Chapter 88 A New Beginning: The night of the fifth day of the eleventh lunar month held different feelings for everyone. At Yuqing Palace…

The night of the fifth day of the eleventh lunar month has different meanings for everyone.

Yuqing Palace also held a banquet that evening for the joyous occasion, but as the Crown Prince, he could not hold a banquet like ordinary people outside Yuqing Palace.

If that were to happen, Yu Lang and Fu Cha Deyin, as first-class imperial guards, would be the first to object. They were responsible for the security of Yuqing Palace, one inside and one outside. If the palace were opened up and a small accident occurred, their careers would be over.

The banquet dishes were prepared well in advance and delivered to various parts of the palace in the name of the Qianqing Palace when the time came. In addition, some close relatives and important officials outside the palace were also rewarded with banquet dishes. Shen Wanqing was mixed in with the noblewomen who were escorting the bride and also got a table.

When I got home from the palace late at night, I thought the whole family would be asleep. I got off the carriage very quietly, afraid of disturbing them.

To her surprise, the area behind the door was brightly lit, and even the most lazy boys at the gatehouse were as energetic as night owls. As soon as Shen Wanqing returned, Xiao Hou'er darted out, and Shen Wanqing couldn't even call him back in time.

Xiao Hou'er is a newcomer to the manor this year. He was originally the son of a minor steward at Songzhuangtou's manor. That manor was the smallest and had the fewest tenants, so over time, not so many people would be needed to stay at the manor to look after it.

Previously, when Shumulu was in charge of the household affairs, she had made a mess of things, let alone the affairs of the estate. The steward of the estate was also too lazy to be mentioned; in short, since the mountains were high and the emperor was far away, he had to find his own way to make a living.

Now that Shen Wanqing is in charge, last year during the Spring Festival, the head of the Song family mentioned that he wanted to send a child back to the manor to work, otherwise the child would be idle and useless on the manor and would be wasted in the long run.

This matter could be handled, but it was not advisable to only agree to Song Zhuangtou's request. After the New Year, Shen Wanqing made another trip to several villages.

This time, not only were the people from their own village more attentive, but the clan elders and stewards also made all the necessary preparations in advance.

The things Shen Wanqing sent to those eighteen families at the end of last year proved very useful. In the past, if a family was really struggling, they would have to bite the bullet and borrow from the Zuo Ling or Xiao Qi school. As long as they could give them something, they would be extremely grateful.

Now that Shen Wanqing has taken the initiative to deliver the goods, even though two other families are still complaining and secretly grumbling that Shen is only doing this because she is from the Han Banner and they are afraid that they can't control her mother-in-law and great-grandmother-in-law. That's why she spent money to buy the hearts of these banner people under the command of the Zuo Ling.

She needs our help, so we eat the rice, noodles, vegetables, and meat she brings without feeling guilty. After we finish eating this New Year's meal, she'll have to come back to deliver more next spring, otherwise... otherwise... The old man didn't finish his sentence, only grunting twice, as if he would smash Shen Wanqing's door if she didn't send things to his family.

The man who spoke was an old widower. His son had died in battle, his wife had passed away long ago, and his daughter-in-law had remarried. He also had two daughters who were married but rarely came back, leaving him to raise his three grandsons alone.

He said this before the Lantern Festival was over. His family hadn't finished eating the things that Shen Wanqing and Yu Lang had sent over. The man, who had eaten his fill, had a rosy glow on his face and stood confidently against the wall, pointing out the world to others. It was as if if he straightened his back a little more, the things he had taken from Shen Wanqing would really be worthless.

But there are only one or two people like that. Even his eldest grandson completely ignored what he said. Most of the rest are smart and pragmatic.

Even a small benefit becomes a great one when spread around. Within the Eight Banners, the captains were all adjacent to each other, so naturally, everything Shen Wanqing did was spread far and wide.

Some people look down on it, while others will follow suit. Even if it's just to win people's hearts, as long as the benefits are actually distributed, that's fine. Shen Wanqing never expects to change the world. She does what she can, and there's no rush for the rest. Life is long, so take it slow.

The people from the manor and the banner land were very attentive, so Shen Wanqing took the opportunity to bring back a few more people. She arranged the stable gatekeeper and the kitchen according to their personalities, and Xiao Hou'er, being the most clever, was naturally assigned to the gatekeeper position.

The arrangements were made in the first place, and since their parents had originally come from the manor to the estate, there was nothing wrong with them returning.

However, in just one year, everyone noticed the difference. The people who were assigned to serve the eldest grandmother the most were the ones who were assigned to her later. They had already subtly formed a group in the family and become people who belonged exclusively to the eldest grandmother.

"Why aren't you all sleeping? If you keep making a fuss for a few more hours, it'll be dawn soon."

“How can we sleep well without Grandma’s back? The old lady in the main courtyard hasn’t rested either, she’s just waiting for you to come back.”

"Wait for me? Why would you wait for me?"

Shen Wanqing's first reaction was that something had happened at home, but if something really happened, Fang Liang would definitely try his best to find her. Even if he couldn't find her, he would definitely be waiting at the door right now. Since she hadn't seen him, it must be nothing serious.

"The palace has bestowed a feast upon us, but the old lady says that we can only eat together when you, the eldest mistress, return."

"You stay up all night in this freezing weather just for this feast?"

"That's right. The old lady has already sent people to inquire. Apart from the First-Class Duke's Mansion and the Suo Zhongtang Mansion, the only family in the entire Hesheli clan that received a banquet from the palace this time is ours. This is an immense honor."

Face is face, and this is a deeply ingrained disagreement, so Shen Wanqing didn't say much more.

I had only intended to make a brief appearance at the main courtyard, but it turned out that not only was Tongjia Shi there, but everyone in the east and west courtyards was awake.

This included the third daughter, Rujie'er, and the fourth daughter, Yijie'er, who turned three years old after the Mid-Autumn Festival this year and had been named. Shen Wanqing then realized that the feast bestowed upon them by the palace tonight was indeed more than just a table of fine food for the Hesheli family.

"Is the old lady still able to eat at this hour? Will she get indigestion if she eats too much?"

"It's the Crown Prince's wedding, and His Majesty has bestowed this feast upon us. We should eat it all, but it's not like we're eating it every day."

Eat it all? Finish it all? Shen Wanqing's mood, which she had just managed to compose herself, immediately soured again. How could she possibly finish all the food on the table, which had already gone cold?

However, Shen Wanqing was unwilling to argue with Tongjia Shi over such a trivial matter. Before Tongjia Shi could say anything more, she waved her hand to signal the maid next to her to take the already cold dishes to the kitchen to reheat them.

"Since it's a blessing, let's not just enjoy it ourselves. We can distribute any leftovers later. With so many people in the family, everyone can share in the Crown Prince and Crown Princess's joy, and our family will prosper in the coming year."

This feast was a token of respect that Shen Wanqing and Yulang had earned. Since she had spoken up, even if Madam Tongjia was reluctant to give it to the servants, she couldn't say anything.

Shumulu smiled and lowered her head. She was actually quite open-minded about rewards. As long as the banquet was given, that was enough. It was the outsiders' business to be envious. Who said that we had to eat it all up without leaving a single thing behind when we closed our doors?

If we were to follow the old lady's logic, this table of twenty-eight dishes—cold platters, hot dishes, and desserts—would take at least two or three days to finish. The rations in the palace, if reheated and cooled repeatedly, would eventually turn into swill.

Niohuru frowned upon hearing this, feeling that Shen Wanqing was always trying to be in the limelight and different from others.

It's one thing for her to disregard me, but she even tries to refute the old lady's words. I don't know what kind of family rules allow a young daughter-in-law to be so bold.

Fortunately, while Niohuru cursed Shen Wanqing in her heart, her face remained as serene as ever. Apart from Fangyi, who sat beside her and could guess that her mother was once again fuming with anger, nothing else happened.

Shen Wanqing didn't pay any attention to her. She forced herself to stay awake and waited with Tongjia for the reheated dishes to be served again. She drank half a bowl of soup as a formality and then left the main courtyard, saying that she was too tired today.

"Leave someone to keep watch. Once they've finished eating inside, distribute the leftovers that haven't been touched. The gatekeepers and night watchmen can have them as a midnight snack. Don't wake up those who've gone to sleep. Leave everything for tomorrow."

"Don't worry, Grandma. Nobody in the family is asleep right now. They're all excited to hear that they'll be eating a feast bestowed by His Majesty."

Shen Wanqing wanted to say something more, but then felt that saying anything would be pointless, so she simply waved her hand and said nothing more.

Back in my room, after removing my makeup and washing up, I snuggled into the warm blankets, and the tension that had been weighing on my chest slowly dissipated.

Without that last breath, Shen Wanqing curled up on her side in the quilt, hugging the pumpkin pillow that Xueyan had specially made for her. From head to toe, she exuded a dejected air of being neither dead nor able to live.

Today, when she walked from the Shi residence to the palace, especially with all the entourage around her, and because she was a noblewoman accompanying the bride, she stood at the very front, Shen Wanqing felt a strange sense of elation, as if she had truly become someone of high status.

She felt a little better as she walked out of the palace, but she was too tired to think about anything. It wasn't until she sat down next to Lady Tongjia and saw how excited she was about the meal the palace had given her that Shen Wanqing finally calmed down.

In the eyes of the masters in the palace, she was no different from how Tongjia viewed the servants in her household—both were human, yet neither were human.

She pressed her hand to her heart and patted it several times. In her mind, Shen Wanqing repeated what she had said to Shi Qionghua that morning: Don't forget where you came from, don't forget what you want, and most importantly, don't forget what kind of person you are.

Shen Wanqing was giving herself a pep talk, and eventually drifted off to sleep. Meanwhile, in Yuqing Palace, Yu Lang wasn't so lucky; he was exhausted from a long day and couldn't sleep either.

Fortunately, many of the rules for the Crown Prince's wedding are different from those of ordinary families. His own wife is a bold and unruly person. Last year, she even sat in the tent all night. But when it comes to the Crown Princess, she is the mistress and the future Empress, so of course the rules have to be changed.

I heard that the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department argued about this for almost a month. Yu Lang didn't ask about the specifics, but anyway, the Crown Princess doesn't have to sit all night tonight; it's a proper wedding night.

With the prince in his bridal chamber, the guards on duty felt more at ease. As long as they kept a close watch on the gates, there shouldn't be any problems tonight. However, no one said this aloud. The rest of the guards, except for those on duty, found a room, lit a censer, heated some wine, and chatted to pass the long night.

"The ladies in the harem are not having a good time tonight. I heard that Consort Hui even broke some dishes. How could she do that on such a joyous occasion?"

"You know everything. Everyone's so busy tonight, how do you know whether the empresses in the harem broke a bowl or not?"

"Really, I got this wine from the Imperial Kitchen myself. They're very well-informed. Tonight, His Majesty hosted a banquet for all the ladies of the harem. Consort Hui didn't eat a single bite, so she had a maid spend money to prepare two extra dishes and send them to Yanxi Palace."

"Now that our Crown Prince has married the Crown Princess, there's nothing more for her and the First Prince to do. Don't you think they're just resentful?"

"Maybe it's just that their hands were shaking and they couldn't hold the bowl properly. Besides, there isn't a single dish that Consort Hui likes in today's feast, is that alright?" Seeing that they were getting more and more outrageous, Yu Lang interrupted them and refilled their wine glasses.

"Speak less about the affairs of the harem, and don't speak about them at all if you can. In this cold weather, you have warm wine and a charcoal brazier, what more could you ask for? If you really need more, come to my house tomorrow, I have wine and meat."

"Let's keep our conversations to ourselves. News of what happens in the inner palace can reach us in the blink of an eye. Who knows if what we say will be known to the First Prince tomorrow?"

The palace is indeed strictly governed by rules; anyone who breaks the rules or violates taboos can lose their life in an instant. But it is also the most unruly place in the world. If you want to find out any information, as long as you are willing to spend money and put in the effort, there is nothing you cannot find out.

Yu Lang was a favorite of the Crown Prince and a first-class bodyguard, giving him an edge over everyone else in the room, both professionally and personally. Since his words made sense, everyone readily changed the subject and stopped talking about it.

In winter, the shifts changed every hour at night. When it was time to change shifts, Yu Lang would also go out to patrol the inner and outer gates of Yuqing Palace.

Tomorrow, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will go to the Qianqing Palace and Ningshou Palace to express their gratitude. The Crown Princess will receive the audience from the noblewomen of the imperial family, and afterwards they will go to the Fengxian Hall to worship their ancestors.

Although it was still the middle of the night, the matrons of Yuqing Palace were already leading the maids in making preparations for the next day. The palace gates could not be closed, and Yu Lang dared not have a moment of sleepiness if the gates of Yuqing Palace were not closed.

As dawn approached, snow began to fall gently. Yu Lang stood spiritedly under the eaves of the rear hall of Dunben Hall, watching He Yuzhu emerge from inside. The two exchanged a glance, knowing that everything had gone smoothly inside the previous night, and they finally felt a little relieved.

This year has been truly difficult. After this night, not only will Yuqing Palace welcome its new mistress, but the entire court's political landscape will also change. As for myself and my beloved eldest mistress, it's only now that we've truly made the right bet.