Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 241 Infection

Hanfang was also startled. She cursed Xingyu under her breath, left some medicinal herbs, curtsied, and walked out of the bedroom. She glanced at Xia'er beside her, a hint of pity flashed across her face, and she gave her a wink.

Xia'er was not going to pay any attention, but Hanfang was quite strong and dragged her out.

Green Willow was serving the medicine when she saw that everyone had left, so she scooped up a spoonful and fed it to herself.

"vomit--"

Green Willow suppressed the cloying sweetness in her throat and softly scolded, "Oh my goodness! Doesn't the sugar in the kitchen cost money? How much did Winter Melon put in the ginger honey water?!"

Hua Yan watched Xia'er being pushed away and smiled at Lv Liu, "Dong Gua has a sweet tooth, save some for her, and you make sure she drinks it all later!"

On the palace path outside Huining Palace, Hanfang hesitated, but then, remembering that they both came from the Duke of Qing's mansion, she asked, "Consort Meng's illness is so alarming, could it be that she has contracted a plague?"

Xia'er looked around and said in a deep voice, "Don't make wild guesses. The imperial physician came to examine the master's pulse yesterday and said it was a cold, nothing serious."

Hanfang still had doubts on her face, and muttered to herself, "If it's just a cold, why would Consort Chun need to go to Shou Kang Palace? Even if it's just a cold, the lady's appearance will probably be ruined."

Then she smiled bitterly: "We both come from the Duke's mansion. A servant should not serve two masters. We have already broken the taboo. What future do you have if you stay by her side? Why not take this opportunity to ask Granny Gui to transfer you to Renming Palace to serve, or ask Consort Chun for a favor. Consort Chun is kind-hearted and may allow you to return to the Duke's mansion."

After the snow, the sky cleared, and everything was pure white.

Xia'er's expression softened slightly, but her tone remained cold. "Although Consort Chun and Consort Meng do not value Chun'er and me, they have never mistreated us. Although we were born into the Duke's family, our parents and elders have already repaid the Duke's family's kindness. From now on, the Duke's family has nothing to do with me."

Hanfang said no more. Thinking of herself, she still felt that serving in Renming Palace was the best option. Seeing that Xia'er was unmoved by her words, she turned around and went to Renming Palace without saying a word.

Xia'er stood on the snow, gazing at the high palace walls on both sides, her eyes unfocused, with a hint of water glistening in them.

She resented the Duke's mansion, but she was also taken care of by Granny Yu in the official slave quarters. After learning that Granny Yu had returned to the Duke's mansion, she quickly guessed with her intelligence that the Third Miss might enter the palace. But she only wanted to live peacefully and live well in place of her deceased parents and brothers.

The bright moon, hidden behind the wall, heard the entire conversation between the two.

Hua Yan, half-reclining on the bed, was not idle. She was embroidering a pattern by the sunlight and was now finishing it.

Having spent a lot of time with Ruizhu and Xiaonianzi, Mingyue had picked up a gossipy air about her. After vividly recounting the story, she stood obediently to the side, waiting for Huayan's instructions. However, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the ginger honey water on the table and pursed her lips slightly.

Green Willow handed it to her with a smile, "It's made with winter melon, try it quickly."

Mingyue happily accepted it, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Green Willow turned to go to the outer room to pour tea, intending to help her cut through the sweetness, but when she turned back, she exclaimed in surprise, "Finished drinking?...Mingyue, is your throat alright?"

Mingyue took a handkerchief from her waist and lightly wiped her lips, saying shyly, "The winter melon drink is quite delicious, is there anything wrong with it?"

Green Willow held a cup of tea in silence for a long time. No wonder Winter Melon always asked Bright Moon to taste the dishes. This chivalrous woman was someone who accepted everything without hesitation and enjoyed it immensely.

Seeing that Green Willow was in a daze, Mingyue didn't take it to heart. "This servant has always thought that Xia'er's eyes are clear and upright, unlike the kind of person who would betray their master for personal gain. Today has confirmed that."

Green Willow also said, "Although I haven't been in the palace for long, I've spent time with Xia'er these past few days and I think she's a decent person."

When Green Willow saw Chun'er, she couldn't help but think of her former self. Seeing how protective Xia'er was of her sisters, she also felt a lot of goodwill towards her.

Hua Yan put down her needlework and said softly, "You should know that besides your own heart, there are often many things that are beyond your control. Let's just keep an eye on things for now."

Green Willow and Bright Moon nodded in agreement, and then asked what to do with the medicinal herbs sent by the Empress. Hua Yan took the herbs and examined them. "They won't tamper with these herbs. Let's leave them for now. I reckon that unlucky Jian Zhi should be coming to Huining Palace in about an incense stick's time."

Mingyue asked in surprise, "Why are you so sure it's Physician Jian? Wasn't it Physician Lu who came earlier?"

Hua Yan explained that Jian Zhi had been treated for an epidemic in Jinzhou before entering the Imperial Hospital. When Physician Lu came to examine her, Hua Yan had not yet taken any medicine. Now that Xing Yu had noticed the abnormality on her face, the Empress would probably not only dare not summon her to Renming Palace, but would also send someone to investigate her in detail.

The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital would probably avoid this kind of illness like the plague, and since Jian Zhi is new to the job, the task will most likely fall to him...

Mingyue left the bedchamber, and Lüliu took the needle and thread from Huayan's hands, saying that it was all part of the act and that she should rest in peace.

"If you're going to feign illness, why ruin your appearance? What if someone with ulterior motives spreads the disease?" The Empress's visit worried Green Willow. She had been trying to remain calm, but now that there were no outsiders in the palace, she couldn't help but speak her mind.

“If it were a common illness, Her Majesty the Empress would have summoned me, a mere concubine, with a single imperial decree. How much better it is now! Before the New Year, no outsiders will disturb Huining Palace.”

There's no need to tell Green Willow what's left unsaid.

Hua Yan rarely showed such a relaxed expression in recent years, and Green Willow almost burst into tears when she stepped forward and held her hand.

————Boundary Line of Renming Hall————

Xingyu hurriedly returned to Renming Palace and carefully described Huayan's sickly appearance. The Empress was surprised and suspicious, but when she heard that Huayan's face was covered with red spots, she felt slightly relieved. However, she then ordered Granny Gui to go to the Imperial Hospital to find an imperial physician to diagnose the illness.

"I intended to kill two birds with one stone, but those two vile women, Tang Qingwan and her servant, are quite clever."

The Empress wondered to herself: Could it be that they've sensed something amiss with my pregnancy? "Have Physician He and Imperial Physician Sun had any contact with anyone from Huining Palace recently?"

Xingyu remained silent for a moment, then shook her head and replied, "No, news came from Huining Palace that the one who took the pulses of Consort Chun and Consort Meng was Physician Lu. Physician Lu comes from a family of doctors in Nanyang and has no connection with the Marquis of Lin'an's residence."

The Empress breathed a sigh of relief, but felt that something was wrong. Just as she was about to think about it carefully, her eyes and brows started to ache again, and her chest felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on her, making it hard for her to breathe.

Zhi Xue offered a cup of calming tea. The Empress parted her lips slightly, took a few sips, placed the teacup aside, and slowly lay down on her side.

Seeing this, Lu Wei moved slightly and quietly stepped forward. She gently raised her hand and placed it on the Empress's head, kneading it with just the right amount of pressure. Every movement was made with utmost care, for fear of disturbing the Empress.

"Go and see if Consort Guo's men have gone to Huining Palace to visit her," the Empress suddenly opened her eyes and instructed Xingyu.

Xingyu understood immediately and said softly, "Yes, once Consort Guo comes out of Huining Palace, I will send someone to spread the news that Consort Meng has contracted the plague."