noveltune Chapter 39 Ordinary Women, Two Women Question Their Husband
Chapter 39 Ordinary Women, Two Women Question Their Husband
This is about the brothel.
Even though Zhu Yuanzhang, as the founding emperor, had already issued an edict in the capital to establish the officially recognized "Sixteen Towers," among which Qingpingfang and Fuchunyuan were the best of the time, so even in county-level areas, brothels had a place.
However, the two arrived at a truly unfortunate time.
It was just dawn, and the girls who had been busy all night were still resting by the guests' beds. Although there were some left who could serve guests at any time, there were no outstanding beauties to be found.
Ma Wenxiang wandered around the mediocrely decorated brothel, looking left and right, picking and choosing, but couldn't find a single one that caught his eye.
Although the girls here dress almost exactly the same way as those in later generations.
But Ma Wenxiang was already in Kunning Palace, and his eyes had been spoiled by the beauty of Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran beside him. These ordinary beauties were no match for him.
After looking around, Ma Wenxiang waved his hand: "Next batch!"
"That's all, young masters."
Seeing Ma Wenxiang's great disappointment, the madam also began to have her own doubts.
Actually, the girls in this county-level brothel are of pretty good quality. Even without much makeup, they could easily be rated five out of ten, and could be considered pretty.
But times have changed, and Ma Wenxiang's taste has been spoiled by the beauties of Kunning Palace.
He sighed, stood up, and strode away from the brothel, saying as he walked, "Brother Sun, you may do as you please here. I have already been here today."
Sun An's head was buzzing; he was completely bewildered.
He had a strict upbringing and had never set foot in a brothel before; he had only heard of it but never seen it.
I can't believe that Ma Wenxiang dragged me here today.
He had absolutely no intention of being ridiculous.
If he really did such a daring and reckless thing, when he returned home, Sun Xingzu, the Grand Commander of Beiping, would definitely bring out the family rules and beat him until his skin was torn and bleeding.
He is the eldest son of the Sun family, not a member of the collateral branch, and is the future pillar of the family.
His elders were naturally much stricter with him.
"Brother Wenxiang! There's absolutely no need for that, absolutely no need."
Sun An hurriedly responded, taking two steps at a time to keep up with Ma Wenxiang's pace.
In the blink of an eye, the two left the small brothel.
"A young man who is dissolute and unrestrained will hardly amount to anything. I hope Brother Sun will keep this in mind."
Ma Wenxiang climbed onto the Sun family's carriage. Before leaving, he left Sun An with this advice, his eyes carrying a hint of regret.
"I didn't expect this rich kid to have such poor taste... Is this all?"
Ma Wenxiang was filled with disappointment.
Upon hearing this, Sun An felt his worldview was severely shaken.
He clearly said those words to Ma Wenxiang before, so how come the other party beat him to it?
My words?!
……
Inside the teaching office of Kunning Palace.
The original weaving tools have long been removed and replaced with the furnishings of a small private school.
Ma Xiuying may have long forgotten the rules of the private school, after all, they were all things from decades ago, but having spent a night at the Ma family's private school, she followed the rules exactly.
In no time, everyone in the palace got busy, and the teaching area was set up.
"Qing'er, bring these books; Miaoran, find some writing materials. Remember, don't do it like the main hall, otherwise it will break the rules."
Ma Xiuying made arrangements methodically, saying, "It is feasible and possible to have female instructors, but they must never be openly discussed with male instructors on the same level."
She didn't even spare Consort Hu, smiling and inviting her, "Sisters can lend a hand too. A hero needs three helpers, and only by working together can we succeed."
Ma Xiuying compiled a reading list, and only then did the teaching office finally look completely proper.
The books scattered around were all about women's conduct, worldly wisdom, how to be a good wife and mother, and how to deal with various dangerous situations.
All beginnings are hard.
Ma Wenxiang has already made a start, and Ma Xiuying, whose personality has changed by a third, is also willing to let things take their course.
Since she and Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding couple, had to take care of both their own family and the nation, why couldn't their close associates work together to maintain harmony within and outside the family?
Why make such a clear distinction?
Ma Xiuying is naturally willing to offer more help to those close to her.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran responded in unison, and even Consort Hu diligently carried out the task.
Ma Xiuying's explanation greatly benefited Consort Hu.
As today's class is about to end!
Her expression was calm and thoughtful, and she even had the air of a scholarly young woman.
If she were imprisoned in the Inner Peace Hall again at this time, she would certainly not worry and cry every day as before, but would try to sell the palace jewelry.
If all else fails, they will give the jewelry as a bribe to the palace maids to get through the immediate crisis. They will not be like a useless person who almost couldn't even save their own child.
Women should also go with the flow in order to succeed.
"Madam, you've worked hard. Please have some tea; the temperature is just right."
Consort Hu served tea. Ma Xiuying had been speaking for over an hour, and it was time for her to moisten her throat and clear her voice. This was a way for her, as a female student, to show her respect.
Sun Miaoran was organizing books in the teaching office.
She even specially opened a side door next to it.
If outsiders come, they only need to close the door and bolt it, and under normal circumstances no one will know the little secret of this backyard.
Sun Miaoran walked out of the teaching office, but she was holding another book list in her hand.
The books on the reading list have all been organized and placed in their designated bookshelf.
She was puzzled and asked softly, "Your Majesty, this list also includes some essential principles of governance, covering topics such as auditing finances and construction projects in various regions. It seems a bit too complicated."
"Do we, as daughters, also need to learn these things?"
Upon seeing the book list, a smile flashed in Ma Xiuying's eyes, and she replied, "This is not for you. It is for Your Majesty, who also needs to do more learning so that I can teach the second, third, and fifth children."
Although she said this on the surface, she had already planned to hand over the task of teaching these rebellious children to Ma Wenxiang.
This book list wasn't for those mischievous kids, but rather for the "literary boy" she admired.
Since they shared the same surname, Ma, and such a mysterious soul-related event had occurred, Ma Xiuying had unknowingly come to regard Ma Wenxiang as half a nephew, whose status was at least comparable to that of Mu Ying.
"Your Majesty has spoken for so long, Qing'er would like to ask Your Majesty, when the time is right, which young men outside the palace will you betroth Qing'er and Sister Miaoran to?"
"What is this person's name, and what is their character like?"
Su Qing'er asked with a charming smile, her eyes full of longing.
She must have had these words on her mind for a long time, and only asked them today because she couldn't hold them in any longer.
Sun Miaoran, who was just about to leave, stopped in her tracks upon hearing this topic, turned slightly, and stood aside, silently waiting for an answer.
Since it concerned her daughter's marriage, she really had to take it seriously.
"How could I possibly mistreat you two little girls?"
Ma Xiuying smiled faintly, her phoenix eyebrows slightly raised, and a gentle warmth shone in her eyes. "The other party is about the same age as you, and is also a learned person. Although his talent is not as great as that of Scholar Song of the Hanlin Academy, he may well be able to rival him in the future."
"If he enters the court as an official in the future, he will surely live a wealthy and stable life."
"That's pretty good!"