The laundry platform, where the palace maids did their laundry, was now surrounded by several soldiers who guarded the main gate, the side gates, and even the dog hole.
Sun Yun was sitting in a chair, holding a copy of "Admonitions for Women," and talking eloquently. Across from her were Zhao Wanshi and two others struggling to wash their clothes.
There are no gentle laundry detergents in Dayong; everyone uses soapberries. Zhao Wanshi and the other two have delicate skin, and their hands turned red as soon as they washed them.
It was late autumn, and the water was very cold. Their hands would get very cold after being in the water for a long time, and they would often breathe on their hands to warm them up.
"My three elder sisters are truly ladies of noble birth. You must have already memorized the first chapter of the *Admonitions for Women*, and you must have put it into practice. 'Lying under the bed signifies humility and weakness, and that a woman should treat others with humility. Playing with bricks and tiles signifies that a woman should personally engage in labor, without complaint.' This means that sleeping under the bed signifies that a woman should be humble and weak, always treating others with humility; playing with bricks and tiles signifies that a woman should personally engage in labor, without complaint. My three elder sisters are models of ladylike virtue, and I greatly admire them. Alas, compared to your virtue, I am far inferior, and I truly feel ashamed before our ancestors. However, I am not wise enough to learn this tireless work and humble gentleness; I can only do my utmost to help spread your good name throughout the world."
"Admonitions for Women" is an enlightenment book for women today. Most young ladies read "Rules for Women", "Instructions for Women", "Admonitions for Women", "Analects for Women", etc. Many prominent families even use the standards in these four books to measure the young ladies of their families.
Zhao Wanshi and the other two were so angry at Sun Yun's words that they almost vomited blood. Books are for reading. If you really want to use this to judge the ladies of noble families, then what's the point of having servants?
They are daughters of the Guanzhou royal family, how can they do such rough work? But they don't do it.
Excuse me, but Sun Yun was still reading from the book in a very serious tone: "Endure humiliation and bear disgrace; do not argue."
They couldn't argue even if they were wronged; they were just doing their work according to the book's instructions. How could they argue?
If she argues, how can she still be considered a lady of high society? Wouldn't she be no different from a rough countrywoman?
Sun Yun looked at the three of them, and couldn't help but smile. At this moment, she really wanted to burst out laughing; they were all so stupid.
She had won him over with just one book, "Admonitions for Women." She was eager to share her insights with Zhao Shu, thinking that she would read the Four Books for Women in more depth when she got back. With the Four Books in hand, she would be invincible.
He handed the book to Banshu and said, "Remember, you must carefully remember the virtues and kindness of your sisters." After saying that, he finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Ban Shu was somewhat embarrassed, her face contorted with embarrassment. She wanted to say, "Miss, the master didn't ask you to read 'Admonitions for Women' so you could act recklessly. You are the legitimate daughter of the Sun family, you must be careful with your words and actions, Miss..." However, she couldn't say these words in front of outsiders, and could only watch helplessly as Sun Yun strode away.
When Sun Yun returned to Jinlan Palace, he saw Zhao Shu crying uncontrollably, her hand soaked with tears.
The contents of the letter were not confidential, so Zhao Shuming knew that Sun Yun had come in, so she did not take the letter away, and looked at Sun Yun with teary eyes.
Sun Yun peeked out and saw that although the characters could not be described as majestic and awe-inspiring, or as magnificent and elegant, they were still written in a smooth and flowing style.
The brushstrokes are a bit weak, a problem that often occurs when one doesn't practice calligraphy for a long time.
"The wind and sand in Xiliang are strong, but the rice cakes are delicious. The chef who makes the rice cakes is already on his way to Guanzhou. There are many mountain roads in Xijiang, but the braised pork is very good, and the pickled cabbage is just right. The chef there is also on his way to Guanzhou. Next, I plan to go to the Yunnan-Guizhou area. I heard that the dresses and headdresses there are very beautiful. The embroiderer will definitely find one for Ajun. Oh, and there's also a pair of parrots on their way to Guanzhou. I heard that my precious daughter has a little sister. I'll give that yellow-tailed parrot to your little sister. Mr. Huo said you have a bad temper. I don't really have much to say. Just be nicer to your own people..."
Sun Yun patted Zhao Shu's shoulder and burst into tears. She was young and it was her first time going out, especially a long trip. How could she not miss home? She cried even harder than Zhao Shu, who was only shedding tears silently. Sun Yun, on the other hand, wailed loudly.
Fortunately, no one was around, otherwise they would have thought some kind of human tragedy had occurred.
After crying for a while, Zhao Shu patted her back and said, "If you miss home, write a letter home. Isn't Mr. Huo going back to the capital tomorrow? Let him take it back with him."
Sun Yun nodded, sniffed, and said, "Okay."
After coaxing Sun Yun into writing a letter home, Zhao Shu opened the second letter. Signed Jiang Zuo, it briefly described the situation during her trip out of the capital. Though only a few lines long, they plunged Zhao Shu into despair. The Crown Prince had indeed been captured by Prince Jing and was being tortured in a dungeon. If the Crown Prince hadn't found the gold mine and used its location as leverage, he would likely be dead by now. Through his discreet investigation, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to him, he found the Crown Prince's location and spread the news. Shortly after, Prince Yong left the capital.
He knew this was a good opportunity. Sure enough, when Prince Yong came to Xiliang, he took advantage of the time when Prince Jing was dealing with Prince Yong and did not personally interrogate the Crown Prince, and replaced the Crown Prince with someone else. Prince Jing was a very cautious man. The gold mine was a big deal, and he dared not entrust it to others. He interrogated the Crown Prince himself. The person guarding the Crown Prince did not have the right to interrogate him, otherwise the replacement of the Crown Prince would not have been successful.
However, King Jing was too cautious and was eventually discovered. He was captured by King Jing, who crippled his right hand used for weapons. Moreover, news of his capture had already leaked out, and King Jing did not dare to kill him.
That's how he survived.
After rescuing the Empress Dowager, Prince Yong had someone escort him back to the capital. He did not know where the Crown Prince was at this time, but he believed that the Crown Prince was a lucky person and told Zhao Shu not to worry.
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