roccoschili Chapter 371 How much more like you would I like?
Chapter 371 How much more like you would I like?
Changchun Garden Imperial Palace, Wutong Pavilion.
Although Consort Qing was under house arrest, she did not suffer any grievances, and her supplies and expenses were never withheld.
Inside the bedchamber, the brocade curtains and embroidered canopies remained, and the gilded lion-shaped incense burner burned with the finest agarwood. Even the seasonal fruits on the table were changed daily. Moreover, being far from the palace, the Duchess of Qingguo was able to make many arrangements to take care of her.
The humiliation of being stripped of her title and demoted to the rank of concubine still kept her awake at night for days. When news of Meng Shu's pregnancy and promotion arrived, Consort Qing was even more eager to return to the palace as soon as possible.
Therefore, she would send her maid, Yu, to Empress Dowager Jiang's palace every few days to plead for mercy, and she also put a lot of effort into writing letters to the Emperor.
Sometimes she would copy a pipa score, sometimes a poem her sister had written that she had vaguely remembered, and sometimes she would attach a sachet that she had embroidered herself.
But the emperor never sent anyone to fetch her back to the palace.
It was Consort Pei's idea to present Meng Shu with the plum blossom hairpin that her sister used to love. When Granny Yu returned from the palace to report, Consort Qing listened carefully to her report.
"She... probably wouldn't use the hairpin I gave her."
Granny Yu hunched over and dared not reply.
Upon hearing this, Pei Yunu opened her mouth but did not refute it. Of course, she had considered this when she came up with the idea: whether Jin Zhaorong used it or not, she would have ways to make trouble for herself in the future.
Seeing that Granny Yu remained silent, Consort Qing said listlessly, "Never mind, Fuyan's idea wasn't very good either. What's been happening in the palace lately?"
"Your Majesty, since Consort Xie was sent to the Cold Palace, the one who has received the most favor lately is Consort Qu. Besides her, Consort Rong has also been favored. As for Consort Chun, she has only served the Emperor once since her birthday..."
"It's her? Qu Qingge?"
Consort Qing frowned slightly, then a smile that seemed both mocking and sighing appeared on her lips: "The Emperor's preferences... have never changed."
They favor those pretentious, affected women who can recite a few lines of poetry and thus gain more favor.
Pei Yunu wrung out the handkerchief in her hand. All the other young ladies who entered the palace at the same time as her had already won the emperor's favor, but she was still trapped in this temporary palace.
"Your Majesty, Consort Qu's father is merely a minor official of low rank, while her cousin, Consort Qu's father, is highly regarded by the Emperor. Perhaps we could arrange for the Duke to marry into the Qu family..."
......
Two days later.
Chunxi Hall.
It was past noon when Consort Qu returned from Renming Hall and was removing her hairpins and jewelry in front of a bronze mirror. Her calm eyes and brows were reflected in the mirror, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has invited you to dine here again today."
Ruixue approached, holding a hot towel, and said in a cheerful tone.
Qu Cairen gave a soft "hmm". In the past two days, the Empress had been exceptionally kind to her, either bestowing meals or clothing fabrics upon her, and even holding her hand when speaking to her.
She couldn't figure out what the Empress was up to, so she could only deal with it cautiously. Consort Chun, on the other hand, had become somewhat distant from her, and she wondered if it was because of the Empress.
"This servant observes that Her Majesty the Empress treats you more warmly than she treats Consort Shen, who is pregnant."
In the bronze mirror, Qu Cairen's lips curled slightly, "Her Majesty the Empress is kind and benevolent."
She gently placed the hairpin on the dressing table, the gold ornaments clinking together with a crisp sound. "The Empress bestowed two bolts of brocade upon me today. You shall personally deliver them to the Qianying Pavilion."
Qu Cairen looked at herself in the mirror and said in a soft, gentle voice, "My cousin has always loved jewelry and fabrics. This brocade is so rare, I'm sure she'll be delighted."
Ruixue held the fabric, her fingertips caressing the shimmering satin, and hesitated, saying, "The master also said that this brocade is rare, why don't we keep one too? Your autumn clothes are all sent by the Imperial Clothing Bureau every season, and they are all too plain."
Qu Cairen only glanced at it indifferently, "You know my cousin's personality. She hates seeing people wearing the same clothes as her, so I won't keep her."
One should wear clothes according to one's rank. Although the brocade is within the prescribed limits, it is still too conspicuous.
Ruixue pursed her lips and silently placed the fabric back on the octagonal table in the outer room.
Recalling the chaotic state of the manor, she felt aggrieved for her mistress. "Mistress, a message has arrived from the manor, saying that it was personally delivered by the master."
What happened at home?
Qu Cairen paused, her hand stroking her hair, and her brows furrowed.
"The master said...that the young master now has influence with the Emperor and can speak on his behalf. He wants you to mention Consort Qing to the Emperor, saying that the Emperor treats Consort Qing differently from others, and this is a good opportunity to do him a favor..."
With a "snap".
Qu Cairen slammed her hand on the dressing table, making a box of jewelry clang loudly.
"What benefits did the Duke of Qing promise my father that would make a mere minor official like him dare to get involved in this mess?"
Suppressing her anger, she coldly rebuked, "How could my uncle say such nonsense! Tell the family that if this happens again, don't blame me for disregarding family ties."
Even if she were favored by the emperor, why would she risk offending the empress and Consort Chun to help Consort Qing return to the palace? Could she possibly gain any benefit from her return?
......
The Emperor had lunch with Meng Shu and then accompanied her for a walk in the courtyard.
"I just saw Shu'er making embroidered shoes. Is that a full-moon gift for Afu?" The Emperor gently stroked Meng Shu's hand as he strolled slowly through the courtyard. (Afu, her childhood name)
Meng Shu said, "Princess Lingyi is so beautiful and lovely. I had nothing to do, so I thought I'd make a pair of gold-threaded tiger-head shoes. In my hometown, people say that tiger-head shoes can ward off evil spirits and protect the child."
"These needlework tasks are very hard on the eyes, so let the subordinates do them."
As the Emperor spoke, he tightened his grip on Meng Shu's hand, "If you get tired, your sister Wan'er and I will both feel sorry for you."
Meng Shu smiled but remained silent, letting him probe in such a teasing tone.
The autumn wind blew by, causing a strand of her dark hair to sway gently and brush against the emperor's shoulder.
The Emperor suddenly stopped and gazed at her profile: "Afu's child looks more like me. I hope that the child in Shu'er's womb will resemble you more."
“The princess resembles her father; this is truly a blessing from heaven.”
"I am even more pleased that the prince resembles his mother."
The emperor's tone carried a hint of expectation.
Meng Shu suddenly chuckled: "How does Your Majesty know that the child in my womb is definitely a prince? If it were a princess..." She paused deliberately, "wouldn't Your Majesty feel pain then?"
"Nonsense." The Emperor shook his head and gently pulled her into his arms.
The scent of ambergris enveloped them, and his voice reached Meng Shu's ears.
"As long as they are my and Shu'er's children, whether they are princes or princesses, I will cherish them and hold them in my hands."
In the distance came the sound of Jingming and Lvliu's hurried footsteps as they tried to avoid them.
Meng Shu leaned against the Emperor's chest, her gaze falling on a hibiscus tree that was about to wither. The autumn wind blew, and the petals fell in a flurry.