Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 364 Shen Jieyu is so spineless

Early the morning after Consort Chun's birthday, the Cuiyu Hall was bathed in the soft light of dawn.

Before leaving, the Emperor specifically instructed: "Shu'er's health is of utmost importance right now, so there's no need for her to go to Renming Hall to pay her respects for the time being."

Meng Shuwen obediently agreed and personally escorted the Emperor to the gate of Lingcui Palace.

As the Emperor's figure receded into the distance, the respectful expression on Meng Shu's face vanished instantly. She turned to look at Green Willow beside her, her gaze slightly darkening: "I noticed you seemed hesitant to speak just now, what happened?"

Green Willow quickly lowered her voice: "Your Majesty, Hongyu came to report half an hour ago that she discovered this morning that Dong'er had committed suicide by poisoning herself."

"Dead?" Meng Shu's eyes suddenly turned cold.

A morning breeze blew by, lifting a stray strand of hair from her temple.

As Meng Shu was about to head towards the duty room, Green Willow stopped her, saying, "Your Highness is currently pregnant; it would be best if you didn't go. I've already sent Jinxi to the Imperial Household Department and the Palace Attendants Bureau to deliver a message..."

Meng Shu stopped and asked, "Has Lord Tong come to interrogate Zhihe and the others yet?" Zhihe was one of the four palace maids, including Hongyu, who were responsible for cleaning.

As they were talking, Xia'er came over to announce that Lord Tong had arrived.

The Imperial Household Department Director, Tong Bo, arrived with two eunuchs. He had a square, dark face and an imposing presence, but at this moment he bowed with unusual respect and said, "Your Highness, this humble official pays his respects. Last night, during the interrogation of Consort Xie, she confessed that two palace maids from Lingcui Palace were involved in the case. This humble official has come to bring them in for questioning."

Meng Shu was surprised: "How could this involve people in my palace?"

Even Green Willow was amazed by his puzzled look.

Then she feigned anger: "Could it be that Consort Xie took advantage of her position as assistant in charge of the six palaces to plant people in my Lingcui Palace! Lord Tong should investigate this carefully."

Tong Bo hurriedly bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, this case is still under investigation. I will report back to Your Majesty after the case is closed." He paused and added, "This matter is of great importance, and I hope Your Majesty will understand."

Meng Shu nodded and said, "Lord Tong is too kind. Green Willow, take Lord Tong to his duty room and give him a detailed account of Dong'er's sudden death."

......

Renming Hall.

The concubines gathered together, whispering among themselves about the shocking incident the previous night when Consort Xie was taken to the inner palace.

Consort Rong took a small sip of tea, the teacup clinking against its saucer with a crisp sound. "Consort Xie's behavior has truly betrayed the kindness of Consort Chun. Her Highness is always so kind and gentle, yet she harbors malicious intentions; it is truly chilling."

After saying that, he cast a meaningful glance at Consort Qu, "Speaking of which, Sister Qu, you lived in the same palace as her, yet you never noticed anything unusual?"

Qu Cairen said slowly and deliberately, "Sister Li is joking. Putting aside the fact that this case is still under investigation and has not been concluded, Sister Xie lives in the main hall. I am just a low-ranking concubine. Apart from paying my respects to her daily needs, it is not appropriate for me to disturb her too much."

The Empress gently tapped the table, and the hall immediately fell silent.

"Whether Xie harbored any intention to harm others will be investigated by the Imperial Household Department. If she truly intended to harm Consort Chun, the Emperor and I will not let her off lightly."

She glanced at everyone, then changed the subject: "Consort Meng is currently pregnant, and the decree for her promotion will be issued in the next couple of days. At that time, you sisters can go to Lingcui Palace to offer your congratulations. She needs to rest and recuperate for the next two days, so please do not disturb her peace."

All the concubines rose in unison and agreed.

Wu Yunu sighed, "Sister Meng is truly blessed. She has become one of the Nine Concubines in one day, and who knows if she will be promoted to Imperial Concubine in the future."

All the concubines present, except for Consort Chun, showed expressions of envy.

Shen Jieyu stroked her swollen belly, her voice tinged with bitterness: "Meng Jieyu, your good fortune has come at just the right time."

"She became pregnant not long after receiving the favor of being selected as a concubine... Otherwise, given her background as a concubine, even if she gave birth to a prince, according to the ancestral system of our dynasty, her life would end at the rank of a fourth-grade concubine."

Consort Rong covered her lips with her sleeve, her words tinged with a smile: "Sister Shen is also quite fortunate. Once she gives birth to the imperial heir safely, her promotion to the rank of Consort will be a natural progression."

Upon hearing this, Consort Shen's lips curled up slightly, but Consort Chun coldly retorted, "Consort Shen is utterly spineless."

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances and turned to look at Consort Chun.

Consort Shen's face flushed red as she stroked her belly and said, "What makes you say that, Consort Chun? I was merely making a casual remark..."

"Just a casual remark?" Consort Chun chuckled lightly, but there was no hint of amusement in her eyes.

"Last night, upon hearing that Shu'er was pregnant, you were so alarmed that you became anxious. What else could this be but a complete lack of tolerance?"

Then her tone turned stern: "Knowing that the pregnancy is unstable, you should rest quietly in your palace for the sake of the baby. It's one thing for you to come and pay your respects to the Empress without regard for your health, but you also have to say these jealous and sour things. You're just making a fool of yourself."

The hall fell silent instantly.

Song Jieyu wanted to defend Shen Yi'an, but after opening her mouth, she ultimately said nothing, only offering a few words of comfort to Shen Jieyu in a low voice.

Seeing the tense atmosphere in the hall, the Empress slowly spoke: "Alright. Consort Meng's pregnancy is a joyous occasion for the entire palace. Her status is a gift bestowed by the Emperor himself. If anyone dares to make any further comments, don't blame me for dealing with her according to palace rules!"

The concubines immediately rose to listen to the instructions.

The Empress gave a brief reprimand, then quickly changed the subject, saying meaningfully to Consort Chun, "Speaking of which, Consort Chun has been favored ever since she entered the palace, but Consort Meng beat her to it. She should take good care of herself now and give the Emperor an heir as soon as possible."

After speaking, she looked around at everyone and said, "Now that Consort Meng needs to rest and prepare for childbirth, it is inconvenient for her to serve His Majesty. My sisters, you should seize this opportunity and work hard. As long as you catch the Emperor's eye, good fortune is yet to come."

......

Cuiyu Hall.

Dong'er committed suicide, and Zhihe and Lianrui were personally escorted away by the Imperial Household Department Manager, leaving only Hongyu and Hongfei in the outer palace duty room.

Hongfei has a beautiful appearance, but she is now frightened and her face is pale. In contrast, Hongyu is still quite calm.

"Yu'er, Zhihe and the others... will something have happened to them?" Hong Fei asked, her voice choked with emotion.

Hongyu had just received her meal from the small kitchen when she sat down at the table and invited Hongfei to eat.

She calmly handed over the chopsticks.

"Although we are lowly palace maids, we must always be mindful of what we should do, what we can do, how we should do it, and to what extent we should do it, whether we should do more or less."

Hongyu sighed softly, "Since they dared to do it, they should have expected this outcome. Why do you worry about them?"

Hongfei bit her lip. She was close to Qingyin, who was by Xie Meiren's side, and at this moment she was most afraid of being implicated. She was not worried about others.

Hongyu noticed her concerns and reassured her, "You didn't tell anyone, so Her Majesty won't make things difficult for you."

How do you know the Empress won't take her anger out on you?

Hongyu pointed to the exquisite food on the table, "Her Majesty treats her servants extremely well. Look at all the lowly palace maids in the palace; none of them get to eat like this. Even the Empress has a small kitchen in her palace, but the palace servants still have to go to the kitchen for coarse food... Besides, all Her Majesty wants is loyalty. As long as we..."

Under the eaves of the duty room, Green Willow listened quietly for a while before turning and returning to the inner hall.

Inside the bedchamber, Meng Shu was reading a book on a soft couch by the window when she saw Lü Liu enter. She looked up and asked, "How is it?"

Green Willow curtsied and replied, "Your Majesty's guess is correct; Hongyu is doing well for now. As for Hongfei... she is worried that Zhihe and the others will implicate her."

Meng Shu nodded gently and said nothing more.

Donggua came in and brought a plate of steamed apples and a bowl of clear soup, urging Meng Shu to eat them while they were hot.

"Shushu, logically speaking, Consort Xie has just been demoted, and this is the time when she should be cautious in her words and deeds. How could she be so foolish as to dare to plot against Consort Chun?"

Winter Melon's question echoed the same doubts that Green Willow had in her mind.

The green willow quickly perked up its little ears.