The days at the villa were indeed pleasant. I didn't have to worry about the troubles in Yanjing or the trivial matters in the mansion, and my mind was much more open.
On this day, Shen Tangning and Chi Yan went out for a ride.
Shen Tangning wore a simple riding outfit and moved with ease on horseback.
"I didn't realize you were such a good horseman." She usually traveled by carriage, and this was the first time Chi Yan had seen her ride a horse. Her movements were quite skillful, not just for show.
She raised her chin slightly with a reserved air: "The six arts of a gentleman and the eight arts of a woman. When the late emperor was alive, he set a precedent that women could also learn archery and horsemanship. My mother specially hired a teacher to teach me carefully."
The six arts of a gentleman are rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.
Women are accustomed to eight arts: playing the zither, playing chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea.
However, women rarely had the opportunity to leave their homes, and even if they learned skills such as archery and horsemanship, they rarely had the chance to use them.
Chi Yan raised an eyebrow slightly: "So, the late emperor was indeed an enlightened monarch."
Enlightened? More than just open-minded?
In an era steeped in feudal ethics and with princes present, his decision to favor the eldest princess as heir was already shocking.
Shen Tangning tilted her head and pondered for a moment, then couldn't help but smile: "That's true! I was born late, and I was still in a daze when the late emperor passed away. I didn't have the chance to see this emperor in person, but the evaluations I heard from others later were mostly positive."
During his reign, he not only greatly improved the status of women, liberating them from their constraints, but also stipulated in the marriage system that if the man committed a serious fault, the woman could file for divorce and receive half of the family property as compensation.
At the same time, he paid special attention to people's livelihood, reduced taxes and corvée labor, carried out large-scale water conservancy construction, and improved land policies. All of this shows that he was not a monarch who focused on pleasure, but was genuinely concerned about the people.
Chi Yan felt a sense of familiarity upon hearing this; the late emperor's ideas were so advanced that they seemed out of place in this era.
His concern for the protection of women within the marriage system particularly reminded him of a certain First Emperor.
Chi Yan's lips relaxed slightly. Perhaps he was being overly sensitive; history has also seen many wise rulers.
Noticing that Shen Tangning was heading in a certain direction with a purpose, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Where are we going?"
She turned around, a strand of hair brushing against her lips in the wind, her eyes deep and thoughtful: "I'll stop by to visit an old friend on the way."
Aunt Fang is quite far along in her pregnancy now, and it's estimated that she'll be due to give birth in about three months.
The two arrived at a place not far from the villa. Shen Tangning spotted a carriage parked outside and pulled Chi Yan off the horse. They tiptoed and hid behind a tree.
Seeing her unusual expression, Chi Yan had a sudden thought and looked at her carefully: "Is that your carriage?"
It bears the Shen family's logo.
Shen Tangning revealed a mocking smile: "My father's."
He was still worried about Aunt Fang, and even when he was busy, he made time to visit her.
She wasn't surprised; now that Aunt Fang was carrying a golden nugget, how could he not care?
As for Shen Ci, in his father's eyes, the Xie family is bound to fall sooner or later. Shen Ci is half a Xie, so he will inevitably be implicated by His Majesty. Even if he is not dragged down, he will not be given important positions by His Majesty.
In that case, it would be better to cultivate a new successor as soon as possible.
It wasn't that she was making malicious speculations; Shen Chang had done the same thing in his previous life. Less than half a year after her mother passed away, Aunt Fang was promoted to the position of legitimate wife, and her son naturally became the legitimate heir.
Her eyes unconsciously darkened. How could she possibly let them have their way in this life?
Her cool fingertips were grasped, and she was abruptly pulled from her memories. She looked up blankly and met Chi Yan's calm gaze: "If you need my help, just say so."
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