Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 542: Stirred Heart
Xue Liuniang ate well and slept well during her confinement, her cheeks plump and rosy, with a healthy complexion: "Grandmother, how do you feel about attending the year-end banquet tonight?"
Old Madam Xue was initially a bit reserved and sensitive: "There are a bunch of county magistrates and Prince Mansion officials at the year-end banquet, drinking and chatting freely. Several female officials even sat together at a table, drinking and laughing, causing quite a ruckus, which is improper."
"The Commandery Princess is young and willful, causing chaos. Such sights can only be seen in Nanyang County."
Xue Liuniang understood her grandmother well and was not angered by her words, responding with a smile: "The Commandery Princess is visionary and ambitious. What she does now is aimed at actively striving for the well-being of the people. Especially for us women, under her governance, we can also showcase our talents, work outside, and achieve success like men. What’s wrong with that?"
Old Madam Xue pursed her lips, still stubborn: "The customs and popular sentiments are such, and they can’t be changed overnight. Besides, only families with wealth can afford to educate their sons, let alone daughters. Very few girls get the chance to learn to read."
"That’s exactly why the Ye County Women’s Academy is extremely important." Xue Liuniang sat up straight, her eyes shining with determination: "There, daughters from common families can study for free and become classmates with those from official and merchant families. Studying can enlighten and make one understand reason; women aren’t born foolish. If given the chance to study, they can be as knowledgeable and talented as men."
"A single spark can start a prairie fire. I wish to follow the Commandery Princess and be the one to ignite that spark."
"Grandmother, please fulfill your granddaughter’s wish."
Old Madam Xue was silent for a long while before saying: "You’ve already decided to become a teacher at the Women’s Academy, even willing to leave your newborn behind. Whether I agree or not, it hardly matters. You’re now a daughter-in-law of the Chen Family, and I can’t control you."
Xue Liuniang held Old Madam Xue’s hand: "You raised me single-handedly, loved me the most. Without your approval, how could I be at ease? Grandmother, please agree!"
Old Madam Xue reluctantly sighed: "Fine, fine, if you want to go, then go. But don’t complain and cry to me if you can’t handle the hardships." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Finally, she relented.
Xue Liuniang burst with joy, leaning her head against Old Madam Xue’s shoulder, nuzzling affectionately.
Old Madam Xue expressed disdain: "You’ve had a child and become a mother, yet still act like a child, clinging like this. Aren’t you ashamed?" But her hands were truthful, holding her granddaughter tightly.
Xue Liuniang secretly chuckled.
Suddenly, Old Madam Xue coughed and said in a low voice: "At tonight’s banquet, I heard that the female officials have official documents from the Ministry of Personnel. Li Ying and Cui Wenxiu are both standard eighth-rank female officials. Next year, when you go to the academy, you should at least start from eighth rank like them. Ninth rank is a bit low."
Xue Liuniang laughed lightly: "The Women’s Academy was established by Master Li, and Mr. Cui has diligently served for the past two years. I still have to wait a few months before I can start working. Why would I be on the same level as them when I arrive? Besides, ninth rank is already quite good. When my husband passes the Advanced Scholar exam and enters the officialdom, he will also start from a minor position. I start as a ninth-rank female official as soon as I leave home; what’s there to be dissatisfied about?"
"Anyway, you shouldn’t fall behind Li Ying and Cui Wenxiu." Old Madam Xue muttered, then thought for a moment and whispered: "By the way, if the academy needs more people, recommend your newly-married seventh sister-in-law to the Commandery Princess."
Xue Liuniang: "..."
Xue Liuniang was both amused and exasperated, nodding perfunctorily.
After Jiang Shaohua and Cui Du got engaged, Old Madam Xue quickly arranged a marriage for Xue Lin. Two months ago, the granddaughter-in-law married into their family.
This seventh sister-in-law also came from a noble family, having studied for a few years, but her talents weren’t outstanding, and she had a gentle disposition.
Old Madam Xue cherished Xue Lin and had a fondness for her granddaughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhao, loving her because of her love for Xue Lin. Seeing that the female officials of Nanyang County all had official ranks and received salaries, she began to worry about her granddaughter-in-law.
...
Even at her age, Old Madam Xue was quick-tempered. Once she got this idea, during the following New Year, she frequently took her granddaughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhao, to show up in front of Jiang Shaohua. Always starting with "My granddaughter-in-law is also exceedingly talented since childhood," and not holding back to say, "Being a female teacher is more than enough," nearly outright saying, "Commandery Princess, arrange a post for my granddaughter-in-law, too."
Jiang Shaohua merely smiled and said nothing.
Chen Jinyu tolerated it twice, but on the third time, she couldn’t help herself and replied with a smile: "To go and become a teacher at the Ye County Women’s Academy would require long-term residence there, meaning husband and wife have to live separately. My sister-in-law went to work after having a child. Your seventh young madam has only been married for two months. Even if the old madam could bear it, Xue Qilang could not."
Mrs. Zhao, being thin-skinned, blushed and dared not speak, inwardly sighing endlessly.
She knew her own capabilities very well. She didn’t have the ability to travel far and work. Looking at the assertive and quick-witted Chen Sheren in front of her, compared to her, she was only suited to serving tea and water.
Old Madam Xue was at a loss, her face slightly embarrassed. Yet Jiang Shaohua didn’t help her out, leaving her no choice but to find her own way to back down: "I was just joking. I couldn’t bear to have my granddaughter-in-law go far and endure hardship."
Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Everyone has their own aspirations, shouldn’t be forced."
Not just anyone can become a teacher at the Ye County Women’s Academy. Mrs. Zhao’s shy personality and soft-spoken nature were unsuitable for such a role.
Old Madam Xue felt slightly embarrassed, yet she didn’t leave, stubbornly waiting until Xue Liuniang’s confinement was over. Then she took Xue Liuniang and the child to Jingzhou Prefecture.
Mrs. Yao couldn’t bear her granddaughter leaving but couldn’t win over Old Madam Xue, watching helplessly as her granddaughter was carried away in the carriage, tears streaming down her face.
Chen Jinyu felt sorry for her own mother, comforting her: "Sister-in-law will only stay at Xue Mansion for a few months before going to the academy, and then the child will be sent to Bowan County. The kid will always be in front of you, and I promise you’ll get tired of seeing her every day."
Mrs. Yao immediately glared at her daughter: "What nonsense are you talking about! I’d love for the child to always be in front of me, how could I ever get tired of seeing her. But you, stop wandering in front of me, you’re giving me a headache and heartache."
Chen Jinyu: "..."
...
The trivial matters in the mansion were not worth mentioning.
In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival had passed.
After Jiang Shaohua turned sixteen, she couldn’t remain idle in the Prince Mansion anymore. She first sent Cui Du to the field manor, taking the opportunity to visit Cui Wang, who was recuperating.
After staying at the field manor for a few days, Jiang Shaohua went to the Personal Guard Camp.
Upon entering the Personal Guard Camp, she heard a commotion coming from the martial training grounds.
Jiang Shaohua frowned and stepped forward to have a look, only to see many trusted aides gathered around. In the middle, two sturdy men were wrestling and grappling with each other.
