Chapter 227
The Great Yu Dynasty, the eighteenth year of Zhaoyang.
The biting cold wind of December blew into the palace, seemingly also amazed by the golden palaces and jade towers, and slowed its force, only gently passing over the budding trees and spreading a little cold fragrance in all directions.
Qingmei turned her head following the fragrance and saw a row of palace maids carrying brocade ribbons and silks, heading towards Merlin.
"Wait," Qingmei called out to them, "What are you doing?"
These palace maids were new to the palace and did not recognize her, but seeing that she was wearing official robes, they knew that she must be a female official with a proper position in the court. So they bowed to her respectfully and replied, "My lady, as the New Year approaches, the head of the Imperial Household Department has instructed us to decorate the garden. Since the Imperial Study has a view of this plum garden, we thought we would hang colorful ribbons on the branches to make it look more lively."
Since the issue of glass purity was resolved a few years ago, the palace took the lead in replacing the windows and also installed underfloor heating.
The Imperial Study was expanded, and the area closest to Merlin was converted into a large glass window. His Majesty placed a table and several chairs there, where he would sit and drink tea and look at the flowers in his spare time.
The chair wasn't a typical wooden chair; it was made of some kind of fabric, so soft and squishy that it was impossible to sit upright. You just wanted to lean back. Oh, right, His Majesty and General Ye both called it a lazy sofa.
At first, many court officials had reservations about this, saying that the imperial palace was a place of great importance and the residence of the emperor, and how could it be moved so easily? The addition of underfloor heating, glass windows, and beanbag chairs that one could sink into was improper and impolite. They submitted a series of memorials to Qin Su.
Qin Su did not respond, but instead summoned different people to the Imperial Study to discuss matters each day.
Then the courtiers suddenly realized that, hey, when waiting for the emperor's summons in the side room connected to the imperial study, they no longer had to suffer from the cold. When they came in from outside, they did not need a heater, and the chill on their bodies quickly dissipated.
The imperial study became very bright, and no matter if it was cloudy or rainy, there was no need for lamps or candles; the words on the books were clearly visible.
While sitting on a beanbag chair might seem a bit impolite, it also makes one feel more relaxed and intimate when having tea with His Majesty, even giving rise to the illusion that "I am His Majesty's confidant."
Before long, the court officials tacitly stopped mentioning the matter, and many even secretly replaced their own residences with the same style.
Don't ask, the answer is simply that it smells amazing.
...
Qingmei glanced at the colorful silks in the hands of the palace maids, waved her hand, and said, "Other places are fine, but don't hang them here in Merlin. His Majesty doesn't like them and finds them too dazzling."
The palace maids looked at each other in bewilderment.
Judging from this official's tone, he seems to know His Majesty's preferences very well, and may be one of His Majesty's confidants.
But since this was an order from the head maid, the palace maids dared not let it go so easily.
Qingmei noticed their predicament, smiled slightly, and said, "Don't worry, go back and tell Sibin that Qingmei told you not to hang it up."
Qingmei?
The person speaking to them was none other than Lady Qingmei, who was famous throughout the imperial court and harem.
The palace maids immediately became flustered and hurriedly thanked her, at a loss for what to do.
"We were unaware of His Majesty's preferences and almost displeased him. Thank you for your guidance, Lady Qing."
Everyone knows that Lady Qingmei has served His Majesty since he was a princess, and is one of His Majesty's closest confidantes. So, what she says is naturally true.
Qingmei said, "It's not a big deal. Even if you really hang it up, His Majesty won't punish you. At most, he'll just let you take it down."
Qin Su was always tolerant of these trivial matters.
Seeing that these palace maids were all new faces, Qingmei thought for a moment and asked, "Are you attending the palace school? Have you read any new books? How are you finding them?"
Qin Su's implementation of the female official system began within the palace, and the later encouragement of women to study also started within the palace.
Since Ye Yan usually lived with her, and the palace was so big that it was just sitting empty anyway, Qin Su set up several schools in the palace as pilot projects for the implementation of new teaching materials, so that the palace maids could learn to read and write.
Qingmei also served as "principal" for a period of time—a title given to her by Qin Su.
Later, when the school was running smoothly, Qin Su transferred her away.
However, "once a teacher, always a teacher," she always kept in mind and continued to pay attention to the school's development.
The new palace maids were using the new teaching materials, and since Qingmei had met them, she thought she might as well ask them how they felt.
The palace maids were initially a little reserved, awkwardly saying that everything was fine. However, seeing Qingmei's warm attitude and gentle tone, they greatly reduced their fear and began to talk about some of the problems they had personally encountered.
Some even boldly asked, "Lord Qing, if we study hard, will we be able to work for you in the future?"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent and looked at Qingmei with expectant and longing eyes.
It's no exaggeration to say that Qingmei is the kind of person that women in Dayu most want to be.
From a mere palace maid to a high-ranking official of the third rank, her rise is nothing short of unprecedented and legendary.
Qin Su's elegance and status are beyond the reach of ordinary people, but Qingmei's path to success seems to have the potential to be replicated.
The fierce competition for palace maid selection in recent years is for a reason: too many people want to become the next Qingmei.
The palace maids present dared not dream of distant goals; they only thought that being able to follow Lady Qingmei in the future would be an immense honor.
Qingmei's gaze swept over the girls' innocent faces, and she chuckled, "Why are you following me? You're all going to surpass me someday."
A palace maid whispered, "No, Lady Qingmei is unsurpassable."
In fact, quite a few female officials have been added to the court in recent years, but Qingmei, as the first woman to walk into the Golden Palace in official robes and with an official seal, holds a more special place in everyone's hearts.
Another palace maid added, "After all, Lady Qingmei is worthy of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
At this point, everyone exclaimed "Wow!" in unison, expressing their admiration for Qingmei.
"Lady Qingmei is truly remarkable."
"The first female official to be honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
"Her name will be remembered in history; Lady Qingmei is truly amazing."
Qingmei: "..."
Why is this saying still circulating after all this time?
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