Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 380 Song Jieyu Hit Someone

The candle flickers in the west wind, the water clock drips through the red corridor.

It was already past 7 PM, and there was still no news about Consort Shen from Cining Palace.

Green Willow returned from outside under the cover of night and went straight into the Jade Hall.

Meng Shu had already removed her hairpins and was being helped by Xia'er to change into her nightgown. Upon seeing her return, Xia'er curtsied and withdrew.

"Your Majesty, it wasn't until the afternoon that Consort Qu was sent back to Chunxi Palace. The Empress Dowager even specifically assigned Physician Sun to treat her injuries."

Green Willow paused, her voice even softer, "The Emperor, upon hearing of her selfless protection, personally went to visit her..."

"Where is Nagqu Baolin?"

Meng Shu interrupted.

"...Her Majesty the Empress has ordered her to be taken back to the Qianying Pavilion and confined to her quarters. Lord Tong, the Director of the Imperial Household Department, has sent eight palace maids to accompany her, saying that he wants to question her in detail."

Meng Shu pondered for a moment and said, "It seems that Lord Tong has not yet noticed anything amiss?"

Green Willow replied, "I heard that Miss Xingyu went to the Leading Pavilion and stayed there for about half an hour before returning."

Meng Shu didn't speak again, and pondered for a while before saying to Lvliu, "Go and rest early, the full moon ceremony at Fengxian Hall tomorrow will require a lot of effort."

......

That night, few in the palace slept soundly.

Consort Shen gave birth prematurely in a side hall of Cining Palace. Physician He and the other imperial physicians knelt outside a screen, carefully considering prescriptions. The midwife tried her best, but Consort Song could still hear Consort Shen's cries of pain growing louder and louder...

Inside the Chunxi Hall.

Qu Cairen lay quietly on the couch covered with soft silk, the wound on her back throbbing slightly.

In fact, while she was in the warm pavilion, although she stood in front of the screen, she remained fully conscious. Her brief "unconsciousness" was just a performance for others to see.

Ruixue held up a mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquer box and said softly, "Your Highness, Consort Qi has sent over some wound medicine and a box of scar-removing ointment. I heard it's a unique remedy from a local doctor in Jinzhou. I'll apply it for you after the wound has scabbed over in a few days."

Qu Cairen slowly raised her eyes, her gaze lingering on the exquisite lacquer box for a moment. "Keep it. I'll just use Physician Sun's prescription."

She smiled and said, "The wound is on my back, so what does it matter if it leaves a scar?"

It's good to keep it; it might keep the emperor in mind.

“Your Highness was terrified just now. Even if you are protecting Princess Lingyi, you should also take care of yourself.” Ruixue’s eyes were red.

Qu Cairen closed her eyes and remained silent, letting Ruixue tuck the blanket around her. The candlelight cast a flickering shadow on her pale face, but it couldn't hide the fleeting smile that appeared in her eyes.

How could she possibly miss such a golden opportunity?

When Wu Cang went berserk and lunged straight at Qu Baolin's skirt, she instantly realized what was going on. Although she didn't know what had been done to the brocade, if she investigated further, the fabric was indeed a gift she had given to her cousin...

She really had to thank Consort Song for that kick; otherwise, how could she have escaped unscathed and then so easily done Consort Qi a favor?

At this time, the Empress was still in Cining Palace.

She had just finished serving the Empress Dowager when she turned back to the side hall. In the distance, she saw the Emperor still pacing outside, the gold-embroidered cloud patterns on his black dragon robe flickering in the candlelight.

"Has Consort Song gone back?" The Empress scanned the empty main hall but did not see Consort Song.

Zhixue, who had been waiting there, cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, Consort Shen was in great pain just now, and Consort Song rushed into the delivery room."

As she spoke, she glanced furtively towards the inner room, "The Emperor... actually acquiesced."

The Empress suddenly scoffed: "After all, we have a bond from childhood. I still think of her as an ice sculpture."

......

The next morning.

As Meng Shu was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror, Green Willow came in carrying a hot handkerchief, her eyes filled with joy: "Your Majesty, I just received news that Consort Shen gave birth to a little princess yesterday at 3:45 AM."

As she styled Meng Shu's hair, she said, "If Your Majesty's next pregnancy results in a prince, he will immediately claim the title of the eldest prince..."

Before he finished speaking, Donggua came in carrying a copper basin and whispered, "Imperial Physician Jian was also here yesterday. He brought out a message early this morning, saying that Consort Shen has suffered a serious injury and it will be difficult for her to conceive again in the future."

The warm water in the copper basin rippled in several circles.

Donggua sighed as he recounted the news he had just heard from Ruizhu: "Before dawn, Consort Song barged into Qianying Pavilion and whipped Consort Qu more than a dozen times. If it weren't for the Empress's people stopping her, Consort Qu would have almost lost her life."

The jade hairpin in Meng Shu's hand fell onto the dressing table. "Song Jieyu went to Qianying Pavilion and even got into a fight?"

Donggua nodded, "That's right! This servant made some pastries and sent them to Huining Palace this morning. Ruizhu said that after Song Jieyu hit someone, she went to Funing Palace to apologize."

Green Willow gasped, "This...this violates palace rules! I never expected Consort Song to be so reckless..."

Meng Shu secretly admired this genuine nature, even though her actions were indeed a bit rash.

Because today is Princess Lingyi's full moon celebration, the morning audience at Renming Palace is waived. After having breakfast, Meng Shu rode in a palanquin to Fengxian Palace.

He met up with Consort Chun in front of the Fengxian Hall, and the two walked side by side up the white marble steps.

"His Majesty did not investigate Consort Song's faults thoroughly," Consort Chun said to Meng Shu while tidying up her shawl. "He only said that Consort Shen was weak after childbirth and ordered Consort Song to take good care of her. The matter of hitting someone was thus dropped."

Just as Meng Shu was about to speak, she suddenly heard loud music playing in front of her, and the imperial carriage of the emperor and empress arrived, surrounded by a grand procession.

Consort Qi followed closely behind the imperial carriage, a red gold hairpin inlaid with rubies adorning her temples, which made her appear somewhat elegant and noble.

Since it happened to be the day Consort Shen gave birth to a daughter, when the concubines paid their respects, they inevitably added a few auspicious phrases like "double happiness" to their congratulatory messages. The Emperor was especially happy today. He took the ceremonial gift from Consort Qi's arms and personally carried it to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to perform the ancestral worship ceremony.