Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 317 "Family"

Both of them possessed equally resilient and powerful souls. Their momentary loss of composure was merely a temporary lapse in their defenses, which quickly subsided.

After having dinner at Bilangxuan, the Emperor accompanied Huayan for a walk in the garden to aid digestion. As night deepened, he unusually instructed Jingming to fetch the memorials and then proceeded to handle state affairs in Huayan's study.

Seeing this, Hua Yan gestured for Jing Ming to attend to her with writing materials, then turned and left the study.

The Emperor's hand, holding the brush, paused slightly, his gaze lingering for a moment on the empty doorway. Jingming stood there dumbfounded, almost forgetting to grind the ink.

Hua Yan wasn't deliberately avoiding suspicion; she was just a little worried about Xiao Nianzi's kite-making skills. If he accidentally destroyed the Emperor's calligraphy, she wouldn't be able to bear the blame and would also spoil the Emperor's mood.

She left the study and had just reached Langgan Pavilion when she saw Xiao Nianzi staring blankly at the silk cloth with a worried expression.

"If I accidentally ruin this little bit of skill, I'm afraid I won't even be able to see my brother one last time..." Xiao Nianzi's voice trembled, and his fingers were so stiff that he could barely hold the silk cloth.

Green Willow was covering the frame of the swallow kite with plain silk, her fingertips still sticky with fish glue. Hearing this, she comforted her, "Let's practice with the one the Empress drew first, and then we'll make the double swallow one when we're more confident."

"No need to do it." Hua Yan looked at Xiao Nianzi's nervous expression and said gently, "Have Minister Jing send it to the Imperial Workshop and have the craftsmen rush to make it."

Xiao Nianzi, feeling as if granted a pardon, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is right. This servant will go and plead with Jing Neiguan immediately."

Jingming was also thinking about it. He was really worried that Xiao Nianzi would spoil the emperor's mood. At this moment, he quickly came to Langgan Pavilion, took the two pieces of silk cloth, and bowed to Huayan, saying, "This servant will go and have the craftsmen make them overnight. The emperor is in the study reviewing memorials. I would like to trouble Your Highness to go to the study to serve him ink."

Inside the study, the candlelight flickered.

When Hua Yan brought in a cup of ginseng tea, the Emperor was intently examining the canal network on the map, his eyes filled with a deep and somber expression.

A pile of memorials was stacked on the desk, with the one on top seemingly being the memorial signed by the governor of Jianghuai.

Clearly, it concerned a case of corruption in the canal transport. Hua Yan moved more and more carefully, trying not to make a sound. After gently placing the ginseng tea on the table, she casually took a storybook from a box on the side and flipped through it.

After about half an incense stick's time, the emperor rubbed his temples and put away the map.

"Your Majesty, I have had some ginseng tea brewed. You have been working hard these days, so please have a cup." Hua Yan put down her book, got up, and went to the Emperor to massage his shoulders and neck.

"What book is Shu'er reading that she's so engrossed in?"

The Emperor reached out and gently squeezed Hua Yan's fingers, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"It's a popular storybook in the capital recently. I just read it to pass the time," Hua Yan replied softly. She reads all sorts of books, and she can remember them after reading them only once.

The Emperor chuckled, “In Consort Chun’s study, I only saw books like the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Book of Documents, as well as chess scores and elegant music. I just saw you reading them so intently, but I never expected you to be reading a story or travelogue.”

&34; "When I was young, I studied under Mr. Lin, and I benefited from the influence of Consort Chun." &34; Hua Yan's hands did not stop moving, &34; "However, my uncle loves storybooks the most, so I guess I was influenced by him." &34;

"I also read storybooks when I was young." "Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision," "but unfortunately, one cannot find solutions for governing the country in storybooks."

Hua Yan paused slightly, not daring to reply casually, and only said: "It is already rare for miscellaneous books written by the common people to entertain the public."

"Has Shu'er ever read the Book of Documents?"

Hua Yan paused for a moment, then replied, "When I was young, Mr. Lin taught Consort Chun, and I read along with him."

The emperor fell silent for a moment and resumed reviewing the memorials. However, in both of the memorials, Hua Yan inadvertently caught glimpses of words such as "grain transport", "sunken ship" and "Li family" on them.

Until the corner of the next fold revealed its handwriting, it was clearly the handwriting of Marquis Tang Xian of Lin'an. Hua Yan stared intently, recognizing it as a report on his duties. Since the head of the family had left the capital for Jiangnan after the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, Hua Yan guessed that he should be the first to be investigated in the case of the Grand Canal transport.

"Your humble servant has been ordered to inspect the Jianghuai canal... Whether this is appropriate or not, I await Your Majesty's decision."

Hua Yan even held her breath. Although she couldn't see the whole thing clearly, besides "Li family," the words "noble family" also caught her eye.

The emperor suddenly sneered, his expression turning cold and stern. He picked up his vermilion brush and wrote the three words "Another decree" in bold strokes, the characters as sharp as if carved by a knife and axe, the force penetrating the paper.

A splash of cinnabar spread across the memorial, revealing a crimson hue. He pulled Hua Yan close and, as if possessed, asked: "Shu'er, what do you think is the solution to the troubles of the aristocratic families?"

He was stunned as soon as he finished speaking. The candlelight flickered in his deep eyes, reflecting a rare hint of hesitation.

Concubines are not allowed to discuss political affairs, but at this moment he inexplicably wanted to hear how this intelligent woman, who was clearly knowledgeable but always concealed her true abilities with stories, would respond. Would she offer her insights, or would she continue to deliberately hide her talents as before?

Hua Yan's mind raced, and she secretly mustered her spirits.

"Your Majesty is quite mischievous." She lightly tapped the storybook spread out on the table with her fingertips, feigning embarrassment and annoyance, even the corners of her eyes flushed slightly.

"They saw that I spend all day reading these idle books, so they deliberately used political matters to test me."

The Emperor chuckled, noticing a faint blush on Hua Yan's fair cheeks, and seeing her unusually alluring expression. A smile played on his lips, and he couldn't resist pulling her into his arms. His warm lips brushed against her ear, sending a shiver through her.

"I have never seen..." His breath brushed against the delicate skin of her neck, "a woman like you... who is clearly full of talent but insists on pretending to be foolish in front of me."

"Just consider this a casual chat between us, Shu'er, please feel free to speak your mind."

These words left Hua Yan with no way to avoid them. Hua Yan's eyes shifted slightly, and her gaze towards the Emperor held a hint of respect.

"In my humble opinion, supporting those from humble backgrounds and opening up more career paths is the best way to curb the rise of powerful families, especially with the new imperial examinations Your Majesty established at the beginning of the year. Although I am a woman, I believe this is essential to curbing the influence of aristocratic families."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's eyes revealed a hint of smugness, but he quickly said slowly, "This method is too lengthy... Right now, I am torn between dealing with the Li family of Zhao County severely or leniently."

Overly harsh punishment could lead to a situation where the powerful and influential families are left vulnerable, potentially provoke a backlash from other aristocratic clans. The imperial examinations at the beginning of the year just witnessed a power struggle between the emperor and his officials; if this is let off lightly...

Hua Yan's voice was soft, yet every word was clear.

“I have been by Consort Chun’s side since childhood, and all I have learned is housework. Your Majesty, do you know that wisteria in spring is the most annoying? They grow by clinging to ancient trees. They seem weak and boneless, but in fact, their roots are deep and can strangle century-old trees. It is futile for gardeners to cut their branches and leaves.”

"Shu'er means—" The Emperor's pupils contracted slightly, and the candle flames popped open with a loud crack.

"The reason why powerful families are so deeply entrenched is simply because of money, power, and people. Money can be verified, power can be divided, but as for people..."

Hua Yan smiled gently, "Noble families value bloodlines the most. The Li family of Zhao County is intermarrying everywhere. Wouldn't it be better to let them create chaos on their own than for the Emperor to take action himself?"

The Emperor gazed at her for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter, reached out and lifted her chin, saying softly, "Shu'er has indeed lived up to my expectations. I want to see how many more amazing words this little mouth of yours can utter."

Hua Yan rose, respectfully stepped back, and put away the storybook on the table: "I dare not speak recklessly about matters of the inner chambers again."

"Tang Xian will return to the capital to report on his duties at the beginning of next month. I have granted him permission to bring Lady Yun into the palace." He suddenly said, "Lady Yun has taught you very well. You and Consort Chun should also meet your 'family'."

Hua Yan knelt down to express her gratitude, opened her mouth, but didn't know how to respond to the emperor's words about "family."

She had an inextricable relationship with Consort Chun and the Marquis of Lin'an behind her. "It's getting late, Your Majesty. I won't disturb you any longer. I'll go take a bath and change my clothes now."

The candlelight flickered red until midnight.

Jingming coughed lightly from the outer room: "Your Majesty, it is late at night, you should rest."

The Emperor gazed at the flickering candlelight for a while, his face showing signs of weariness. He got up to stretch his limbs, and after being helped to wash and dress by Jingming, he stepped into his bedchamber.

The night breeze brushed past the palace lanterns under the corridor, casting swaying shadows on the window paper.

.......

(This chapter has been revised)