The Legend of Concubine Su

Chapter 145 Su Jingyue’s Birthday

As time passed, Su Jingyue's birthday drew closer, and the entire palace was immersed in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere. Whether it was the concubines in the palace or the palace maids and eunuchs, everyone took action and did their best to prepare a grand and solemn birthday celebration for this respected and beloved queen.

However, Su Jingyue felt a surge of anxiety about the upcoming extravagant celebration. She understood the good intentions of the palace residents, but she also knew that such extravagance and waste were not what she desired. So, she shared her thoughts with Xiaoru, her closest maid.

"Xiao Ru, I think this birthday doesn't need to be so extravagant. A simple and warm one will be fine." Su Jingyue said softly, her eyes revealing determination and gentleness.

When Xiaoru heard this, she was immediately shocked and quickly replied: "Your Majesty, how can this be? Your birthday is the top priority in the palace! How can it be handled so simply?" She looked at Su Jingyue anxiously, as if she could not understand her decision.

Su Jingyue sighed softly, her eyes gleaming with a dedication to frugality. She slowly said, "I know you all mean well, but I don't want such extravagance. I'd rather spend this special day in a simple and warm way."

Xiaoru fell into deep thought after hearing this. She knew Su Jingyue had always lived a simple and frugal life, and this birthday celebration had clearly made her feel a little uncomfortable. Finally, Xiaoru nodded, expressing her understanding of Su Jingyue's feelings and promising to do her best to arrange a birthday celebration that met her expectations.

On her birthday, the palace was ablaze with lights and vibrant decorations, a scene of extraordinary activity. Concubines from all quarters arrived early to Su Jingyue's chambers, offering her precious gifts and sincere blessings. Palace maids and eunuchs bustled through the palace, busily and orderly arranging everything.

Su Jingyue wore a pale pink gown, its texture as soft as silk, as if woven from the softest clouds. The collar and cuffs were inlaid with fine silver thread, shimmering faintly in the sunlight like tiny stars. A pink ribbon, delicately embroidered with floral patterns, swayed gently as she walked, adding a touch of graceful beauty. The hem of her skirt was embroidered with pale pink silk thread, depicting blooming peach blossoms. The petals were so delicate and lifelike that one could almost smell their delicate fragrance. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, adorned with a few small pearl hair ornaments, which shimmered softly in the sunlight.

On this special day, Su Jingyue felt an unprecedented sense of happiness and warmth. Her kindness, humility, and love of life earned her the respect and affection of everyone in the palace. This birthday celebration was undoubtedly a highlight in her life. Even without the extravagant ceremony, the simple and sincere blessings were enough to make her feel satisfied.

The emperor personally came to the scene and brought her a special gift - a necklace made of South Sea pearls. Each pearl was round and smooth, exuding a charming luster, and its value was immeasurable.

"My beloved, happy birthday! This is a little gift from me to you." The emperor said lovingly.

Su Jingyue was filled with gratitude and smiled as she thanked the emperor. However, deep down in her heart, she had already begun to think about how to use this precious gift to help more people in need.

As the banquet began, various rare delicacies were placed on the table, and the dancers performed gracefully. However, Su Jingyue did not feel excited or satisfied, and her heart remained calm.

Su Jingyue stood up gracefully, looked at the emperor with gentle yet firm eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a wish, and I beg you to fulfill it."

The emperor looked at Su Jingyue with a puzzled look on his face and asked softly, "My beloved concubine, please tell me what you wish for."

Su Jingyue took a deep breath, her voice soft but with great determination: "I see that there are still many poor people in the palace. I am willing to donate all the gifts I received on my birthday today to help them overcome their difficulties."

As soon as the words fell, the entire banquet hall fell into silence. Everyone was shocked by Su Jingyue's words. Some people praised Su Jingyue's kindness, believing it to be a noble virtue; however, others secretly murmured in their hearts that she was just pretending.

After hearing Su Jingyue's words, the emperor was slightly stunned, with a flash of surprise in his eyes, but he quickly recovered and laughed: "Haha, my beloved concubine's heart, I already know, it is approved!"

The emperor's laughter broke the silence, and the banquet hall erupted in applause and cheers. Everyone expressed their agreement and began to discuss how to better implement this plan.

Thus, Su Jingyue's birthday banquet, which should have been a scene of joyful singing, dancing, and laughter, turned into a lively discussion about charity. Su Jingyue proposed setting up a relief fund within the palace to help struggling palace maids and eunuchs, as well as impoverished civilians outside the palace. This proposal was unanimously approved, and everyone actively participated in the discussion, offering their own suggestions.

The concubines were also infected by this atmosphere and responded one after another. They took out their own collections of jewelry, precious silk brocades and various rare treasures and generously donated them. For a time, the palace was filled with love and warmth.

After the banquet, Su Jingyue personally led a group of palace maids to sort and classify these precious gifts and carefully record them. Then, she sent special personnel to deliver these supplies to the disaster area to ensure that they could reach the affected people as soon as possible.

While sorting through the gifts, Su Jingyue stumbled upon a beautifully embroidered handkerchief. Embroidered on it was a short poem: "A kind heart, like the moon, illuminates the palace; a graceful and quiet figure warms the hearts of all. On this birthday, I seek no dreams of glory, but only of everlasting love." This poem, expressing praise for Su Jingyue, brought a deep warmth to her heart. Although she didn't know who had sent it, Su Jingyue knew it must be a blessing from an unknown palace maid. She was deeply moved, and this small gesture brought her immense happiness.

Over time, word of Su Jingyue's kindness spread throughout the palace and even to the common people. The common people were filled with respect and gratitude for this kind-hearted imperial concubine. They praised Su Jingyue's virtues and held her in high esteem. Within the palace, Su Jingyue's prestige grew. The palace maids and eunuchs grew in respect and admiration for her, and the concubines, no longer jealous of her, took her as an example and emulated her kindness. Together, they fostered a harmonious and beautiful palace environment.

Time flies! It's her birthday again. But this year's birthday is very different from previous years. There are no extravagant gifts, grand banquets, or lively atmosphere. Su Jingyue sits in her palace, quietly sewing with the palace maids and eunuchs, preparing winter clothing for the poor.

Although her life has become simpler and plainer, her smile remains as bright as ever, and the twinkle in her eyes has become even warmer. She understands that true happiness does not come from external material enjoyment, but from deep inner satisfaction and the care and love she gives to others.

On this special day, Su Jingyue felt an unprecedented sense of peace and tranquility. She no longer pursued vanity and prosperity, but instead focused on the beauty of the present moment. She carefully felt the love and warmth conveyed by every stitch, hoping that these handmade garments could bring a touch of comfort to those in need.

She is surrounded by a group of kind and hardworking people who work together to create more beauty for the world. This kind of unity makes Su Jingyue feel extremely happy and makes her more convinced that only by giving your heart can you gain true happiness.

On this ordinary yet meaningful birthday, Su Jingyue spent a warm and unforgettable time. She will always remember this moment and continue to spread love through her actions, bringing more warmth and light to the world.