Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 544 Fate and Timing (Baolian Enters the Palace to Reminisce)

On the 14th day of the 11th month of the third year of the Zhenghe era, Empress Jiang left the palace in sorrow.

What is particularly intriguing is that, during her relocation to the Changchun Garden Palace, the Empress did not move into the highest-ranking Fengyi Palace, but was instead placed in the Ciyin Hall.

The Ciyin Hall was originally a small Buddhist hall used by the royal family for holding religious ceremonies in the imperial palace. Although it was later converted into a residence for imperial concubines, the name of the hall remained unchanged. What is even more intriguing is that Consort Shen of the previous dynasty offended the emperor and was imprisoned here, where she died within three months.

The following day, a carriage with a blue canopy drove out of Guanglu Lane and stopped outside Fanglin Gate on the west side of the palace at 3:45 AM.

When Jingming conveyed the imperial edict yesterday, he specially left behind a palace maid from the Bureau of Ceremonies to explain etiquette and instruct Qin Baolian on manners overnight.

Because she was not a noblewoman, the rules for her entering the palace this time were particularly complicated.

The guards at Fanglin Gate stepped forward to examine the temporary palace pass that Qin Baolian presented. This pass had also been delivered by Jingming yesterday; it served only as proof of entry into the palace. After the guards finished their inspection, they took it back.

Another nanny, accompanied by a maid, stepped forward to briefly inspect the luggage before allowing them to pass.

A eunuch in blue robes who had been waiting inside the door stepped forward and bowed: "Miss Qin, there is still three quarters of an hour before the audience at 9:00 am. You have plenty of time. Please follow me to the Huining Palace of Consort Chun and wait for the summons."

Qin Baolian softly agreed, walked several dozen steps from the palace gate, and took out a brocade purse she had prepared beforehand from her sleeve, handing it to him. The eunuch, however, took a half step back, bowed his head, and politely declined: "Miss, you flatter me. Consort Chun has already given instructions, and I dare not accept it."

He stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Please follow me, young lady. The palace paths are complicated, so please stay close to me and do not look around."

The palace path was long and deep, with towering vermilion walls. Qin Baolian took a deep breath, gathered her sleeves and lowered her eyes, stepping into this magnificent palace that would imprison her old friend for the rest of her life.

Outside Huining Hall,

Mengzhu and Ruizhu waited outside the palace gates, and Ruizhu was somewhat sad.

"I heard from the madam that when Miss Qin San married into Yuzhou, she took Qiushuang and Xiahe with her, but the two of them died on the way."

Mengzhu sighed softly. She wasn't as sociable as Ruizhu, and she wasn't particularly close to the two maids, but upon hearing the news, a touch of sadness still welled up in her heart. "I still remember, every time you saw Qiushuang, you would always bicker with her."

Ruizhu's voice became even softer, "Although Qiushuang is an impatient girl, she is extremely loyal to the Third Miss."

Mengzhu squeezed her hand and whispered, "When you see the Third Miss later, don't mention those two. The Third Miss is the one who is most heartbroken."

At the end of the palace road, the figure of the eunuch leading the way could be vaguely seen.

Qin Baolian had traveled through countless palaces and corridors. When she looked up and saw Mengzhu and Ruizhu waiting in the hall, she couldn't help but think of Qiushuang and Xiahe, who had served her since childhood, and her eyes suddenly reddened.

Upon seeing Mengzhu, the eunuch who had led the way quickly stepped forward to pay his respects. Mengzhu waved him away, and then a palace maid guarding the Huining Palace stepped forward and slipped a purse into the eunuch's hand. This time, he did not refuse, and accepted it with a broad smile before leaving.

"Greetings, Miss Qin," Mengzhu curtsied. "Her Majesty has been waiting for a long time. Please come with me."

Qin Baolian slightly stepped aside to avoid the gesture. Mengzhu was now the head maid of Huining Palace, a proper female official, and she couldn't accept such a courtesy. "Miss Mengzhu is too kind."

Seeing this, Ruizhu quickly rushed forward. The three of them chatted as they walked toward the back hall. The palace servants and eunuchs who swept along the way bowed their heads and gave way, bowing respectfully.

"Baolian".

Consort Chun waited in front of the flower hall, gazing at her friend's figure. Four years had passed, and she felt a sense of unfamiliarity. Perhaps it was Baolian's mature attire that made her seem too composed, or perhaps it was the fact that her thin face had lost all its girlish innocence.

They looked at each other in silence, with many words stuck in their throats.

She stepped forward, took Qin Baolian's hand, and led her into the flower hall, instructing Mengzhu to serve tea.

Qin Baolian gazed at the elegant and dignified Consort Chun before her, momentarily lost in thought and sighing. They had known each other since childhood, yet now their fates had diverged so drastically—one confined to her secluded mansion, the other living a life of quiet confinement within the palace. Though clearly only eighteen or nineteen years old, both possessed a composure and weariness beyond their years.

She stood in the flower hall and, according to custom, knelt down to pay her respects: "Your subject Qin Baolian greets the Imperial Concubine and pays her respects."

Before she could finish speaking, Consort Chun reached out and helped her up, leading her to sit down beside her: "It's been several years since we last met, Baolian, don't be so distant with me."

She never refers to herself as "this Empress" to those who treat her sincerely.

Qin Baolian felt a warmth in her heart, and her initial restraint gradually dissipated, replaced by a genuine smile in her eyes.

Shedding the constraints of social hierarchy within the red walls and green tiles, at this moment, it felt as if she had returned to her former boudoir. The person before her was not only the imperial concubine, but also the close friend she had cherished for four years.

"Your Majesty has changed a bit," she said with a soft laugh, gently squeezing the palm of the Consort Chun's outstretched hand. "You're not as aloof as before; you've gained a touch of vibrant life."

Consort Chun grasped her slightly cool fingertips with her other hand. "Over the years, people have to grow according to their circumstances. Like flowers in a garden, when they are moved to a different place and the soil and water change, their appearance and color will also change."

Qin Baolian felt something.

Mengzhu gently placed the snacks and tea on the table. Qin Baolian's eyes brightened slightly. "Is it milk tea?"

Mengzhu smiled and nodded: "Third Miss has a good memory. When Consort Jin heard that you were coming today, she specially asked Donggua to come and prepare this early this morning. Please try it. Does it still taste like it did in Lin'an in the old days?"

Qin Baolian was taken aback upon hearing this. She had heard of Consort Jin, the most favored concubine in the palace, even though she was far away in Yuzhou. Entering the palace as a selected concubine, she rose to the rank of consort in just a few years, which was legendary in the Great Zhou harem. Not only had she met this legendary concubine, but she had also tasted the tea and snacks personally served by her back then.

It's all about timing and fate; it's truly unpredictable.

Seeing Mengzhu mention Consort Jin so naturally, Qin Baolian secretly raised her eyes to observe Consort Chun's expression. She saw that Consort Chun's eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, and the smile on her lips had not diminished in the slightest. Clearly, she not only had no resentment in her heart, but her friendship with Consort Jin was still extraordinary.

“Consort Jin and I are no longer just ordinary sisters.” Consort Chun picked up the teapot and personally filled her celadon cup. “The deep palace is lonely, but I am fortunate to have Shu’er by my side, which brings me a little warmth.”

Seeing that the Imperial Concubine had personally poured tea, Qin Baolian rose in fear to thank her.

She paused for a moment, gazing at the ripples spreading in the cup, and said softly, "Your Majesty is insightful, and Consort Jin cherishes the past. Such affection is truly enviable."

Before she finished speaking, a complex glint of tears welled up in her eyes. It wasn't just envy, but also a hint of unspeakable melancholy. For the past four years, she had lived alone in the secluded mansion of Yuzhou, experiencing both the bitterness and the sweetness of life.

Fortunately, his only friend was able to find a kindred spirit to rely on in this nine-layered palace.

As the two sipped tea and chatted, they inevitably discussed the corruption case in Yuzhou and the various incidents involving the Jiang family. Qin Baolian's state of mind was no longer what it used to be. Apart from shedding a few tears for her dowry maid and personal nanny, all the past events were like fleeting clouds.

Having finally met, they naturally reminisced about their old friends in Lin'an. The girls who used to frequently meet at various banquets had all entered the "walled city" of their later lives, each with their own destiny and their own shackles.

Qin Baolian took a sip of milk tea and sighed, "The Marquis has chosen a good marriage for Sister Qing Shuang (Tang Qing Shuang, the eldest daughter of the Tang family). Now that we talk about it, which of the girls in Lin'an back then didn't envy Sister Qing Shuang?"

Consort Chun smiled, remembering how her elder sister had been so dissatisfied with the marriage, and how she had privately offered some words of advice.

Just then, Aunt Mei brought in the Second Prince.

Qin Baolian quickly stood up and bowed. The Second Prince, seeing a stranger, was not shy at all; instead, he opened his small hands and leaned towards her.

"The Second Prince wants the Third Miss to hold him," Aunt Mei said with a smile, handing the child forward.

Qin Baolian stood there, stunned, her joy tinged with a sense of bewilderment. She had become pregnant the year after marrying into the Jiang family, and her child was about the same age as the Second Prince when the child was murdered.

She carefully took the soft, warm body into her hands, her fingertips trembling slightly. The second prince curiously grasped her clothes, making cooing sounds.

Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, Consort Chun understood and asked softly, "Baolian, what are your plans for the future?"

Qin Baolian gently stroked the Second Prince's soft hair, remained silent for a moment, and then raised her head. Although there were still tears in her eyes, her gaze revealed a hint of determination: "In the first half of my life, I was bound by my father's orders and by the authority of my husband. Now that I am free, I do not wish to be constrained by worldly conventions anymore. Mr. Lin is very knowledgeable, and I wish to study under him."

She handed the Second Prince back to Aunt Mei, straightened her clothes and composed herself, and bowed deeply to Consort Chun: "I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

Upon hearing this, Consort Chun's heart stirred; her mother truly had a flawless plan.

Before leaving the palace that day, Madam Yun had privately said, "Baolian has gone through many hardships, and her temperament is no longer that of an ordinary young lady. If she asks to leave, it must be because she yearns for the transcendent way of life like Mr. Lin."

"Get up quickly." She reached out to help Qin Baolian up. "Mother mentioned the other day that Mr. Lin is currently organizing the classics at the temple and needs a careful person to help him. Since you are willing to go, I will write a letter right away."