Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 339 Consort Chun Sends Winter Melon

This story begins with Lady Yun's visit to Huaqing Palace.

That day, Empress Dowager Jiang had subtly mentioned the second son of the Earl of Wuxing's household, her words clearly implying a desire to arrange a marriage for the Fifth Miss. Madam Yun, unaware that it was the Duchess of Qingguo who was secretly pushing things along, was remarkably astute and immediately found an excuse to brush it off—

"The Fifth Sister returned to the capital this time to celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony. She will soon return to Lin'an to serve her grandmother. Mother said that she loves this granddaughter the most and has long said that she will personally oversee her marriage."

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Jiang said nothing more.

However, in the following days, the Earl of Wuxing's wife sent invitations to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, but Madam Yun refused to see them all.

Inside Yichun Palace.

Consort Chun dug her fingertips into her palm and said to Empress Dowager Zhou, "As soon as Fifth Sister left the capital, that Second Young Master Wu from the Earl of Wuxing's mansion followed her by boat..."

Empress Dowager Zhou paused, her prayer beads momentarily frozen in place, utterly at a loss for words.

"Is such a small thing worth worrying about?"

She shook her head. "Let alone the fact that the Marquis of Wuxing's mansion is now just an empty shell, even in its heyday, what advantage could it possibly gain from your Marquis's mansion?"

"Think you can get to Lin'an just by getting on the boat? You might fall into the water as soon as you leave Guangqumen."

Rongxiu covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling as she spoke up for Consort Chun: "Your Majesty, Consort Chun is just worried sick. Several of your younger sisters are of marriageable age, and the Fifth Miss has just come of age when she encountered such a distressing matter. A young lady's reputation is of utmost importance, so it's no wonder Your Majesty is so worried."

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and she cast a grateful glance at Rongxiu.

Empress Dowager Zhou gently stroked her teacup and sighed softly, "Speaking of the Wuxing Earl's Mansion, their ancestors were indeed illustrious."

He followed Emperor Taizu in battle, once leading a light cavalry raid on Tongguan on a snowy winter night, gaining fame in a single victory—truly a family of loyal martyrs. Alas... even military families are not immune to the fate of dying on the battlefield. By the third generation, the men of the household had died one after another in battle, leaving only a son born to a concubine to inherit the title, thus abandoning martial arts for a scholarly pursuit. Although he preserved his life, he ultimately lost the very foundation of his family.

Now in its fourth generation, it is nothing like before; it holds the title of Earl in name only, but its internal affairs have long since declined.

“But this second young master Wu,” Consort Chun said coldly, “was raised by women in their boudoirs from a young age, spending his days playing cockfighting and horse racing with other playboys. I don’t know how, but he fell in love with the fifth sister at first sight at Princess Pingning’s flower-viewing banquet. That auntie was shrewd; she used her past relationship with the Duchess of Qingguo to get involved with the Empress Dowager… and then this whole thing happened.”

Empress Dowager Zhou glanced at Consort Chun.

Consort Chun realized she had spoken out of turn and dared not say another word. However, she couldn't understand why Empress Dowager Jiang had cooperated. With her doubts unresolved, she thought she would go and talk to Meng Shu later.

"Regarding the matter of Meng's favor with the Emperor and her change of status, I see that you really don't care at all, so there's no need to comfort you for now. In another half month, the Emperor will return to the capital. During these days, come to the Buddhist hall to copy scriptures after noon every day."

Consort Chun hurriedly got up and agreed.

......

Bilangxuan.

A gentle breeze caresses the balustrade, and the shadows of the flowers shift obliquely.

Consort Chun left Yichun Palace and, accompanied by Mengzhu and Donggua, went straight to Meng Shu's place. As soon as they reached the corridor, they saw that the window was half-open, and a faint, delicate fragrance wafted out.

Consort Chun stepped into the bedchamber, lowered her eyes and sniffed lightly, "This scent smells like the Osmanthus Dew you mentioned a few days ago?"

Meng Shu picked up a silk handkerchief and gently wiped her fingertips, smiling as she said, "Green Willow and Xia'er get up at dawn every day and have collected bamboo leaf dew for half a month, resulting in two bottles in total." She pushed one of the bottles toward Consort Chun, "Perfect, you and I can each keep a touch of autumn color."

Consort Chun smiled and accepted the bottle, her slender fingers gently twisting the cork on the porcelain bottle.

Instantly, a cool fragrance wafted out, and I couldn't help but praise in a melodious voice: "There is a poem that says, 'Golden millet sways in the wind, scattering a cool fragrance; the night dew condenses, moistening the autumn light.' Although it is still early before autumn arrives, it is quite fitting for the occasion."

Donggua curiously leaned forward, his nose twitching slightly. Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Is this made with osmanthus as the main ingredient? But there's not much osmanthus fragrance. It smells more like pear blossoms." He then took a deep breath, his eyes sparkling. "It smells quite nice."

Meng Shu laughed and said, "Our Donggua's nose is getting more and more amazing. When making this Qinglu, we used pear wood as firewood to steam the flowers, and when blending the fragrance, we added pear juice, white honey, and also kneaded in agarwood powder. Even the perfumers in the Imperial Clothing Bureau might not be able to distinguish this little bit of pear fragrance."

Donggua was quite pleased to hear this, but she lacked refinement.

"To make just two bottles of Qinglu, how much osmanthus would that take? If you ask me, such fine osmanthus should be made into osmanthus-flavored lotus root." Donggua counted on her fingers as if reciting a familiar story. "Or we could make osmanthus-flavored shortbread, osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice balls, or even brew osmanthus wine with glutinous rice and bury it under the osmanthus tree..."

"This is getting more and more absurd. The ladies are speaking, let's go outside and keep watch."

Green Willow noticed that Consort Chun seemed to have something to say, so she gave Mengzhu a wink, and the two of them together half-dragged and half-carried Winter Melon out the door.

A corner of the silk curtains was lifted by the breeze, and Meng Shu took the opportunity to lead Consort Chun into the inner room. The two sat down side by side on the chaise longue, and Meng Shu poured a cup of tea and handed it to Consort Chun.

Consort Chun reached out and took it, but instead of mentioning the Wu Xing Earl's Mansion, she pointed to Donggua and said, "...when we return to the palace, he will serve by your side. Otherwise, it's not proper for you to only have Green Willow by your side. It would be inconvenient to select someone from the Shanggong Bureau."

Meng Shu was slightly taken aback and quickly waved her hand to refuse, saying, "Your Highness is used to the dishes made by Donggua, and Donggua is also willing to serve Your Highness. There is really no need to have her stay by my side."

“Donggua and you have a different relationship. I have already made my decision, and Shuer does not need to refuse anymore.” Consort Chun’s attitude was firm, but she said softly, “As for the small kitchen in my palace, I will have Mother select two more cooks. I think the Emperor will not say anything.”

Consort Chun didn't give Meng Shu another chance to politely refuse, and took the initiative to change the subject...

......

A light rain patters coolly, and the banana leaves are partially obscured by the window.

When Meng Shu paid her respects that day, the Empress's complexion already showed signs of illness, and several doses of medicine did not improve her condition. After a rain, news came from Fengyi Palace that the Empress had fallen ill.

Although they no longer needed to get up early to pay their respects, the concubines still had to take turns attending to the sick according to the established schedule.

Consort Chun was spared this arduous task because she had to go to Yichun Palace every day to copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager. Meng Shu and Yun Baolin, according to their rank and rules, went to Fengyi Palace every day.

Although Consort Mei held a high position, she could not avoid it and had no choice but to go along reluctantly.

After going twice, Meng Shu gradually noticed something was amiss, and when she returned, she made a point of bringing a winter melon with her.