Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 361 Birthday Banquet (2)

September 29th.

Meng Shu arrived at Huining Palace an hour early with congratulatory gifts and personally did Chunfei's hair and makeup. To match the clothes she had embroidered for her today, she specially styled Chunfei's hair into a high bun.

While combing her hair, Consort Chun squinted her eyes slightly with contentment, like a soft and cuddly little cat.

Looking at Consort Chun in the bronze mirror, Meng Shu softly praised, "Your Majesty's hair is still so smooth; Ruizhu must have put a lot of effort into maintaining it."

Consort Chun smiled slightly, "Don't praise her. Every time she takes half an hour to finish, which is a waste of time."

Upon hearing this, Ruizhu said sweetly, "Your Highness, please give me your opinion. This hair needs to be carefully styled."

Meng Shu lowered her head and selected jewelry from her makeup box. First, she picked out a gold hairpin inlaid with rubies and peony patterns and fixed it in the center of her hair. Then she chose a pair of gold hairpins with phoenixes holding ribbons to decorate her temples.

"Your Majesty should take care of your health, but osmanthus oil is the gentlest. If you want to use something else, please have Physician Jian examine it carefully before giving it to you."

Mengzhu hurriedly replied, "We have all remembered Your Highness's instructions, and we even had Physician Jian inspect the incense cakes used to scent our clothes."

Meng Shu nodded and picked up the blue ink to draw Chunfei's eyebrows.

Consort Chun looked into the bronze mirror and her eyes lit up slightly: "Shu'er's skills are the best. It reminds me of the first time you combed my hair when we were in Yunyi Courtyard."

Green Willow said, "Your Highness, Consort Chun, do not know that when Your Highness was learning the art of combing hair from the old women in the courtyard, you would practice on my head and Donggua's head at night, and it hurt so much!"

Ruizhu covered her mouth and chuckled, "You make that sound rather creepy."

Everyone in the room chuckled softly.

With a blush, Green Willow took out the gift she had brought: a magnificent outer garment made of gold-embroidered silk with wide sleeves, featuring a phoenix carrying a branch on the front and cloud patterns along the sleeve edges.

(Note: The design does not constitute an overstepping of boundaries)

Aunt Mei praised her endlessly, and Mengzhu and the others helped Consort Chun get dressed. Meng Shu said, "Tie on the phoenix pendant bestowed by the Emperor. The time is almost here, let's set off now."

......

The birthday banquet began at the beginning of the hour of You (5-7 PM), with all the concubines gathering at the Linde Hall.

Meng Shu and Consort Chun entered the main hall. Consort Song and others rose to pay their respects. Consort Chun's attire immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Compared to the others, Consort Rong's expression was more exaggerated, and her voice was exceptionally clear: "Was Consort Chun's dress made by the embroiderers of the Imperial Wardrobe in a rush? The phoenix and branch pattern is extremely lifelike."

Consort Shen's eyes were filled with envy; such regulations could only be used by those of the rank of Consort.

She stroked her swollen waist, her hopes growing stronger as she longed to give birth to a prince; otherwise, she didn't know if she would even live to see the day she was made a concubine...

After Consort Chun took her seat, a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips: "This is a birthday gift from Shu'er to me."

His tone revealed a rare hint of pride.

This behavior drew everyone's attention, and even the usually aloof Song Jieyu couldn't help but raise her eyes, her gaze lingering on the two of them for a moment.

The Empress arrived a little late. As she entered the hall, her gaze lingered on Consort Chun before finally settling on the phoenix pendant at her waist.

After the concubines finished their greetings, the Empress sat at the head of the table, her smile not reaching her eyes: "It's been a long time since I've seen Consort Chun wearing this jade pendant; it suits her outfit perfectly today."

Consort Rong said, "I suppose this is the Kunfeng Pendant bestowed by His Majesty? I had heard of it before I entered the palace, but I only have the chance to see it today." Her voice deliberately carried a hint of envy.

Most of the concubines present had been in the palace for less than half a year, and upon hearing this, they couldn't help but steal glances.

Consort Chun's expression had long since returned to calm. Influenced by Meng Shu, she had also learned the art of dealing with things with minimal effort. In short, no matter how many times you try to test me, I will remain unmoved.

Wearing this jade pendant was merely for the emperor's benefit; why waste words with them?

Inside the side hall, Imperial Physician Jian had already tasted the tea and food. Donggua led two teams of palace servants to deliver the tea and fruit into the main hall in a continuous stream.

As the sounds of string and wind instruments began, Jingming's chanting of rites could be heard from outside.

The Emperor stepped into the main hall, followed closely by Jingming, who carried a tray covered with yellow silk. Upon hearing this, the Empress rose and walked to the side, leading the concubines in paying their respects.

After taking his seat, the Emperor first looked at Consort Chun and immediately recognized that the outer garment was made by Meng Shu. When he noticed the jade pendant at her waist, the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

Last year on her birthday, the Emperor gifted Consort Chun a wide-sleeved outer robe made of shimmering brocade, adorned entirely with tiny pearls and gemstones. However, it was deemed too extravagant, and Consort Chun has never worn it since…

Consort Shen was quite curious about what gift the Emperor would give this time. She looked longingly at the tray in Jingming's hands, but it was covered by yellow silk, and she could only see a thin layer of it, so she couldn't tell what it was for a moment.

Before the banquet officially began, the Empress first had Xingyu present a congratulatory gift, a pomegranate ornament carved from mutton fat jade.

It was quite unexpected that such a gift, symbolizing many children and many blessings, was presented by the Empress; even the Emperor raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Consort Qi gave birth to Princess Lingyi for the Emperor, and I also hope that Consort Chun and my sisters will continue to produce offspring for the royal family." The Empress smiled gently, her fingertips lightly tracing the patterns entwined on the jade pomegranate.

The Emperor's eyes flickered slightly, and his gaze towards the Empress softened considerably: "Your Majesty is very kind. Mutton fat jade is the best for nourishing the body."

Following that, Song Jieyu and others also presented congratulatory gifts, mostly calligraphy, paintings, embroidery, and jewelry.

The gift from Consort Rong was a tea set, while the gift from Consort Xie was exquisite—a jade comb with a peony scroll pattern.

Finally, everyone saw the gifts bestowed by the Emperor: a gilded mirror with a phoenix and ribbon design, and a gold hairpin with the character "纯" (Chun) engraved on its tip. The fact that the gift was engraved with an imperial title was a testament to the Emperor's extraordinary favor.

All the gifts were temporarily stored away by Xiao Nianzi. Meng Shu subtly gave Lü Liu a wink. Lü Liu understood and immediately led Xiao Nianzi quietly to the side hall.

The banquet was halfway through.

As everyone was toasting and exchanging drinks, Consort Xie suddenly spoke up, her voice sounding particularly abrupt amidst the music: "It is said that people are in high spirits when they have happy occasions. Consort Chun has been ill for two days in a row, but today, on her birthday, she looks rosy and full of energy, and is in excellent spirits. It is truly a cause for celebration."

Meng Shu looked up at Xie Meiren; the flickering candlelight in the hall cast a shadow in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, the Empress said with concern, "What Consort Xie says is true. I was worried about her, but now I see that Consort Chun's complexion has indeed improved a lot. However, Consort Meng has hardly spoken today. Is she feeling unwell?"