Chapter 138 (1/2)
Chapter 138
Chapter 138 - Plans Settled
Yu Xiaocao stealthily gave Zhou Zixu a look that said, ‘you’re doing it right!’, and continued to plead her case . Her large eyes seemed more innocent and pitiful than a little deer’s, so anyone looking at her would feel his or her heart soften .
“Third Young Master, are you saying the truth? Then, does Jiang Siniang’s parents really allow her to go out and show her face in public?” Madam Liu had been somewhat persuaded by his words .
Zhou Zixu raised an eyebrow at Zhao Han and then continued, “Our current emperor is in favor of raising women’s status in society ah! I heard that after Jiang Siniang became well known for her deeds, the emperor himself had even praised her with this line: ‘women are just as capable as men in all they do’ . Jiang Siniang’s parents were also like Auntie in the beginning and didn’t support her . However, after she received the emperor’s approval, they slowly began to change and no longer tried to stop her . Now, Jiang Siniang’s mother will even help manage some tasks at her store when she has more work than she can get done!”
“But . . . if a young girl spends all her time out in the public, how could she possibly have any marriage prospects in the future ah!” This was the thing that Madam Liu worried about the most .
Zhou Zixu chuckled, “You don’t need to worry about this . With Jiang Siniang’s current reputation, there are people lining out the door asking to marry her . I even heard that the current prime minister’s eldest son, who is also the eldest grandson of the town’s Rongxuan Academy’s founder, adores Jiang Siniang for her talents and abilities . He even found someone to act as a matchmaker and it’s rumored that they’re pretty close to announcing an engagement!”
“Someone who sells her work for a living is in talks about getting married to the prime minister’s son? Are you trying to deceive Auntie here?” Madam Liu felt as if she was listening to some mythical story and found it incredibly hard to believe .
“If you don’t believe me, then go around and ask other people! Now all of the n.o.bles in the capital no longer want to find a daughter-in-law who is from a wealthy family and follows the three morals and four virtues . Instead, they want to find a woman who is talented, confident, and strives for constant self-improvement . The emperor himself had said: ‘a truly beautiful woman is one who is confident and independent’!”
When Yu Xiaocao heard Zhou Zixu describe the current emperor’s mentality, she admired and felt extremely curious about this fellow transmigrator who was sitting at the top . In a country that had already experienced the Tang Dynasty’s Wu Zetian seizing the throne, the fact that he was willing to raise women’s status in society and advocate for women’s rights truly meant that he might encounter harsh opposition!
Zhou Zixu continued to persuade her, “Auntie, with Xiaocao’s abilities and a few more years, she absolutely can become one of the best culinary talents in the country! Jiang Siniang managed to conquer the country with her embroidery and designing abilities, but Xiaocao has enough talents to also become famous . Auntie, you absolutely cannot restrict Younger Sister Xiaocao in a little town like Tanggu . Wouldn’t that be ruining her potential to become a famous chef?”
Madam Liu couldn’t tell the north from the south after hearing Zhou Zixu’s convincing arguments . She hesitantly looked at her husband and then softly said, “Husband . . . how about you accompany Cao’er to go to the prefectural city tomorrow?”
“Thank you, Mother! Mother, you’re the best!! I love you the most!!!” Xiaocao became wild with joy . She threw herself at Madam Liu and kissed her mother’s face several times .
Madam Liu was caught off guard and fell onto ground into the vegetable field, crus.h.i.+ng a few heads of leaf lettuce! She half-laughed and half-rebuked her daughter, “Child, what made so crazy? Quickly get up!!”
On the side, Yu Hai felt a burst of jealousy, “Only your mother is good? Then what about me, your father, am I no longer good? Don’t forget, your old man will be the one painstakingly accompanying you to the prefectural city tomorrow!”
Yu Xiaocao immediately changed her target and placated her jealous father, “Father is also the best! Xiaocao is really too fortunate to have the world’s best father and mother!”
“Such a toady!” Little s.h.i.+tou sourly remarked . He only had two days of break, so he had lost his chance to go to the prefectural city .
Yu Hang leisurely walked up to his little brother and rubbed his small head, “In the future when you have pa.s.sed the county level exams and need to take the provincial level exams, then you’ll have your opportunity to go to the prefectural city . If you feel envious right now, then use your own efforts to achieve your goals!”
Little s.h.i.+tou wrapped his hands into tight fists and firmly a.s.serted, “Older Brother! The prefectural exam is not my ultimate goal . My ultimate goal is——to reach the imperial court examinations! I will certainly make my parents and second sister proud of me!”
“Yes, Older Brother believes in you! Don’t give yourself too much pressure, as long as you do your best, then you won’t have any regrets!” Yu Hang didn’t want his little brother to lose his innocent heart due to throwing himself into his schoolwork . In addition to raising his confidence, Yu Hang also wanted to give the little fellow some warmth .
This was the first time that Zhou Zixu and Zhao Han saw Yu Xiaocao reveal her childish side . They both thought that it was cute and refres.h.i.+ng and couldn’t help but simultaneously reveal gentle smiles .
Zhou Zixu took the lead, “Xiaocao, Uncle Yu, are you guys really going into the prefectural city on foot tomorrow? Even if you walk for the whole day without rest, you may not be able to get there by dark . Can Younger Sister Xiaocao endure a journey like that?”
Xiaocao was afraid that her father would get the idea, again, that she shouldn’t go, and hastily replied, “We have Little Gray ah! It shouldn’t be a problem for it to pull the four of us in the cart!”
Zhao Han couldn’t help but chuckle at the eager expression Xiaocao had on her face, “My family has two horses at home . If Uncle Yu knows how to ride a horse, then my father and I can take one while Uncle Yu and Xiaocao ride the other . ” “Wow! Brother Han has horses at home? And two of them? Brother Han’s family is really rich ah!” Because the start of dynasty occurred after a long and lengthy battle, the price for a horse had risen without stopping . This meant that, for an average family, buying a horse was similar to buying a new car in the modern times . The cheapest and most ordinary horse on the market would cost at least a hundred or so taels to purchase .