Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 517 Handprint Notes and Banners (1)

Inside the Hanxiang Pavilion's sleeping quarters, Consort Mu had indeed fainted.

In the afternoon, she sparred with Consort Shun, both using whips. Consort Mu was less skilled and was accidentally struck by the whip's end. Although she felt some pain, she didn't pay much attention. However, she suddenly fainted in the hot spring while bathing earlier. If Feng Chi hadn't been attending to her, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

The Emperor rushed over upon hearing the news. The imperial physician had already examined her pulse. "Your Majesty," the physician said, "Consort Mu is currently fine. However, judging from her pulse and symptoms, it seems that her heart is gradually becoming deprived of nourishment. This condition is caused by her daily worries and anxieties, which have led to stagnation of Qi in her internal organs and an imbalance of Yin and Yang. In addition, she exerted herself too much today, causing a sudden surge of Qi and blood, which resulted in her fainting today."

(Author's translation: Has depressive tendencies)

The next day, the Empress issued an edict in Renming Palace, punishing Consort Shun for what happened the day before, but only by forfeiting three months' salary. The Empress strictly ordered that Consort Shun and Consort Mu should no longer practice martial arts or compete, and sent people to confiscate all the long whips in their palaces.

However, because of this incident, the Emperor visited Consort Mu twice in the following days. On his second visit, he stayed at her palace.

Another Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived in the blink of an eye.

At the palace banquet in Cining Palace, Meng Shu and Consort Chun arrived at the appointed time, neither too early nor too late. Behind them, each was a wet nurse, carefully holding Yu Nu'er and Kang Ge'er. The two children wore matching moon-white brocade robes with delicate embroidered patterns on the collars, their little faces full of curiosity, their round eyes constantly looking around.

As soon as they entered the palace, they saw that Consort Qi had already arrived and was talking with Empress Dowager Jiang.

Empress Dowager Jiang held the eldest princess, Afu, in her arms. The little girl was wearing a pink jacket and was waving a small jade ruyi in her hand. When she saw Meng Shu and Consort Chun enter, the Empress Dowager smiled and waved her hand. She then ordered the female official beside her to come forward: "Quickly bring the eldest prince and the second prince to me so that I can have a good look at them."

The wet nurses approached quietly. Empress Dowager Jiang first took Yu Nu'er, pinched his chubby little hands, and then touched his face, her eyes crinkling with laughter: "This child has grown quite strong again. Look at his little arms, like lotus roots, so adorable." As she spoke, she had someone fetch a similar jade ruyi, "This is my Mid-Autumn Festival gift for Jing'er, to bless our eldest prince so that he may grow up safely and peacefully."

Then she took the Second Prince and saw that although he was not as strong as Yu Nu'er, he was full of energy. The smile in her eyes deepened: "Kang'er has grown taller. He used to cry and fuss a lot, but now he seems more composed."

The nanny beside her brought over a white jade safety buckle. Empress Dowager Jiang glanced at Consort Chun and said, "This safety buckle was given to me by the late Empress. Now I give it to Lin'er, wishing him to be free from illness and disaster and to be healthy in the future."

Consort Chun's heart stirred, and she quickly expressed her gratitude on behalf of the child: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

Consort Qi chuckled and teased, "The Empress Dowager has brought out all her treasures today; Afu was just begging for them."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager tapped Afu's little nose and said, "Let her choose whatever she wants from my palace. I'll have the Emperor find something even better for Lingyi later." Her words caused everyone in the palace to cover their mouths and chuckle.

Consort Shen was not present today, but the Second Princess was brought over by her wet nurse early on and is currently being carefully looked after by Consort Mu.

Consort Shun hadn't noticed it at first, but seeing the four adorable babies playing and joking around, the atmosphere in the palace became much more relaxed, and she couldn't help but feel envious.

Xiaodie and Suqin noticed their master's expression, exchanged a glance, and smiled knowingly.

Taking advantage of the lively atmosphere in the hall, Suqin leaned down and whispered, "Your Majesty, look how well-behaved the two princes and the little princesses are, not crying or making a fuss. The eldest princess is not shy at all; as soon as she entered the hall, she respectfully called out 'Grandmother Empress,' which made Her Majesty the Empress Dowager very happy."

Consort Shun, unusually, did not refute, but simply gazed ahead quietly, a gentle light gradually appearing in her eyes.

The Empress's gaze occasionally swept over the Second Prince. She rose and walked to the Empress Dowager, saying gently, "Mother, this is the first time I have met the Second Prince. I have prepared a few things as a token of my respect."

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled and nodded: "It should be made up. As the Empress, you should treat these four children as your own and take good care of them. Only in this way can you maintain the demeanor of an Empress."

Zhi Xue and Xing Yu then stepped forward, each carrying a vermilion lacquered wooden tray. On the trays were four red gold longevity locks, as well as two exquisite toys: a jade nine-linked ring and a Luban lock carved with flower and bird patterns. Both were ingenious objects that could amuse children and enlighten their minds.

"Your Majesty is very kind." Empress Dowager Jiang's smile deepened upon seeing this, and she nodded in satisfaction.

The palace banquet was scheduled for the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), by which time the sky was completely dark and a full moon hung in the mid-sky.

Empress Dowager Jiang looked out of the palace and said to Li, the eunuch beside her, "It's almost time. Why hasn't the emperor arrived yet? Go to the front hall and see if there's any delay."

Li, the eunuch, bowed and replied, and just as he reached the outer corridor, he heard a message being relayed.

Before long, the Emperor strode into the flower hall, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe with a jade belt around his waist. His brow was relaxed, and his face bore a rare smile of ease. He walked up to Empress Dowager Jiang, bowed, and said, "The moon is full in the sky, and your benevolent light shines eternally. Your son respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health, long life, and the joys of family life."

Empress Dowager Jiang asked with a smile, "Is there some joyous occasion today? I haven't seen the Emperor so happy in a long time."

The Empress led the concubines in bowing to the Emperor.

After the ceremony, everyone's eyes fell on the object Jingming was holding. It was covered with bright yellow brocade, and looked square with soft curves at the edges, like a neatly folded piece of cloth.

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(I need to go to bed early tonight because I'm going to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor tomorrow. I'll be updating twice a day this weekend. Thanks!)