Changning actually really hoped that all the maids around her could find a good home.
Like Fubuki, she was capable, thoughtful, and beautiful—she had everything. If she were in modern times, she would be a powerful female CEO. She simply couldn't bear to let her waste her life serving others.
Women already face hardship in this world, so she couldn't bear to be the one who exploits others.
She has the authority and the opportunity, so naturally she hopes to help them achieve their goals.
But Chuixue spoke with heartfelt sincerity: "Master, please don't underestimate me. I also have great ambitions. If I were to marry, I would only marry a servant or a scholar, or perhaps a soldier. Even if I became an official's wife, I would still be at the mercy of others for the rest of my life. I consider myself capable and would rather stay by your side, Master, and use my abilities. Once I'm married, I'll never have this kind of freedom again."
These words were spoken sincerely, which touched Changning's heart even more.
“Chuixue, Zhuiyu, I never intended to deprive you of your freedom for a lifetime, nor did I intend for you to sacrifice yourselves to serve me and the children for the rest of your lives. Now that the Prince has become a prince, I should soon be able to become a princess consort as well. Only when I find suitable young men for you can I feel a little more at ease than before.” Changning sighed.
She also thought that after Yinzhen ascended the throne and she became empress, she would find a good home for these loyal maids.
But they are already twenty-five or twenty-six years old. If they delay for a few more years, they will get older and older, which is not a good thing in ancient times. By then, they will not be of suitable age to get married.
So arranging things for them now is actually the most appropriate thing to do.
To everyone's surprise, Chuixue's attitude was unusually firm: "Master, I know you are thinking of us, but I know that after we get married, I will be serving a whole family, including my husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, children, and maybe even my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. They may not necessarily appreciate my efforts. Why should I be blinded by greed and do this losing business? It would be better for me to continue serving you and the young masters."
Changning couldn't help but look at her with new respect. This girl was very clear-headed, pure and focused on her career. She knew exactly what she wanted and wouldn't waste time on things that weren't worth it.
Compared to her, Zhuiyu always seemed more childlike, loved playing with the children, and they would always chase after her calling her "sister".
Changning couldn't bear to see her suffer her whole life, and she also felt that what she said made sense. It was just a pity that it was difficult for women in this world. Otherwise, with her abilities, it wouldn't be impossible for her to become a female official.
Female officer?
Changning was touched. In fact, during the Han and Tang dynasties, the system of female officials was quite popular, with six departments and twenty-four offices, which was already considered relatively complete. It's just that in the Qing Dynasty, all palace maids are currently managed by the Imperial Household Department, so the system of female officials is temporarily vacant.
Changning felt that this part could be arranged later.
The more I think about it, the better I feel this system is. In the future, Fubuki will have a real opportunity to use her talents, and we can also select truly capable people from among the palace maids.
In this way, the status of women in the Qing Dynasty could also be improved.
She has always believed that the status of women often reflects the progress of society.
Currently, because Emperor Kangxi promoted Han learning, although the bad habits of foot binding among Han people did not exist, some people still felt that the beauty of Han women was their gentleness and virtue, and that keeping their feet off the ground, keeping them confined to their homes, and never leaving the house were the true standards for pampering daughters.
Changning scoffed at this.
Furthermore, the Qing Dynasty Code also contained some provisions regarding women. Except for those convicted of adultery or capital crimes, female criminals were required to be taken in by their husbands or family members and neighbors and were not imprisoned.
This reflects that the Qing Dynasty did not actually recognize women as independent individuals, but rather regarded them as the private property of their husbands or male elders, let alone human rights.
The Qing Dynasty at that time needed to develop its economy and trade, but it also needed corresponding systems and social awareness to keep up.
Although one cannot become fat overnight, Changning believed that as long as it was for the betterment of the Qing Dynasty, Yinzhen would agree to even the smallest things.
Having made up her mind, Changning stopped urging Chuixue and Zhuiyu. She simply smiled and said, "If you don't want to get married, then don't. I'll definitely arrange a place for you two in the future. However, we should also ask the other eligible maids about their wishes. You two will be in charge of that. If any of them want to get married, have Granny Zhang write them down and find a good family for them to marry into. See if they get along. If they do, I'll provide them with a dowry."
This is good. Although Chuixue herself doesn't want to get married, not everyone thinks the same way. As far as she knows, Pinhua has a childhood sweetheart, and Yuzhu is also flirting with a servant in the front yard.
It's good that the master did this; otherwise, the maids would have been dragging their feet, and as they got older, their hearts would have become restless.
After handing over this matter, Changning immediately felt much relieved, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
And so, she fell fast asleep again.
Granny Zhang tucked her in, feeling puzzled. Her mistress was sleeping a lot this time; it had been almost four months already. She needed to have Bai Zhu take a good look at her pulse.
As for Bai Zhu, Granny Zhang had already inquired about her. She had no intention of getting married and spent her days with herbs. In her spare time, she would accompany her master, the Bai family physician, to grind herbs and study the pharmacopoeia every day. In her words, "I have enough to study herbs for a lifetime. I don't have time to study men."
Thinking of this, Granny Zhang couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle. She had to hurry up and arrange for the Eight Treasures Jade Liquid Soup that her master would need when he woke up.
When Changning woke up again that night, she was still groggy. She took out her pocket watch and saw that it was almost eight o'clock.
I slept for a really long time.
She slowly stretched, but ever since she got pregnant she couldn't stretch properly anymore, otherwise she was always afraid of hurting the baby.
Just then, Granny Zhang brought over a bowl of soup. The aroma was rich and enticing. With a flick of her spoon, a variety of delicious ingredients were revealed: bird's nest, abalone, shiitake mushrooms, and more. The smell alone was enough to make one hungry.
Changning took it and drank it sip by sip, feeling his internal organs gradually soothed.
Yinzhen hasn't come back yet; he's probably discussing things with his elder brother.
I heard this morning that my older brother came very early. The two of them have been staying in the study almost the whole time. I guess they must have figured out how to make smallpox vaccine. They'll be busy with that for a while.
"Is there any movement from the study? Has the meal been ordered?"
As soon as she asked the question, she regretted it. News from the front yard was strictly controlled and could not be easily spread. If someone found out, Su Peisheng would no longer be able to serve her.
To everyone's surprise, Chuixue laughed and said, "Yes, we have. The prince sent someone to tell us that we still need the spicy grilled fish that you asked for last time, and the prince also asked for iced wine."
hiss!
What a glutton!
That looks delicious!
She really wants to eat it!
Just then, Tuantuan strolled over, saw her eating something delicious, and meowed at her.
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