Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 260 Dependence

After Jianzhi left Huining Palace, Huayan instructed Mengzhu and Lvliu to guard outside the door.

Upon hearing that Consort Guo was two months pregnant, Consort Chun felt a pang of sadness, but she forced a smile to hide her disappointment and said softly with a hint of envy, "Counting the days, it is indeed more than two months."

During the period before the Lunar New Year when Consort Chun sought refuge in Shou Kang Palace, Consort Guo briefly assisted in managing the six palaces and was favored by the emperor on several occasions.

Hua Yan remained calm, but this time she did not comfort Consort Chun as usual.

"It seems that since being confined to her quarters last time, Guo Xiurong has become much more restrained and knows how to act more tactfully."

In the harem, such news will become more and more common in the future. If Consort Chun herself cannot calm down and let go of it, no matter how much others try to persuade her, it will be in vain.

Dieqiong Pavilion.

Guo Xiurong lay supine on the daybed, still immersed in immense joy. She subconsciously reached out and gently stroked her flat stomach, her eyes filled with anticipation.

If a prince is born, he can claim the title of the eldest prince.

Shuyao and Huajin, standing to the side, were also overjoyed for their mistress. Before entering the palace, they had both received meticulous instruction in the mansion. Now, the two were discussing in detail how to ensure their mistress's safe pregnancy.

Shuyao said, "Why did Your Majesty keep this news a secret? The Empress suffered a miscarriage, and now Your Majesty is the only one in the palace who is pregnant. I'm sure the Emperor and the Empress Dowager will be overjoyed."

"Is Your Highness wary of the Empress? There's less than a month until your confinement is lifted, at which time Your Highness will inevitably have to go to Renming Palace to pay your respects..." Hua Jin looked worriedly at Duobao Pavilion, where the coral necklace had been locked away in the storeroom.

Upon hearing this, Guo Xiurong's breathing became heavy, and she began to worry.

......

Hua Yan left Consort Chun's quarters and walked along the pebbled path toward the side hall.

Seeing that Hua Yan's expression remained unchanged, Lü Liu couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Consort Guo certainly doesn't know that Imperial Physician Jian is one of our people. Should we take advantage of her still being under house arrest to do something?"

“I have known Chun Tao for many years, and I absolutely trust her,” Green Willow added.

Hua Yan stopped and looked at Lv Liu in surprise.

After Green Willow was sent to Jinnan, no one knows what spell Zhou Ya Po and Zheng Dongjia cast on her, which caused her to seem to go to another extreme.

In the past, Green Willow would never have said such a thing.

"On the contrary, we should not only refrain from taking action against Guo Xiurong, but also help her and win her over."

Hua Yan explained, "The Marquis of Weibei's mansion and the Duke of Qing's mansion, one a military force and the other a civil one, have deep roots in the court. As long as the Marquis of Weibei remains in power, the Empress's position will be secure, and Consort Mei is now the Emperor's most favored concubine."

With Empress Dowager Zhou gone from the palace, our Consort is now completely isolated and helpless. Given this unfavorable situation, it's perfect that Consort Guo is pregnant at this crucial moment.

If she were to give birth to a prince, it would be uncertain whether she could raise him to adulthood, let alone successfully raise him to adulthood. So why take action now? Although Consort Guo is somewhat cunning, she is not evil, and Hua Yan would not intentionally harm her.

Moreover, the Emperor is already twenty-four years old. He has no princes, let alone princesses. If the Emperor and Empress Dowager find out that Consort Guo is pregnant, they will definitely send people to take good care of her, whether openly or secretly.

Adapting to circumstances and changing times is the key to survival in the imperial harem.

After the two returned to their bedchamber, Hua Yan stared at a coral tree on the multi-treasure pavilion, a slight smile appearing on her lips: "If Consort Guo is a smart person, she will naturally seek protection. In this harem, who is more worthy of her reliance than Her Majesty?"

......

Sure enough, just two days later, Hua Jin, who was by Guo Xiurong's side, came to Huining Palace.

Mengzhu took the two brocade boxes from her and led her into the inner hall.

Hua Jin first bowed respectfully to Consort Chun and Hua Yan, and then said softly, "Your Highness Consort Chun, when Imperial Physician Jian took my master's pulse, he found out that he was pregnant. My master specially sent me to inform Your Highness."

Consort Chun was slightly surprised, but replied, "Oh? Consort Xiu is pregnant? That's wonderful news. Have you reported it to the Emperor?"

After speaking, he instructed Mengzhu to prepare some nourishing items and send them to Dieqiong Pavilion.

Hua Jin quickly stopped her: "My mistress said that because she is not yet three months pregnant and is under house arrest, she asked Imperial Physician Jian not to report to the Emperor for the time being, thinking that she would wait until the pregnancy was stable before reporting it."

Hua Yan said, "So, the news of Consort Guo's pregnancy was only told to Consort Chun?"

"Yes, this servant has come to deliver a message for my master. My master said that the Empress and the Consort will know after reading this letter." Hua Jin took out a letter from her sleeve and presented it to Meng Zhu with both hands.

Half an hour later, Hua Jin breathed a sigh of relief and left Huining Palace.

Consort Chun pointed to the letter and the coral necklace beside her, and said to Hua Yan, "What is the meaning of Xiu Rong's actions? It is understandable to imitate a piece of jewelry, but in the letter she not only said that she wanted to rely on me, but also promised that she could raise her child in my palace in the future?"

Consort Guo was ranked among the Nine Concubines, and according to the rules of the harem, she could have raised her own children.

"This is not surprising. The Empress once framed her. Given the Empress's character, she certainly wouldn't want her to give birth smoothly. Consort Xiu and Consort Mei have never had any contact, so naturally she wouldn't seek protection rashly. At present, relying on Her Majesty is the best choice."

Guo Xiurong's quick and decisive response impressed Hua Yan.

After explaining everything to Consort Chun, Hua Yan became interested in the coral necklace on the table. It was the same necklace that the Empress had given to Consort Guo.

Hua Yan held it in her hand and examined it for a long time. She picked out only two beads from it, and then she was at a loss. She turned around and instructed Rui Zhu: "Rui Zhu, call Dong Gua here."

Ruizhu and the others were all confused. After hearing Huayan's instructions, Ruizhu responded and left the study.

After Donggua came in, Huayan pointed to a spot and asked, "Donggua, do you think these two beads have any unusual smell?"

Donggua sniffed, held the bead in his hand, turned it over and over to look at it several times, then brought it to his nose to smell it carefully. Finally, he answered with a slight hesitation, "The bead has no strange smell, but the string connecting the bead seems to have a very faint fragrance, but it doesn't smell like spices."

Because of her preconceived notions, Hua Yan only noticed the coral beads and completely overlooked the rope.

"Send it to the mansion first. Madam will find the craftsmen at Yongbaolou to make a replica. Also, instruct them to replace the string connecting the beads. Make sure no one notices anything amiss."

Meanwhile, in the Dieqiong Pavilion, Consort Guo eagerly awaited Consort Chun's response. Only after hearing Hua Jin's report that the coral bead string had been left with Consort Chun did Consort Guo finally feel relieved.

......