Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 581 Using Flowers to Offer to Buddha

As the head maid of Consort Jin, Green Willow participated in the entire wedding banquet, taking care of everything inside and out, and giving Winter Melon a very respectable position.

Jian Zhi's residence was located in Yanshoufang. Originally, it was just a small courtyard with one entrance, but its advantage lay in its good location, not far from Shunyi Gate. The Imperial Physician's salary was not high, and outsiders only said that it was because the Emperor and the Empress had given him rewards over the years that Imperial Physician Jian had saved up money to purchase this property.

In fact, Jian Zhi had already bought the adjacent houses and an inconspicuous general store on the street. This time, with his marriage to Donggua, he finally had a legitimate use for the money given to him by the Marquis's mansion, under the guise of Donggua's dowry. He then took the opportunity to connect and renovate the two houses, making them spacious and tidy, though not luxurious.

What if people gossip that he used his wife's dowry to buy property?

No problem.

Jian Zhi wouldn't even bother to care about half a sentence.

At three quarters past 5 PM, amidst the gazes and blessings of the guests, Green Willow witnessed Winter Melon, draped in a bright red veil, standing side by side with Jian Zhi, solemnly kneeling to worship Heaven and Earth.

The flickering candlelight cast the swaying shadows of the newlyweds onto the wall of the wedding hall. Green Willow watched quietly, her eyes slightly warm. This woman, who had long ago vowed never to marry, now found herself tasting a sense of eternal bliss in this vibrant red light.

The wedding banquet continued late into the night.

Although Donggua was originally a palace maid, she held the official position of head cook and also had close ties with two imperial concubines. As a result, there were many guests at the banquet, including quite a few prominent figures.

Although Zhou Bai and Xiu Yun were unable to attend in person, they sent their trusted servant Ding Xiang with generous gifts. As for the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, Madam Yun naturally couldn't appear, but the young mistress Su Wanwan was present, along with the Zhen family physician in the entourage. Furthermore, the married third young lady, Tang Qingyu, also attended.

After Green Willow finished taking care of everything and the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber, she finally had a chance to speak with Steward An.

Steward An is in good health and has a healthy complexion. She has a little granddaughter taking care of her. The two of them arrived in the capital more than ten days in advance and have been living in the Jian residence. They have already become familiar with the Jian family's newly purchased servants.

Green Willow spoke with her for a while, then turned and went to the foot of the gate. At the banquet earlier, Green Willow had noticed that Physician Zhen had drunk a few extra cups, and she was somewhat worried.

Only when she saw someone come forward to help and care for her did she sigh softly and turn to rest in the side room.

The next morning, Green Willow got up early to say goodbye to Jianzhi and Winter Melon.

Winter Melon had changed her hairstyle to that of a married woman, and her eyes still held the shyness and joy of the previous night. Green Willow squeezed her hand, then turned and boarded the carriage back to the palace.

By the time they arrived at Lingcui Palace, the sun was already high in the sky. Meng Shu was painting by the study window. Seeing her enter, she looked up and smiled slightly: "Is everything ready?"

Green Willow stepped forward to pay her respects and recounted in detail all the events surrounding the wedding.

After describing the layout of the mansion, the guests, and the wedding ceremony, she added with a touch of bitterness, "Your Majesty, do you know that it's been over two years since I last saw you, and the Zhen family physician's hair and beard have turned completely white? He is the tutor of Imperial Physician Jian, and by right, he should have been kneeling before the newlyweds in the hall yesterday, along with Steward An..."

"Your Majesty, my heart aches more and more as I watch. The Marquis and his wife, in their pursuit of their goals, have dragged too many people into their lives against their will."

Meng Shu listened quietly, her paintbrush never stopping. When Lvliu said the words "helpless," the tip of her brush paused slightly, and a drop of thick ink spread along the brush tip, staining the petals she had just outlined.

She stared at the ink stain, the leisurely mood she had just experienced while painting was now shattered, making it difficult to continue.

She put down her paintbrush and said to Green Willow, "In this life, it's hard to escape the phrase 'being unable to control one's own destiny.' But you—I thought I would never see the soft-hearted Green Willow of the past again, but after going to the palace, you brought that tenderness back with you."

Green Willow was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty is making fun of me again."

Meng Shu gently shook her head. "It is rare to be able to leave a soft spot in someone's heart. We have seen too many cold-hearted people, so it is precious to occasionally see a little genuine sadness."

As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves and went to the outer room to wash her hands.

Green Willow hurriedly prepared a handkerchief and handed it over. She turned her head and glanced at the painting on the table in the middle of the room: "Your Highness, shall I put this painting away?"

"Let's leave it for now."

Meng Shu wiped her hands. "The 29th is Wan'er's birthday. I'll paint another one this afternoon, and you can take it to the Imperial Workshop for framing."

Green Willow nodded, took the copper basin out and handed it to Xia'er, then went to the front hall to find Red Jade and gave her some instructions. By the time she returned to the flower hall, almost half an hour had passed.

"Your Majesty, Consort Yun has been frequently seen with the newly arrived concubines these past few days. Even Consort Zhao and Consort Lin often visit Ganlu Palace to see her."

Meng Shu didn't seem to care, and only asked, "Is there any movement from Consort Shun's side?"

Green Willow replied, "Since Old Madam Han entered the palace last time, Chenghui Palace has been very quiet. Apart from occasionally visiting the Fourth Prince at Consort Mu's place, Consort Shun has not left Chenghui Palace. However, she has Xiaodie send soup and snacks to Funing Palace every day."

At this time, Meng Shu was unaware that Madam Han had already written a letter to her son, who was far away in the northern frontier, and sent a trusted confidant to deliver it overnight.

In the past, such messages would always be quietly delivered to Lingcui Palace through Aunt Mei from the Marquis of Lin'an's residence. However, since Zhou Bai returned to the capital to assume his post and gradually became involved in the Ministry of Revenue and maritime affairs, such exchanges of information have gradually ceased. The Marquis's residence no longer sends letters in, and Meng Shu has naturally fallen into a passive position.

The reason Tang Xian and Lady Yun dared to act this way was simply because they had a clear understanding of the situation in the harem. Empress Jiang and Lady Qing were both dead, and although the cunning Lady Qu had given birth to a prince by chance, he was a cripple, and the mother and son were confined to the temporary palace. At present, apart from Meng Shu, Consort Shun and Consort Mu had no intention of competing with others in the harem, and the remaining concubines were either unwilling or powerless, and half of them even had to rely on the care of Consort Chun.

In their eyes, if it weren't for Consort Jin and Meng Shu, the harem would already be under the control of Consort Chun, and no one could truly shake her position.

Meng Shu pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Keep a close eye on him. My uncle has the Emperor's men with him, so it's not good for him to contact Chen Lin. I asked him to find someone else to deliver a message, hoping that he will leave the Palace Guard as soon as possible."

"I haven't seen him among the guards on duty these past few days." Green Willow nodded and said, "This servant has been keeping an eye on him."

......

Chenghui Hall, backyard.

The autumn sun shines brightly.

Consort Shun, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, performed a set of fist techniques with great vigor and speed.

Suqin, the old woman, stood under the corridor, opened her mouth, but ultimately dared not utter a sound. Ever since she secretly reported to the old lady that her mistress had inquired about Chen Lin, Consort Shun had become noticeably distant from her, leaving many matters to Xiaodie.

Just as she was hesitating, Xiaodie came over carrying a cloak. Suqin, the old nanny, hurriedly lowered her voice and urged, "Quickly help Her Highness change her clothes. The ginseng soup I made is still warming on the stove. Let Her Highness personally deliver it to the Emperor. If we could invite His Majesty to come for dinner... that would be even better."

Xiaodie nodded in agreement. After Consort Shun finished her set of punches, she stepped forward and handed her a handkerchief and cloak, saying softly, "Your Highness, the soup is ready. Would you like it sent over now?"

Consort Shun took the handkerchief to wipe her sweat, glanced at Suqin indifferently, and did not say anything.

After a moment, he scoffed, "Go change your clothes."

When Consort Shun led Xiaodie out, the Emperor was just stepping into the courtyard of Lingcui Palace.

Meng Shu was in her study, intently sketching on a newly laid-out sheet of Xuan paper. Upon hearing the announcement, she put down her brush and went to greet the person at the door.

The Emperor waved his hand to dismiss her formalities and walked straight to the desk, his gaze falling on the drawing paper: "What are you drawing? Are you preparing a birthday gift for Consort Chun?"

“Yes,” Meng Shu smiled, “I have painted chrysanthemums many times, and this time I thought of painting begonias to suit the season.”

The Emperor shifted his gaze slightly and caught sight of another painting unfolded beside him, the same one whose petals had been stained with ink earlier that morning.

He stared at it for a while, then suddenly curled his lips into a smile, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and made a few strokes on the ink stain. The ink mark gradually transformed into a canary with its wings folded and perched on a branch. The canary's body was slightly turned to the side, not only concealing the stain but also creating a sense of movement within stillness with the crabapple tree beside it, instantly bringing the picture to life.

"This one," he put down his brush, examined it for a moment, and said with satisfaction, "I will frame it and give it to Consort Chun as a birthday gift."

Meng Shu was taken aback, then chuckled: "Your Majesty's way of using someone else's flowers to present to the Buddha is a bit too opportunistic."

"How is this taking a shortcut?" The Emperor turned to look at her. "This was painted by you and me together. Others would beg for it if they could."

At this moment, Jingming quietly entered and bowed to report, "Your Majesty, this servant has received news that Consort Shun has come to the Funing Palace to request an audience."

The Emperor frowned. "You brought ginseng soup again?"

Jingming lowered his head: "...Yes."

The Emperor tossed his paintbrush aside, somewhat at a loss for words. "You've been sending me ginseng soup for over ten days straight. Does Consort Shun perhaps think that my health... isn't even as robust as her grandmother's?!"