Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 519 Politics and Public Sentiment

Empress Dowager Jiang unfolded the booklet, and there were hundreds and thousands of red handprints of different sizes and shades on the plain paper, as striking as red plum blossoms covered in snow, with names and ages noted in detail on the side.

Her previously smiling expression instantly turned solemn. She lightly traced the handprints with her fingertips, and after a moment, she stood up.

"This...this is a 'Thousand Handprints Note'!"

Going back two dynasties, historical records show that after a severe drought in Guanzhong, the people received relief from the imperial court. They spontaneously signed a petition with the fingerprints of ten thousand people and gathered to kowtow to the imperial court to express their gratitude. The scene and the sentiments of the people moved the court and the public.

Seeing the Empress Dowager rise, everyone also straightened their robes and stood respectfully. Upon hearing these words, they were all deeply moved and silent. For a moment, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The Emperor nodded and sighed, "This thing, though simple, is worth more than gold and jade."

The Empress and her concubines immediately knelt down and congratulated the Emperor and Empress Dowager in unison: “Your Majesty and Empress Dowager congratulate the Emperor and Empress Dowager! This letter, which is signed by the hearts of all the people, is truly a testament to the benevolent rule of the nation. May our dynasty’s virtue and grace last forever and our country be secure forever!”

......

According to ancestral custom, the emperor would stay at Renming Palace on Mid-Autumn Festival. After the banquet at Cining Palace, Meng Shu followed Consort Chun and slowly walked out of the palace gate under the moonlight.

Upon reaching the bottom of the stone steps outside the palace, he parted ways with Consort Shun, Consort Qi, and Consort Mu.

Consort Qi stepped forward with a smile and curtsied to Consort Chun: "When Your Majesty took the lead in raising funds, I was worried that we would not be able to raise enough. Now that I have seen the people's good intentions, I know that Your Majesty's hard work has not been in vain."

Consort Mu, contrary to her usual behavior, also nodded.

Consort Shun had been quiet throughout the banquet, but now, standing a little further away, she solemnly cupped her hands to Consort Chun. She had always loved martial arts, and her gesture was somewhat like that of a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry). “At the banquet just now, Sister Wan’s actions truly impressed me.”

Consort Chun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, while Consort Shun said with a hint of guilt, "In the past, I always felt that once you enter the harem, you only need to take care of yourself, and fundraising for disaster relief is just a formality. But today, seeing those banners from hundreds of families and looking at the book full of bare handprints, I realize how precious it is to keep the people's difficulties in mind. I also feel even more ashamed of my overreaction when I competed with Sister Song the other day."

Upon hearing this, Consort Mu showed a hint of surprise on her face, then shook her head: "Your Majesty is too kind. It's just a small matter, why bring it up again?"

Consort Qi smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "That's good! If all of us sisters in the harem can be as united as we were that day, it will save us a lot of trouble."

Meng Shu smiled and said, "Sister Qi Pin is right. Being kind to others is also accumulating good karma for yourself."

After chatting for a few more minutes, the group said their goodbyes.

Meng Shu and Consort Chun strolled along the palace path. The moonlight, like water, poured over the vermilion walls and green tiles, casting their shadows upon each other. Their footsteps were light and slow, accompanied by the occasional distant sound of the night watchman's drum, conveying a rare sense of tranquility.

The two little ones held by the wet nurses behind her were already fast asleep. Consort Chun had drunk two extra cups of osmanthus wine during the banquet, and now her jade cheeks were flushed, as beautiful as peach blossoms, and her eyes were even more radiant than usual.

“With Aunt and Mingyue protecting us, let the wet nurses take the children back first,” Consort Chun gently tugged at Meng Shu’s sleeve, revealing a charming and innocent demeanor rarely seen by outsiders. “The moon is so beautiful tonight, let’s go to Taiye Pond to admire it.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Mei's face darkened: "Her Highness is drunk! Ruizhu, go back first and have the kitchen prepare some hangover soup."

Ruizhu quickly responded, curtsied, and was about to take Xiaonianzi back.

"Don't worry, Aunt. With so many people following us, it's alright. Donggua has prepared some hangover soup and is waiting up ahead," Meng Shu reassured her gently, while reaching out to firmly support Consort Chun's arm.

Aunt Mei then said, "Then shall this servant and Mingyue take the princes back first?"

Meng Shu nodded.

The two strolled forward slowly. Consort Chun tilted her head slightly, leaning towards Meng Shu, and asked softly, "Was it Shu'er... or was it Mother's idea?"

Meng Shu pretended not to understand, so Consort Chun gently pinched her cheek and said reproachfully, "Still hiding it from me? Those hundred families' cloth banners must have been your plan."

"I did mention it to Madam," Meng Shu admitted after a moment.

Seeing Consort Chun frown slightly, she explained gently, "It was not an act of taking advantage of her favor, but we did send reliable people to guide her a little."

"In this matter, what we and the Marquis's family did went far beyond what was publicly stated, and naturally, it should be remembered. At this time of national crisis, Wan'er merely took the lead from within the inner palace; even if the Emperor is suspicious, he won't investigate too deeply. As for... the Empress..."

Her voice was slightly lower, but clear as ever, “This is a good opportunity to stir her emotions, and let her make the first move.”

Consort Chun remained silent for a while, then sighed softly, "It's not that I'm ignorant of the ways of the world; I'm especially delighted to receive the people's good wishes. I suppose... that letter with a thousand people's handprints was also intentionally made by the Prefect of Yuzhou."

Meng Shu said, "After the embezzlement case, officials throughout Yuzhou are trembling with fear. Using such methods to curry favor with the emperor is exactly what he wants. The prefect of Yuzhou will probably keep his official hat."

"Kindness is not always good, and the people's response is not always sincere. Mr. Lin once taught me this, and Shu'er, who accompanied me to school, has gained even more insight from Mr. Lin."

Mr. Lin also said something that Consort Chun didn't mention: "In politics and in people's hearts, only those who follow the trend can benefit."

A cool breeze rippled across the pond, creating tiny silver ripples. Palace lanterns stood on both sides of the pond as the group of people, along with their retinues, walked gracefully.

Mengzhu suddenly pointed to a pair of figures not far away, "Your Majesty, Donggua and the others are ahead."

Donggua and Xia'er had obviously been waiting in the pavilion for a long time. When they saw Meng Shu and Consort Chun approaching, they quickly came forward with smiles on their faces.

Upon entering the pavilion, a vermilion food box sat quietly on a stone table, with two lanterns beside it.

Consort Chun's eyes lit up instantly, and she couldn't help but tighten her grip on Meng Shu's fingertips, her voice filled with surprise: "It's a lantern! When did you secretly prepare it, Shu'er? You didn't mention a word about it at the palace banquet just now!"

The two released lanterns hand in hand, their shimmering reflections drifting away on the water.

For the first time, Consort Chun clasped her hands together and silently made a wish under a full moon at such a moment.

After they finished releasing the lanterns and returned, Donggua took out a few newly made mooncakes and a plate of fragrant lotus leaf cakes from the food box, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please try the newly made mooncakes. This is a new recipe that I tried. It is mixed with osmanthus and rose petals from this autumn. It is sweet and not greasy."

Mengzhu and Ruizhu also briefly relaxed their restraints. After serving their mistress, they each took one. Ruizhu smiled after just one bite: "It's really better than the nut-filled ones. Mingyue can't try them, so I'll take two back for her."

“It’s already prepared,” Donggua replied hastily. “I had Chun’er send some over when I came.”

The master and servants looked up at the moon, chatting idly in twos and threes while leaning against the railing. This scene seemed to transport them back to the carefree and leisurely days in Lin'an. Whether it was Consort Chun and Meng Shu, or Meng Zhu, Dong Gua, and the others, a gentle and content expression radiated from their eyes.

Lanterns, carrying hazy wishes, drifted slowly towards the center of the pond along the ripples, like two moving stars. Reflections of people lingered in the pavilions, while the moon's reflection shone brightly in the water, their interplay creating the most tender and precious scene within the red walls.

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I'm vowing to update three chapters tomorrow! I'll start writing as soon as I get up! Goodnight, my darlings.