Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 242 The Demeanor of a Gentleman

As Jian Zhi hurried towards Huining Palace carrying his medicine box, he found himself inside Dieqiong Pavilion.

Guo Xiuyi's personal maid, Shuyao, tidied up the inkstone that had been knocked over by Fanxue. Seeing that her mistress was in a bad mood, she advised, "You are one of the Nine Consorts. Why should you lower yourself to visit a mere Talent? If you want to go, let me or Huajin go in your place."

Hua Jin echoed, "It's all for the sake of Consort Chun. Master sent over a few boxes of donkey-hide gelatin last time; how about I take one box and deliver it to Huining Palace?"

Guo Xiuyi said, "That's fine. You're always meticulous, so please go for me."

Shuyao went to the storeroom to get donkey-hide gelatin. Guo Xiuyi said to Huajin, "Something is amiss. Consort Chun started serving at Shou Kang Palace yesterday, and Consort Meng happened to fall ill. Why do the two of them seem to be deliberately avoiding something?"

"Could there be some unforeseen event in the palace soon?" Consort Guo pondered to herself, feeling increasingly uneasy as she thought about it.

"This servant will go and investigate. If Consort Meng is indeed ill, then it must be a coincidence."

Hua Jin took the donkey-hide gelatin from Shu Yao, took a brocade box from the treasure pavilion, carefully placed it away, and then left Dieqiong Pavilion.

Seeing Hua Jin leave, Chun Tao stood outside the hall with the tea in her hands and said softly, "Sister Shu Yao, the tea is ready."

Huining Hall.

When Jian Zhi saw the red spots on Hua Yan's face, he was also shocked. He was relieved to see that Hua Yan looked normal. However, Hua Yan had indeed caught a cold, otherwise how could she have deceived Physician Lu?

Looking at the pill the size of a mung bean in front of him, Jian Zhi clicked his tongue in amazement, carefully scraped off some powder with his fingernail, and then tasted it on his tongue.

Hua Yan smiled and said, "I only got three pills. I used one this morning. Take this one back and see if you can replicate it."

Jian Zhi happily accepted it and comforted her, "Your Highness doesn't need to pretend for long. The Empress won't last until the New Year. Physician Sun has aged considerably these days and is about to run out of options."

"I would like to trouble Physician Jian to prescribe a prescription so that this cold will not get better too quickly. As for the erythema, its symptoms are similar to those of rubella, so I would also like to trouble you to prescribe a prescription for it. In this way, the pulse record will also have a record to refer to."

After you leave Huining Hall, you must immediately present the medical record to Physician He.

Jian Zhi's expression was solemn. After a moment's thought, he understood. He nodded and replied, "Your Majesty, I understand. If news of an epidemic spreads from Huining Palace, regardless of whether the symptoms match, those infected will be sent to the Yeting Palace for isolated and guarded purposes. In this way, what is false may become true."

"However, a doctor with a little experience who has examined the pulse diagnosis will know that this illness is definitely not an epidemic, so you can rest assured."

"If word gets out, there are ways to deal with it. In any case, Consort Chun is in Shou Kang Palace these days, so it won't affect her."

Green Willow came in to report that Hua Jin had come to visit as instructed by Consort Guo. Hua Yan's lips curled slightly, "Let her in."

......

Shou Kang Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhou is looking at Mr. Lin's calligraphy.

"I've heard that the Lin family has a daughter named Qiaoyin, whose fingering is exquisite, producing elegant melodies with every strum of the strings, and whose exquisite beauty is captivating. I never expected that in addition to her musical talent, her calligraphy is also so elegant."

Empress Dowager Zhou praised repeatedly, but when her gaze swept over Consort Chun's handwriting, she frowned slightly, "Consort Chun's skill is far from sufficient."

Consort Chun looked ashamed, and Rongxiu quickly spoke up to smooth things over: "Your Majesty is being too harsh. Consort Chun's calligraphy is not ordinary either. Have you forgotten that you praised it before?"

When Rongxiu exposed her, Empress Dowager Zhou was not angry. Instead, she followed up by asking, "I have really forgotten about this. When I prayed for the late Emperor in early June, I asked you, was the Lotus Sutra that you brought into the palace that day really copied by you alone?"

A drop of pitch-black ink soaked the paper, and Consort Chun's mind went blank. She quickly put down her pen and knelt on the ground to beg for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, I know my sins. The scriptures from that day... were indeed not written by me alone."

Empress Dowager Zhou laughed happily upon hearing this, and said to Rongxiu with a hint of pride, "Look, I've won."

Rongxiu hurriedly helped Consort Chun up, saying, "Consort Chun, please don't be alarmed. The Empress Dowager has no intention of blaming or blaming you." Then, somewhat amused, she added, "This servant was blind and truly didn't notice. It is only because of Your Majesty's discerning eyes that you saw through it with just one glance."

"Was the second volume written by Consort Meng, who served you?"

Consort Chun looked embarrassed and nodded in agreement.

Although Empress Dowager Zhou had already guessed it, she still couldn't hide her astonishment. Then, as if she had thought of something, a playful smile appeared on her lips.

"How amazing, how wonderful! Lady Meng comes from a humble background, how did she learn to write such beautiful characters? Your handwriting is similar, but hers is more elegant and graceful, with each stroke crisp and clean."

When Consort Chun saw Empress Dowager Zhou praising Hua Yan so highly, her expression softened and she relaxed.

“I have known Consort Meng since I was ten years old. She is well-versed in literature and we were both taught by Mr. Lin. Not only is her calligraphy excellent, but her chess skills are also superior to mine.”

The Buddhist hall was quiet and peaceful, with the fragrance of sandalwood wafting through the air.

Having witnessed countless palace intrigues, Rongxiu couldn't help but secretly gaze at Consort Chun, as if trying to see through her appearance to discern whether her words were sincere. Seeing her gentle face and clear eyes, Rongxiu felt a surge of tenderness in her heart.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the thin smoke, and Consort Chun, like a secluded orchid in a valley, stood quietly, a scene in itself.

Empress Dowager Zhou glanced at it for a moment, then sighed:

"Consort Chun has a heart as vast as the sea and a capacity to forgive others. Yesterday, I heard from the Emperor that you have donated several estates in the suburbs of the capital to temporarily house the disaster victims. This shows that you always have a compassionate heart. Such virtues are the mark of a gentleman. It is evident that the Yun family has taught you very well."

She already bore a resemblance to Yun Yue, a thought that Empress Dowager Zhou did not aloud. Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Zhou suddenly realized something and asked, "Which imperial physician usually takes your pulse?"

Before Consort Chun could answer, Empress Dowager Zhou instructed Rongxiu behind her, "Go and invite Physician He to Shou Kang Palace."

Consort Chun turned around, and the jade cicada at her waist rose and fell with it, with a few specks of dust swirling around it.

With a worried look on her face, she asked with concern, "Is Your Majesty feeling unwell? Why don't you rest for a while and have some tea? I happen to have brought a pot of ginger and honey water with me. Let me help you to the front hall to rest."

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled slightly and allowed Consort Chun to help her up. Before Rongxiu could leave the Buddhist hall, a palace maid from Shou Kang Palace rushed over to report.

"Your Majesty, Consort Min has sent word that an epidemic has broken out in Huining Palace, where Consort Chun resides..."