studiobondurri Chapter 306 Meeting
Chapter 306 Meeting
Chapter 306 Meeting
As Xiuyun approached, Consort Chun even noticed the softness in her eyes.
Consort Chun couldn't help but feel a slight surprise. Although she had only met Xiuyun a few times, she still remembered the scene of their first encounter. At that time, Xiuyun had just escaped from Chunfeng Tower. Although there was a hint of bewilderment in her brows, she couldn't hide the determination in her bones, showing no sign of weakness. But now, her temperament was quite different from before. It must be because the person she missed had returned safely and whose original intentions remained unchanged, giving her great support and comfort.
Perhaps this is what happiness looks like. Consort Chun, who has always been thoughtful, felt happy for Xiuyun, but also couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Hua Yan was also filled with emotion.
Who could have predicted that a chance encounter at Chunfeng Tower would lead to such a rare and precious bond? Now, meeting Xiuyun again, not only has she become his aunt, but they have also reunited in this Changchun Garden Palace. The vicissitudes of life are truly poignant.
Xiu Yun's eyes were slightly red. She walked to the palace gate and was about to kneel down to pay her respects, but Hua Yan stopped her.
"This humble servant greets Consort Chun and Lady Meng, and pays respects to both of you."
Hua Yan supported her arm and said softly, "Aunt, please don't do this."
Jingming felt that he was in the way, so after bowing, he quickly said, "This servant greets Your Highnesses. His Majesty has said that since it is rare for Lady Zhou to come to see Your Highnesses, she may stay at Bilang Pavilion for a while longer and does not need to go to the Empress's place to pay her respects."
According to palace rules, when the families of imperial concubines enter the palace, they must first pay their respects to the Empress. The Emperor's action was both an act of consideration and a sign of favor.
Hua Yan smiled slightly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. I will personally go to Yingzhou Hall to express my gratitude later. Thank you for your help today, Eunuch Jing. Green Willow—"
She summoned Green Willow, partly to see Jingming off, and partly to express her feelings.
Jingming bowed and continued, "Your Majesty is too kind. This servant will now return to His Majesty to serve him. His Majesty also said that since Lord Zhou and Madam Zhou have come from afar, they can leave the palace before dusk. As for the lake tour, Your Majesty need not participate."
Today is the first day at the imperial palace. As is customary, the Emperor will lead his concubines on a lake tour at Shenshi (3-5 PM), and will also accompany the Empress Dowager to watch a play.
Hua Yan and Consort Chun exchanged a glance, both feeling touched by the Emperor's thoughtfulness.
However, she quickly put those thoughts aside; nothing was more important than seeing Xiuyun at that moment. The three of them walked hand in hand into Bilang Pavilion. After seeing Jingming off, Green Willow also found a moment to chat with Dingxiang.
Xia'er also came to the palace with Hua Yan, but upon learning that she was to meet Xiu Yun, Hua Yan had already sent her away.
Lunch was arranged at Langgan Pavilion, where there was an ice chest to cool off. At this moment, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the bamboo leaves were rustling in the wind, making it very cool and pleasant.
Xiuyun exchanged a few pleasantries with Huayan. Seeing that Huayan's complexion was rosy and her eyes were relaxed, Xiuyun knew that everything was well for her in the palace. Reassured, she felt much more at ease.
“We received the news three days ago that the Emperor had been so kind as to allow us to see you. Your uncle has been overjoyed these past few days and has specially gathered many trinkets to bring. However, they need to be inspected by the Imperial Household Department, so they should be delivered later,” Xiuyun said with a smile.
Hua Yan said, "The palace has everything we need. It's good that you people can come. There's no need to go to the trouble of arranging these things."
Dingxiang blurted out, "My lord is working at the Court of State Ceremonial. In the past few months, he has acquired many exquisite gadgets. Every time he sees them, he says he will find an opportunity to send them to the palace. This time, he has finally come, so of course he brought them all."
Hua Yan then had a chance to say a few words to Ding Xiang: "Ding Xiang's wedding is at the end of this month, right? I heard from Aunt Mei that the man is Meng Zhu's distant cousin."
Upon hearing this, Dingxiang blushed and lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers.
"Sister-in-law! I also prepared a gift for you. Ruizhu went to pick it up for me and will be here soon," Mengzhu called out with a smile.
Upon hearing the title "sister-in-law," Dingxiang was so embarrassed that she couldn't lift her head. Huayan then smiled and said, "Aunt, please take them down to eat as well. There's no need for you to serve them here."
Aunt Mei glanced at Consort Chun, and seeing Consort Chun nod, she led Green Willow and the others away, leaving only Mengzhu to serve tea.
When Xiuyun spoke of her recent situation, she said that since marrying Zhou Bai, she had temporarily handed over the management of Disi Pavilion to the Marquis's mansion. Neither she nor Zhou Bai had any elders, and they were close to Madam Yun on weekdays, so they implicitly regarded Madam Yun and Marquis Tang Xian of Lin'an as their elders.
At this point, Xiuyun rose to thank Consort Chun. Zhou Bai's sudden departure for an official post outside the capital, coupled with the power struggle between aristocratic families and the imperial court, made the situation extremely dangerous. Consort Chun had sent a message to the household, instructing her father to send someone to secretly protect him.
As Zhou Bai's wife, Xiu Yun was extremely grateful for this kindness.
"Speaking of which, you're quite shameless, sir. You were fortunate to be rescued by a guard named Chen Lin and his men, which saved you from danger. Now that the Marquis is sending men, you specifically asked him for this guard..."
As Xiuyun spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she seemed a little embarrassed.
Hua Yan opened her eyes wide and suddenly felt that she owed Chen Lin too much. Speaking of which, she had only taught Chen Lin to recognize a few words. The two had only known each other for a few months. He had brought his uncle back from the grasslands, and their relationship was already very close.
Consort Chun was unaware of this story, and she had never heard Hua Yan mention it before. "Sister Xiuyun, there's no need to be so polite. Shu'er and I are like sisters. These are just trivial matters."
After lunch, Consort Chun had no intention of staying any longer. She spoke a few more words with Hua Yan and Xiu Yun before leaving Bilang Pavilion with Aunt Mei.
Hua Yan led Xiu Yun to the study, where Xiu Yun whispered:
"On my way here, I ran into Consort Mei. For some reason, one of the maids behind her looked at me with a strange expression, as if... she recognized me?"
“Granny Yu.” Hua Yan frowned slightly.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen her,” Xiu Yun added, recalling the earlier conversation.
Hua Yan's heart sank. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Granny Yu used to work at the Duke of Qing's mansion. She was the wet nurse of the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion. Perhaps she has seen your mother?"
Xiuyun shook her head uncertainly, "Back then, my father was just an unknown strategist, and my mother had never even been to the Duke's mansion..."
Hua Yan comforted her, "Aunt, there's no need to worry. Since the incident at the Duke of Qing's mansion, Granny Yu has been staying in the slave quarters in the capital and has never left the capital."