Zhongfu Hexagram (Lower-lower-lower hexagram)
Chapter 61 Zhongfu Hexagram - The Lowest of the Lowest Hexagrams - Famous Throughout the Capital
More than a week has passed since the two of them spoke frankly to each other. Rong Yan traveled back and forth between the Marquis's residence and the Taoist temple. She hadn't taken the matter of the Taoist examination to heart.
On the contrary, the people in the Marquis's mansion were extremely anxious, hoping every day that someone from the palace would come to deliver a message.
Yu Ling laughed and told her about it as a joke, "Young Madam, you don't know, the nanny from the Marquis's side runs to the gate every few days, saying she's going to check if the messenger has arrived yet. The Marquis is also hoping you'll pass the imperial examination. It's strange, though. Before, the Marquis was the first to oppose your participation in the imperial examination, but now she's the most anxious."
Rong Yan suddenly recalled Xie Chengzhi's words when he heard this: "The hexagrams are never static."
Even a predetermined hexagram can change, let alone a person.
In the past, the Lady of the Marquis believed that women should live for men, and that the mistress of the house should be busy with the management of the household.
The current Lady Hou has changed; women can also have their own shining moments.
Huali chimed in, "That's right. The Lady of the Marquis has started making more appearances around the mansion lately. I heard it was Mr. Gao who invited her many times to tutor Madam Rong. I heard from the maids..."
When Huali finished speaking, her voice noticeably lowered. "The mothers all say that Madam Rong is not a smart person. She has to be taught many times, and she still can't remember things. She makes mistakes repeatedly even with simple tasks. They think her reputation as a talented woman might be fake. They also say that if you, young madam, had been willing to take over the management of the household, you wouldn't have to work so hard."
Rong Yan shook his head quite frankly, "No, she is indeed a true talented woman, but being good at writing doesn't necessarily mean being good at managing a household. Those mothers are all shrewd people, and now that I've gained power in my husband's family, they've all sided with me."
No wonder the Rong family repeatedly sent her invitations, wanting her to return to her parents' home.
All she did was ask him to help Rong Shu.
However, nowadays, she does indeed have the backing of the Marquis's mansion, and can disappear whenever she wants.
However, Xie Chengzhi, being such a big tree, is bound to attract attention, so it's best to plan for the future as soon as possible.
These days, what truly troubles Rong Yan is the Chamber of Commerce.
After the Taoist temple launched its convenient lunchboxes, all vegetarian dishes became incredibly popular.
Adding to the fact that she had previously calculated the burial site for Madam Zhang, rumors about her spread like wildfire among the people.
Her original intention was that Hebai Temple would be their place of refuge in the future, and having their parents by their side would be enough.
Who would have thought that the most underestimated little Taoist temple would become famous far and wide on the day it reopened!
Lotus seed and glutinous rice soup, eight-treasure vegetarian rice, stir-fried gluten with mushrooms, sweet and sour eggplant, eight-treasure treasure pouch...
Whatever they promote becomes an instant hit, leading to a rush of people vying for Yipin Vegetarian Dishes.
The Taoist temple was famous far and wide, and Rong Yan's name was known throughout the entire Bianliang.
Nevertheless, Rong Yan's name still didn't work with the Chamber of Commerce.
After all, all she had was fame; she had neither official rank nor power. Being a woman was her original sin.
During his visit a few days ago, Rong Yan had already been very humble, and he originally thought that the matter of asking for help would be completed smoothly.
Who would have thought that women would simply pay double the entry fee to join the guild?
Even the servants introduced by the Chamber of Commerce were charged double the price, which made Rong Yan restless.
Over time, everything doubles, which is no small matter.
Not to mention the difficulties women face in business, even once they enter the industry, they encounter injustice everywhere. If these issues are not addressed promptly, they may find it extremely difficult to move forward in the future.
She immediately wrote a letter to Li Fuquan, the gist of which was, "Now that Hebai Temple has joined the trade, it would be inappropriate to charge extra fees for everything. Even the government's taxes on shops are paid equally to everyone. Why should women be charged double at the Chamber of Commerce? The relationship between the temple and the shops is the same, and even more so with the Chamber of Commerce. We share the same fate, otherwise how can we gain the respect of the people? In ancient times, Empress Wu Zetian ruled the country with the talents of a woman. Now the Chamber of Commerce is our shelter. How can we be disheartened?"
"Huali, please instruct Li Fuquan to deliver this letter directly to their vice president, Liu Boqian."
Huali accepted the order and went to carry it out. Unexpectedly, she received a reply from Li Fuquan in less than half a day.
Hua Li rushed back from outside the courtyard, covered in sweat. Rong Yan said softly, "Slow down. If the people in the mansion see you so hasty, how will you manage those old women in the future?"
"I know, I'm just a little anxious. Li Fuquan said something big has happened."
Rong Yan frowned and asked directly, "What was the Chamber of Commerce's response?"
"At first, Li Fuquan couldn't get the message in, but then he met Liu Sanlang. As soon as Liu Sanlang saw Li Fuquan, he seemed to have been waiting for him. Without saying a word, he led him to see Vice President Liu and Steward Xu. Li Fuquan said that Vice President Liu had questioned Steward Xu and told him to handle the matter properly. After Vice President Liu and Liu Sanlang left, Steward Xu took the opportunity to suggest that since she was so capable as a woman and knew how to curry favor, from now on, all the servants at Hebai Temple should be women and children seeking work, and men should be excluded."
Rong Yan sneered, "That's good. Does he really think that women and children can't accomplish anything? Even an old woman selling vegetables on the street has her own skills. He's really looking down on women and children."
"Yes, that's right. Li Fuquan said the same thing. He also said that Hebai Temple is so prosperous now because it is taking advantage of the fact that we don't have time to select people. The Chamber of Commerce is determined to see how we, mere women and children, can achieve great things."
Rong Yan smiled, his bright eyes and white teeth making Hua Li stare in a daze.
"Even so, let him see for himself whether women and children can accomplish great things, and how they can accomplish great things."
Meanwhile, at Steward Xu's place, he was enjoying a cup of fresh tea and listening to music when a colleague stepped forward and said, "Steward, the Hebai Temple accepted everything without question. They're not that powerful after all. Why bother arguing with a bunch of women and children?"
"Hmph, that young mistress of the Marquis's mansion is very sharp-tongued. No matter how capable she is, she has to bow down and pay homage to me. I want to let her know who really calls the shots in the Chamber of Commerce."
"Your opinion doesn't count..."
Steward Xu sat up straight immediately. "What did you say?"
“I say, you should think twice. Although she is just a woman, she is still Liu Sanlang’s former lover and now she is the young mistress of the Marquis’s mansion. Who knows, she might actually pass the Taoist examination in the future, and then her Taoist temple will be like an official’s temple.”
"I'm not afraid of anything you said before, and as for that last sentence, you can rest assured. It's so difficult to pass the exam even for hundreds of Taoist priests, let alone a female Taoist priest! Come on, drink. Stop saying things that make people unhappy!"
"Report!"
The servant boy stumbled in from outside, panting and pale, and knelt on the ground, unable to speak. Steward Xu frowned, "What happened? Why are you in such a state?"
"Reporting to the steward, that young mistress of the Marquis's mansion, she, she."
"What's wrong with her? Is she causing trouble? Ha, just say she's not here. If she keeps causing trouble, the fee will double!"
"No, she...she passed the imperial examination!"
Everyone: !!!
"What?!"
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