Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 250: True Feelings Are Visible

Little Yuanzi shrank his head, looking wronged and aggrieved. Jingming's whisk accidentally brushed against his face, and by sheer coincidence, a few strands of ponytail brushed against his nose, causing Little Yuanzi to sneeze loudly!

Achoo—!

Xiao Yuanzi thought to himself, "Oh no, oh no!" He instinctively covered his nose, but when he looked up, he bumped right into Jingming's chin, making Jingming dizzy and causing him to fall to the ground with a thud. As fate would have it, after sitting down, Jingming happened to lean between the Emperor's thighs.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yuanzi was so frightened that her eyelids rolled back and she fainted.

The emperor had probably never seen such a scene in his life, and immediately kicked Jingming away.

Xiao Nianzi, Aunt Mei, and Mingyue rushed over upon hearing the commotion. They were all pale-faced and hurriedly dragged Xiao Yuanzi away.

Jingming inwardly groaned, wishing he could give Xiao Yuanzi a good beating...

The sneeze was so loud it shook the heavens and earth. Consort Chun, who was still in shock, instantly came to her senses.

Hua Yan quickly put away the coral tree in her hand, strode forward, and pulled the flushed Consort Chun to kneel down and pay her respects, repeatedly apologizing.

The Emperor stepped into the bedchamber, not blaming the palace servants of Huining Palace for their repeated breaches of etiquette, but instead raising an eyebrow and asking, "Who has angered Consort Chun so much?"

Consort Chun looked embarrassed, having no intention of telling the Emperor what Consort Qu had done. She apologized, saying, "Your Majesty, I was impolite and lost my temper. I didn't expect... that I would hit you."

The Emperor sat down in front of the daybed, his gaze falling on Hua Yan. "Consort Meng, come and tell me something."

Mengzhu and Ruizhu served tea and snacks and then retreated to the outer room.

Consort Chun tugged at Hua Yan's sleeve, and Hua Yan reassured her by squeezing her hand. She curtsied and replied, "Your Majesty, the earrings you are wearing were specially commissioned by Her Majesty from Yongbao Tower. There are only three pairs in the world. This morning when I went to visit Her Majesty the Empress..."

Knowing Qu Cairen's character well, and now that the Emperor had happened to witness it, Hua Yan had no intention of hiding it from him, as it was a rare opportunity.

This "complaint" was filed openly and legitimately.

Jingming stood in the outer hall and, upon hearing Consort Meng's "complaint," couldn't help but shed a tear of sympathy for Consort Qu.

The Emperor glanced at Hua Yan with surprise. If it weren't for the fact that Hua Yan had "suffered a serious illness" and looked rather pale, he would have almost thought that this was the Funing Palace and that the person standing below was Zhou Bai who was making a complaint. The uncle and nephew not only looked somewhat alike, but their tone and demeanor were also exactly the same.

Back then, when Zhou Bai presented his memorial to the Xiongnu Chanyu, he succinctly seized most of the Xiongnu royal court's wealth with just a few words...

After Hua Yan finished speaking, she stepped aside. The Emperor paused for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice:

"By imperial decree, Consort Qu has been found guilty of privately distributing gifts bestowed upon her by Consort Chun to other palace servants, disregarding palace rules and showing disrespect to her superiors. Her intentions are reprehensible, and her actions are unforgivable. She is hereby demoted to the rank of Baolin, fined for half a year, and confined to her quarters for three months."

Jingming bowed his head and accepted the decree. Qu Cairen was really unlucky. From the Prince's mansion to the harem, she was confined to her quarters before she could even serve the Emperor. Now she has been demoted to Baolin. If she never has any more opportunities in this life, it will be considered ruined.

Consort Chun naturally did not resent Hua Yan for acting on her own initiative; on the contrary, she was delighted.

It was rare to see Consort Chun's true nature, and the Emperor's tone was slightly teasing, "So, has Consort Chun's anger subsided?"

Consort Chun reached out and took the earring from the Emperor's hand. In an instant, she regained some of her composure and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Consort Qu's actions have indeed displeased me. Although the earring is not very valuable, it is a token of my affection."

"The Qu family has served as officials in the Hanlin Academy for three generations, and their family background is considered quite distinguished. Qu Renshao is an upright man and a rigorous scholar. I intend to have him co-examine the imperial examination next year with the Minister of Rites."

Consort Chun said worriedly, "At this time, His Majesty is in need of capable people. Since he intends to give important positions to Lord Qu, why not postpone the punishment of Consort Qu? This matter involves the previous dynasty. If it is delayed because of my affairs, it would be my fault."

The Emperor glanced sideways, a gentle smile appearing in his handsome features. "Does Consort Meng have anything to say?"

Hua Yan pondered for a moment, then gently shook her head.

Meeting the gazes of the Emperor and Consort Chun, Hua Yan slowly said, "Thunder and rain, all these are the Emperor's grace. If you want to show how important Lord Qu is, why not bestow upon him the Four Treasures of the Study to express the Emperor's favor?"

After a brief pause, he added, "If I could be granted another piece of His Majesty's calligraphy, I am sure Lord Qu would live up to His Majesty's expectations."

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun clapped her hands and said, "This is a brilliant idea."

The emperor neither agreed nor disagreed, but his eyes revealed a hint of appreciation.

It was getting late, so Hua Yan bowed and slowly withdrew, instructing Meng Zhu and the others to store the festival gifts from the outer room in the storeroom.

Looking at the room full of trunks and boxes, Jingming couldn't help but marvel at the wealth of the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed that the trunks and boxes were labeled with tags, and most of them were local specialties from Lin'an and other places. This made him even more admiring of Tang Xian and his wife for their tact and consideration.

Aunt Mei had just finished "dealing with" Xiao Yuanzi and was now in charge of things in the outer room. After Mengzhu and the others moved the trunks away, Aunt Mei stuffed a plump purse into Jingming's hand.

"I hope you won't take Xiao Yuanzi's poor performance to heart, Supervisor Jing. Tomorrow, I will have Donggua prepare a feast so that Xiao Yuanzi can go and apologize to you."

Jingming smiled and accepted the purse, immediately feeling the pain from the kick in his waist subside. He pulled Aunt Mei aside and whispered, "Aunt Mei, could you please pass on a message to Miss Donggua to put in less chili peppers...?"

......

As Hua Yan walked to the corridor, Meng Zhu said worriedly, "I was really scared to death just now. The Emperor always comes without making a sound. I reckon Xiao Yuanzi will be terrified today too."

Xiao Nianzi was helping to move the chests and couldn't help but plead for her brother: "His Majesty forbids us servants from reporting this. If this happens a few more times, my brother really won't be able to take it."

These words made Hua Yan and the others chuckle. Rui Zhu blinked and said with ill intent, "Then next time I'll let you guard the gate."

Xiao Nianzi straightened his body, looking strangely resigned to his fate. "This servant is more clever than my brother. Starting tomorrow, I will tell Aunt Mei that I will take the guard duty."

I only wish that my masters would stop being so outspoken; this job of guarding the gate is truly arduous.

Hua Yan parted ways with the others outside the side hall, instructing them before leaving: "Every day around noon and dusk, make sure the palace servants on duty in the front hall are alert."

After observing the Emperor for some time, Hua Yan has also figured out his habits.

If they arrive at noon, they will dine with Consort Chun, and afterwards they will occasionally play chess in the study. If they arrive at dusk, they will most likely stay overnight.

The Emperor and Consort Chun's relationship was quite respectful and courteous.

Upon closer examination, the Emperor treated Consort Chun no differently from the other concubines. Only his affectionate gaze towards the third young lady of the Duke's mansion was genuine.

Today's Buddhist ceremony in Baohua Hall should be the first time the two have reunited after more than ten years apart. Hua Yan stood in the corner and watched coldly. Throughout the entire ceremony, Qing Zhifei's gaze remained fixed on the Emperor.

The Emperor's occasional glances would always linger on Qing Zhifei's face for a fleeting moment.

Although he did not show much enthusiasm on the surface, and even when Qing Zhifei entered the palace yesterday by imperial decree, the emperor did not go to Cining Palace to meet her.

But that's precisely what makes it all the more intriguing.

If this "favor" subtly reveals a degree of restraint and self-control, it is a clear indication of the depth of affection.

......

As night fell, Green Willow and Xia'er served Hua Yan as she washed and dressed. Hua Yan casually said to Xia'er, "Granny Yu has gone to the palace with the third young lady of the Duke of Qing's mansion. There's nothing to do around New Year's Day. If you'd like to see Granny Yu, Xia'er, you can go with Chun'er."