"Betrayal? You just got married, how does that constitute betrayal?"
When Xie Yuan heard that Yongchang was looking for a husband for Nanling, he specially invited Nanling over out of concern.
Unexpectedly, this once shy and timid young lady shook her head firmly and said, "Your Majesty, I will not marry!"
Not getting married?
Xie Yuan respects everyone's choices; marriage is not a mandatory option in life.
However, it's clear that Nanling's refusal wasn't because she genuinely didn't yearn for marriage.
She seems to have something else going on.
Xie Yuan sensed Nanling's complex emotions and naturally wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Then, Xie Yuan saw Nanling awkwardly say, "I...I cannot betray Your Majesty!"
It was the Empress who gave her a new life, letting her know that she wasn't truly worthless after all.
It was also the Empress who discovered her talent for arithmetic and even commissioned a custom-made golden abacus for her!
It can be said that this is the first time in my twenty years of life that Nanling has felt this kind of focus and care!
She didn't want to let the Empress down!
"But... but if I get married, I... I can no longer be your lady-in-waiting!"
Nanling seemed to have entered a dead end. She only wanted to repay the Empress's kindness and support. Getting married and having children might affect her "work".
"Who says you can't?"
Xie Yuan laughed and directly cited several married female attendants as examples: "For instance, Madam Wang, she is also a woman."
It doesn't mean that having a family means you have to sacrifice your career.
Even in later generations, as long as one has enough money and a privileged status, one can have both.
In ancient times, needless to say, there were wet nurses, governesses, maids, old women... (Reading the book...)
Even if they didn't become female officials, those noblewomen didn't personally raise their children.
"I myself am the Empress, not a princess!"
In an effort to persuade Nanling, Xie Yuan even used himself as an example.
"As for whether marriage will affect my work, that's a matter for the future."
"Nanling, we must not 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'!"
"Marriage is a major life event that directly affects your happiness."
"Nanling, career, marriage, and family are not actually in conflict; it all depends on how you balance them!"
Xie Yuan is definitely doing this for Nanling. She wouldn't be like some heartless bosses who only care about work and don't care about the lives of their employees!
Okay, even if Nanling really does retreat to the backyard after getting married, it's not a big deal.
Xie Yuan has said that these are all personal choices, and she will respect everyone's choices.
As for losing an assistant, it will indeed be inconvenient for her.
They might even be used against them by certain people with ulterior motives.
Xie Yuanlian could predict what those people would say—
"I've said it before: women are no good. Once they get married and have children, they can't devote themselves to politics."
"Giving birth is a woman's duty. What kind of image would it be to show one's face in court?"
They might even use the case of Nanling to negate the "professionalism" of the entire female official class.
In fact, Xie Yuan had considered these situations before bringing the female attendant into the court.
She also prepared for the worst: that the entry of female officials into the court might only be a fleeting moment.
After a brief period of brilliance, she will once again be ostracized from the court by the men!
These are all necessary processes and unavoidable realities.
Not to mention in this fictional dynasty, even in the new century of later times, women still suffer from gender discrimination.
Xie Yuan is doing things that are already very ahead of their time.
If it weren't for Helian Jue's strong support, it would have been really difficult for her to do it on her own.
Now it seems that even with Helian Jue backing him up, Xie Yuan still faces many and great difficulties!
"Women's independence is a long and arduous journey!"
Xie Yuan never expected to achieve success overnight; she had long been prepared for a long-term struggle.
This time, the female attendant was just an experiment.
Regardless of the final outcome, Xie Yuan has already succeeded—the female attendants Nanling and Mu Jialuo have truly stood in the court, discussing the affairs of the country alongside a group of men!
Xie Yuan has set a precedent and planted a seed. As long as we continue to work hard, there will eventually be good results!
Having figured all this out long ago, Xie Yuan was in an exceptionally good state of mind.
She talked to Nanling like a caring older sister.
"Your Majesty, do you...do you believe I can balance family and career?"
As a big fan of Xie Yuan, Nanling indeed focused on the key points when listening to what was being said.
Her eyes sparkled, and her little face showed a hint of excitement.
Nanling's reaction is understandable.
When Yongchang talked to her about the marriage to the heir of the Prince of Ruyang that day, he was probably too excited and didn't forget to remind Nanling:
"If you are truly engaged to the Prince of Ruyang's family, you can no longer show your face in public like this!"
"Although the Prince of Ruyang is a gentle and humble young man, once married, one must uphold the virtues of a wife!"
Nanling: ...
It's ridiculous, isn't it? A woman who has been married to several husbands and kept a group of male lovers in her backyard teaches her daughter to "behave like a proper woman."
Of course, Nanling could understand her mother.
She was fundamentally different from her mother. She, Nanling, was merely the daughter of a princess, while her mother was the beloved eldest princess.
Her father and brother were both emperors, and the princess herself was a "ruler".
She has the means and confidence to do whatever she wants.
Nanling doesn't have it!
She was just a pitiful girl who lost her father at a young age and had no family to rely on.
Although she was a princess, her beloved uncle had passed away, and the emperor now was merely her cousin, whom she had feared since childhood.
My mother is still the eldest princess, but she is already in her fifties.
She can't protect herself forever.
Therefore, if you want to live a good life, you have to manage it well yourself.
For women, the first requirement is to "uphold traditional virtues"!
Nanling has broken free of her cage and is no longer willing to be bound by so-called rules.
This is also the main reason for her hesitation—
Xie Yuan was right; Nanling was not a staunch advocate of remaining single.
Deep down, she longs for family and warmth.
She was just worried that if she got married, the Empress would be unhappy and then abandon her.
Of course! I believe you!
Xie Yuan looked steadily into Nanling's eyes, his gaze gentle yet firm.
Nanling's last worry vanished. "Thank you, Your Majesty! Rest assured, even if I get married, I will never resign from my post!"
Besides, even if she wants to get married, she might not get married right now.
Having received a "guarantee" from her Empress, Nanling had no more reservations!
...
On Mugalo's side, there were also people eager to help with matchmaking.
Mugalo: ...I'm not getting married!
She wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Empress and become a powerful minister, second only to the Empress.
Hehehe, the first female prime minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with high position and great power, even if she doesn't marry, she can still keep three or five male concubines like a princess...
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