"Mother-in-law, are you still busy?"
Around 3 p.m., Hua Qingcheng, led by Butler Xu, came to the study in Qingxin Courtyard.
After Butler Xu brought the person in, he bowed and retreated, while Shan Zuo waited outside the study door.
"Yes. Qingcheng, sit down."
After taking a seat across from Situ Luoyun, Hua Qingcheng saw that she was still reviewing official documents, so she simply sat there quietly waiting, neither asking questions nor glancing around. After all, Situ Luoyun was the Prime Minister of Laifeng State, and the correspondence involved matters of state, so it was best for her to avoid suspicion.
Situ Luoyun, who was reviewing an official document, finished writing the last few words before putting down his pen. He looked across at Hua Qingcheng, a flicker of admiration in his eyes for her graceful actions.
"Qingcheng, what books have you read before?"
After Situ Luoyun finished reviewing the official documents, he casually took a book from the bookshelf behind him, spread it out, and began to read it leisurely.
"Mostly children's books, and I've also read some books on scientific research. I've also had a brief glimpse into local chronicles and comprehensive local yearbooks, and I've also read some books about local customs and folkways."
"My mother said that although I didn't pursue the imperial examinations, 'a woman who wishes to fulfill her lifelong ambition should diligently study the Five Classics by the window.' She believed that reading can make one wise. Traveling thousands of miles certainly broadens one's horizons, but reading thousands of books is equally important. So she often urged me to study hard and practice calligraphy."
Hua Qingcheng answered Situ Luoyun's questions truthfully.
At this moment, Hua Qingcheng suddenly admired her mother's foresight. If she hadn't given her books several times and urged Mu Lige to encourage her to study and practice calligraphy, she probably wouldn't be able to answer Situ Luoyun's question just now.
"Well, not bad, not bad. Your mother-in-law has really educated you very well." Situ Luoyun sincerely praised his mother-in-law whom he had never met.
"I asked Old Xu to summon you here simply to chat with you. After all, this is our first meeting today, and I want to get to know my son-in-law better."
Situ Luoyun looked at Hua Qingcheng with a kind and friendly face, but Hua Qingcheng felt that her smile was very meaningful.
"Someone, bring tea."
Situ Luoyun shouted outside the door, and a moment later a servant came in with brewed tea, placed it on the desk in front of the two men, and then bowed and retreated.
"Qingcheng, yesterday in the court, the emperor suddenly had an idea and asked all the ministers to discuss what is a 'mature woman'. What do you think about this issue?" Situ Luoyun picked up the tea on the desk, took two sips, and put it back on the desk, asking casually.
"Mother-in-law, Qingcheng is just a commoner and dare not discuss the affairs of the court." Hua Qingcheng picked up the tea on the desk, took a sip, and answered casually.
"Well, I've already said the truth. We were just chatting about family matters. You can say whatever you want."
Situ Luoyun stood up from his seat, put the book he had just read back on the bookshelf behind him, then took out another book. After sitting down again, he began to flip through the pages casually. The whole process was as leisurely as flowing water.
Seeing this, Hua Qingcheng closed her eyes slightly before opening them again. So, her mother-in-law was using the excuse of casual conversation to assess her knowledge and insights? After a moment's reflection, Hua Qingcheng combined Situ Luoyun's position as the head of the civil officials with the specific conditions of the Laifeng Kingdom to come up with her own answer.
"In that case, Qingcheng will boldly offer her humble opinion. Qingcheng believes that a woman should be upright and self-reliant, able to maintain peace and stability through both civil and military means. In high positions, she should worry about her people; in remote places, she should worry about her ruler. She should act with dignity, both before heaven and earth."
"To the outside, wealth and honor cannot corrupt her, poverty and humbleness cannot move her, power and force cannot bend her. This is what is called a 'real woman'. To the inside, a real woman does not blame her mother when she is poor, does not blame her father when she is ugly, does not blame her husband when she is suffering, and does not harm her son when she is angry." Hua Qingcheng said calmly, but her eyes revealed a firmness and heroic spirit.
"What a saying, 'Culture can bring peace to the country, and military power can stabilize the nation. Act with integrity to heaven above and earth below!'"
"What a saying, 'When one is in high office, one worries about the people; when one is far away, one worries about the ruler.'"
"What a saying, 'Wealth and honor cannot corrupt, poverty and humbleness cannot move, and might and force cannot bend'!"
"What a saying, 'Don't blame your mother for poverty, don't blame your father for ugliness, don't blame your husband for hardship, and don't be angry with your son!'"
Situ Luoyun praised her repeatedly upon hearing this, and his eyes were filled with admiration when he looked at Hua Qingcheng.
"Qingcheng, have you ever thought about taking part in the imperial examination?" Situ Luoyun suddenly realized that this woman had such broad-mindedness and vision that it would be a pity if she didn't become an official.
"I don't have such an idea for now. Besides, this year's autumn examination has already passed. Qingcheng is not even a Tongsheng yet. If she wants to take the imperial examination, she has to start from the county examination, then go through the prefectural examination, the academy examination, and the provincial examination. It will take at least three years before she can enter the capital to take the metropolitan examination."
In modern times, Hua Qingcheng has already taken the highly competitive college entrance examination and doesn't want to study for it again. Furthermore, she already has many handsome husbands at home. She just wants to make more money, live a happy and loving life with them, and enjoy a warm and comfortable life with her husband and children.
"If you are afraid that it will take too long, you don't have to worry about it." Situ Luoyun closed the book in his hand and looked at Hua Qingcheng's deep eyes with a glimmer of hope in them.
"As the saying goes, 'When recommending someone from within, don't avoid relatives; when recommending someone from outside, don't avoid enemies.' I'm very optimistic about you and can use my position as Prime Minister to guarantee your admission to the Imperial College. If you continue to study diligently, you can directly participate in the Ministry of Rites' Spring Examination next year. Of course, I only have the power to recommend you. Whether you can make it to the next level depends on your own qualifications and hard work."
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