Chapter 472 Shopping
Time flies, and another year has passed in the blink of an eye.
Despite some setbacks, the girls' school finally took root and gradually began to show some promise.
Although most women from wealthy and noble families still adopt a wait-and-see attitude, public opinion is quietly changing.
Those ordinary women who initially enrolled with a try-it-out mentality, after nearly a year of study, some helped their families sort out their messy accounts, some were able to treat minor injuries and illnesses for their neighbors, and some even improved their vegetable garden harvests considerably by using the improved planting methods they learned at school.
These tangible benefits are more powerful than any propaganda.
Gradually, some daughters of merchants from relatively well-off families and daughters of officials with relatively open minds would secretly come to audit the classes, and from then on, the school was no longer just for women in plain clothes.
On this day, the school welcomed a special teacher, Consort Li.
This was Jiang Huan's idea. She felt that schools should not only teach practical skills, but also women's vision and aesthetic sense.
Consort Li came from a prominent family and was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting from a young age. She was especially skilled in appreciating textiles and spices and was also adept at court etiquette.
Although the two had some disagreements before, time had passed, and Huo Lin's heart was now clear. Consort Li had also long since given up any inappropriate thoughts and was living a quiet life in the palace.
Jiang Huan went to invite her personally, speaking sincerely: "Sister Lifei is very knowledgeable. Most of the girls in the school are from commoner backgrounds. If they can get some guidance from you and learn some appreciation skills and basic etiquette, it will definitely benefit them in their future life."
Consort Li was initially a little awkward, but she couldn't resist Jiang Huan's persistent pleading. In addition, she felt lonely in the deep palace and the feeling of being needed was indeed nice, so she reluctantly agreed.
Today, she will be talking about fabric appreciation.
She brought several pieces of fabric of different materials, from silk and satin to linen and cotton, and explained in detail their characteristics, origins, and advantages and disadvantages.
At first, Consort Li still maintained the airs of a concubine in the palace, sitting upright and speaking in a formal and restrained manner.
How could I have ever come into such close contact with fabrics that I had only ever heard of or seen on the bodies of the wealthy?
They all opened their eyes wide, listened intently, and occasionally exclaimed in amazement.
"So even though they're both silk, Hangzhou silk and Suzhou silk feel so different!"
"The subtle patterns on this brocade are only visible when held up to the light; it's truly ingenious!"
"Your Majesty, isn't this kind of cotton fabric, which is absorbent and breathable, particularly suitable for making undergarments?"
The girls' thirst for knowledge and their heartfelt admiration gradually eased Consort Li's discomfort.
She began to explain in more detail, even picking up a piece of fabric and letting the girls touch and feel the difference.
Seeing their bright, sparkling eyes, even Consort Li, whose face was usually expressionless, showed a rare smile.
After the lesson ended, the girls respectfully bowed to Consort Li to express their gratitude, and discussed what they had just learned in twos and threes, their faces filled with the joy of accomplishment.
Just as Jiang Huan was about to step forward and say a few words to Consort Li, a young page hurried in and whispered a few words in her ear.
Jiang Huan's eyes lit up. She gave a few instructions to Consort Li, He Ling, and Mingzhu, and then quickly walked outside.
Huo Lin stood tall and straight under the osmanthus tree, dressed in an ordinary dark blue brocade robe. He looked less imposing in the court and more relaxed.
He held Huo Yue in his arms. The little girl was almost two years old, with two little pigtails, and was pointing her chubby little finger at the osmanthus flowers on the tree, babbling.
"The flowers smell so good."
Beside him, the nearly two-year-old Crown Prince Huo Chen wore a serious expression that belied his age.
He was trying to calm a companion that was clearly too enthusiastic and lively, a pure white puppy that was excitedly circling around his legs.
The little prince frowned, his little hand instinctively trying to hold down the overly lively dog. However, the dog thought its little master was playing with it and rubbed against his hand even more vigorously, even trying to lick his fingers.
The way he tried so hard to maintain his dignity, yet seemed a little overwhelmed by the furry friend's enthusiasm, was so amusing that it was hard not to laugh.
Jiang Huan smiled, walked over and ruffled her son's hair, then naturally reached out to take her daughter: "Why are you here at this hour? Have you finished dealing with all the official business?"
Huo Lin stepped aside, lifted his sweet and soft daughter up a little, and took Jiang Huan's hand with his free hand.
"Well, now that today's business is finished and you've all left, I'd like to take you to the West Market for a stroll. I heard there's a new foreign merchant there with some rare and interesting things."
"Go shopping?" Jiang Huan's eyes lit up. Since she had been busy with school affairs, she hadn't experienced the lively atmosphere of the city for a long time.
"Father, doggy, together." At his feet, the little prince finally managed to temporarily control the situation.
He gently pressed the little white dog's head with his small hand. The dog opened its bright black eyes and looked at him with its tongue lolling out in a flattering manner.
Huo Lin looked down at his son, who was pressing down on the dog's head with a serious expression, and then at the little boy's expression of trying hard to stay calm. A smile quickly flashed across his eyes.
“Okay.” He said succinctly, yet with great indulgence, “Take the dog with you.”
Thus, the Emperor and Empress, each holding a child in their arms, with a curious puppy resembling a snowball at their feet, and several plainclothes guards and nannies following behind, blended into the bustling West Market like any ordinary wealthy family.
The West Market was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and haggling over prices.
The little princess was fascinated by everything and pointed at the candied hawthorn: "Daddy, I want some, the red ones!"
Huo Chen, on the other hand, took a keen interest in the wooden sword stall next to him. He gripped Huo Lin's clothes tightly with his little hands, but his eyes were glued to the small wooden sword.
While dealing with his daughter's request, Huo Lin bought two of the largest candied hawthorn skewers and gave them to the two children. At the same time, he quietly carried his son and moved closer to the weapons stall, his eyes sweeping over the crudely made but childlike wooden swords and knives.
The sword's design is acceptable, but the wood is of poor quality.
"Hmm, I'll have the Imperial Household Department forge a small sword for my son out of sandalwood. Don't bother sharpening it, just to avoid injury."
My daughter seems to like that cloth tiger? We bought it together; should we get a jade one made from it? She seems to really like these little trinkets.
Jiang Huan followed beside him, listening to his extravagant shopping list, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
In the end, Xiao Huo Chen received the sturdiest-looking wooden sword, Xiao Huo Yue received an adorable cloth tiger, and Jiang Huan was given a bag of freshly baked chestnuts.
Huo Lin himself stopped in front of a bookstore and picked out a few newly published storybooks and travelogues, saying they were to keep her entertained.
The emperor and empress spoke in hushed tones, occasionally exchanging smiles. One child brandished a wooden sword, while the other ate a candied hawthorn while holding a cloth tiger, his face covered in sugar crumbs.
The afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows of the four people, and the bustling city seemed to become the warmest backdrop.
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