Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 215 Thank You

Hua Yan stood beside Consort Chun. The moment the two looked up together, Hua Yan vaguely recalled that when they left the Lin'an mansion, they had also looked back at the closed gate at almost the same time, as if they were saying goodbye to their lost days in their boudoirs.

Two young women in the prime of their youth have now gone through the journey together from the Prince's mansion to the inner palace.

Hua Yan sensed Consort Chun's emotions and silently comforted her with a slight pressure on her palm. Consort Chun responded with a smile.

It seems to be saying, "Fortunately, you are still by my side."

The two followed behind Consort Min, walking step by step towards Funing Palace.

The Emperor summoned Consort Chun to the Ganlu Hall of the Funing Palace. The sunlight at the end of Chenshi (7-9 AM) was not dazzling, and Consort Chun and Huayan came in against the light.

After not seeing each other for several days, when Consort Chun entered the palace with Hua Yan, the first thing the Emperor noticed was the Kun Feng pendant at Consort Chun's waist.

Apart from a gold filigree phoenix-shaped hairpin inlaid with rubies, Consort Chun's attire was devoid of bright makeup; her appearance was fresh and elegant, as radiant as autumn colors, which immediately caught the Emperor's eye. As for Hua Yan beside her, even with her features slightly concealed, her beauty was still natural.

The concubines' gratitude ceremony was equivalent to the kowtow ceremony. When Consort Chun entered the hall, she was the first to kneel down.

"Your Majesty, I return to the palace to express my gratitude for your gracious favor."

The Emperor personally rose to help Consort Chun, taking her arm as they walked into the inner room. They sat on either side of the daybed, and the Emperor inquired about her return to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence to visit her family. Consort Chun answered respectfully, her voice gentle and melodious, but her tone lacked its usual enthusiasm.

Hua Yan's eyes trembled slightly as she secretly pondered that she and Madam Yun seemed to have gone a bit too far—not indulging in illusory feelings, but also unable to completely abandon their charade, Second Miss!

The Emperor remained silent for a moment, as if he had not noticed anything.

"Your father has just returned from the Northwest. I am very pleased with the efforts the Tang family has made."

General Jiang delivered a memorial by fast horse, praising the merchants for their utmost assistance. They not only wrote letters home for the soldiers but also helped them send spoils of war back to their hometowns to alleviate their homesickness—a truly benevolent act.

Consort Chun rose and performed a curtsy. “When I returned to my residence to visit my family, my mother mentioned this matter. My mother laughed and said that Manager Gong is the best at doing business. It was clearly a job to deliver grain and fodder, but he managed to make the business go to the ends of the earth.”

The Emperor smiled gently, “When your father and I went to Jiangnan, the Yongbao Restaurant in Lin’an was doing very well, which shows that the manager is indeed exceptionally capable.”

Then, he abruptly changed the subject and looked up at Hua Yan.

"Meng Xuanshi's uncle, by a twist of fate, has been stranded on the grasslands for more than ten years, bringing great joy to me and the Northwest Army. If it weren't for his help, the border war might have continued for more than a month. He should be rewarded for his merits. Now I have ordered Zhou Bai to temporarily take up a post at the Court of State Ceremonial."

Hua Yan curtsied respectfully and said, "This servant thanks His Majesty for his great favor on behalf of my uncle. As a citizen of the Great Zhou, my uncle dares not take credit for serving the country."

The Emperor withdrew his gaze and leaned back lazily. "Zhou Bai is already quite adept at handling affairs in the Xiongnu royal court. He will surely shine even brighter in the Court of State Ceremonial."

Hua Yan lowered her head and stepped aside.

It was getting late, and the Emperor still needed to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress. He did not linger and ordered Jingming to escort Consort Chun back to Huining Palace first.

After Consort Chun and the other two took their leave, Consort Min approached and recounted the affairs of the Marquis of Lin'an's residence in detail. The Emperor listened for a while and then said, "As expected of the eldest granddaughter of the old Minister, Lady Yun is wise and insightful, and she is not only good at educating her daughter."

As they emerged from Funing Palace, Jingming bowed and led the way, occasionally explaining the various layouts of the palace.

Funing Palace is located behind Taiji Palace and is the main hall of the inner court. It is magnificent in scale and the emperor usually held court here. Ganlu Hall, where the emperor met with Consort Chun just now, is a sleeping hall in Funing Palace where the emperor rested.

To the west of Funing Palace, a pool of emerald water, like a natural barrier, separates the inner palace area. Within it, pavilions and courtyards are layered, and various palaces are scattered like stars, all for the residence of the concubines.

As the three walked across Beihai Pond, Hua Yan suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure ahead.

Tomorrow is the Empress's coronation ceremony. Imperial Physician Sun has been ordered to go to the Empress's palace to take her pulse. He is followed by a young man, also dressed in imperial physician's robes. The two of them carry medicine boxes and follow behind Zhixue.

When Zhixue saw Consort Chun from afar, she stood aside according to etiquette and bowed respectfully as Consort Chun and her entourage approached.

"This servant greets Consort Chun."

Consort Chun nodded slightly. Jingming looked at the young man behind Physician Sun and asked curiously, "Physician Jian is skilled in treating seasonal diseases. Why did you accompany Physician Sun to the Empress's palace today?"

After asking, he turned to Zhixue and asked, "Miss Zhixue, is anyone in Her Majesty the Empress's palace ill?"

Zhixue respectfully replied, "Granny Gui caught a cold last night. Her Majesty the Empress ordered me to go to the Imperial Hospital to fetch Physician Sun and ask another physician to examine Granny Gui."

"Her Majesty the Empress is kind-hearted, but since Her Majesty is pregnant with the Emperor's child, and since Granny Gui is ill, she must not serve Her Majesty."

"We understand, and thank you for your guidance, Supervisor Jing."

The young imperial physician was none other than Jian Zhi, the eldest apprentice of the Zhen family physician.

Hua Yan glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, knowing it was inconvenient to recognize him with outsiders present, while Consort Chun kept her eyes straight ahead, as if she hadn't noticed him at all.

Jian Zhi left the mansion many years ago to travel around Jinzhou. A year ago, he passed the examination of the Imperial Medical Academy and successfully became a medical apprentice in the Imperial Medical Academy. Unexpectedly, he has now been promoted to a medical officer.

"Illness? Jian Zhi's expertise is actually in gynecology," Hua Yan blinked.