kvmb Chapter 447 This is just the beginning; there's still a lot to come.
Chapter 447 This is just the beginning; there's still a lot to come.
Consort Chun stayed in the Buddhist hall for about half an hour before Empress Dowager Zhou waved her away, saying, "Go back and rest well. You no longer need to copy scriptures. If you find embroidery interesting, I will have Rongxiu deliver a message to the Marquis's residence, asking Yongxiu Cloth Shop to select a few embroiderers to personally teach you some exquisite skills."
Consort Chun was about to take a step when she heard this and stopped in her tracks, her face showing surprise.
Empress Dowager Zhou glanced at her and raised her eyes slightly: "Don't worry, the Emperor's attention is not on you right now."
Consort Chun smiled, whether amused by Empress Dowager Zhou's bluntness or by self-deprecation that she didn't care much about the Emperor. She curtsied and quietly withdrew.
As soon as she stepped out of the Buddhist hall, Rongxiu couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty's words... are a bit too direct."
Empress Dowager Zhou picked up a vermilion name card from the table and ran her fingertips over the vigorous characters on it. "What I say is true. The Emperor's thoughts are all on Consort Jin and the newborn Crown Prince."
The windows of the Buddhist hall were not closed tightly, and a wisp of breeze drifted in, swirled around the name card, and disappeared into the corner of the table, carrying the scent of sandalwood.
The invitation was a name card personally written by the Emperor for Empress Dowager Zhou to review. He had chosen the character "Jing" for the eldest prince, and on the day of the full moon celebration, it would be formally recorded in the imperial genealogy, respectfully announced to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and then proclaimed to the public.
Rongxiu brought over the freshly brewed hot tea. Empress Dowager Zhou put down her name card and gently stroked the rim of the teacup with her fingertips. "It saves me the trouble of protecting it anymore. After today, the eyes that are eyeing Yichun Palace should disappear."
“There is only one prince in the palace right now, and he is the eldest son, so the Emperor will inevitably dote on him.” Rongxiu seemed to be thinking of the two children that Empress Dowager Zhou did not manage to save, and her mood became somewhat low.
But the more the emperor cherishes her, the more likely she is to become a thorn in the side of others, and the more schemes and plots she faces, both openly and secretly, will be made against her than usual.
She composed herself and said in a low voice, "I think Consort Jin has some skills and should be able to protect herself. If she hadn't sent her maid, Green Willow, to deliver a message and give instructions, I would have really overlooked the Cheng Guan Zhai where the Zhen family physician is staying."
"This is just the beginning...and there's still a lot to fight ahead."
Empress Dowager Zhou took a sip of tea and began to rearrange the orchids on the table.
......
Lingcui Palace, Cuiyu Hall.
The Emperor had only been gone for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, and Meng Shu stared intently at the red notice, her heart tightening with each passing moment.
"What's wrong, Shushu?" Donggua lifted the curtain and came in, a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. The Bureau of Clothing had delivered the newly made summer clothes for the palace maids as usual, and she had just gone to the front hall to inspect them.
Green Willow, standing nearby, asked with concern, "Your Majesty, the Emperor just said that this character is composed of 'jade' and 'scenery,' which corresponds to your title and also subtly relates to the Jade Hall where the young master was born, implying 'a bright future and lasting blessings.' I think it's all very auspicious, so is there anything wrong with it?"
Meng Shu carefully put the invitation away under her soft pillow. "It's nothing. We can't control what name we choose."
She quickly turned to look at Donggua: "Have the clothes sent by the Bureau of Imperial Clothing been inspected?"
"I've checked them all, and apart from the exceptionally neat stitches, I don't notice anything different. However, Cailian came along today too. She usually serves Aunt Zhou and has never had the task of delivering clothes."
Green Willow frowned upon hearing this: "I've been busy these past two days and haven't had a chance to meet with Cailian. There must be a reason why a seamstress like her, who specializes in embroidery, was suddenly sent to deliver clothes. Perhaps something happened in the embroidery workshop that led to the temporary reassignment of personnel?"
Meng Shu lowered her eyes and fiddled with the jade button on her cuff. After a moment of contemplation, she looked up and asked, "What kind of clothes was she holding just now?"
Donggua thought for a moment and replied, "It's for the three wet nurses. There are six sets of summer clothes in total, two sets for each person, along with shoes and socks, all neatly folded."
"Bring one over," Meng Shu instructed.
Winter Melon responded and left. The hall was quiet for a moment, then Green Willow, still worried, said, "Should I go to the embroidery room later and secretly check with Cailian?"
Meng Shu nodded. "It's hard to guard against a hidden arrow. The full moon celebration is the day after tomorrow, so it's best to be cautious."
Before long, Donggua came in carrying a blue cloth bundle.
Meng Shu took it, first feeling the fabric, then turning it over to examine the stitches closely at the collar and cuffs, even twisting the sewing threads. Finally, she unfolded the garment and shook it, finding nothing unusual.
As evening approached, Green Willow returned from outside, her brows furrowed tightly, her face much more somber than when she left.
"Your Highness, Xia'er said that these clothes for the wet nurse were secretly changed by Aunt Zhou just before they were sent out of the embroidery room. Aunt Zhou even specially asked Cailian to bring them over, and told her not to change them on the way."
As she spoke, she took out a small piece of fabric from her sleeve and handed it to Meng Shu. "This is a piece that Cai Lian took from her change of clothes. I just touched it, and it seems like there's something mixed in with the fabric. My fingertips feel a little numb after a while."
"The ones that were taken off were destroyed by Aunt Zhou?"
Meng Shu took the fabric and noticed burn marks on the edges.
Green Willow nodded, turned around and went outside to instruct Xia'er. A moment later, she brought in a basin of warm water.
Meng Shu brought the fabric to her nose and sniffed it. A very faint herbal scent entered her nasal cavity. It was not the usual lemongrass or mint used to scent clothes. It had a slightly astringent taste, and she couldn't tell for a moment what kind of herb it was or what strange spices it contained.
She gently rubbed her fingertips against the fabric, and in a short while, a delicate tingling sensation spread from where her fingertips touched it.
It's easy to imagine the consequences if a baby less than a month old were to come into contact with even a trace of it.
"Your Highness, should we report this matter to the Emperor? Or... should I let Jing Neiguan know first?"
As she spoke, Green Willow wrung out a damp cloth and handed it over.
"Without evidence, even if we find the person, it won't help." Meng Shu took the handkerchief to wipe her fingertips and thought, "Tomorrow, have Hongyu go to the embroidery room and say that I want to make a few soft satin clothes to wear next to my body. Have Aunt Zhou come to Cuiyu Hall in person to discuss the selection of materials."
The next day, just after 9 a.m., Aunt Zhou arrived with Hongyu.
She kept her head down the whole way until she was led to the flower hall of Cuiyu Hall, where she knelt down outside the curtain according to the rules, saying, "This servant, Zhou, greets Consort Jin. May Your Highness be blessed."
"Aunt Zhou, please come in and give us your answer." Meng Shu's voice came from inside the curtain.
Green Willow responded and came out from the inner room, helped Aunt Zhou up and led her inside, and then said to Xia'er and the others, "You guys stay outside and don't come in without Her Majesty's permission."
Aunt Zhou was helped into the flower hall. She lowered her eyes and dared not look too much. She stood in front of the table with her hands hanging down.
Green Willow smiled and reassured her, "I've been to the embroidery room many times and met you a few times, so you don't need to be so reserved here with our lady."
Hearing this, Aunt Zhou dared to secretly raise her eyes and quickly glance at Meng Shu's clothes.
She had a dignified appearance, but the few strands of white hair at her temples were too conspicuous, like a layer of frost, making her look much more haggard than her actual age.
"I heard from Miss Hongyu that Her Highness wants to make several summer dresses," Aunt Zhou said, bowing slightly, her voice a little strained. "This servant will take Her Highness's measurements right away?"
Meng Shu said gently, "No rush. It's been very stuffy these past few days. Aunt must be tired from walking all the way from the embroidery room. Why don't you have a cup of milk tea to rest first?"
Green Willow moved the embroidered stool behind Aunt Zhou, but Aunt Zhou acted as if she hadn't seen it, her knees taut.
......