Xie Danqiu and Qin Yuxiu had a very sweet marriage at first.
Qin Yuxiu's parents were not in Shuojing, and Xie Danqiu had no in-laws to serve, so she was quite at ease.
Qin Yuxiu was handsome and a top scholar in the imperial examinations. Although he came from a humble background, Xie Danqiu was not one to care about social standing. Now that they were husband and wife, Xie Danqiu naturally did not consider himself superior.
Qin Yuxiu had always admired the elegant and unrestrained style of the noble ladies of Shuojing. Now that she had achieved her wish, she was in a state of elation and excitement, and naturally became gentle and considerate.
Both of them were eager to live a good life together, so they were naturally very affectionate and loving.
However, soon after, the contradictions became apparent.
The Xie family put a lot of effort into raising their daughters. Not to mention Xie Danqiu, their beloved daughter.
Xie Danqiu was an extraordinary person. While most men went to school to pass the imperial examinations, she did so purely out of love for it and with exceptional talent.
It can be said that she can master anything she wants to learn. Over the years, she has become outstanding in everything, including playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, literature, knowledge, and both civil and military affairs.
The Xie family once lamented that if Xie Danqiu had been born a boy, he would surely have become a pillar of the nation.
Now that the new policy has been implemented, Xie Danqiu wants to participate in next year's scientific expedition.
Qin Yuxiu was naturally unwilling. In his mind, once a woman was married, she should bear children and serve him.
Even if the other party is Xie Danqiu, who comes from the Xie family and has a noble status, it must be done this way.
Xie Danqiu told him, but it wasn't really a discussion. Her mind was made up; she was just informing Qin Yuxiu of the matter, and she felt that if she could enter officialdom, realize her life's value, and contribute to the country, it would be a good thing.
After all, none of her parents, elders, or close relatives ever thought that it was a bad thing for a woman to realize her own value.
She knew that many people in the court disagreed with women entering the court, and that the emperor had issued the new policy under immense pressure.
She also knew that her friend Princess Ruining, since taking over the administration, had not been openly targeted by anyone, but had been subjected to many subtle sabotages.
But so what? Those people are unimportant. Those men have always been aloof and indifferent to women.
She didn't care about those people. The more they thought women should be locked up in the inner quarters, the more she wanted to climb over them by clinging to the new policies.
She never imagined that Qin Yuxiu would be one of these people.
She was very puzzled: "If I can enter the court, we can help each other. What's wrong with that?"
Qin Yuxiu was also puzzled: "I have the court, and if things go wrong, there's the Xie family. Why do you, a woman, insist on becoming an official in the court?"
But that's not me!
Xie Danqiu was very determined.
Qin Yuxiu also got angry: "What about the child? Who will manage the household affairs? Who will take care of our parents? If you are pregnant, how will you go to work? I'm doing this for your own good!"
Xie Danqiu retorted, "There are servants in the mansion, so what is it that I must do personally?"
Seeing that Xie Danqiu was very determined, Qin Yuxiu went to her father-in-law, Lord Xie, to complain.
Unexpectedly, his parents-in-law did not seem to object to this.
Qin Yuxiu and Xie Danqiu began their first cold war since their marriage.
The two had no idea when they would reconcile, but a few days ago, Xie Danqiu felt unwell in the morning and asked a doctor to come to her home, where she discovered that she was pregnant.
Qin Yuxiu was overjoyed to learn that Xie Danqiu had written a letter back to her hometown, wanting to bring her mother over to take care of Xie Danqiu during her pregnancy.
Xie Danqiu held Gu Yaoniang's hand, her face full of worry: "Yaoniang, what should we do! This child really came at the worst possible time. Besides, I'm also a little afraid to get along with my mother-in-law."
I've never met her before, and I don't know what she's like...
Gu Yaoniang gripped her hand tightly, hesitating to speak.
In ordinary families, a wife's pregnancy is a joyous occasion. But when Xie Danqiu argued with her husband's family to participate in the imperial examination, this joyous event became somewhat complicated.
Seeing that Gu Yaoniang remained silent, Xie Danqiu continued, "I know you must be in a difficult position and won't offer me advice. I just want someone else to talk to."
She laughed self-deprecatingly: "Speaking of which, we haven't known each other the longest, but I only want to tell you these things. If I tell Yao Yao, she will definitely stand up for me, but I haven't decided yet; if I tell A Han, she'll probably come to persuade me with Qin Yuxiu."
Only you, though I don't know what you would say, I know for sure that you understand me.
Gu Yaoniang felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this. She naturally hoped that Xie Danqiu was doing well, but dared not speak easily. She simply said dryly, "Your health is the most important thing now. Don't worry too much and harm your body."
"Do you also think I should have this child?"
Gu Yaoniang was startled and hurriedly said, "What do you mean by 'should' or 'shouldn't'! Now that the child is here, Aqiu, you must take good care of yourself. Do you still want to give up this child? Do you know how dangerous it is to force an abortion?"
Seeing Xie Danqiu's blank expression, Gu Yaoniang was afraid that she would misunderstand her meaning or what she had done. She took Xie Danqiu's hand and said very sincerely, "Although I have never been married, when I was at home, the aunties in the neighborhood would often talk about these things."
Childbirth is extremely dangerous for a woman; she's practically walking into the gates of hell. Miscarriage is even more devastating; if the child is lost, the mother may also die. If you can't pass this exam, there's always the next one, and the one after that. You'll pass eventually! Your health is the most important thing; don't do anything foolish.”
Seeing her anxious expression, Xie Danqiu smiled and said, "Yaoniang, I knew you understood me. From the moment you learned I was pregnant, your husband didn't need to say anything more."
Even my parents advised me that this was the Qin family's child, and that every woman in this world has to have children. How could I be so selfish as to abandon my child for the sake of a vague and uncertain future?
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