Chapter 346 It’s a New Year Again
When Shen Qingyuan heard that Chunxi wanted to set up a place specifically for women to redress grievances, he did not think that her idea was whimsical or ridiculous. After a moment of surprise, he seriously helped her think about this matter.
"Madam, your intentions are good, but it's said that even a judge can hardly judge family affairs, and matters in the harem are even more difficult to distinguish right from wrong. Some women, even if they have truly suffered injustice, cannot make up their minds to break away from their husband's family. They might even succumb to the pressure and bite you back. Moreover, once this place is established, you will inevitably face a lot of worldly criticism. Have you thought it through?"
Shen Qingyuan has been solving cases in Jingzhao Prefecture for many years. He has met all kinds of people and suffered many misunderstandings and backlashes. He does not want to stop Chunxi from doing this, but he feels that this path is too difficult and does not want Chunxi to bear so much pressure.
Chunxi's eyes curved. "My husband is right. So I can discuss with He'er and the princess about setting up more thresholds to help women who are determined to save themselves but unable to escape their current situation. I know our time and energy are limited, but if all women in the world knew there was a place like this where they could seek redress, then maybe they would have another thought about living when they are in desperate situations, right?"
Like Feng Yinyin, if Su Yang had not provoked Chunxi, and Chunxi had not happened to ask Uncle Hu to go to Yuzhou to investigate, she might have committed suicide after Feng's mother died, and would never have seen Su Yang being brought to justice.
For example, if Chunxi had not appeared and forced her to break up with the Qian family, the eldest sister-in-law Qian might have been married to Li the butcher, and then come to her senses after being beaten by Li the butcher, and ended her life full of regret.
Chunxi was actually depressed when she first met Shen Qingyuan.
She had clearly left the Wei family and had done nothing wrong, but she was still teased and troubled.
If she hadn't met Shen Qingyuan, who would rather sacrifice his own future than dig up corpses in the middle of the night, she didn't know what path she would have taken.
Now that all the suffering is over, she also wants to bring some warmth and light to others.
Chunxi's eyes were bright. She didn't say anything grandiose, but Shen Qingyuan felt the energy and warmth contained in her body.
After a moment of silence, Shen Qingyuan spoke solemnly: "Madam is right. Marrying you is the greatest blessing in my life."
Just like last year, Chunxi gave all the servants in the mansion a holiday in advance.
Only Madam Li, Madam Zhang, the wet nurse, Uncle Tiger, Uncle Leopard, A Li, and the guards in the mansion were on duty, so everyone had the New Year's Eve dinner together.
Last year we had mutton hotpot, this year Chunxi prepared a roast suckling pig, and cooked many delicious dishes with Shen Qingyuan.
Feng Yinyin was too weak, and Chunxi was afraid that something might happen to her on the way, so she asked Uncle Hu to send her back to Yuzhou after the New Year, so she stayed to have the New Year's Eve dinner together.
Seeing Shen Qingyuan wearing an apron and busy in the small kitchen with Chunxi with his sleeves rolled up, Feng Yinyin couldn't help but tear up after being surprised.
Her mother also liked to cook various medicinal dishes at home. Her eldest brother had already been engaged, and her eldest sister-in-law, who had not yet married, was a cheerful and gentle person. After the Feng family got into trouble, her eldest sister-in-law visited her in prison several times. Later, when she and her mother served in the quarry, her eldest sister-in-law sent people to deliver food and clothes several times.
It’s a pity that the eldest brother is no longer with us. Even though the eldest sister-in-law has feelings for him, she has to choose another marriage under the pressure of her family.
I don’t know how my sister-in-law is doing now.
Feng Yinyin was lost in thought when Chunxi suddenly came over and grabbed her: "Don't just stand there, let's make dumplings together. We can eat as soon as the dumplings are in the pot."
The dumpling wrappers have been rolled out, and Chunxi called Uncle Hu, Uncle Bao and A Li to make dumplings.
They are usually very good at wielding swords and guns, but they have no idea how to deal with this small piece of dough. Either the stuffing leaks out, or the dough looks ugly.
Feng Yinyin was amused by the strange-shaped dumplings. She suddenly felt unhappy and washed her hands before joining in.
The New Year's Eve dinner was very lively. After the meal, Chunxi gave red envelopes to everyone, and took An'an and Ning'er to set off fireworks. After the two children were tired from playing, she washed up and sat on the bed with Shen Qingyuan to stay up all night.
As soon as she sat down, Chunxi took out a purse and handed it to Shen Qingyuan: "Here, this is for my husband."
The purse is navy blue and embroidered with a mandarin duck. The stitches are fine and it exudes a faint medicinal fragrance.
After Shen Qingyuan took it, Chunxi took out an apricot-colored purse also embroidered with mandarin ducks: "This is mine. Ours are a perfect match. I hope my husband and I can have this day every year."
Chunxi's eyes were bright and her face was full of happiness and tranquility.
Shen Qingyuan felt a slight heat in his chest as he watched.
Although this was the second year he and Chunxi had spent together, preparing the New Year's Eve dinner together, staying up together, and receiving New Year's gifts all made him feel novel and fortunate.
He was very glad that on the night he first met Chunxi, he did not leave Chunxi alone to create unnecessary trouble, nor did he scare Chunxi and leave a bad first impression on her because of the need to keep it secret.
The most fortunate thing is that after several contacts, he decided to marry her.
Shen Qingyuan immediately tied the purse around his waist, and then found a gold bracelet and put it on Chunxi's hand.
The bracelet is made of solid gold, without any fancy patterns, just a simple circle, but it is exactly what Chunxi likes.
Chunxi's eyes lit up: "When did you buy it, my husband? This bracelet feels quite heavy. Has your salary been used up? Does he have any money left in his private treasury?"
Chunxi asked questions one after another, but her eyes curved into crescents. Shen Qingyuan liked her money-loving look very much and leaned over to kiss her.
Chunxi fell silent immediately, and Shen Qingyuan kissed her again: "My husband's money belongs to you. I don't have any private treasury. If you need me, I can give you my life."
“…”
My husband, you have changed. Did you secretly learn the tricks of Wuyou Pavilion from A Li?
How can anyone withstand this?
Chunxi couldn't help but pounce on her and take charge. The consequence was that she couldn't get up early to have breakfast with An'an and Ning'er the next day. While she was dressing up, Nanny Li and Nanny Zhang both teased her that there would be another little master in the mansion.
Shen Qingyuan became a favorite in front of the emperor, and Chunxi also received an imperial decree. Many people came to visit the mansion after the New Year, and Chunxi was busy until the sixth day of the New Year before she took An An and Ning'er to the Xiao family to see Old Madam Xiao.
On the tenth day, Chunxi and Xiao Qinghe went to the princess's residence together to discuss with Princess Hengyang how to redress the woman's grievances.
Princess Hengyang was still not satisfied after helping Feng Yinyin punish Su Yang last time. After hearing Chunxi's words, she immediately agreed. She really liked to expose the ugly faces of those heartless people.
Xiao Qinghe's eyes also lit up, but she had many more concerns than Princess Hengyang: "If this can be accomplished, it will definitely be a good thing, but there will also be many difficulties and criticisms. There may even be many people with ulterior motives who deliberately design obstructions. We must think carefully about how to avoid these hidden dangers so that we can help those who need it most."
Chunxi gave Xiao Qinghe a thumbs-up, then looked at Princess Hengyang: "Princess, could you please ask the Prince Consort and his friends to help us with some advice?"
"Isn't your old Shen very powerful? Why do you still need to find a prince consort?"
"My master is already very busy at the Censorate every day, and he needs to rest. What's more, we are going to do this for a long time, and my master is too busy to handle it. It would be better to ask the prince consort for help."
That's true. Princess Hengyang nodded and said, "Alright, let the Prince Consort come with us."
With the participation of the prince consort's think tank, the matter progressed quickly.
That day, Chunxi had just returned from the princess's residence when Feng Yinyin suddenly knelt before her and said, "Madam Shen, please save my sister-in-law!"
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