Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 375 Qu Baolin Wears New Clothes

This makes it very clear.

The Empress, as always, favored such underhanded tactics.

"Cat's Drunkenness? The snow in Consort Qi's palace has always been taken care of by Chun Tao. Should I pass on a message to her to be more vigilant?" This was the first thing Green Willow thought of.

Meng Shu frowned and pondered for a moment, "It's better to have her keep a close eye on things."

"The day after tomorrow, when we go to Cining Palace to pay our respects, there is a tabby cat named Wu Cang at the Empress Dowager's residence. I have Ruizhu investigate who takes care of it, when it is let out for exercise, and where it usually roams."

Green Willow looked solemn and was about to go over to deliver a message when Meng Shu raised her hand to stop her.

She turned to Jian Zhi, who was standing quietly to the side, and her voice suddenly became serious: "Imperial Physician Jian, this matter is of utmost importance. I will have Xiao Nianzi try to bring out two bolts of Yun brocade from the Si Cai Si storeroom. I will need you to inspect them then. If all the Yun brocade in the palace storeroom is stained with this stuff, it may be difficult to explain later. We must deal with it as soon as possible."

Jian Zhi understood that there were many implications involved, and quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations."

Meng Shu carefully explained things to Lvliu, after which Lvliu hurried towards Huining Palace.

Jian Zhi could not stay at Cuiyu Hall for long. After Meng Shu gave him a few more important instructions, he took his leave and returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Only Meng Shu and Dong Gua remained in the bedchamber.

Donggua said softly, "When we pay our respects at Cining Palace the day after tomorrow, why don't I go with you? What if that tabby cat offends Shushu?"

Meng Shu was looking down at the Tang family's tribute list when she heard this. She looked up and comforted Donggua, "No need. We've already anticipated this. We'll just avoid Qu Baolin. Wan'er will also have Mingyue accompany us after she finds out about this. With Mingyue's skills, I don't think anything will go wrong."

Donggua was still somewhat uneasy, and sighed with downcast eyes: "There are so many things going on in the palace, it's endless. We're careful this time, but what if we make a mistake next time..."

Meng Shu put down the booklet in her hand and reached out to pull Donggua closer.

"That's precisely why we must proceed with extreme caution. While the Empress's methods aren't particularly sophisticated, they're still effective at leaving no room for fatal flaws, however..."

She paused for a moment and then said, "There may be opportunities in the future, and then we will be able to settle down."

......

Inside the Lead Pavilion at this moment.

"At least she knows what's good for her. Even if she gets some favor from the emperor, she still has to keep trying to please me, her cousin."

Qu Baolin looked relaxed and content, her slender fingers brushing the strands of hair at her temples. Her eyes glanced at herself in the bronze mirror, where her brocade outer garment shimmered like flowing water.

It was made from the brocade that Lady Qu sent with auspicious snow a few days ago.

Lian Qiao approached with a rouge box in her hands, flattering her with a smile: "The brocade makes your skin look as white as snow. Such precious material should have been yours. Back in the manor, Miss Tang was no match for you in any way."

Qu Baolin smiled slightly, rose and twirled lightly in the bedchamber, her skirts rippling like waves, a secret joy rising in her heart.

Then, as if remembering something, she picked up the piping on her sleeve, frowned, and said coldly, "It's a pity that her stitches are only slightly better than those of ordinary embroiderers outside, but they can't compare to Aunt Zhou's skills. I only chose Aunt Zhou because of her good skills... She's just a lowly palace maid, yet she dares to look down on me. When she gains favor in the future, I will make her regret her actions."

This time, Lian Qiao didn't dare to speak casually. She had served her master since childhood and knew his temperament well.

Qu Baolin picked up the rouge box from her hand, opened it and looked at it: "Mother always says that she should visit her cousin more often. This box of rouge is just sitting there anyway, so why not give it to her?"

As he spoke, he made a move to head towards Chunxi Palace.

Lian Qiao hesitated slightly, then softly advised, "Since Your Highness has a request of Consort Qu, this gift... seems a bit meager. I remember when you were in the Prince's residence, Consort Chun bestowed upon you quite a few pieces of jewelry; perhaps you could choose one or two..."

"She doesn't even deserve it?"

Qu Baolin's face suddenly turned cold.

“My dear cousin’s whole family depends on my father’s protection. Even if she has a higher rank than me, she can’t overthrow him.”

Lian Qiao dared not persuade them any further. The two of them left Qianying Pavilion and headed towards Qu Cai Ren's palace.

As Green Willow emerged from Huining Palace and turned past the vermilion palace wall, she happened to bump into Qu Baolin, who was dressed in a new outfit.

Yun brocade is hard to come by, but it was just an ordinary item for Consort Chun and Meng Shu. However, the same fabric looked rather deliberate on this person, and even Green Willow felt that the gold brocade pattern was particularly glaring.

She quietly retreated to the side of the palace path and respectfully curtsied.

Now that Meng Shu has been promoted to the rank of Consort and enjoys the Emperor's favor, even the palace servants of Lingcui Palace are treated with exceptional decorum wherever they go. In particular, Green Willow is Meng Shu's most favored head maid, and even Jingming treats her with courtesy.

Although Qu Baolin was muddle-headed, he still knew what was important. He reluctantly accepted the gift with the airs of a master, and then left with Lian Qiao.

Upon arriving outside the Chunxi Palace, before Ruixue could announce her arrival, Qu Baolin had already lifted the curtain and entered.

She stood in the center of the flower hall, her gaze sweeping over the furnishings, a hint of jealousy in her voice: "My cousin is truly favored now. To be seated in the main hall as a talented woman, such an honor is something even a concubine in the previous dynasty might not have received."

Qu Cairen was sitting by the window reading when she heard the sound and looked up. Seeing her cousin's flowing brocade, she quickly closed her book and got up to greet her.

"Why did my cousin suddenly come? Ruixue, quickly serve some tea."

Qu Baolin strolled to the antique shelf, his fingertips tracing the celadon ornaments on it: "I didn't expect my cousin's place to be so much more refined than before."

She suddenly turned around, a mocking smile playing on her lips, "I wonder if my cousin, who is used to being frugal, can get used to such a luxurious lifestyle."

Qu Cairen seemed not to hear.

He calmly led her to her seat and gestured for Ruixue to serve tea and snacks.

Even when she received a box of dull-colored rouge, Qu Cairen's expression remained completely calm.

After seeing the other party off, Ruixue stared at the old rouge on the table and said angrily, "How dare she insult our master like this? She even dared to try to use our master's face to ask the Empress for the side hall of Chunxi Palace!"

Qu Cairen picked up her book again, and the sunlight streaming through the window cast dappled shadows on her plain sleeves.

Why bother arguing with a fool?

She smiled slightly, but her eyes held a chilling coldness. "Not just anyone can cross the threshold of Chunxi Palace. Place this box of rouge in a conspicuous place so that the Emperor can see the sincerity of his good sister."

......

October 23rd, early morning.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and frost still clung to the palace walls.

Wrapped in an apricot-colored cloak embroidered with gold, Meng Shu, with Green Willow by her side, slowly stepped out of the Lingcui Palace gate. This was the first time she had gone out since becoming pregnant.

As they approached the vicinity of Renming Hall, Consort Chun led Mengzhu and Mingyue from the other end of the palace road.

Upon meeting, Consort Chun quickly walked a few steps to stand beside Meng Shu, and somewhat worriedly instructed her, "When we arrive at Cining Palace, Shu'er, please do not leave my side even for a moment."