Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 523 Retrieve That Thing

The secrets of the imperial harem are hidden in the shadows, but news of the open competition for favor always spreads the fastest.

Yang Baolin's attempt to obstruct the emperor's journey under the pretext of admiring the sunset was discovered even by Pei Baolin within a single night. Naturally, she wouldn't let such an opportunity slip by.

At the gate of Renming Hall.

“Sister Huixin, you were truly enjoying yourself yesterday. Was the sunset at Chengrui Pavilion really more enchanting than elsewhere?” Pei Baolin’s eyes flickered as she looked Yang Baolin up and down, her tone becoming increasingly sharp, “To think that you could admire the scenery right up to the Emperor… Be careful next time, lest you stumble again. If you offend the Emperor, your refined pleasure will become a sin.”

Upon hearing this, the ladies-in-waiting around him chuckled softly, covering their faces with their handkerchiefs.

Yang Baolin looked embarrassed. "What are you saying, Sister Pei?"

Consort Qi stood on the steps, supported by Hua Jin, her brows furrowed, and coldly rebuked, "Hurry up and go in. If you miss the time for paying your respects, the Empress will be furious."

Everyone quickly fell silent. Yang Baolin seemed relieved and walked up the stone steps with her head down. Meng Shu, accompanied by Lü Liu, came from the other end of the palace road and happened to hear Qi Pin's reprimand, as well as most of what Pei Baolin had just said.

Her gaze first swept over Yang Baolin's reddened ear tips and taut shoulder line, then lightly swept over Pei Baolin, Ye Baolin and the others.

When Consort Qi saw her arrive, she quickly composed herself. Consort Mu also stepped forward from behind the crowd, and the two of them led a group of lower-ranking concubines to curtsy in greeting.

Meng Shu raised her hand. "We're all here to pay our respects, no need for formalities. It's getting late, let's go inside together."

After saying that, she stepped into the hall.

As he passed by Ye Baolin, his gaze suddenly paused. "The intricately carved hairpin that Ye Baolin is wearing today is exquisitely crafted, shimmering and dazzling, and it suits you very well."

Ye Baolin was taken aback when Consort Jin noticed her. She quickly replied with delight, "Your Majesty, this hairpin was a gift from the Empress yesterday. She said that I have served her diligently lately, so she gave me this hairpin as a keepsake. I wore it today especially because it is my good fortune to receive Your Majesty's praise."

"The Empress's gift is naturally of high quality. It looks good on you, and it does not disappoint her kindness."

Zhixue led everyone into the hall, and after a while, Consort Chun and Consort Shun arrived.

After the greetings were completed, the Empress raised her hand to signal everyone to take their seats and instructed the palace servants to serve fragrant tea and several kinds of delicate pastries.

The Empress picked up her teacup with her slender fingers, took a small sip, and then spoke slowly: "Back on Mid-Autumn Festival, I specifically discussed a matter with His Majesty. The ranks of several Baolin ladies in the harem have remained unchanged for a long time. When the Yan and Yu regions suffered a severe drought, all the ladies in the palace did their utmost to contribute funds and supplies to share the burden of the court. His Majesty was very pleased and intended to promote your ranks as a sign of his favor."

As soon as he finished speaking, a slight commotion arose below the steps, and several Baolin members quietly raised their eyes, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Consort Chun and Meng Shu exchanged a glance. Meng Shu shook her head almost imperceptibly. The Emperor had not given her any hints beforehand.

The Empress wore a dignified smile as her gaze swept over the two of them, as if she were carefully considering her words.

"Yun Baolin is dignified and polite, and has never made a mistake. Moreover, she is a cousin of Consort Chun. The palace should take care of her, so she is promoted to the rank of Beauty. Yang Baolin and Ye Baolin have also been quite sensible lately. They made generous donations last time, so they are hereby promoted to the rank of Beauty as well."

As soon as the words were spoken, Yun Baolin, Yang Baolin, and Ye Baolin immediately knelt down to express their gratitude.

Ye Baolin was overjoyed to receive the honor of being promoted. She had a round face, broad eyes and brows, and a plump figure, which was exactly the kind of face that the palace admired for its fertility.

The Empress's gaze lingered on her for a moment, a hint of scrutiny in her eyes. "Rise, all of you. I hope you will be careful in your words and deeds in the future, abide by the palace rules, and never fail to live up to the Emperor's and my grace."

Meng Shu took in the whole scene.

Thinking of the meaningful glance the Empress had given Ye Baolin earlier, the vague and unclear thoughts that had been swirling in her mind since last night suddenly became clear.

After the morning prayers, everyone left the main hall in order.

A cool autumn breeze swept over her, carrying with it the distinctive medicinal scent of Renming Palace, which lingered in her nostrils. Meng Shu subconsciously furrowed her brows slightly. The sudden clarity she had felt in the palace just moments before was now replaced by a strange sense of bewilderment and chill as the wind blew through her.

......

Inside the spacious main hall of Renming Hall.

The concubines who had come to pay their respects had long since dispersed, but the Empress remained seated motionless on her phoenix throne. Her eyes were slightly lowered, and her fingertips unconsciously traced the relief carvings on the armrests of the throne, lost in thought.

"Your Majesty," Zhixue stepped forward quietly, her voice extremely soft, as if afraid of disturbing the silence, "It's time to go back to your chambers to take your medicine."

The Empress seemed not to hear, remaining in her previous posture, silent for a long time. Suddenly, she slowly raised her hand and habitually called out to the empty space beside her, "Granny Gui, help me up..."

The moment the words left his mouth, the hall fell silent once more.

Zhixue stood at the foot of the steps, her nose slightly sore. "Your Highness, Granny Gui... is no longer here."

The Empress suddenly snapped out of her daze, staring blankly at the empty space beside her, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Yes, Granny Gui is gone."

As she spoke, she slowly raised her hand and gently touched her lower abdomen. It was perfectly flat. Since her miscarriage, she had tried countless remedies and even used forbidden medicines while in the palace, but it was all in vain.

As her fingertips touched the cold silk, the light in her eyes dimmed little by little. "My body is beyond saving, even if I use all the rarest medicines in the world, it will be in vain. I'm afraid I will never have my own child in this lifetime."

"Your Majesty," Zhixue immediately knelt at her feet upon hearing this, "As long as Consort Mu, as well as the newly promoted Consort Yang and Consort Ye, can win the Emperor's favor, any children they have in the future will be Your Majesty's children! Your Majesty will always be the Empress, the mother of all the princes."

A sliver of light was gently lifted from the dead silence in the Empress's eyes.

She slowly rose, supported by Zhixue's arm, and walked around the nanmu wood screen in the hall painted with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix. Instead of going to her usual sleeping quarters, she went straight to the warm pavilion on the west side.

The room had been dark for a long time, and a faint smell of blood filled the air.

"Go, bring that thing here." The Empress's voice came through the gap in the brocade curtain.

Zhi Xue sighed softly outside, turned around and took a porcelain bowl from Xing Yu who was waiting under the eaves. The soup in the bowl was an eerie dark red, more somber than ordinary medicine.

She carried the items to the door of the warm pavilion and gently knocked on the curtain twice: "Your Highness, I have brought the items."