Chapter 48 Dogs and dragons clash, Pei Qing, don't take advantage of my usual...
After Lin Mu finished reporting, he did not hear any response from inside the car.
He listened intently, and the carriage remained silent for a long time before the Empress Dowager's voice, though she tried to remain calm, could not hide her anger, came through: "Since...since it's not poisonous, why is the blood seeping from my wound dark red?"
"this...."
Lin Mu didn't understand why the usually good-tempered Empress Dowager had suddenly become angry. He scratched the back of his head and said, "This humble official will bring Imperial Physician Huang over immediately to explain things to Your Highness."
The carriage was quiet. As the tense atmosphere dissipated, an ambiguous feeling gradually arose in the narrow space.
Chu Yueyuan's fair cheeks flushed pink. She loosened her grip on the man's clothes, hurriedly squatted down, picked up the black gold embroidered robe from the sandalwood table, and saw that the robe had been torn to shreds.
She froze, staring in disbelief at the torn clothes in her hands, her mind blank.
Pei Muwei's eyes were dark and deep. Just now, when the young empress dowager bent down to pick up her clothes, that bright and fair spring light flashed in his eyes.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he took off his moon-colored brocade robe and handed it over.
"Ahem... Thank you, Pei Qing."
Chu Yueyuan's ear tips turned crimson. She took the robe, but unfortunately, the man's robe was too loose, and the collar was still open. Not only could it not cover the chest underneath, but it also accentuated a section of her snow-white collarbone.
She gripped the collar of her clothes tightly, her gaze fixed on the gold belt with the beast head design at the man's waist.
Pei Muwei raised an eyebrow slightly and said calmly, "Does Your Highness wish to acquire my belt?"
Chu Yueyuan bit her lip, her tone laced with a feigned anger and embarrassment: "You tore my clothes first..."
The carriage she had been riding in earlier had fallen off a cliff, and she had lost many clothes and jewelry boxes. The remaining clothes were in the carriage behind. Now that everyone outside knew that she had been bitten by a snake, it would be too much of a surprise to ask Jin Tong to fetch the clothes now.
Pei Muwei stared intently at her angry expression, his thin lips slightly parted: "What Your Highness says makes sense." He took off the belt from his waist and handed it over.
Chu Yueyuan took it without ceremony and tried to tie it around her waist, but she couldn't figure out how to fasten it.
"Your Highness, I have come to your aid."
Pei Muwei took the belt from the Empress Dowager's hand, put the end of the belt into the mouth of the gilded beast head, pressed the hidden clasp inside with his thumb, and fastened it with a click.
The woman was already tall and slender with striking features, especially her slightly upturned peach blossom eyes. After changing into men's clothing, she lost three parts of her alluring charm and gained five parts of her heroic spirit, which gave her a unique charm.
Pei Muwei pointed to the beast head ornament in the center of the belt, his long eyes lowered, his tone flat and emotionless: "Just now, when this humble subject was draining Your Highness's blood, I vaguely heard Your Highness whispering that you wanted to reveal a secret to me..."
The blush on Chu Yueyuan's cheeks quickly faded. She sat calmly on the futon, picked up the exquisite bronze mirror with auspicious beast and flower patterns on the table to examine her appearance, and used her other hand to tidy her messy hair. She said in a nonchalant tone, "I was so frightened just now that I don't remember what I said."
Pei Muwei lifted his robe and sat cross-legged on another futon. He took the handle of the bronze mirror from the Empress Dowager and used it to reflect her image, saying calmly:
"Your Highness said the same thing when you were unconscious a few days ago."
Chu Yueyuan tightened her grip on the honey-colored crystal hairpin. She stared at the man's dark eyes, which held a scrutinizing look, reflected in the bronze mirror. It was as if she had returned to the scene of being watched by that green snake. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
At that moment, the distinctive hoarse voice of Imperial Physician Huang rang out from outside the carriage window: "Your subject, Huang Xilian, pays respects to the Empress Dowager."
Chu Yueyuan's heart, which had been in her throat, calmed down, and she even found Huang Yuyi's sharp and rough voice particularly pleasant to hear.
She secured her hairpin, lifted the pale yellow curtain a crack, looked at the bowing Imperial Physician Huang, and coughed lightly:
"Is Imperial Physician Huang certain that the green snake that bit me was non-venomous?"
"Your Majesty, I have determined that this snake is called the Black-headed Viper. It has a peculiar appearance, no venom in its teeth, a timid nature, and a fondness for water. It usually hides in the grass near streams and feeds on small animals such as birds and rodents. The Black-headed Viper is common in Cizhou, but rare in the capital, which is why General Meng mistook it for the poisonous Bamboo Viper."
"Then...why is the blood from my wound dark red?"
Physician Huang bowed deeply, his voice low and hoarse, as he explained, "The nourishing soup His Highness has been taking these past few days contains Rehmannia glutinosa, Scutellaria baicalensis, and other medicinal herbs. These all have the effect of replenishing blood and qi. His Highness has sufficient blood and qi, so the color of his blood is a bit darker, which is all normal..."
Chu Yueyuan: ....
Huanglian Laodao truly lives up to his reputation!
"Since I have plenty of blood and energy, then Imperial Physician Huang will no longer need to send me herbal medicine."
"Your subject obeys."
Chu Yueyuan lowered the curtain and looked back to see the Regent still holding the bronze mirror with auspicious beast and flower patterns. The man's large hands made the bronze mirror look even more exquisite, and his dark eyes, which seemed to be able to see into people's hearts, quietly fell on her.
Clearly, he was still waiting for her answer.
"It's less of a secret and more of a request hidden in my heart..."
Chu Yueyuan sighed, her voice pitiful: "Since the Lantern Festival, Pei Qing and I have grown increasingly distant. After all, I am not the Emperor's true birth mother. I fear that one day, you will find another obedient and sensible concubine from the harem to replace me..."
The woman in the bronze mirror lowered her eyes, her eyes tinged with a faint pink blush, like peach blossoms just beginning to bloom in spring. Now, due to the fluctuation of her emotions, they became even more crimson. Her lips were slightly downturned, revealing an undisguised grievance and sorrow.
Her voice was soft, like ripples on a lake when a gentle breeze blows across it, filled with sorrow and grief: "If that day ever comes, can you promise me that you will treat the Emperor well, as well as Xu Mama and Jin Tong who have been by my side since childhood?"
As she finished speaking, she slowly raised her eyes and gazed at the man in front of her. Tears welled up in her bright eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.
Pei Muwei gazed at the young Empress Dowager, feeling as if something was gently gripping his heart. The pain wasn't intense, but it was lingering and profound. The glistening tears in the woman's eyes were like a jar of fine wine, slowly intoxicating his clear-headed reason.
So this was the reason that made her so worried and ill?
He put down the bronze mirror and solemnly made a promise: "I swear to Heaven that day will never come."
———
Chu Yueyuan was born in the Year of the Dog, and the saying that dogs and dragons clash was something she used to think was nonsense.
But after the New Year came the Year of the Dragon, she was plagued by a series of misfortunes, both big and small. On her journey, she first encountered a landslide, and the falling boulders nearly pushed her carriage off the cliff. Then, while relaxing by the stream, she was bitten by a snake.
"This journey has been quite unsettling. Before leaving the capital, I should have visited Tanzhe Temple to pray for a good luck charm. I wonder if there will be any temples along the way? If I do, I'll donate some money for incense."
As Jin Tong spoke, she took off the brocade robe with cloud-patterned goose hairpin from Chu Yueyuan's shoulder and poured out medicinal oil from the jade bottle to apply to her wound.
Chu Yueyuan gently shook her head: "Cizhou is the territory of Beiting. Fifty miles west of Beiting is Daqi, the border area of Xixia and Canglang. Such places are constantly in war, so there will be no temples there."
Jin Tong was puzzled: "In more chaotic places, shouldn't the local people be burning incense and praying to Buddha for peace?"
Chu Yueyuan smiled and said, "In times of chaos, one cannot see the Buddha. People born in chaotic times have suffered greatly, and they have long since given up on the idea that gods and Buddhas can save them from their suffering."
"So what do they believe in?"
People, more or less, need to have faith. Faith is like a lamp in the darkness, a spring in the desert, inspiring people in distress to keep living.
During her journey through Beiting these past few days, Chu Yueyuan often heard the local people singing catchy folk songs, and even toddlers could hum a few lines.
The iron cavalry of the wolves trampled the desolate borderlands, and the flames of war raged, causing the deaths of countless people.
The pagoda banners flutter in the wind, and the iron armor gleams in the cold light.
The general swung his sword and beheaded the enemy; ten thousand horses galloped, trampling the fleeing enemy.
The people on the border enjoy peace and tranquility, and every household sings the praises of the Buddhist monk.
Chu Yueyuan rested her chin on her hand and pondered for a moment before saying, "Of course, it's someone who can truly protect their safety."
After applying the medicated oil, she asked Jintong to open the window to let the strong scent of safflower dissipate.
Outside the window, the weather was bright and sunny. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the poplar treetops, turning into countless golden threads that fell on the man's tall and straight back.
He wore a dark, narrow-sleeved riding outfit, with large lotus patterns that shimmered in the sunlight. His forearms, which held the reins, were strong and powerful, and his wrists, with their smooth lines, were revealed beneath the slightly rolled-up cuffs. A string of translucent sandalwood prayer beads adorned his wrists.
As if sensing her gaze, the man on horseback suddenly turned his head.
Chu Yueyuan slammed the window shut with such force that it startled Jin Tong, who was packing her medicine box nearby.
She asked in surprise, "What's wrong, Your Highness?"
"N-nothing..." Chu Yueyuan said calmly as she picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip.
Even now, looking back, she still finds it unbelievable—that man, who was praised and revered as a god by everyone in Beiting, could be fooled by a few tears from her.
Thinking about how she almost revealed Xiao Yun's secret about his background, Chu Yueyuan felt a wave of fear.
"This must never happen again!"
Chu Yueyuan silently warned herself that from now on, she must be more careful with her words and actions, and never reveal any flaws in front of men. When she returned to the capital, she would try to find Xiao Yun's biological father and then... get rid of him.
She held the teacup in her hands, gently stroking the delicate porcelain surface. The aroma of tea rose gently, and the fragrance wafting to her nose gradually calmed the turmoil in her heart.
The carved car window slammed shut.
Despite being rebuffed by the Empress Dowager, Pei Muwei's handsome face showed no anger, and he calmly rode his horse.
A moment later, the carriage window opened again, and this time it was Jin Tong who poked her head out. She smiled and waved to Lin Mu, who immediately scurried over.
The two whispered to each other through the window for a while, then Lin Mu rode up to the Regent's side, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said:
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager just asked Miss Jin to inquire about your zodiac sign."
Pei Muwei's expression remained unchanged as he slowly tightened his grip on the reins, repeating in a calm voice, "Zodiac sign?"
"Yes, Your Highness was born in the Year of the Dragon, and this year is your birth year. After the Empress Dowager learned of Your Highness's zodiac sign, she said, 'No wonder.'"
Pei Muwei raised an eyebrow slightly, and a ripple finally appeared in his usually calm, dark eyes. He repeated in a low voice, "No wonder?"
Lin Mu scratched his head, recalling how the Empress Dowager had remained silent for a long time, her expression as resigned as a child meeting Zhong Kui (a Chinese mythological figure). He sighed deeply and said, "No wonder."
He nodded: "Indeed, after the Empress Dowager said 'No wonder,' she dismissed me."
————
In the fifty-fifth year of Fengqi, the Red Emperor, driven by greed and gluttony, cruelly oppressed the common people, enraging the gods and ultimately bringing disaster upon them. The five planets veered off course, and stars fell like rain. Earth dragons surged, stretching for thousands of miles, shaking and trembling. A burst of blue mist emerged from the cracks in the earth, and wherever the mist passed, a great plague struck, killing eight or nine out of ten people.
Chu Yueyuan closed the book "Records of a Hundred Kingdoms" in her hand. She lifted the bamboo curtain and looked at the tall city in the distance. She couldn't help but feel curious about this mysterious country that she had only glimpsed in ancient books.
Ancient books say that the earthquake in Xixia three hundred years ago was a punishment from the gods for the licentious and dissolute ruler of the Red Kingdom. After the earthquake, the surviving Xixia men were cursed, unable to have children with women from other tribes.
The importance of offspring is a universal principle, applicable to both the Great Qi and the Western Xia. After all, only by ensuring the continuous reproduction of its people can a nation avoid being wiped out by the wheels of history.
The limitations of male lineage among the Xixia people have led to the current situation of female rule and female superiority over males.
Chu Yueyuan did not believe in the idea of a curse.
If the gods could punish, she and the Regent, those wicked empresses and treacherous ministers who had coveted the throne of the Great Qi, would have been struck dead by lightning a dozen times over.
Chu Yueyuan believed Huang Yuyi's explanation more.
Historical records indicate that the miasma in Xixia Kingdom only existed after the earthquake. Therefore, Imperial Physician Huang speculated that perhaps the miasma over the past century had altered the constitution of the local people, making it possible for only Xixia women to conceive in such an environment.
However, nearly a century has passed, and the miasma caused by the earthquake has become increasingly weak. In fact, some cities in the west have not experienced miasma for many years, which has attracted frequent attacks from the Canglang people.
After weathering many storms along the way, the westward-bound caravan finally entered Linzhao City, the westernmost city of the Xixia Kingdom.
The Grand Preceptor of Xixia Kingdom arrived outside the city early in the morning to welcome the distinguished guests from the Great Qi Kingdom who had traveled from afar.
Unsurprisingly, the Grand Preceptor of Xixia Kingdom was a woman with a resolute face and a steady temperament. Her surname was You, and she was about forty years old. She had two daughters and a son. Because she took good care of herself, her face was full of vitality and she looked no more than thirty years old.
Standing beside Grand Preceptor You was Shen Zizhan, who had led a group of people into Xixia Kingdom half a month in advance and had already met with Queen Xixia.
With keen eyes, Grand Preceptor You spotted Pei Muwei riding ahead and sighed inwardly at the abundance of talent in the Great Qi. He had thought that a talent like Lord Shen was already among the best, but it turned out that there was always someone better.
The man was like the towering Kunlun Mountains, standing majestically amidst the clouds, with a calm and aloof demeanor, truly befitting the summit of all mountains.
I wonder what the phoenix that dwells on the mountaintop looks like.
The moment this thought crossed her mind, the carved carriage doors opened to the sides, and a woman emerged, bathed in golden light. She wore a plain moon-colored dress, her black hair was pulled back, and the only color on her body was a hibiscus filigree marble hairpin in her hair bun. But because she stood in the light, she seemed to be surrounded by an aura of nobility.
The midday sun shone on her radiant eyes and brows, making her a truly stunning beauty, as radiant as spring blossoms.
Chu Yueyuan smiled faintly: "I was delayed on the way, and I have kept Grand Preceptor You waiting for me for a long time."
The Grand Preceptor You was not only shocked by the beauty of the Queen of Qi, but also by her age.
The woman spoke with composure, and looking at her bright and beautiful face, she was as delicate as a flower, so she was probably no more than twenty years old.
How did such a delicate woman manage to secure the position of Empress Dowager in the Great Qi Dynasty?
Concealing his surprise, Grand Preceptor You stepped forward with a smile, crossed his arms, and placed his palms on his shoulders in a gesture of respect:
“On behalf of the king, I extend my greetings to the Queen. Fine wine and delicacies have been prepared in the palace. Please come with me into the city.”
Chu Yueyuan nodded slightly, said thank you, and prepared to get off the carriage with Pei Muwei's help.
On the way, she made an agreement with Pei Muwei to follow local customs. Since Pei Muwei wanted to be on good terms with Xixia Kingdom, she, as the puppet empress dowager, should cut off the ropes that bound her hands and feet and step into the spotlight to perform.
From then on, she was in front, and the regent was behind; the puppet show became a charade.
On their first appearance on stage, the emperor and his minister did not coordinate very well.
Pei Muwei was as assertive as ever, supporting the Empress Dowager's slender lower back with his large hand, intending to help her down from the carriage as usual.
Chu Yueyuan saw a hint of surprise on the face of the Imperial Preceptor You. She calmly brushed the Regent's hand away, slightly raised her chin, and said in a gentle but authoritative voice, "Minister Pei, do not take advantage of my usual favor and lose your sense of propriety."
Pei Muwei looked at the arrogant young empress dowager, his dark eyes flickering slightly. After a few moments of silence, he lowered his head and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "It was my negligence."
He spoke with great tact, standing straight as a pine tree under the car, and extended his hand to her.
Seeing this, Meng Xun quickly seized the opportunity to rush over, knelt on one knee, patted his thigh, blinked his bright eyes, and said loudly, "If Your Majesty does not mind, this humble official is willing to serve you like a beast of burden!"
National Preceptor You looked surprised and turned around to ask Lord Shen about this fine-looking "ox or horse," but Lord Shen was nowhere to be seen.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out that Lord Shen was striding confidently toward the carriage, flicking his long sleeves and using his fan as an arm, intending to help the young Empress Dowager alight from the carriage.
Chu Yueyuan looked at the three loyal and dutiful ministers in front of her, secretly wondering if this performance was going too far.
After hesitating for a long time, she reached out her slender hand and grasped Shen Zizhan's ink-painted folding fan, and whispered:
"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Shen."
Meng Xun's bright eyes suddenly dimmed. He silently lowered his head, casually flicked the dust off his clothes, and stood up somewhat forlornly.
Pei Muwei's hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, paused. His long, well-defined fingers slowly closed, and finally, expressionless, he placed them behind his back and quietly clenched them into a fist.
Grand Preceptor You seemed unfazed by such rivalries for favor among her ministers. She stepped forward with a smile, warmly inviting Chu Yueyuan into the city.
"Lady Chu invites you in..."
The city is called Linchao. Although it is less than one-tenth the size of the border cities of the Great Qi, it is already one of the largest cities in the Western Xia Kingdom.
Linchao City is located on a vital route in the northwest, with a unique geographical location. It borders not only the Great Qi, but also smaller states such as Nie, Yan, and Xiye.
Although Xixia Kingdom did not have diplomatic relations with other countries, it had a border market in the capital city. No matter how fiercely the surrounding countries fought, the female rulers of each dynasty always maintained a neutral attitude, which attracted merchants from all over the world to stop here and sell imported goods.
Later, the scale of the border market grew and gradually became the largest border market on the important northwestern route.
Xixia collected taxes in the free trade markets and also obtained the latest supplies and information from various countries, which was a win-win situation.
Although Linchao City is small, it has all the necessary facilities. The streets are bustling and prosperous, with a constant stream of pedestrians.
The Xixia people generally have large frames, with men being burly and women being slender. Chu Yueyuan's height is considered tall in Daqi, but she is still half a head shorter than the National Preceptor You.
National Preceptor You invited Chu Yueyuan to ride in a carriage pulled by three white elephants, and they headed towards the palace.
As Chu Yueyuan chatted with National Preceptor You, she admired the local customs and culture along the way, feeling that Xixia Kingdom was both the same as and different from the descriptions in the book.
In a country where women are revered, women can be seen everywhere: female merchants in the market, female waitresses in the tavern, female managers in the inn, and women walking on the street without wearing veils to cover their faces.
From young girls to elderly women.
There were also many men on the street: the artisans at the border markets, the bodyguards in the escort agencies, and the tailors in the tailor shops. They were all men and took it for granted that women would walk towards them on the street.
What surprised Chu Yueyuan even more was that the people of Linzhao City could not only speak fluent Hu language, but also speak Chinese.
Master You explained with a smile: "The people of Linzhao City make a living from the border markets. The locals have to deal with people from Daqi, Nie, Xiye, and even Canglang. They have to learn multiple languages from a young age."
Midway through the journey, Chu Yueyuan's gaze was firmly drawn to a three-story glazed pavilion.
The entire pavilion is built with peacock blue glazed bricks and stones. The brick walls are carved with auspicious floral and bird patterns. The colors are bright and the carving is exquisite, which is very eye-catching. The glazed plaque above the main entrance is inscribed with the three characters "Chuanshi Pavilion".
On the second-floor outer corridor, two elegant men stood facing the wind. One bowed his head and played the zither, the music flowing gently from his fingers, while the other leaned against the railing and played the flute, the music light and melodious.
When Chu Yueyuan first saw this scene, she assumed that the "Heirloom Pavilion" was similar to the business of the Treasure Pavilion in the capital.
To attract customers, the manager of Treasure Pavilion often hires beautiful young women to enhance the business. These two handsome young men are probably doing the same thing.
Just as she was about to look away, the white-clad man playing the zither suddenly raised his head and gazed at her from afar, his eyes filled with a smile and tender affection.
The people of Xixia are so warm and hospitable.
She turned to the Imperial Preceptor You and asked, "This pavilion is so magnificent, I wonder what rare treasures it contains?"
Before leaving, she promised Xiao Yun that if she saw any rare items that Daqi did not have, she would bring them back to the palace for him.
The Imperial Preceptor smiled slightly, pointing to the handsome man on the upper floor of the pavilion, her tone tinged with pride: "That is the treasure of the Legacy Pavilion. If Lady Chu wishes to try, I will find you the one with the best appearance, the most enduring stamina, and the most skilled at serving others..."
Seeing the puzzled look on the young Empress Dowager's face, Grand Preceptor You further explained: "Women in our country who do not wish to marry but desire offspring can choose their favorite men from the Legacy Pavilion to ensure the continuation of their lineage. Or, women who have lost their husbands at a young age can also come here to alleviate their loneliness..."
Chu Yueyuan stared in shock, her bright eyes wide open, momentarily speechless.
"Nonsense! A grown man reduced to a male prostitute for women's amusement, a blatant violation of masculinity and moral order..."
From the moment Lord Sun entered the city, his face was long and drawn. He had served as Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies for fifteen years, dealing with envoys from more than ten countries and representing the Great Qi on missions to many nations. He was a man of wide experience, but he had never seen anything so absurd.
The concept of male superiority and female inferiority was deeply ingrained in his mind. When he heard the Imperial Preceptor You talking and laughing about the dirty dealings in this Legacy Pavilion, he was so angry that his beard trembled and he couldn't help but scold him.
The smile on National Preceptor You's face quickly faded. She glanced sideways at Lord Sun and gave a cold laugh:
"The young men in the Chuanshi Pavilion are all carefully selected. Their literary talent, knowledge, speech, manners, appearance and physique are all top-notch. The selection process is as rigorous as the imperial examination system of the Great Qi Dynasty. They are the officials appointed by the emperor to ensure the continuation of the family line. They have food, clothing and salary to receive, unlike the pitiful women in the brothels and theaters of the Great Qi Dynasty who are exploited and taxed by the government at every level."
Lord Sun's neck thickened with anger, and he glared, his beard bristling, "You...you're spouting nonsense, actually comparing male prostitutes to the scholars of the Great Qi..."
The eloquent Preceptor You retorted: "Your Excellency is aloof and remarkable, but with your appearance, I'm afraid you wouldn't even be hired to do menial tasks or sweep water in the Heritage Pavilion."
Lord Sun nearly choked on his breath; his face turned ashen. He was about to argue with the other party when Chu Yueyuan interrupted him:
“Lord Sun, as the saying goes, when you enter a country, you should know its customs. You were the one who spoke rudely and disrespected the customs of Xixia Kingdom first, so how can you expect others to treat you with courtesy?”
Lord Sun's indignation could not be resolved by Chu Yueyuan's few words. Just as he was about to open his mouth to argue, the Regent, sitting upright on his horse, turned around and a cold gaze swept over him, instantly freezing all his words in his throat.
Lord Sun snapped out of his daze, his face turning pale. He quickly bowed and said, "I spoke without thinking. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Chu Yueyuan frowned slightly: "Lord Sun did not offend me, but rather the Imperial Preceptor You."
Although reluctant, Lord Sun still bowed to Grand Preceptor You and muttered softly, "...I was foolish and spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Grand Preceptor You."
National Preceptor You was also unwilling to have a conflict with the officials of Daqi, but after this small incident, the way she looked at the young Empress Dowager changed.
Chu Yueyuan said thoughtfully, "I really like the name 'Chuanshige' (Hall of Legacy). I imagine that offspring, whether male or female, are treasured by the Xixia people."
National Preceptor You nodded, his smile growing even more sincere: "What Your Majesty says is absolutely right. In Xixia, what men can do, women can do as well."
Chu Yueyuan understood this principle. Xixia was not as vast as Daqi, and its territory was mostly mountainous, with very little arable farmland. If it were to follow the traditional model of men farming and women weaving, it would lose half of its manpower and be destined for destruction.
She smiled slightly: "In fact, in Daqi, children are also regarded as treasures by their parents. It's just that the ideas passed down are different. When people come into contact with completely opposite things, they often deny them first in order to convince themselves that their current situation is the best."
The Imperial Preceptor You's gaze toward the young Empress Dowager shone even brighter.
Over the years, the King of Xixia had considered making friends with other countries, so he set up a market in Linchao City to attract merchants from all over to settle there.
The results were good, and several neighboring countries successively sent envoys to visit Xixia.
However, all the envoys who came to Xixia Kingdom were men. They shared the same views as Lord Sun, believing that women working in the market were immoral and that men could not tolerate being subordinate to women.
Those who have different principles cannot work together. These envoys felt from the bottom of their hearts that the Kingdom of Xixia had different customs and policies. After returning to their own countries, they portrayed the women of Xixia as demons who bullied men, saying that the miasma there would make men lose their minds and willingly obey the women's commands.
As the reputation of Xixia Kingdom was increasingly demonized, the ruler of Xixia Kingdom gradually lost the desire to make friends with its neighboring countries.
It wasn't until the King of Xixia heard that a brave and resourceful female ruler had emerged in a country thousands of miles away that he sent an envoy to Daqi.
The Grand Preceptor You said happily, "The Queen of Chu and the King will surely get along well."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com