Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 206 Visiting Relatives

On the day of Consort Chun's visit to her family, Consort Min arrived at Yunyi Palace early with the palace entourage.

After Hua Yan and Meng Zhu finished dressing Consort Chun, they went to the Ruyi Palace to bid farewell to the Empress, as was customary. The Empress, separated by a screen, silently said:

"Consort Chun's status is no longer what it used to be, and many things are now governed by regulations. When she returns to her residence to enjoy time with her family, she should not lose the dignity of the royal family."

Immediately afterwards, Granny Gui left the bedroom, followed by Xingyu carrying two brocade boxes.

"It is a joyous occasion that Consort Chun has returned to her residence to visit her family. Her Majesty the Empress has specially ordered me to fetch two boxes of nourishing medicinal herbs from the storeroom to help the old lady in the residence recover."

Mengzhu stepped forward and bowed to accept it.

Consort Chun said, "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."

To show his favor, the emperor not only sent Lady Min to accompany him, but also allowed her to stay overnight at the Tang residence on this trip, and then be brought to the palace by the Tang residence the next day.

Hua Yan and her three companions, along with the Xiao Nianzi brothers, returned to the palace with Consort Chun. Chun'er, Xia'er, and Dong'er, under the guidance of Aunt Mei, would enter the palace first today to clean and tidy up the Huining Palace.

As dawn broke, the Duanli Gate of the Prince of Jin's residence slowly opened.

Twenty guards dressed in bright silver armor and with long swords at their waists stood in neat rows to clear the way. In front of the carriage, a canopy made of red and yellow brocade was raised high, embroidered with stars and the sun and moon in gold thread, with long emerald tassels hanging down all around.

Consort Chun sat upright in the carriage, gazing at the deserted streets outside, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Hua Yan and her three companions attended to the carriage, while two teams of palace maids dressed in light pink palace attire flanked the procession, some carrying incense burners and others holding palace fans. More than ten eunuchs followed in an orderly fashion behind, carrying various ceremonial implements.

Ruizhu whispered to Donggua, "The ceremony for the rank of Consort is so grand. If Miss is promoted to Imperial Consort in the future, or... what a sight that will be."

Hua Yan had discussed many etiquette rules with Dong Gua, so Dong Gua could speak fluently about them. "It's nothing more than having a larger canopy, more horses to pull the carriage, a more luxurious carriage, and more palace servants and guards."

Ruizhu: "......"

Mingyue whispered, "The guards in front are imposing and quite skilled."

Hua Yan coughed lightly, and the three of them immediately fell silent.

Fuqian Street, Tang Mansion. (The emperor bestowed upon them a mansion located in Chongrenfang, covering a vast area; the Tang family has not yet moved.)

The old lady, along with Madam Yun and others, personally came to the gate of the mansion to welcome them. The mistresses of the Huai'an Marquis's mansion and the Yun mansion also stood aside with their children. The fifth young lady held the seventh young lady's hand and stood behind Madam Yun, looking around. The seventh young lady was full of excitement, and her cheeks were flushed.

"Mother, may Xiaoqi go to Yunyi Courtyard to sleep with Second Sister tonight?"

Madam Yun smiled and gently shook her head.

The seventh young lady's drooping eyebrows and aggrieved expression made everyone laugh.

While looking after his wife, Tang Lin beckoned his younger brother Tang Quan to come closer. Tang Quan was six years old and didn't spend much time with his second sister, so Tang Lin wanted Tang Quan to spend more time with her.

In the front yard, Zhou Bai felt ashamed at the thought of seeing Meng Shu soon. He had spent less than an hour with Huan Yun yesterday, and Huan Yun talked mostly about Meng Shu. Today, as uncle and niece met, Zhou Bai's emotions surged, and he could only picture Meng Shu as a child.

Once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. If my sister in heaven knew this, how heartbroken she would be.

What troubled Zhou Bai even more was that Meng Shu's willingness to become the second young lady's dowry maid was also due to his reasons.

......

At the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), Consort Chun's entourage entered the street in front of the mansion.

People along the street stopped to admire the sight, expressing their admiration and showing great respect for the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.

With tears welling in her eyes, the old lady walked to the carriage and softly called out, "Wan'er." Upon hearing her grandmother's voice, Consort Chun felt a lump in her throat. Consort Min bowed to the old lady and the others according to custom, and then Consort Chun was helped down from her horse by a palace maid.

The old lady led everyone in kneeling to pay their respects to Consort Chun. Consort Chun, with tears in her eyes, quickly gestured to Hua Yan.

Hua Yan and the other three immediately stepped forward, as if they had rehearsed it, each taking charge of one of the four elders: the old lady, Madam Yun, Madam of Huai'an Marquis, and the matriarch of the Yun family. Consort Chun must not accept their greetings.

Afterwards, everyone gathered around Consort Chun, chatting and laughing as they entered Fu'an Residence.

Hua Yan saw Hua Ying standing in front of the flower hall of Fu'an Residence from afar, calmly directing the maids. The two had not seen each other for a long time, and Hua Ying smiled and greeted her from a distance.

Consort Min and her palace maids had already settled in the front courtyard. Now that they were inside the mansion and there were no outsiders around, they didn't need to be reserved. Hua Yan quickened her pace and said with a laugh:

"Sister Huaying, how can you do this? Do you want to become estranged from your younger sister?"

Hua Ying looked radiant, clearly enjoying her marriage to Mu Feng. She smiled and took Hua Yan's hands, saying happily, "It's been months since we last met, and you've become even more beautiful, Hua Yan. I finally managed to get the job of delivering flowers to the Prince's residence, but unfortunately, Dong Gua told me that you had gone to the palace with Consort Chun, so we didn't get to meet."

The masters entered the flower hall one by one. Madam Yun nodded to Mother Wei, and Mother Wei waved to Hua Yan and the other three.

"Mengzhu doesn't need to attend to you these two days. Madam wants you to go home and reunite with your parents, and take Ruizhu with you."

Ruizhu and Mengzhu have worked together since they were young and have always been close friends. Ruizhu is an orphan and often goes home with Mengzhu during her days off.

Ruizhu said with a smile, "That's great! This time, I brought some of the finest tea for Uncle and Aunt."

Mother Wei smiled and tapped her head, then turned to Mingyue and said, "Madam Zhou and Mingwu have also arrived; they're in the back room."

Mingyue was initially happy, but then she pinched her stomach and said in distress, "It's over. Master will definitely have Senior Sister test me. I'm afraid I can't escape a beating today."

Donggua stood behind Huayan, looking at Mingyue with envy.

Seeing this, Mrs. Wei gently patted her shoulder and said, "Donggua, the old lady was still talking about the milk tea you made yesterday..."

Donggua immediately lowered her head and replied, "This servant will go to the small kitchen right away."

After Donggua left, Huayan asked, "Is Steward An in the manor?"

Madam Wei: "...Indeed, nothing can be hidden from you! Madam has been saying for a long time that before the four of you enter the palace with the Second Miss, you should meet the people who need to be met."

Uncle Zhou stayed at the guest house last night, and the manor just sent someone to fetch Miss Huanyun.

Hua Yan sniffed; Madam Yun always knew how to soothe people's hearts with the smallest details.