Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 576 The crux of the matter has always been...

Lingcui Palace.

Consort Chun arrived at the appointed time. If she arrived too early, she feared she would disturb Shu'er and Xiuyun's reunion. If she arrived too late, she feared she would run into Zhou Bai, who was rushing to the capital after the Emperor's visit. Neither option was suitable.

Aunt Mei carried Kang Ge'er, while Mengzhu and Ruizhu followed behind Consort Chun, each holding a brocade box. As soon as the group stepped into the palace, Lvliu and Hongyu greeted them with smiles.

At this moment, inside the flower hall.

With all the palace servants away, Xiuyun finally seized the opportunity and was pondering how to start the conversation when laughter and chatter began outside.

Seeing her aunt's hesitant expression, Meng Shu sighed softly and whispered, "If there's anything you're hesitant to say, Aunt, don't say it in front of Consort Chun. You can tell me about it later."

A faint blush rose on Xiuyun's face, and she nodded with a hint of embarrassment: "Judging from the voice, it's the Imperial Concubine. Let's go out and greet her quickly."

As she spoke, she stood up and straightened her clothes. Through Meng Shu's words, she understood that Meng Shu valued her sisterly bond with Consort Chun more than anyone else, and she couldn't help but curse Zhou Bai repeatedly in her heart.

"The last time I saw Madam Zhou was at the imperial palace. How are you now?"

Even from a few steps away, Consort Chun's words, tinged with a smile, drifted over.

Xiuyun stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Thanks to Your Highness, I am well. Thank you for your concern."

Her gaze lingered on Kang Ge'er for a moment longer before she turned and took a brocade box from Dingxiang's hand. "Greetings to His Highness the Second Prince."

"These are porcelain ocarinas that local children in Yangzhou often play with. They can not only be played with, but also produce a clear sound when blown. I specially picked out a set to bring for Your Highness to relieve your boredom."

Ancient children's figurines

As she spoke, she gently opened the box, revealing a row of adorable little animal-shaped porcelain ocarinas. "Your Highness, take a look, do you like them?"

Kang Ge'er's eyes lit up. He first thanked her politely, and only after receiving his mother's permission did he reach out and take a small bird-shaped one. He held it in his palm, turning it over and over to look at it, reluctant to put it down.

Hearing the commotion outside, Yu Nu'er took Wen Jie'er's little hand and came over. "Second brother, my aunt also gave me a set. They look different, so let's put them together to play with."

Wen'er, being a girl, appeared much quieter and more refined in comparison. At her mother Xiuyun's prompting, she respectfully bowed to Consort Chun.

When Consort Chun saw this exquisitely beautiful baby girl, her heart melted. Back when she was pregnant with Kang Ge'er, she had fantasized countless times about how wonderful it would be to have a daughter.

She took a gold and pearl bracelet from Mengzhu's hand, bent down and gently slipped it onto Wenjie's wrist, then couldn't help but pick her up. "Look at her, how adorable our Wenjie is."

Wen Jie'er was a little shy, but she buried her face in Consort Chun's shoulder without any shyness.

Seeing this, Aunt Mei stepped forward and said, "This bracelet was made by the craftsmen of the Imperial Workshop when Her Majesty was pregnant. Although she has not yet had the little princess, this sentiment has been fulfilled through Miss Zhou."

Upon hearing this, Xiuyun's eyes showed surprise. All the women in the palace hoped to give birth to a prince in one fell swoop. Could it be that Consort Chun had hoped to have a daughter from the beginning? How could the Marquis's mansion be willing to accept such a thought if they knew?

Consort Chun gently stroked the top of Wen'er's head, seemingly genuinely liking her.

Kang Ge'er, holding his toys, seemed impatient and gently nudged Consort Chun. Consort Chun then smiled and said, "Let Nurse Su take you to the warm pavilion to play. In the afternoon, I will have your aunt come to pick you up."

Kang Ge'er often came to Lingcui Palace on weekdays. Hearing this, he nodded obediently, and the children happily went to the warm pavilion.

Meng Shu dismissed the others, leaving only Lvliu and Mengzhu to serve tea.

The three of them sat together, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Over the past few years, Xiuyun has gained considerable experience in Yangzhou, frequently interacting with the ladies of various government offices and households. Because of Zhou Bai's high position and power, everyone naturally treats her with great courtesy, and no one dares to look down on her. Unconsciously, a calm and confident demeanor has gradually settled in her brows, and her speech and behavior have even begun to show a dignified bearing similar to that of Madam Yun.

For the moment, she set aside the difficult matters her husband had entrusted to her and spoke at length with Meng Shu and Consort Chun about the local customs and culture of Yangzhou, from the misty painted boats on the Slender West Lake to the morning bells and evening drums of Daming Temple, and the magnificent scene of the city covered in snow-like magnolia blossoms in March. She spoke vividly, and Meng Shu and Consort Chun listened intently, as if they too had traveled to Jiangnan.

"I've heard that Yangzhou is even more vibrant than Lin'an. It's a pity I'll never get to see it in this lifetime." Consort Chun turned to the side and patted Meng Shu's arm. "If only... perhaps Shu'er could have gone to Yangzhou with Lord Zhou. It's all my fault for delaying you."

Consort Chun was always like this, taking on many responsibilities herself. Especially seeing Xiu Yun's current happy appearance, she felt even more that she had held Meng Shu back. But if Meng Shu hadn't become a concubine and caught the Emperor's eye, how could Zhou Bai have had this opportunity and had such a smooth career? Perhaps, he wouldn't have even been able to become an official.

Meng Shu took her hand in return and shook her head: "Isn't it good as it is now? We each have children, and we can see and talk to each other every day. Many people would love to have a life like this."

Upon seeing this scene, Xiuyun couldn't help but lower her head and sigh inwardly.

Meng Shu deliberately changed the subject, telling some amusing stories about Yu Nu'er and Kang Ge'er, which quickly lightened the atmosphere in the flower hall.

After drinking a cup of tea, Consort Chun estimated the time and got up to take her leave. Meng Shu waved for Xiu Yun to stay in the flower hall, and personally escorted Consort Chun to the palace gate.

When she returned, she said directly, "Aunt, please speak now."

Upon hearing this, Green Willow immediately went to stand guard outside the door.

Xiuyun dared not look Meng Shu in the eye and said softly, "Does Your Highness know that just yesterday, General Wei personally brought a palace guard to the Zhou residence, saying that he was here on the Emperor's orders to personally protect Zhou Bai. The man's name is Lu Qi. According to him, he had been secretly protecting the Zhou residence since Yangzhou."

Meng Shu's heart sank slightly: "Is there anything else?"

Xiuyun raised her head, her eyes filled with worry: "Your uncle asked Dingxiang and her husband to return to the capital ahead of schedule, saying he wanted to find two shops. Her Majesty should know about this. But actually..."

"Uncle isn't going to do ordinary business; he's planning to open a trading company. He's just giving us a heads-up, right?"

Meng Shu had already guessed it, and now she spoke it out word by word. In the end, she even bit her tongue, and a rusty, fishy smell rose in her throat.

Xiuyun clenched the handkerchief in her hand, glanced at the door, and lowered her voice: "Your Majesty, this was not actually our idea. A year ago, the Emperor issued two imperial edicts to Yangzhou, and the owner behind this so-called merchant guild is not your uncle's person. On the surface, it is a property under the Zhou family, but in reality... it is the Emperor's private treasury."

Meng Shu closed her eyes.

The problem has always been there; it's just that it needs to be brought to the forefront now.

In the midst of court intrigues, no one cares about the two concubines in the harem. When Zhou Bai and the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion become complete adversaries, what will become of the bond between Meng Shu and Consort Chun, forged through thick and thin over the past decade?

At this moment, Green Willow whispered from outside the door, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhou has arrived and is requesting an audience outside the flower hall."