Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 522 Dew Fragrance

After Zhixue and her entourage had completely disappeared from sight, Lvliu whispered, "Your Majesty, have you noticed that the Empress has been paying extra attention to Consort Mu lately? A few days ago, after reprimanding Consort Shun, she personally visited Consort Mu twice at Hanxiang Pavilion."

Meng Shu's gaze sharpened slightly, and she softly hummed in agreement, "In the last two weeks..."

“The Emperor has been there twice,” Green Willow whispered. “The first time was the night Consort Mu fainted, and he went again a few days later, staying at Hanxiang Pavilion that time. But he hasn’t been there since then.”

She paused, then added an important sentence: "It is said that Consort Pei has been visiting Consort Qi frequently lately, and mentioned that the Emperor originally summoned Consort Mu to serve him the night before last, but Consort Mu declined on the grounds that she was not feeling well."

Meng Shu walked from the Imperial Garden to Lingcui Palace, lost in thought the whole way. As soon as she stepped into the palace gate, she turned around and instructed, "Have Hongyu go out and investigate carefully to see which other palaces Renming Palace sent gifts to today, besides Consort Shun and Consort Mu."

Green Willow dared not delay, and hurriedly responded, then quickly went to the front hall to find Red Jade and gave her a detailed explanation.

When they returned to Cuiyu Hall, they found Meng Shu sitting alone in the study, lost in thought. Knowing that she was thinking about something, Lvliu did not dare to disturb her. She went to the small kitchen to find Donggua and got a bowl of warm and nourishing soup, which she then brought to the study herself.

She gently placed the soup on the table, and without saying a word, quietly retreated to the door to stand guard, afraid that someone else might disturb Meng Shu's thoughts.

About half an hour later, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard.

"Let Hongyu in."

Meng Shu's voice came from inside.

Green Willow immediately lifted the curtain and led Red Jade into the study. Red Jade curtsied and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, this servant has learned that this afternoon, not only did the people from the Empress's palace go to Consort Mu's place, but they also sent gifts to Consort Yang and Consort Ye's palaces."

(Note: Ye Baolin is a concubine character that is not well-known to everyone. In addition to Wu Baolin, who came from the imperial harem, there are also three other Baolin in the harem: Lu, Ye, and Su.)

"Have you found out what was given as a gift?"

"Ye Baolin is not one to keep secrets. People in her palace have already spread the word that she was rewarded with several exquisite pieces of jewelry and two bolts of brocade. As for Yang Baolin, she kept her mouth shut, and we were unable to find out anything."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shu nodded slightly and gestured for Hongyu to step back.

......

Inside the Renming Hall, the candlelight flickered gently.

When Zhixue returned to report, the Empress was leisurely eating her dinner with silver chopsticks. The imperial dishes on the jade plate were exquisite, but she had little appetite and only ate a few bites.

"Your Highness," Zhixue stepped forward, curtsied, and whispered, "The gifts have been delivered, and Consort Mu has accepted them."

The Empress didn't raise her eyes, only giving a very faint reply. Her gaze swept over a bowl of smooth, white sweet soup beside her, and she asked in a flat tone, "Did she ask anything?"

“No,” Zhixue replied, “Consort Mu took it as a normal reward and said she would come to express her gratitude tomorrow.”

A slight smile played on the Empress's lips as she gently put down the jade chopsticks in her hand and took the handkerchief Xingyu offered to wipe her lips.

"It's a pity about that box of Dew-Infused Fragrance. Its fragrance is delicate and soothing, perfect for calming the mind and nourishing the heart." Her tone was gentle, as if she genuinely cared for Consort Mu.

Having said that, she rose and walked to the soft couch by the window, her skirt trailing silently on the ground. The candlelight in the hall flickered in her eyes, reflecting an elusive, dim light. "I'd like to see how much of the 'Dew-Condensing Fragrance' can withstand."

Zhixue hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Your Majesty, this incense is not easy to obtain. It would be fine to bestow it upon Consort Mu, but why give it to Consort Yang as well?"

"Yang Baolin is quite shrewd. Although she was close to Qing Shi before, it was not unreasonable. When the Emperor went to Zhaoqing Palace, he also favored her a few times." The Empress turned her head slightly, the candlelight casting interlaced shadows on half of her face. "Now we're giving her a chance, let's see if she... proves herself useful."

As they were talking, Chen Qing entered the hall. "Your Majesty, the Emperor went to Huining Palace tonight..."

"So you went to Consort Chun's palace again?" The Empress's voice suddenly rose.

Chen Qing lowered his head even further, almost burying it in his chest: "Yes... ever since Consort Chun received the banners sent by the people, His Majesty... His Majesty has been going to Huining Palace for two days in a row, and he has even been going to Consort Jin's place less often."

Clang—

The Empress suddenly flicked her sleeve, and the Ru kiln celadon teacup on the table flew away with a thud, shattering into pieces and spilling tea onto the scarlet carpet like a pool of blood.

The palace servants inside the hall immediately knelt down, each holding their breath and not daring to utter a sound.

......

After having dinner, Meng Shu was still bathed in the faint glow of sunset. She took Green Willow and Winter Melon for a stroll in the courtyard. Several flowering trees in the courtyard were in full bloom, their fragrance wafting through the air, casting sparse shadows.

Before long, Dong Ming came from the front hall, bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, His Majesty visited Huining Palace tonight. However, when His Majesty's procession reached the vicinity of Chengrui Pavilion, he happened to encounter Consort Yang."

Seeing Meng Shu's slightly cold expression, he immediately reported in detail: "Yang Baolin apologized, saying that she had missed the time because she was engrossed in watching the sunset and had disturbed His Majesty. His Majesty simply raised his hand to let her get up, without saying anything more or lingering, and His Majesty went straight to Huining Palace."

Meng Shu's expression softened slightly upon hearing this.

After bowing, Dong Ming quietly withdrew.

Donggua covered her mouth and laughed, "Yang Baolin's efforts were in vain. Apart from the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival when the Emperor went to the Empress's place, he stayed at the Consort's place for two consecutive days. When I went to Huining Palace to deliver some snacks in the afternoon, I saw the smile on Aunt Mei's face that she couldn't hide."

"The most important thing for Your Majesty is to go to Huining Palace and see Kang-ge'er more often." Meng Shu's lips also curled into a smile.

Green Willow frowned slightly, her tone thoughtful: "Your Highness, Consort Yang's deliberate flattery today is unlike her usual behavior. Now that she has moved to Consort Qi's quarters, I'll have Chun Tao keep a close eye on her?"