Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 379 Shen Jieyu Birth Prematurely

Half an incense stick later, the emperor arrived in haste upon hearing the news.

Before he could even step into the warm pavilion, the head maidservant beside the Empress Dowager hurried to greet him: "Your Majesty... Consort Shen was just frightened. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager requests that you move to the inner palace immediately."

Inside the warm pavilion, only Consort Chun, Meng Shu, Consort Qu, Consort Qu, Consort Rong, and Consort Yun remained.

Consort Chun calmly and methodically took charge of the aftermath.

The so-called cleanup was really just taking care of the unconscious Consort Qu and having someone watch over the beast-taming maid Anu who had caused the trouble. As for Consort Qu, she had already slowly woken up before the imperial physician even arrived.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she felt as if her bones were falling apart, and she vaguely recalled the events that had just transpired. She was both shocked and frightened, and felt extremely wronged.

She bit her lip, tears streaming down her face: "I...I truly didn't mean it..."

Consort Chun sat on an embroidered stool by the window at a distance. Upon hearing this, she merely glanced over indifferently and said, "If Baolin has anything to say, she should save it for Lord Tong."

This time, Qu Baolin wasn't entirely wronged. While it's natural to seek refuge in crowded places in a moment of panic, this was in the palace, and she had a pregnant concubine nearby...

After the imperial physician arrived, Consort Chun said, "Imperial Physician Sun is treating Consort Qu in the outer room. Her Majesty the Empress has sent Xingyu to summon Lord Tong, the Director of the Imperial Household Department. Shu'er is pregnant, and Consort Rong and Cousin Yun have also been frightened. Why don't you go to the East Side Palace to rest first?"

She winked at Green Willow: "Take good care of her." Then she whispered to Meng Shu: "If she feels unwell, summon the imperial physician immediately."

Meng Shu and the others cannot leave Cining Palace yet. Firstly, according to palace rules, in the event of such an incident, all relevant personnel must be questioned by the Yeting Court. Secondly, Consort Shen is in critical condition, and it is only right and proper that they await news.

......

Consort Shen lay on the bed in the palace, her forehead beaded with cold sweat, enduring the increasingly intense pain in her abdomen. "Sister Song, it hurts so much, it hurts so much... If something happens to me later... please tell the imperial physician that you must save the child in my womb."

Song Jieyu was no longer as composed as before. She knelt down in front of the bed and whispered words of comfort, constantly wiping away Shen Jieyu's sweat with a handkerchief.

When Doctor He rushed over, he immediately sensed something was wrong as soon as he took the patient's pulse. He frowned and immediately ordered in a deep voice, "Quickly summon the midwife! Also, prepare hot water and fine cloths. Be quick!"

Since it concerned the imperial heir, he dared not be negligent in the slightest. He then turned to the imperial physician behind him and said, "Go and prepare a decoction to induce labor, and also prepare ginseng soup in case the Empress's strength fails."

Upon hearing this, the imperial physicians immediately scattered and busied themselves.

He then turned to Yuehuan, Consort Shen's personal maid, and said, "Go and inform the Empress Dowager and the Empress that Consort Shen is bleeding and may be about to give birth prematurely. Please ask the palace to make preparations as soon as possible."

Yuehuan didn't dare to delay and hurriedly left.

For a moment, only Shen Jieyu's suppressed cries of pain and Song Jieyu's soft words of comfort remained in the hall.

Outside, the Empress was deep in thought when Granny Gui arrived discreetly and reported softly, "Consort Chun is currently handling the aftermath in the warm pavilion and has arranged for Consort Jin, Consort Rong, and others to rest in the east side hall. Lord Tong of the Imperial Household Department has ordered a search of the dance troupe; he is currently interrogating Anu..."

The Empress lightly stroked the gold thread on her sleeve with her fingertips, a slight smile playing on her lips. Despite some unforeseen circumstances, the game was ultimately proceeding according to her plan.

Meng Shu and Consort Chun also soon learned of Consort Shen's news, but before they could go to visit her, the Empress Dowager sent someone to tell them to return to their respective palaces first.

It was nearly noon, and we were on our way back to Lingcui Palace.

Consort Chun sighed, "This is truly an undeserved disaster for Consort Shen. She is not even eight months pregnant yet, and we don't know if she will be able to give birth safely."

Meng Shu, supporting Lv Liu's hand, walked slowly. Upon hearing this, she said, "With Physician He personally overseeing things, there should be no major problems."

Mingyue, who was following behind, couldn't help but interject, "If it weren't for Consort Song's decisive action, Consort Qu would have definitely bumped into Consort Shen, and then..."

Mengzhu interrupted Mingyue: "...Song Jieyu looks cold and is usually indifferent to everyone, but she has always been very kind to Shen Jieyu."

The master and servants all sighed with emotion when they talked about it, especially Consort Chun.

Consort Chun was a person of strong emotions, and she always valued loyalty and righteousness. Consort Song's cold exterior and warm interior suited her personality quite well.

In contrast, Meng Shu was more composed. She analyzed, "Although Consort Song's kick was to protect Consort Shen, it almost injured Princess Lingyi... Given Consort Qi's temperament, this matter is unlikely to end well."

There was one more thing Meng Shu didn't say: looking at this whole farce, Qu Cairen had unwittingly become the biggest winner. She had already woken up before leaving, suffering only minor injuries.

After parting ways with Consort Chun in front of the Huining Palace gate, Consort Chun instructed Mingyue to escort Meng Shu back home.

Upon returning to Lingcui Palace, Donggua pulled Mingyue to the small kitchen, saying that he had made a new and delicious dish and wanted her to try it.

Green Willow helped Meng Shu into the Cuiyu Hall's sleeping quarters. After Xia'er also left, she lowered her voice and asked, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is of noble status. If she wanted to bring Consort Qing back to the palace, a single imperial decree would suffice. Why did she specifically instruct the Empress in front of everyone?"

Meng Shu chuckled: "Think about it carefully. Consort Qing was confined by the Emperor himself because she framed the Empress. If the Emperor were to issue a decree against her, it would not only embarrass the Emperor, but also make the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion think that she was intentionally condoning the concubine's insubordination... Even the Empress Dowager, as a noble woman, would have to be careful."

Green Willow nodded thoughtfully: "I see. Consort Rong has visited Cining Palace twice in the past few days. I'm afraid the Empress Dowager had given her a hint beforehand. Otherwise, Consort Rong wouldn't have responded so aptly today."

"If one cannot gain the Emperor's favor in the palace, finding a patron is also a way out. Consort Rong is clever to have figured this out so quickly. However, she has openly offended the Empress this time, and it remains to be seen how she will resolve the situation in the future."

Meng Shu had always given Lü Liu a lot of guidance, hoping that she could become independent as soon as possible.

"This servant will go outside for a walk so that I can keep up with news from Consort Shen's side," Green Willow asked.

Meng Shu pondered for a moment: "Alright, tell Xiao Nianzi that Si Cai Si can withdraw now. The Empress's act is almost over, let's see how she finishes it this time."