Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 386 Still waters run deep

The cold autumn sun pierced through the clouds, casting dappled light and shadow on the bluestone palace path.

On the way to Huining Palace, Meng Shu saw Consort Qu and her maid in the distance, and judging from their direction, they should have just come out of Qianying Pavilion.

Consort Qu stood guard to the side of the palace path. As Meng Shu and her entourage approached, she respectfully curtsied and said, "This humble servant greets Consort Jin Zhaorong." When she looked up, a hint of inquiry flashed in her eyes. "Sister Meng, are you heading to Huining Palace?"

Meng Shu nodded and said, "Looking at Sister Qu, she doesn't look as well as usual. Her injuries haven't fully healed yet?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Meiren's face darkened, and she forced a smile: "My cousin summoned me to speak... that's why..."

He paused halfway through his sentence, as if something was choking him.

Meng Shu's gaze lingered on her slightly pale lips for a moment, then she nodded slightly and walked over with Green Willow and Winter Melon.

After walking a short distance, Donggua turned around to look at Qu Meiren's back.

"Shushu, Consort Qu is two ranks higher, so why is she so afraid of Consort Qu? She's injured like this, yet she still comes whenever I call. And they don't seem like cousins ​​at all."

“It’s really strange. Consort Chun and Consort Yun have never met before, yet they seem to get along better than the other two,” Green Willow chimed in.

Meng Shu stopped at the corner and said meaningfully, "Have you two considered that if you want to go back to Chunxi Palace where she lives after leaving Qianying Pavilion, it is more convenient to take this palace road leading to Yulan Pavilion?"

Winter Melon and Green Willow exchanged a glance.

Winter Melon's eyes held a clear, innocent look, while Green Willow instantly understood the meaning behind Meng Shu's words.

"Going from here will take you past the Imperial Garden. Perhaps you'd like to take a stroll and clear your head?" Donggua blinked and said.

"Green Willow, what do you say?"

Green Willow hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "In my opinion, this is probably something done on purpose for others to see."

Meeting Donggua's questioning gaze, she added, "The chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, and many concubines and palace maids come and go to admire them. If Consort Qu walks by like this, in less than an hour, everyone in the six palaces will know that Consort Qu is ordering her around while she is injured. Such thoughts... are indeed not those of blood relatives."

Upon hearing this, Donggua's eyes widened: "My God! This beauty looks so gentle and delicate, yet her mind is so..." She paused, seemingly unable to find the right words, and only managed to stammer out: "She's truly extraordinary!"

As Meng Shu walked, she said, "I heard that the Emperor recently bestowed upon her a jade bracelet, but I didn't see her wearing it just now. The fact that she could remain so composed shows that she is not simple-minded."

Having experienced many things and gained years of experience in Jinan, Green Willow's mind was naturally more meticulous than Winter Melon's, who spent all day buried in the small kitchen. She immediately said, "This servant keeps an eye on things and also asks Ruizhu to pay close attention to the movements in Chunxi Palace."

Upon arriving at Huining Palace, Xiao Yuanzi stood guard at the entrance and hurriedly bowed to Meng Shu.

Seeing the worry on his brow, Meng Shu gently comforted him, "Although Xiao Nianzi made a mistake in the embroidery room, it's all over now. Just be careful in your duties from now on. As his older brother, don't make things difficult for him."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuanzi's eyes reddened slightly: "The two ladies are so magnanimous, it is his greatest blessing. But he cannot go unpunished for making a mistake. I have already made him receive ten strokes of the cane from Aunt Mei, so that he will remember this lesson. In the future, we will definitely work even harder and never dare to make the slightest mistake again."

Back when she was in the Prince's residence, Meng Shu had accessed the files of the two brothers, Yu Heyuan and Yu Jingnian.

Using the power of the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion, they secretly dealt with their uncle who had sold them into the palace years ago. Now, their wicked uncle and his family have been exiled to a harsh mine, so the two brothers are now extremely loyal.

Yu Heyuan was steady and composed, while his younger brother Yu Jingnian, though impulsive, was quick-witted. When Meng Shu moved out of Huining Palace, she specifically discussed with Consort Chun that Yu Heyuan should be in charge of internal affairs, while Yu Jingnian should be responsible for the outer courtyard duties.

Hearing the commotion at the palace gate, Mingyue quickly took two steps to greet her. After bowing, she said with a smile, "Your Majesty was just feeling bored. She would be delighted to know you were coming."

She spotted the food box in Donggua's hand and her almond-shaped eyes lit up: "The soup dumplings that were delivered this morning were delicious. What new treats did you bring this time?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Aunt Mei came out from the front hall and said in feigned anger, "You little glutton, why don't you quickly lead Her Majesty to the back hall!" As she spoke, she personally stepped forward to help Meng Shu up, with a smile in her eyes.

Meng Shu smiled and said, "Mingyue's lively personality is the most endearing. Aunt, please don't say anything about her."

Turning to Donggua, he gestured for her to open the food box. "Donggua made tea pastries using some tea leaves that were sent by the government this year. Everyone can try them later."

The group chatted and laughed as they headed towards the back hall, as if Meng Shu had never moved out of Huining Palace.

Consort Chun had already received the news and was waiting in front of the flower hall. When she saw Meng Shu, she smiled and asked, "I heard you mention tea pastries from afar? It's been quite a while since I've had them, and they've made my mouth water."

After saying that, she stepped forward and took Meng Shu's arm, reminding her to be careful of the threshold, showing that she cared more about Meng Shu's health than Meng Shu did.

Once seated on the soft couch, Consort Chun picked up a piece of Longjing tea pastry and listened as Donggua vividly recounted his encounter with Consort Qu. Ruizhu, always eager for gossip, listened intently.

"This servant will send Xiao Nianzi out to take a look."

After hearing this, Ruizhu forgot all about eating the tea cakes and left the flower hall after saying a word.

Meng Shu smiled as she looked at the scene before her. Perhaps it was because she had been living in Huining Palace for a long time, but she always felt relaxed and comfortable whenever she returned.

Consort Chun gently wiped her fingertips with a handkerchief and said in a deep voice, "Consort Qu appears calm and collected on the surface, but she truly has a profound and unpredictable demeanor."

Mengzhu took the handkerchief and said with lingering fear, "That day in the warm pavilion, in such a critical moment, she was able to make a decisive decision and was even willing to risk her life. That is the most frightening thing."

These words resonated with everyone, and the hall fell silent for a moment.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Aunt Mei said that the kitchen should prepare some dishes that Meng Shu liked, and that they could have dinner there before going back. Donggua clapped his hands and happily followed Aunt Mei to the kitchen.

Mengzhu also pulled Lvliu along and said, "At Princess Lingyi's celebration the other day, Madam specially asked Wei Mama to bring a box of new pearl hairpins, which she also saved for you and Donggua. Come with me to pick some out."

Green Willow nodded knowingly and retreated with Mengzhu and Mingyue.

In the blink of an eye, only Meng Shu and Consort Chun remained in the flower hall.

The two moved to the study, and Meng Shu went to the nearby multi-treasure pavilion to fetch a chessboard with ease. Suddenly, Consort Chun smiled and said, "Shu'er, do you remember the Second Young Master Wu from the Earl of Wuxing's mansion?"

"Is he the one who fell in love with the Fifth Miss at first sight during Princess Pingning's flower-viewing banquet?"

"Exactly." Consort Chun covered her mouth and chuckled. "That man chased after Lin'an by boat, but as soon as he left Guangqumen, Father used a little trick to make him fall into the water."

(Note: This is mentioned in Chapter 339)

"My mother mentioned to me the other day at the celebration that although this second young master Wu spends his days fighting cocks and riding horses with other playboys, he has never done anything immoral or immoral..."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shu frowned slightly.

(I'll update this chapter first; the next chapter might be released after midnight.)