Chapter 123 Inquiry
How does this reading preference seem like that of a girl in the boudoir?
She is even more ambitious than her cousins who are studying in the Imperial College!
Jiang Qingning was amused by her reaction: "My princess, you are joking. Qingning believes that even if a woman is a man of both literary and military skills, it is not a bad thing."
"Maintaining national security and making strategic plans are not necessarily the exclusive domain of men. Women need to be more ambitious in order to stand in the world.
It is not an ambition to fight for power and gain, but an ambition to control one's own destiny and live a broad life on one's own."
"Only when you are strong can you protect those you want to protect, do what you want to do, and not be dependent or submissive."
Her tone was calm, and every word she spoke was sonorous and powerful.
“Take control of your own destiny and live a broad life.”
Li Youwei murmured and repeated, feeling an unprecedented torrent impacting her cognition.
From childhood to adulthood, she was taught how to be a qualified lady of the royal family, how to support her husband and raise her children, and how to maintain the dignity of her family.
No one had ever told her that women could also have "ambitions" and pursue a "broad world."
Jiang Qingning's words seemed to have opened a crack in her rigid mindset, letting in the longed-for light.
Li Youwei murmured, "You're right. Why should women only be trapped in the harem? Why can't we have a wider world?"
Her heart was in turmoil and her thoughts were racing.
The carriage slowly stopped.
A respectful voice of the guard came from outside the car:
"Princess, Miss Jiang, we have arrived at Duke Qin's residence."
Needless to say, the Duke of Qin's Mansion is magnificent, with red gates, high walls, and majestic stone lions.
Because it was the princess who came, she was accompanied by the imperial physician Wang.
The doorman received the news early, opened the middle door wide, and the housekeeper and servants waited respectfully at the door.
Li Youwei exuded the grace and elegance of a princess and gracefully got out of the car with the help of her maid.
Jiang Qingning followed closely behind, with a calm attitude, neither humble nor arrogant.
"My princess is well, Miss Jiang is well."
The steward of Duke Qin's Mansion was a capable middle-aged man with excellent manners. His eyes lingered on Jiang Qingning for a moment without leaving any trace.
"There's no need to be so polite, Mr. Qin."
Li Youwei was clearly familiar with the place and nodded slightly. "Madam, how are you feeling today? Imperial Physician Wang is here, so I'd like to take your pulse."
"Thank you for your concern, Princess."
Butler Qin bowed and said, "Madam woke up with a slight cough this morning. She has indeed been feeling a little weak lately. She is currently resting in the warm room. The prince is also serving her medicine."
Qin Xiu is here too?
Jiang Qingning's heart moved slightly.
"knew."
Li Youwei nodded and walked straight to the inner courtyard with Doctor Wang and Jiang Qingning.
The inner courtyard of the Duke's Mansion is deep, and the winding corridors lead to secluded places, revealing the heritage and solemnity of a century of nobility.
The servants in the mansion were well-trained. When they saw the princess and Jiang Qingning, they held their breath, bowed their heads, and saluted respectfully.
After passing through several courtyards, we came to a sunny warm room where the air was filled with the bitter fragrance of medicine.
There were several well-dressed maids standing at the door. When they saw Li Youwei, they all showed sincere smiles on their faces. It was obvious that they were very familiar with and welcomed her.
"The princess is here!"
A big, round-faced maid opened the curtain and said in a joyful voice, "Madam was just talking about you!"
A middle-aged woman was leaning on the rosewood chaise longue by the window.
She was wearing a plain lilac brocade dress, her face was pale from her illness, and her eyes were filled with fatigue.
When Jiang Qingning saw the true face of the wife of Duke Qin, he was stunned for a moment.
This lady turned out to be the one who had accompanied her to the Jingzhao government office a few days ago and helped to speak up and support her.
No wonder Qin Xiu looked a little strange when he saw her that day.
It wasn't that Jiang Qingning was narcissistic, but she seemed to understand why the wife of Duke Qin pretended to be a lady of another status...
Beside her, Qin Xiu, dressed in dark casual clothes, was half-kneeling on a small stool in front of the couch, holding a warm white jade bowl in his hand. He carefully scooped the medicine in the bowl with a silver spoon and coaxed his mother to drink the medicine in a low voice.
Hearing the noise, Qin Xiu turned around.
When he saw Jiang Qingning walking in behind Li Youwei, a glimmer of surprise flashed in his deep phoenix eyes, and then a trace of imperceptible nervousness passed through his eyes.
He quickly put down the medicine bowl and stood up: "Mother, the princess and Miss Jiang are here."
Li Youwei bowed with a smile: "Youwei greets Madam, I come to see you again."
Jiang Qingning then bowed and said, "Jiang Qingning greets the wife of Duke Qin. May the lady be well."
"Youwei is here?"
When Mrs. Qin heard Li Youwei's voice, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
Her eyes immediately fell on Jiang Qingning. She sat up straight and nodded gently, "Miss Jiang."
She was originally very satisfied with Jiang Qingning and did not mind her past. She even summoned her beloved daughter in the deep palace from time to time.
However, the Jiang family has been making a lot of jokes lately, and coupled with my recent illness, I don't have time to pay attention to the relationship between the two.
"Ma'am, please don't move."
Li Youwei walked forward quickly and naturally took over Qin Xiu's position. She sat on the small stool beside the couch and held Mrs. Qin's somewhat cold hand.
"How are you feeling? Is your cough better? Doctor Wang is here. Let him take a closer look at you."
"It's an old ailment. It's nothing serious. Thank you for always keeping me in mind."
Madam Qin patted the back of Li Youwei's hand, but her eyes still stayed on Jiang Qingning. Her voice was gentle but a little weak:
"Miss Jiang, please take a seat. Xiu'er, why don't you find a seat for Miss Jiang?"
"Madam, how are you?" Jiang Qingning stepped forward and bowed according to etiquette, his posture respectful yet generous.
"It is Qingning's fault for disturbing Madam's rest."
"It's okay." Mrs. Qin smiled and motioned her to stand up. Her gaze lingered on her calm and beautiful face for a moment, and a hint of imperceptible admiration flashed in her eyes.
"I've heard Xiu'er mention Miss Jiang a long time ago. Seeing her today, she's truly extraordinary. Come sit down and talk."
In any case, she still had to give Li Youwei some face in front of her, so it would be better to pretend that it was their first meeting.
She really liked Li Youwei, but Qin Xiu had no feelings for her, so Lady Qin raised her as her goddaughter and gave her many gifts every day.
Qin Xiu personally brought a cushioned embroidered cushion and placed it not too far from the couch.
Jiang Qingning thanked him and sat upright with his back straight and his posture impeccable.
Doctor Wang stepped forward to take Madam Qin's pulse, and the room fell silent for a moment.
Qin Xiu could hardly take his eyes off Jiang Qingning, and the concern and reluctance in his eyes almost overflowed.
Mrs. Qin saw all her son's thoughts and sighed inwardly.
She looked at Jiang Qingning and asked gently, "Miss Jiang, I just heard Xiu'er hurriedly mention that you encountered some trouble at the door of the shop. You were frightened, but are you okay?"
"Madam, thank you for your concern. It was just a trick set up by some villains. Fortunately, the princess and Doctor Wang came to our aid in time. The truth has been revealed and Qingning has not been harmed at all."
Jiang Qingning spoke calmly and briefly brought the matter over.
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