Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 401 Top-Tier Master

Aunt Mei went to Ganlu Palace before noon. When she went, she specially asked the cook to make a few snacks from Yun Baolin's hometown.

I stayed inside the hall for a full hour.

As she left, Yun Baolin personally helped her to the gate of the vermilion palace, her fingertips still trembling slightly: "It was my foolishness that caused my aunt so much trouble."

Aunt Mei said gently, "Baolin and our Lady are cousins ​​after all. As long as you can understand this, you have a long life ahead of you."

Yun Baolin leaned against the palace gate and gently instructed Gui Qiu beside her, "You originally came from your cousin's palace, so please escort Aunt Mei along the way and also have a chat with Ruizhu and the others."

A smile appeared on Aunt Mei's lips. Without refusing, she left Ganlu Palace with Guiqiu.

Yun Baolin had already felt a pang of regret, but seeing that Aunt Mei appreciated her kindness, her heart felt somewhat relieved. As she turned back to the side hall, she happened to run into Consort Rong, who was about to leave.

Today, Consort Rong wore a gray squirrel fur jacket with a dark pattern, and her dark hair was adorned only with a single mutton-fat jade hairpin. She wore no other adornments whatsoever. She rarely dressed so simply, and only when going to the Cining Palace would she dress like this.

Remembering Aunt Mei's advice, Yun Baolin curtsied and made way for her, unlike her usual warm and friendly manner.

Rong Meiren paused slightly, her gaze lingering on Yun Meiren's reddened eyes, and asked with concern, "It's windy in winter, why are you standing in the wind, Sister Yun?"

"I heard this morning that my sister's personal maid was sent away. Has Consort Chun sent a new palace maid? If you need help, you can temporarily use Jixiang from my palace..."

......

Cuiyu Hall.

Madam Yun acted swiftly, and within a few days she had uncovered some clues.

That morning, Meng Shu had just finished breakfast when Green Willow hurriedly came in carrying a letter sealed with wax.

Madam Yun discovered that the aunt mentioned in Xiuyun's letter had indeed come to the capital with the Duke of Qing back then and was settled in a two-courtyard house in Changlefang. She became pregnant shortly afterward.

Strangely, about a decade or so ago, the house was suddenly emptied overnight, and none of the neighbors heard a sound. The owner of the house, along with three female servants, vanished without a trace, as if they had evaporated into thin air...

"After my aunt's husband eloped with someone, she actually became the Duke of Qing's... mistress?"

Meng Shu frowned as she finished reading the letter, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

In her letter, Madam Yun frankly stated her analysis, which coincided with her guess—they both combined the nanny's situation with the timing of the aunt's disappearance to conclude that the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qing's mansion was most likely the biological child of Aunt Xiuyun.

However, whether their speculation is true or not, and what exactly happened more than a decade ago, remains to be verified.

Meng Shu threw the letter into the brazier, watching the flames slowly devour the pages. The flickering firelight reflected in her calm eyes, and her thoughts surged along with it.

If the speculation is true, did Consort Qing know about it? And how could Madam Qing willingly register a child born to a concubine under her name and treat it as her own?

If the Emperor were to learn that the woman he once adored was not the legitimate daughter of the Duke's family, how would he react?

And when and how will this hidden past be turned into a sharp weapon in our hands...?

Thinking of this, Meng Shu instructed, "Call Xia'er in, I have something to ask her."

Green Willow agreed and soon led Xia'er into the bedroom, then stood guard outside the door.

After Xia'er finished her greetings, Meng Shu asked, "Back then, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qing's mansion died suddenly from an illness. Did you hear any rumors about it when you were in the mansion?"

"Your Majesty, I was young at the time and only vaguely remember that the illness started at night. By the time the imperial physician arrived, the person was already gone."

Meng Shu's gaze sharpened. "At that time, did His Majesty visit the Duke's residence?"

Xia'er shook her head, "This servant doesn't remember, but it shouldn't be. Moreover, not long after the eldest young lady passed away, the manor suffered a calamity."

Meng Shu pondered for a moment, then suddenly leaned forward: "When you and Granny Yu are out and about, you might 'casually' mention Chang Le Fang..."

......

By mid-December, the Emperor issued an edict lifting Consort Qing's confinement, but she was still unable to return to her original title of "Consort".

The following day, the Empress summoned the concubines of the six palaces to discuss the New Year's sacrifices and the New Year's Eve banquet.

Meng Shu arrived not too late. Just as she stepped off the palanquin, supported by Lv Liu, the sisters Qu Meiren and Qu Baolin arrived.

(Note: Apart from serving the emperor in bed, only those of the rank of concubine or above were entitled to ride in a palanquin on a daily basis.)

Consort Qu looked rather haggard, dressed in a plain, lotus-colored palace gown, appearing quite simple. Beside her, Consort Qu, however, was adorned with jewels and wore a silk jacket embroidered with butterflies and clouds, dazzling in the sunlight.

"May Your Highness Consort Jin enjoy boundless blessings."

Qu Baolin rushed forward and gracefully bowed, the gold and jade bracelets on her wrists clinking crisply. Qu Meiren seemed a beat slower, standing a distance away and slightly turning her body to offer a curtsy.

Meng Shu noticed the bracelet on Qu Baolin's wrist and glanced lightly at the two of them.

Even at that one glance, she couldn't help but sigh. When it comes to the skill of feigning weakness in the palace, Consort Qu is truly a first-rate expert.

Ever since Consort Qu moved into Chunxi Palace, she has taken all of Consort Qu's allowances, even those bestowed by the Emperor. Not only does she have to use the rouge and face powder first, but she also has to choose the latest fabrics for her clothes first. Even the silver charcoal that is only available to Consorts has been moved by Consort Qu to her own West Warm Pavilion.

This matter has long been a laughing stock in the palace. Even the lowly palace maids who sweep and shovel probably know that Consort Qu is a soft-hearted person who doesn't dare to say a word even when her lower-ranking cousin bullies her.

Meng Shu, supporting Lv Liu's hand, walked ahead and casually asked, "Why does Consort Qu look so unwell?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Qu blushed slightly and was about to speak when Consort Qu interrupted her, saying, "Your Majesty, my cousin caught a chill last night, and the imperial physician said..."

"—How did the bracelet I gave to Sister Qu end up on your wrist?"

Qi Zhaorong's cold and deep voice suddenly came from behind.