Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Article 505

Meng Shu made this decision based on two considerations.

The first reason is that the disaster was too severe.

At first, it was thought to be a mild winter, but after spring arrived, it was discovered that it was a harbinger of disaster. The Great Zhou was experiencing a widespread drought that swept through dozens of prefectures and counties north of Yan and Yu, a disaster unprecedented since the founding of the dynasty. Yu Prefecture was particularly hard hit, with no rain for five whole months. Local officials urgently reported that "the ground is cracked like tortoise shell patterns, and the crops have all withered and turned to straw."

Two days ago, Jingming came to Lingcui Palace to ask Meng Shu to go to Funing Palace to persuade the Emperor to take care of his health. As soon as she stepped into the palace, she noticed the Emperor's bloodshot eyes, realizing he hadn't slept for two days and nights. Even more infuriating was the news that the Ministry of Personnel had just uncovered a group of corrupt officials: they had even dared to embezzle disaster relief funds. Upon hearing this, the Emperor was furious and immediately ordered the execution of all the officials involved…

This second matter was naturally a carefully planned scheme for Consort Chun.

By using the pretext of praying for blessings and making donations, coupled with the virtuous reputation she had accumulated in Lin'an and the capital, her fame would surely spread to the Yan and Yu regions. The people would remember her kindness, and in the future, both the Second Prince's future and Consort Chun's prestige would gain an extra layer of popular support, which would be a long-term foundation.

Moreover, with the Empress still under house arrest, it was reasonable for Consort Chun, the highest-ranking concubine in the harem, to take the lead. This was in line with Consort Chun's good intentions and would not make the Emperor feel that it was deliberate—after all, it was genuinely for the people's sake and could also share his burdens.

However, there are quite a few things to pay attention to if this matter is to be handled properly.

Besides the points mentioned earlier, we still need to discuss them carefully with Madam Yun.

For example, since Consort Chun has taken the lead in the inner palace, the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion should not be too conspicuous in this disaster. The Marquis's mansion already has a high reputation, and if Consort Chun takes the lead in the inner palace, and then the Marquis's mansion donates grain and money in a grand manner, it will inevitably cause gossip among those with ulterior motives, saying that the Tang family wants to "coordinate internally and externally and win people's hearts," thus turning a good deed into a bad one.

For example, the attitudes of the concubines in the palace also need to be carefully considered. Although the call is made to "do what one can" under the guise of praying for blessings, the most important thing is who genuinely wants to help and who is just going through the motions, regardless of the amount. This is a good opportunity to test everyone's intentions. If someone deliberately shirks their responsibility or speaks ill of others behind their back, it can be prevented early. If a concubine genuinely helps, there will be more opportunities for interaction in the future.

Even more importantly, if we want to realize the benefits of this matter, we must also give Princess Yongping plenty of benefits.

The princess was acting on instructions to lead the disaster relief efforts among the officials' families in the capital, while the inner palace organized a "prayer and donation drive." Although they appeared to be separate entities, they actually worked in tandem. The money and supplies collected by the inner palace could then be sent to the disaster area along with the princess's group, making it appear to the outside world that "officials' families and the inner palace are united in disaster relief." This would not only highlight the princess's leadership but also make the inner palace's actions seem more legitimate. By gaining this prestige, the princess would naturally hold the Consort Chun in high regard among the noble ladies of the capital, which would also be a favor.

Such details, all added together, require a proper set of regulations to be drafted, which will then need to be reported to the Emperor. No carelessness is allowed.

Meng Shu meticulously dissected the key points one by one, while Consort Chun sat to the side listening, becoming increasingly alarmed as she listened.

After Meng Shu finished speaking, she sighed deeply and drank two cups of plum juice before she came to her senses: "It was indeed my oversight. What seemed like a simple act of kindness has become so complicated."

"As long as the original intention of serving the people is true and it is beneficial to us, it is worthwhile to put in more effort."

Consort Chun nodded. "You're right. Tomorrow I'll have Aunt Mei return to the manor to discuss this with Mother."

“Madam will surely agree, and if there is anything we haven’t thought of, she will surely make up for it.” Meng Shu thought for a moment and suggested, “The disaster is urgent, so let Ruizhu spread the word about the ‘prayer donation’ in advance, so that the concubines in the palace can be mentally prepared, so that we don’t make it seem like we are in a hurry if we suddenly send out the message.”

Consort Chun thought about it and agreed. She sat for a while longer until the heat subsided before leading everyone back.

Huining Hall, study.

“Aunt, you didn’t see it. In just half an hour, Shu’er thought through all the details. She’s so thorough. It’s truly admirable.”

Consort Chun held the preliminary plan drafted by Meng Shu in her hand, her tone full of genuine admiration.

Aunt Mei, on the other hand, was all smiles. She knew that Meng Shu was taking advantage of the Empress's confinement to pave the way for Consort Chun.

Ruizhu said, "I often visit the various bureaus and have heard the old people in the palace talk about donations. At the beginning of our Great Zhou Dynasty, the Huai River region encountered a major flood. At that time, the female palace attendants of the Shanggong Bureau and other female officials and eunuchs of the other bureaus also donated money and goods. The Shanggong was even transferred to the imperial court as a Shangyi because of this merit. This story has been circulating in the harem for many years!"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Mei was even more delighted: "Listen to Consort Jin, you can't go wrong. The Consort said earlier that if Ruizhu is released, she can find out any news."

Ruizhu scratched her head and said shyly, "Then this servant will go around to various places tomorrow and leak the news in advance. Sister Lvliu and Jing Neiguan have always had a good relationship. Should we also leak this matter to the people in front of the Emperor in advance?"

While they were discussing the details, elsewhere in the palace, two people were shrouded in worry and panic, completely at a loss.

These two people are Pei and Yang, the two Baolin.

But the one who truly regretted and feared was not Consort Pei, but Consort Yang. She had gone to great lengths to get close to Consort Qing in order to move into Zhaoqing Palace, but who could have predicted that Consort Qing would not only die but also be posthumously demoted to a commoner, and that Zhaoqing Palace would become a taboo place in the harem.

In addition, she also knew that Consort Chun was intolerant of any wrongdoing and despised those who fawned on others, while Consort Jin was incredibly cunning and scheming, so even if she wanted to curry favor with her, she probably wouldn't have the chance.

For the past month, Yang Baolin has been tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He is now trapped in Zhaoqing Palace, just like in the cold palace. If he does not find a new backer, he is afraid that he will never have a chance to rise again in his position as a Baolin.

We need to find a way to break this deadlock.

That day, as Yang Baolin left Zhaoqing Palace and turned onto the palace road, she saw a familiar figure walking towards her. It was Wu Yunu, who had lived with her in Yulan Pavilion when she first entered the palace.

Wu Yunu looked at Yang Baolin from afar, her eyes revealing undisguised mockery. Only when the other party approached did she slowly turn to the side, give a perfunctory curtsy, and not even exchange a word of pleasantries.

Yang Baolin clearly didn't want to talk to the other person either, so he nodded lightly and walked away.

"Hmph, even at a time like this, he's still not behaving himself." Watching Yang Baolin's retreating figure, Wu Yunu muttered to herself, "Could it be that he's plotting something again, trying to find a new patron?"

She had originally received news that she was going to Huining Palace, but now she stopped in her tracks.

After a moment's thought, Wu Yunu turned to the palace maid Shuang'er beside her and instructed, "Follow her quietly and see whose palace she goes to. I'll wait for you at the Xieyue Pavilion ahead."

Shuang'er responded softly, "Yes," and only after Yang Baolin turned past the palace wall did she follow.