Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 530 The Clever Jingming (1)

Jingming took Min Rong's words to heart and pondered them silently.

Indeed, it seems that Consort Jin hasn't visited Fu Ning Palace for quite some time. These past two days have been unusual; even Consort Shun, who rarely attends to the Emperor, has sent her maid, Xiao Die, to deliver refreshments twice. In contrast, none of Consort Jin's or Consort Chun's attendants have come, and he hasn't spoken to Miss Green Willow for two or three days...

Within the inner palace, the hierarchy was strict, and the hearts of men were even more complex. From the palace maids and eunuchs serving the emperor to the female officials and servants of the six bureaus and twenty-four departments, and even the imperial guards led by Wei Ying, they all couldn't help but observe and compare the concubines who were always by the emperor's side.

Which concubine has recently gained favor, and why? Which concubine comes from a prominent family, and is she humble and gentle, or arrogant and difficult to get along with? Which concubine is generous and kind to her servants, never stingy with rewards? And which concubine is foolish and short-sighted, utterly stupid, and it's best to quietly avoid her to avoid needlessly getting into trouble...

Everyone carries an invisible scale in their heart, silently weighing the pros and cons. Within the palace walls, where the world is constantly changing, this is almost an unspoken way of survival.

In the heart of Jingming, the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Palace, the most important and weighty person was undoubtedly Consort Jin. She was someone he absolutely could not afford to offend, and even more so someone he needed to subtly do favors for without overstepping the rules. This was because Jingming had been serving the Emperor since he was eight years old, after being castrated, and had been assigned to serve the then-Prince. For nearly twenty years, he had clearly seen that, apart from the deceased Miss Qing, only Consort Jin held the most weight in the Emperor's heart, unmatched by anyone else. Moreover, Consort Jin had given birth to the eldest prince.

Another person who needs to be treated with care is Consort Chun.

The reason is quite simple—the Imperial Concubine gave so much, and this "generosity" was often just right, making it impossible to refuse and giving one a sense of dignity.

Next was Consort Shun.

These three ladies must be kept in close contact at all times; they must never be neglected or offended, whether openly or secretly.

As for the Empress...

At least in this moment when the Emperor is restless, even the usually considerate Min Rong would never entertain the slightest thought of going to Renming Hall to invite the Empress over. The subtlety of this is self-evident.

Seeing that Jingming was interested, Min Rong went along with it and said, "This servant will go to Lingcui Palace to invite Consort Jin."

As a result, the next moment, a snow-white whisk was nimbly placed in front of her.

“His Majesty cannot do without reliable people right now, so Aunt, please stay in Funing Palace and keep a close watch on him.” Jingming straightened his robes. “As for Lingcui Palace… I will go there myself.”

Min Rong: "......"

What does it mean to have a higher-ranking official who can suppress you?

That's it.

Although the title of Imperial Attendant sounds prestigious, it is ultimately inferior to that of the Director of the Inner Palace Attendants. Jingming is the true head of the inner court.

......

Lingcui Palace, Cuiyu Hall.

Meng Shu was leisurely leaning on the soft couch by the window, flipping through a book, a local history of the southwest that she had asked Madam Yun to find. Due to the official format, the book naturally did not openly record witchcraft, but it did include many strange and wonderful folk tales and local anecdotes in detail.

She read intently, trying to glean any clues between the lines that might be related to the current situation.

Green Willow and Summer sat side by side on an embroidered stool, laughing softly as they sorted through the five-colored silk threads.

Winter Melon's chubby little hands held the needle and thread, clumsily embroidering a handkerchief. Before she could even finish embroidering half a petal, her fingertips had already been pricked several times. She was now frowning and blowing on her fingers.

When Jingming was led into the hall by Dongming, this was the scene that greeted his eyes.

It's truly a peaceful and serene time, which unconsciously calms one's mind.

The mistress was kind, and the senior palace maids below her also appeared relaxed and lively, showing none of the restraint and timidity commonly seen in other palaces. On a low table made of huanghuali wood, a few cups of milk tea and two or three plates of delicate pastries were casually placed, exuding a faint sweet fragrance, adding to the warm and homey atmosphere.

Jingming was even a little envious of Dong Ming. To be frank, even switching places with him wouldn't be so bad...

Seeing this, Green Willow quickly gave Winter Melon, Summer, and the others a look, and they immediately and quietly withdrew.

"Out of focus?"

Meng Shu gently placed the book in her hand on the couch and looked up at Jing Ming.

Jingming sighed softly, took half a step forward, and bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant dares not hide it from you, His Majesty has indeed been acting strangely lately. This servant asked Physician He to examine him, and from the pulse, everything seems normal, but... but His Majesty seems to tire more easily, and his spirit is always low."

These words further confirmed Meng Shu's suspicions. She paused and asked, "Eunuch Jing serves the Emperor closely. Has he noticed when this started?"

Jingming carefully observed Meng Shu's expression and replied cautiously, "It was probably after the Mid-Autumn Festival. At first, it wasn't obvious; the Emperor only showed slight signs of fatigue. It seems that after several of the Imperial Concubines were promoted to the rank of Beauty, this condition gradually became apparent..."

At this point, Jingming's heart sank, and a vague yet terrifying thought flashed through his mind. Could it be that the problem lay with the two newly favored beauties, Yang and Ye?

The emperor was not a person who indulged in sensual pleasures without restraint; the more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

He bowed deeply again, his voice filled with barely concealed anxiety: "Your Majesty, today in the Taiji Hall, when the court officials were presenting their reports, His Majesty was often distracted. This servant dared not disturb the Empress and the Empress Dowager. After much thought, I can only implore Your Majesty to personally go to the Funing Hall."

Meng Shu stopped there, turning her head to instruct Green Willow: "Go to the small kitchen and have Winter Melon stew a calming soup."

After giving her instructions, she said gently to Jingming, "Eunuch Jing, please go back first. I will arrive shortly."

Green Willow led Jingming outside the palace. She beckoned to Xia'er and whispered a few instructions before personally escorting Jingming out of the Lingcui Palace.

"Eunuch Jing, this servant often accompanies Your Highness to the Renming Palace to pay respects. I've heard that His Majesty has been staying at Consort Mu's and the palaces of the two beauties these past few days?" Green Willow asked casually. The Emperor's choice of which concubine to summon for his nights was always public knowledge, so her question wasn't exactly prying into anything private.

Jingming stammered, thinking that Consort Jin was displeased with the matter, and hurriedly explained, "Consort Mu has been ill recently, and His Majesty has visited her a few times to show his concern, not to show any special favor."

As they arrived at the gate of Lingcui Palace, Green Willow stopped and chimed in, "Indeed, Her Majesty the Empress is extremely considerate. She not only comforted Consort Mu, but also took special care of the newly promoted beauties Yang and Ye, bestowing them with gifts twice. The concubines in the palace are all very envious when they talk about this."

Upon hearing this, Jingming was immediately stunned.

Upon returning to the Funing Palace, he beckoned to his trusted eunuch, "Go and investigate what gifts Her Majesty the Empress has recently sent to Consort Mu and the palaces of Consorts Yang and Ye. Clothing is fine, but if it's perfume or powder, secretly bring some to Physician He for examination. Remember, absolutely no word of this can be leaked!"