Chapter 401 – Relocation to Chenzhou (7)
“This, this world actually has such absurd things?”
Feng Jin stared blankly for a long time; he had never cared about these trivial matters in the inner courtyard and never liked gossip either, so naturally, he had never heard of it.
After he said that, he let out a long sigh of relief, saying, “Fortunately, our Changsheng is not from Zhong Zhao.”
What a naive thought!
Wei Jingxian shot him a glance, noticing the desire in his eyes. Her heart softened, and she allowed him to hold Changsheng.
“Darling, you’re too early in your relief,” Wei Jingxian said anxiously. “This thing has already slowly spread in Hejian County. There are even families requiring their wives to adhere to the four admonitions for women. If they do not comply, they are deemed unchaste and unclean—Wan’er is one such case…”
At this point, Wei Jingxian swallowed the rest of her words, merely gazing worriedly at Changsheng in Feng Jin’s arms.
How she wished her child had been a boy! At least the standards for boys were not so harsh and severe. If it were so, she would have less to worry about. Being a girl meant facing too many constraints and helplessness from birth to marriage and then raising children.
Now, with the additional heavy shackles of the so-called four admonitions for women, she simply couldn’t imagine how Changsheng would navigate her future.
Although Wei Jingxian hadn’t finished speaking, Feng Jin grasped her underlying meaning. These books had actually spread as far as Dongqing?
Dongqing had inherited the open spirit of the previous dynasty, Daxia, where women of higher status enjoyed greater freedom.
But with the four admonitions, it turned out the opposite: noble girls had less comfort and ease compared to common women. How could this be acceptable?
“Don’t worry, our Changsheng will naturally be a treasured daughter of heaven, and no one will dare to trample on her easily.” Feng Jin’s gaze darkened, just as he met Changsheng’s bright eyes. He couldn’t help but tease her, saying, “If it really comes to it, we’ll find a husband for her and see who dares to bully her.”
Wei Jingxian looked at the father and daughter, smiling bitterly, “Even finding a husband won’t solve the root of the problem. How can parents keep an eye on their children forever? Raising a child for a hundred years brings worry for ninety-nine; this girl must have owed something in her past life, and this life, we must make it clear.”
Feng Jin sighed, “Regardless, these harmful books cannot continue to spread. Otherwise, who knows how many noble girls will be trampled and persecuted. Women from prominent families are born noble and should not bow low before others or depend on them. It’s preposterous.”
He inherently held the pride of a noble bloodline. If the four admonitions only harmed ordinary women, he would merely furrow his brow, not seeing much harm in it. But once it endangered noble women—his female relatives—how could Feng Jin possibly remain seated?
“But… now…” Wei Jingxian was filled with concern.
Feng Jin played with Changsheng for a bit, and she impatiently frowned, lightly thumping his fingers as if petting him.
“Surely, Jingxian hasn’t forgotten Lan Ting?” He took a sip from his daughter’s tiny finger, soft and tender, the milky scent dispelling his inner fatigue. “Lan Ting is no ordinary person, and she won’t hide her identity forever. Once she achieves her goals, who would dare to look down on women even a little? No need for you to worry; just take good care of Changsheng and maintain your own health to avoid lingering illnesses.”
Childbirth and the postpartum environment were so rudimentary, yet both she and the child were healthy, showing that heaven was indeed favorable to them.
Wei Jingxian had long harbored her worries, although she didn’t display them on the surface, she often wore a troubled expression in private.
After hearing Feng Jin’s words, she nearly bit her tongue in shock, “Darling, does that mean…?”
“It’s too early to tell, but with Lan Ting’s temperament, she won’t sit idle for a day; she’ll stir up trouble even when there’s none.” Compared to Wei Jingxian’s worries, Feng Jin remained remarkably calm. “Chaos has already begun; those ridiculous four admonitions won’t last long. The common people are displaced, young robust men are dying far from home. If women must remain widowed and pure, how will life be restored quickly?”
If the four admonitions had emerged during a time of peace, they would indeed have had a nurturing environment for growth; Feng Jin alone could not stand against the whole tide.
But with chaos everywhere now, this seismic upheaval had claimed the lives of countless young men and disrupted many women’s homes. If it were to be followed according to the content of the four admonitions, women would become scarce, and no new lives would be born…
The ancient times were agricultural, where manpower was the primary productivity; without people, society could not develop.
Feng Jin could see the larger picture, so he wasn’t worried.
Unless Zhong Zhao unified the five states, the four admonitions would not be thoroughly promoted for the next hundred years.
As he thought of this, Feng Jin recalled the information about Zhong Zhao and revealed a hint of sardonic amusement.
“Jingxian, don’t worry, our Changsheng will do well in the future.”
Zhong Zhao had always been the most powerful of the five states; however, in recent years, the Emperor had grown increasingly foolish, the court in turmoil, with powerful relatives and eunuchs rampant. Just a few years ago, there had been the party purge incident… Historically powerful Zhong Zhao was treading the same path as Dongqing.
Looking at it this way, there truly was nothing to be concerned about.
“Ah—yay—yay—”
Changsheng had once again started her babble, her soft little paws clutching Feng Jin’s wide sleeve. The two played with great joy.
Having deftly resolved a family crisis and calmed his daughter, Feng Jin hopped off the carriage with a spring in his step.
Just as the carriage curtain fell, that spring-like smile vanished instantly. He bent down to pick up the books on the ground, his demeanor fierce as he sought Qi Guanrang for an accounting… It was fine if he had been slacking off these days, but how could he use such underhanded means against him?
What Feng Jin didn’t know was that Qi Guanrang had already scurried away to Jiang Pengji’s place for refuge.
“Did you read those books?”
“Lan Ting has indeed caused quite a ruckus. When Huaiyu comes later, you must help out,” Qi Guanrang recalled the fragrance of tea, setting down the teacup. “As for those books, they’re likely the nonsensical fantasies of some bored scholars, nothing worth looking at.”
They were an eyesore.
Jiang Pengji said, “But those are works by the Empress of Zhong Zhao; how could people not worship what a wise Empress wrote?”
Qi Guanrang fell silent.
Jiang Pengji said mischievously, “I’m planning to buy a few more copies; when a family gives birth to a daughter one day, I’ll send a set to each of them.”
Qi Guanrang intentionally misinterpreted Jiang Pengji’s intent, saying, “You want people to learn how to raise daughters?”
“No, I want them to see what their daughters will endure in a few years if they follow the four admonitions.”
Qi Guanrang’s mouth twitched, fully understanding that Jiang Pengji had wicked intentions.
“Young Master seems to dislike these books quite a bit,” Qi Guanrang said.
Jiang Pengji glanced at him, “Of course I dislike them. Would you like them?”
Qi Guanrang smiled, honestly replying, “If solely looking from a male perspective, there are indeed some points I could agree with since it merely concerns a commoner. However, if viewed from a father of a daughter’s standpoint, this kind of thing is still too harmful.”
Thus, Jiang Pengji’s notion of gifting a set of the four admonitions to families with daughters was simply asking for trouble!
