in2ebook Chapter 541 Yizhi
Chapter 541 Yizhi
"Cough cough cough——" Shen Yunfei's face turned red after choking on the tea.
She spoke of such a private matter so nonchalantly.
He hurriedly wiped his mouth with his sleeve, but ended up getting water stains all over his chin.
In fact, he had guessed it a long time ago.
This "cousin" has her hair in a bun, which means she is married, but which husband would let his wife travel alone?
Unless there is no husband.
"My...my condolences." Shen Yunfei stuttered.
An Lingrong looked at his embarrassed look and rolled her eyes silently in her heart, how can you tell that I am sad?
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Shen Yunfei quickly changed the subject: "I have written a letter and sent it back to the capital to my eldest brother. If he can't do it..." He paused, straightened his back, and said firmly, "I will go to find my sister myself. Don't worry, since you have already agreed to this matter, I will definitely do it for you."
An Lingrong didn't respond, but just looked at him quietly. Her eyes were as clear as water, but it made Shen Yunfei inexplicably feel a little nervous.
He subconsciously lowered his head and lowered his voice a bit: "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You are different from ordinary men."
"Huh?" Shen Yunfei didn't react for a moment.
"People always look down on women, thinking they are meant to live by relying on men, but you don't seem to think so."
Shen Yunfei frowned upon hearing this. "How could I be so pedantic? Take my family, for example. Outsiders may think my father is the head of the family, but in reality, my mother makes all the decisions on all matters, big or small."
He spoke with increasing enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling, as if he had found excellent evidence. "Also, since you're new to the capital, you might not know this—there's a clinic in the capital that specializes in assisting women with childbirth. All the doctors there are women, and their skills are exceptional. I wonder how many women they've saved from difficult births."
At this point, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifted up, with a hint of pride. "Director of the clinic, I have to call you 'sister'. If I have the chance when I return to the capital someday, I'll take you to meet her!"
An Lingrong and Liu Zhu looked at each other, and a smile flashed in their eyes.
Liu Zhu quietly covered her lips, her shoulders trembling slightly, while An Lingrong pursed her lips and nodded calmly, "Okay."
——It’s quite interesting to have such a lively and sincere guy around.
More than ten days later, an announcement was issued nationwide.
The Empress Dowager issued an edict:
I have inherited the teachings of the late emperor and have been honored with the title of Holy Mother. I often see young women in secluded places, some of whom remain chaste and have clear ambitions, while others are trying to make a living independently. However, according to the old system, household registration is tied to the relatives of their fathers, brothers, or husbands, leaving them with no property and making a living. This is truly against the virtue of Heaven, which is to love life, and is not the way of the court to sympathize with women and children.
If a woman possesses the four virtues and is capable of being independent, how can we follow the old rules and leave her with nowhere to go?
Special imperial decree is issued to make it a permanent rule:
1. Any woman over the age of 20 who is able to own land and houses and make a living to support herself may report to the local officials. After verification, she will be allowed to live in a separate household and be included in the yellow book, and be treated as one with male households.
2. Female households shall pay taxes and levies according to regulations and shall not be subject to additional labor service simply because they have no male offspring.
3. Female households are allowed to independently manage and sell land, houses, and businesses freely. All transactions must be signed with the seal of the male household. Relatives may not forcibly interfere by claiming the household is extinct. In the event of disputes over property, the local magistrate must make an impartial judgment.
4. If a woman dies without a son, she may choose a nephew of the same clan and of the same generation order as her heir. If there is no one within her own clan to succeed her, she may also choose a loved one. The adopted son must be officially registered, just like a biological son. Anyone who encroaches on the heir's property will be charged with theft.
The Ministry of Revenue was ordered to publish regulations and distribute them to the provinces. If any clerk took advantage of the opportunity to extort money, or if a clan member obstructed the process, the householder would be allowed to report the violation to the government gate and be punished accordingly.
I advise you, officials both inside and outside the court, to understand my compassion and handle this matter with sincerity. Ensure that talented individuals within the boudoir find their proper place, and that ambitious women are able to fully display their abilities. This will allow the inner court to be bright and the morals to be pure and beautiful.
The announcement was made at home and abroad, and the envoys heard about it.
懿此
The end was stamped with the golden seal of Empress Dowager Huiyi, and the emperor also stamped the end with the jade seal to show his respect.
Shen Yunfei rushed into An Lingrong's room in two steps, clutching the newly copied imperial edict in his hand, his face filled with joy. "Cousin! Look! Great news!"
An Lingrong had received Shen Meiyu's letter two days ago, but she didn't expect the imperial edict to be issued so quickly. She hurriedly took it and read it carefully.
Shen Meizhuang had considered everything very carefully, taking into account taxes, property, and inheritance after the household was established. She also drew up regulations for the government to follow.
"How's it going?" Shen Yunfei shook his head proudly, like a puppy asking for credit. "Cousin, did I do a good job?"
An Lingrong gave a thumbs-up: "Excellent!"
"I really didn't expect this," Shen Yunfei said, pacing around the room excitedly. "I calculated the date and thought the letter might have just reached my eldest brother. I didn't expect an imperial decree to come down so soon, and it was even an imperial decree issued by the Empress Dowager herself!"
He suddenly slapped his forehead, "Ah! My eldest brother must have gone to see the Queen Mother the first time he received the letter! Haha, my sister really loves me the most!"
An Lingrong and Liu Zhu looked at each other and laughed out loud.
The secret guards around her delivered the letter much faster than the post station, and this guy thought it was his own credit!
When they arrived at Tiger Hill, the girls there had already heard the news and were gathering in groups of three or five, excitedly discussing where to settle down.
"Once my household registration is completed, I will go to Jiangning Prefecture! I heard that the Yunjin Workshop there is recruiting skilled embroiderers. I must give it a try. Who knows, I might even be able to embroider clothes for the palace in the future!"
"I'm going to set up a tea stall at the dock. I'm the best at making tea."
"If you ask me, it's fine to stay on the flower boat. It's so tiring to go out and make a living. But I want to go to Hangzhou. I heard the scenery there is very beautiful and the painted boats are also beautiful."
Before he finished speaking, the girls burst into laughter.
An Lingrong walked past them with a slight smile on her lips.
The path for women in this world is too narrow. Now the path has been widened for them. As for how to choose, it depends on them.
An Lingrong found Sun Heyin and took out a land deed. "I bought you a small courtyard on Guanqian Street. It's not big, but very quiet. I've also prepared maids. You can move in with your aunt and Bai Zhi."
Sun Heyin didn't hesitate to accept the deed and said with a smile, "Thank you, and thank you too..."
She didn't finish her words, but An Lingrong knew she wanted to say thank you to Shen Meizhuang.
"Don't worry, I'll pass it on for you."
"Okay." Sun Heyin curled her eyes and carefully put the deed away.
The two said no more and turned to pack their luggage.
Fortunately, there was a ready-made "coolie" - Shen Yunfei was squatting on the deck, sorting boxes with a reluctant look on his face, muttering: "I am a great man... and I have fallen to the point of carrying boxes for others..."
An Lingrong glanced at him, half-smiling, "Why, Third Young Master can't even do such a small thing?"
Shen Yunfei choked and shut up angrily. He picked up the largest box and strode towards the carriage.