Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 549, The 1th Year

When news of Jiang's self-immolation reached the inner palace, Meng Shu was embroidering a green bamboo pouch by the window.

The needle suddenly pierced her fingertip, drawing a drop of crimson. She silently set down the embroidery frame, walked to the corridor of the sleeping quarters, and gazed towards Changchun Garden. A wisp of gray mist still lingered on the distant horizon.

"Your Majesty," Green Willow whispered as she approached, "when the palace guards were putting out the fire, several snakes suddenly darted out of the hall and bit several of the eunuchs who were fighting the fire."

Meng Shu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then a look of understanding flashed across her eyes.

She withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "In this world, cause and effect always bring swift and accurate retribution."

Inside the Huining Hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Consort Chun was chanting sutras in the Buddhist hall. After the morning prayers were finished, she gently placed the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand on the offering table, and was helped up by Mengzhu.

The master and servant stepped out of the Buddhist hall and walked slowly along the corridor.

Consort Chun gently brushed her fingertips across the cold railing, closed her eyes, and sighed softly: "The Jiang family deserved to die. The Marquis of Zhenbei's corruption caused widespread famine in Yuzhou, and more than a hundred children were used as poison... How could the sins committed by this father and daughter be burned away by a single fire?"

Back in the palace, Mengzhu helped Consort Chun sit on the soft couch.

Ruizhu stepped forward to serve tea, "Your Majesty, the harem is finally peaceful now."

“Tranquility?” Consort Chun looked out the window at the frost-covered withered branches in the courtyard, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “Within these palace walls, honor and disgrace depend on the thoughts of one person. Where is tranquility to be found?”

Today it's her, but who knows who it will be tomorrow?

Aunt Mei entered the bedchamber carrying a brocade box and gestured for Mengzhu and the other woman to leave. She approached Consort Chun and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Jin has already made arrangements for the New Year's Eve banquet. She just sent Green Willow with a newly embroidered purse..."

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun's face softened slightly.

She took the brocade box and gently opened it, revealing a moon-white purse lying quietly inside. Embroidered on the purse were several green bamboo stalks, with a cicada about to sing perched on one of the bamboo leaves. The stitches were fine and lifelike.

This was sent by Meng Shu, so that she could present it to the Emperor at the New Year's Eve banquet.

This has been the case in previous years as well.

However, this time, when it came to the gift-giving ceremony at the banquet, Consort Chun presented something else entirely.

Jingming bent down and brought over a tray. What she took out was an ordinary purse that she had made while practicing needlework during her pregnancy. The embroidery pattern was simple, and the stitches were also quite clumsy.

Inside the Linde Hall, Meng Shu was slightly taken aback when she saw this scene.

Tonight, there will be no music or dance performances, but the offering of purses is the only part that will attract much attention.

The phoenix throne hangs empty, as if the emperor's fingertips brushing over a purse would conceal an unusual and profound meaning.

A feast was laid out before the Emperor. He paused his cup and looked up, his gaze first falling on Meng Shu, then sweeping over Consort Chun, Consort Shun, Consort Qi, Consort Mu, and others.

Jingming bowed and gently placed the several purses from the tray onto the table.

The emperor's fingertips brushed over the various brocades, and almost without hesitation, he picked up a gourd-shaped purse. Embroidered on it was a stiff depiction of war, with clumsy needlework and mediocre craftsmanship.

Even Consort Mu, the owner of the purse, was taken aback upon seeing this. She subconsciously touched her lower abdomen, a hint of disbelief flashing in her eyes.

Shen Jieyu, sitting at the lower end of the table, immediately felt a surge of joy in her eyes.

She and Consort Mu, Song Xi, had been close friends since childhood. Some time ago, Consort Mu was diagnosed with pregnancy, and only Empress Dowager Jiang bestowed a reward upon her. However, the Emperor did not follow the custom and promote her rank. She was secretly worried that the Emperor might harbor resentment. But seeing the Emperor pick up this purse alone, she felt relieved. It seemed that Sister Song's good fortune was yet to come.

Consort Mu rose to express her gratitude, and the Emperor said, "Consort Mu, of the Song family, is gentle and virtuous. She is currently pregnant and deserves to be rewarded."

After the banquet, Consort Chun led the other concubines to respectfully see off the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's carriage.

As night deepened and the dew grew heavy, Consort Shun and the others bowed to Consort Chun and then dispersed.

"Shu'er," Consort Chun and Meng Shu did not ride in a carriage, but walked side by side on the palace road where the snow was just beginning to melt, "Do you blame me?"

Meng Shu gazed at the two elongated figures cast by the palace lanterns ahead and gently shook her head. "If His Majesty intends to elevate Consort Mu, even if Wan'er presents the finest embroidery, it will be of no use."

Both of them had their own thoughts on the other's well-being, and neither of them expected that as soon as the turmoil in the previous dynasty subsided, the emperor would begin to reorganize the six palaces. Just like this game of chess, it never truly stopped.

A deep, resonant sound came from the distant bell and drum towers, piercing through the biting wind.

The fourth year of the Zhenghe era has arrived.

That year, Meng Shu and Consort Chun would turn twenty.

Time is like still water in a deep well, seemingly without waves or ripples. Only when looking back do we realize that from their first meeting in Lin'an to their companionship in the deep palace, they have walked side by side for a full ten years.

......

The capital city, the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.

Since Tang Xian took his two sons and two daughters to Lin'an to observe mourning for his parents, this grand mansion has become increasingly deserted. This year, only Madam Yun, along with her three mistresses—the unmarried third young lady Tang Qingyu and the seventh young lady Tang Qingxuan—are keeping vigil for the New Year.

After the old lady passed away, Fu'anju was left vacant, but at this moment, the candles in the Buddhist hall located in the side hall of Fu'anju are still burning.

The wind whispered through the corridors, and the plain white lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed gently in the night, casting a cool and serene glow on the courtyard steps.

Madam Yun knelt on the prayer mat, her fingertips slowly moving the prayer beads.

Amidst the swirling incense smoke, she gazed at the compassionate Buddha statue, silently reciting not scriptures, but thoughts of her daughter far away within the palace walls and her husband observing mourning a thousand miles away.

In April of the second year of the Zhenghe era, when Consort Chun was pregnant with the emperor's child, the old lady was worried and asked Madam Yun to ask Madam Su to perform divination. However, the divination result was strange and she kept it a secret.

At the end of the year, the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion collapsed, Jiang died, and the throne was left vacant... Amidst all these changes, she finally went to the Su mansion again.