0090 Guanyin Swallow (Part 3)
After exchanging pleasantries with the Empress, Qin Yuting steered the conversation back to the main topic of the day.
"His Highness entrusted me with some insights into the new policies years ago, but I am just a rough man who has never read any books. I only know that my life has become better because I joined the army. So I only abolished the old custom of only recruiting men into the army in Liangzhou. I know nothing else. On the contrary, Yuan Niang..."
Speaking of her only daughter, Qin Mi, Qin Yuting's voice softened: "Yuan Niang had some education when she was young and knew a few characters. When she was fourteen, she begged me to allow her to travel alone. She spent a year and a half secretly visiting various important towns outside Liangzhou. When she returned, she told me that Liangzhou was the exception. In other places, not only were women allowed to join the army, but even now, the system of military prostitutes has not been abolished..."
Qin Yuting continued, "She felt that if we were to implement new policies, how could we focus solely on noblewomen while ignoring women in dire straits at the bottom of society? So, several months ago, the memorial I submitted to Your Highness was written by Yuan Niang, who wrote down all these matters in it."
“This matter is probably difficult to handle.” Qin Yuting had barely finished speaking when another woman in brocade robes interjected before the Empress could reply.
Everyone turned to look at her. Shu Fu also glanced over and saw that the other woman was wearing a dark brown brocade robe with large gold-embroidered floral patterns on the hem. Her posture was even more relaxed than Qin Yuting's. She must be the Duchess of Su.
Before joining His Majesty's forces, Duke Su was a notorious bandit in Shandong. His wife was not from a noble family; before she rose to prominence, she worked as an accountant in a tavern. Therefore, even now, she still retains a chivalrous spirit from the streets.
She said, “When I was doing accounting for someone back in my hometown in Shandong, I lived in the same alley as a prostitute, so we had some acquaintance. After the late emperor ascended the throne, he first appointed our boss as the governor of Jizhou. He wanted to show off his official position, so he took me back to my hometown.”
"It was then that I learned of the hardships she had endured. When she was young, she had a few patrons who frequented her, which made things a little better. But by the time I returned, she had long lost her youthful beauty and was still living off the brothel madam. The madam resented that she only gave and never received anything, so she would often criticize and beat her, hoping that she would break free on her own as soon as possible."
"In a fit of anger, I told the local magistrate about it. The magistrate gave me face and ordered his soldiers to arrest all the prostitutes."
"At first, I thought I had done a good deed, but as my return to the capital approached, that prostitute brought a group of homeless young prostitutes to my door again. She said that they had all been sold since childhood and pampered by the madam until they reached this age, but they were no longer hardworking and knew nothing about farming. Their reputation was not good either, and even if they stopped selling their smiles, they could not find a way to make a living."
"I had no choice but to buy them an estate and allocate funds from the government every ten days to support them..."
After speaking such a grand speech, Lady Su was parched and could hardly stand it. She quickly gulped down a large mouthful of water before continuing, "Miss Qin is naturally compassionate, which is certainly a good thing. But if, as she says, this business is abolished, what will happen to these women who suddenly appear out of nowhere? We can't all be supported by money like I do, can we?"
The Empress remained noncommittal, then asked, "Aside from this, do you have anything else to say?"
"...Your Highness asked this, and I do indeed have something to say," the Duchess of Su paused, "but it's not about me, but about my younger sister."
"Actually, he's my brother-in-law. He's become quite successful in the last two years and has started to follow the example of those wealthy people who used to keep actors and prostitutes. Just the other day, he even made a fuss about bringing him home and giving him a proper status."
"My sister is even more fiery than me, and she's not going to listen to him. These days, the house is being smashed and broken, and there's been a lot of noise."
"In the midst of the chaos, I overheard her say, 'The fine clothes you wear, the brocade shoes you shod, all of them earned with my own money. Why is it that when it's time for me to enjoy life, I have to be a stifled old man, watching you take concubines and having to dutifully serve your whole family!'"
Lady Su sighed slowly: "I'm uneducated, but I think she makes sense. Back when we were fighting for the country, which of us women was inferior? My sister didn't know any martial arts, but she dared to fight to the death with two kitchen knives. We finally got to enjoy this peaceful year, but they've taken all the benefits..."
"In the end, most men in the world are vulgar, and men like Your Majesty are the exception. In my opinion, it would be better to restrict them with laws, allowing each man to have only one wife, which might be effective."
This time, the person who spoke was a woman with a long face. Shu Fu was a little far away from her and couldn't see her clearly, so she didn't guess who she was.
The woman's words sparked another discussion in the hall. Sun Yaoji did not stop it. Instead, she took a sip of tea and looked down, where she accidentally bumped into Shu Fu.
Shu Fu felt a sudden jolt in her heart, as if the other person was looking at her.
On second thought, she realized that she was probably the most ordinary lady in the room, so how could Her Majesty the Empress possibly have the energy to take care of her?
Just as she was about to turn her eyes away, the Empress's soft, clear voice suddenly came from the head of the table: "Who is the young lady in scarlet robes sitting under the screen? Come up here and let me see her."
Shu Fu was startled and subconsciously turned around to look. Sure enough, she saw a large sandalwood screen behind her, on which a giant white bird was imprisoned. Looking down, she caught a glimpse of the flame-colored dress she was wearing.
Her heart tightened, but she forced herself to remain calm as she stood up and walked toward the Empress's throne.
"Long live the Empress!"
Sun Yaoji watched as the young girl knelt before him, her demeanor graceful and poised, as if a wisp of cloud in the azure sky had been blown by the wind.
"What a beautiful young lady," she said, her eyes brightening slightly. She rose and took Shufu's hand, smiling gently at her. "What's your name? Who is your mother?"
Shu Fu suddenly realized that she had been so nervous that she had forgotten to introduce herself. Her cheeks slowly flushed red: "I am the second child in my family. My father is Shu Rongguang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. My mother is from the Luo family of Suzhou. Her given name is Suning."
A maid dressed in silk brought her a brocade stool and placed it next to the Empress's seat.
Shu Fu hesitated at first and did not dare to sit down.
But the Queen still held her hand with her warm, soft hands, and even personally led her to the stool.
Seeing this, no one in the hall voiced any doubts, and Shufu gradually relaxed and carefully sat down on it.
"Since you are the second child, I will call you Second Mother."
Sun Yaoji sat down again and looked directly at Shu Fu: "So, after hearing what they said, Second Mother, do you have your own thoughts?"
Shu Fu paused, not in a hurry to answer, but instead looked at Li Miao.
Li Miao sat by the east window, raising his eyebrows at her from afar, signaling her to speak according to her own wishes.
Shu Fu took a deep breath, looked at Empress Sun again, her gaze firm and her tone resolute: "What you ladies have said is very good, but not entirely so."
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