Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 591 Diagnosing Pregnancy

After having lunch at Consort Chun's place, Meng Shu and Dong Gua walked side by side toward Lingcui Palace. Lv Liu and the others followed at a distance. Yu Nu'er, who had been making a fuss for most of the day, was now tired and asleep, being held in Dong Gua's arms with one hand.

Donggua spoke in a low voice, rambling on about everything under the sun.

From the mundane details of married life to her interactions with the women of the Imperial Hospital, occasionally interspersed with a few rumors she'd heard about the inner quarters, these fragmented stories did fill some gaps in Meng Shu's knowledge of the Marquis's household after she lost access to the information network. Last time, Green Willow had "complained" that she shouldn't have so readily handed over the Silk Pavilion, since Madam Yun had never said she wanted to take it back, and besides, after Xiu Yun and Ding Xiang left, Ying Chun had gradually become capable of handling things independently...

Meng Shu listened quietly, the corners of her lips curving slightly.

Today, the person accompanying Donggua to the palace is Steward An's granddaughter. Donggua insisted on leaving Steward An behind, and the two of them will wait until spring when the weather is warm before returning to Jinnan.

Are you coming back with me?

Meng Shu turned to look at her, "If you're still worried, you can ask a caravan or a security escort agency to escort Master An, it's the same thing."

Donggua pursed his lips, paused for a moment, and then said, "Don't scholars say that if you become rich and powerful and don't go home, it's like walking down a dark road in silk clothes... I, 'Dunzi,' am not only rich and powerful, but I also hold an official title. If I don't go back to Zhangjiazhuang and let my hateful parents and relatives take a look at me, wouldn't that be a pity?"

That was said without any emotion.

Meng Shu understood and felt that it was the right thing to do.

She only whispered a reminder: "It would be good to go back. Your indenture was a death contract, severing all ties with the Zhang family. Don't let them take advantage of you, and don't get entangled with them."

Donggua nodded, "Don't worry, Shushu, I know what I'm doing."

"Could I stop by... Meng Family Village? I remember you mentioned it before..."

No need.

They died many years ago.

When she said this, the smile disappeared from Meng Shu's lips.

Even with her photographic memory, after so many years, Meng Chengwen's appearance had faded to the point where she could barely remember it. Ever since she had her uncle move her mother's grave to Lin'an, Meng Family Village had completely vanished without a trace.

"If only I could go back to Lin'an."

When Meng Shu suddenly uttered those words, a gentle breeze swept over her, cool and refreshing, yet also carrying the warmth of the sun.

We've arrived at the Imperial Garden.

Donggua turned his back to shield himself from the wind and pulled Yu Nu'er closer in his arms. Then he sniffed the faint fragrance of plum blossoms carried on the wind. "There wasn't a breath of wind this morning. This is the first breeze to blow in the fifth year of Zhenghe."

Meng Shu paused slightly, somewhat dazed.

It turns out that she and Wan'er, along with others like them, had been in the palace for five years.

A few days ago, she was embroidering a purse and got so lost in thought that she even got the year wrong...

Perhaps it was because of the monotony of being in the palace day after day that the days became so dull that one gradually lost track of time and was completely unaware of how quickly the years had passed.

(∠(°ゝ°) Actually, the author miscalculated; Chapter 589 has been revised and corrected.)

Because Donggua mentioned the past, Meng Shu couldn't help but recall many things from before.

By the time it was time for dinner, Donggua had already left the palace, leaving only her and Yu Nu'er sitting opposite each other in the flower hall.

Mother and son shared dinner. Su, the wet nurse, carefully fed Yu Nu'er, while Meng Shu watched quietly, her gaze gradually softening.

The child she brought into this world was eating intently, his cheeks puffing out, occasionally glancing up at her with a smile. Seeing him, those turbulent old times finally calmed down.

Meng Shu reached out and gently smoothed Yu Nu'er's hair. The empty space in her heart was gradually filled by something soft and reassuring.

Seven or eight days into the first month of the lunar calendar, the Emperor still hadn't come to Lingcui Palace.

Even Consort Chun began to worry about Meng Shu.

"Could it be... that you're being deliberately ignored because of that purse?" That day, Consort Chun came over and sat for a while in Cuiyu Hall.

A pile of things lay in front of Meng Shu, who was currently fiddling with the ashes in the incense burner. Before she could speak, Consort Chun frowned and said, "Our Emperor's mind is sometimes as narrow as a needle's point! If I had to say, I think only your purse truly reveals his true intentions."

Meng Shu raised her eyes and saw Consort Chun's appearance. She smiled gently and said, "It doesn't matter whether he comes or not. Even if I fall out of favor, as long as you are here, no one in the six palaces will dare to slight Lingcui Palace in the slightest."

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun raised an eyebrow, about to say something more, when footsteps sounded outside.

Ruizhu lifted the curtain and came in, taking two steps closer before whispering, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Hospital just sent word that Consort Yun has been diagnosed with pregnancy."

"Cousin Yun?" Consort Chun put down her teacup and stood up. "Really?"

"It was Physician Jian who personally examined my pulse. I just had Mingyue invite Physician Jian over to ask him in detail," Ruizhu replied softly.

Meng Shu put down the jade pestle and mortar she was using for making incense, and stood up. “This is indeed a rare and joyous occasion. Why don’t we go and visit in person? If there is anything that needs to be added or any decisions made, we can have someone take care of it promptly.”

Upon hearing the commotion, Green Willow, who was standing to the side, stepped forward and deftly gathered up the incense burner, mortar and pestle, silver leaf sieve, and various spice bowls, placing them in the sandalwood display case next to her.

Consort Chun nodded slightly: "Very well, let's go to Ganlu Palace together."

Upon hearing this, Mengzhu and Xia'er immediately brought out brocade cloaks that had been scented with warm fragrance and carefully draped and fastened them over their masters.

The group left the Lingcui Palace.

Ganlu Palace is not far away; it only takes the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to get there.

Zhao Baolin was still under house arrest, residing in a side hall. When Meng Shu and the others arrived, Zhao Baolin was standing under the corridor, gazing longingly towards the main hall.

"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine and Consort Jin."

Upon seeing Consort Chun and Consort Jin's sudden arrival, Zhao Baolin became even more curious after paying her respects.

After Meng Shu and the others were ushered into the main hall by Gui Qiu and their figures disappeared behind the carved doors, Zhao Baolin straightened up and whispered to her personal maid Xue'er, "The imperial physician seems to still be inside. With this entourage, could it be that Consort Yun... is pregnant?"

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. A surge of bitter resentment welled up in her throat, and she gritted her teeth, saying hatefully, "It's all that damned Lin Wanqing's fault! She was always going against me even before I entered the palace. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been confined to my quarters by the Emperor..."

Xue'er quickly interrupted, "Your Highness, please be careful what you say. If Consort Yun is indeed pregnant, the Emperor will inevitably visit Ganlu Palace often. Your Highness, you are staying in the side hall, so you will have an advantage..."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed across Zhao Baolin's face. "That's true."

She rolled her eyes, pondered for a moment, and instructed, "Go and inquire carefully later. If she is indeed pregnant, find out the box of top-quality styrax that Mother sent the other day and deliver it to her for me."

“Mother said that after the New Year, two Southeast Asian trading companies opened in the capital, selling all kinds of rare foreign goods. Consort Yun is not of high birth, but she has the powerful backing of the Marquis of Lin'an’s mansion, so ordinary things probably won’t catch her eye. This styrax was bought by Mother at a high price.”

Xue'er was about to agree when she felt it was inappropriate: "Master, it may not be appropriate to send incense. The nanny by Madam's side taught me that pregnant women should not use incense."

Zhao Baolin waved his hand, "Just send it, we're sending our heartfelt wishes. Suhexiang's mother must have had it verified."