maidservant

Chapter 53: Queen Lingli thanks Lin Feisi Pharmacy for recruiting Yunshan
The queen finally gave birth to a prince, and the second prince was named Zong Zheng Ji'an.

However, the second prince had a pale face, a weak breath, and looked very frail.

The imperial physicians looked solemn, and the female officials did not dare to slack off at all. They gathered together overnight to carefully discuss the appropriate care methods for the little prince during his infancy, striving to ensure his healthy growth.

After experiencing the severe pain of childbirth, the queen was extremely weak.

She lay on the bed, not even having the strength to speak, and could only quietly allow the maids to serve her carefully.

Fine beads of sweat continued to seep from her pale forehead, soaking the hair at her temples. Her bloodless lips trembled slightly, and every breath seemed extremely difficult.

When the emperor learned about the situation of the queen and the little prince, his heart was filled with heartache and concern.

So he immediately issued an edict: the concubines in each palace should go to the queen's bedroom to congratulate her in three days. During these three days, no one is allowed to disturb the queen's rest, and the queen must be able to recuperate in peace.

The night was as dark as ink. A gentle breeze rustled the bronze bells beneath the palace eaves, making a crisp sound. Yunshan hurried back to Liuhua Palace, the light and shadow of the palace lanterns swaying with her steps.

In Liuhua Palace, as soon as they entered the hall, Yunshan told Lin Yu the details of the Queen's childbirth, one by one.

Lin Yu leaned forward slightly, looking nervous, his eyes full of concern, listening carefully to every detail.

"Thanks to you taking care of me, the Queen. When I gave birth, I felt much more at ease seeing you by my side."

Lin Yu paused, as if remembering something important, frowned slightly, and added:
"Did you encounter anything untoward while you were alone in Fengyi Palace?"

Yunshan bowed slightly and replied respectfully:
"I know this matter is of grave importance, so I have removed all my belongings and carefully tied my sleeves. If anyone tried to stuff anything on me, it would be obvious. I have been extremely careful from beginning to end, not daring to slack off, and nothing unusual has happened to me."

Lin Yu nodded slightly, with admiration in his eyes, and said softly: "I am most confident in your work. You are safe and thoughtful, and you never make mistakes."

Lin Yu had a gentle smile on his face, patted Yunshan's hand gently, and asked with a gentle look:

"Yunshan, what are your plans for the future? Life is long, and you can't be trapped in this deep palace forever."

Yun Shan was slightly startled, raised her eyes to look at Lin Yu, and called softly: "Master?"

Lin Yu sighed softly and said earnestly:

"Don't be like Yunjin. Just to be with me, you've never married and wasted your best years in this palace. Youth is fleeting. You should live your own life."

She then joked, "If you ever get married, I will prepare a generous dowry for you."

Yunshan slowly lowered her head. A few days ago, the princess had married into the Li family with great fanfare. Now, the princess and her husband must be living a happy life in harmony.

She bit her lip slightly and said softly:
"Master, you know what I'm thinking, and I don't want to think about anything else right now. There's just one thing I've been wanting to talk to you about. I'm hoping that one day I can ask you for mercy, to release me from slavery and give me freedom."

Lin Yu looked at Yunshan, his eyes full of understanding and tenderness, and said with a smile: "You have been loyal to me and have worked hard for me all these years. When I am free here, I will follow the rules and let you leave the palace."

Yunshan hurriedly shook her head, her expression anxious, her eyes filled with worry:
"Master, you are now trapped in this turbulent harem, surrounded by dangers. It's easy to dodge an open attack, but difficult to guard against a hidden one. You never know when you will be targeted by those with ill intentions. Although you are extremely intelligent and act prudently and carefully, I cannot bear to leave you like this. Until you have no more worries in this harem, please allow me to serve you for a few more years."

After dinner, soft light streamed into Liuhua Palace through the window lattices.

The wet nurse carefully carried the eldest prince into the palace. Lin Yu's face instantly filled with a gentle motherly smile, her eyebrows curved, and she was softly teasing the child in her arms, her eyes full of love. At this moment, Xin Qing walked lightly to the door of Liuhua Palace.

Upon hearing the announcement, Lin Yu hurriedly ordered Yun Jin to invite Xin Qing into the hall. Xin Qing was followed by four young eunuchs, each holding an exquisite tray filled with a dazzling array of items.

Xin Qingying bowed, her voice clear and pleasant, "As soon as the Empress recovered, she immediately sent this servant here to express her gratitude to Concubine Lin for your assistance that day."

She gestured to the eunuch behind her and continued, "These thank-you gifts are all precious dowry items from the Empress, and they carry the Empress's heartfelt wishes. I hope Concubine Lin will not refuse and must accept them."

Lin Yu pondered for a moment, then nodded gently to Yun Jin. Yun Jin understood, smiled faintly, and respectfully bowed to Xin Qingfu before accepting the gifts of thanks from the eunuch.

"I wonder if the Queen is in good health now?" Lin Yu's eyes were filled with concern.

Xin Qing replied respectfully, "Your Majesty has expended a great deal of energy giving birth to the prince, and she is quite weak. The imperial physician has advised that she needs to rest and recuperate for some time before she can fully recover."

Lin Yu nodded slightly, a hint of worry in his eyes, then turned around and asked Yun Jin to bring a precious thousand-year-old ginseng, which was a treasure that Lin Xiao had brought back from the border with great difficulty.

Lin Yu handed the old ginseng to Xin Qing and said softly, "This thousand-year-old ginseng has excellent nourishing properties. Take it back to the Queen. I hope it can help her recover soon."

After Xinqing thanked Lin Yu, she took her leave with the eunuch. After they left, Yunjin, as usual, carefully checked each item given by the Queen, confirming that there were no problems, and then carefully put them away.

Three days passed in a flash, and the concubines from all palaces went to Fengyi Palace in accordance with the emperor's order to congratulate the empress and the newborn second prince.

For a moment, Fengyi Palace was filled with swaying pearls and jade, and laughter. After this lively celebration ceremony ended, everyone dispersed one after another.

The Queen called out to Lin Yu and Yun Shan softly, her voice gentle: "Sister, please stay."

Lin Yu and Yun Shan stopped and turned to face the queen with some confusion in their eyes.

The Queen smiled faintly, her eyes fixed on Yunshan:
"Sister, this girl beside you is really outstanding. The Pharmacy has taken a fancy to her, and the Lord Fengyu has come to ask for her. I think she is a capable person by your side, so I must ask your opinion first."

When Yunshan heard this, she was stunned for a moment, her mind went blank, and it took her a while to try to digest the Queen's words.

Lin Yu's eyes flashed with disbelief, and she asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you saying that Yunshan is qualified to be a female official in the Pharmacy?"

The Queen nodded slightly, her smile showing fatigue:

"As long as you and your servant are willing, I will make an exception and allow you, my servant, to change your nationality and take the winter examination for female officials. As for whether she can become a female official, it depends on her own ability and luck."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu looked at Yunshan in surprise. Yunshan was still standing there in a daze, completely forgetting to reply.

Seeing her like this, Lin Yu couldn't help but speak for her: "In that case, thank you for your grace, Her Majesty the Queen."

Yunshan finally came to her senses and hurriedly knelt down before the Queen and Lin Yu, bowing solemnly. Her voice was filled with excitement and gratitude: "Thank you, Queen, for your kindness, and thank you, Master, for your kindness!"

From that day on, Yunshan's life underwent a dramatic transformation. Every night off, she would study diligently under the lamp, the flickering candlelight illuminating her focused face. Lin Yu was also very considerate of her, deliberately reducing her chores and even ordering a replacement for her with a fine glass oil lamp.

(End of this chapter)