Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 392 Urgent Report from the Northern Frontier

"This is... a sachet?"

Donggua muttered with slight disappointment, "Why did Madam send a sachet instead..." As she spoke, she twitched her nose, "And it has a very strong sandalwood scent."

The moment Meng Shu's gaze fell upon the contents of the box, her breath caught in her throat.

She solemnly picked up the sachet, which was pieced together from scraps of fabric in various colors. The sachet was empty inside, but a piece of orchid-scented paper lay quietly at the bottom of the box.

Green Willow noticed something was amiss and slapped away Winter Melon's outstretched hand. "Look closely at the fabric and pattern; it looks like it was offered before a Buddha statue."

The paper was written in Madam Yun's handwriting.

After reading it, Meng Shu waved her hand and said to the two of them, "You two go and rest first."

Seeing this, Green Willow pulled the curious Winter Melon out of the bedchamber.

With her fingertips gently tracing each stitch of the sachet, Meng Shufang rose and walked to the sandalwood box under the table on the left side of the bed, taking out a slightly worn bundle from the box.

This old bundle was the one she brought from Mengjiazhuang. Inside, besides a dagger given to her by her uncle, there was also a handkerchief embroidered by her mother.

Meng Shu slowly unfolded the handkerchief, revealing a lock of hair wrapped inside. She examined it closely by the candlelight for a long time before stuffing the handkerchief and the lock of hair into a sachet.

This sachet is made of thirty-six pieces of fabric, each piece of which was obtained by Lady Yun from thirty-six prominent temples in the Great Zhou Dynasty. The fabric is also printed with Buddhist chants, lotus flowers and other patterns.

This sentiment was likely conceived and prepared from the day she learned of her nightmares...

The thirty-six temples represent the thirty-six prefectures and cities we visited.

Although it wouldn't be difficult for the Tang family's business empire, which spans the entire world, Meng Shu's heart still fluttered with excitement at their dedication.

She pressed the sachet to her chest, closed her eyes, and stood quietly for a long time.

The other box contained two items, neither of which were valuable.

A tiny peach wood bow, no bigger than a baby's palm, is a folk toy used to ward off evil spirits for young children. There is also a pair of exquisitely crafted bells, about the size of a fingernail, with fine auspicious cloud patterns engraved on their bodies. A gentle shake produces a clear, melodious sound like a spring.

The sachet was used to express her longing for her deceased mother. The peach wood bow and arrow and bells subtly conveyed the Marquis's attitude towards the child she was carrying.

Lady Yun's ability to see through people's hearts is evident.

Inside the small kitchen.

Green Willow dismissed the others and said to Winter Melon, "When I was in Jinnan, Granny Zhou mentioned that a sachet made from a corner of the abbot's robe in a temple could bring the blessings of all Buddhas. Look at this one that Madam sent..."

Donggua clattered the soup ladle in his hand onto the stove: "Good heavens... how much effort did this take?"

“It’s more than just kung fu.” Green Willow picked up the soup ladle and rinsed it in the water. “How easy is it to meet the eminent monks in the temple? Let alone obtain this fabric.”

Looking towards the sleeping quarters, Donggua sighed, "Madam truly treats Shushu with all her heart."

Green Willow remained silent and did not respond.

A fragrant aroma wafted over, and she twitched her nose slightly, turning her head to look at the stove, which had already been extinguished: "What are you stewing? It smells so good."

Winter Melon smiled and lifted the lid of the casserole with pride, saying, "Osmanthus Duck! It's been simmering for a full hour."

"Chef Xu in the Imperial Kitchen is from Jiangning. I specially traded my recipe for tea pastries with him to learn his skills. Although it's my first time making them, just smell the aroma—you know it can't be wrong!"

Green Willow smelled the aroma and it was indeed quite good. Winter Melon scooped out a few pieces of the tenderest breast meat, drizzled on a spoonful of osmanthus sugar, and the fragrance became even more intense. She handed the bowl to Green Willow: "Shushu doesn't like to eat duck meat. This pot was originally prepared for you. You should try it first."

Green Willow stared at the glistening duck meat in the bowl, but shrank back slightly: "I remember you like duck the most, so you go first!"

She gave a wry smile, "I'm tired of trying out different dishes."

Winter Melon pursed her lips and said awkwardly, "I...I don't like eating it anymore."

"Huh?" Green Willow was taken aback.

"I'm using the pills that Physician Jian gave me. I have to avoid meat these days."

Upon hearing this, Green Willow's eyes lit up, and she suddenly mimicked Winter Melon's usual catchphrase, saying mischievously, "Good heavens! Is our Winter Melon going on a diet?!"

As she spoke, she pinched the soft flesh around Donggua's waist, "Let me see, this flesh is still firm!"

Winter Melon, annoyed by her antics, nearly dropped the bowl in her hand: "You little devil! Be careful, or I'll smear all the oil from the Osmanthus Duck on your face..."

The two joked and laughed for a while, but in the end, most of the osmanthus duck ended up in Jingming's mouth.

Jingming originally came to Cuiyutang to deliver a seal.

The Emperor recently acquired a piece of fine Hetian jade and personally carved two small seals from it, which he specially ordered to be delivered to him.

After finishing her errand, Xia'er led him to the small kitchen, where they happened to see Green Willow leaning against a vermilion pillar, holding a celadon bowl in her hands.

"It smells so good." Jingming stopped in his tracks without realizing it.

Green Willow looked up at the sound, a drop of glistening osmanthus honey still clinging to the corner of her mouth: "Jing Neiguan?"

She hurriedly wiped her mouth, "What's wrong...?"

Xia'er chuckled, "Sister got caught eating alone! Jing, the palace eunuch, said the Emperor ate little at dinner, so he came to see what delicious food Sister Donggua had made?"

Two glistening pieces of duck meat remained at the bottom of the bowl, exuding the aroma of osmanthus sugar, making it especially tempting at night.

Jingming's Adam's apple bobbed as he received a food box containing not only Osmanthus Duck, but also a plate of crystal-clear Amber Honey Meat and a plate of Tea Pastries.

Jingming's eyes lit up: "What a coincidence! The Emperor has a sweet tooth, and the Empress's evening offerings remain untouched. Consort Qi and Consort Rong have only been serving nourishing soups..."

He took the food box and weighed it in his hand. "I'll deliver it to the Funing Palace right away."

Upon hearing this, Green Willow's brows twitched slightly, and she said, "If you're not in a hurry, why don't you have some in the small kitchen before you leave? There's still some osmanthus wine warming on the stove."

Jingming suddenly leaned in and lowered his voice to her, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Green Willow. An urgent report has arrived from the northern frontier. The Emperor only ate half a bowl of rice porridge for dinner. We really cannot delay any longer."

Green Willow understood and turned around to have Winter Melon serve a few pieces of duck meat separately, carefully wrapping them in oil paper, and also adding two pieces of almond shortbread.

"Take it with you on the way back."

After Jingming's figure disappeared at the end of the palace road, Lvliu returned to the bedchamber to serve Meng Shu as she washed and dressed.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty was reviewing memorials alone in the Funing Palace tonight and did not summon anyone to his bedchamber. Just now, I overheard Jing mention that an urgent report had arrived from the northern border."

Meng Shu was casually stroking the two seals when she heard the words "Northern Frontier," and her fingertips suddenly stopped.

The eunuchs around the emperor are usually very careful with their words and actions, so why would they mention the military affairs of the previous dynasty without reason?

After a moment, she suddenly chuckled softly, "It seems His Majesty will be visiting Renming Palace quite often these next few days..."