Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 587 The End of the Year is Approaching

Zhou Bai had been away from Beijing for several days, and Meng Shu's heart was in suspense ever since he left.

What made her even more uneasy was that all communication with Madam Yun had completely stopped.

Aunt Mei had returned to the Marquis's residence several times in the past few days. In the past, she would always go to Lingcui Palace to deliver some news to Meng Shu after returning from the Marquis's residence, but these past few times she had deliberately avoided it. Meng Shu's heart was becoming increasingly tense, and she had a vague sense of foreboding.

Fortunately, there was one thing that brought Meng Shu some comfort.

Since the night of Consort Chun's birthday, she had Green Willow convey her message to Chen Lin, and he had clearly taken it to heart.

According to information that Green Willow later learned, Chen Lin must have asked Song Chengrui's former subordinates to transfer him to the Imperial Guard, which was located in the suburbs of the capital, but was still under the jurisdiction of the Palace Guard Commandery.

Seeing that Meng Shu's mind was not on the chessboard at all, Consort Chun instructed Meng Zhu, "Put away the chessboard. Shu'er and I will go to the study to talk for a while."

After getting up, he added, "Have Mingyue guard outside and don't let anyone else get close."

Mengzhu agreed and went outside to whisper a few words of advice to Mingyue.

Inside the study.

Consort Chun helped Meng Shu sit down, then took out a letter from her sleeve.

It turned out that she had not only asked Aunt Mei to deliver the message back, but also wrote a letter to her father the day after Zhou Bai was promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue.

"Father and Mother have promised that no matter how the situation changes, the Marquis's Mansion will never take action against Lord Zhou, and the Yun Mansion will not make things difficult for Lord Zhou in official circles."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shu suddenly looked up, and her worries of the past few days finally found a place to rest.

Consort Chun gently pushed the letter in front of Meng Shu: "This is your mother's reply. Read it yourself."

Meng Shu unfolded the letter; Madam Yun's handwriting was clear and vigorous, containing only a few words.

"...Not to mention that Zhou Bai already has guards and spies personally appointed by the Emperor, just considering the years of protection that Consort Jin has shown you, the Marquis's mansion would never harm him in the slightest. Do not doubt it."

After she finished reading it, Consort Chun threw the letter into the charcoal brazier.

The flames roared up and instantly devoured the ink.

Meng Shu breathed a sigh of relief, the gloom that had been weighing on her brow for days disappeared, and her complexion brightened.

"Wan'er, I..."

Consort Chun gently patted the back of her hand, "Between us sisters, there's no need for many words."

"Let them fight it out... What difference is there between you and me, trapped within these palace walls, and caged birds? The storms outside can never be stopped."

Meng Shu looked at her, a faint light appearing in her eyes.

Both were sincere and devoted to each other. This sisterly bond remained pure and untainted by any scheming.

Over the years since entering the palace, not only the two of them, but also Mengzhu and Ruizhu, who were by their side, had gradually become closer to Lüliu and Donggua. Such pure and deep affection was an extremely rare exception in the harem. This was because in the palace, it was common to see people gather for profit and disperse when that profit was gone.

After this conversation, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed.

Then, in the latter half of the afternoon, the sound of a pipa rang out from Huining Palace.

The music was stirring, flowing through the corridors and courtyards. Like a sudden downpour hitting tiles, carrying the dust and smoke of the battlefield, each note struck straight into people's hearts.

It was the same piece that Meng Shu played in front of the Emperor last night, but the murderous aura in this pipa music was much more piercing than Meng Shu's stumbling, demonic notes.

Consort Chun's eyes were full of mischievous smiles. After the song ended, she called Mengzhu to bring the zither. Her fingertips lightly brushed the strings, producing clear and melodious sounds, which seemed both amused and teasing.

Meng Shu, however, was truly shameless. After Consort Chun had finished playing, she remained unfazed, smiling as she brought out a chessboard and insisted on playing a few more games. Only after winning three games in a row did she feel satisfied and leisurely leave Huining Palace with Yu Nu'er in her hand.

After the lively scene, the flower hall fell silent.

Consort Chun leaned back against the soft couch by the window and gently embraced Kang Ge'er. The second prince was not yet three years old, too young to begin his formal education, but he already showed a special interest in the sounds of string and wind instruments, his little hands always reaching for the strings.

She looked down at his focused profile, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved up: "This temperament suits me well. When you're older, your mother will personally teach you to play the zither."

Hearing this, Aunt Mei, who was standing nearby, gently advised, "Your Highness, His Highness is destined to study, understand principles, and govern the country. Music and such are ultimately just for enjoyment..."

Consort Chun did not respond, but continued to hold Kang Ge'er's little hand and plucked the strings of the zither twice. She played with him for a while longer before letting Mingyue take the child away.

......

As the year draws to a close, everyone in the imperial harem is busy.

The Imperial Food Bureau inventoried the preserved meats and tributes, the Imperial Clothing Bureau sent newly tailored winter clothes to the various palaces, the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau led people to clean and fumigate the palaces, and the Imperial Work Bureau organized utensils and checked the registers.

Meng Shu also sent Lvliu and Xia'er to help. The two of them followed Mengzhu as her assistants. Everything from the New Year's banquet ceremony and the banquet dishes to the rewards and expenses of each palace needed to be prepared in advance.

Although the palace servants were busy, everything was orderly and well-organized.

Because Consort Chun was always fair and impartial in managing affairs, even the lowest-ranking palace servants received their full monthly stipends. With Meng Shu assisting her, demonstrating keen insight and decisive judgment, the atmosphere within the palace was upright and honest, and there was never any oppression or misappropriation. Therefore, although busy, no one complained; instead, the palace exuded a unique sense of peace and liveliness characteristic of the year-end season.

Under such circumstances, the concubines in the palace mostly lived leisurely lives with little conflict.

Even those of high rank, such as Consort Chun, Consort Meng, Consort Shun, and Consort Mu, did not have their hearts set on the Emperor. Except for Consort Shun, who had no children, the other three all had offspring, making their minds even more at peace. They didn't care much which palace the Emperor visited or where he stayed.

Consort Qi, Consort Shen, Lady Yun, and several talented ladies and ladies-in-waiting who were just selected to enter the palace this year are still eagerly awaiting the Emperor's visit.

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.

The Zhou family and the Marquis of Lin'an sent their festival gifts on the same day. Meng Shu had two gift books spread out beside her. Just as she was about to open them, she suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps outside the door. She looked up and saw Dong Ming rushing in. Before she could even bow, he hurriedly reported, "Your Majesty, an urgent report has come from the palace—the Third Prince's birth mother, Lady Qu, has passed away."