In ancient Mizhou, during the Qingming Festival, a unique custom has been passed down to this day – people love to pick tender green willow branches from early spring, weave them into hats, and carefully wrap them with 28 strands of bright red silk. This spring scenery is not only pleasing to the eye, but also contains deep nostalgia for a virtuous woman surnamed Liu.
To the east of Mizhou City, the Mo River meanders, with willows gently brushing on both sides. Among them, Liujiazhuang is home to a well-known skilled girl named Liulan. Not only is she clever and skilled in poetry and literature, but she is also known in the village for her virtue, filial piety, and is known as the “Clever Willow”. In the year of Ji Hong, Liu Lan married a loyal and honest young man surnamed Zhou from the same village. The two lived together with Zhou Laohan, and although their family was poor, they were harmonious and warm.
However, the good times did not last long, and the country was plagued by frequent wars. The Zhou youth was conscripted into the army and there was no news from then on. Liulan bears the heavy burden of the family alone, diligently manages the household, and serves her father-in-law, adding a touch of chastity to her name. But unfortunately, a bully in the village coveted the beauty of Liu Lan. After being repeatedly rejected, he spread rumors and slandered Liu Lan for being unfaithful.
Not long after, Zhou Laohan fell seriously ill, and Liu Lan devoted herself to serving him. She even slaughtered the old hen that had been raised at home for many years to stew soup and nourish her father-in-law. Unexpectedly, Zhou Laohan passed away mysteriously the next day. While the family was shocked, they reported to the authorities for investigation. State official Kong personally went to the scene and found out the cause of death was poisoning, but it was difficult to determine the source of the poison for the time being. Under the instigation of bullies, public opinion pointed to Liu Lan one after another. Without further investigation, Lord Kong hastily imprisoned Liu Lan for questioning.
In court, Liu Lan insisted on her innocence, but under severe punishment, she was eventually forced to confess. Lord Kong reported according to the law and sentenced Liu Lan to be executed by beheading, with the execution date set for Qingming Festival. On the execution ground, Liu Lan tearfully confessed her feelings, expressing her determination through her death. Her innocent heart moved the world.
After the execution, Lord Kong stumbled upon a revelation while playing chess with friends. He remembered the old hen mentioned by Liu Lan and suddenly realized that the chicken head of the old hen, which had been raised for more than ten years, contained a highly toxic substance, colorless and tasteless, and could be fatal. Lord Kong felt heartbroken and realized that he had wrongly killed an innocent person. He immediately wrote a letter to plead guilty and punished himself with a salary. At the same time, he issued a notice requiring everyone in the city to wear willow hats with red silk on the third day of Qingming Festival, in order to commemorate the wrongful death of Liu Lan and remind future officials not to believe slanderous words easily and to be vigilant. This custom carries grief and lessons, and has been passed down to this day.
