Chapter 729: Take the Essence and Discard the Dregs
Maizi opened up completely: "Because women with bound feet can walk more gracefully and marry well. Alas, marriage is like a second reincarnation. For someone like me, marrying Zhang Sanniang is a blessing that I have cultivated for eight lifetimes. My younger sister is not very good-looking. If she grows a pair of big feet, won't she be unable to get married?"
Oh my god!
Wen Yu’s expression could no longer be suppressed!
A few years ago, the president of Songshan Academy strongly supported foot binding for women. In the end, he was severely scolded by Duke Yun, who was the wife of Marquis Yongchang at the time. Only then did the trend of foot binding be slightly curbed.
This wind is actually going to blow to Yunzhou? !
Wen Yu suppressed his anger and smiled, "Why do you have such an idea? Sanniang also has a pair of natural feet, isn't she living a prosperous life?"
"How can they be the same?! Women are supposed to stay at home to take care of their husbands and children..." Maizi's face changed and she quickly changed her tone.
"Not all women are as capable as my wife."
"Oh! I've already told you not to bring your Guangde Prefecture's practices to Yunzhou! Where's Yangniu? You're not allowed to bind her feet anymore!" It was lunchtime. Zhang Sanniang learned that the Duke of Yun had come to visit her, so she hurried back.
As soon as she reached the door, she heard her husband talking nonsense, saying those words that he thought up in his cerebellum. Zhang Sanniang couldn't suppress her anger.
Maizi was scolded by Zhang Sanniang and was at a loss for words. However, he still did not give up and insisted in a low voice: "Go to the teahouse and listen to the storytellers. In the storybooks, the princesses of the palace and the ladies from noble families are all pestering me."
Zhang Sanniang started to rant: "You are stupid. You take the storybook seriously. How many of them have ever seen a princess or queen?! There is a ready-made example in front of you, but you don't believe it. Where in Yunzhou are there women with bound feet?"
Maizi retorted, "I'm not talking nonsense. The new concubines of the Cheng and Yan mansions in this town all have bound feet. Isn't our neighborhood's old Biaotou family also planning to bind his granddaughter's feet? Gu Nanxi came to our house the other day and asked me about this."
Wen Yu glanced at Gu Nanxi out of the corner of his eye, and Gu Nanxi looked very unhappy.
Zhang Sanniang couldn't remember how many times she and Maizi had quarreled over foot binding. Maizi had a good temper, but was extremely stubborn about his sister's foot binding.
"I can't explain it to you! I am the head of the family, I have the final say, Yangniu is not allowed to bind her feet! She will go to school in the future, how can she pass the physical education class with a pair of bound feet?"
A trace of guilt appeared on Maizi's face.
Zhang Sanniang thought to herself that something was wrong: "Where's Yangniu? Why doesn't she come out to meet the guests?"
“She…she…”
Zhang Sanniang gave the wheat a fierce look and strode into the side room.
Not long after, Zhang Sanniang rushed out holding a skinny girl, looking anxious.
"Sir, Yangniu's leg is broken and she is delirious with fever. I will take her to the community hospital."
Gu Nanxi and others have already seen it.
The little girl's feet were exposed. Except for the big toe, the other four toes were all broken off and stuck to the sole of the foot. They were tightly wrapped with cloth. There were bloodstains on the cloth, which looked shocking.
Gu Nanxi and the others hurriedly made way and said, "Go quickly, if you need any herbs, go to the governor's mansion and let him know."
As soon as Zhang Sanniang left, Gu Nanxi didn't want to stay long. She chatted with Maizi for a few words and then continued to visit other people.
Most people were living well, and Gu Nanxi ignored the requests made by a few weird people.
Wang Anshi complained to Wen Yu: "That old man Ding is so shameless. He is so old and looks like a melon, but he dared to tell the adults that he hopes the government will give him a wife! He specifically asked for a lady from a wealthy family!"
There were examples of the imperial court sending wives and children to soldiers at the border. Usually, they were female servants whose homes had been confiscated, and they were paired with soldiers of the rank of sergeant or above.
What does old man Ding have? !
Wen Yu's eyes were full of mockery: "When he heard about the war, he took away the family property, abandoned his wife and children and ran away. Later, he heard that the war was over and Yunzhou had a subsidy policy for family members, so he came back again. The government introduced him to many jobs, but he was cunning and was fired every time."
Wang Anshi was indignant: "He shouldn't be given so many preferential treatments!"
Wen Yu's pretty face was tense. "It's unfair, isn't it? In times of crisis, he ignored his wife and children. The benefits that his wife and children exchanged for their lives were all taken by him. But what can we do? People like to say that there are no parents who are not right. If he is treated differently, people will not ask why, but will only think that it is the fault of Duke Yun."
It is much more difficult for women to be in power than for men.
A slight flaw can become a big deal if it is magnified by someone with a keen eye.
Wang Anshi: "How does he make a living now?"
As dusk deepened, lanterns were lit one after another, and the dim light swayed in the wind.
Wen Yu said meaningfully: "Yes, how do you make a living?"
Gu Nanxi and others finished their day's journey and when they were walking back, they saw many workers hanging peach charms on the vermilion lacquered door lintels on their way home from get off work.
The newly cut peach wood still carries a crisp pine scent, with "Shentu" written on the left and "Yulei" on the right, and gold powder flowing and shining in the twilight.
Some families hang peach charms, some families put up Spring Festival couplets, all are filled with joy, and no one has to pursue uniformity.
The next day, Gu Nanxi took people to the Martyrs' Cemetery outside the city to pay homage.
Gu Nanxi personally wiped the tombstone with pepper wine.
Others also silently tended the dead grass in the cemetery.
There are many tributes placed in front of the tombstone, which should be left by their families.
Gu Nanxi stood in front of the tombstone, the densely packed names on it stung her eyes.
The blood of the Tartars is the best memorial.
I will take back the glory that the Great Zhou court refused to give you!
Be patient and wait, this day won’t be long.
"Sir, I got some information last night." Wen Yu lit three incense sticks, bowed three times, and inserted the incense into the incense burner.
"Old Man Ding has been introducing maids to wealthy families recently. The salary for maids is very high, one string of silver a month, but they are required to have bound feet, preferably three-inch golden lotus feet."
Haha, what kind of maid has such a high salary?
Those who understand will understand.
Gu Nanxi looked at the tombstone without saying a word.
Wen Yu: "There are more than 30 women introduced by old man Ding. I went to find a teahouse I was familiar with. In the popular novels recently, the most common saying is, "It is difficult to describe the beauty of a woman, you have to see it in your palm." When describing women, they often praise their small feet."
Wen Yu sighed: "Mr. Wei said that foot binding is prevalent in Kyoto."
"Wen Yu."
"I am here."
Gu Nanxi pointed at the tombstone and said seriously, "They are watching us."
Gu Nanxi pointed at the ground under her feet and said, "How much of the blood soaking the ground and the broken bricks at the city gate belong to girls? How can the future they fought for with their lives have such a dregs as foot binding?"
Wen Yu's eyes revealed firmness and determination, as if he was determined to break through all obstacles: "Sir, give me half a year, I will make sure that abnormal aesthetics will never have a foothold in Yunzhou!"
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