Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 179 Protecting the Concubine

When Consort Zhen rose early to pay her respects, the princess still had exquisite makeup and sat gracefully at the head of the table.

After Wu, the concubine, bowed and took her seat, she chatted with the princess for a few moments, mentioning recent happenings in the capital.

The princess said, "His Highness Prince Heng will be going to his fiefdom in the next few days. I heard that Minister Liu, who was dismissed from his post, went to Prince Heng's residence in person, and that very night a sedan chair brought Miss Liu to the residence."

Concubine Wu chuckled twice and replied, "Minister Liu lost his official position, and Miss Liu entered the Prince Heng's mansion as a lady of high rank. Although I cannot leave the mansion, I have heard that Miss Liu was almost driven to despair."

A barely perceptible smile appeared on the princess's lips as she picked up a cup of tea and took a small sip.

“Speaking of which, the inner quarters of our Prince Jin’s mansion are rather deserted. Not only is there a vacancy for the position of concubine, but the other positions are also vacant. It’s time to bring in some new people so that the prince can continue his lineage.”

"What the princess says is true."

Concubine Wu chimed in, her gaze sweeping over Hua Yan behind Consort Zhen, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes. As she turned away, she covered her mouth with her handkerchief and chuckled softly.

"Just now the Princess said that our Prince's mansion is deserted. I suppose the Princess has forgotten that there is still a concubine by Tang's side. Now that Miss Huayan has been registered in the Prince's mansion, she should also find an opportunity to serve the Prince."

(Note: When addressing her, use the surname of the Second Miss, Tang Qingwan.)

Consort Zhen continued drinking her tea as if she hadn't heard what Concubine Wu had said.

Seeing this, the princess said slowly with a hint of deep meaning, "Sister Wu's words have indeed reminded me. Before entering the manor, I had seen Hua Yan at the hot spring poetry gathering and Guangci Temple. At that time, I felt that the Tang family had a profound background, and even the maids around the master had remarkable looks. If they were to dress up carefully, their beauty would surely be even more striking."

However, according to the ancestral system of the Great Zhou royal family, the selection of concubines was merely a tool used by mistresses of the rank of Fengyi or above to consolidate their favor when they were pregnant. Consort Zhen had only been in the palace for a little over a month, and was at the height of her favor. If Huayan were to serve the emperor at this time, it might damage the relationship between Consort Zhen and her servant.

Consort Zhen concealed her displeasure, put down her teacup, and suddenly stood up, saying solemnly:

"Although Hua Yan was my dowry maid, she has been by my side since childhood and has never been a tool to secure my favor. I heard that the Princess Consort has allowed Yun Shuang to return to her residence and has granted her permission to marry, so she must not regard her maids as objects."

Hua Yan remained calm in the face of Concubine Wu's probing and the Princess's instigation, standing gently behind Consort Zhen until she heard her mistress stand up for her. Only then did she take a deep breath, her eyes slightly stinging.

But how could she have the right to speak in the Ruyi Palace? She could only secretly tug at Consort Zhen's sleeve where the Princess couldn't see her, pleading with her mistress not to speak impulsively anymore. If she broke the rules and the Princess found fault with her, it would be inappropriate.

The princess's expression darkened. Everyone had seen why Yun Shuang had been sent away, and Consort Zhen's words were nothing short of a provocation in the princess's eyes.

"I never imagined that Consort Zhen would cherish those around her so much. I only wish that one day, after Hua Yan has served the Emperor, you two can still be so close as sisters. That would be a beautiful story in the deep palace."

Concubine Wu rolled her eyes, secretly surprised. How could Consort Zhen be so foolish as to contradict the Princess because of a mere maidservant?

However, if we really consider her status, it's not even as good as that of a concubine. At least a concubine has the protection of her master, while she has no one to rely on and can only be a little follower by the princess's side. If one day she can be promoted to a rank of Liangyuan, it would be a chance for her to get ahead.

......

After returning to Yunyi Palace, Hua Yan sent Meng Zhu and the others away, then knelt on the ground to thank Consort Zhen for speaking up for her.

"Miss, please don't do this again. As a servant, I don't care about such things."

In the eyes of those in power, both dowry maids and concubines are servants, no different from tools. Although Hua Yan does not despise herself, she has been a servant for many years after signing a contract, so how could she not have such awareness?

"You are not allowed to belittle yourself like that."

Consort Zhen, with a stern face, pulled Hua Yan up.

“Hua Yan, you are a few months older than me, and your mind is far superior to mine. My mother told me that you treat me like a ‘younger sister’ (mentioned in Chapter 146). So, shouldn’t it be the ‘younger sister’s’ duty to protect the ‘older sister’?”

Besides, I've treated you and Mengzhu the same way all these years. You've followed me and entered the Prince's mansion with me, so it's only natural that I protect you."

"There's no need to be alarmed. Today, I just couldn't stand the princess's provocations and said a few words. She can't find anything seriously wrong with me."

......

For two consecutive days, the Prince of Jin stayed at the Yunyi Palace.

Before they knew it, it was March 15th. While Consort Zhen was having her breakfast, Granny Gong led a group of maids into the palace carrying many rewards.

"Because Your Highness saved the Emperor a few days ago and diligently handled the case of Prince Yu, His Majesty bestowed many rewards upon the Prince's residence. Your Highness specially selected some items that Consort Zhen could use and ordered this old servant to deliver them early this morning."

Consort Zhen put down her silver chopsticks, and with Hua Yan's help, she stood up and bowed to express her gratitude for the reward, as was customary.

Hua Yan hid beside her master, secretly raising her eyebrows and thinking to herself, "Could it be that Prince Jin specially chose today to send so many things because he is going to stay in Ruyi Palace tonight?"

Aunt Mei greeted her with a smile, and after Granny Gong finished her errands, she pulled her downstairs for tea and socializing.

Yunyi Palace has always tried to win over the servants in the Prince's Mansion, and old people like Granny Gong are always treated with utmost respect.

Mengzhu brought Ruizhu and Mingyue's records into the warehouse. Over the years, Mengzhu had handled countless fine items, and she immediately spotted a Duan inkstone among the seven or eight gifts.

"This banana leaf white Duan inkstone is much better than the one the young master once gave you."

Hua Yan took the tray and presented it to Consort Zhen. Consort Zhen, seeing the opportunity, was delighted and examined it carefully.

"As the ancients said, a rough texture does not hold the brush, and a smooth texture does not reject ink. Its craftsmanship is like a precious jade disc, and its shape is like a crescent moon. The Duan inkstone truly deserves to be called the king of inkstones. Your Highness has put a lot of thought into it."

Hua Yan said, "The concubine is practicing calligraphy these days, so why don't we put it in the study? If we store it in the storeroom, it will be a waste of her talents and we will also disappoint Prince Jin's good intentions."

Consort Zhen thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

Although she couldn't expect the prince to be devoted to her, in the future, she would have to rely on the prince's favor to survive in the palace and even the harem. So, Hua Yan thought that while her mistress was in favor, she should try to find a way to keep the prince around a few more times until her mistress gave birth.

He placed the Duan inkstone, a gift from the Prince of Jin, on his desk so that the Prince would see it whenever he visited...

Each brocade box contained precious items from the Imperial Household Department. The four servants were admiring them with great interest when He Nian came in to report: After finishing her breakfast, the Princess Consort, accompanied by her personal maids Xingyu and Luwei, entered the palace to meet Consort Hui.

Consort Zhen pondered for a moment, then asked curiously, "You just came to the palace a few days ago to offer birthday greetings. What brings you here this time, Your Highness?"

Hua Yan asked, "Did the Princess take anything with her when she left the palace?"

"Miss Xingyu is holding a long brocade box in her hands. I think the box looks like it contains scrolls of calligraphy and painting."

Ruizhu guessed, "Perhaps the princess has acquired something new and is eager to give it to Consort Hui to play with."

As He Nian left, Mengzhu said coolly, "...Don't be so eager to please us, lest you be trying to harm our concubine."

Hua Yan held Meng Zhu's hand and said, "Our Meng Zhu has been bitten by a snake once and is now afraid of ropes for ten years. No matter what tricks the Princess Consort comes up with, we will deal with them one by one."

"However, this servant suspects that the Princess Consort has gone to the palace to have Consort Hui select some new women for the Prince." After all, the Princess Consort's intentions were already openly revealed when she paid her respects a couple of days ago.

The most worrying thing right now is not the princess or the new concubines, but something else entirely.

A few days ago, Hua Yan had gotten a lot of information about the Duke of Qing's mansion from Chun'er, and felt it necessary to meet with Huan Yun. She vaguely felt that given Prince Jin's opportunistic nature, he would not be so concerned about the Duke of Qing's mansion case without sufficient benefits.

Huanyun had spent a short time in the capital and knew little about the Duke of Qing's mansion, but it was possible that her father had mentioned some secrets.

Hua Yan had also written a secret letter beforehand and had Zhu Zi deliver it to Madam Yun, but two days had passed and Madam Yun had not yet replied.

In the latter half of the day, the princess had not yet returned to the mansion. Hua Yan and Consort Zhen discussed the matter, and Consort Zhen wrote a note and had Aunt Mei send it out through Granny Gong.

The invitation was sent to the Marquis of Huai'an's residence, and Consort Zhen invited her two cousins ​​to a gathering at the Prince's residence the next day.