Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 485 Mother and Daughter's Dialogue (2)

Upon hearing this, Madam Yun's smile vanished instantly, and her expression darkened.

"You don't want to compete with Consort Jin?"

Consort Chun was flustered by the question, but she still looked directly at Madam Yun and said quickly, "Mother, let's not say that it's too early to say anything now. Even in the future, when Jing'er... when that day comes, with Shu'er around, he will treat our Tang family well, won't he?"

Madam Yun didn't reply, but just quietly looked at her daughter on the bed, her eyes as dark as unyielding ink.

The hall fell silent.

The silence was so long that it almost suffocated Consort Chun.

After a long while, Madam Yun sighed softly, her tone carrying a hint of compromise and a touch of helplessness: "Alright, Wan'er, you said it's still early. Let's not think about these things too much for now. You've always been a thoughtful person. The most important thing right now is to take good care of your health and raise the Second Prince safely to adulthood. That's the most important thing."

She paused, reached out and patted her daughter's hand, her tone softening slightly: "Fortunately, the Empress has been imprisoned, so at least the palace is quieter. You and Consort Jin can support each other and find some peace in this palace."

As for whether to fight or not...

Madam Yun lowered her eyes, subconsciously recalling the divination Madam Su had performed earlier, and the jade cicada that Wan'er had worn for two years but had inexplicably broken also came to mind.

And at the end of all these thoughts, Meng Shu's figure always comes to mind.

She turned her face away, secretly wiping away a tear that rolled down her cheek. When she turned back, she said softly, "Wan'er, don't think too much. Right now, I only pray that you can live a healthy and peaceful life..."

·

"Your Highness, Madam, Consort Jin has arrived." Mengzhu tiptoed into the flower hall and whispered her report through a semi-transparent gauze curtain.

The mother and daughter did exactly the same thing, hurriedly taking out handkerchiefs and pressing them to the corners of their eyes.

Consort Chun composed herself and put on a smiling face: "Quickly invite Shu'er in."

Outside the flower hall, Meng Shu turned and took a plain-colored bundle from Green Willow's hand, then stepped into the bedroom.

Madam Yun was already standing to the side, and when she saw her enter, she was about to curtsy.

Meng Shu immediately noticed that the two women's eyes were wet, and quickly smiled and helped them up: "Why are you and me talking about these formalities? I should be the one paying my respects to our newly promoted Imperial Concubine."

As she spoke, she actually bowed gracefully to Consort Chun, who was leaning against the couch, performing a proper and respectful curtsy.

Her voice carried a hint of mockery: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects and wish you good health."

Consort Chun blushed at her "serious" demeanor, but being weak at the moment, she could barely get up to avoid it, so she could only grab the soft pillow beside her and pretend to throw it:

"Oh, you! You know I can't get up, but you still deliberately tease me!"

The soft pillow wasn't actually thrown out; it simply landed lightly on the brocade quilt beside the couch. Meng Shu stepped forward and nestled close to Madam Yun as they approached the couch: "This isn't a joke; it's a sincere congratulation. Yesterday was truly dangerous; you were still unconscious before you left, but you look much better today."

Madam Yun felt extremely comforted by the scene before her.

Since I last saw Meng Shu at the Crown Prince's full moon banquet, five months have passed. Her demeanor seems to have become even more composed, and there is a hint of calmness between her brows.

Madam Yun insisted on following the rules and knelt down to greet Meng Shu.

Meng Shu was slightly taken aback and quickly stepped forward to help her up, a hint of unease flashing across her face: "Madam, why do you have to do this? Wan'er is in the midst of childbirth, and I will take care of her no matter what, let alone our relationship. Your actions only make us more distant."

After Madam Yun finished performing the formalities, she said sincerely, "The proper etiquette should not be neglected, especially since Your Highness has shown such great kindness to the Marquis's Mansion and to Wan'er, you truly deserve this courtesy."

Meng Shu looked at the new strand of white hair that had appeared at her temple, and couldn't help but feel a little moved. The expression in her eyes became complicated, as if she was filled with emotion and had an unspeakable feeling.

"What good things did you bring?" Consort Chun picked up the bundle beside the couch at the right moment and changed the subject with a smile.

She lightly untied the ribbon with her fingertips, revealing several small garments folded inside. Her eyes lit up: "Shu'er's embroidery is much better than mine, all crooked and messy! And this..."

“Mother, look,” she said, picking up a tiger-head-shaped bib that still smelled faintly of milk. “This is the one Yu Nu’er used? How wonderful, it brings great fortune.”

Consort Chun smiled and took Meng Shu's hand, pulling her to sit down on the couch. She then looked up at Madam Yun and said, "Mother, there's no need to be so polite. Shu'er and I are like sisters, and we grew up together since we were little. Your behavior makes her feel uncomfortable."

Meng Shu sat down and brushed her fingertips over the few pieces of clothing, smiling as she said, "I thought that Yu Nu'er's old clothes might bring some good luck, so I had Green Willow pack some up and bring them with me."

As Madam Yun watched the two girls chatting and laughing, the solemnity on her face gradually softened.

After the three of them exchanged a few words, Consort Chun's brows gradually furrowed with weariness, and she let out a light yawn. Seeing this, Meng Shu smiled and stood up, saying to Madam Yun, "Madam, let's go to the study and sit for a while, so Wan'er can rest." She then turned to Meng Zhu, who was standing by, and instructed her, "Keep a close watch on her, and let me know when Wan'er wakes up."

Upon arriving at the study, after everyone had taken their seats according to their status, Meng Shu dismissed the attendants and, before Madam Yun could ask any questions, said slowly, "Although the Empress is under house arrest, the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion has deep roots and will not be easily overthrown. To make the Emperor decide to depose the Empress, there must be a crime that can shake his very foundation."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yun's expression suddenly hardened, and she leaned forward slightly: "Does Consort Jin perhaps... have she caught something wrong with you?"

Meng Shu shook her head. "There is no concrete evidence yet. Actually, I felt something was wrong back when we were at the imperial palace. More than a year has passed, and this suspicion has become more and more obvious."

She looked up at Madam Yun, a hint of caution in her eyes, "After you return, Madam, pay close attention to the female physician the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence invited from the southwest. Perhaps you can find some clues from her..."

Madam Yun leaned down to listen carefully, and when Meng Shu finished speaking, her expression became even more solemn: "The manor had already secretly investigated before, and found that the woman was not an ordinary doctor, but a witch doctor from the southwest. After returning, I sent more people to keep a close eye on her movements and to have people conduct a thorough investigation in the southwest."

Meng Shu nodded, and Madam Yun asked again, "We also found some clues about the Duke of Qing's mansion a few days ago. Last time, Her Majesty told us to put it aside for the time being, so we didn't investigate further. We just secretly passed those fragmented clues to Lord Tong's men little by little. I think there will be some activity in a few days."

After hearing what Madam Yun said, Meng Shu's eyes lit up. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "That depends on whether His Majesty... can tolerate the Duke of Qing's mansion."

The two stayed in the study for a while. Throughout the entire time, Madam Yun did not mention the Second Prince at all, and Meng Shu also tacitly avoided the topic, focusing only on the current plans.