Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 592 The Submissive and Meek Consort Yun

Inside the sleeping quarters of Ganlu Palace, Consort Yun was resting on a soft couch when she saw her cousin arrive. She quickly tried to get up and greet her, holding onto the edge of the bed.

"Lie down carefully," Consort Chun stepped forward quickly and gently pressed her down, "How are you feeling right now? Is there anything wrong with your body?"

Meng Shu lagged behind and did not initially follow Consort Chun into the inner chamber. She only stopped at the flower hall that connected the inside and outside.

At the octagonal table, Physician Jian was bending over writing a prescription, and it looked like he was about to finish.

She didn't make a sound to disturb them, her eyes scanning the flower hall.

It's been almost half a year since I last visited Yun Meiren's place, and the furnishings and atmosphere are quite different now. Although there were one or two places that were quite exquisite before, now everything in sight exudes an air of opulent wealth.

Besides a few pieces of official kiln porcelain and jade ornaments scattered around, several novel items were also added to the curio cabinet: an ivory carving of a flower goddess, a gilded and enamel-inlaid Western clock, and a glass stemmed cup in the very center.

Meng Shu also had the same one, which was a New Year's gift sent by the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion.

A coral tree, over a foot tall, stood on a high table by the window, its vibrant red color strikingly eye-catching. On the tables on either side were a set of thin-walled porcelain teaware, a pale blue glaze with a translucent sheen. Upon closer inspection, even the curtains had been changed to Persian brocade; sunlight streamed through the windowpanes, casting a shimmering glow on the beaded pattern.

Even the fragrance floating in the air was not the agarwood or sandalwood commonly used in the palace, but a unique fragrance that was clear and slightly spicy and sweet, like pine and cypress, or some kind of flower and fruit that I had never smelled before.

Meng Shu twitched her nose and frowned slightly.

Such a gesture was far beyond what ordinary monthly allowances could achieve. Her gaze calmly swept over every change, and before she stepped into the inner room, she heard Jian Zhi's respectful and steady voice.

"Your Majesty, judging from the pulse, the beauty is more than a month pregnant. However, the beauty's qi and blood are slightly insufficient. For now, it is best to rest and recuperate to ensure a safe pregnancy. Only after three months when the fetus is stable can she gradually begin to move around."

Consort Chun was quite pleased for Consort Yun and was relieved to hear this. "In that case, Imperial Physician Jian, from now on, you will be in charge of taking care of Consort Yun during this pregnancy. You must be careful and thorough."

She turned to look at Consort Yun on the couch, "Take good rest these days, and skip the morning and evening greetings. Put the baby in your womb first in everything. If you need anything, or if you feel unwell, be sure to send someone to Huining Palace to tell me immediately."

Meng Shu asked, "Has this good news been reported to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager?"

A faint blush rose on Yun Meiren's cheeks as she whispered, "I just had Guiqiu deliver messages to both Fu Ning Palace and Ci Ning Palace."

Consort Chun nodded and sat with Meng Shu for a while. The two of them carefully instructed her on some precautions for diet and daily life during pregnancy, such as avoiding cold and raw foods, and maintaining a peaceful state of mind. Consort Yun kept her eyelashes lowered and responded to each one in a low voice.

Her submissive demeanor, and the fact that she never dared to meet her gaze, made Meng Shu feel slightly strange.

But there is one thing I must remind you of right now.

“Now that Sister Yun is pregnant, everyone is watching.” Meng Shu’s voice was gentle as she glanced around the bedchamber. “I imagine the Emperor and Empress Dowager will soon send someone to visit you after receiving the news. As for these things in the palace… perhaps we should put them away for now.”

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun shifted her gaze from Consort Yun and carefully examined her surroundings. After noticing the furnishings in the flower hall and the sleeping quarters, the smile on her face faded.

"Mengzhu, take some people and help tidy up. Move all these things to the warehouse for now."

She turned to Consort Yun and said, “You are only a fifth-rank Consort now. Even if you are pregnant and promoted to fourth-rank Jieyu, the furnishings in the palace are still a bit excessive. If this falls into the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it will not only appear frivolous and ostentatious, but will also give others something to gossip about.”

The color drained from Yun Meiren's face, a fleeting look of embarrassment and panic crossing her brow. She quickly bowed her head, "Yes...it was my oversight. Thank you for your guidance, Cousin and Consort Jin."

Seeing her like this, Consort Chun softened her tone slightly: "It's good that you understand. The most important thing now is to focus on your pregnancy. Be cautious in everything else."

Within half an hour, just as they finished tidying up, Jingming and Li, the eunuch from Cining Palace, arrived one after the other.

Seeing that both empresses were present, Jingming greeted them, spoke with Imperial Physician Jian, and then bowed with a smile: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. His Majesty is currently discussing matters with several officials and specifically instructed me to come and visit."

Li, the eunuch, also said, "The Empress Dowager has decreed that the beauty should take good care of herself during her pregnancy, and has specially assigned two nannies to serve her."

There had been no pregnancy in the palace for a long time, which pleased Empress Dowager Jiang. Upon learning that Consort Yun needed to rest in bed to ensure a safe pregnancy, she personally came to visit her in the afternoon.

The next day, the emperor's decree was issued.

Consort Yun was promoted to the rank of Jieyu, a fourth-grade official, because she was pregnant with the emperor's child. However, the imperial edict did not grant her a formal title.

......

“Besides Consort Yun’s palace, the other concubines have also recently received some rare items, mostly from their servants who found ways to present them to them.”

Following Meng Shu's instructions, Green Willow personally went to the Zhou residence outside the palace. Upon returning to the palace, Meng Shu asked her, "Did your aunt bring back any message?"

Green Willow reported softly, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhou returns home every month with a letter sent by official ship. Madam (referring to Xiuyun) says everything is fine. Lord Zhou is doing well in Quanzhou and will be able to return to the capital to report back in two months at the latest."

Meng Shumo counted the days, "My uncle's trip has turned into a stay in Quanzhou that lasted for more than half a year..."

·

"Good! Excellent! I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Minister Zhou's trip to Quanzhou has truly lived up to my expectations."

The dazzling sunlight flooded into the imperial study, gilding the figure on the throne with a golden edge. The emperor held a recently presented report in his hand, his tone filled with undisguised praise.

During his six months in office at the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office, Zhou Bai achieved remarkable results. He not only rectified long-standing problems and increased maritime tax revenue by nearly 30%, but also, taking advantage of the Grand Canal connecting the north and south, systematically transported imported goods such as spices, jewels, medicinal herbs, and rhinoceros horn ornaments from afar to major ports like Yangzhou, Xuzhou, and Linqing, ultimately converging on the capital. This revitalized the north-south trade routes, and even benefited the prefectures along the way. This initiative not only enriched the national treasury but also firmly secured the profits from the maritime trade within the imperial court's control.

Several senior officials in the Imperial Study echoed this sentiment, praising Zhou Bai as a capable and competent minister.

The Emperor gently set down the urgent report, his smile fading slightly: "Has there been any news from the fleet since?"

Upon hearing this, Marquis Tang Xian of Lin'an stepped forward, bowed his head, and replied, "Your Majesty, the imperial envoy has been at sea for nearly nine months. According to the voyage schedule, news should be arriving soon. However, the sea is unpredictable, and the relay of messages is difficult; there is currently no definite news."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor nodded slightly. His gaze lingered on the Marquis of Lin'an for a moment before slowly shifting away, turning to the distant horizon outside the window.