Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 148 Account

The conversation with Huanyun did not go smoothly, not because of news about Zhou Bai.

"I believe Zhou Yu would not do anything to betray his country. It is you who are worrying us."

Huanyun's eyes were slightly red, and tear stains were still visible.

Having just heard the news about Zhou Bai from Hua Yan, she had maintained a calm demeanor, but her expression betrayed her true feelings. Before Hua Yan could utter a whole host of comforting words, Huan Yun, hugging half of herself, turned the conversation to her own dowry and the matter of her entering the manor as part of the bride's family.

Dingxiang stood behind Huanyun. Upon seeing Huayan today, her heart and eyes were filled with worry, and tears kept falling.

She was actually the most unfortunate, having been sold several times since childhood, which forced her to develop a fiery and impulsive personality. Fortunately, she has become much more restrained in her work at the Disi Pavilion over the years.

Hua Yan gently wiped away Huan Yun's tears with a handkerchief.

"Look at what's going on today. Donggua and I asked for leave to come see you. It's not like we're saying goodbye. Even though we've moved into the Prince's mansion with Miss, we'll still have a chance to meet."

Dingxiang spat and choked out, "Do you think the Prince's mansion is a good place? To meet? I'm afraid the Second Miss of the Tang family won't be able to leave the mansion unless she becomes a concubine..."

"Alright, ever since Meng Shu opened this Disi Pavilion a few years ago, I've expected this day to come. Go to the carriage and bring the things we've prepared."

Huanyun stopped Dingxiang, and Donggua sighed before leaving the tea room with Dingxiang.

"Who would have thought that the Tang family would have such ambitions? The royal mansion is deep and secluded... and it is also involved in the factional struggles of the previous dynasty. You must be more cautious in the future."

Now that things have come to this, Huanyun is powerless to change anything, but she understands the danger of this matter better than anyone else.

Back when the crown prince was being established, the political landscape in the court was in turmoil. The Duke of Qing was unjustly accused of treason for uttering a single wrong word in court. Even her father, a minor strategist, could not escape the accusation, and the young ladies and mistresses of the Duke of Qing's mansion suffered even more tragic fates.

Hua Yan understood the deeper meaning behind her words, but the Tang family's years of planning had ultimately led to a gamble on the Prince of Jin. These matters could not be discussed in detail with Huan Yun, so she could only say:

"The game has just begun, and the Second Miss is already on the chessboard. As a mere pawn, how can I, being in the game, have the right to leave?"

These words were straightforward and revealed the bitterness of the situation, causing Huanyun to shed tears again.

Hua Yan understood this perfectly, and she was impatient to be saddened by the established facts. She pulled her aside and talked to her in detail about the future of Di Si Ge.

The purpose of setting up the embroidery workshop in Jinnan was twofold: first, to provide a place for Huanyun, Dingxiang, Yingchun, and Lvliu, and second, to train people for unforeseen circumstances. In recent years, they have indeed sent people to the Northwest to search for news of their uncle.

However, the idea of ​​founding Disi Pavilion predates the embroidery shop.

Ever since learning that the second young lady would marry into the royal family, Hua Yan had been plotting in her heart to find a place to gather information. Therefore, the style of the Disi Pavilion was far superior to that of the Embroidery Shop. Its only purpose was to gather information about the inner quarters of wealthy families in the capital.

Huanyun has indeed been a great help over the years. However, as Huayan and Madam Yun said, Disi Pavilion, backed by Yongxiu Cloth Shop, has been operating smoothly for many years and is responsible for its own profits and losses. It no longer needs to withdraw silver from Yunshang Pei every year.

Hua Yan originally intended to separate Huan Yun's Di Si Ge from the Tang Mansion's business before entering the mansion, leaving this place for Huan Yun and her uncle to settle down.

But yesterday, Madam Yun did not take back even the Yunshang Pendant, so Hua Yan knew that Madam Yun was unwilling to give up the Disi Pavilion. Therefore, Hua Yan tossed and turned all night and decided to let Huan Yun continue to do things.

However, the staff in the pavilion should be used separately.

Some of the more skillful disaster victims were transferred from Lvliu Village in Jinnan to Beijing for separate training...

Huanyun listened intently for a long time, then asked worriedly, "There are quite a few people from the Tang family in the pavilion right now. What if they have objections?"

Hua Yan said, "Madam will not interfere, as long as what we do benefits Miss."

Huanyun nodded vigorously. Protecting the Second Miss was protecting Meng Shu herself. Even if she retired behind the scenes, she might still be able to help Meng Shu.

With that matter settled, Dingxiang and Donggua entered the tea room at the opportune moment.

"Here are some items I've prepared recently. I intended to have someone bring them to your residence, but one item in particular is quite eye-catching."

Huanyun opened the package and took out a porcelain bottle.

Hua Yan took it curiously, and Huan Yun said, "The reason I've been able to work as a courtesan in Chunfeng Tower is because of this pill."

Huanyun pointed to the few pills, each the size of a mung bean, in Huayan's hand.

"This medicine was made by my maternal grandmother. It is colorless and tasteless. When you drink it after dissolving it in tea, red spots will appear all over your body in a short time. However, it does not itch or hurt and has no side effects. The spots will disappear on their own after three days."

In his shock, Donggua sniffed lightly, "Ligusticum chuanxiong, Rehmannia glutinosa, human hair, spotted worm...Illicium lanceolatum!"

"Meng Shu, Old Man Zhen is forcing me to carry medicinal herbs. It seems that the herb 'Illicium lanceolatum' is highly poisonous."

Hua Yan put the pills into a porcelain bottle; they were indeed good stuff. "After drying the herb and grinding it into powder, a small amount can be taken and combined with blood residue to counteract its toxicity."

(Fictional)

Now it was Huanyun's turn to be shocked. She hadn't expected Donggua's nose to be so sharp. For the first time today, she showed a smile:

"Don't worry, Donggua. My maternal grandmother's ancestors were imperial physicians, but unfortunately the prescription has been lost. Now there are only three prepared medicines left."

Dingxiang also said, "Our young lady used it once in her younger years, and I guarantee that this medicine is completely safe."

The package also contained two sets of inner garments, which, judging from their craftsmanship, were likely hand-sewn by Dingxiang herself, as well as a bag of loose silver.

"We can't help with anything else, but the news that the Second Miss has become a concubine of the Prince of Jin has probably reached Jinnan by now. I wonder if Green Willow and Yingchun will be able to come and see you."

Hua Yan repacked the package. The small change that Huan Yun had carefully prepared was clearly meant for her to use to bribe officials after arriving at the Prince's residence, so she did not refuse.

"I have already sent a letter. At the end of the year, Green Willow will bring a group of people to the capital with Master Zheng. At that time, Sister Huanyun will need to make arrangements. However, there is one condition: Green Willow should go to Jinnan after this."

Huanyun knew Lvliu's temperament and nodded in agreement.

Just before leaving, Hua Yan said, "Sister Huanyun, please wait. These brocade boxes are gifts I left for Lvliu Yingchun and Dingxiang. They are getting older, so please carefully choose them and don't delay their marriages."

As for Sister Huanyun, I'll leave my uncle with you; he will surely return safely.

A blush crept across Huanyun and her maid's faces. Dingxiang muttered, "You've only just come of age this year, yet you're destined to be a worrier."

Donggua sighed, Dingxiang was still young, and Meng Shu only cared about the people she cared about; those who offended her were long gone.

Huanyun leaned against the window, watching the Tang family's carriage gradually disappear into the distance.

Today we part ways, and I don't know when we will meet again.