ebookland Chapter 334 As long as Meng Shu says one sentence
Chapter 334 As long as Meng Shu says one sentence
Inside the study.
Lady Yun held Consort Chun's hand, scrutinizing her closely. Seeing her daughter's relaxed expression and bright eyes, unlike the sorrow that had shrouded her face the last time they met, she reached out and stroked Consort Chun's temple, the warm touch bringing a sense of relief.
"You look much better than when I last saw you." Madam Yun's voice was gentle, and even the fine lines around her eyes radiated affection.
Consort Chun smiled and said, "Mother, you don't need to worry. I'm doing well."
The last time the mother and daughter met was on New Year's Eve. At that time, Consort Chun's heart was still with the Emperor. Even a glance from the Emperor could make her secretly sad. Now that she has let go of that obsession and is no longer anxious about gains and losses, she is like a pearl that has been dusted off, radiating a bright and beautiful glow.
As Lady Yun sat down, her fingertips brushed against the jade cicada worn by Consort Chun at her waist, and she felt even more at ease.
"It's good that you can be so composed. Now that you're receiving support from the Tang family, we should at least give you some face."
When asked about the reason for moving to Chengguanzhai, Consort Chun recounted the recent events in detail.
After listening quietly, Madam Yun didn't say anything else, but instead asked, "Why wasn't the matter of Consort Meng's illness and nightmares mentioned in the letters home?"
"There are no outsiders here, Mother, you can just call her 'Shu'er,' there's no need to be formal." Consort Chun's tone carried a rare hint of coquettishness, which made Madam Yun pause slightly.
"With the physician personally examining her, Shu'er recovered quickly after three or four days of illness, so I didn't tell the household about it in detail."
Madam Yun, with her keen eyes and sharp mind, nodded knowingly: "It must be that Shu'er stopped you from speaking, right? She is always thoughtful and doesn't like to trouble others."
He said seriously, "But if anything really happens, you must send a message to the manor. Now that Lord Zhou is not in the capital, the Marquis's manor is your support. Nightmares can be serious or minor, but I'm afraid she has some unresolved issues... I'll have Aunt Lu and Sixth Sister make some calming incense and send it over later."
“My daughter has remembered it.”
Madam Yun earnestly instructed, "Even if I say this in vain, I must remind you that whether Meng Shu is favored or not, you must not harbor any other thoughts. She may not know you as well as Meng Zhu does, but over the years, she has always been sincere towards you. You must not let her heart grow cold."
"Even if other concubines are vying for the emperor's favor, you need not take it to heart. After your birthday, Yu Chan can be removed from your body. At that time, Jian Zhi will take care of your health, so that you can get through the New Year..."
Consort Chun blushed slightly, then hesitated before saying, "Shu'er and I are the closest, so how could we have any misunderstandings? But it seems that His Majesty... is occasionally a little jealous."
Madam Yun was truly stunned this time. After a moment, she lowered her voice and said, "Before I came, the Emperor sent someone to the Marquis's residence to convey a message, asking the Marquis's residence to clear her name. Are you aware of this matter?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Chun's eyes lit up with joy. "Is that really possible?"
"Mother doesn't know, Consort Mei prefers to judge people by their birth. If Shuer can get rid of the title of concubine, that would be very good."
She frowned again, "But the title of 'selected concubine' is already a reality, so how can we legitimize it?"
Madam Yun took a sip of tea and put the teacup down.
"It's quite simple. Destroy the original register, remove them from the list of selected concubines, change their registration, and grant them a new imperial register. However... His Majesty's intentions are unpredictable, and we don't yet know if he has any other plans."
"Go and call Shu'er in. I have something to say to her alone."
Consort Chun opened her mouth as if to speak, but when she met her mother's calm gaze, she finally curtsied and left the study.
The room fell silent again.
Madam Yun lowered her eyes to look at her reflection in the tea, the ripples revealing layers of her inner thoughts. The game she had carefully cultivated over the years was finally about to face a change. Though she appeared calm on the surface, her heart was in turmoil.
They had carefully selected Meng Shu, bestowed favors upon her, and nurtured her with great care. Who would have thought that after only a year in the palace, she would want to "establish her own household" within the deep palace walls? This outcome was truly unexpected. Even though they knew that a pearl's brilliance could not be concealed, they never imagined that the Emperor's favor would arrive so swiftly.
To say that Madam Yun harbored no resentment would be impossible.
Fortunately, after so many years of living together, Meng Shu's feelings for Wan'er and the Marquis's mansion are genuine. But in this deep palace, affection ultimately needs to be put into practice to count. Today, she only wants one sentence from Meng Shu.
Meng Shu slowly stepped into the study, and after standing still, she curtsied to Madam Yun.
Madam Yun sat upright at the table, accepting the greeting with composure. She then rose and solemnly returned the greeting to Meng Shu.
Seeing this, Meng Shu quickly stepped aside, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes: "Madam, you flatter me. The Marquis's Mansion has been incredibly kind to me. I have been grateful for your and the Second Miss's care over the years. How could I possibly accept such a courtesy from you?"
Madam Yun said gently, “Times have changed. Shu’er is now a Jieyu, so I should pay my respects. However, since there are no outsiders here, I will take the liberty of calling you by your maiden name.”
Meng Shu stepped forward to help Madam Yun to a seat, a scene she least wanted to see.
"Madam, you flatter me. I have always respected you. In Meng Shu's heart, you will always be..."
Before she could finish speaking, Madam Yun gently patted the back of her hand: "Good child, I know your intentions." Her gaze was loving but also scrutinizing. "It's just that in this palace, it's always good to be proper with etiquette. I called you here today because I have a few private words to say to you."
Meng Shu understood and sat down on the embroidered stool next to Madam Yun. A ray of sunlight slanted in from the window, casting a soft glow on her face.
After Madam Yun explained the Emperor's intentions, Meng Shu raised her eyes, her gaze clear and unwavering: "Meng Shu also has some things she would like to tell Madam privately."
Madam Yun smiled and said gently, "I like your frank nature. Let's leave it at that in this room."
Meng Shu smiled, composed herself, and solemnly said, "The Emperor's will is difficult to defy. Meng Shu cannot stop it, nor does she wish to."
These words were spoken with utmost frankness, and Madam Yun was not surprised at all. Seeing that Meng Shu's expression remained unchanged, she guessed that the Emperor must have informed her beforehand, and that only Wan'er was probably still in the dark.
“But my previous promise to Madam,” Meng Shu reached down and took the Yunshang Pendant from her neck and held it in her hand, her speech slowing down, “was every word I said to Madam in the manor before, and it has always been true and true.”
Even though Meng Shu was no longer a concubine by the Empress's side, she was willing to dedicate her life to protecting Consort Chun.
Madam Yun's gaze was piercing, as if she wanted to look directly into Meng Shu's eyes: "If Wan'er..."
A gentle breeze suddenly swept through the window, causing the Xuan paper on the table to rustle softly.
Meng Shu stood up and met Madam Yun's gaze without flinching. "If Consort Chun gives birth to a prince in the future, I will wholeheartedly support her and will never harbor any improper thoughts." She paused and added, "If I break this vow, may Heaven and Earth not forgive me."