Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 258 Heartfelt Words

The game of chess ended in the evening, and Jian Zhi followed Jing Ming to Huining Palace.

Upon hearing that Consort Guo was alright, the Emperor nodded slightly and instructed Jian Zhi to take Consort Guo's pulse for the next few days. After Jian Zhi left, it was time for dinner.

Aunt Mei had Donggua prepare a feast early on, and she was currently in the main hall directing Mengzhu and the others to set out the meal.

Hua Yan held the jade thumb ring in her hands, feeling it was a little too hot to handle. Consort Chun reached out and put the thumb ring into the purse at Hua Yan's waist, reassuring her, "His Majesty is a man of his word, so you can keep it without worry."

The Emperor's lips curled slightly as he said, "I will have another contest with the Lady another day."

"Then it's settled. I'll prepare a good omen next time."

The Emperor clapped his hands, "Excellent! Wan'er's family is the wealthiest, and I am even more looking forward to it."

Footsteps sounded outside. After a moment, Jingming entered and said, "Your Majesty, a palace maid from Cining Palace just came to report that the Empress Dowager requests your presence."

"Since the Empress Dowager has important business, Your Majesty should go quickly." Consort Chun moved to the outer room and instructed Aunt Mei to pack several new dishes into a food box and hand it to Jingming.

Seeing this, the Emperor did not linger. He exchanged a few words with Consort Chun and Hua Yan before leaving Huining Palace with the palace servants.

Hua Yan stayed behind to dine with Consort Chun, leaving only Aunt Mei, Meng Zhu, and Rui Zhu to serve her in the palace.

"Why did Your Highness suddenly mention the bet to the Emperor today?" Hua Yan presented a bowl of pearl and jade fish soup to Consort Chun, finally voicing her question.

Consort Chun said gently, "You have not yet served the emperor."

Hua Yan was about to answer when Consort Chun raised her hand to stop her, explaining, "Making a bet is partly a joke, and partly a way to test whether the Emperor is not indifferent to you. After the Lantern Festival, we will find an opportunity to arrange for you to serve him in bed. What do you think?"

In the imperial harem of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the status of a concubine was unique. One of the reasons was that whether or not a concubine could serve the emperor in bed required the emperor's approval. Generally speaking, if the emperor felt that his position was threatened or if he was pregnant, he would allow his concubines to serve him in bed at an opportune time in order to secure his favor.

Hua Yan remained silent, unsure how to respond. After a long while, she softly said, "Now that Consort Mei has just entered the palace, it's understandable that she's temporarily favored. Your Highness need not worry too much."

Consort Chun paused slightly, lowered the spoon she was holding, and waved to Aunt Mei, "There's no need to serve here for now. Aunt Mei, please lead them away."

Aunt Mei hesitated, but due to her status, she could only bow and lead Mengzhu and the others away. In the blink of an eye, only Consort Chun and Huayan remained in the hall.

Consort Chun gathered her thoughts and said solemnly:

"Shu'er has misunderstood me. I didn't think of having you serve me because I was worried about Consort Mei's favor. In fact, I don't care much about whether she is favored or not now."

The important thing is that you already hold the title of "Talented Lady," and in this harem, having only a title without real power is ultimately inappropriate.

A complex emotion flashed in Hua Yan's eyes, and a hint of guilt gradually appeared on her face.

Consort Chun gently rubbed her arm to comfort her, and then said, "Because of Lord Zhou Bai, no one in the palace dares to look down on your background as a former concubine."

From the day the Emperor promoted you to the rank of "Cairen" (才人), you were no longer "Huayan" (花颜), and therefore, you no longer needed to be trapped in the cage that your mother and the old lady had built for you over the years.

Before New Year's Eve, you rejected my offer to vindicate you, but I can no longer 'bind' you as your master. In the long run, this would be a 'sweet burden' for me.

If you are meant to shine, I do not wish to be an obstacle to you.

Besides, would our sisterly bond really be strained by this? My wish for your well-being is just as genuine as your feelings for me.

After speaking her heartfelt words, Consort Chun let out a heavy sigh of relief and drank her tea heartily. "I originally intended to tell you all this on New Year's Eve, but the wine brewed from winter melon was too strong, so it was delayed until today."

Hua Yan was overwhelmed with emotions, her heart heavy with sorrow at Consort Chun's heartfelt words.

This was meant to tell Hua Yan that she should no longer be bound by her status, and also to encourage her to seek a future for herself in the harem.

Consort Chun was a woman of deep feelings and true character. Perhaps in her heart, the Emperor was elegant, refined, and the most outstanding man in the world. She was confident that Hua Yan would not object to serving her in bed, but she was also afraid that Hua Yan would feel uncomfortable because of her presence. Therefore, she tried her best to comfort her, all for Hua Yan's sake.

But Hua Yan never harbored the slightest affection for any man, nor did she ever regard any man as worthy of her attention...

"It is my good fortune that the young lady treats me with such sincerity; the entrustment from the madam and the old lady is also my lifelong wish."

After understanding this, Hua Yan gave Consort Chun a gentle smile and responded in this way.

......

After the Lantern Festival, the emperor was busy with state affairs and rarely set foot in the inner palace.

Just after the first month of the lunar calendar, Hua Yan accompanied Consort Chun to Renming Palace to pay her respects. The Empress was gradually recovering after her miscarriage, and on this day she also mentioned the imperial selection to Consort Chun.

"Consort Chun, how are the preparations for the imperial concubine selection going?"

Consort Chun rose and replied, "Your Majesty, the imperial decree for the selection of imperial concubines has been issued to all prefectures. The preliminary selection will be held in late February, followed by the palace examination on March 15. Selected candidates will begin training in early April and officially enter the palace in early May."

Consort Mei asked, "I wonder how many girls will be selected in this imperial concubine selection?"

The Empress held the booklet and looked it over. Upon hearing this, she said, "This selection of consorts is for two purposes: first, to enrich the harem, and second, to arrange suitable candidates for members of the imperial clan. As for the number of people entering the palace, there will be more than ten."

After paying their respects, Consort Chun and Hua Yan had just stepped out of Renming Hall when Consort Song stepped forward and bowed, "The milk tea in Consort Chun's palace is so sweet, may I be so bold as to ask for a cup?"

Consort Chun was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said, "If Consort Jieyu wishes to come to my Huining Palace, I will certainly welcome her with open arms."

Seeing that Consort Song looked embarrassed, Hua Yan said slowly, "It's quite a coincidence. The weather has been getting warmer these past few days, and the kitchen is brewing milk tea. Consort Song can have a taste if you go there now."

Consort Song cast a grateful glance at Hua Yan, "That's very good. I will trouble Consort Chun and Lady Cai then."

Seeing this, Shen Meiren opened her mouth as if she wanted to go along, but was stopped by a look from Song Jieyu.