Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 322 The worst thing is when one's own people become disloyal.

Consort Chun was taken aback at first, but then she understood Meng Shu's implied meaning.

Perhaps because things had been going relatively smoothly lately, she had almost forgotten that she had a cousin named Yun in the palace who needed her care. Cousin Yun had always been indecisive, and even the words of her maids could sway her thoughts, so it was indeed best to keep her by her side and look after her.

After Consort Chun left with her entourage, Green Willow said while tidying the bed curtains, "Your Majesty the Empress wouldn't let Consort Shen get into trouble, would you? The Shen family has been dependent on the Jiang family for many years, and it's only out of consideration for the relationship between the two families that she wouldn't... Besides, if Consort Shen really gives birth to a prince, Your Majesty the Empress can simply take him in and raise him yourself."

Meng Shu lay down again, her tone calm: "On the first day the Empress arrived at the palace, Madam Jiang brought people to visit her. The Empress was all smiles the next day. What else could make her turn from worry to joy but an heir?"

Madam Yun had investigated and found that the Jiang family had found a famous female doctor in the southwest a month ago who specialized in treating women's diseases.

The Empress's decision to protect Consort Shen's pregnancy was a precautionary measure and a last resort. Had she known she could conceive again, given her ruthless nature, she would never have cared about Consort Shen's pregnancy.

“Perhaps I’m overthinking it.” She paused. “But the palace is not like home; one must think things through carefully to survive long enough.”

Green Willow sighed softly in her heart. "That's true, but Shu'er should also take care of her health. You haven't been sleeping well these past two days. Since Physician Jian isn't here, perhaps I should ask Physician He to prescribe some calming and sleep-aiding remedies?"

"No need," Meng Shu gently shook her head.

"I've been lying in bed for two days straight, and I feel really uncomfortable. This afternoon, you and Donggua will accompany me for a walk in the garden." She suddenly remembered something, "When is Madam coming?"

"The eunuch Jing mentioned to the servants that it would be early July, but there are still seven or eight days left."

After Green Willow finished speaking, she seemed to want to say something more but hesitated.

Meng Shu looked up: "Is there anything else?"

"It was... the day Shu'er fell ill." Green Willow lowered her voice, "After Physician He finished taking her pulse, he said something to the Emperor, and the Emperor's expression was very bad, and he seemed... to be a little annoyed."

“Annoyed?” Meng Shu’s expression hardened. “The Emperor’s visits these past two days have been no different from usual.”

Green Willow hesitated and said, "...Later, when Shu'er had a nightmare, the Emperor's distress was so real that I didn't think about it anymore. But the more I think about it these past two days, the more something seems off. The prescription that Doctor He prescribed was indeed for a low-grade fever, which is not very serious. Even if the Emperor was worried, he shouldn't have...had that kind of expression."

Meng Shu frowned and pondered for a moment, but had no clue whatsoever. She could only sigh softly, "You should have told me about something so important sooner. If anything went wrong, we could have made plans accordingly."

She suddenly changed the subject, her eyes filled with inquiry, "But when did you and Eunuch Jing become so close?"

"Ah—?" Green Willow exclaimed softly, her thoughts momentarily caught off guard.

"No...we're not that close. It's just that whenever the Emperor comes over, Eunuch Jing will say a few words to me. Don't worry, Shu'er, I won't say a word about anything important."

"Of course I trust you."

Meng Shu spoke gently, but with a hint of warning, "However, Jingming is, after all, the chief eunuch of the imperial palace, and his life and fortune are tied to the emperor. He is the most loyal and devoted person. Just be respectful to him on ordinary days, and even if you want to bribe him, you should do so in moderation."

Jingming is the emperor's eyes and ears; it is only right to respect him but keep him at a distance.

Frequent visits could be interpreted by those with ulterior motives as an attempt to probe the emperor's intentions.

Green Willow lowered her head, looking as if she had done something wrong: "This servant has remembered."

Meng Shu patted the bed, gesturing for her to sit down. Green Willow hesitated for a moment, then sat down on the edge of the bed, her body ramrod straight.

“You…” Meng Shu shook her head helplessly, reaching out to tidy up the stray hairs at her temples. “Donggua said that you’ve been avoiding Mengzhu these past two days. Are you planning to never speak to her again?”

Green Willow turned her face away, her fingers fiddling with the embroidery on her skirt. "She always looks at people with that kind of gaze...it annoys me."

"So you're acting like a child and throwing a tantrum?" Meng Shu chuckled, then suddenly leaned in and pinched her cheek. "When did my Green Willow become so impatient?"

Green Willow blushed deeply at the sudden intimacy and stammered, "I...I'm just so angry..."

She couldn't help but speak her mind: "Mengzhu always acts like she's standing up for Consort Chun, as if you, Shuer, stole Consort Chun's favor and owe her something. Did you enter the palace voluntarily? Even if you owe her a great debt, shouldn't you have repaid it by now? Does the Emperor have to consider her feelings when he likes someone?"

Meng Shu chuckled softly, but there was no smile in her eyes.

She reached out and tapped Green Willow's forehead: "Silly girl, do you really think the Emperor truly loves me?"

"Although I feel it's a bit deliberate..." Green Willow whispered, "the Emperor's kindness to you is undeniable."

"Perhaps," Meng Shu said noncommittally.

"But there are some things I need to make clear to you in advance. In this palace, the worst thing is for our own people to become disloyal."

Regardless, none of us can harbor any resentment towards each other. If outsiders take advantage of the situation, it will be too late.

Meng Shu put away her joking expression, "Even though Mengzhu has her faults, she cares for Consort Chun, just like you care about me. Don't worry, she's never ambiguous when it comes to important matters, otherwise Madam wouldn't have kept her by the Second Miss's side all this time."

Green Willow nodded reluctantly, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "This servant understands. Next time she speaks to me, I will pay attention to her."

Seeing that Meng Shu was still staring at her intently, Green Willow finally gave in: "Alright, alright, can I make a dress for her with that piece of fabric you gave me last time?"

As she spoke, she pursed her lips, looking as if she was reluctantly giving up something.

Meng Shu then gently rubbed her palm, her voice tinged with a hint of coquetry: "You and Donggua are the best to me, and I remember it all. With you two by my side, I don't find life in the palace too unbearable. So, we both need to take good care of ourselves."

Green Willow seized the opportunity to say, "So don't even think about getting rid of me. I'll be stuck with you for the rest of my life."

......

The inner palace, Shujing Hall.

After receiving the summons, Consort Song went straight to Consort Shen's place.

Consort Shen was taking a nap on the soft couch when she heard that Consort Song had come to visit. She quickly asked her maid to help her sit up. Her round face was even more charming due to her pregnancy. She was a woman who could eat and sleep well and looked very healthy during her pregnancy.

"Did Her Majesty send Sister Song to the temporary palace?"

Shen Jieyu's eyes lit up, and she casually picked up a candied fruit and put it in her mouth. "This is great news! Sister, don't worry about me. But you..." she suddenly lowered her voice, "you should also think about yourself. Even if it's not for favor, you should at least have a child to rely on."

Consort Shen was genuinely happy for her. Before Consort Song could speak, she quickly sent her personal maid, Yuehuan, to fetch the mother-of-pearl box from under my dressing case.

After Yue Huan withdrew, she leaned close to Song Jieyu's ear mysteriously and whispered, "I haven't even told Her Majesty the Empress this secret..."

Yuehuan brought over a brocade pouch, which Shen Jieyu secretly slipped into Song Jieyu's hand like a thief. "Sister knows I love using perfume. I've tried many kinds of fragrances, but this one is different from the others. It's the Emperor's favorite!"

She winked mischievously, "When you get to the palace, sister, apply it to your earlobes, neck, and, oh yes, your waist before serving the emperor! He likes it the most..."

Song Jieyu: "......"