311. When one is successful, one should benefit all under heaven.
The little dumpling nodded and followed Qu Zijin into the house.
After sitting down, before even speaking, he sighed, looking like a little adult.
Qu Zijin handed her a piece of pastry: "Take your time, no rush. Have a piece of pastry to tide you over. Eating something sweet will make you feel better."
The little dumpling took the pastry, took a small bite, and then slowly began to tell the whole story of what happened at Lin Fuman's house during the day.
After speaking, she looked up at Qu Zijin with a glimmer of hope: "Grand Tutor, is there even a slight possibility that these ideas you've mentioned could be realized?"
Qu Zijin listened but did not answer immediately. Instead, he frowned and fell into deep thought.
The room was quiet for a while, with only the occasional chirping of insects coming from outside the window.
The little dumpling didn't urge him; it sat there obediently, waiting for him to speak.
After a long while, Qu Zijin slowly spoke: "Teacher, your idea is not without feasibility."
"Really?" The little dumpling immediately sat up straight, her eyes shining even brighter. "That means Sister Fufu's wish can come true?"
"It's not certain that it will succeed, but at least there's hope," Qu Zijin nodded.
He pondered for a moment and said, "In the years since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has actually been doing things in secret to improve the status of women."
"For example, many years ago, an order was issued to force all children, including women, to go to school."
"Reading can broaden one's horizons and help one understand things. If a girl reads books, she won't just focus on the trivial matters in the backyard."
"Lin Fuman's desire for equal inheritance rights and for women to hold official positions actually aligns with His Majesty's wishes."
Wei Xiuming was not a person who favored sons over daughters. Even though he was an emperor, he did not have any desire to have more sons.
His love for the little princess and the little prince was the same; he showed no favoritism because of their genders.
Although he still implicitly acknowledges that the youngest prince is the first in line to the throne.
However, Qu Zijin and the others also understood that Wei Xiuming had quietly placed the little princess in the position of second in line of succession.
If something were to happen to the young prince, he would not, like other emperors, prefer to choose a boy from the imperial clan, or even a boy from elsewhere with no blood relation, rather than let his own daughter succeed him.
He would definitely choose to support the little princess, not a strange boy.
Wei Xiuming is very open-minded, so Qu Zijin felt that he might agree.
To put it bluntly, if something were to happen to the young prince, Wei Xiuming himself would push for equal rights and pave the way for the young princess to ascend the throne.
Qu Zijin then affirmed again: "I think His Majesty will agree."
The little dumpling's gloom dissipated considerably, and she quickly asked, "Then what should we do, duck?"
When asked about specific methods, Qu Zijin also had a headache and shook his head: "This is very troublesome."
"For so many years, everyone has been used to men being in charge and women only being able to stay at home. Now that we want to change this, those men who have vested interests will definitely not be willing, and there will be a lot of obstacles."
"For example, those families with land and property, their brothers or even male relatives certainly wouldn't want to divide their property among their sisters."
"Those officials don't want women to take away their positions."
"There will be a lot of people opposing it at that time."
"I don't have a good idea right now. I don't know where to start so that I can move things forward slowly without causing any major trouble."
The little dumpling's hopes, which had just risen, sank again. Her face scrunched up, and she whispered, "What should we do? Is it still not going to work?"
The more she thought about it, the sadder she became.
Sister Fufu has already compromised, so does she have to compromise too?
But she felt that this was clearly a good thing.
Sister Fufu told her not to worry about these things, because no one would dare to make things difficult for her.
Everyone likes her and protects her; she won't encounter those terrible things.
What about the other girls?
What about those girls who have no one to care for them?
The little dumpling wanted to help them.
The Grand Tutor taught her something like, "When you are successful, you should help the world; when you are unsuccessful, you should cultivate your own virtue."
The little girl felt that now was the time for her to help others.
"Grand Tutor, can you help Yue'er think of a way? Yue'er wants to help others." The little dumpling put her hands together.
"Sigh, I can't think of a solution right now. I need to find someone to discuss this with..." Qu Zijin sighed.
He thought for a moment, then suddenly realized something and his eyes lit up: "Xie Wenling is smart and daring. Although his ideas are often unconventional, they might have a surprising effect!"
"Moreover, he is close to His Majesty and knows what His Majesty is thinking. If we discuss it with him, we might be able to come up with a solution."
The little dumpling initially thought that Brother Xie was recuperating from an illness.
But now it seems I still need to ask Brother Xie for help.
So she immediately nodded: "Yes, Brother Xie is amazing, let's go find Brother Xie now."
Qu Zijin got up and looked out the window. It was already dark, and he could hear the night watchman's voice outside: "It's getting dark. I'll take you home first. After I get you home, I'll go find Xie Wenling alone and have a good talk with him about this."
"Moon wants to go too!" Little Dumpling raised her hand.
“Be good, listen to me,” Qu Zijin shook his head. “It’s dark and the road is hard to walk on. If you come with me, I’ll have to take care of you and won’t be able to properly discuss things with Xie Wenling. Besides, your parents will worry. If we need to, I’ll call you to come with us tomorrow when it’s light, okay?”
The little dumpling was a bit unwilling, and pouted, but looking at Qu Zijin's serious eyes, she remembered her mother's usual instructions...
If she doesn't go back soon, her father, mother, older brothers, and older brothers will all be worried, right?
So she nodded and said, "Alright then, Grand Tutor, you must make things clear with Brother Xie."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure I explain everything clearly," Qu Zijin said, picking up his coat. "Come on, I'll take you home first."
The little dumpling followed Qu Zijin out the door, a glimmer of hope returning to her heart. As they walked, she whispered, "Grand Tutor, do you think Brother Xie might have a way? If he does, Sister Fufu will be very happy, and Yue'er will be very happy too."
“Yes,” Qu Zijin patted her head. “Even if we can’t think of anything right now, we can always find a way if we think about it together. Nothing in life is ever smooth sailing. We can work things out slowly and eventually make something of it.”
The little dumpling nodded, and its steps became lighter.
-
After delivering the little dumpling, Qu Zijin went straight to Xie Wenling's house late at night to visit him.
At that time, Xie Wenling was recuperating at his residence.
He leaned against the couch, wearing only a loose, plain white robe. His face was pale from his injuries, but it did not diminish his good looks in the slightest.
He didn't look like someone who had just emerged from plague and chaos; rather, he resembled a still painting.
Hearing footsteps, Xie Wenling raised his eyes: "Why is Grand Tutor Qu here? Does His Majesty have a new assignment and won't even let me take my leave to recuperate?"
Qu Zijin placed the fruit he bought from a shop that was still open on the way on the table, then sat down at the table and said politely, "His Majesty is not urging you; I am the one who needs to speak with you."
He paused for a moment, then explained what the little dumpling had said, as well as his own considerations.
He added at the end, "Although this idea is difficult, it aligns with His Majesty's previous proposal to establish girls' schools. However, the resistance is too great. I've been pondering it alone and haven't come up with any solutions. I wanted to discuss it with you."
Xie Wenling listened without saying a word.
Qu Zijin, on the other hand, was somewhat unsure.
Could it be that he disagrees?
Xie Wenling spoke after a long pause, his tone not very pleasant: "I barely escaped with my life from the South and was resting at home for a couple of days when you, instead of addressing this huge issue of equality, directly confronted me. Are you afraid I'll live too long?"
Qu Zijin's heart sank.
Xie Wenling refused; he seemed to disagree with the idea.
Qu Zijin could understand that Xie Wenling was a man, and raising the status of women would infringe on his interests. He could understand why Xie Wenling did not agree with the matter.
But Qu Zijin always felt that Xie Wenling shouldn't be that kind of person.
and……
He became somewhat uneasy.
If Xie Wenling chooses to stand on the opposite side, then this matter will almost certainly not succeed.
But Qu Zijin still wanted to give it a try.
He forced a smile, using every tactful word he had ever learned: "You're smart, steady, and more adaptable than us."
"As you know, the world is too harsh on girls. Some people want to change things, but no one dares to take the first step."
“If the princess and Lin Fuman dare to speak up, we adults can’t just watch these little girls go out and make our own way, can we?”
"We don't want to see it end up badly either..."
He brought out the little dumpling, trying to persuade Xie Wenling.
Xie Wenling did not refute again, but simply lowered his eyes again.
After a moment of silence, Qu Zijin became increasingly uncertain.
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