Chapter 433 The Capable Should Do More

"So you're going to give up everything and just be the youngest daughter of the Lin family?" Yuan Hongqu put down the teapot, her tone calm and unwavering.

Daiyu nodded firmly: "Yes. I would rather not be a princess, but only be my father's little cotton-padded jacket, serving him medicine and keeping him by his side every day."

Yuan Hongqu gazed at her for a long time, then suddenly sighed softly: "Do you know why your father was willing to take such a risk?"

Daiyu pursed her lips and remained silent.

“Because there are always things in this world that need to be done.” Yuan Hongqu’s voice was soft, but every word was clear. “Your father was an upright official and was deeply trusted by the emperor, which is why he was given this important responsibility. And you were exceptionally intelligent, which is why you were granted the title of princess and were able to participate in court affairs. None of these are accidental.”

"But I'd rather be ordinary!" Daiyu finally couldn't hold back her tears. "I just want my father to be safe!"

Just then, a voice announced from outside the door: "Master Bao of the Jia family has arrived."

Before he could finish speaking, Jia Baoyu strode in, clearly having rushed over upon hearing of the events at the Lin residence.

Upon seeing that Daiyu's tears were still wet, he panicked: "Sister Lin, are you alright? Is Uncle well?"

Daiyu whispered, "Brother Bao, why do people strive for fame and fortune? Why can't they just live a simple and peaceful life?"

Baoyu sat down opposite her and said softly, "Sister, that's a strange question. Uncle is an upright official, not for fame or fortune; you were granted the title of Princess, not for power. You two are simply doing more work because you are capable."

"The capable are often burdened with more work?" Daiyu raised her tearful eyes.

“Exactly.” Baoyu nodded earnestly. “It is because of capable ministers like my uncle that the court is well-governed; it is because of intelligent women like my sister that the princess was able to participate in the imperial examinations as an exception. If you can achieve the highest rank in the future, following the example set by Mr. Yuan, you will surely become a female official whose name will be remembered in history. With great power comes great responsibility. If you all stay out of the world, wouldn’t that be allowing wicked and treacherous officials to hold power?”

Daiyu was stunned. She had never heard Baoyu say such insightful words before. In the past, Jia Baoyu always referred to scholars as "parasites on officialdom," believing that they only knew how to pursue official careers, wealth, fame, and fortune. He thought these scholars were just people who sought fame and fortune and looked down on them.

Baoyu seemed a little embarrassed and touched his nose: "I was young and ignorant before, too confused, and I lumped all scholars together. In fact, many people study not just for themselves, but for the benefit of all living beings. The things that my sister and Mr. Yuan did are just like that, and I admire them very much."

Daiyu finally smiled through her tears: "Brother Bao is right. It seems that you are indeed more responsible than before and have made a lot of progress."

Seeing her smile, Baoyu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If you, sister, were to resign from your position as a princess, wouldn't that be exactly what those people want? The more they fear your uncle's investigation, the less you should back down."

Just then, Xueyan's voice came from outside the door: "Miss, someone from the master's side says that the master has woken up and wants to see you."

Daiyu hurriedly got up and went with Baoyu to Lin Ruhai's room.

Lin Ruhai had already sat up; though his face was pale, he seemed to be in good spirits. Seeing the tears welling up in Daiyu's eyes, he smiled gently: "Silly child, why are you crying? Your father is perfectly fine."

"Why did Father take such a risk?" Daiyu knelt before the bed, her voice choked with sobs. "What would I do if something happened to you?"

Lin Ruhai gently stroked her hair: "Yu'er, do you know why your father was able to escape danger today?"

Daiyu shook her head.

“Because of Miss Lan Su’s superb martial arts skills, because of the court’s meticulous defenses, and even more so because—” Lin Ruhai paused, “countless innocent people who were implicated can finally hope to live in peace. My actions have been worthwhile.”

He raised his eyes and looked at Baoyu and Yuan Hongqu standing at the door, then said softly to Daiyu, "I heard you don't want to be the Crimson Pearl Princess anymore?"

Daiyu lowered her head and remained silent.

"I understand you're worried about me," Lin Ruhai said softly. "But you must know that it is precisely because of a princess like you in court that more women are encouraged to study and understand principles, and have the opportunity to display their talents. If you were to resign, wouldn't that chill the hearts of women across the land?"

Yuan Hongqu then spoke up: "Yu'er, with great power comes great responsibility. This is not a burden, but an honor. You spoke up for those acrobats today because you have the status and ability to do so, don't you?"

Looking at the bandage on her father's forehead, and recalling the girl in the porcelain vase from earlier that day, Daiyu suddenly understood something.

She took a deep breath and slowly stood up: "Father, sir, I understand. I will not resign from this position as princess."

She turned to look out the window; dusk had fallen and the stars were just beginning to appear.

“I will be a good princess and a good daughter to my father.” Her voice was firm and clear. “I will not only protect my father, but also those who need protection.”

Standing to the side, Baoyu looked at Daiyu's straight back in the candlelight and suddenly felt a little ashamed of himself.

He had followed her all the way from the capital to Suzhou just to ask her one question, but now he felt there was no need to ask anymore.

How could someone like my sister let those sordid things stop her from moving forward?

Three days later, the Emperor and Empress's rewards arrived as scheduled.

The imperial eunuch read the imperial edict aloud. The emperor not only praised Lin Ruhai for his "commendable loyalty and courage, and for serving the country and the people," and bestowed upon him many treasures and an imperial plaque, but also specially commended Daiyu for her "understanding of principles and righteousness, and for her wisdom and virtue," and increased her fiefdom by another 500 households.

Daiyu accepted the imperial decree with a calm and composed expression.

After the awarding ceremony concluded, Yuan Hongqu discussed matters concerning the girls' academy in Suzhou with Daiyu.

The Empress has another decree to open a branch of the Women's Academy in Suzhou, which will be temporarily managed by Yuan Hongqu and assisted by Daiyu.

Like the branch in the capital, this branch school specialized in teaching practical skills such as medicine, embroidery, and arithmetic, enabling women not only to read and understand principles, but also to acquire a skill and become self-reliant.

"Your Majesty the Empress has thought things through thoroughly." Daiyu gently stroked the imperial edict, her eyes shining. "It allows women to not only study and understand principles, but also learn skills to be self-reliant. This is truly a way out for women."

Yuan Hongqu nodded: "That's exactly right. You've been studying a lot these past few days, so I imagine you're still ahead of the rest of the class. Let's work together to start the academy from scratch! When you open academies in other places in the future, you can take charge on your own, and you could even be the dean."

The next day, the two began preparations.

The people transferred from the academy in the capital haven't arrived yet, so for now, Daiyu is in charge of drafting the academy's charter. Under the general charter, there must be some rules and regulations adapted to local conditions, and these are what Daiyu is responsible for.

Yuan Hongqu was in charge of the complicated tasks such as courtyard repairs.

To their surprise, Baoyu volunteered to help with some of the tasks.