He reached out and gently stroked his carefully grown beard, and slowly said, "Yaoyao, your father taught you from a young age to be a tutor, just like your brother, and to teach you the way of governing the country and benefiting the people. The Xie family does not raise their daughters in the same way your father does."
Emperor Zhenlong originally believed that women should stay at home, support their husbands, and raise their children.
He didn't raise Ruining as a heir from the beginning. It's just that Ruining was intelligent and kind from a young age, and had more of the qualities of a benevolent ruler than Zhao Yang, who was cunning and vengeful.
He was extremely confident in his upbringing, and since he only had these two children, he had the idea.
As Ruining grew up, he often heard opinions from Ruining that he had never heard before, and many details that he had never thought of himself.
Emperor Zhenlong realized that men and women think very differently and often see problems from different perspectives.
An emperor naturally understands the importance of accepting advice for the nation. If there are both male and female voices in the court, the understanding of state affairs will be more comprehensive, and the Great Cheng Dynasty will surely reach new heights.
The Dacheng Dynasty was stable and prosperous, with a steady increase in population. There was no need to confine women to the inner quarters to give birth, so it was not impossible for women to enter the court.
Moreover, if Ruining were the only woman in the court, it would be difficult for her to stand alone.
Emperor Zhenlong then issued a new policy, allowing women to enter official schools, setting a precedent for women entering the court during the Dacheng Dynasty.
But once the new policy was actually implemented, the difficulties became apparent.
Not to mention the endless disputes in the court, where a group of old-fashioned men were constantly arguing that women entering the court would break the rules and social order.
Speaking of women alone—how many women these days have any real wisdom or insight? They've always been taught how to be a good wife, to serve their parents-in-law, raise their children, and live off their families. They've all been spoiled rotten.
If we're really going to make it work, then this new policy is probably the only option! There's still a long way to go!
When Emperor Zhenlong saw the reproach in his daughter's eyes, he felt a lump in his throat.
The Xie family girl was indeed somewhat wronged, but there was nothing that could be done. The marriage was bestowed by his own decree and could not be easily changed. At most, she could make up for it in other ways later.
Jin Yu Lou has now adopted the new menu devised by Yao Niang, and the waiters have also been trained. They have all received a reward and are vying to memorize the new menu perfectly.
Summer is in full swing, the perfect season for lotus seedpod fish dumplings. As a result, Jin Yu Lou is bustling with customers, with a constant stream of patrons.
It was peak season again, and the new menu was just being implemented, so Gu Yaoniang couldn't be completely at ease. She simply brought Bitao to sit in the Jinyulou restaurant to oversee things.
One day, a customer came to the restaurant and specifically requested the lotus seedpod fish buns from Jin Yu Lou.
The waiter kindly reminded him that the lotus seedpod fish dumplings alone might not be enough, and suggested he order a few more dishes. The man declined, so the waiter didn't try to persuade him further.
But when the kitchen brought the lotus seedpod fish dumplings to his seat, he complained that the portion was too small and he wasn't full. He then started shouting loudly in the hall that Jin Yu Lou restaurant was ripping off its customers.
The situation was still somewhat under control up to this point. The lotus seedpod fish dumplings were just for fun; who would actually come here to fill their stomach and order such a single dish? The surrounding diners also understood who was right and wrong, and simply watched the commotion from the sidelines.
But then he called over the waiter and insisted that Jin Yu Lou bring him another lotus seedpod fish dumpling. The waiter, who had been smiling and trying to reason with him, was suddenly kicked in the chest, sending him flying and eliciting gasps of surprise.
Bitao was already at the counter when she heard the commotion and quickly came over.
When she arrived, she saw the man stepping on the waiter and shouting that he wanted to see the owner of Jin Yu Lou.
Seeing this, she knew that a troublemaker had come.
Remembering Yao Niang's usual instructions, Bi Tao took a deep breath, deliberately raised her voice, and said loudly, "Esteemed guest, what business do you have with the master here? I am the manager here, so you can tell me the same thing!"
The man saw that she was slender and graceful, and although she wore no makeup, she had a natural charm.
He had originally looked fierce and menacing, ready to settle scores with anyone, but upon seeing Bitao, a wicked smile spread across his face.
He looked Bitao up and down without any politeness, until Bitao felt uncomfortable, before he finally spoke: "Such a big Jinyu Tower, and something happened, how come a little wench like you came?"
Bitao felt her fake smile was about to crumble. Suppressing her disgust, she said to him, "What's wrong, sir? Why are you behaving so disrespectfully towards my Jin Yu Lou's staff? Tell me what's wrong, and I'll make the decision. How about we help him up?"
The man glanced sideways at Bitao and asked, "Do you really think you can make that decision?"
Having received Bitao's affirmation once again, the man's eyes began to dart around, and he grinned at her, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
He said, "I'm a reasonable person too. I'll let him leave, bring out all the good wine and food you have here, and you can stay here with me. That will be my apology."
After saying that, without waiting for Bitao to speak, he raised his foot and kicked the waiter lying on the ground before telling him to get up.
Bitao was taken aback at first, but then she realized what the other party meant by asking her to stay and keep them company, and her pink face turned red with anger.
Although she was a maid in the Gu family, she had never been mistreated, let alone subjected to such blatant humiliation.
She felt her blood rush to her head and angrily said, "You're so unreasonable! How dare you spout such nonsense in broad daylight! Is there no law anymore?!"
A crowd had already gathered around, and everyone was pointing and whispering about the man, but no one stepped forward to stand up for Bitao.
Seeing that no one around could stop him, the man became even more smug. Seeing that Bitao was so angry that she seemed to be frozen in place, he simply reached out and tried to grab her wrist, pulling her to the table where he had been sitting.
While doing his work, he chuckled and said, "Why so much talk! It doesn't matter if there's no food, just drink with me first!"
Yao Niang couldn't dodge in time and was pulled off balance, which only fueled her anger. She forcefully shook off his grip on her wrist and slapped the man across the face.
The man was surprised that Bitao would actually hit him herself. He was used to being a rogue; most young women would secretly shed tears or hide behind someone else in such a situation. When had he ever seen a woman like this who would slap herself?
He was slapped, his face stinging, and he started cursing: "Damn it! Instead of staying home and embroidering, you're out here running a restaurant, just to keep me company! What are you pretending for! You shameless little wench..."
He spoke in foul language, which was extremely unpleasant and offensive, and then he was about to attack Bitao again.
Bitao was also a little frightened; her hands were also in pain and trembling slightly. She hid her hands in her wide sleeves, not daring to let anyone see them.
At this moment, Yao Niang also heard the noise and rushed over. She hurriedly pushed through the crowd of onlookers and stood in front of Bi Tao.
Seeing another pretty young woman arrive, the man's expression became even more lewd. He said, "Fine! Today, you two will keep me company and have some fun!"
Chaos erupted in the crowd. Some people couldn't bear to watch any longer and tried to stop them, but they didn't dare to step forward and pull the man away easily.
This was the scene Princess Ruining encountered when she arrived at Jinyulou.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
