Qin Xiaozhou held her hand tightly, then hugged her and whispered, "When everything is against us, going with the flow is also a form of resistance. As long as we stay clear-headed and don't succumb, we can make some compromises to achieve our goals. Trying to fight a losing battle is pointless."
Gu Yunyao smiled, and most of the depression in her eyes disappeared. "I understand."
Yes, this is the underworld, and Xiao Ze is the emperor's son and the War King. Going against him will bring no benefit. Why not take advantage of his power to do something that is beneficial to ourselves?
"Thank you for your guidance. I look forward to hearing news of your school in the capital."
Qin Xiaozhou nodded solemnly, "Okay."
The carriage drove along the long street, and the group transferred to a merchant ship. Gu Yunyao watched Fenggu County gradually disappear into the distance, and sadness welled up in her heart, but a strange flame also burned in her heart.
Xiao Ze stood with his hands behind his back. "That woman just now looked like a merchant. Why didn't you tell her that you are the concubine of the War King? That way, she could cling to you, and maybe even try to get closer to you and accompany you to the capital in order to curry favor with me."
Gu Yunyao smiled dismissively, "She's free and easy here, what would she do in the capital? To be at the mercy of others and experience how impenetrable the cage is?"
The War King's concubine?
She really cares.
Xiao Ze flicked his sleeve. "You're always like this, lacking any girlish gentleness. Besides, what's wrong with the capital? You're above everyone else, with hundreds of servants, and you're waited on hand and foot. Isn't that the goal we once strived for?"
Gu Yunyao turned around in disbelief. The man in front of her was nearly thirty years old. She could still vaguely see the youthful spirit he once had, but the original passion was long gone from his eyes.
At that time, it was clearly agreed that she couldn't bear to see the people suffering from the ravages of war and wanted to establish a dynasty where the people could live in peace and prosperity. She was only willing to improve the war chariots because she believed that stopping war with war was the only way.
"You've changed. You've become someone I don't recognize."
Xiao Ze took a deep breath, turned around and left. The deep affection they once shared in their youth now seemed to amount to nothing more than endless arguments.
Gu Yunyao was still about to get angry and wanted to yell at the window, but before she even reached the window, a female guard suddenly blocked her way and said coldly, "Please, Consort, do not approach the window. It's dangerous!"
The female bodyguard had already heard that the concubine had a fiery temper and had once jumped into a pond and almost drowned after arguing with the prince.
The prince ordered her to stay by the concubine's side closely, probably because he was afraid that the concubine would try to kill herself again!
Gu Yunyao felt a lump in her throat, unable to swallow or shout it out. Her face flushed red as she turned and opened the door. The guards at the door stopped her with their swords drawn. "Consort, you cannot leave without the Prince's orders!"
Gu Yunyao felt a tightness in her chest and a metallic taste in her throat. She spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
The official ship sped north and arrived in Yujing in just eight days. The imperial physicians were already waiting at the Prince of War's residence. As soon as he arrived, they took his pulse and prescribed medicine.
The imperial physicians unanimously concluded, "The patient's distress stems from emotional distress, causing chest tightness and shortness of breath, which led to vomiting blood and falling into a deep sleep. He needs further guidance and counseling."
Three days later, Gu Yunyao woke up and stopped making a scene. Her personality softened considerably, and she no longer confronted Princess Li Rou head-on.
Then, Xiao Ze made a bizarre discovery that Gu Yunyao had also developed feelings for him, and would occasionally bring him soup to the study to express her affection.
He was very satisfied!
When Gu Yunyao suggested setting up a shelter in the capital to take in some orphans and widows left behind during the winter, he readily agreed.
The shelter solved the problem of orphans in the capital, and as a result, Xiao Ze gained a reputation for benevolence and virtue among the people, which made him even more satisfied.
When he returned that day, he pulled Gu Yunyao close, his eyes filled with the joy of ten years ago, and said, "You did a good job running the shelter."
Gu Yunyao smiled perfectly, "Then I want to find teachers for them. The boys can read and write, and it would be best if they could pass the imperial examinations. If not, they can still make a living as accountants or managers. The girls will be taught arithmetic and embroidery, all for the purpose of making a living."
Xiao Ze readily agreed.
From then on, Gu Yunyao's shelter could be put on the table more openly.
That day, Qin Xiaozhou watched Gu Yunyao's carriage drive away, then took Lu Yan to the small courtyard in the southeast corner of the trading market.
Lu Yan asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, who took Sister Gu away? Was it her husband?"
"Perhaps. He's a man of high status who uses his class power to oppress people and force Miss Gu to go back with him." Qin Xiaozhou picked up the blueprints on the table, which contained improvement plans for the textile machine.
At the very bottom were several unfinished pages of a storybook, the sequel to the domestic drama novel that Qin Xiaozhou had given to Zhu Xian!
Qin Xiaozhou was suddenly taken aback!
This storybook was actually written by Gu Yunyao!
Were those frame-ups and slanders also things she personally experienced?
But the heroine in the book cleverly resolved all the traps. If the heroine is really a reflection of Gu Yunyao, then why did Gu Yunyao have to flee to Fenggu County?
Perhaps they're just tired of all the backstabbing and intrigue.
Lu Yan said, "That person is really bad, sister-in-law. Class power is really bad."
Qin Xiaozhou put away the manuscript paper, patted her head, and said, "Humans are social groups. Where there are groups, there will be struggles, killings, and looting. At this time, laws and rules are needed, and only power can ensure that laws and rules exist smoothly and that people abide by them."
Therefore, power is like a knife; it depends on how the wielder uses it. You see, I am also a person with a little power, which is why I can open shops, run brothels, establish textile factories, and take in more women. This is also the benefit of power.
"If a person only has a kind heart but no power, influence, or wealth, then the only thing she can do is not harm others, but she can't help anyone. Don't you think so? The ancients said, 'When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven.' That's the meaning."
Lu Yan's eyes sparkled. "I know, sister-in-law."
When they got home that night, he dragged Lu Yunxing to the study to debate the merits and demerits of power, and they argued and bickered all night.
The next morning, Lu Yunxing went to school with dark circles under his eyes, only to be cornered by his classmates in the schoolyard. "Lu the Second, what were you doing last night?"
Lu Yunxing wasn't annoyed and recounted his argument with his younger sister. Some people remarked on the unique perspective of the brother and sister.
One of them looked at her with disdain, "Your sister is a girl, so young, and instead of learning needlework and embroidery, she's talking about these grand principles? Does she want to become an official in the court? Hahahahahaha."
Lu Yunxing bowed before speaking, “Women’s embroidery can only benefit themselves. If they can learn management skills, they can manage a business in the future, create more jobs, and help more people.”
"To manage a trading company? You guys really dare to dream of it."
The two women talked back and forth in the courtyard, eventually debating whether a woman should be a devoted wife and mother or do what she likes. Others couldn't help but chime in, each expressing their own opinions.
When the Master arrived, he did not stop the argument. He stroked his beard and looked at the room, and finally said, "Men and women are different, and each has their own way. Why argue? Everyone, disperse."
Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaozhou couldn't help but scoff, "It's all just a way that benefits those who make the rules; those who benefit from them naturally won't think the rules are unfair."
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