Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 438 It would be best to completely eliminate this hidden danger.

The Empress tapped her golden nail guards lightly on the armrest of her throne. "My sisters, please rise."

Inside the vast Renming Hall, the concubines stood in their respective positions.

Consort Qi led Consort Song to the front, followed by Consort Qu and Consort Yun. Behind them, Consorts Lu, Ye, and Su stood in a row, and at the very back, Imperial Concubine Wu was finally spared from having to stand against the palace pillars.

The Empress's gaze swept over the sparse scene, taking it all in. The number of concubines who came to pay their respects today was less than ten.

No wonder there were so few people, apart from Consort Rong who was given death and Lady Xie and Lady Qu in the Cold Palace.

Consort Chun is currently ordered to copy scriptures at the imperial palace; Meng Shu is staying at Lingcui Palace to rest and prepare for childbirth, and is even exempt from the morning and evening greetings; Consort Qing, Consort Pei, and Consort Yang are all under house arrest; and the Second Princess's birth mother, Lady Shen, has also been demoted and is reflecting on her mistakes at Shujing Palace.

"Now the palace is quite peaceful."

In the empty hall, even the sound of the dress rustling was exceptionally clear.

The Empress slightly curled her lips, a half-smile playing on her lips. "How have you all been, my sisters, during my illness?"

Consort Qi glanced at the others discreetly. Among the concubines present, she held the highest rank, so it was natural for her to speak first. "Her Majesty the Empress has always been considerate. Even during her illness, she did not summon us to Renming Palace to attend to her. Although my sisters and I have been thinking of Her Majesty these days, we dare not disturb her without permission. We feel truly guilty."

The Empress's gaze lingered on Consort Qi for a moment, then she smiled and said, "Lingyi's illness has greatly improved. These past few days have been sunny and warm, so Consort Qi, you don't need to keep her cooped up in the warm pavilion all the time. You should take her out for walks in the courtyard more often."

Consort Qi gently rubbed her fingertips on the handkerchief, paused for a moment, and then said softly, "Your Majesty is right. I will bring her to Renming Palace to pay her respects to Your Majesty another day."

Xingyu gracefully emerged from behind the screen, carrying two gilded lacquer boxes in her hands.

"When my mother visited the palace last time, she brought some trinkets." The Empress gestured for Xingyu to hand over the box. "Consort Qi and Sister Song, each take one back for the two princesses to play with."

Consort Qi and Consort Song rose to express their gratitude.

Princess Lingning is currently being temporarily cared for by Consort Song. The Empress glanced at Consort Song and said, "Shen made a mistake first, but Lingning is innocent. Consort Qi, please do not take your anger out on the children because of Shen's mistake. If they develop a grudge from a young age, it will be difficult to resolve when they grow up."

These words were spoken directly and plainly, specifically to Consort Qi.

Consort Qi's eyelashes trembled slightly as she bowed and said, "Your Majesty's teachings have been carefully remembered. The Emperor and Your Majesty have already punished Consort Shen. I would never dare to hold a grudge against the Second Princess because of personal resentment, and I have no complaints whatsoever."

"That's good," the Empress nodded, her fingertips tracing the raised patterns on the armrest of the phoenix throne, and said in a low voice, "There are only two princesses in the palace now. I hope that Consort Jin's pregnancy will go smoothly. Whether it is a prince or a princess, the palace will be more lively then."

"At present, Consort Chun has left the palace to pray for blessings and has not yet returned, and Consort Qing and the other two are still under house arrest. With them away, you should pay more attention to them."

Her gaze slowly swept over the lower-ranking concubines below the steps. "Consort Jin is a living example. The Emperor doesn't care about family background. Even if someone comes from a humble background, as long as they can win the Emperor's favor and are worthy of the blessings, they may one day be made a concubine."

"If any of you are fortunate enough to conceive a royal heir, it will be a first-rate contribution to ensuring the continuation of the imperial line. At that time, I will inform the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and not only will you be promoted and receive additional stipends, but your maternal families will also receive respect and honor."

Yun Yao and Lu Baolin quietly clenched their hands, which were hanging on their knees, and their eyes began to shine with an unconcealable light. Even their drooping shoulders and backs straightened up a little.

The Empress's words were not a hint, but rather a ignition in their hearts.

For a moment, the hall was quiet, and everyone was lost in thought.

Yes, in terms of social standing, apart from the last among them, Consort Wu, Consort Jin's origins were originally the most unremarkable. Yet, the Emperor visits Lingcui Palace daily, and the Empress Dowager has assigned nannies to oversee her diet; now the entire palace awaits her pregnancy. If she gives birth safely, she will rise in status through her son, and it won't be long before she's called "Consort Jin," will it?

Consort Qi picked up her teacup, the lid gently scraping against the rim, just enough to cover half her face behind the rising steam. Her eyelids were slightly lowered, her peripheral vision coldly sweeping over several figures who could not hide their excitement.

Su Baolin touched the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief. She was usually very quiet, but at this moment she suddenly raised her eyes and said with a timid concern, "Consort Jin was frightened a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, the Imperial Physician Jian, whom she always used, was ordered to leave the capital on official business at this critical moment. Now that another imperial physician has taken care of her, I wonder how she is now?"

She entered the palace last April, and like Consorts Lu and Ye, she came from an unremarkable family and had always had a low profile. When she suddenly spoke, several of the neighboring concubines glanced at her discreetly.

Upon hearing this, Consort Qu slowly followed up with, "Consort Chun and Consort Jin are very close. If she were in the palace right now, even just to sit in Lingcui Palace, Consort Jin would probably feel more at ease."

The Empress seemed to be deep in thought, her gaze fixed on Consort Qu.

Qu Meiren lowered her eyes and remained silent.

After the morning greetings were over, the Empress found an excuse to keep Consort Qu behind.

After leaving Renming Palace, Consort Qi felt slightly uneasy. Her maid, Hua Jin, asked suspiciously, "Your Highness, Consort Qu's words were quite strange. Consort Chun was ordered to go to the imperial palace to serve the Empress Dowager. Could she possibly disobey the order and refuse to go?"

Consort Qi didn't reply, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the silver thread on her sleeve. She took two steps and suddenly stopped. "Go to Lingcui Palace and teach these words to Green Willow. There's no need to say anything else."

Hua Jin was taken aback. Seeing her master's solemn expression, she quickly replied, "Yes."

Today, Green Willow was supposed to go to the Renming Hall to receive the morning instruction on behalf of Meng Shu, but ever since Meng Shu was frightened last time, she and Mingyue have stayed by Meng Shu's side without leaving her side, and she has entrusted other matters to Xia'er and Hongyu.

Outside the palace, after Hua Jin relayed Qi Pin's message, Lü Liu thanked her calmly: "Dong Gua steamed a lot of noodles and dumplings early this morning. I was planning to send some to Consort Qi to try later. You can take them back with you."

Hua Jin smiled and thanked her. When she took the food box, her fingertips touched the warm wall of the box, and her heart felt a little warmer.

Green Willow walked towards the back hall and met the midwife under the corridor. She smiled and bowed in greeting.

The midwives sent by the Shanggong Bureau moved in three days ago. Under the guise of serving tea and water, Green Willow also memorized the ins and outs of childbirth. Seeing her attentiveness, the midwives were willing to give her more pointers.

Back in her bedchamber, Meng Shu was lying on her back on the couch, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a sachet beside her pillow, clearly deep in thought.

Hearing Consort Qi's reminder from Green Willow, she said, "It's alright. In a few days, the news of Wan'er's pregnancy will reach the palace. Even if they find out in advance, it won't matter."

Green Willow revealed a hint of ruthlessness: "Qu Meiren is cunning and can stir up trouble with just a few words. In the future, we can't just keep guarding against her. We should think of a way to completely eliminate this hidden danger."