In the capital, every household drinks Laba porridge on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
If the family conditions allow, they will soak all kinds of beans the day before and start cooking them early in the morning on the eighth day of the New Year.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the means at home. Every year at this time, there will be porridge stalls set up in front of the major temples and the homes of dignitaries in the capital.
Anyone passing by can ask for a bowl of water.
On this day in previous years, the most discussed topics among the people in the streets and alleys of Beijing were such as which family had the best Laba porridge this year, and which family was stingy and didn't want to use good things.
But this year Laba porridge is no longer the focus of everyone's discussion.
Because early in the morning on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month this year, new notices were posted everywhere, and many people pushed carts, distributing porridge along the streets while preaching the contents of the notices.
"Have you heard? The girls' school has started recruiting students again."
"What does that have to do with us?"
"The girls' school is recruiting students again this time, and it's different from before. They only recruit girls from ordinary families who want to study!"
"Isn't that the same as when the Queen Mother was here?"
"That's right! Now that the Emperor has handed over the girls' school to the Princess, I heard that all the current regulations are based on those made when the late Empress Dowager was alive!"
"Then I'd like to hear what's going on."
The news spread among the people like wildfire, and everyone found the nearest porridge cart out of curiosity and surrounded it to ask questions.
"Don't worry, not only will we not restrict you from practicing, we'll also provide you with food and lodging!"
"Really? We are from Prince Rui's Mansion. Everything we say is true. How could we possibly lie?"
"If you still don't believe me, you can go to the entrance of the girls' school and take a look. There's a notice posted there, and there are officials there!"
At the end of the day, everyone responsible for preaching had their voices hoarse from exhaustion, but fortunately, they all followed the requirements and tried their best to spread the contents of the notice.
Originally, according to the Princess of Rui's wishes, the girls' school would not accept students, but they still had to pay for food to avoid attracting many people who came to eat and drink for free.
But Mrs. Lu insisted on free accommodation and said that even so, it would be difficult to recruit too many students.
Princess Rui finally respected Madam Lu's opinion. After all, this was the principal chosen by Qingtian himself, and he was also a student of the girls' school back then.
Qingtian sent people to Beijing to preach the contents of the announcement for a total of three days.
Princess Rui originally thought that the door would be thronged with people coming to register, but who knew that in these three days, there were less than ten children who came to register.
This was indeed beyond Princess Rui's expectations.
She had no idea this time, so she had to take the initiative to seek Madam Lu's opinion.
"Don't worry, Princess. Time is still short. We just need to wait a few more days."
"What are you waiting for?" Princess Rui was puzzled.
Madam Lu only sighed and said, "You'll know when the time comes."
*
"Dad, Mom!" Yaer stepped into her home, carrying a bucket that was almost half her height. Her tone was more cheerful than ever. "The imperial court has reopened girls' schools. They say girls between the ages of six and twelve can go to school!"
Yaer's father rolled his eyes when he heard this and said, "Why study? Study! It's hard enough for our family to support your brother alone, how can we afford to support your studies?"
Seeing this, Yaer immediately said excitedly: "Dad, Mom, don't worry, there's no tuition fee for going to the girls' school, and they even provide food and accommodation!"
"Is it true?" Yaer's mother asked doubtfully, "Where did you hear that? Could it be a lie made up by those child kidnappers?
"When you get there, I'll kidnap you and sell you to some idiot in the mountains as his wife!"
"Mother, it's really not true!" Ya'er stamped her feet anxiously, "The girls' school is run by the imperial court and is managed by the little princess of Prince Rui's mansion. Now everyone in the capital is talking about this, how could it be fake!
"Dad, Mom, I really want to go to school. Can you please let me go? I won't spend the family's money!" Yaer begged.
Life was difficult at home before, and Yaer knew she had to support her brother's education, so she didn't dare to ask for anything.
But she had found out clearly that not only was the girls' school free of charge, but it also provided food and accommodation.
She thought her parents would agree and be happy for her!
Seeing his daughter seemed particularly stubborn today, Yaer's father tapped his pipe on the ground twice in dissatisfaction and said, "It's all your brother who spoiled you. He insisted on teaching you how to read and write your name. Now look, he's made you wild."
Yaer's mother also said: "What's the point of reading books for a girl? The most important thing is to be able to cook, work and do needlework.
"Even if the girls' school doesn't require tuition, who will do the housework if you go there? Who will wash your clothes? Who will take care of your brother?
"Be obedient, mother is an experienced person. The most important thing for us women is to find a good husband and marry into a good family when we grow up.
"You are my parents' biological child, would they harm you?"
After hearing these words, Yaer's eyes, which were originally full of hope, instantly dimmed.
The straight back was bent again by the bucket.
She carried the bucket into the house without saying a word, lifted it up with difficulty, and poured the water into the water tank.
Seeing this, Yaer's father winked at his wife and whispered, "Keep an eye on this girl these few days and don't let her run away. Once everyone at the girls' school is gathered, she'll have no more thoughts of going there."
So that night, Yaer found that her door was locked from the outside by her mother.
"The urine bucket is in there for you, just sleep well."
This went on for three days in a row, and instead of extinguishing Yaer's desire to go to school, it made the desire burn like a prairie fire, getting stronger and stronger.
In the middle of the night, while everyone in the family was asleep, Yaer finally couldn't hold back her impulse, pried open the window and ran out.
She didn't dare pack her luggage.
Of course, there was nothing else except a few sets of old clothes made from my mother's clothes.
She tiptoed out of the house and ran all the way to the gate of the girls' school.
Originally, Yaer was worried that if she came here in the middle of the night, there would be no one at the girls' association and whether they would take her in.
She made up her mind that if all else failed, she would wait at the gate of the girls' school and kneel down to beg them to take her in early the next morning.
But what Yaer didn't expect was that at the gate of the girls' school, she met other girls who were about her age.
Some still had wounds from being beaten.
However, the door of the girls' school was open at this time, and the lights inside were bright, as if they had been waiting for their arrival.
Several girls supported each other, held hands, and looked at the gate of the girls' school, but their steps were very hesitant and they did not dare to move forward.
Finally, it was Lady Lu who came out from inside. She looked at them with a distressed look on her face, took the children into her arms and said, "Good children, you are home now. Come in quickly!"
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