In the first month of the lunar calendar, a heavy snow fell in northern Chu, bending the bamboo branches and creating a white expanse as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, a pile of snow would fall from under the eaves.
With a whoosh.
Snowflakes scattered all over the ground.
Ouch!
The palace servants looked up with worried expressions at the snow on the precariously falling eaves. After a moment, once they were sure it was safe, they quickly grabbed brooms and cleaned the palace road.
Song Yue stood under the corridor watching this scene. She frowned deeply. She remembered that at this time in her previous life, she was still half-mad and knew that a lot of snow had fallen in the capital, which had collapsed many houses and caused countless people to freeze to death or starve to death.
The snow lasted for more than a month.
When spring arrives and the snow melts, the ground will be littered with corpses, and the stench will be unbearable.
Not long after, an epidemic struck Kyoto. Medicines were in short supply, and many more people died.
She remembered that the Emperor of Northern Chu locked himself in the Buddhist hall, clasped his hands together, and prayed incessantly.
Outside the capital, everyone was saying that it was because the Emperor of Northern Chu had committed too many sins and angered the heavens that this was Heaven's punishment for Northern Chu.
“Ah Yue.”
Jiang Ying braved the heavy snow to enter the palace. When she spoke, her breath was puffing out and her cheeks were red from the cold. Her tone was anxious: "Many houses outside the city have collapsed. Fortunately, the people received the news and made preparations in time. However, they will soon be homeless. If they are not resettled in time, it will definitely cause chaos."
Song Yue pulled Jiang Ying inside and handed her a hand warmer: "How's things going with your brother?"
“We’ve been searching for the prince consort’s whereabouts, but he seems to have vanished without a trace,” Jiang Ying said, frowning.
Song Yue frowned: "Don't rush, wait a little longer."
"wait?"
"Yes, some people will lose their patience."
Jiang Ying was puzzled, but seeing that she didn't say anything more, she didn't ask any further.
Song Yue said to Yun Dong, "Go deliver some charcoal to the neighbors, and while you're at it, let them know about the Prince Consort."
"yes."
Before long, she heard sharp shouts and curses coming from next door. Although no one was named, she knew immediately who they were cursing.
Song Yue didn't care at all.
After two days of heavy snow, more and more people were left homeless. The imperial court sent people to distribute porridge and cotton-padded clothes at the four city gates.
Even so, it didn't solve the problem too much.
At this moment, a maid stood on the snowdrift, banging a gong and drum: "There are several rooms in the stream alley that are temporarily vacant. Please line up and go in one by one."
"What?"
"Did I hear that right?"
"We have a place now?"
There was pushing and shoving, as if they couldn't wait to rush over and take over the room.
Two guards rushed out, knives in hand and fierce expressions: "Come one by one, no one is allowed to take anything, anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!"
Perhaps because of the presence of guards with swords, the noisy crowd instantly quieted down.
The maidservants, holding a register, recorded each person's name and settled them in the spacious courtyard. Within an hour, the fifteen courtyards were fully occupied.
“Young lady, who is our benefactor? He has the heart of a bodhisattva. Heaven will surely bless him.”
Upon hearing this, the maid smiled and said, "My mistress is indeed beautiful and kind-hearted. However, you don't need to ask any further. She only wants to do good deeds for the sake of the child in her womb. After the house is renovated for you, you won't have to live a life of hardship anymore."
The maid pointed in a direction; "My master has already arranged for people to build a greenhouse, which is enough to provide you with shelter and protection from the cold wind."
Everyone knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude, chanting "Amitabha, the living Buddha is alive."
Suddenly, Kyoto had a new addition: a beautiful and kind-hearted female bodhisattva.
He gained widespread fame and was loved by the people.
...
The three princes hadn't contacted her for several days, not even making a sound. Apart from disappointment, Xu Lingqing insisted that she would not sit idly by and wait for her fate.
She changed her clothes, covered her face, sat in the carriage gazing into the distance, and listened to the people's praise, a proud smile appearing on her face.
"Your Highness, why do you do good deeds anonymously?" asked the maid, Moxiang, puzzled.
How could she not leave her name?
It's just that the time isn't right yet.
"Wait a little longer."
“Your Highness, renting houses, repairing greenhouses, and distributing porridge and clothing are all things the court should do… This money is being spent like water, but it may not necessarily bring any good results,” said Mo Xiang.
Xu Lingqing reached out and touched her stomach, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips: "Money is only money when it's spent; otherwise, it's just waste paper and scrap metal."
What she wanted was not just money, but more importantly, the hearts and minds of the people.
She had planned to step forward after many more people had died, at which point she would become the savior.
But the imperial court acted faster than she had imagined.
She couldn't wait any longer.
We must win back the hearts and minds of the people before the imperial court does.
Fortunately, she knew in advance that a blizzard would strike, so she had stockpiled food, clothes, and a large amount of charcoal, which finally came in handy.
As for money, it's just a matter of lifting a finger for me.
It couldn't be simpler.
"Your Highness, isn't that Miss Linghu?" Moxiang followed the gaze and saw a familiar figure in the distance.
Xu Lingqing followed the gaze and frowned.
Standing next to Linghu was Xuanyuan Che!
Linghu seemed to have sprained her ankle and was being helped by Xuanyuan Che. She was wearing a light pink dress and looked like a blooming rose against the white snow. She was incredibly beautiful. Her face was white and tender, and her cheeks were slightly red, whether from the cold or from shyness, it was hard to tell.
"You vixen!" Mo Xiang pouted.
Xu Lingqing's hands were clenched tightly.
My heart was rising and falling.
After what seemed like an eternity, she had seen enough and flung the curtain down: "Let's go!"
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