Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 380: Plague (Part 1)

Jiang Shaohua did not get angry: "You mother and daughter, please stand up. The grain I sent was meant for Little Six. Now that Little Six is healthy and fair, that’s sufficient."

As for who the grain ended up feeding, such trivial matters hold little significance.

Little Six’s biological mother was grateful, moved, and ashamed, bowing deeply three times before pulling Little Six up.

Jiang Shaohua smiled at Little Six and gestured for her to come closer. Little Six, a clever child, obediently came over immediately.

It was evident that Little Six had been well cared for, her little face rosy and eyes full of innocence. Her dress was probably altered from an old garment, meticulously sewn and spotless.

Children who are fair and clean are indeed rare these days. It shows that the family took her words to heart, taking meticulous care of Little Six.

"Is your name Little Six?" Jiang Shaohua asked with a smile, "Do you have a proper name?"

Little Six looked confused: "I am Little Six, why would I need a proper name?"

Jiang Shaohua was amused by her childlike honesty: "You’re still young, so you’re called Little Six. Once you reach ten years old and enter the Nanyang Prince Mansion, I’ll give you a nice name then."

Little Six still didn’t understand, but she obediently replied with an "Oh."

Jiang Shaohua smiled softly, reaching out to rub Little Six’s slightly sparse and yellowish hair.

Little Six’s mother, hearing this, was overjoyed. For a rural girl to enter the Prince Mansion as a maid was a huge blessing. Just look at the two elegant maids behind the Commandery Princess; there’s no such girl in Wuyin County.

Little Six’s mother still wanted to kneel down and bow, but Chen Jinyu stopped her with a smile: "The Commandery Princess is talking to Little Six, just listen on the side, there’s no need to kneel. Our Commandery Princess doesn’t like people kneeling."

Little Six’s mother wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and responded quietly.

The Commandery Princess stayed for a while and then rose to leave.

Little Six nestled against her mother, whispering, "Mom, the Commandery Princess is really beautiful."

Little Six’s mother wiped her eyes again, eyes red but mouth raised in joy. She hugged her dear daughter and spun her around: "Silly Little Six, you’re truly fortunate. With the Commandery Princess watching over you, you’ll have a good life ahead."

Old women and middle-aged men brought several children over, chattering about what the Commandery Princess had said. Little Six’s mother repeated the Commandery Princess’s words without missing a single one.

The old woman was overjoyed, lifting Little Six and giving her a big kiss: "Oh my, my dear Little Six, born with fortune. Having caught the eye of the Commandery Princess like this, countless good days await ahead!"

"Sweet girl, grandma will buy meat for you to eat today."

Little Six grinned widely.

Seeing this, Little Six’s mother was delighted, yet there was a trace of pain in her heart. When she gave birth to Xiao Wu, he was abandoned in the Child Tower. Poor Xiao Wu never even tasted a drop of his mother’s milk before starving to death in the Child Tower. Fortunately, the Commandery Princess saved Little Six, allowing her to have this bright opportunity today.

Even the grandmother, who favored boys over girls, now liked Little Six the most, pushing her sons behind.

...

"Everyone values male offspring. Firstly, men continue the family line and descendants, and secondly, men can study and take the Imperial Examination, establish households and bring glory to the family. Even for farming, men’s strength is greater."

"In ordinary families, having more sons means more hands to work the land, better resistance to natural disasters, and various risks."

"Improving the status of women is not achieved just by saying empty words. It requires doing practical things, step by step, slowly."

"People are driven by self-interest. Someday, when women, like the girls of Ye County, can earn silver and support a family, bringing husbands home is commonplace. Women can read and write, can do accounting, can become teachers, serve as officials. When that time comes, society will increasingly value daughters."

After returning to the county government, Jiang Shaohua rarely spoke her mind, sharing many thoughts with Chen Jinyu.

Chen Jinyu also felt deeply moved lately and nodded upon hearing: "The Commandery Princess regards Ye County as a pilot project. Starting with Ye County as an example, it can be gradually pushed forward so that other counties will follow suit."

"That’s exactly it." Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Empty words are useless. Everyone must see clearly that the Commandery Princess employs intelligent and capable women. For example, Chen Sheren, though her official position is insignificant, she’s constantly by the Commandery Princess’s side, a trusted confidant."

Chen Jinyu was amused, laughing heartily: "The Commandery Princess’s words are delightful, please say more."

After some laughter, Jiang Shaohua continued: "In Ye County, I personally named Lu Zhen. In a few years, I plan to recruit Lu Zhen as a female official."

"And Little Six, in a few years she’ll be sent to Ye County to study. The Prince Mansion doesn’t lack maids. I want everyone to see that educated women have better prospects."

Chen Jinyu’s heart warmed, nodding vigorously.

As they spoke, there was a sudden hasty knocking at the door.

The knocking was urgent and rapid.

Jiang Shaohua frowned slightly as Chen Jinyu swiftly stood up to open the door.

"Reporting to the Commandery Princess, Chief Historian Chen has sent the latest court documents and news." Song Yuan reported solemnly: "There’s major trouble in Pingzhou."

Jiang Shaohua’s eye twitched, a sense of foreboding growing stronger: "Where are the documents?"

Song Yuan stepped forward, presenting the documents and two letters.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t look at the documents first, choosing to open the two letters. They were from influential ministers with close private ties to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Writing a letter specifically indicated a matter of urgency.

Jiang Shaohua read the first letter, her composure shifting to seriousness, quickly opening the second.

As the Commandery Princess’s expression grew darker, Chen Jinyu’s heart sank as well.

She spent day and night with the Commandery Princess, understanding her temperament the best. The last time the Commandery Princess looked this grim was upon learning of Emperor Taikang’s death.

Just what is happening?

After reading the letters, Jiang Shaohua then looked at the court’s document. After reading, she remained silent, her eyes brewing a storm.

Unable to hold back, Chen Jinyu whispered, "Commandery Princess, what major incident has happened in the court?"

"Pingzhou is facing an epidemic." Jiang Shaohua took a deep breath and quickly explained, "Pingzhou’s rogue army has been using human flesh as rations. Initially, people died from stomach distension and fever, but no one thought much of it. As a result, more and more contracted this bizarre disease, and the rogue army began dying in large numbers."

An epidemic?!

Chen Jinyu gasped, blurting out: "What about the court’s army sent to Pingzhou? Were they infected with the epidemic?"

Jiang Shaohua tightened her lips, nodding slightly: "The epidemic is rampant, infecting the court’s army too. How many have died specifically remains unknown."

Song Yuan’s expression was equally grim, speaking in a low voice: "Even animals avoid eating their own kind, eating human flesh invites divine punishment."

Now with Pingzhou facing a massive epidemic, isn’t it divine retribution indeed?