Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 235 The Unexpected Promotion

As the sun set, the golden glazed tiles were tinged with a blood-red hue, and the concubines gathered at the Ning Palace in the twilight.

Mengzhu, along with the palace servants, received and served them tea and snacks.

The tea and snacks served were different for each person according to their preferences, and this attention to detail caught Guo Xiuyi's attention.

The Empress arrived late, accompanied by Granny Gui and Xingyu. Consort Chun led everyone to greet her at the palace gate. After entering the palace, they bowed again and invited the Empress to take a seat.

Not long after, Empress Dowager Jiang and Empress Dowager Zhou seemed to have made an appointment, and they sent gifts one after the other. Empress Dowager Jiang's gift was not particularly unusual, it was a headdress inlaid with rubies, but Empress Dowager Zhou's gift was unexpected, it was a set of Buddhist scriptures.

Aunt Rongxiu said, "This set of scriptures has been enshrined in the Buddhist hall for many years. Today, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager bestows it upon Consort Chun. In your spare time, Your Majesty can study the scriptures in depth and set an example for the harem. We also pray that the Buddha's power will bless and protect the peace of the palace."

Consort Chun rose and bowed to express her gratitude for the reward, while the Empress, along with Consort Guo and others, also rose and curtsied.

Following that, Guo Xiuyi and others presented birthday gifts, mostly gold and stone jewelry. However, Song Jieyu's gift was astonishing, and even Hua Yan couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing it.

The palace maids serving Consort Song presented her with a long whip. The handle of the whip was inlaid with many gemstones. The whip was ornate but not very practical and was mostly for decoration.

"This long whip was captured from the Xiongnu royal family by my brother in the northwest battlefield. He sent it to the palace through someone. I think it is not very practical, but it is beautiful. I am presenting it to Consort Chun for her enjoyment."

Mengzhu silently grumbled to herself, this was the longest sentence she had heard Song Jieyu say in the past few months.

Consort Chun had received countless gifts, but this was the first time she had ever received something like a long whip. She examined it for a long time before handing it to Aunt Mei behind her.

Lady Shen looked at Hua Yan, who was sitting at the very end, and asked curiously, "Since Consort Meng and Consort Chun have been mistress and servant, what congratulatory gift have you prepared?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress also looked at Hua Yan, seemingly lost in thought.

Hua Yan nodded slightly, and Xia'er stepped forward with a scroll behind her. Rui Zhu stepped forward to help Xia'er unroll it, when suddenly Xiao Yuanzi announced loudly, "His Majesty has arrived at Huining Palace."

The Empress, supported by Granny Gui, rose from her seat and bowed to the Emperor first. After the Empress finished bowing, Consort Chun and the others also knelt down to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress.

As soon as the Emperor entered, his gaze fell on the scroll in Xia'er's hand. After sitting down, he raised his hand to signal the concubines to rise, "What is depicted on this scroll? Open it and let me see."

Consort Shen explained in a sweet voice, and the Emperor turned his gaze to where Hua Yan was.

Xia'er suddenly became a little nervous, but fortunately Ruizhu was there to help her. Guo Xiuyi, who was fond of calligraphy and painting, couldn't help but step forward to examine it carefully.

The scroll slowly unfolds before everyone's eyes, gradually revealing scenes of daily life, deep courtyards, towering mountains and flowing water, and layered palaces from left to right.

It turned out to be four interconnected paintings, subtly representing the scenery of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Consort Chun only knew that Hua Yan was not only skilled in embroidery, but also quite talented in calligraphy and painting. She never expected that Hua Yan would personally paint a picture of the four seasons and give it to her. She also didn't know when such a long picture was painted.

From the bustling streets of Lin'an to the numerous courtyards within the mansion, from the tightly closed doors to the endless rows of boats, the view follows the water downstream until it reaches the snow-covered Lingxi Villa in the capital, where a cluster of green chrysanthemums stands proudly against the snow and frost, braving the wind and snow alone.

What others see are the four seasons, but what Consort Chun observes is a little over half a year.

Guo Xiuyi praised, "The painting by Consort Meng is truly captivating."

Xia'er and Ruizhu presented the painting to the emperor. The emperor looked up and examined it inch by inch, and when he thought of Hua Yan's background, he couldn't help but feel surprised. The painting clearly encompassed both Lin'an and the capital city within a scroll about ten feet long, and the private seal in the upper right corner bore the two characters "Meng Shu".

The Empress suddenly said, "I have heard that Lord Zhou of the Court of State Ceremonial has been dealing with the Xiongnu royal court recently and has made great contributions to Your Majesty on many occasions. Consort Meng is Lord Zhou's niece, and the title of Consort is not worthy of her."

These words were abrupt, and everyone present lost their interest in appreciating the painting.

Hua Yan's heart sank, her gaze becoming serious. She habitually pondered the Empress's intentions, while Consort Chun, without much thought, directly echoed the Empress's words, saying:

"Your Majesty is quite right. Lord Zhou holds the rank of sixth grade and has made outstanding contributions. Why doesn't Your Majesty take this opportunity to promote Consort Meng to a higher rank?"

The room was completely silent.

Qu Cairen and Wu Yunu's gazes wandered between the Empress, Consort Chun, and Hua Yan. Guo Xiuyi lowered her head to drink tea, Song Jieyu was lost in thought, and Shen Meiren's face was filled with envy.

Before the Emperor could speak, the Empress continued, "Although she has not yet served the Emperor, her rank as a concubine is low. It is not considered overstepping her bounds to advance her rank through the merits of her family."

Jingming stood stiffly behind the Emperor, his whisk fluttering without wind. He secretly wondered what move the Empress was making. If she was trying to sow discord between Consort Chun and Consort Meng, it would be a waste of time. Consort Chun clearly showed no anger.

The Emperor was intently focused on the cluster of green chrysanthemums in the painting, seemingly oblivious to the Empress and Consort Chun's words. After a long while, he commented:

"Standing alone in the cold frost, the green chrysanthemums in Meng Xuanshi's painting are naturally beautiful, and seem to have some of the shadow of Mr. Lin."

Consort Chun explained: "Your Majesty has a discerning eye. Consort Meng received guidance from Mr. Lin when she was in Lin'an."

The Emperor tapped his hand lightly on the table a few times, his deep, pool-like eyes looking at Hua Yan. "Consort Meng, you serve the Emperor with utmost respect, possess exceptional talent and virtue, and are truly worthy of praise. On the occasion of Consort Chun's birthday, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Talented Lady."