Chapter 74 The Establishment of Girls' School
"Father, hurry up! Today is my day at the girls' school. Why are you dressed up so nicely?"
Ning Chuke looked helplessly at Yun, who was still adjusting her accessories, then glanced at the sky and stamped his feet in frustration.
"It'll be ready soon, almost there, my lady. Which jade pendant do you think looks best on me?"
"Oh dear, Father, stop fiddling with those two jade pendants. They're both beautiful. Why don't you wear them both?"
Ning Chuke urged him on, and Yun immediately realized that it made sense. He raised his hand and fastened both jade pendants.
"You actually wore it..." Ningchuke couldn't help but laugh, and said to Borjigit beside him in a coquettish tone, "Mother, look at Father—"
“Alright, alright,” Borjigit stepped in to smooth things over, “Your Highness, stop looking. If we don’t set off soon, Ningchuk will be crying for you.”
"Come on, come on, this isn't your first day at the girls' school, your father doesn't want to embarrass you."
Yun tried his best to explain that it wasn't that he was vain, but that ever since Hongli ascended the throne, he had noticed that his brothers were all dressed up better than the last. They said that as members of the royal family, they should pursue "beautiful appearance" and not embarrass the Aisin Gioro clan.
Nonsense! The tenth prince isn't stupid. They're all fawning over Hongli like peacocks displaying their plumage. They obviously think Hongli is handsome and has a good eye for beauty, so they're deliberately imitating his style to get compliments.
He never imagined that one day the trend of "what the superiors like, the inferiors will follow" would reach them, a group of middle-aged princes, and even fall on their clothing and appearance.
It's as if dressing up nicely and getting a few compliments from Hongli can make them look better than their brothers.
Hmph, he, the tenth prince, has shared joys and sorrows with Hongli. The two of them have a deep uncle-nephew relationship. The seventeenth prince was recruited by him. The fourteenth prince shouldn't even think about catching up. And the thirteenth prince, is he even recovered from his illness yet, but he's already trying to steal the limelight. The eighth and ninth princes don't care about brotherhood at all...
There was no other way; his other brothers were too ambitious, so Yun had to follow suit. He not only had to manage politics, but also his demeanor and attire, which almost made his wife think he had found love elsewhere.
Today is the first day of the girls' school. Judging from how much Hongli values it, he will definitely attend. His other brothers will also dress up very formally. He, the tenth prince, can't be outdone!
Ning Chuke, as Yun's only daughter, clearly understood his character well. She couldn't help but roll her eyes and retorted, "It's not for me, Father! You're just afraid of being outdone by the other uncles. But don't worry, Father, even if you can't beat me, your daughter will definitely not let you down. I promise to study hard and crush the sisters from the other uncles' families!"
"How come your father can't compare?" Yun was unconvinced and insisted that Ning Chuke explain himself.
Ning Chuke scratched his head, realizing for the first time that the Prince Dun's residence was so far from the palace.
"Wanqing, Ninth Uncle."
As soon as Ning Chuke got off the carriage, he saw Yun Tang and his daughter and was so happy he almost cried. He rushed over to them in a few steps.
“Ning Chuke.” Aisin-Gioro Wanqing smiled gently, looking somewhat shy.
"Tsk, Tenth Brother, you've really dressed up a lot, haven't you?"
Having lost a significant amount of weight, Yun Tang's handsome features were becoming increasingly defined. He couldn't help but tease Yun as she stepped down from the carriage, two jade pendants dangling from her waist.
Yun calmly straightened his clothes, looked at Yun Tang who was deliberately wearing a dark blue brocade dress to make him look slimmer, and snorted: "I call this dressing neatly. But Ninth Brother, you look like you've lost a lot of weight. You've been eating a lot of vegetarian food lately, haven't you?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Tang couldn't help but turn pale. He had always disliked his somewhat effeminate appearance and the title of "Ninth Beauty," so he deliberately ate himself to gain weight, and he had gotten used to it over the years.
Who would have thought that when he returned and stood with his brothers, he was twice their size heavier. When he met Hongli's surprised gaze, he subconsciously felt ashamed and started to lose weight.
He only realized what he was ashamed of after losing half his weight. Wasn't the meat delicious? Wasn't the wine appealing? Wasn't lying down uncomfortable? Why did he have to put himself through this?
But he was already in a bind. His tenth brother, with his big mouth, had already spread the word that he had sworn to lose weight back to his former physique. When did he ever swear such a vow? But everyone believed him, even Hongli would occasionally offer his advice. Now he had no choice but to lose weight.
How dare you even mention the culprit, Lao Shi!
Yun Tang walked up with a smile and hooked his arm around Lao Shi's shoulder: "It's been a long time since the two brothers got together. After we see them off, Ninth Brother will treat you to a drink!"
A trap! Just as Yun Gang was about to refuse, Yun Tang interrupted him and pulled him forward.
"Let's go. If we don't go to the palace soon, Wanqing and Ningchuke will be late. What kind of father are you? You're always making things difficult."
"No..." Yun said, feeling wronged. "Didn't you pull me aside to talk? Now you're blaming me?"
...
Because the main teachers were all imperial concubines and consorts, and the Empress Dowager held a nominal position, Emperor Qianlong ordered the renovation of the three western palaces near Cining Palace and Shou Kang Palace, designating them as the site for a girls' school.
According to the rules, female students have three days off per month, and during the school term, everyone stays at the West Third Institute.
Every morning, he could walk just a few steps to the school, which was so convenient. Hongli was touched by his own thoughtfulness.
"Sister Wanqing, what courses did you choose?"
Although the girls' school is newly established, it offers a considerable number of subjects. In addition to the compulsory literature and martial arts courses for everyone, students can freely choose three to four elective courses.
The literature class was taught by Consort Zhen Huan, with Consort Shen Meizhuang, Consort Xiang Cao Qinmo, and Consort Hui Gao Xiyue as assistants. The course covered a wide range of topics, including poetry, prose, current affairs, politics, and strategies, but the details were currently unknown to the public.
The martial arts lessons were taught by the Borjigit Dowager Consort from Mongolia, assisted by the wife of Prince Dun, who was also from the Borjigit clan, who taught them riding and archery. In addition, there were female guards specially trained by Hongli, who were taught how to maintain their health and self-defense, ensuring that no matter how frail they looked, they could take down two big men with one punch.
In addition, there were perfumery and embroidery classes offered by Consort Yi (An Lingrong), arithmetic and pipa classes offered by Consort Hui (Gao Xiyue), guqin classes offered by Shen Meizhuang, chess classes offered by Tong Jia Zhilan, painting classes offered by Chen Wanyin, and even agricultural classes offered by Consort Yu and cooking classes offered by Jin Yuyan...
There are all sorts of options to choose from.
Upon hearing Ning Chuke's question, Wanqing, who had been shy all along, suddenly had a charming and determined light in her eyes. "I chose Consort Hui's arithmetic class. I heard that Consort Hui's arithmetic was taught by the Emperor himself, so she must be very good at it!"
Upon hearing about the Emperor's plan from Amana, Wanqing couldn't help but feel excited. She loved mathematics, business, and things that outsiders considered beneath them and unsuitable for women.
Now that she has the opportunity to learn openly and legitimately, and even to step into the spotlight, she will absolutely not miss it.
She, Aisin-Gioro Wanqing, was going to replace her father and become the true God of Wealth of the Qing Dynasty! This was no small matter like her father's!
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