression, a shadow of gloom flashed in the Empress's eyes, and she had no choice but to give up.

“That’s wonderful. Consort Chun is truly blessed, having both a favored concubine…” She paused deliberately before continuing, “…and a close cousin by her side. She is truly the envy of everyone.”

These words were exactly like Consort Mei's outspokenness, yet even more difficult to refute. Therefore, when the time came, she and Meng Shu curtsied together, and their skirts fluttered as they left the palace.

Once the two women were out of sight, the smile on the Empress's face vanished abruptly. Granny Gui stepped forward from behind the screen, head bowed, awaiting orders.

"Send a message to the palace: all matters should be postponed for now."

Granny Gui bowed and accepted the order, then quickly left the main hall.

Before noon, Dong Ming personally led Yun Yao into Xie Fang Garden.

This time, Yun Yao was finally smart enough not to bring Du Juan along. Gui Qiu, who was following beside her, was beaming with joy when she saw Aunt Mei and the others.

Meng Shu sat for a while, listening to Yun Yao recount the recent events in the palace.

Guo Xiuyi has been recuperating in seclusion for half a month, and the nannies sent by the Empress Dowager have taken good care of her; everything is fine. Shen Jieyu's pregnancy is stable, and Song Jieyu has been frequently visiting her at Shujing Palace. The other concubines are also getting along well.

Only Wu Yunu had a disagreement with Yang Yunu, who lived with her. The matter was brought to Xie Jieyu's attention, and Xie Jieyu mediated between them, handling the situation with considerable skill.

As they were talking, Green Willow, carrying several dragon claw flowers, entered the flower hall hand in hand with Mengzhu. Upon seeing this, Meng Shu stood up and said, "It's getting late. Yun Baolin still needs to be settled, so I'll head back first."

Consort Chun escorted her to the corridor and said with concern, "Why are you picking these flowers? I originally planned to have Mengzhu spend some time removing them today."

Meng Shu leaned close to Consort Chun's ear and whispered a few words.

Consort Chun frowned, puzzled. "Without any evidence, what use are these few flowers?"

She was honest and upright by nature, but little did she know that some things don't need evidence.

......

Inside the Bilang Pavilion, the spring sunshine was bright and beautiful.

Meng Shu wore only a plain gauze shirt and no makeup, and leaned idly on the Xiangfei couch under the green bamboo.

On a nearby table lay tea sets and fruits, with wisps of tea smoke rising. But standing out starkly nearby was a bouquet of blood-red flowers. The dragon claw flowers, picked long ago, were already showing signs of decay, their delicate petals curled and withered.

Seven or eight exquisite kites hang on the flowering tree on the right. The double swallow kite painted by the emperor himself is particularly eye-catching, with its long swallow tail trembling gently in the wind.

Listening to the rustling of leaves through the trees, drinking tea and reading books, how leisurely!

Inside the Langgan Pavilion, Green Willow was embroidering a handkerchief while listening intently to the sounds. Upon hearing footsteps, she immediately coughed lightly to signal, and Xia'er, a few steps away, understood and quickly went to Meng Shu's side, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived."

Meng Shu casually tossed the book onto the table, then stared intently at one spot, making a show of concentration.

The Emperor paused ten paces away, gazing intently. Amidst the swaying bamboo shadows, he saw a beautiful woman in white, her clothes whiter than snow, and for a moment he was stunned. He thought to himself, this leisurely demeanor is even more captivating than her usual respectful manner.

Upon approaching the table, one realizes that Meng Shu is gazing at nothing more than a few scattered, withered petals.

"What's so special about these few remaining petals?" The emperor unconsciously lowered his voice.

Meng Shu seemed to only then realize the Emperor's presence. Her face showed lingering fear, worry, and a hint of terror. As she hurriedly stood up, she accidentally knocked over her teacup, and the brown tea instantly soaked the bunch of dragon claw flowers.

The Emperor had never seen Meng Shu with such an expression. He reached out to help her up, and just as he was about to remove the bouquet, Meng Shu suddenly grabbed the Emperor's wrist, "No—"

Before he could finish speaking, he had already thrown the bouquet far away.

"..."

The performance was really not very good, and Meng Shu was sweating bullets.

"What's going on? Is there something wrong with these flowers?" The Emperor frowned and asked in a deep voice.