Bizhu and Bishuang exchanged a glance, their expressions revealing a troubled and worried look.
Bizhu said softly, "My lady, there's nothing we can do about Qiaogu doing this."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Yaoniang interrupted, "What do you mean there's no way! The Gu family is so big and powerful that even if we signed all those women to be factory workers, and the Gu family opened a clothing shop, we could still support them! Even if they did nothing, we could still support them."
After Gu Yaoniang finished speaking, she realized that her tone was harsh, so she softened her tone and said, "It's not that I blame her. It's just that we all know that it's not easy for women. Sister Qiaoniang is also an independent person. If we're going to help, we should teach them to live a more respectable life. The women of Wufan Pavilion, even if they only sing and dance to entertain people, will still be criticized."
Why take the thorny path of Wufan Pavilion when there are clearly more respectable and acceptable methods?
Gu Yaoniang didn't understand and was also upset about it.
Bi Shuang said softly, "My lady, the girls at Wu Fan Pavilion are all there voluntarily. As Qiao Gu once said, it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. The girls should earn their own money and spend it themselves so they can stand tall."
The Wufan Pavilion shelters only women with unfortunate fates. They are too weak to lift a finger or carry anything heavy, and they are already grateful to have a place to stay. They have no idea how to earn money on their own. The fastest way for them to earn money on their own is through performing arts.
Over the years, Qiaogu had been trying to find a way to distinguish Wufan Pavilion from the other brothels. She said that Wufan Pavilion didn't consume the girls' flesh and blood; the girls worked there, not sold themselves, and didn't need to sell smiles, only their art. This was already a great blessing.
Gu Yaoniang pursed her lips, her thoughts unreadable. She was well aware of the reputation of Wufan Pavilion; the girls there were all artists who didn't sell their bodies. They didn't serve drinks or sell their bodies, only their art. If anyone wanted to leave, they could leave smoothly.
But the more this is the case, the more people in the capital say that Wufan Pavilion is nothing more than a pretentious brothel, and how high and mighty it really is.
In the end, they still looked down on Wufan Pavilion. In their eyes, Wufan Pavilion was just a slightly more unique brothel, but it was still a brothel.
But she also knew in her heart that it was too difficult to ask women who had to sell themselves into the Wufan Pavilion to survive if they were desperate to find other ways to make a living.
Ultimately, it's because women today can only live as dependents.
Gu Yaoniang recalled the girls' school she and Princess Ruining had enthusiastically prepared for two years ago. The location was chosen, and the school buildings were completed, but the only problem was finding teachers. After that, the two of them tacitly avoided the topic whenever they met.
It's not that I don't want to, but I know it's too difficult to find people who are genuinely willing to put in the effort to educate female students into successful individuals. Even with the new policies as a safety net, in most people's eyes, women should remain obedient in the inner quarters, just like they have for thousands of years, at most knowing a few characters and finding pleasure in that.
To give women the same education and the same opportunities as men is simply a pipe dream.
Thinking this way, Gu Yaoniang felt a pang of regret. After all, Qiaoniang hadn't done anything wrong. She had ultimately given desperate women a way out and had never forced them into anything; it was a good thing…
-
After waking up for half a day, Gu Yaoniang felt much better and was about to go out to see Princess Ruining.
Gu Pingsheng felt sorry for her injury, but Gu Yaoniang shook her head: "How could I be so delicate! We can only ask the princess for help to find out how my parents are doing. Aren't you worried?"
Gu Pingsheng was naturally anxious as well. But his sister's health was also very important! He couldn't help but feel worried.
Both of them couldn't help but think of Gu Xingzhi, and a wave of sadness washed over them again. During the days Gu Yaoniang had been unconscious, the Gu family seemed to have undergone a complete upheaval.
The Gu family naturally sent a message to the princess's residence, and Princess Ruining sent a letter saying she would take care of her parents. However, there are many things that can only be explained in person.
Gu Yaoniang was worried about everything and needed to go there in person to put her mind at ease.
Bizhu and Bitao chased Zhaocai over.
Gu Pingsheng, still worried, followed her out the door. Gu Yaoniang smiled and said, "Why are you being so delicate?"
However, she allowed Gu Pingsheng to do as he pleased. The cushions in the carriage were already soft, but Gu Pingsheng moved the ones from where no one was around and placed two layers under Gu Yaoniang.
Gu Yaoniang watched his movements with a faint smile.
-
On the way back from Princess Ruining, neither Gu Yaoniang nor Gu Pingsheng spoke.
Gu Xingzhi would occasionally look up to check Gu Yaoniang's expression. Gu Yaoniang noticed his subtle movements, so she just looked at him without saying a word.
Gu Pingsheng hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Sister, are Father and Mother really alright?"
Gu Yaoniang nodded, but she was still worried.
Upon arriving at the Princess's residence today, Princess Ruining was still busy, but she still managed to meet with the two siblings.
They also learned the reason their parents had been escorted to the capital—dereliction of duty. They remembered that at the beginning of the new policy, the imperial edicts were distributed throughout the country. But for some reason, the edicts received by Qingyun County, though containing the same content, became the least valued.
Mr. Gu was in charge of posting official documents in Qingyun County. When he saw Yan Fang's letter, he didn't pay any attention to it. He simply had his young apprentice read it aloud once and that was it. Therefore, when Gu Xingzhi rushed back to Qingyun County for Gu Yaoniang's sake, the Gu family was unaware of the new policies for women and were still worrying about Gu Yaoniang's future.
Many minor officials were implicated in this incident, but they were all low-level clerks in various prefectures and counties; such a thing had never happened in the prefectural capital.
Since this isn't an isolated case, there must be a lot to it. Princess Ruining comforted Gu Yaoniang: "Lord Gu and his wife haven't been cleared of suspicion yet, but there's something fishy going on, and Father and I both know about it. Don't worry, we'll investigate. For now, we can only leave them in prison. Focus on recovering; I've already spoken to them, and they'll be taken care of."
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