Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 169 The Crown Prince's Death

Consort Zhen glanced at her with a surprised look and nodded slightly to Hua Yan.

Hua Yan took the tray from Xia'er's hands. Yu Shiqi paused for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing across her face. Finally, she took out a beautifully embroidered moon-white purse from her sleeve.

She said shyly:

“A few days ago, His Highness sent many precious green chrysanthemums to Yunyi Palace. I suppose His Highness was trying to please my sister, Consort. So I secretly embroidered a purse with the green chrysanthemum pattern. Please accept it, sister.”

What Yu's concubine was holding was indeed an exquisitely crafted purse that was impossible to look away from.

Shaped like a crescent moon, it is made of plain white satin with gold thread embroidered along the edges. Several different green silk threads, ranging from light to dark, are used to embroider the green chrysanthemums, which are round like discs and in full bloom. The petals are layered, and the yellow silk threads that adorn the stamens are faintly visible, shimmering with fine lines in the light.

The needlework is exquisite, making the petals and stamens seem to leap off the page.

Given that Concubine Yu had not been close to the concubine before, Hua Yan secretly raised her eyebrows, accepted the gift without making a sound, and smelled a faint floral fragrance.

She curtsied to Concubine Yu and said, "Concubine Yu is indeed worthy of having worked in the Imperial Stud Bureau. She used no less than three different needlework techniques for this small purse. Concubine Yu is truly skilled. This servant thanks you on behalf of our concubine."

Concubine Yu slightly stepped aside to avoid the situation. Her status as a concubine of Hua Yan had already been recorded in the Prince's mansion's archives on the day of the wedding, so Concubine Yu naturally dared not presume to accept such a courtesy.

"Miss Hua Yan is too kind. To be honest, my mother is a well-known embroiderer in Zhenjiang Prefecture. I have been by her side since I was a child. I started learning flower patterns at the age of six and needlework at the age of seven. In the blink of an eye, I have been learning for more than ten years now."

Yu's concubine slowly recounted her background, and when she mentioned embroidery, a rare hint of pride appeared on her round face.

Hua Yan handed the tray to Meng Zhu beside her, touching the raised flower stamen on the purse and said:

"No wonder the embroidery is so exquisite. I think the flower stamens are 'seed stitch'. I once heard the nanny in the manor mention that seed stitch is a unique needlework technique from the Su family. It seems that I have a family tradition of needlework."

Concubine Yu forced a polite smile: "Miss Hua Yan has a good eye. My mother comes from a branch of the Su family of Qingxi."

Hua Yan smiled slightly and stepped aside.

Seeing that Hua Yan showed no change in expression, Consort Zhen said, "It is kind of you to show such goodwill towards Consort Hui. I am sure that the Consort will be happy to receive the birthday gift."

This meant that she agreed to present it on her behalf. The concubine looked delighted and bowed again to thank her. "I entered the palace five years ago through the imperial concubine selection and worked in the Imperial Clothing Bureau. It was because of my embroidery skills that I gained the favor of Consort Hui."

"This is the only embroidery skill I can offer. If Consort Zhen doesn't mind, I will do my utmost to help her if she ever needs my assistance in the future."

Consort Zhen said calmly, "You flatter me."

After another quarter of an hour, Concubine Yu got up to take her leave, and Hua Yan followed her out of Yunyi Palace. Once Concubine Yu and her servant could no longer see each other's backs, Hua Yan beckoned Yu Heyuan to come to her side.

"Sister Huayan, what are your orders?" Xiao Yuanzi bowed respectfully.

Hua Yan whispered, "Keep a close eye on Xia'er, who serves Concubine Yu, these next few days. Be careful not to be discovered."

“I do know a maid who is responsible for cleaning the alley leading from the Begonia Courtyard to the back garden every day. That maid owes Xiao Nianzi a favor before, so please rest assured, Miss, I will definitely take care of this matter.” Xiao Yuanzi thought for a moment and then replied.

Hua Yan turned and returned to the main hall only after seeing Xiao Yuanzi leave.

Mengzhu, Ruizhu, and Mingyue were carefully examining the embroidered handkerchiefs and other items brought by Concubine Yu. While examining them, they couldn't help but admire the exquisite craftsmanship of the handkerchiefs.

"Even if I, your concubine, had the greatest courage, I would not dare to deliberately do anything bad with the congratulatory gift I sent to Consort Hui."

Even considering her family background, Concubine Yu wouldn't dare to do such a thing.

Consort Zhen couldn't help but ask, "You're usually not very talkative in public, why were you so... just now?"

Just as Hua Yan took the purse out again, Rui Zhu covered her mouth and exclaimed softly, "Could it be that there's something wrong with the purse that was given to the concubine? But she shouldn't dare to so blatantly offer herself up as leverage, right?"

Hua Yan shook her head and said with a smile, "Since you've said that, how could Concubine Yu be so stupid?"

These days, Concubine Yu has never come to us on her own initiative. Even if she is not allowed to enter the palace, she doesn't need to rely on us.

She could easily use the birthday gift as an excuse to request an audience with the prince, and have him deliver it on her behalf. At the very least, she could see the princess while paying her respects daily.

Hua Yan sniffed the air gently, pinched the two tourmaline beads at the end of the tassel with her right hand, and pulled down slightly with her left hand, revealing a light green silk ribbon tied at the two corners of the purse.

"Mingyue, go to the kitchen yourself and see if Donggua is done with her work. Tell her to come over here."

Hua Yan explained to Consort Zhen, "This servant cannot judge at the moment, but I noticed that when Consort Yu took out this purse, there was a slight hesitation on her face, and her movements were a little stiff. Moreover, the last things she said were rather abrupt."

"This servant has already sent Xiao Yuanzi to keep an eye on the Begonia Courtyard. We'll take a closer look when Donggua arrives."

Not long after, Donggua hurriedly entered the palace.

"Was the incense changed in the hall today?" Donggua curtsied and asked, puzzled.

Hua Yan and the others exchanged glances. Meng Zhu quickly pulled Dong Gua closer. Dong Gua looked bewildered, not bothering to admire the large embroidered green chrysanthemum. He sniffed it lightly for a while before scratching his head and saying:

“I can smell a faint fragrance from the green silk thread used on this silk ribbon and plain satin. It doesn’t smell like medicine. It seems to be a fragrance made from a mixture of cypress leaves and several different dried flowers.”

Hua Yan seemed to be deep in thought, while Consort Zhen frowned slightly. "Never mind, just put it in the corner of the storeroom."

As for the congratulatory gifts, Donggua examined them repeatedly and shook his head, saying, "These handkerchiefs have no smell at all."

Hua Yan checked the patterns one by one and found none of them to be taboo, then put the gift into a red lacquered brocade box.

"Don't worry, Consort. Let's wait and see. My concubine wouldn't come to us for no reason. She either has ulterior motives or is being instructed by someone with ulterior motives. As for the things that were sent, it's fine as long as we don't keep them with us."

The next day.

Donggua borrowed the kitchen and made several kinds of pastries, as well as two kinds of dough balls: pomegranate and longevity peach. She kept Huayan's instructions in mind and stayed by the stove during the steaming process.

Granny Yu from the kitchen observed for a long time, nodding repeatedly. "I didn't expect you to have such talent at such a young age."

Donggua replied in a simple and honest manner, "This servant made a few extra, and will present them to Granny Yu when they are ready."

"That's wonderful. Back then, the eldest son of our Duke's mansion... loved those exquisite pastries." Granny Yu was lost in memories, a trace of reminiscence flashing across her weathered face.

Ruyi Hall.

Jiang Jie placed the jade Guanyin statue in his hand into the brocade box and said to Lu Wei:

"The birthday gift my mother sent was indeed quite thoughtful. Tomorrow I will take this Guanyin statue to the palace and also get two boxes of incense pills made with flower dew from the storeroom."

Lu Wei nodded in agreement.

“Yesterday, Concubine Yu went to Yunyi Palace. When she came out, Xia’er left the congratulatory gift in Yunyi Palace. It should have gone smoothly.”

Jiang Jie sat in front of the dressing table, a cold smile suddenly blooming on her lips:

"Tang Qingwan's maid is clever. From now on, Xingyu should not have any contact with Haitang Courtyard. Concubine Yu is concerned about the safety of her family and would never dare to betray them. She will just keep it as a backup plan and wait it out."

......

While everyone in the Prince of Jin's mansion was busy preparing for Consort Hui's birthday celebration, a sudden change occurred in the imperial court, causing Consort Hui's birthday celebration to be unable to be held as scheduled—the Crown Prince, who had been suffering from a long-term illness, passed away at 5 PM on the fourth day of the third month.