Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 156 Entering the Palace to Express Gratitude - Part 3

From afar, one could see the Second Miss emerging from the palace gate behind the Princess, followed by four palace maids carrying various rewards.

Hua Yan and Mingyue stepped forward to pay their respects. After rising, Hua Yan quietly handed the bronze ruyi-shaped cloud-patterned hand warmer to the Second Miss. The Second Miss was startled by the cold wind as she stepped out of the palace. Only after seeing Hua Yan did her heart, which had been awed by the Emperor's majesty, slowly return to normal.

I felt strangely at ease.

Hua Yan felt much more at ease when she saw the second young lady nod slightly to her.

The group followed Min Rong, the Imperial Attendant (a title for a lady-in-waiting in the imperial harem), to the Empress's palace. Hua Yan and the others, being of low status, consciously followed at the back and accepted the gifts presented by the palace maids.

However, when she took it, Hua Yan flipped her hand and handed the other person a small lotus-colored purse.

This palace maid with an oval face and a small mole on her cheek was very clever. Her expression did not change at all, and she quickly stuffed the item into her sleeve. In the meantime, she even touched the contents of her purse. When she realized that it was a few bead-shaped ornaments, she was very curious but did not want to open it on the spot.

Turning past the palace wall, there is a long palace road, and the snow along the way has been cleared away.

Min Shangyi slowed his pace slightly and reminded him:

"Her Majesty the Empress is the most virtuous and gentle ruler of the land. There are established rules for this audience. The Princess and Consort need not be alarmed. Just follow the instructions of Eunuch Quan, behave appropriately, and respond politely."

The princess thanked him first, and Min Shangyi paused briefly before leading the way, unusually adding a word:

"Consort Min is magnificent and powerful, and enjoys the Emperor's deep favor."

There's no need to offer any further advice.

This aunt had clearly served the emperor for a long time; she possessed a calm demeanor, was humble and considerate, and always knew when to stop.

With the current turmoil in the court, the palace servants are the first to be alert and the most fearful. Having served daily within the palace, they are accustomed to the intrigue and treachery, and are most sensitive to changing circumstances. Moreover, having fought their way to their current positions through hardship, they are the least willing to accept any change.

The Crown Prince was bedridden again before the New Year, and it seemed he was going to die. The palace servants, who had been waiting for years, had their own thoughts on which of the three princes—Prince Yu, Prince Heng, and Prince Jin—would ultimately take the throne.

Therefore, whenever possible, people will usually offer assistance at this time in order to protect themselves in the future.

Min Shangyi had been navigating the palace for over thirty years, carefully managing his actions and quietly placing his bets on the Prince of Jin.

She saw the shadow of the emperor in his youth in this prince who did not appear to be of noble birth.

The palace maid who received the purse also showed goodwill to Hua Yan, whispering in Hua Yan's ear: "Consort Zhen handled things properly in front of the palace, even Aunt Rong nodded in approval."

Hua Yan's Di Si Ge couldn't find out anything from inside the palace, but Madam Yun had mentioned Min Shangyi, saying: "He is upright and honest, and also knows how to assess situations. If you have to face him, the important thing is not to do anything, but to do nothing."

Therefore, Hua Yan did not bother with any scheming. She only needed to find out through the palace maids whether there were any mistakes during the thanksgiving ceremony at Funing Palace, and then she was at peace with herself.

The Empress resided in Renming Hall. The group parted at the hall's entrance. Min Shangyi led the two princesses into the hall under the guidance of the eunuch Quan. Hua Yan and the others followed the palace servants to a room to wait.

The room was warm and cozy, with bright and clean windows and a charcoal brazier on the floor.

Before long, a palace maid served tea. Hua Yan observed for a moment and saw that everyone in the Empress's palace, whether eunuchs or maids, was not only well-mannered but also had gentle and harmless expressions.

This slightly leisurely state is quite similar to that of the servants in the Tang family, a mental outlook that can only be cultivated by a long period of stable life.

Just as the lady said, the Empress treats her subordinates very well.

The crown prince was not born to the empress. The empress was the second empress, who had given birth to a prince and a princess, but both died when they were two or three years old.

After that, the Empress seemed disheartened. Just when everyone thought she would raise the eldest prince, who was not yet the crown prince, she unexpectedly relinquished her power to assist in managing the six palaces, citing poor health. She was kind but not particularly approachable to the princes, and spent most of her time tending to flowers and plants.

Hua Yan privately felt that with the title of Empress, no one could bully her. As for the Emperor's favor, it would be irrelevant after she reached middle age. Living such a life behind closed doors seemed most suitable for the Second Miss.

Unfortunately, she was merely a maidservant who accompanied the bride. She could not overstep her bounds and make decisions for the second young lady, nor would the madam and the head of the household agree to it. Moreover, the second young lady had a long and arduous road ahead if she wanted to replace the princess.

Time flies when you're lost in thought.

About half an hour later, a palace maid informed Hua Yan and the others to wait in front. A moment later, the princess and the second young lady followed a beautiful concubine out of Renming Palace.

The second young lady remained calm, while the princess's face showed a slight hint of seriousness. However, after walking for only a short while, there was no further abnormality.

The Empress's gifts were carried by several palace maids from Renming Palace.

Hua Yan caught a glimpse of the Second Miss's hand, which had been hidden in her sleeve, unfold and sway slightly backward twice. This was a gesture agreed upon by the mistress and servant, indicating that everything was going smoothly.

Consort Hui remained silent the entire way, creating an inexplicably heavy atmosphere.

It wasn't until they arrived at Ciyuan Palace, where Consort Hui resided, and met Prince Jin, who had been waiting there, that Consort Hui smiled and said a few words.

This time, Hua Yan and Xing Yu, along with several other maids, were also able to enter the bedroom. Ci Yuan Palace was not very spacious, and its furnishings were not luxurious, but rather exuded a refined elegance.

Consort Hui sat upright on one side of the kang table, and palace maids stepped forward to place two embroidered stools on it.

"Don't be shy, everyone, please sit down."

Prince Jin smiled and, together with his wife and second daughter, knelt to pay their respects, saying, "Greetings, Mother."

Consort Hui smiled and said, "We're family, so there's no need for formalities. The Princess and Consort Zhen have already knelt many times today, so please get up and don't tire yourselves out."

A palace maid entered with light footsteps, bringing tea, fruit, and snacks. The Prince of Jin said:

"Mother, do you know that the milk tea I brought you the other day was made by the little maid in Consort Zhen's courtyard when she was still waiting to be married?"

Consort Hui's eyes lit up, and she spoke to the Second Miss with a more intimate tone, saying:

"The milk tea tastes excellent, especially the little dumplings inside, which are quite interesting. Everyone in the capital says that Consort Zhen is gentle and kind, and she is very benevolent. I didn't expect that Consort Zhen is also very good at teaching her servants. As for this milk tea, Her Majesty the Empress praised it several times after tasting it."

Having said that, Consort Hui shifted her gaze from the Second Miss and glanced at Hua Yan and Ming Yue. Seeing their proper demeanor with their heads bowed, she didn't take it to heart, even though one of them was more beautiful and outstanding. Instead, she felt even more satisfied with the Tang family.

This observation naturally drew attention to Xingyu and Yunshuang. When they saw Yunshuang, their gazes darkened for a moment, but they continued chatting and laughing with an indifferent expression.

The second young lady said softly, "It's a blessing for us maids that Mother Consort likes milk tea."

Princess Wang replied with a smile, "My daughter-in-law's best friend from her youth once attended a banquet at the Tang residence and praised her highly upon her return. When we return to the residence, I will surely visit my sister's courtyard to have a taste of her newfound beauty."

The second young lady pursed her lips and replied, "Your Highness is too kind. I will have my maid send some to Ruyi Palace when I return."

Prince Jin followed up with a slightly mischievous tone: "I shamelessly begged for some milk tea on the day I proposed marriage. I've missed it quite a bit since then. When I get back to my residence, I'll definitely have to go to Yunyi Courtyard to ask for another cup."

These words were practically a clear indication that she intended to go to Yunyi Courtyard that evening. The Second Miss blushed slightly, and with Consort Hui and the Princess Consort beside her, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

Today is the Lantern Festival, and according to custom, the prince should stay in the princess's palace.