Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 550 Fate is the most unpredictable.

It was precisely because of the marriage alliance between the Marquis's family and the Su family that she was able to ask Madam Su for help time and time again.

According to the divination results from the previous divination, Madam Su stated that Consort Chun's fate line had merged with that of another person, thus she was able to break free from the brink of death and ensure the safety of both mother and child in that pregnancy.

The fate of ordinary people is like a stream flowing into a river; there are banks to rely on and traces to follow. By observing its flow, one can get a glimpse of what lies ahead.

But this time, when Lady Su was divined for Consort Chun, she was like a lone boat at sea, looking around in confusion.

Neither auspicious nor inauspicious, without beginning or end, like clouds emerging from distant peaks, gathering and dispersing unpredictably, its destiny difficult to find.

Madam Yun left with trepidation and returned in fear.

She had intended to ask Madam Su to predict Meng Shu's fate again, but the words caught in her throat.

Fate is fate, and fortune is fortune. Since we have already extended our daughter's life by borrowing someone else's fortune, if we insist on investigating further, we may bring unexpected disaster before any blessings arrive.

A petite figure carrying a rabbit lantern quietly peeked in through the door.

The seventh young lady, Tang Qingxuan, wore a newly tailored pale yellow brocade jacket, the snow-white fur trim at the collar making her small face appear radiant. She turned back and gestured for her wet nurse to be quiet, and only after the servant had left did she tiptoe to Madam Yun's side.

Madam Yun was gazing intently at the Buddha statue when she suddenly felt her robes being gently tugged. Looking down, she saw her youngest daughter kneeling beside her, mimicking her gesture of pressing her palms together in prayer.

"Mother," Xiao Qi tilted her head, her bright black eyes filled with confusion, "Is it because Father and Brother are not at home today, on New Year's Eve, that you are sad?"

Madam Yun gently shook her head and reached out to tidy up the stray hairs at her daughter's temples.

Xiao Qi blinked, leaned closer and lowered her voice: "Then Mother, are you worried that Second Sister is not doing well in the palace?"

Seeing her mother remain silent, she seemed to remember something and tugged at Madam Yun's sleeve with her small hand: "The other day, I went with Mother to Prince Rui's mansion for the New Year's feast and heard some of my older sisters say...that Consort Jin is now assisting in managing the six palaces and is enjoying great influence."

She imitated one of them, even mimicking her voice perfectly: "They said, will Consort Jin be superior to Second Sister?"

"Nonsense!"

Madam Yun's expression darkened slightly. "Who's been gossiping about you like this?"

“Consort Jin came to serve in our residence when she was ten years old. I will be nine years old next year, so I am not ignorant. I have also visited Consort Jin in the palace. When she smiled at my second sister, her eyes were so beautiful.”

Xiao Qi tugged at her mother's sleeve and shook it gently, "Is Mother worried that if Consort Jin becomes Empress in the future, she will treat Second Sister badly?"

“Of course not,” Madam Yun blurted out.

Xiao Qi immediately smiled, her two dimples appearing sweetly on her cheeks: "Then what is Mother worried about? Consort Jin treats Second Sister so well, and Second Sister treats Consort Jin well in return. Isn't this the best thing?"

The child's voice was clear and bright, like a jade chime, causing the candlelight before the Buddha to flicker slightly.

Madam Yun was overcome with a thousand worries and remained silent for a long time. Then she gently pulled Xiao Qi into her arms and pressed her chin against her daughter's soft hair.

"Xiao Qi is right, Mother... has misunderstood."

......

It was past midnight. Meng Shu had drunk a few cups of plum wine at the banquet. Although it didn't make her drunk, it kept her from falling asleep.

She gently turned over, and immediately heard rustling sounds outside the tent. Green Willow's sleepy voice softly asked, "Is Your Highness thirsty? This servant has prepared warm water..."

"No need," she quickly stopped her. "I'm just not sleepy. You should rest."

Green Willow, however, was already awake. By the moonlight filtering through the gauze curtains, she saw Meng Shu's clear eyes and decided to hug the brocade quilt and move closer to the edge of the bed: "This servant is also awake. Why don't we keep Your Highness company for a while?"

Seeing her so relaxed, like a cat with its claws tucked in, lying by the bed, Meng Shu couldn't help but smile. She put a soft pillow behind her and sat up, leaning against the headboard.

"My lady..."

Before Green Willow could speak, Meng Shu reached out and lifted the gauze curtain, meeting her eyes.

Green Willow opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn't utter that affectionate nickname. She only coughed lightly and lowered her head. Meng Shu sighed softly and gently pinched her cheek with her fingertips: "Silly girl."

His voice, warmed by plum wine, asked, "What do you want to talk about?"

"This servant was thinking tonight..." Green Willow rested her chin on her crossed arms, "If the Imperial Concubine and you hadn't entered the palace back then, what would things be like now?"

Meng Shu was suddenly stunned.

The thought, like a pebble suddenly thrown into a still lake, rippled across her heart.

If I hadn't gone to the palace with Wan'er, where would I be now? And what would I be doing?

Sold into slavery by her stepmother, being able to work in the Tang household was already a blessing from heaven.

If one has not entered the palace...

"Perhaps, after saving up some money for a few years, I can redeem myself and leave the manor."

She said softly, her gaze drifting towards the soft moonlight outside the window, "...whether it's opening an embroidery shop in Lin'an or some other town, or running a bookstore...you have to rely on your own abilities to make a living."

Just like Manager Qi of Yongxiu Cloth Shop.

Or perhaps, Madam Yun wouldn't release her from her indenture, and she might go with Wan'er as part of her dowry to an ordinary official's family.

She paused, then whispered, "As for finding my relatives... I'm afraid it will be difficult. The world is vast, and without the connections and opportunities provided by the Tang family, I don't know when I will be able to find my uncle, or perhaps... I will never find him."

“But I don’t think so.”

Green Willow suddenly straightened up, and what came to mind was the fleeting longing on Meng Shu's face when she heard about Miss Qin's choice a few days ago.

"Your Majesty taught Donggua and also saved this servant. With your wisdom, your brilliance cannot be hidden no matter where you are."

She leaned closer, her voice becoming lighter: "Perhaps, Your Highness will become a renowned businesswoman in Jiangnan, leading your servants and Donggua to tour your shops and travel the mountains and rivers, measuring all those geographical records you usually peruse with your own footsteps..."

Meng Shu felt a warmth in her heart from what she said, as if she could really see the water town alleys and boats sailing in the misty rain.

But this wisp of thought, like a wisp of smoke, had barely risen before it fell heavily back down.

She knew better than anyone that once you entered the inner palace, it was difficult to leave.

Since that's the case, thinking about it further is futile.

At this moment, Green Willow's voice rang out again, this time with unprecedented solemnity: "Your Majesty, I dare to say so much tonight, not to cause you any sorrow. I privately think that fate is the most unpredictable thing. Since it has brought you here, we should not waste this opportunity."

“Even humble servants like me and Donggua can stand on our own. With your wisdom and magnanimity, now that you are in the inner palace, if the Emperor were to grant you that position in the future, I hope you would accept it with equanimity.”

The last four characters, like warm jade falling onto a plate, lingered gently in the bedchamber.

After saying that, Green Willow lowered her head, not daring to look Meng Shu in the eye.