Chapter 515: Incognito Tour
The fact that the young ladies from the major families were sent back made these noble families feel a little panicked, but also dissatisfied. They felt that they were noble families, so why shouldn't they even have a chance to go to the academy?
They even jointly wrote a letter to Xiao Jin, asking the women's academy to admit more students, which would be fair.
At the morning court, Xiao Jin listened to the censor's impassioned speech and nodded indifferently, "Well, what did Lord Wang say just now?"
Upon hearing this, Lord Wang, the censor, said, "Your Majesty, I think that since you are recruiting students, you should be open to all, rather than specifying that some people can go and some cannot. This is unfair."
Xiao Jin nodded thoughtfully and said, "Lord Wang just said it's fair."
"yes."
"Do you think it is fair to the people who are being bullied and have nowhere to complain?"
Lord Wang frowned and said nothing.
"Is it fair to them that they have to starve while your children are well fed?"
"Your Majesty, even if we are living in luxury, we have worked hard to obtain it. How is it unfair?" An upright minister stood up and spoke frankly.
Xiao Jin slowly stood up and swept his eyes over the ministers in the hall. "Yes, there is nothing unfair, but how do you know that they didn't try their best to survive? How can you be sure that your luxurious clothes and delicious food have nothing to do with those people? Do you farm? If not, where does your food come from?"
"Life is destined to be unfair. They have experienced more suffering, but what they get is still suffering. The Queen just wants to give those who are crushed in the dust a chance to be reborn. Do you think it is unfair to you?"
"You are my subjects, they are my people. In my eyes, you are equally important. If you, as my subjects, cannot think about the people, and even try to snatch their little hope from them, then what use do I have for you?"
Xiao Jin's voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer hitting the hearts of these ministers. They would stand up, but in fact, deep down they still felt that those poor women were not worthy. They were not worthy of knowing how to read, not worthy of learning the things left by the saints, and not worthy of the opportunity to stand on the same side as their children. They should humble themselves and fawn on them. That was their destiny.
All the ministers knelt down one after another, "Our emperor is wise."
Xiao Jin was born into the royal family and knew too well the problems of these officials and aristocratic families. They were like the roots of a big tree, with intricate relationships. The establishment of a women's college was just the beginning. This country and this court needed more different ethnic groups to exist, rather than being controlled by a group of people.
Xiao Jin's words made the noble families dare not say a word about the matter.
…
On the day off, Xiao Jin planned to take the children and Su Ying out of the palace for a walk.
"Is the Emperor planning to go on a tour incognito?"
"Well, there's no need to send too many people to follow."
After Xiao Jin asked Zhang Shuming to prepare a few inconspicuous robes for Su Ying and the others to change into, Su Ying took out tools and made some subtle changes to their appearance.
She just fixed her eyes and nose, and when she looked in the mirror again, Xiao Jin found that she looked almost completely different from before.
"Mother, why isn't the person in the mirror Ling'er?"
Su Ying looked at Erbao's little face. She just pulled the corners of her eyes down and lengthened the distance between her eyes. Her eyes seemed to have instantly lost their previous charm.
"Well, we put on some disguises so no one can recognize us."
The most striking thing about Su Ying is her phoenix eyes with upturned corners. As long as her eyes are covered well, there will be no big problem.
"Okay, let's go."
Xiao Jin and the two Bao turned around to look at Su Ying. If her voice had not changed, they would not have recognized her.
Zhang Shuming prepared a carriage for them to leave through the back door of the palace.
Several imperial guards with great martial arts skills disguised themselves as followers and followed.
Today, the family of four left the palace without a clear destination, and just wandered around the city.
However, they did not choose the most prosperous neighborhood they had already walked through, but the main street near the residential area.
Compared with the busy streets in the city center, the blocks in the residential areas are much smaller, and there are many streets where it is difficult for a carriage to pass through.
"Get off the car, let's take a walk."
Xiao Jin signaled the imperial guards to stop the carriage on the side of the street.
"You all wait here, there's no need to follow." If too many people follow in a residential area, it will attract a lot of attention, so how can they play?
"Master, should we let the younger ones follow you?" The imperial guards were worried.
Su Ying felt that two people were needed to carry the things, so she asked two people to follow.
"Let's go and see what's delicious and fun ahead."
Xiao Jin held the two children's hands, and Su Ying walked beside them.
I don’t know if it’s a solar term today. Although it’s still early, there are already quite a few people on the streets.
There seemed to be more street vendors than ever before.
"Hand-made cakes, freshly baked hand-made cakes, all the gentlemen and ladies passing by, come and have a taste."
In order to eat and drink before going out of the palace, Su Ying ate less in the morning. When she heard the shouting, she was attracted over.
On the street, two strong men were pounding the glutinous rice in a stone plate with a pestle in their hands, and a delicate little girl was flipping the rice cake that was gradually taking shape inside.
Su Ying's saliva started to flow like crazy as she looked at the white rice cake.
"How long will this take?"
The little girl smiled and raised her head and said, "Please wait a moment, beautiful sister. It will be ready in less than half a quarter of an hour."
"Okay, I'll wait."
In less than half a minute, a large piece of rice cake was ready with the little girl's skillful hands.
"How much do you want, sister? Here's ten cents a portion."
"Then give me a taste."
"Okay."
The little girl scooped out a piece of rice cake with a wooden shovel and put it into the soybean powder. The beaten glutinous rice became less sticky under the wrapping of soybean powder. While rolling, the little girl cut it into small pieces the size of a thumb and then put it into oil paper.
"Sister, take it."
Su Ying took the rice cake and smelled it. She could still smell the pure fragrance of glutinous rice. She picked up a piece with a bamboo stick and put it into her mouth. The aroma of soybeans mixed with the sweetness of sugar was very delicious.
"Mother, Ling'er wants to try it too."
Su Ying smiled and turned around to feed each of them.
"It's sticky and stuck to my teeth." Erbao said he didn't like it very much.
Dabao swallowed it silently, feeling a little choked in his throat.
"You better be careful when eating this kid. For your safety, I'll help you eat it."
Su Ying looked at the little girl selling rice cakes. She was about twelve or thirteen years old. The coarse cloth clothes she was wearing had been washed to a white color, but it was very clean. Even the patches on it looked neatly arranged. It was obvious that she was from a family of capable people.
"Little sister has been selling rice cakes on the street with her parents?"
The little girl was a talkative person. When she heard Su Ying's question, she answered cheerfully, "Yes, sister, but I won't sell it tomorrow."
"Oh? Why?"
(End of this chapter)
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