Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 254 The Dust Settles

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the morning light begins to shine, and everything is renewed.

After a night of heavy drinking, Consort Chun looked slightly haggard. While getting ready, she pulled Hua Yan aside several times to ask her what was wrong, worried that she might have behaved inappropriately while drunk the night before.

Hua Yan was at a loss for words, and only said: "When it comes to the New Year's rewards for the palace servants, let's waive all of Dong Gua's rewards. Also, tell Dong Gua that she is strictly forbidden from brewing wine in the kitchen from now on!"

Consort Chun, Aunt Mei, Mengzhu, Lvliu, Ruizhu, and Mingyue: "..."

If it weren't for the fact that Hua Yan and Dong Gua were always close, everyone would have thought that Hua Yan was taking revenge for personal reasons. Seeing that her mistress's face was flushed, Rui Zhu deliberately changed the subject and cleverly said, "Your Majesty gives Dong Gua the most generous reward every year. Why don't you give some to us servants so that we can also share in Dong Gua's good fortune?"

Consort Chun couldn't help but laugh. "Granted. Ruizhu and Mingyue will accompany me to Renming Hall. Aunt Mei and Mengzhu will distribute the rewards to the palace servants this morning. This is their first year in the palace, so the rewards are double what they were given when they were in the Prince's residence."

Aunt Mei and Mengzhu smiled and thanked the palace servants on their behalf. Hua Yan added, "The eunuchs of the Four Departments and Six Bureaus have worked very hard in preparations these past few days. Her Majesty has set the rules, so Aunt Mei should not overlook this and should reward and help them as well."

......

At the grand court assembly, the emperor ascended the throne, and the officials knelt in obeisance. Officials presented congratulatory memorials in turn, praising the emperor's virtues and praying for national peace and prosperity. All government offices were sealed three days before the New Year, and officials would continue their leave after the grand court assembly until after the Lantern Festival.

The court assembly ended at Chenshi (7-9 AM).

Tang Lin and Zhou Bai left Taiji Palace together. Before parting, Tang Lin invited Zhou Bai to bring Huan Yun to the Marquis's residence for a gathering the next day, and Zhou Bai gladly accepted.

As for the Emperor, after a short rest following the court session, he traveled from Taiji Palace to Renming Hall in his imperial carriage.

Consort Chun and the others were already waiting in Renming Hall. All the concubines were eagerly anticipating the Emperor's choice of whose purse he would select, except for Consort Song and Consort Hua Yan.

When the eunuch announced the arrival of the emperor, everyone, including the empress, rose and went to the palace gate to greet him.

The emperor wore a bright yellow satin robe embroidered with the twelve symbols of dragons and clouds. He had a tall and straight waist, and his brows were full of heroic spirit. He was handsome and dashing.

However, after the concubines finished their kneeling and bowing, they had no interest in admiring the emperor's face and instead all turned their attention to the jade belt around his waist.

On the left was a dragon pendant, and on the right was a purse embroidered with a cluster of green bamboo.

It was presented by Consort Chun.

Hua Yan was slightly surprised, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the fleeting disappointment on the Empress's face; Consort Chun's eyes brightened, and she was also very happy; Consort Song remained calm; as for Consort Shen and Consort Wu, with the Empress and Consort Chun ahead of them, they had long lost the desire to compete for the Emperor's favor. However, seeing this result, Consort Wu was still able to restrain herself as much as possible, while Consort Shen was not very shrewd, and her eyes kept shifting between Consort Chun and the Empress.

The Empress coughed lightly and sat down on the throne with the Emperor.

The palace servants in Renming Hall served hot tea again, and the Emperor spoke:

"At the beginning of this new year, all of you have served me diligently and obediently, which has greatly pleased me. You should all take the mistakes made by Consort Guo and Consort Qu as a lesson, uphold virtue and follow etiquette, and maintain harmony and affection among your relatives."

Consort Chun, along with Hua Yan and others, rose to listen to the instructions and responded in unison.

"The Empress is still weak and needs to rest for some time. During this period, Consort Chun will continue to assist in the affairs of the inner palace and share the burdens of the Empress and me. She should be conscientious in her duties so that I can be at ease about the country."

Consort Chun rose again and replied, "Yes."

Afterwards, Jingming read aloud the New Year's rewards for the concubines. The reward for Consort Chun was exceptionally generous, almost equivalent to that of the Empress, a special honor for someone who assists in managing the six palaces. The Emperor had only been on the throne for a few months, and no concubines had received promotions during the New Year celebrations, so it didn't take long. Seeing that it was getting late, the Empress reminded the Emperor that it was time to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

With two empress dowagers in existence, the mother empress dowager was the most respected, so he first went to Shou Kang Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhou.

The Emperor and Empress rode in a palanquin, with Consort Chun and others following on foot. When they arrived at Shou Kang Palace, Aunt Rongxiu was already there with many palace servants to greet them at the palace gate.

The Great Zhou Dynasty governed the country with filial piety, and the rules on New Year's Day in the imperial palace were particularly strict. According to ancestral rules, the emperor had to wear court attire and perform the grand kneeling ceremony to the Empress Dowager when he paid his respects on this day.

Inside the Shou Kang Palace, Empress Dowager Zhou sat at the head of the table. The Emperor, accompanied by the Empress and other concubines, paid their respects before the Empress Dowager's seat. The Emperor knelt first, followed by the Empress and the others.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty, wishing you good health, longevity, and happiness."

"Your subject (your concubine) greets Your Majesty (Empress Dowager) and wishes Your Majesty (Empress Dowager) longevity, good health, and happiness."

When the emperor knelt in greeting, Empress Dowager Zhou turned slightly to the side, smiled, and offered him a seat. The emperor then presented congratulatory gifts, which consisted of precious ancient books and several boxes of valuable medicinal herbs.

Empress Dowager Zhou had Rongxiu accept the gift and said a few words to the Emperor, which were nothing more than concern for the Emperor's health; there were no words of admonition or instruction whatsoever.

The Emperor was always respectful and filial, but Empress Dowager Zhou always kept a proper distance. She was satisfied with the Emperor, not only because he was filial, but also because he had the qualities of a great ruler and was a talent for restoring the dynasty.

However, the emperor bore a striking resemblance to the late emperor in his youth, and due to the entanglements of the previous generation, Empress Dowager Zhou actually felt somewhat distant from the emperor...

After sitting for a short while, Empress Dowager Zhou prepared rewards for the concubines, mostly jewelry, with the exception of the Empress and Consort Chun.

The Empress was given a copy of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra, which nearly made her vomit.

What was given to Consort Chun was a set of chess pieces made of white jade and green jade, which was truly catering to her preferences.

Hua Yan received a brocade box from Aunt Rongxiu, but did not open it.

At Cining Palace, the same procedure was followed: kneeling and paying respects, listening to instructions, and receiving rewards from Empress Dowager Jiang. However, there was one difference—Qing Zhifei stood beside Empress Dowager Jiang.

When the Emperor entered the palace, Qing Zhifei noticed that the sachet tied around his waist was not a plum blossom sachet. His already fair complexion turned even paler, and she felt a pang of pain in her heart: Could it be that Brother Yanchen had forgotten his sister's dying wish? The experience of knowing each other since childhood, the care he had given her in the Northwest for more than ten years, the correspondence between them, all of this... how could there be no true feelings involved?

Empress Dowager Jiang did not notice Qing Zhifei's unusual behavior. After everyone paid their respects, she said to the Empress, "The continuation of the royal line is a matter of great importance to the country. As the head of the harem, the Empress bears the heavy responsibility of ensuring the continuation of the royal line. She must not be negligent in the slightest."

The Empress rose and apologized, "It was my fault for failing to protect the imperial heir. I am deeply ashamed. All my sisters have already been favored by the Emperor, but there is no good news yet. I think it is time to enrich the harem."

Empress Dowager Jiang nodded slightly and said to the Emperor, "After the New Year, the selection of concubines should be put on the agenda. Everything should be done according to the established procedures. Currently, Consort Chun is assisting in the management of the six palaces, so she and the Empress should jointly manage it. What does Your Majesty think?"

The Emperor said, "Consort Chun is dignified and composed. With her assistance in managing affairs, I have always felt at ease."

Consort Chun stood up and, together with the Empress, received the Empress Dowager's decree.

The Empress recalled her father's teachings, and a hint of helplessness appeared on her face. However, she quickly calmed herself down, stood up, and bowed to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, saying, "The general selection will be held in February, the palace selection in March, and the young ladies will not be able to enter the palace until May after they have received their instruction. It will take a while."

The third young lady of the Duke of Qing's mansion comes from a noble family, is intelligent and virtuous, is favored by the Empress Dowager, and has a long-standing relationship with the Emperor. I believe she is a suitable candidate to serve the Emperor. What do the Empress Dowager and the Emperor think?

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Two rosy clouds rose on Qing Zhifei's jade-like cheeks, her brows and eyes blushing shyly, just like a lily ready to be picked.

"Your Majesty has a discerning eye, recognizing Fei's talent and beauty, and knows she is fit to enter the palace as a concubine. I also share this intention." Empress Dowager Jiang expressed some appreciation for the Empress's understanding of the bigger picture.

Consort Chun and Hua Yan looked at each other, both with a sense of "the dust has settled" in their eyes.