When the prefect saw Huo Xiaolong to the door, he realized that his back was soaked with sweat.
It wasn't until nightfall that the man came to his senses and wanted to go back to the backyard to rest. He went to the residence of his concubine, whom he had recently become quite fond of, but the courtyard was completely dark.
Just then, Qingqing's personal maid was weaving a flower basket at the door, so the prefect asked...
"Is your master asleep?"
The young maid shook her head, looking puzzled, and said...
"My aunt has left."
"They've left?"
"Yes, Aunt Qingqing left with Madam during the day, saying she was going to serve the young master and young lady, fearing that the mistress would be too tired."
Upon hearing this, the prefect was furious. "You can leave on your own, but why take my favorite concubine with you?"
She was just a concubine; even without her, there were so many other women waiting for him in the harem.
But for some reason today, whenever the Prefect goes to the courtyard, he is either unwell or has his period and is having trouble getting around.
"I heard that the young lady and young master of the Prefect's family are now serving as advisors to the Prince of Zhenbei."
"Yes, yesterday the Prefect's wife left with the children and didn't stay at home."
"What's wrong?"
"I heard she was grounded for opposing her daughter's marriage. Now that her two children have made something of themselves, the first thing they did upon returning home was to pick up their mother."
"How could that woman possibly get a divorce? Could she really give up the title of the Prefect's wife?"
"Why not? Their kids are all grown up now, and besides, they're rich."
Hearing herself become the talk of the town among the people outside the carriage, Madam Sun couldn't help but clench her hands. It was the first time she had experienced this, and she felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Huo Xiaolong seemed to notice the woman's embarrassment, so he asked...
"What's Aunt Sun's surname? I've called you Aunt Sun ever since I met you. Titles like 'Madam of the Prefect' and 'Madam Sun' are like they're welded onto you."
The woman composed herself and said with a respectful expression.
"Your Highness, my surname is Tian."
"From now on, I'll call you Aunt Tian. There's no need to be so polite. Don't call me Prince or anything like that. I'll still call you the same as when I was a child."
"I feel the same way about Ziyang and Zixi, and I feel the same way about you."
Huo Xiaolong's trip was not only to provide support for Madam Sun, but also to pave the way for the completion of the book by Li Jian.
Three days later, starting with Beining, two articles were uniformly posted on all the notice boards in its surrounding towns where wanted posters were usually displayed. One was written by Zhao Kai, consisting of ancient Chinese words and idioms, and the other was written by Li Jian, in a version that everyone in the world could understand at a glance.
A Letter to Women of the World
As a woman, achieving success and gaining official rank is not Huo Xiaolong's invention, nor is it something I started.
Therefore, I have asked someone to write this book to tell women all over the world that if I can do it, so can you.
Women under the rule of the Prince of Zhenbei can choose to study, do business, join the army, or stay at home to be good wives and mothers. It's all up to you.
Their parents cannot force them to marry, nor can they buy or sell them as a bride, nor can they arrange a ghost marriage.
A man should not take advantage of his strength or height to lay a hand on his wife.
If either of the above two points is violated, one can report it to the authorities for handling, be punished according to law, and have the government intervene to facilitate a divorce.
Starting next year, girls' schools and adult schools will be opened throughout Buk Ning County. Girls' schools will be open during the day, while adult schools will be open in the evening. Notices will be posted half a month in advance.
I hope that women everywhere will be self-reliant and self-respecting, and not be bound by rules and regulations.
Being a good wife and mother is not a woman's natural duty.
The most important thing in life is what you want to do.
From this day forward, female virtues and precepts are forbidden under the rule of the Prince of Zhenbei.
Finally, I wish all women a bright future and a life lived towards the sun.
A Letter to Women of the World
Women are not limited to those born into seclusion; those with ambition can also achieve success and fame, even gaining titles and honors.
Huo Xiaolong's actions were not the first of their kind, nor was I the originator. Therefore, I specially commissioned someone to write this book to proclaim to the world that what I can do, you can also do.
During the reign of the Prince of Zhenbei, his daughters could read and write, engage in commerce, serve in the army to serve their country, or stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children.
Parents and siblings should not force their children to marry according to their own wishes, nor should they buy or sell marriages, let alone arrange ghost marriages.
If a woman's husband's family is unruly, she has the right to sue the authorities for legal action, and the authorities may arrange a divorce.
May all women in the world strive for self-improvement and achieve their dreams.
From this day forward, in Beining County, there will be no more constraints on female virtues and precepts, and you will be free to roam between heaven and earth.
May your future be bright and promising, like the spring sun, the summer flowers, the autumn waters, and the winter snow. May each of you display your talents, find your own beauty, enjoy your own happiness, and live in peace.
Your happiness is my heart's desire; your success is the glory of my nation. In Beining County, may you shine like the stars and flow like the mighty rivers, forever radiant and never giving up.
Let us all strive together!
A cacophony of chatter rose and fell among the crowd. In truth, the women of the border town had long lived this way. The main commotion was in Beining, for example, among the burly men in the border town crowd. After reading the vernacular version, one of them asked the person next to him...
"It says on your person that beating your wife is illegal, and the government will send people to arrest you."
"What the hell are you arresting me for? If I don't hit my wife, would I dare to hit her?"
"I think so too. Even in our border town, there are men who beat their wives."
"They definitely exist, but they are few."
Huo Xiaolong's actions reassured the women of the border town, showing them that they were not uncouth or shameless women, but rather individuals who shone brightly in their own worlds.
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