Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 245 Heart Attack

Snowflakes began to fall again outside the palace, making the winter seem exceptionally long as we remained indoors.

Hua Yan held a sesame seed cake in her hand, leaning against the bed, looking rather resigned to her fate.

The air was filled with the delicious aroma of mutton soup. Two young maids sat around the bed, the fire crackling and the tea fragrance wafting through the air. Mingyue held a large porcelain bowl and couldn't wait to take a big gulp!

"Hot...hot hot...it tastes so good!"

The shout was full of satisfaction, making Hua Yan's stomach rumble with hunger.

Donggua carried the tray into the bedroom. "The mutton soup has been simmering for two whole hours. Drink as much as you like; there's more in the kitchen."

"I just called Xia'er and Dong'er down to eat, so now it's just the few of us in the courtyard."

As Donggua spoke, he handed the medicine bowl to Huayan. Huayan looked closely and saw that there was another bowl of bird's nest soup being stewed in the dish.

"Winter melon is still the most considerate."

Hua Yan tossed the flatbread onto the table, picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one go. Just as she was about to taste the bird's nest soup, Lv Liu sniffed and stopped her.

"Winter Melon, did you put chicken mince and orchid extract in this bird's nest soup to enhance its color and aroma?"

Winter Melon nodded, "Yes, it tastes delicious. We can't just drink mutton soup and leave the young master looking at it blankly."

Green Willow hurriedly got up, put the bird's nest soup back on the table, and said regretfully, "Both Physician Jian and Physician Lu have instructed that we should not eat meat."

Hua Yan: "...Using a little bit should be fine, otherwise it's not good if it heals too quickly."

Green Willow took the bird's nest soup directly and said without allowing any further discussion, "This won't do. Let Winter Melon stew another one."

Hua Yan wailed, "You little housekeeper!"

Mingyue silently and attentively drank her soup. After finishing a bowl, she immediately said that Mengzhu and Ruizhu had gone to Shou Kang Palace with Consort Chun, and that she had kept their portions for herself. Seeing Huayan's hungry expression, Donggua said he would go and stew another bowl of bird's nest soup, and pulled Mingyue to the kitchen.

Green Willow sipped her soup, met Flower Face's eyes, and chuckled, "When Your Highness recovers, and the Empress returns from Shou Kang Palace, Winter Melon said she'd prepare a small feast..."

"Since there are no outsiders here, stop talking about master or servant."

When Chun Tao brought the news, Guo Xiuyi became suspicious, but she couldn't quite figure out what would happen. As usual, Hua Yan went through a series of analyses and calculations, and the conclusion she came to was that it would most likely involve her.

However, things are unpredictable. If Guo Xiuyi is clever enough to feign illness at the right time, she may be able to escape this calamity.

In truth, Hua Yan underestimated the Empress. Hua Yan gently stroked her cheek. She had Dong'er leak information to Renming Palace, and then Xingyu came to investigate. She thought that given the Empress's personality, she would use this as an opportunity to cause trouble, but then that fool Qu Cai Ren appeared out of nowhere...

"The fact that Consort Qu has been confined by His Majesty has ironically brought her good fortune," Green Willow whispered.

"Her? Not just anyone is worth the Empress's attention. After this incident, Her Majesty might even try to win her over. I've heard that Lord Qu is exceptionally upright; it's a pity that such a family background is wasted."

Thinking of this, Hua Yan instructed, "After Consort Qu is released from confinement, keep a close eye on her."

......

It was the last day of the year, and the weather was cold as the year drew to a close.

Consort Chun had been eating vegetarian food at Shou Kang Palace for nearly half a month. Now, when she closes her eyes, she misses the dishes made by Dong Gua. Even Mengzhu and Ruizhu have bitter expressions on their faces.

On this day, Consort Guo went to Shou Kang Palace to report to Consort Chun on the preparations for the New Year's Eve vigil from the twelfth lunar month to the first day of the new year.

Consort Chun ignored her words and went straight to her, saying, "Consort Guo and Her Majesty the Empress can discuss it themselves. With Consort Min handling things, there shouldn't be any mistakes. The Buddhist ceremony at Baohua Hall is imminent, and I am busy copying scriptures for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. If it is not urgent, there is no need to ask for instructions again. It would be a sin to disturb Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's Buddhist worship."

The Lotus Sutra consists of seven volumes. These past few days, Consort Chun has been so dizzy from copying it that she has only managed to copy two volumes.

Guo Xiuyi bowed slightly, her expression softening. At present, Consort Chun was held back by the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor had visited Dieqiong Pavilion several times. Guo Xiuyi was full of pride and wanted to make a good impression on the Emperor.

Inside the Buddhist hall, Rongxiu served Empress Dowager Zhou as she worshipped Buddha. After the Empress Dowager was seated, she offered her fragrant tea.

Rongxiu looked at Consort Chun, who was copying scriptures at her desk in the outer room, and praised her, "It's rare that Consort Chun can be so patient. It's hard on her to have been on a vegetarian diet these past few days."

Empress Dowager Zhou put down her teacup, but smiled without saying a word.

"Why did Your Majesty summon Physician He to examine Consort Chun's pulse? He has come for three consecutive days. Yesterday, His Majesty even sent someone to inquire about it, which shows how much His Majesty values ​​and favors Consort Chun."

Empress Dowager Zhou held a Buddhist scripture in her hand, and seemed to savor the words about valuing favor. She then said lightly, "Previously, Lady Yun asked for help from her aunt. I remembered this old relationship, so when Consort Chun came to me for help, I had no choice but to protect her. That day, I suddenly had a feeling and saw a bit of Yun Yue's shadow in Consort Chun. Thinking of Yun Yue's early death, I summoned the physician to come and take a look."

In the few days since Consort Chun arrived, the Empress Dowager has been strict on the surface, but in reality she has been very caring. Rongxiu saw this and was pleased that the Empress Dowager seemed more vibrant than she had been years ago. She said, "Consort Chun's pulse is normal, Your Majesty is overthinking it."

"Those who are deeply emotional and passionate are also most easily troubled by emotions. If they cannot understand the principle of 'having feelings' and 'not having feelings,' they will only harm themselves."

......

The heavy snowfall before winter also kept Tang Lin in Lin'an.

Inside the Lin'an Marquis's residence in the capital, Tang Xian and his wife each had their own tasks. Tang Xian personally led people to clear the snow from the official roads leading to and from the capital, while Madam Yun, together with other officials' wives, distributed porridge.

Since the disaster began, we have been busy until today.

Next March, when the imperial examinations will be held, students from all over the country will have already flocked to the capital. Among them are many scholars from poor families. Most of these students live in Pingkangfang, where the disaster was particularly severe.

With prices soaring in the capital, Lord Qu, pitying the impoverished and helpless scholars, had no choice but to seek help from the Marquis of Lin'an.

Tang Xian was not at home. After careful consideration, Madam Yun simply gave directions, instructing Lord Qu to visit Prince Rui's residence.

Times have changed. The Marquis of Lin'an's mansion is now adorned with flowers and brocade. Sponsoring students preparing for exams might be seen as courting favors, and even if they wanted to do so, they would have to guard against His Majesty's suspicion.

However, after Lord Qu left, Madam Yun summoned the steward.

"Wan'er has already ordered several estates in the palace to be vacated to accommodate the disaster victims, so our Marquis's Mansion should not take any further action. We should just distribute porridge like the other mansions. But now that Lord Qu has come to ask for help, we can't just ignore him."

"Take ten thousand taels of silver from the general affairs office and personally deliver it to Yu'er at Prince Rui's residence. She knows what to do."

Funing Hall.

The Emperor had been reviewing memorials day and night for several days and nights, and now he finally had some free time.

The shadow guards reported on the recent developments in the capital, and the Emperor was quite satisfied with the actions of the Marquis of Lin'an's residence. Thinking that he hadn't seen Consort Chun for many days, he decided to go to Shou Kang Palace to see her, and also to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

“Send someone to Guangci Temple to fetch some vegetarian food.”

Jingming accepted the order and was about to send someone to carry it out when Dongming strode in, bowed, and reported: "Your Majesty, someone from the Duke of Qing's mansion has come, saying that the Third Miss's heart condition has flared up and is in critical condition. They earnestly request Your Majesty to grant Physician He permission to leave the palace to treat her."