AWB Chapter 142 The Dilemma of Women
Chapter 142 The Dilemma of Women
“But Your Highness, her blatant behavior this time shows that she has no respect for you whatsoever. Even if there is a reason for it, this is not the behavior of a subject.” Zhou Qianqian shook her head as she spoke: “Based on my understanding of Shen Li, if she were truly devoted to you, she would never do such a thing.”
Li Heng was regretting making things difficult for Shen Zizai, and hearing Zhou Qianqian's words made him even angrier, so he sneered, "Oh? Does the concubine think she should act like a subject? Does your Zhou family have that kind of attitude?"
Zhou Qianqian was stunned for a moment, then immediately knelt down, her face pale: "Your Highness, please forgive me."
"You previously forbade me from contacting the Lin family, and now you want me to distance myself from the Shen family. Are you and your father doing this for me or for yourselves?" Li Heng asked again.
“Your Highness…” Zhou Qianqian choked up, her eyes brimming with tears, “I didn’t, I only have your best interests at heart.”
"Whether it's true or not, you know in your heart." Li Heng glanced at her coldly. "You should also know that I am not a puppet to be manipulated at will, nor am I someone your Zhou family can do as you please."
Zhou Qianqian shook her head repeatedly: "I can swear that I have no selfish motives in this matter. Shen Li must have something wrong with her, and we must be careful."
"You're not exactly any better," Li Heng snorted, then said, "This matter is settled. I won't turn against the Shen family. Has Shen Li sent any other news?"
Zhou Qianqian had no choice but to say, "Shen Li said that Ying'er's family is difficult to deal with, and asked Your Highness to handle it. It would be bad if we went to her family's door."
"You know what to do," Li Heng said without blinking. "Go."
Zhou Qianqian knew that saying anything more at this point would only make things worse, so she had no choice but to leave.
Inside the empty hall, Li Heng's expression remained solemn. Zhou Qianqian's words made sense, but he still believed that the Shen family would definitely support him as the rightful heir.
Perhaps there was some misunderstanding.
He must find an opportunity to be alone with Shen Li next time and explain things properly.
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Since getting rid of Ying'er, Shen Li has felt much more at ease doing anything at home. Although the timing wasn't perfect, she doesn't regret it.
"This stroke should be like this." On the warm couch, Shen Li held Yu Die's hand and taught her to write.
In her previous life, Yu Die once said that what she envied most was a young lady who had been able to study since childhood. Now, whenever Shen Li has free time, she personally teaches her to recognize and write characters.
Yu Die was very smart; she learned quickly and was able to write quite well after Shen Li demonstrated it once.
"Our family is going to produce another female scholar." Peony came in, put down some snacks, patted Yudie's head and said, "You wrote so well, have something to eat and rest."
"Thank you, Sister Peony." Yu Die smiled shyly; after a few days here, she had become much more cheerful.
Peony was very pleased with this and urged her to eat.
Shen Li looked at the calligraphy with satisfaction: "Although Yu Die started learning late, she is highly talented. If she can work hard and make progress, in time she will not only become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination) but also a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examination)."
"Scholar, sir." Upon hearing this, Yu Die's expression immediately filled with longing: "There's one in our village, he's very prestigious. Could I be more learned than him?"
"As long as you work hard, you definitely will," Shen Li affirmed.
"Then can I have that many fields and cattle too?" Yu Die asked again.
Shen Li was stumped by her question. According to the laws of the Great Zhao Dynasty, those who had achieved official rank were exempt from the poll tax. Often, once someone achieved official rank, villagers would rush to transfer their land to that person's name, and they would sell their daughters as slaves or concubines, just to avoid the tax and survive.
Therefore, since the establishment of the dynasty, land annexation has become rampant, and the tax revenue that the court can collect is getting less and less. However, those with academic titles, from scholars to officials, own vast tracts of land and are extremely wealthy. They usually have servants and live a very prestigious life.
However, women were not allowed to take the imperial examinations, meaning that no matter how much Yu Die studied or how hard she was to learn, she could not obtain these privileges.
Shen Li shook her head slightly: "Women don't have these things when they study. Women in the Great Zhao Dynasty are not allowed to take the imperial examinations."
She felt uncomfortable saying those words.
Women from privileged backgrounds like her and Lin Wan'er faced immense difficulties in securing a promising future, let alone those from less privileged backgrounds who were destined to be subservient to others for their entire lives.
"Oh, but this is already very good. There are words to learn and books to read." Yu Die wasn't greedy at all, her smile one of contentment and relief.
"You're quite content, child." Shen Li patted her head.
Lian Qiao entered at this moment, glanced at Shen Li, but did not speak.
"It's time for lunch. Go wash your hands and come back to eat." Shen Li sent Yu Die away.
After Yu Die left, Lian Qiao approached and whispered, "The news from the East Palace is that Ying'er's family won't cause any trouble, so you can rest assured."
Peony was utterly incredulous upon hearing this. The Crown Prince was actually cleaning up after his mistress? Were they even thinking straight?
"Is there anything else?" Shen Li asked calmly.
This outcome was within her expectations. The fact that no one had impeached her father in the court for the past two days showed that Li Heng had backed down.
He had no choice but to back down.
In his previous life, he had the support of three forces: his Crown Princess Lin Wan'er, himself, and the Zhou family, making him virtually fearless.
In this life, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. He was destined not to receive the Lin family's assistance, and Zhou Zhen was a cunning and shrewd old man. Li Heng needed the Shen family to counterbalance the Zhou family.
So whether Li Heng believed her or not, he didn't dare to break off relations at this point.
This time, the advantage is hers.
"Also, I want to apologize for the fact that the person wasn't trained properly and startled you. We won't be sending anyone in the future, so you won't find it difficult to use," Lian Qiao continued.
Peony's mouth was so shocked it could almost fit an egg. She now seriously doubted whether the Crown Prince had gone to collect the body or if a bunch of idiots had gone and couldn't figure out how the person had died.
Otherwise, why would they not only not punish them, but also apologize?
Is she the fool, or are the people in the Eastern Palace fools?
"Hmm." Shen Li said calmly, "They're wise to be pragmatic. Let's eat."
“…” Peony.
She couldn't even understand what was going on, and felt like she wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
After this incident, not only was the court calm, but the Gu family also became much more harmonious. Shen Li taught Yu Die to read and write during the day, and when Gu Chang'an returned, they would talk by candlelight at night, inevitably ending up talking in bed.
When the weather is nice, Shen Li would take her maids out for a stroll. They dressed simply, but they still stood out in the crowd. Fortunately, no one knew who she was.
Peony Rain Butterfly is always happiest when she goes out. She can buy delicious food and fun things, and also listen to operas and drink tea. Almost every time she comes back, she returns with a full load of goodies.
Recently, when they went out, they could feel that there were more and more people in Kyoto. Restaurants and inns were packed with people, and the streets were full of students wearing academic robes.
"In the blink of an eye, it's that time of year again for the imperial examinations." Seeing these people, Shen Li couldn't help but think of Gu Chang'an, who had been just as spirited and ambitious many years ago.
At that time, Gu Chang'an's eyes were clear and bright. He was truly the most handsome and radiant young man she had ever seen, and she liked being with him from that time on.
However, he did frighten her when she was young. If it weren't for his tragic fate, she wouldn't have been able to tolerate someone like Li Heng even in her previous life.
As Shen Li was thinking, she was suddenly pushed to the side of the road by a crowd, followed by the sound of horses galloping by. Upon closer inspection, she saw that it was a group of soldiers.
Although these people were riding horses, they all carried muskets on their backs. The leader was a woman in white clothes and a white horse, whose silver armor gleamed in the sun. She was Lin Wan'er.