Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 221 May I ask Wan'er for a cup of milk tea?

Consort Chun sat under the lattice window, holding a glass cup, reading a book. The rising steam from the milk tea enveloped her eyes and brows, forming a hazy halo in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Her earlier remark, "No need," was a rare display of a girlish demeanor.

Actually, I must still care. Otherwise, even if the "Songs of Chu" is very good, I wouldn't have spent the whole time without turning a single page.

Hua Yan offered no advice; no matter how clearly outsiders understood the emotions involved, it was of no use.

Even though she felt that since they were sending snacks to Shou Kang Palace and Ci Ning Palace in such a grand manner, Fu Ning Palace should naturally not be left out.

This is precisely the difference between the two. Consort Chun has always been a person of strong emotions. She grew up in Lin'an and was pampered from a young age. Her likes and dislikes could be expressed at will. Hua Yan, on the other hand, would weigh the pros and cons and choose the "right" path.

When they were young, the two slept in the same bed, discussing poetry, painting, music, chess, and other matters of the household. The two, master and servant, tacitly never mentioned the love between a man and a woman—it was too embarrassing to talk about, and Hua Yan would never take the initiative to bring it up.

Because there was no one to confide in or anyone to teach her, the second young lady, in her moments of longing, would inevitably be subconsciously influenced by those around her.

Her father and mother were a harmonious couple, her brother and sister-in-law were a loving and respectful pair, her eldest sister and brother-in-law were a bickering but loving couple, and the unwavering love between Huanyun and Zhou Bai filled her with endless longing.

Therefore, when Consort Chun suddenly heard from her mother and Hua Yan about the Emperor's feelings for her "childhood sweetheart," her emotions surged and she could hardly control herself. To the point that she didn't know how to get along with the Emperor, and even got stuck in the dead end of wondering "whether the Emperor had any true feelings for me at all."

Seeing Consort Chun glancing out the window from time to time, Hua Yan, who was not very sensitive to emotions, suddenly understood something. Her passionate and sincere girlish feelings cooled down abruptly, perhaps because she was waiting for the other party to respond.

Hua Yan stood outside the palace, watching the sunset fade away little by little.

When Aunt Mei returned from Shou Kang Palace, she told Hua Yan about her encounter with Eunuch Dong. Hua Yan pondered, "Will the Emperor come to the Empress's palace tonight?"

"Let's get started."

Aunt Mei nodded, looking at Consort Chun's back through the window, and said worriedly, "Miss, please persuade Her Highness. When Her Highness entered the palace the other day, I noticed that Her Highness seemed a little cold towards the Emperor... In the inner palace, even if it's just an act, it's more appropriate than this attitude."

Hua Yan smiled and said, "Auntie, don't worry. Her Majesty looks out the window every now and then."

......

The Emperor left Funing Palace in plain clothes, accompanied only by Jingming. When they passed the Imperial Garden, Xingyu, following the Empress's instructions, invited the Emperor to Renming Palace.

When the Emperor entered the bedchamber, Imperial Physician Sun was in a side hall, carefully considering a prescription for a pregnancy-stabilizing medicine. There was no one else in the side hall. He subconsciously touched his neck, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

The Empress's pulse appeared normal, but its sudden shift to a deep and strong pulse seemed rather unusual.

After careful consideration, Physician Sun could only conclude that it might be due to the secret medicine. This was not a good thing for a doctor. If he was originally confident that he could help the Empress give birth safely, now that the Empress had exhausted her potential in advance, he was truly helpless.

When questioned by the Emperor, Physician Sun looked troubled and carefully replied:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the pregnancy is stable. However, Your Majesty's pulse is deeper and stronger than it has been in the past few days. It can only be felt with heavy pressure, like a stone sinking to the bottom of water. This pulse indicates stagnation in the internal organs and obstruction of pathogenic factors. Therefore, the prescription I originally made to protect the pregnancy is no longer applicable. In my opinion, Physician He is more skilled in this area."

Regardless, Physician Sun was determined to drag Physician He into the mess first. The He family had served as physicians in the palace for generations, and they might have some secret methods. If the pregnancy was handled properly and nothing went wrong, there might actually be a way to deliver the child safely.

After listening, the Emperor said in a deep voice, "Summon Physician He to Renming Hall."

"Your Majesty, I feel perfectly fine. It is already late today, so I can have Physician He come to examine me tomorrow."

Physician Sun felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and respectfully withdrew with his medicine chest.

Xingyu and the palace servants had already prepared dinner. The Emperor sat at the table, but he didn't have much of an appetite for the dishes sent by the Imperial Kitchen. Thinking of the snacks that Consort Chun had sent to his mother's palace earlier, he became even less interested.

"The Empress is pregnant, so she should avoid strenuous activities in the future. Consort Chun will take care of the affairs of the palace. The Empress should focus on nourishing her pregnancy."

The Empress smiled and replied, "With Consort Chun supporting me, I am indeed much less troubled. Hearing that the Duke has returned to the capital today, I couldn't help but recall visiting his residence with my parents when we returned from the Southwest. That day in Yongxingfang, I first met His Majesty..."

Upon hearing the Empress mention events from over ten years ago, the Emperor paused slightly, lost in thought.

It was on that day that he noticed the Jiang family.

The Empress then placed a piece of jade-green chicken slice in front of the Emperor and suddenly said, "Back then, I admired the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion, who was renowned for her talent, so I begged my father to take me to the Duke's mansion. I was fortunate enough to meet Miss Zhitong that day... She was truly a woman of unparalleled beauty, but alas, heaven is jealous of beauty."

Seeing the Emperor's indifferent expression, the Empress opened her mouth, but ultimately dared not say anything more.

......

As night fell, Consort Chun looked out the window one last time, her expression growing increasingly cold as she turned away.

Hua Yan seemed oblivious, focusing intently on embroidering the sachet in her hands. Rui Zhu and Dong Gua brought over several dried flower petals and medicinal herbs. Hua Yan named them one by one, and Dong Gua prepared them one by one.

"This sachet, when hung in front of Your Highness's window, will help you sleep peacefully." Hua Yan skillfully packed the sachet and tied it with the tassel she had prepared earlier.

Consort Chun reached out and took it, exclaiming softly, "It's a sachet shaped like a kite? How novel and interesting! I've never seen you embroider one before in the manor."

Mengzhu leaned closer to examine it closely and exclaimed, "The embroidered pattern in the middle is a black bird; it's exquisitely crafted."

“Your Majesty, there are more than just kite-shaped ones. Look at this one that Huayan gave to me.”

With a smug look on his face, Donggua took off the sachet from his waist and showed it to everyone.

Ruizhu was somewhat speechless after seeing it, but the envy in her eyes was almost overflowing: "...It really didn't disappoint us, it really is shaped like a winter melon...but its plump shape also looks a bit like a pumpkin, and inside is a cluster of chili peppers? How interesting."

Mingyue blinked, looking expectantly at Huayan, while Mengzhu held the winter melon sachet with great affection.

Compared to Mengzhu and Mingyue's reserved manner, Ruizhu directly hugged Huayan's arm and acted coquettishly. However, before she could speak, she suddenly remembered Huayan's current status and quickly imitated Mingyue by blinking her big eyes.

This scene was exactly the same as in Lin'an. Hua Yan smiled and said, "I have everything. I have drawn patterns of koi, gourds and ruyi locks. They will be embroidered in a few days."

Consort Chun watched the maids below happily discussing the sachets, and a smile appeared in her eyes.

Just then, a cheerful voice came from outside.

"I don't want the sachet. May I ask Wan'er for a cup of milk tea instead?"