Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 236 Ruizhu is furious

The Emperor, true to his word, did not follow the usual practice of bypassing the Imperial Concubine and the Imperial Concubine, directly promoting Hua Yan to the rank of a sixth-grade talented woman, which exceeded everyone's expectations.

The concubines had different expressions. Consort Guo glanced quickly at the Empress, then covered her mouth with a handkerchief, seemingly trying to hide her sarcasm.

Consort Song remained unmoved, focusing on sipping her tea. She rarely visited Consort Chun's quarters, so this was the first time she had witnessed milk tea. While everyone was admiring the paintings, she had already taken a sip from her glass cup, and now the full cup was empty.

Consort Shen, Consort Qu, and Consort Wu all showed expressions of envy, but Consort Qu's eyes shifted slightly, adding a hint of resentment as she looked at Consort Chun.

As for the Empress, after a brief moment of astonishment, she smiled and said, "Congratulations, Consort Chun."

Consort Chun's eyes shone brightly, and her cheeks were full of smiles. Her already beautiful appearance became even more gentle and charming, making the Empress on the throne pale in comparison.

Her genuine and vivid reactions drew the emperor's frequent glances, and a smile appeared on his lips.

Only Hua Yan felt a strange feeling rising in her heart. Under the gaze of many eyes, she slowly got up and knelt on the ground to express her gratitude.

Consort Guo said, "Consort Chun and Consort Meng are like sisters. I truly envy this friendship."

Shen Meiren offered her congratulations in a dry, unconvincing manner, and even the sweet milk tea tasted bitter.

The birthday banquet had no singing, dancing, or music, but the delicious food added a lot of flavor.

Aunt Mei led the palace servants from the Imperial Kitchen into the room in single file. Jixiang and other palace maids served the meal along with Ruizhu. Except for the dishes in front of the Empress's seat, which were all prepared by the Imperial Kitchen, the other concubines each had several new dishes with added chili tomato in front of them. However, only Consort Song and Consort Chun ate heartily, while the rest did not taste the food.

The banquet proceeded uneventfully. Hua Yan raised her cup with the others to wish Consort Chun a happy birthday, but she did not look up at the head of the table again.

Normally, Consort Shen is the most talkative, but now she's as silent as a gourd with its mouth sawed off, her eyes constantly shifting between Consort Chun and Hua Yan, secretly wondering if Consort Chun is a bit dim-witted...

At the hour of You (5-7 PM), the Emperor was the first to leave his seat, and the birthday banquet was drawing to a close.

The Empress glanced at the palace maids attending her and casually asked, "These few look unfamiliar. Did they learn etiquette from Consort Min?"

Consort Chun nodded, "She has only been in the palace for a short time, so I have temporarily assigned a few people to serve her."

Guo Xiuyi's gaze lingered on Jixiang's face for a moment longer before she said, "My Dieqiong Pavilion still has two vacancies. Once this batch of palace maids have learned all the rules, I will shamelessly ask Your Majesty for their services."

"You can choose whatever you like then. If you find something you like now, you can take it back and use it first."

Guo Xiuyi chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, how could I be in such a hurry? I was just saying something in a joke."

The Empress looked at Consort Qu, a smile playing on her lips, and said with concern, "Consort Qu looks rather haggard."

Consort Qu, who was lost in thought, stood up upon hearing this and replied softly, "I caught a chill last night, but it's nothing serious. I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty."

"Consort Chun is currently assisting in the management of the six palaces, so she should be taken good care of. Now that it is late autumn, the weather is cold and the days are short, so the charcoal, firewood and food for each palace must be distributed in time, so that the sisters in each palace do not suffer from the cold."

Consort Chun rose and agreed.

The Empress said a few more words and then rose to leave her seat. Consort Guo, Consort Song, and others followed suit and took their leave. Consort Qu lagged behind, looking apologetic.

Consort Chun comforted her by taking her hand and frowned, saying, "Why are your fingers so cold? If you are not feeling well, you only need to send someone over to let me know. Why did you have to come here despite your illness? Aunt Mei, send someone to the Imperial Hospital to invite the imperial physician to Qianying Pavilion to take Consort Qu's pulse."

Qu Cairen parted her lips slightly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Consort Chun. “Your Majesty has always been very kind to me. I am fine, and I must come to celebrate your birthday. I dare not trouble Aunt Mei, and it is not appropriate to have the imperial physician come in the cold night. I will send someone to invite her tomorrow.”

Seeing that the talented woman looked frail, Hua Yan called Xia'er forward.

Consort Chun instructed: "Ruizhu and Xia'er escort Consort Qu back to the palace, and take good care of her along the way. Mingyue, go to the Imperial Hospital to fetch the imperial physician."

Qu Cairen looked grateful and, with Ruizhu's help, left Huining Palace.

In an instant, only Consort Chun and Hua Yan remained in the hall. Hua Yan moved her lips, about to speak, when she met Consort Chun's clear, watery eyes. For a moment, Hua Yan didn't know what to say, but then she saw Consort Chun extend her hand. Hua Yan smiled, stepped forward, and the two walked hand in hand towards the inner hall.

Although the promotion was unexpected, Consort Chun truly had no grudges. Hua Yan knew Consort Chun's thoughts and there was no need for further explanation.

......

"Your Highness does not know, but once Consort Qu left Huining Palace, she was no longer sickly. All the way, she subtly probed and inquired about things. Did she really think I couldn't see through her? I don't know when she developed such thoughts, daring to compare herself to our Huayan."

Ruizhu was furious and returned to her bedchamber to complain.

"Does she think that just because she has a father who is a colleague of the eldest young master in the Hanlin Academy, she can rely on the Empress? These days, she comes here three or five times when the Emperor is around. She really has no integrity whatsoever as a daughter of a scholar."