Chapter 483: Guarding against the foolishness of the people is better than guarding against the invaders
They want to stuff women into the prince's arsenal, not into the princess's!
This evil wind was quickly extinguished by Xiao Yanci's operation.
After being defeated by Xiao Yanci, they turned their firepower on Lu Zhiran.
During the morning court session, a censor came forward to impeach Lu Zhiran.
"The Crown Princess is currently the only one favored by the Eastern Palace, and with no heir yet born, I'm afraid this is not a blessing for the ancestral temple. The Crown Princess should emulate the virtuous Ban Jieyu of the Han Dynasty and hold a wide selection of concubines to prolong the country's prosperity."
The person who said this was an old minister, who was usually upright in character. Xiao Yanci's eyes instantly showed a bit of coldness.
Emperor Defeng looked at Xiao Yanci, his tone seemed casual but contained a hint of majesty.
"What Lord Qi said does make some sense. Prince, although you are busy with official duties, the matter of your offspring is also very important."
Xiao Yanci stood up and said respectfully, "Father, I dare not favor Lu exclusively. I am afraid that if the legitimate wife gives birth to a son before the legitimate wife gives birth to a son of a concubine, it will disrupt the family law. I and the Crown Princess are both young and strong, so it's only a matter of time before we have children. Please don't worry, Father."
Emperor Defeng looked at Xiao Yanci deeply, with a hint of oppression in his eyes.
"I am old, and I just want to hold my grandson soon. Prince, please don't keep me waiting."
Lu Zhiran was an extraordinary woman. She had helped the court share its worries many times before and solved many problems for Emperor Defeng. Emperor Defeng was unwilling to be the bad guy and did not give her any dignity.
He has given in again and again, and this is the last time.
He only gave her three months. If Lu Zhiran still couldn't conceive an heir within three months, Emperor Defeng would not give in anymore.
By then, the Eastern Palace will definitely have new people entering, and no one can stop it.
Xiao Yanci also felt a sense of pressure and responded in a deep voice.
Xiao Yanci did not reveal the turmoil in the court to Lu Zhiran, and also reminded Jiang Nansheng and Xiao Baozhu not to say anything they shouldn't in front of her.
You have to bear these external pressures yourself.
Lu Zhiran has been very busy recently. She is doing something. Jiang Nansheng and Xiao Baozhu frequently go in and out of the East Palace and discuss things with her privately. They are like her "accomplices".
Lu Zhiran mused, "This matter still needs to be resolved in a clear way."
Jiang Nansheng said, "We need to find a suitable opportunity, otherwise we might face opposition from the court officials."
Xiao Baozhu was puzzled. "This is obviously a good thing, why is it being opposed?"
Lu Zhiran patiently explained, "Everything has its pros and cons. We believe that establishing a girls' school is a good thing, but it's hard for the conservatives not to think that this move is like a hen crowing at dawn, disrupting the government, and may even implicate His Highness."
That’s right, what they had been discussing privately recently was the matter of setting up a girls’ school.
Jiang Nansheng had always had this idea, but it was not right for her to do it.
Lu Zhiran is the Crown Princess, and with her taking the lead, this matter is perfect.
After they went to southern Fujian, the idea gradually took shape.
During this period of time, they have selected a site for the girls' school and are currently renovating it. It will be completed soon.
However, how to handle this matter is very important.
You must never do good things but get no benefits from them.
This move must be made well, because it is a crucial beginning. Only when the girls' schools in the capital are well established can girls' schools in other places be gradually established.
Lu Zhiran thought for a moment and said, "I will go to the palace to discuss this matter with my mother."
Perhaps, it would be more effective if Concubine Rou raised the matter with Emperor Defeng.
In fact, if there is an imperial decree from the Queen, this matter will be more legitimate.
However, after the empress passed away, Emperor Defeng never appointed a new empress, so he could only settle for the second best and let Concubine Rou take the lead.
One day, Lu Zhiran went to the palace to pay her respects to Concubine Rou and mentioned this matter.
Concubine Rou looked at Lu Zhiran, her eyes full of satisfaction and pride.
"Zhiran, you care about the women of the world and put your heart into it. You have repeatedly worked for the benefit of women all over the world. In the future, it will be a blessing for women in Da Qi to have a queen like you."
Lu Zhiran did not dare to take credit for this achievement.
"What I'm doing now is just the best of my ability. I'm just worried that my influence is too weak to do this well, and that I might end up getting Ah Ci into trouble."
Concubine Rou said firmly, "You have done very well. I will help you with this matter."
Concubine Rou originally wanted to send someone to invite Emperor Defeng to have dinner together, but unexpectedly, a message came from outside immediately that Emperor Defeng had come uninvited.
"What a coincidence! It seems even God is helping us."
Emperor Defeng recently handed over all government affairs to Xiao Yanci, and he himself is in a semi-retired state.
After having some free time, Emperor Defeng looked much better.
In the entire harem, the only place he could visit was with Concubine Rou.
When I arrived, I found that Lu Zhiran was there too.
Emperor Defeng was generally very satisfied with Lu Zhiran, the Crown Princess. His only dissatisfaction was that her pregnancy was still not moving.
But since Emperor Defeng had already given a deadline, he naturally would not give Lu Zhiran a hard time and his attitude towards her remained very gentle.
She was praised again for going to southern Fujian to rescue Xiao Yanci.
Concubine Rou also said: "I was just talking to Zhiran about the situation in southern Fujian. This time, Zhiran brought back more than 20 women from southern Fujian. They are all miserable people..."
"Zhiran had good intentions. She thought of other women who had suffered such hardships and decided to open a girls' school in the suburbs of Beijing to provide a better life for these poor women. However, the matter was of such importance that she did not dare to make a decision lightly."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Defeng couldn't help but look at Lu Zhiran.
"It has been said since ancient times that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. The establishment of girls' schools is unprecedented."
Lu Zhiran faced Emperor Defeng with a respectful attitude, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Replying to Your Majesty, the girls' school is not about teaching women how to take the imperial examinations, but about teaching them simple literacy, needlework, and embroidery, so that they can become independent."
Emperor Defeng said slowly, "The Women's School is different from the Jinxiufang. The Jinxiufang can generate profits, but the Women's School can only take money out. It's a losing business with only outflows and no income."
Lu Zhiran smiled slightly. "If women can read and count, widows can raise their young children without relying on relief, and orphans can identify medicines and practice medicine without falling into menial jobs. If you calculate this way, the Ministry of Revenue of the Great Qi Dynasty can save countless disaster relief funds in the future. How can this be a loss? This deal is a sure win. My daughter-in-law's humble opinion: guarding against the stupidity of the people is better than guarding against the enemy."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Defeng stroked his beard and laughed.
"Well, it's better to guard against the ignorance of the people than against the invaders! I approve the establishment of a girls' school."
The Crown Princess has such wisdom and will be a good wife to the Crown Prince in the future.
After receiving Emperor Defeng's approval, Lu Zhiran was delighted and immediately stood up and kowtowed.
"My daughter-in-law will do her best to run the girls' school well!"
When Concubine Rou saw that the matter was settled, a smile appeared on her face.
The palace maids brought the food to the table one after another. Emperor Defeng picked up his chopsticks first, followed by Concubine Rou and Lu Zhiran.
Emperor Defeng was in a good mood and had a very good appetite today, and so did Concubine Rou.
On the contrary, Lu Zhiran looked at the table full of food but had no appetite at all.
The palace maid brought a plate of steamed sea bass with dogwood and spicy sauce. The moment the lid was opened, Lu Zhiran's stomach churned.
She tried her best to hold it back, but the feeling was too overwhelming and she couldn't help it. She covered her lips and retched.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
