maidservant

Chapter 50: Concubine Cui reveals the mystery and Yunshan awakens

The atmosphere in the Dali harem has recently shifted due to the news that Princess Xibian will soon be accepted as a concubine. The Empress, fully aware of the implications of this matter for the stability of the harem and the political situation at court, summoned all the concubines to a meeting.

After everyone entered the Queen's palace and took their seats, the topic of conversation, like new sprouts breaking through the soil in spring, quietly turned to the foreign princess who was about to enter the palace.

One of the concubines' eyes flickered, and she said with curiosity, "I wonder what the princess is like. I heard that people from foreign countries are often tall. Could it be that this princess is seven feet tall?" After she finished speaking, her face was full of reverie.

A person next to him moved closer, lowered his voice, and his expression was full of speculation:
"What do you think? Does this princess have any unusual hobbies? I heard that some foreigners have a diet very different from ours. Do they have the habit of eating raw meat?" After saying this, he shook his head slightly, as if he found this guess incredible.

Another person spoke up, his tone filled with emotion: "In my opinion, this foreign princess must have a unique appearance. I remember that Dali once had a Hu concubine who was outstanding in appearance and was deeply favored by the late emperor."

"Now that this foreign princess has come to marry us from afar, her beauty and talent are probably beyond the reach of ordinary people. I'm afraid we will have to avoid her and be at a disadvantage." After saying this, he sighed slightly, with a look of worry on his face.

For a moment, everyone was buzzing with speculation, all sorts of novel and bold theories surrounding this mysterious princess. Within the palace, heated and slightly playful discussions echoed one after another, all fueled by the excitement surrounding this foreign princess who had yet to appear.

At the message from the palace maid, the queen walked out from behind the layers of lotus tents. She was already pregnant and was carefully supported by a maid.

The Queen's health was not as good as before. Yunshan lowered her head, but mentally counted the Queen's footsteps. Even though she was in the late stages of pregnancy, her pace did not seem that of a woman in her twenties.

When everyone was quiet for a while, the Queen opened her red lips slightly, her eyes calm but majestic:

"Princess Xibian's entry into the palace was not her original wish. She has come here alone, far from her homeland. From now on, my sisters must get along with her in harmony and avoid causing any trouble."

Concubine Hui was always outspoken. After hearing what the Queen said, she frowned slightly, her face full of doubts, and she couldn't help but ask:
"A great nation, still brazenly clamoring last year, is actually allowing its legitimate princess to marry this year? How could its national strength be depleted to this extent in just six months?"

Concubine Hui's words could hardly conceal her contempt for the Western Bian Kingdom. "The court officials and common people, you don't even have the strength to compete with my Dali for half a year?"

At this moment, Yangpin, as always, took a timid step forward, her voice soft and trembling:

"Empress Huifei, you are very brave and dare to speak frankly about such matters of state, but I and others really dare not listen to you without permission." Yangpin said, lowering her head slightly, her eyes full of caution.

Yunshan watched coldly from the side, secretly sneering in her heart.

She knew that Yang Concubine's appearance was just a facade. She seemed to be forbearing and yielding in every way, and she acted weak and harmless, but every word she said seemed to hide a deep meaning, and she had inadvertently set a trap for others. The person who handed the knife in the back was the most insidious.

The Queen gently waved her jade hand, her expression gentle: "Now that Princess Xibian is about to enter my Dali harem, this matter will be closely related to the harem in the future. Concubine Yang does not need to be so shy."

When the queen said this, everyone was slightly stunned, and then fell into deep thought.

Concubine Cui, who rarely interacted with others and spoke little, was sitting quietly beside Lin Yu. In this slightly quiet atmosphere, she slowly expressed her views:

"Even though the tax revenue of Xibian State has improved slightly in the past two years, its treasury accumulation is ultimately limited."

Seeing no one speaking, she continued, "When I was young in the late Empress Dowager's palace, I heard the female teacher say that if a country wants to be strong, a vast territory and sufficient agricultural labor are the foundation. Only by establishing a foothold in this can it develop other things in the long run. Only in this way can it have a strong resistance against sanctions from other countries; even if faced with a blockade, it can be self-sufficient and not easily fall into difficulties." "That small country on the edge of Xibian, its territory is only the land of our Dali Continent. It has a poor history and a stable future. Now, it has been gradually castrated by our emperor with the 'Hengshan Plan', and it is indeed powerless to fight back."

Concubine Cui's words were clear and insightful, and they revealed the wisdom accumulated over the years. Everyone was stunned at first, then cast admiring or thoughtful glances.

During this long period of time, Cui Wan'er developed a wisdom and composure far beyond the ordinary. In this small world of the harem, she silently observed and pondered, gaining a clear and thorough understanding of the many truths of the world.

The Queen nodded slightly, and followed Cui Wan'er's words and said slowly:

"Empress Cui's words have really hit the nail on the head. Over the past six months, our dynasty has spent a huge amount on this matter. Although our dynasty has a vast territory and abundant tax revenue, this expense cannot be underestimated. Xinqing, issue the imperial decree." The queen suddenly felt tired and had to let her maid give the order for her.

"The Queen's decree——"

All the concubines quickly stood up and knelt down.

"From now on, starting with Fengyi Palace, everyone must practice strict frugality and reduce expenses. For the next six months, the monthly wages of palace maids and eunuchs will be reduced by half. Furthermore, the small kitchens and gardeners employed by each palace will be removed. All other necessities will be provided by the female officials of the six ministries according to their ranks."

----

Cui Wan'er's penetrating analysis that day was like a thunderbolt, piercing Yunshan's heart. Yunshan felt that no woman she had ever met could compare to her. That evening, she could not help but secretly marvel:

"It is indeed the product of twenty years of immersion in this deep palace, a person whose insights and wisdom are far beyond the reach of ordinary people."

Yunshan felt as if she had just woken from a dream. She realized that all her studies over the past few months had been confined to the petty intrigues of the harem, constantly on guard against treacherous villains. Although she had read numerous biographies of imperial concubines in her spare time, she was ultimately like a frog in a well, seeing and hearing only a small part of the world, her horizons narrow.

Concubine Cui, however, had always refrained from competing for fame and gain within the harem. Her demeanor evoked a certain respect, a quality that could not be slighted or disrespected. Whether it was the Empress, the Emperor, or the other concubines, they all treated her with a special eye, not daring to treat her with the slightest disrespect.

An idea flashed through Yunshan's mind like lightning, striking deep within her soul. She longed to break free from the narrow circle of jealousy among the women in the harem, to take that crucial step.

This thought was not just to protect Lin Yu, but also a true desire from the bottom of her heart.

In the past, all I wanted was to break free from the shackles of slavery and gain so-called freedom. But now, after careful reflection, I realize that everything I thought about was wrong.

True freedom is not simply about breaking free from the constraints of one's identity, but rather a complete liberation from the depths of one's heart. It is about breaking free from all constraints and restrictions from the depths of one's heart and finding that unfettered freedom.

So the next day, Yunshan returned all the books she had read to Aunt Zhuang, and then wanted to borrow some historical books from her. Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhuang looked embarrassed and said, "We don't have any of that."

After saying this, he couldn't help but chuckle and jokingly said, "Miss Yunshan, are you planning to take the imperial examination?"

Yunshan was speechless for a moment, and felt that her actions were somewhat unrealistic and ridiculous. She had to suppress her thoughts and silently bury her desire deep in her heart.

(End of this chapter)