Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 328 Wanting Both

This is undoubtedly the biggest crisis Meng Shu has faced since entering the palace.

There are three crises:

Firstly, the Emperor might not truly believe that the Marquis's residence authorized it. Moreover, even if it were indeed the Marquis's residence, it would still be in accordance with the law and regulations.

As he said, it was common practice for a concubine to take a contraceptive potion after being chosen to serve the emperor in bed without the mistress's permission, so why was the emperor so angry? What he truly cared about was the key point that Meng Shu needed to explain, and that was the crux of the matter.

Secondly, we must not let the Emperor take his anger out on Consort Chun because of this.

Regardless of Consort Chun's genuine affection for her, it should be noted that the Tang family never formally issued such an order. As for Madam Yun, she merely welcomed the outcome and never interfered.

Thirdly, regardless of whether the Emperor is sincere or not, Meng Shu, for her own protection, cannot allow the Emperor to truly develop a grudge against her because of this. Otherwise, there will be no room for maneuver. If she loses the Emperor's favor, Consort Chun will be left alone and helpless, trapped in a passive position.

Another point that Meng Shu had always been clear about was that she needed to subtly and gradually ease the Emperor's suspicion of the Tang family. However, this was a long-term plan that she, Consort Chun, the head of the family, and Madam Yun had devised together, and there was no need to do it deliberately at the moment.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty."

Meng Shu remained kneeling on the couch, gently pressing her forehead against the Emperor's hand. "Your Majesty, I am guilty of acting out of selfishness, which has caused Consort Chun to bear the infamous reputation of being 'jealous and intolerant'."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in the Emperor's eyes, and he simply stared at her in silence.

Meng Shu seemed oblivious, slowly raising her head, her eyes brimming with tears that threatened to fall, her voice trembling yet not humble: "Your Majesty, I have two private thoughts."

"Firstly, it is out of the affection between master and servant, and the gratitude for being recognized and promoted."

Now that I have followed Her Highness into the palace, everything must revolve around Consort Chun. If it were before Her Highness became pregnant…”

At this point, a hint of sadness crept into his voice, "...wouldn't this put Your Majesty in an embarrassing situation, making you a laughingstock in the eyes of everyone in the palace?"

"Secondly, I know that I am as insignificant as grass, and that it is already undeserved for me to receive Your Majesty's favor, but I still cannot help but feel greedy."

She paused intentionally, her fingertips lightly brushing against the Emperor's sleeve before hastily withdrawing them.

"...Whenever I see Your Majesty reviewing memorials until midnight, I fantasize about serving you tea and grinding ink...being with you day and night...I am greedy for this favor, but if I were to become pregnant, I fear I would not be able to stay by Your Majesty's side as often. I dare not offend Your Majesty's ears with such foolish thoughts."

At this point, her throat tightened slightly, and a single tear fell precisely onto the Emperor's fingertip.

The Emperor's fingertips trembled slightly the moment the tears touched her skin. Seeing the beauty's eyes reddening and her face streaked with tears, he finally sighed softly and raised his hand to wipe away her tears.

Meng Shu reached out and grasped the Emperor's sleeve at the opportune moment, then slowly said:

"Your Majesty, I serve you closely and know that it is my duty to produce an heir. Although I have selfish desires, I dare not slack off."

However, the "Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold" states that "women are born with an excess of qi but a deficiency of blood," and the "Complete Collection of Effective Prescriptions for Women" also states that "there are eighteen prescriptions suitable for women to use in marriage and pregnancy."

Whenever I think of this, I am filled with trepidation, fearing that my body is not yet strong enough to conceive rashly, and that I may not be able to guarantee the health of the fetus. I am also afraid of causing His Majesty worry and anxiety. Therefore, out of selfishness, I have taken the liberty of doing this..."

"Shu'er, there's no need to say anything more. I know your feelings, and that's enough."

The Emperor raised his hand and pulled her into his embrace, his warm palm gently stroking her cascading black hair, his tone so gentle that it was as if he had never blamed her.

Seeing this, Green Willow's heart finally settled. She quietly tucked her clenched, white fingers into her sleeve and retreated from the bedchamber, holding her breath. A morning breeze swept through the corridor, dispersing the cold sweat that had seeped onto her back.

Inside the imperial bedchamber, Meng Shu nestled obediently in the emperor's arms.

These words had been carefully considered in my mind ever since Green Willow reminded me of them that day; every word had been etched into my heart a thousand times over.

At this moment, it seems that she had indeed guessed the emperor's mind perfectly—she wanted women to be as gentle as willows, but also to have a bit of true feeling hidden beneath those willow branches.

Outside the window, a crabapple tree's branches were bent low by the morning dew, and petals fell softly onto the bluestone steps, like a beautiful woman shedding tears.

The Emperor bowed his head and comforted Meng Shu for a few more moments, saying gently, "Shu'er has been unable to sleep every night since the nightmare. I have ordered Physician He to come and examine her again. Take good care of yourself for the next two days, and you are exempt from the morning and evening greetings."

Meng Shu did not refuse again. She had just exhausted herself and now felt extremely tired, unable to even lift her fingertips.

The Emperor tucked her in with the brocade quilt, and only after Meng Shu closed her eyes did he get up and leave.

Outside the Bilang Pavilion, the Emperor paused on the steps and suddenly said to Jingming, "Send someone back to the palace to bring..."

Jingming was taken aback upon hearing this, then bowed and agreed.

......

The blazing sun beats down, while the breeze lingers on the lotus leaves.

Consort Chun and Consort Yun moved to Chengguanzhai. Meng Shu sent Donggua and Xia'er to help. Everyone finished tidying up before noon.

Inside Cheng Guan Zhai, the bamboo curtain was half-rolled up, and the ice mirror was cool.

Consort Chun sat upright in the main seat, her skin as white as snow against her sky-blue gauze dress. Ruizhu served as the fan-wielding maid, holding an ivory-handled round fan, which gently stirred up a cool breeze.

Since Donggua hasn't had to cook lately, she chattered excitedly and suggested, "Your Majesty, how about we go to the Thousand Carp Pond to feed the fish when the sun is setting? I heard that a few new red and white koi have been added to the pond, they're so rare!"

Ruizhu, a playful person, waved her fan faster upon hearing this: "This is a brilliant idea! We've been at the palace for many days, so let's visit the area around Yujin Lake more often. We haven't been to Thousand Carp Pond yet, so we can invite Consort Jieyu to enjoy it together."

Consort Chun raised the corners of her lips slightly, about to reply, when suddenly she heard an announcement from outside that someone had arrived from the Empress's palace.

Xingyu led two young palace maids in gracefully, curtsied, and said with a smile, "Greetings to Consort Chun. Her Majesty the Empress, remembering that Your Highness has moved to a new residence, specially ordered this servant to deliver a congratulatory gift."

She turned slightly to the side, gesturing for a palace maid to present a gilded lacquer box. "Your Majesty naturally has nothing to lack, but this is none other than a token of the Empress's goodwill. I hope Your Majesty will accept it with a smile."

Mengzhu stepped forward and took the lacquer box. Upon opening it, she found two exquisite red Ganoderma lucidum plants, their colors vibrant and their shapes resembling auspicious clouds.

She presented the lacquer box to Consort Chun, who glanced at it and said indifferently, "Her Majesty the Empress has bestowed such a generous gift upon me; how could I refuse? Please tell Miss Xingyu that I have received it."

Xingyu: "......"

Seeing Consort Chun's calm expression, she added, "Consort Chun's palace uses a lot of ice on a daily basis. Her Majesty the Empress has specifically instructed the Imperial Brewing Department that henceforth, there are no fixed rules regarding the use of ice in Consort Chun's palace. If Consort Chun needs any, she may send someone..."

Consort Chun chuckled upon hearing this, but her eyes held a frosty glint.

"How can this be done?"

Mengzhu spoke up at the right moment, handing the brocade box to Donggua beside her, and then turned to Xingyu and curtsied: "The palace has certain rules for its expenses. Her Majesty the Empress means well, but if she were to make an exception for our Empress alone, it would cause criticism from the six palaces. Besides, such a trivial matter is really not something Her Majesty the Empress needs to worry about."

She glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw that Consort Chun and Aunt Mei did not stop her, so she continued, "Our Lady appreciates the Empress's kindness, and we would like to ask you to convey it to her."

Xingyu's smile faltered for a moment, then she quickly regained her composure and curtsied, saying, "This servant will certainly convey your message."

After she and her entourage had gone far away, Ruizhu sneered, "What does Your Majesty mean by this? This behavior makes it seem as if our Marquis's mansion doesn't even have the ice allowance..."

Be careful what you say.

Consort Chun lightly tapped the table, but her gaze had already turned to the direction of Bilang Pavilion outside the window. "Why let these trivial matters spoil the mood? Go and prepare some freshly picked lotus seeds and seasonal fruits, and have the kitchen make some pastries. Later, I will invite Shu'er to go for a stroll in the Thousand Carp Pond."

......

(Sorry, I'm currently writing the next chapter, I'll update it later.)