Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 291 Green Willow and Winter Melon Complain

"Hmm—so it really is..."

Aunt Mei almost blurted it out, but quickly shut up after realizing what she had said.

Even without observing Aunt Mei's reaction, Madam Zhou knew that something unsavory must have happened in the inner palace. She always despised such despicable methods, but surprisingly, she spoke up and said something:

"That martial arts master's skills were only so-so, but his heart was extremely vicious. Old Man Zhen detected three poisons in the steel needle: arrow poison, strychnine, and thunder vine. Killing him with one strike back then was too lenient on him."

(Old Man Zhen is the physician of the Zhen family and Jian Zhi's master.)

"I vaguely remember the person Madam Zhou mentioned. The head of the family sent people to investigate. His name is Ba Nu. He was originally a bandit, but was later subdued by Lord Jiang (Jiang Wei) and became a retainer of the Jiang family," Madam Yun added.

Seeing that the matter was over, Madam Zhou was preparing to leave.

Aunt Mei stopped her, saying, "Madam Zhou, please wait. Mingyue asked me to bring you some snacks. Why isn't Mingwu with you? Mingyue also brought her some jewelry..."

Mingyue is Zhou Niangzi's youngest apprentice. Upon hearing this, Zhou Niangzi's expression softened considerably, but when Mingwu was mentioned, she rolled her eyes: "Mingyue is the only one with filial piety. Her senior sister couldn't be kept; she ran off to the Northwest a few months ago and hasn't returned since."

After taking the package, Madam Zhou happily took her leave and left the flower hall.

Aunt Mei was stunned for a moment, then forgot all about etiquette and rushed out of the flower hall: "Madam Zhou, I will be returning to the palace this afternoon. Is there anything you would like to tell Mingyue?"

Madam Zhou stopped in her tracks, scratched her head, and took out a small medicine bottle from her bosom. "Can I bring these pills into the palace?"

Aunt Mei shook her head.

Madam Zhou rummaged in her sleeve again. "In that case, I'll give this peach wood hairpin to her. Aunt, please tell her to take good care of the Second Miss."

Inside the flower hall, Su Wanwan had long been accustomed to the atmosphere of the mansion. The people around her mother-in-law were not only disciplined but also always seemed more humane.

"Mother, my husband has also prepared a gift for the Empress. I'll fetch it now."

Madam Yun nodded. "Send it to the palace along with the Dragon Boat Festival gifts. Mother, go outside and see if Madam Zhou will arrive soon."

Seeing this, Su Wanwan followed her mother-in-law's suggestion: "I'll go to Muyunzhai on my way. It's almost time for Xiaoqi to finish school. I'll bring Tong'er over so he can meet Aunt Mei."

(Aunt Mei's youngest daughter is named Tong'er, and she is the Seventh Miss's personal maid.)

......

Harem.

Winter Melon pouted and returned to the side hall one after the other with Green Willow, who was carrying a food box.

"What's wrong? In Huining Palace, who dares to upset our Donggua?" Huayan teased when she saw Donggua looking sullen.

Green Willow said indignantly, "It's all because of Du Juan, the maidservant of Consort Yun. Just because her mistress is the Empress's cousin, she not only asks all sorts of questions in the kitchen, but also acts arrogantly when making pastries."

"No wonder the old saying goes that the cuckoo is a bad bird, always taking over the magpie's nest!" Donggua sniffed. There was a more elegant phrase, but she couldn't come up with it the whole way.

"The cuckoo has taken over the magpie's nest."

“Yes—but this snowflake cake made by that bad bird looks alright.” Donggua opened the food box and took out a plate of snow-white cakes, layer upon layer, with a faint fragrance of glutinous rice.

Green Willow tugged at Winter Melon's sleeve and said reproachfully, "Well, you're still speaking up for her."

"I...I just called her a bad bird, Shushu, try this snack." Donggua winked and grinned mischievously.

Green Willow ignored her and complained to Flower Beauty: "Shu'er, you were not here just now. The Empress had just tasted a bite of Snowflake Cake when Yun Baolin told her to send some to Funing Palace."

Hua Yan was taken aback, then smiled.

"The Empress certainly did not agree."

However, this Yun Baolin is far too eager.

Green Willow nodded in agreement: "Just like Qu Baolin before, he thinks he can use his relationship with the Empress to curry favor."

It's truly beneath her notice. Green Willow dared not say these words aloud, but her expression betrayed them perfectly.

"It's alright, Your Highness can handle these small matters. Has this snowflake cake been sent to Cining Palace?"

Donggua flattered her, "Shushu, you're so clever. I was there just now, and Her Majesty fooled Yun Baolin with just a few words."

Hua Yan smiled gently, curiously picked up a slice and tasted it. Winter melon doesn't lie; it had a soft texture and tasted really good.

"Your Majesty's actions can be seen as paving the way for her. I hope that Consort Yun will not let Your Majesty down in the future."

As lunchtime approached, Hua Yan instructed, "Mengzhu will be going to each palace this afternoon to deliver congratulatory gifts to the Empress. Lvliu, you will go with her as well. Be careful when you go in and out."

Green Willow accepted the order, while Winter Melon said she would wrap some zongzi in the afternoon. This time she planned to wrap several different fillings and invite Flower Beauty to try them. It would be even better if she could offer some suggestions.

Hua Yan readily agreed.

As noon approached, Consort Chun sent Mingyue to invite Huayan to dine together, but Huayan found an excuse not to go.

In the latter half of the afternoon, Consort Rong indeed arrived at Huining Palace.

Not only did they come, but they also brought many gifts as a token of their gratitude.

"I am very grateful to Consort Chun and Consort Meng. If it weren't for you two sisters, my performance at the banquet would have been much less successful... These gifts are not very valuable, but they are just a token of my appreciation."

Consort Chun was slightly surprised.

Since the palace selection ended in March, several young ladies have been receiving training together in the Qunfang Pavilion. Rumors have circulated in the palace that Consort Rong is quite domineering among the young ladies of the same period, but judging from today's appearance, her manners and upbringing are outstanding.

"You flatter me, Consort Rong. I was merely fulfilling my duty."

After taking her seat, Consort Rong smiled slightly. "I was unaware that I had encountered two accidents so soon after entering the palace. Fortunately, I have my two elder sisters with me. Otherwise, being in the inner palace would have made me very uneasy."

Seeing that Consort Chun and Hua Yan were as close as sisters, Consort Rong felt inexplicably envious. How could such a good relationship not be something to be envied?

Although she was pampered since childhood, she did not consider herself to be cruel. However, she had never had anyone she could confide in, and even her sisters were afraid of her.

"Besides, I also really like the congratulatory gift that Her Majesty sent to Ganlu Palace, so this is just a reciprocal gesture."

Hua Yan raised her eyebrows slightly—the two unexpected events indicated that, in addition to the steel needle, Consort Rong also knew about the hairpin. It seemed that Lady Li of Zhao County had also planted some people in the palace.

This suddenly reminded Hua Yan of the palace maids who entered the palace in the same batch as Lü Liu. One of them was named Ji Xiang, who was assigned to Gan Lu Hall. Before going to Gan Lu Hall, Ji Xiang was working in Shang Gong Bureau.

After Rong Meiren left, Xie Jieyu also arrived.

The two just happened to miss each other.

Consort Xie came to express her gratitude. Consort Chun had given the newlyweds in the palace a gift of snow-cloud silk, so Consort Xie, knowing their preferences, gave them a musical score in return.

Around 5 PM, Qu Baolin arrived at Huining Palace.

After performing the rites, she first presented a rare book by a great Confucian scholar from the previous dynasty. Then, she used the book to chat with Consort Chun and Hua Yan about poetry and literature. She only stayed for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and never mentioned her cousin who was still under house arrest.

Consort Chun flipped through the ancient book with great interest and said slowly, "This Consort Qu is quite composed."

Hua Yan smiled gently: "The Qu family already has a daughter who has fallen out of favor, so naturally they won't send another clueless fool. In any case, it will only be less than a month before Qu Baolin is released from confinement, so why rush to see him?"

Consort Chun sighed, "Shu'er is right. However, it also shows how heartless this person is. During the period of confinement, one is not allowed to visit without imperial decree, but sending some food, clothing and other necessities is not completely prohibited."

Hua Yan was slightly stunned. Consort Chun was sensitive and sentimental, which allowed her to glimpse the cold-hearted side of Consort Qu.

"Why are you spacing out?"

Consort Chun held up the book and waved it in front of Hua Yan's eyes.

Hua Yan's eyes softened, and she nodded, saying, "Your Majesty's words make sense. We must also be wary of this person in the future."

Aunt Mei rushed back to Huining Palace just as the palace gates were about to be locked. Mengzhu, Ruizhu, Mingyue, Donggua, and Lvliu all gathered in Consort Chun's bedroom, vying to speak with Aunt Mei.

Xiao Nianzi then came to report that the Emperor had gone to Consort Rong's residence to rest that night.