The charming Jinxiu and the aloof Linglong were ultimately sold for roughly the same price as Moyu.

This roughly means that Linglong is more expensive than Moyu, after all, the title of courtesan is well-known.

It's normal that brocade is priced lower than black jade.

Yunrong treated it as just watching a performance. She might have gone up to stop it, but she could tell that these women were not necessarily acting voluntarily. However, to get them to reform, they would have to live in anonymity for the rest of their lives. Otherwise, they could not expect to live a peaceful life.

Of course, some people enjoy it; everyone has their own interests.

Yinzhen sighed to Yunrong, "I did consider issuing an order, but this matter cannot be stopped for the time being. Even if an order were issued, without strong enforcement, it would be futile!"

Yunrong naturally knew that Yinzhen had his reasons.

“You know better than I do what needs to be done, but the low status of women really needs to be changed. Even if gender equality cannot be achieved for the time being, the status of women should be raised. At the very least, chastity arches, drowning in pig cages, and family discipline should not be allowed.”

Yinzhen understood Yunrong's meaning.

People often use chastity to glorify a woman's fiery reputation. In the Qing Dynasty, most women did not marry twice. In some harsh families, if the husband died, the wife would be buried with him, completely destroying any possibility of breaking chastity.

Family law, such as the practice of drowning a pig in a cage, was mostly used against women. In ancient times, people valued clan blood ties, and the family often took precedence over the individual. If a family's daughter's chastity was violated, regardless of right or wrong, the family's private law would be invoked.

The best way is to disappear completely, so as not to implicate the other daughters in the family.

Moreover, ancient laws clearly stated that the punishment for a woman losing her virginity was indeed harsh.

"I've noted this down. I'll have someone draft laws and regulations in this area later, and come up with a set of rules first."

Yunrong naturally had no objection. In fact, Yunrong didn't have such grand ambitions. If she could help others while taking care of herself, she wouldn't mind. However, she didn't have a saintly heart and knew the priorities of things.

Yunrong: "It's up to you to decide."

This "cultural performance" looked pretty good, but it was still a bit inferior to the Royal Music Ensemble. The royal family has all sorts of festivals and banquets, so this kind of "talent" is not very impressive.

However, once the scene became lively and the courtesan selection was over, Yunrong lost interest. Even though there were still "programs" to come, she had no desire to watch them.

Having been married to Yunrong for many years, Yinzhen naturally understood Yunrong's moods and preferences. Sensing that Yunrong had lost interest in staying any longer, he ordered the boat to sail back.

Daming Lake is not small. At this time, almost all the boats were in the middle of the lake, and the surrounding area became quiet.

Just as they were about to reach the shore, Liang Jiugong came over to report: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, guards have rescued two young ladies, and they are now alive. What should be done with them?"

Yinzhen and Yunrong both felt strange. Nowadays, women are so mean-spirited. Coming to this place at night and falling into the water, it all seemed like there was a story behind it!

Yinzhen: "Has the person regained consciousness by now?"

Liang Jiugong: "Still in a coma."

Yinzhen: "Bring an imperial physician to take a look at him, and we'll talk about it after he wakes up."

"yes"

Yinzhen was also afraid that the two women were sent by someone with ulterior motives, so he sent people to inquire in private if there was anything unusual. After all, two living girls couldn't just appear out of nowhere; there had to be some reason.

Meanwhile, Yunrong had already imagined a whole drama. This habit of indulging in fantasies was something she developed after transmigrating. In modern times, she was busy surviving and didn't have to worry about survival, so she threw herself into scientific research.

So I don't have time to catch up on my brain.

So when she traveled back to the Qing Dynasty, where the entertainment industry was scarce, she developed this hobby.

Yunrong was deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" Yinzhen asked.

"nothing."

Yunrong naturally couldn't reveal the melodramatic plot she had imagined in her mind; it would be too damaging to her image.

Yinzhen and Yunrong went ashore and spent the night in the small courtyard where they rested at noon. When they woke up the next day, Liang Jiugong came to report.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the two young ladies we rescued from the lake have woken up and wish to personally thank Your Majesty and Your Majesty."

Yinzhen wasn't interested, but Yunrong was. Yinzhen listened to Yunrong and thought it wouldn't hurt to meet her.

Yunrong's main goal is to see if she can uncover any interesting stories.

Yinzhen and Yunrong had breakfast before he let the two of them in.

As soon as they entered, the two girls knelt on the ground and expressed their gratitude.

Yunrong could tell from the words and actions of the two girls that they were a master and servant, and the "master" was exceptionally beautiful and looked like a daughter raised in a wealthy family.

Yunrong: "Ladies, please don't stand on ceremony. Please get up and sit down to talk."

After chatting for a while, Yunrong learned that the young lady was named Chen Yingjiao and her maid was named Shun'er. The mistress and servant seemed to have a good relationship. As for why she fell into the water, they did not reveal anything.

Yunrong knew it was probably inconvenient to say, since two young women falling into the water late at night must not be in a good situation.

Yunrong didn't press the matter; since the other person wasn't willing to talk about it, she didn't ask.

Seeing that the two, master and servant, were penniless, Yunrong said, "If you don't mind, you can stay here for a few days."

Chen Yingjiao wanted to refuse, but she knew her own situation. She was penniless, and even if she went home now, what could she do? After disappearing for a night, would she have any chance of survival if she went back?

Chen Yingjiao had no choice but to agree in the end.

"Thank you for your generous help, Madam. Now, Shun'er and I are all alone. If you don't mind, I am willing to sell myself into slavery to repay your kindness."

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