bookcurios Chapter 129 The Rights of Maids and Slaves
Chapter 129 The Rights of Maids and Slaves
In the afternoon, a gentle breeze, like a ethereal fairy, caressed the harem courtyard. Like invisible hands, the soft breeze playfully stirred the leaves, bringing a touch of coolness. Sunlight filtered through the crevices of the leaves like fragments of gold, casting a shimmering, dappled light and shadow, like a breathtakingly beautiful, naturally composed painting. Yet, beneath this seemingly peaceful, tranquil, and picturesque surface, lurked a hidden darkness and injustice.
In the secluded corners of the palace, some maids and servants, like forgotten blades of grass, silently endured the hardships of life. In the early morning, when the first rays of sunlight were still shyly half-obscured by clouds, they, like wound-up puppets, began their busy day. Fetching water, the heavy buckets bent their delicate shoulders; sweeping, the flying dust misted their sore eyes; washing, the icy water chilled their rough hands; cooking, the choking smoke blackened their delicate faces. The endless stream of trivial and arduous tasks continued like a tide, with barely a moment's respite. Only late at night, when all was still and the entire palace was immersed in sweet dreams, did they drag their exhausted bodies, as if weighed down by lead, and stumble back to their simple, cramped, cage-like rooms to rest like a puddle of mud.
Their wages were as meager as the lingering winter snow, a meager few copper coins barely enough to sustain even the most basic needs. Behind the seemingly glittering splendor of the palace, they endured a miserable existence, starving and ill-clad. Even more deplorable, they were often subjected to brutal beatings and abuse for the most insignificant offenses. The slightest displeasure from their aloof, heartless masters unleashed a volcanic rage upon these innocent servants and minions. Sticks rained down mercilessly on their frail bodies, leaving horrifying scars resembling the crawling marks of centipedes. Vicious words, like sharp arrowheads, pierced their fragile hearts, leaving them devastated and filled with endless fear and helplessness.
Meanwhile, the concubines in the palace led lives far different. They lived in spacious, opulent palaces, reminiscent of celestial palaces, attended daily by dedicated attendants like stars surrounding the moon. They wore silks and satins, the rich fabrics shimmering in the sunlight like flowing clouds; they adorned themselves with priceless, dazzling jewels, each gem radiating a dazzling luster. Their meals were filled with delicacies from land and sea, a feast reminiscent of a Manchu-Han banquet. The slightest discomfort brought the imperial physician to his attention, as if he were facing a grave emergency, and precious medicinal herbs flowed into the palace like a constant stream. In contrast, the lives of the maids and servants seemed even more miserable and humble, as if trapped in a dark abyss, never to see the light of day.
Concubine Su learned of this incident by chance, and her kind heart was instantly filled with a mixture of anger and pity. Her beautiful face, as beautiful as a lotus, once peaceful and tranquil, was replaced by a solemn expression like a leaden cloud and a resolute determination like a rock. "We are all members of the palace, why are we treated so differently? They are also flesh and blood, with dignity and rights!" Concubine Su cried out in indignation, secretly vowing to change this outrageous injustice.
She immediately summoned the officials in charge of the harem, and the scene was as solemn and serious as a court about to decide life and death.
Noble Concubine Su sat upright in her seat, her expression as solemn as the cold moon on a chilly night. Her gaze, piercing through hearts, fixed her gaze on the stewards standing below. Her voice, clear and powerful, like the resounding sound of a bell, shattered the previously silent atmosphere: "Everyone deserves fair treatment. Though they are of humble status, they are also part of the service of the palace, having dedicated themselves to the hard work. How can we turn a blind eye to their suffering? How can we allow them to suffer such oppression in this deep palace?" Her words struck like a hammer, hammering down upon everyone's heart and sending ripples through their hearts.
At this moment, Concubine Su was filled with a sense of mission. She knew that this reform would inevitably face numerous difficulties and obstacles, like a thorny road. But she remained undeterred, her gaze as firm as the stars. "I must bring justice to this harem, so that everyone can live a dignified life." She secretly made a resolution, a resolve as fierce and unstoppable as a burning fire.
The officials in charge were apprehensive, like the turmoil of a man trying to draw water from a pile of fifteen buckets—up and down. On the one hand, they feared Concubine Su's authority, like a sword hanging high above them; on the other, they worried that the reforms would affect their own interests, like the fat meat being snatched away from their mouths.
Afterward, Concubine Su personally established a rational work system. She meticulously considered every aspect, like a craftsman meticulously carving a piece of jade, clearly defining each person's job responsibilities and working hours. She mandated a reasonable daily work schedule, ensuring the maids and servants had ample rest and avoided overwork, like a large umbrella holding up a shield from the wind and rain. She also meticulously organized the work process, ensuring each task could be carried out in an orderly manner, improving efficiency and reducing everyone's burden, much like unclogging a clogged river, allowing the water to flow freely.
Concubine Su also adjusted salary standards. She knew that only by ensuring that servants and maids earned the proper compensation for their labor could they live a dignified life. She carefully calculated palace expenses, saving a portion from various expenses and using it to increase salaries, like squeezing food from the cracks of her teeth to feed the hungry. She also established a reward system, granting extra gifts to servants and maids who performed well, like a beacon in the darkness, guiding them forward.
Under Concubine Su's resolute leadership, the harem underwent a profound transformation. The maids and servants were no longer in constant fear, their faces gradually blossoming with smiles like spring flowers. Their rights were effectively protected, and they worked even harder, like unbridled horses, brimming with passion and energy.
"Finally, we can live a slightly decent life." A servant was filled with emotion in his heart and was full of gratitude to Concubine Su, just like a long drought finally ending in rain.
The atmosphere in the harem has become more harmonious and warm, filled with humanistic care, as if the cold winter has passed and the warm spring breeze has ushered in. The former indifference and oppression have disappeared, replaced by a good atmosphere of mutual respect and mutual assistance, like a barren desert transformed into a vibrant oasis.
In this harmonious atmosphere, all affairs of the harem became more orderly. Every corner of the palace was filled with vitality and vigor, as if the breath of spring had permeated every brick and stone, every leaf, blooming with colorful light.