Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 572 Let those who should see see.

Cuiyu Hall.

"The lady asked me to thank Her Majesty. Her Majesty has been 'ill' for some time now, but she is gradually recovering," Jian Zhi said in a low voice as he placed the pulse pillow in the medicine box.

A hint of mockery flashed in Green Willow's eyes as she stepped forward and gently pulled down Meng Shu's rolled-up sleeves.

"You shouldn't thank me, Madam. This was originally my idea."

Meng Shu's voice was indifferent, but she perked up when she talked about Dong Gua's marriage: "When we were at the imperial palace, Wan'er sent a letter to Jin Nan. It's only a two-day journey from the capital. Steward An is getting old, so we'll have to ask Imperial Physician Jian to take good care of him."

“Of course.” Jian Zhi said solemnly, “I have already promised Donggua that I will treat Steward An as a close relative and elder, so please put your mind at ease, Your Majesty.”

Meng Shu looked at him quietly. She knew Jian Zhi was a proper person, but some things still needed to be said.

"Donggua has never experienced family affection since childhood. Over the years, she may seem simple and honest, but she understands the warmth and coldness of life better than anyone else. Since you have chosen her, you will not only be her husband, but also the family member she can rely on most in this world. I hope that you will treat her sincerely."

Jian Zhi bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. Now that I have asked to marry her, I will cherish her for the rest of my life, protect her well-being, bring her joy, and remain steadfast in my devotion.”

Meng Shu gazed at him for a long time, then nodded gently: "Remember what you said today."

When Donggua arrived, Jian Zhi was on his way to visit Yu Nu'er in the East Warm Pavilion. Green Willow saw him and said with a smile, "Donggua, you've come at the perfect time. You can take Physician Jian there."

Donggua first looked towards Meng Shu, and seeing Meng Shu nod, she then curtsied to Jian Zhifu, and then took a few steps forward, naturally taking the medicine box from his hand and holding it in her arms.

Jian Zhi looked at her with gentle eyes and said softly, "I'll carry it, it's not heavy."

Donggua held the medicine box more firmly, looking a little embarrassed, and pursed her lips without saying a word.

Seeing this, Meng Shu smiled and urged, "Hurry up and go to the warm pavilion. Yu Nu'er has been indulging in sweets these past two days. You all should talk to him about the consequences for me. We can't let him have his way anymore."

"Yes, Your Majesty understands."

Jian Zhi bowed in agreement and left with Dong Gua.

The two walked side by side under the corridor, their footsteps, one light and one heavy, yet strangely in sync. (The one with the heavier footsteps was Donggua.)

“Your Highness, we know Physician Jian very well. If you ask me, Donggua is the most fortunate. She will surely live a happy and harmonious life in the future.” Green Willow helped Meng Shu to sit down by the window in the inner room, and then took her embroidery work and sat down on the embroidery stool next to her.

"There's nothing else to do right now, so you should hurry up and finish making the wedding dress. Wan'er is busy with palace affairs, so Ruizhu probably won't be able to come often. Leave the cuffs for now, I'll embroider them."

Green Willow nodded in agreement. After finishing her needlework, she suddenly looked up and said, "Your Highness, this servant would like to ask the craftsmen of the Jewelry Department to help me make a set of headdresses."

"To add some money to Donggua's dowry? Take my palace token and go over there. Don't skimp on the money for the 'bribe'."

Green Willow hummed in agreement. "Does Your Highness still remember... when my parents were pestering me, and you and Winter Melon took me home for the last time..."

How could Meng Shu not remember that back then, Lü Liu was a gentle person with a doughy personality? If she hadn't been heartbroken by her loved ones, she wouldn't have become the decisive and clear-headed person she is today.

She put away her memories, nodded and smiled: "You remember the candy Donggua gave you that day." (Note: Chapter 64)

Green Willow's thoughts had long since drifted away. After a while, she smiled and whispered, "Winter Melon has collected seven or eight kinds. There are sesame-filled chewy candies, plum blossom-shaped shortbreads, pear syrup candies, pine nut candies... He stuffed them all into my hands."

"They say, 'If you eat sugar, your heart won't be bitter anymore,' and it's true, it really wasn't bitter afterward."

Looking at the green willows filled with nostalgia, Meng Shu sighed, "At such a young age, why are you already reminiscing about the past? When Donggua leaves the palace, you will personally see her off to her sedan chair. From now on, she will be outside the palace, and you will be inside. Your sisterly bond will never be broken."

She no longer tries to persuade Green Willow to leave the palace.

Meng Shu always felt a pang of guilt towards Lü Liu. Lü Liu had entered the palace because of her; this wasn't the path Lü Liu should have taken. Yet now, with only Dong Gua about to marry, and the girl not even leaving the palace yet, she was already feeling reluctant to part with her...

In the quiet of the night, she couldn't help but sigh, realizing that everyone has selfish desires, and she was no exception.

In early September, the official boat carrying Zhou Bai's family slowly sailed into the Zhangjiawan Canal Wharf.

Dingxiang and her husband were already waiting eagerly at the dock. Zhou Bai disembarked with his wife and children. While Xiuyun and Dingxiang were exchanging pleasantries and settling in, a nimble figure also quietly disembarked.

The man walked straight to a tea stall next to the dock, whispered a few words to the person waiting by the stall, then took the reins handed to him, mounted his horse, and headed towards Yanxing Gate, disappearing into the flow of carriages and people in the capital in the blink of an eye.

He was the Emperor's secret guard, named Lu Qi. Since Zhou Bai took up his post in Yangzhou, he had remained hidden, protecting his safety and observing his words and actions. Now that his mission was complete, he needed to return to the palace immediately to meet the Emperor.

Inside the Funing Hall.

Lu Qi recounted Zhou Bai's achievements, interactions, and even subtle changes in temperament during his three years in Yangzhou. Finally, he said in a deep voice, "Lord Zhou has gathered about a hundred refugees from Yuzhou. Those people are quite loyal and are currently scattered throughout Yangzhou."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor continued reviewing the memorials without stopping, and simply said, "I understand."

Zhou Bai secretly amassed power, as if everything was within his expectations.

Lu Qi paused briefly before continuing, "Your Majesty, there is another matter. Two months ago, a woman with exceptional martial arts skills was secretly spying on Lord Zhou, her movements extremely discreet."

"Woman?"

The Emperor finally put down his vermilion brush and looked up at Lu Qi.

Lu Qi lowered his head: "This person has excellent lightness skills and seems to be quite familiar with the methods of the government's secret guards. In order to avoid alerting him, I did not confront him directly."

The Emperor's gaze was like a deep pool. "Go to Wei Ying to hand over your duties. After today, you will be transferred to the public eye and will work under Zhou Bai from now on."

Lu Qi's heart skipped a beat. This meant he was to come out of the shadows and openly follow Zhou Bai from now on.

He immediately bowed his head in gratitude: "Your subordinate obeys the order."

“Now that the path is clear,” the Emperor said, picking up his teacup, “from now on, it’s not just about protecting him, but also about letting everyone who needs to see him see where my people are.”

As he spoke, he looked at Jingming and said, "I'll leave this matter to you."

Jingming immediately bowed his head: "Yes. This servant understands."

Lu Qi bowed and withdrew, and the hall returned to silence.

The Emperor sat alone, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, a cold star seeming to flash deep in his eyes. "Summon Wei Ying to see me."

Chen Lin is on duty outside the hall today.

After appearing briefly at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in Changchun Garden, he spent most of his time training at the military camp in the suburbs of Beijing. Today was not supposed to be his shift, but a colleague temporarily took his place.

What a coincidence.

The Emperor had barely spoken to grant Lu Qi permission to leave the shadows and openly observe, and Lu Qi, for the first time, stepped out of the main gate of the Funing Palace in broad daylight.

This step brought him face to face with Chen Lin, who was on duty under the eaves.

Their eyes met, but only for a moment. Chen Lin's gaze was calm; he didn't recognize Lu Qi, but Lu Qi recognized him.

Lu Qi didn't stop walking, thinking to himself: This kid... wasn't he tricked by Lord Zhou into going to the northern frontier to make a name for himself? How come he's in the important palace area?

Could it be that in just two years, he has already found another way to get a job in the Palace Guard?