Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 192 Managing Oneself Like a Concubine

Hua Yan put down her needlework, sighed softly, and suddenly thought of Green Willow.

Then she recalled five years ago, when Green Willow, bound by family ties, made a mistake. She had pleaded with the Second Miss for leniency regarding Green Willow's theft of the hairpin, and the Second Miss had once sighed:

"You are one of the few clear-headed people in the world, and you know best the principle of making a decisive decision, but you don't know that all living beings are just dreamers in this world."

(Chapter 63)

Having served the Second Miss for many years, Hua Yan always understood that the Second Miss was of pure and kind nature, a person whose fate was complicated and tangled, and who was not in control of her own destiny. It was understandable that she was moved by the Prince of Jin and then developed feelings of love for him.

However, this affection should not be placed on the most powerful, and also destined to be the most ruthless, emperor in the world...

“There are some things that I should not have said, but now I dare to speak out of turn and offer my advice.”

Hua Yan composed herself and began by recounting her time in her maiden days:

"The second young lady was born into nobility and was pampered from childhood, so she inevitably developed some arrogance and conceit. Therefore, she often spoke frankly in front of the eldest young lady, and even occasionally 'hurt people with her words.' But none of that mattered. On the contrary, it was this sincerity that made her so vibrant."

These words instantly transported Consort Zhen back to those ten years in Lin'an. Just as she was lost in thought, Hua Yan suddenly changed the subject:

“But since you entered the Prince’s mansion, your heart has been completely devoted to the Prince. Especially after Guo Zhaoxun and the others entered the mansion, you often feel sorry for yourself. Even when playing chess, you are absent-minded. In my opinion as an observer, you have gradually lost your original heart and are not as comfortable as you were when you were in the mansion.”

Consort Zhen's brows furrowed, and a complex expression flashed in her eyes.

Hua Yan continued:

Sincerity is never something that can be won through competition.

Just like the concubines in the mansion, Concubine Wen fought for power and ultimately suffered the consequences; Concubine Liu also fought for power, but her constant attempts to take advantage of others' kindness were ultimately rejected; in the end, it was Concubine Lu who lived a peaceful and carefree life in a secluded corner of Fengyin Courtyard.

Even if the Second Miss doesn't learn from Aunt Lu's ways of dealing with people, she should still manage herself like the Madam; perhaps then she can achieve her goals.

Consort Zhen silently recited the principles of self-cultivation, while Hua Yan directly and clearly analyzed them:

"A rich inner life leads to self-strengthening."

She must not harbor any infatuation with the idea of ​​a perfect couple. Having married into the royal family, the second young lady should temporarily set aside her joys and sorrows and, as the madam and the head of the household expect, strive to gain power for her family and herself in the struggles of the inner court.

As for whether the Prince's feelings for you are genuine, this servant dares to speak frankly, it is truly irrelevant.

"To put it another way, if Miss continues to receive his favor in the future, why not just take it as the Prince's true affection?"

Hua Yan took precautions in advance. If her prediction was correct, the old servants of the Duke of Qing's mansion would soon welcome their true masters. If the Second Miss did not wake up in time, she wondered how she would react when she found out. If she became depressed, all the painstaking efforts and expectations of the Madam and the Master would be meaningless.

Having done her duty, Hua Yan said no more.

After a long while, Consort Zhen's eyes seemed to glisten with tears, and her inner turmoil seemed to have dissipated somewhat.

Hua Yan bowed and silently left the bedchamber, leaving Meng Zhu to guard the front of the hall alone. Then she turned and went to the small kitchen to find Mingyue and Ruizhu.

Ruizhu was quick-witted. Before Huayan could ask, she took the initiative to say, "I just went out with Xiaonianzi to find out. After Jing left our Yunyi Palace, he took a physician from the Imperial Hospital to Ruyi Palace to examine the Princess Consort. They stayed for about half an hour before leaving the palace."

"Do you know how her pulse is? The princess is two months pregnant now."

Ruizhu shook her head, "Granny Gui personally escorted the imperial physician out of Ruyi Palace. She looked happy, so he should be alright."

Princess Consort came from a military family. Although she did not learn martial arts from a young age like Song Chenghui, she was always in good health.

In the afternoon, just as Consort Zhen was recovering from Hua Yan's words, Xiao Nianzi came to report that Granny Gui had arrived.

"His Majesty is seriously ill, and our Prince Jin's Mansion also wants to pray for His Majesty. We have heard that Consort Zhen has been studying under Mr. Lin since childhood and has written beautiful calligraphy. The Princess specially sent this old servant to convey that Consort Zhen should personally copy the Lotus Sutra. The entire scroll must be copied by Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."

After bowing, Granny Gui spoke respectfully, word by word.

Consort Zhen frowned and said coldly, "Does Granny Gui know that the Lotus Sutra has seven volumes and twenty-eight chapters, with more than 69,000 words?"

"So that the concubine may know that the princess is pregnant and still needs to go to the Baohua Hall in person to pray for His Majesty. The concubine is only copying scriptures, which is really not hard work."

Hua Yan took the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from Granny Gui and nodded gently to Consort Zhen as she turned around.

After Granny Gui left, Hua Yan became solemn and said with a hint of vigilance, "The Princess Consort holds a high position. If she intends to make things difficult for you, the concubine will have no choice but to endure it."

Ruizhu was furious, her eyes reddening. "When has our young lady ever suffered such an injustice?"

Hua Yan summoned Meng Zhu to fetch the Lotus Sutra. Consort Zhen said calmly, "Hua Yan is right. Without power and status, one can only endure it."

Even if she has the prince's favor, what good are the ways to torment people in the inner quarters?

As the hour of Wei approached, Hua Yan calculated the days and asked Meng Zhu, "Is today the day the household distributes summer clothes and monthly allowances?"

Mengzhu nodded, "Mingyue will take Chun'er and Xia'er to the clothing store later."

Hua Yan pondered for a moment before leaving the bedchamber. She whispered a few words to Mingyue, whose eyes widened in surprise, "Should we discuss this with the concubine?"

Hua Yan shook her head. "Preparations are almost complete. Proceed with caution."