Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 473 Consort Chun Returns to the Palace (2)

The palace was busy preparing to welcome Empress Dowager Zhou and Consort Chun back to the palace.

Outside the palace, the Han family mansion in Yongchangfang was bustling with activity today.

Previously, as news of the victory in the northern frontier reached the capital by fast horse, the Emperor had already issued an edict to generously reward the Han family. In recent days, the Governor's Mansion has become the most sought-after place in the capital.

The ladies of various households, upon hearing the news, rushed to the Han residence to send invitations and pay their respects. Some even went so far as to harbor ulterior motives after learning that Governor Han had become a bachelor, and openly or secretly asked others to intercede on their behalf.

However, something seemed a bit strange.

Miss Han was of marriageable age and, after arriving in the capital, attended several banquets alongside daughters of military officers. In terms of family background and appearance, she was of exceptional quality, yet almost no family in the capital dared to actively seek her favor. Even in casual encounters, a subtle distance would remain between them.

Among them, Madam Shen had considered asking the Marquis of Zhenbei to sound her out, but after receiving her husband's letter, she gradually gave up and nothing came of it.

The reason for this situation was the five-tailed phoenix hairpin that Empress Dowager Jiang bestowed upon Consort Han on the day of her audience with the emperor.

Somehow, this matter has gradually spread among the powerful and wealthy elites in the capital. Many people are secretly marveling that Han Shuyi is destined for wealth and honor, and even though she is just an adopted daughter of the Han family, she has the good fortune to enter the palace as a concubine.

Today, the Minister of Rites personally visited the Han family, bringing with him the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts bestowed by the Emperor. From pearls and jade treasures and gilded utensils to brocade and silk, boxes wrapped in red silk were carried into the mansion like a flowing stream.

Since the household was mostly populated by women, the Minister of Rites specially brought his wife along.

Since it was inconvenient for Han Shuyi to meet the guests in person, Old Madam Han received and entertained them alone in the front hall. She accepted the gifts with a smile and said some polite words such as "the Emperor's grace" and "the Han family does not deserve it." The Minister's wife had been instructed by her husband beforehand, and not only did she praise the Han family highly, but her words were also extremely respectful, and her posture was extremely humble.

After seeing the guests off, the noise in the lobby subsided.

Madam Han returned to the inner courtyard and sat motionless at her desk for a long time.

A letter lay quietly on the table. She had read it several times, but instead of joy, her face was filled with an unyielding worry.

As time passed since returning to the capital, the Zhenbei Marquis's residence was no longer as close as before. Although they still visited each other quite often, there was a sense of politeness and distance in their interactions.

At this moment, Madam Han took the envelope in her hand again, and a striking five-tailed phoenix hairpin on the table also came into view.

Suqin brought in a cup of ginseng tea. Seeing the old lady's appearance, she couldn't help but feel sad. "Old Madam, you've had a lot of social engagements these past few days. Have some ginseng tea to nourish your body."

"Put this phoenix hairpin away." Old Madam Han sighed. "I thought... there would always be a way to avoid it, but in the end I found it was all in vain."

Perhaps from the day they left northern Xinjiang, their granddaughter's fate was already sealed.

......

The Imperial Palace, Huining Hall.

After a long and tiring journey, Consort Chun's face inevitably showed signs of fatigue. Just now, when everyone escorted Empress Dowager Zhou back to Shou Kang Palace, Empress Dowager Zhou carefully observed her expression and told her to go back and settle in first.

Inside the flower hall, thick cushions covered a sandalwood couch. Consort Chun held Meng Shu's hand, and the two were finally able to talk side by side.

"It's such a pity I missed Yu Nu'er's full moon celebration. He's already three months old now. I'll definitely go to your palace to see him tomorrow." Consort Chun said, and had Mengzhu take out the prepared gifts.

Meng Shu smiled and advised, "Your body is getting heavier and heavier, how can you go out? Your wet nurse will bring him over for you to see in a little while."

Consort Chun's due date was around October. While she was in the imperial palace, the imperial physicians from the Zhen family had been taking care of her pregnancy. Now that she had returned to the palace, Imperial Physician Sun had resigned, and Jian Zhi was not around. Meng Shu had been keeping an eye out for her for a while and finally chose an imperial physician surnamed Li.

While the two were talking, Li Rui came over with his medicine box to take their pulse.

His somewhat roundabout marriage ties with the Marquis of Huai'an's family were also due to Madam Yun's private instruction to Meng Shu, who said that this person had solid medical skills and a reliable character, and could be trusted.

"Your subject Li Rui greets Consort Chun and Consort Jin."

Li Rui bowed respectfully and knelt beside the soft couch to take Consort Chun's pulse. After examining her wrist for a moment with his fingertips, he put away the pulse pillow and took the past pulse records handed to him by Mengzhu, carefully reviewing them by the light from the window.

"Your Majesty's pulse is stable, but the pregnancy is slightly unstable." Li Rui said respectfully, "It is probably due to the fatigue of today's journey, and there is nothing to worry about. If you rest early tonight, you will recover by tomorrow."

Consort Chun nodded and asked Mengzhu to see him out.

She then dismissed everyone and inquired about Consort Qu from Meng Shu. After a while, she said, "Although Physician Cui is skilled in diagnosing pregnancies, he is not always accurate. If she were to conclude that the woman is carrying a prince based solely on this, it would be far too frivolous."

Meng Shu said calmly, "Whether she believes it or not is secondary. I think most of it is for the Empress's benefit. If she is really a prince, she can use this to curry favor with the Empress. If she is a princess, the Empress can tolerate her. Now she is confined to Chunxi Palace to rest and prepare for childbirth. According to the Emperor's wishes, it is almost the same as being under house arrest."

"That saves trouble." Consort Chun gently stroked her lower abdomen and sighed, then asked with concern, "How are the preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet going, Shu'er? Right now, I'm in the palace with Granny Kong serving me personally. Why don't you send Aunt Mei to help you for a few days? She can keep an eye on things for you so that no one takes the opportunity to do something bad and frame you for nothing."

"Wan'er, rest assured, I have already informed the Emperor about this matter and transferred Min Rong to handle it. She has been in the palace for many years and will do her best. Right now, the Empress is worried about other things and is probably too busy to spare any time. It is Consort Qing who is a bit troublesome, and I have also had someone keep a close eye on her."

A sound came from outside. The two turned to look and saw through the window that Su, the wet nurse, was holding Yu Nu'er, followed by Mingyue and Xia'er. As soon as they entered the inner courtyard, Mengzhu led people to greet them, carefully adjusted the cloak over the swaddling clothes, and then escorted them inside.

"Yu Nu'er is here." Consort Chun was delighted and patted Meng Shu's arm, trying to get up. Meng Shu stopped her, saying, "She's coming in now. Please sit still."

When everyone outside arrived at the flower hall, Consort Chun immediately saw a beautiful little girl and her face lit up with joy, her previous weariness largely dissipating.

Although she was pregnant and it was inconvenient for her to hold him, she couldn't help but lean forward and said with a smile, "I knew that with Shu'er's looks, Yu Nu'er would definitely be a lovely little girl."

Meng Shu gently pinched Yu Nu'er's cheek. The little one seemed to be amused. She puffed out her little mouth and spit out a round milk bubble. Then she stretched out her slender arms and unconsciously grabbed Chunfei's hanging sleeve.

"Oh, this child, he knows how to be close to me the first time we meet." Consort Chun was both surprised and delighted, and her voice softened a bit. "From now on, you must bring him to my palace often so that I can pamper him properly."

Meng Shu nodded with a smile, "He is indeed well-behaved. He only cries a couple of times when he's hungry, and he smiles when he's full. He never fusses."

Consort Chun reached out and tapped her forehead, scolding, "What kind of mother are you, always talking nonsense about a child?"

Yu Nu'er seemed to understand, kicking her little feet in her swaddling clothes and making soft, babbling sounds, which made the two of them laugh.

After having dinner at Huining Palace, Meng Shu left with her palace servants. Before leaving, she insisted on leaving Mingyue behind and instructed her to stay by Chunfei's side at all times.