Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 277 is almost finished.

Aunt Mei looked at Hua Yan nervously. Hua Yan took the jade cicada from her hand and said in a deep voice, "Aunt Mei, I'll keep Her Majesty company tonight. Please have Mengzhu and Ruizhu keep watch outside."

Aunt Mei knew she couldn't keep it a secret any longer, and left the bedchamber with a worried expression.

Hua Yan paused briefly, and instead of revealing everything at the beginning, she first posed a question to Consort Chun.

"What are Your Majesty's thoughts on His Majesty now?"

Consort Chun remained silent for a while, unsure how to answer. Seeing this, Hua Yan simply changed the question: "If Your Majesty knew that pregnancy and childbirth might be life-threatening, what would you do?"

"A life-or-death crisis? My mother asked Madam Su to perform divination for me, didn't she?"

Consort Chun was initially full of questions, but seeing Hua Yan stroking the jade cicada in silence, she carefully considered the matter and said, "If it were a few months ago, I might have ignored it, but now... Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's advice is clearer than ever. True feelings are hard to find in the harem. What I seek is first, for my family, and second, to protect you all."

Consort Chun's words surprised Hua Yan. However, considering the Emperor's actions, it seemed that they were enough to nip Consort Chun's budding feelings in the bud.

“I still have feelings for the Emperor, but those feelings are about to fade away.”

It was hard to say these words. Consort Chun forced a smile and said bitterly, "Just like tonight..." If she really cared, why would she bring him back to Funing Palace under the noses of the Empress and Consort Mei?

Hua Yan took Chunfei's hands and sat down. After Chunfei calmed down a bit, Hua Yan told her everything about the divination and Madam Yun's worries.

"Unknown dangers are more unsettling than certain risks. It is precisely because Madam knows that Her Highness is so naive that she deliberately conceals this information."

Consort Chun closed her eyes wearily, and after a long while, she said slowly, "Mother's worries are not without reason, but you can rest assured now. I will wear this jade cicada at all times."

The two talked on and off for a long time until late at night. Mengzhu had to appear and remind them to wash up. After helping the two mistresses wash up, Mengzhu said softly, "Mingyue and I are on duty in the outer room. Your Highness, please rest early."

Hua Yan and Consort Chun lay on the bed together, neither of them sleepy. Thinking of the young ladies who were about to enter the palace, they somehow started talking about the days when they were trained by Granny Gao in Lin'an.

"From the time I turned one year old, my grandmother specially set aside a storeroom to prepare my dowry, which is why my older sister was always jealous and dissatisfied..."

Until Granny Gao entered the mansion, I still thought that my father and mother would find me a noble family to marry into, just like my eldest cousin married into the Prince Rui's mansion.

I think it's fine. Even if there is a difference in social status, my father and older brother will always protect me. Whether we live in the capital or Lin'an, it would be best if my husband and I could treat each other with respect. If we grow to dislike each other, I will have nothing to fear.

Furthermore, you and several others will accompany me in my dowry. After several years, I will choose a good marriage for each of you, with generous dowries of money, goods, and estates, which will ensure that you will not be bullied in your husband's family.

On the day I married into the Prince of Jin's mansion, when the nanny led me into the Yunyi Palace, I saw that its layout was nine-tenths similar to the Yunyi Courtyard. I secretly rejoiced that I had met such a good man... He was a high and mighty prince, yet he was willing to put in some effort for me.

"I must have been ridiculous back then."

A hint of tears welled up in Consort Chun's eyes, and she gave a bitter smile.

Hua Yan quietly took Chunfei's hand and comforted her silently. The atmosphere tonight was just like the late-night conversation that was interrupted by Donggua's pot of wine on New Year's Eve.

There was no need to say it outright anymore. Whether it was the Yunyi Courtyard in the Prince's Mansion, or the Kunfeng Pendant and birthday gifts, the Emperor had indeed put in a lot of effort, but it was a bit too 'equal' in his favor. It turned out that all the so-called favors were based on careful consideration.

His treatment of Consort Chun was no different from his treatment of the Empress and Consort Mei, and it was even less of a privilege he had given Hua Yan, who was summoned to the Funing Palace to serve him in bed...

After listening to Consort Chun's many thoughts, Hua Yan took a different approach: "Your Highness might as well treat being a concubine as just a job."

Consort Chun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "You always surprise people, but it makes me feel better to think about it this way."

......

The day after the palace selection, on my way to pay my respects at Renming Hall, I heard that the Emperor had stayed at Consort Guo's palace the previous night. However, he should no longer be called Consort; the Emperor had restored his title of "Xiuyi".

“It is true that one will be promoted in rank after becoming pregnant. If Consort Guo had not been confined to her quarters, she would be Consort Guo now,” Consort Chun said.

Hua Yan said softly, "Temporary gains and losses are not important. As long as she gives birth to the prince safely, the title of concubine will be just around the corner."

Paying respects to the emperor is a common occurrence, but yesterday, during the palace selection, although the concubines had already received the news, the empress still mentioned the backgrounds and family circumstances of several of the candidates.

"The newly selected ladies-in-waiting will enter the palace in early May. After I discuss with the Emperor and determine their ranks, I will send a tutor to instruct them. I will leave the arrangements to Consort Chun."

Consort Chun stood up and said, "Aunt Minrong and several stewards from the Shanggong Bureau have submitted a list of governesses for Your Majesty's review."

Xingyu took it and handed it to the Empress. The Empress saw that the roster contained not only names, but also several unused palaces. Those of the rank of Consort and above lived in the main palace, while newly selected ladies-in-waiting did not have high ranks and usually lived in side palaces or auxiliary palaces.

"Consort Chun is always considerate."

The Empress praised her, but did not comment on how to arrange things. Although Consort Chun held the title of Assistant to the Empress Dowager in charge of the six palaces, she was appointed by both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Therefore, there were some arrangements that even the Empress could not easily interfere with.

In the afternoon, Jingming personally visited Huining Palace.

"This is the list and rank of the newly selected imperial concubines. Please take a look, Consort Chun. The Emperor said that Your Highness should arrange all matters as soon as possible."

After Jingming left, Huayan and Mengzhu and the others gathered around him.

Li Mingzhen, the legitimate daughter of a powerful family, was granted the title of a fifth-rank beauty.

Hua Yan narrowed her eyes, wondering why her rank had dropped by one level. Upon closer inspection, she realized that she had been granted a title, which was quite interesting.

Xie Ruxuan, a descendant of a noble family, was granted the title of Jieyu, a fourth-rank concubine.

Yun Yao and the Qu family girl are both seventh-rank Baolin, while the other five are all Imperial Concubines.

......