Night school had been running for over half a month, and the once tranquil capital was suddenly rippled, like a stone suddenly dropped on a calm lake. A jingle had begun circulating through the streets and alleys: "From the Su Mansion, a heretic has emerged. The legitimate daughter teaches the wife to read and write. This is both corrupting and immoral." This jingle, like an undercurrent, quietly surged through the streets of the capital, each word carrying a malicious intent directed at Su Jinli and the women's night school she had painstakingly run.
Su Jinli was sitting leisurely in the room, holding a piece of peach blossom pastry in her hand. As she listened to Lingge recite the jingle word for word, her originally happy expression suddenly froze. She was so angry that she slammed the pastry crumbs in her hand on the account book in front of her. A trace of anger flashed in her eyes, and she shouted sternly, "Find out who made up this thing?"
Lingge hurried forward, handed over a note, and said nervously, "Miss, this is a cousin of Minister Lin's family. He works for the Censorate. This news was brought by Jiang Zhuangyuan's servant, who also said that this matter might not be easily let go."
Su Jinli took the note and saw Jiang Yan's familiar handwriting on it: "Tomorrow morning, the Imperial Censor may have a memorial to the emperor. Countermeasure: Let the people rule the officials." She raised her eyebrows slightly, chewing on the four words "let the people rule the officials" over and over again. An idea suddenly flashed in her mind, and she suddenly clapped her hands and hurriedly ordered Lingge: "Lingge, quickly call all the students in the night school and tell them that I want to teach them how to write 'slogans'!"
The next day, at the hour of Mao in the capital, it was still dark, the morning light not yet fully penetrating the night sky. Prime Minister Su, dressed in court robes, was about to head to the imperial court. Just as he reached the Chuihua Gate, he was stopped by Su Jinli. With a determined look, she handed over a sheaf of papers and said, "Father, these are letters from the night school students. Please present them to the emperor."
Su Xiang frowned slightly and unfolded one of the papers. On it was the embroiderer's crooked but extremely careful handwriting: "Husband, I have learned how to calculate the cloth. The shopkeeper will never dare to give me less money again." He turned to another piece of paper and saw the cook's handwriting: "Daughter, mother knows the name of the medicine now. She will not give the wrong medicine."
Prime Minister Su's face darkened and he scolded with a stern face: "Nonsense! How can a girl like you interfere in the affairs of the court?" Although his words were harsh, he still carefully stuffed the stack of papers into his sleeve pocket.
Su Jinli looked at her father, her eyes filled with earnestness and determination, and said softly, "But this is no joke. It's a matter of great importance to the people's livelihood. Dad, do you want your daughter to be like in her previous life, unable to even calculate her own dowry and allowing herself to be bullied and humiliated?"
Su Xiang's body trembled slightly, as if he had been struck in the softest part of his heart. Thinking of the various grievances his daughter had suffered in her previous life, he was speechless for a moment. He looked at Su Jinli deeply, and finally walked away, embarking on the road to court.
The Golden Throne Hall was filled with solemnity and a heavy atmosphere. The Imperial Censor stepped forward with a solemn expression, holding a memorial in both hands. He spoke passionately, "Your Majesty! Su Jinli has secretly opened a girls' school. This is a hen crowing at dawn, and it may undermine the foundation of the nation! Your Majesty, I implore you to issue an order to ban it immediately!"
Minister Lin hurried forward and echoed, "I second the proposal! A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. This is an ancient precept that should not be violated lightly!"
Prime Minister Su frowned, about to step forward to refute, but he heard the emperor yawn softly and said nonchalantly, "Hey, I received some interesting letters yesterday. They said something about 'learning to read and not being cheated.' Who wrote this?"
After saying this, the eunuch beside him unfolded the letter and read aloud the contents written by the embroiderers word for word. The entire court, civil and military officials, looked at each other with different expressions. Minister Lin, upon seeing this, became anxious and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this is the nonsense of the scoundrels. It cannot be trusted!"
"Troublemakers?" The emperor raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. "I think what you said makes sense. Lord Su, could your daughter's night school also teach the ladies in my harem how to read? They always miscount the pearl hairpins I give them, which is really annoying."
Su Xiang stroked his beard, revealing a rare smile of satisfaction, and said respectfully, "If Your Majesty does not mind, I would be more than happy to accept your invitation."
After the court was dismissed, Minister Lin's face was gloomy. He quickly stepped forward to stop Prime Minister Su and shouted angrily: "Master Su, you are clearly allowing your daughter to commit a crime!"
"Lord Lin, you're wrong." Su Xiang looked at him calmly and said slowly, "I just don't want my daughter to suffer any more grievances." He paused slightly and took out a small booklet from his sleeve pocket. "Oh, by the way, my Jinli has sorted out your son's spending account at the brothel. Would you like to take a look, Lord Lin?"
Upon hearing this, Minister Lin's face turned pale as paper in an instant. His body swayed and he staggered back a few steps. His eyes were full of fear and anger, but he didn't dare to say anything more. He could only leave in embarrassment.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Beijing, Su Jinli and her night school students were busy setting up the streets. They erected wooden boards with eye-catching slogans on them: "Learning to read and do accounting is essential, so you won't be afraid of scammers!" "When your daughter studies, your parents won't worry!"
A passing lady stopped and looked at the words on the wooden board curiously. She asked, "Girl, what do these words mean?"
Su Jinli hurried forward, took the aunt's hand affectionately, and patiently explained, "Aunt, learning to read is very useful. From now on, when you buy rice or vegetables, you will know whether they are underweight. You will also no longer need to ask others for help when writing letters to your son."
As Su Jinli continued her explanation, a crowd of people gathered around her: a woman selling vegetables, a woman mending clothes, and a young mother holding her child. A blind old man groped his way to the wooden board, gently touched the words on it, and sighed, "If my daughter could read, she wouldn't have been tricked by the matchmaker into becoming someone's concubine..."
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