Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 262 Intention to Stay Overnight?

After the emperor sat down, he sighed softly and was about to speak when he was stopped by a single sentence.

Hua Yan looked as if she had just realized what had happened, and said apologetically, "I misspoke just now. It involved the court, and I shouldn't have asked that question."

The words that were on the tip of his tongue stuck in his throat, and the emperor remained silent.

Consort Meng and Consort Chun truly lived up to their mistress-servant relationship. However, Consort Chun genuinely possessed the virtue of "purity," while Consort Meng constantly evoked in him a feeling that was difficult to describe.

Like morning mist in the mountains, it seems within reach, yet vanishes at your fingertips, leaving you elusive.

The Emperor gazed at Hua Yan and said, "You need not be so cautious, my lady. I came here today to have a casual chat with you."

However, interrupted by Hua Yan's question, the Emperor did not bring up matters of the court. Instead, he asked, "When you were ten years old, were you bought by the Marquis of Lin'an's family in Jinan and later became Consort Chun's personal maid?"

"Your Majesty, that's roughly it."

The fact that Zheng's brokerage firm is owned by the Tang family is out in the open, so Hua Yan doesn't need to hide it. As for her experience at Chunfeng Tower, which lasted only a little over ten days, Madam Yun and the head of the family had already dealt with the matter many years ago.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. "So, you learned poetry, calligraphy, chess, and painting merely by listening to Mr. Lin's lectures in your spare time while serving Consort Chun?"

Although Hua Yan did not know why the Emperor was investigating this matter, she was never ashamed of her background.

"My grandfather was a scholar in the third year of the Qianyuan era, and my father was a student. However, I learned to write from my mother since I was a child, and my uncle also taught me from time to time. I learned chess while serving Your Majesty."

"Is this also true of painting?"

Hua Yan nodded slightly, a rare hint of smugness appearing on her face.

As for chess skills, one might be able to learn by analogy and apply knowledge to other situations within five or six years. Painting skills are by no means that simple. Perhaps it is due to learning needlework from her mother since childhood, but Hua Yan has a great talent for this art. Even Mr. Lin and Mrs. Yun praised her paintings.

There's another interesting anecdote: When Consort Chun acquired a hot spring estate on the outskirts of the capital, she and her servant discussed renovating it into Lingxi Manor. The design was created by Hua Yan. Later, to please Hua Yan, Mu Feng even told her that Tang Lin had collected the design. However, what Mu Feng didn't know was that Tang Lin gave the design to Su Wanwan the very next day.

Getting back to the main point, after hearing what Hua Yan said, the Emperor's scrutinizing gaze vanished, replaced by deep appreciation.

In fact, the Emperor did not have too many doubts, because Zhou Bai was a man of extraordinary talent, and it was only natural that his niece could surpass him.

The real reason why the Emperor was so amazed by Hua Yan, and even sought her out specifically to verify it, was that Hua Yan's talent had subtly surpassed that of Qing Zhitong...

It was as if the regret of that year had been comforted in another form after many years. This indescribable feeling made the emperor make an exception and directly promote Hua Yan from the position of concubine to the position of talented woman.

Feeling a gaze fixed on her for a long time, Hua Yan felt slightly uncomfortable.

Consort Chun went to Shou Kang Palace to visit Empress Dowager Zhou early in the morning. She was already feeling tormented by being in the same room with the Emperor, but he was so engrossed in conversation that she had no choice but to focus on dealing with him.

Thus, a strange scene unfolded before the eyes of Jingming and Lüliu, who were waiting outside the door: the two people in the study were exchanging questions and answers, one asking with great enthusiasm, the other answering with... little interest.

The Emperor took in Hua Yan's graceful figure, and by the end of their conversation, he no longer cared about what she said, leaving only her beautiful image in his eyes.

The small space in the study seemed to be enveloped by a unique atmosphere.

At the same time, at Shou Kang Palace.

Consort Chun had been speaking with Empress Dowager Zhou for quite some time. Just as she was about to get up to take her leave, Mengzhu whispered a few words in her ear. Consort Chun learned that the Emperor had gone to Huayan's place. After thinking for a moment, she sat back down.

Seeing that Consort Chun's expression was normal, Empress Dowager Zhou sighed inwardly and said, "I know that Consort Chun is filial, but I am not the only Empress Dowager in this palace. You should visit Cining Palace more often."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, Shuer has been making a lot of needlework since before the New Year, some of which are to be sent to Cining Palace. Before the New Year, my family also sent many festival gifts, and I have done my best to show my filial piety."

Empress Dowager Zhou was finally satisfied.

When the late emperor was alive, Consort Hui (now Empress Dowager Jiang) was not favored. At that time, all the other concubines flattered and fawned over Consort Min, but she alone devoted herself to the Empress (now Empress Dowager Zhou). Empress Dowager Zhou, thinking of this, said to Consort Chun:

"Compared to the likes of Consort Shu and Consort Min in the past, the one in Cining Palace is easy to get along with. She is gentle and has a decent character. Her only shortcoming is that she is easily influenced and can be easily swayed by others."

After I leave the palace, you only need to frequently visit the Cining Palace to pay your respects, chat with her often, and if you come across any new or interesting objects or foods, offer them to her as a token of your respect. She will certainly not make things difficult for you.

Consort Chun's eyes were slightly red, and she looked at Empress Dowager Zhou with reluctance. She stood up and thanked her, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your guidance."

"This sour drink made with Limu is excellent. Since we still have plenty of time, you don't need to rush back to Huining Palace. Why don't you go to Cining Palace instead?"

Consort Chun took her leave as instructed.

The Emperor lingered at Hua Yan's place for more than half an hour, and his vexation dissipated. As he rose to return to Funing Palace, he murmured:

"I still have memorials to review, I will speak with you later."

The second half of the sentence came out so smoothly. He coughed lightly, strode out of the bedchamber, his straight back silhouetted against the dim light, the halo of light just landing on his slightly reddened ears.

Hua Yan felt a mix of emotions. She curtsied and respectfully saw the Emperor off.

After the Emperor and Jingming had walked away, Lvliu pursed her lips and asked nervously, "If I haven't misunderstood... does Your Majesty mean you want to stay overnight?"

Ultimately, he dared not utter the words "serve the emperor in bed" to provoke Hua Yan.

Hua Yan glanced at Lü Liu, "Has Her Majesty returned from Shou Kang Palace?"

“Mengzhu sent Xiaonianzi back to deliver a message, saying that after leaving Shou Kang Palace, the Empress went straight to Cining Palace.”

Hua Yan remained silent.

.......

No sooner had the Emperor left than he sent Dong Ming with many gifts. Green Willow and Xia'er stepped forward to receive them and presented them to Hua Yan.

Among them are two cloisonné enamel boxes with lotus patterns, containing pink and white crystal chess pieces that are smooth, round, and exquisitely beautiful.

There was also a basket of tangerines and two bolts of tribute silk.

Donggua blinked and asked in surprise, "Eunuch Dong, you just said that this was a gift from the Emperor to me?"

Dong Ming nodded first, then said, "Eunuch Jing asked me to pass on a message for him, saying that he will come to Huining Palace to pick up the sour drink first thing tomorrow morning. Also, when Miss Donggua makes this drink, she must retain its original flavor."

After the reward was delivered and the message was relayed, Dong Ming respectfully bowed to Hua Yan and took his leave. Green Willow stepped forward to see him off and quietly slipped a purse into his hand.

Having received a hint from Jingming, Dong Ming dared not accept the reward. Only after Green Willow showered him with compliments did he accept the purse with a smile, saying, "In that case, this servant thanks Miss Green Willow."

Donggua looked at the basket of tangerines, her eyes filled with joy. But Jingming's instructions puzzled her; she vaguely knew what to do, yet couldn't believe it.

He then asked Hua Yan for advice: "What does 'taking its original flavor' mean?"

Hua Yan smiled and explained, "The more sour, the better."

The Emperor intended to make the court officials "lose face," and Jingming, observing their expressions, specifically instructed Dongming to say these words.

......

It wasn't until late afternoon that Consort Chun returned to Huining Palace with Mengzhu and Ruizhu.

Hua Yan was about to go over when Aunt Mei arrived at the side hall first.

Aunt Mei dismissed Green Willow and Xia'er, then gave Hua Yan a slightly restrained, dry laugh. "This servant is here on Her Highness's orders to talk to you about bedroom matters... There were some nannies in the manor who taught you, do you still remember?"

Hua Yan didn't realize it at first, but seeing Aunt Mei's embarrassed face, she knew exactly what was going on.