MM Racing Chapter 355 What a huge pot!
Chapter 355 What a huge pot!
"What is this?" Shen Shixi waved the copybook.
The eldest princess thought to herself, "The Empress is indeed illiterate, she doesn't even know the Analects for Women." She replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is a copy of the Analects by your son."
She deliberately emphasized the words "The Analects".
Shen Shixi sincerely asked, "Isn't the first sentence of the Analects 'The Master said, "To learn and at due times to practice what one has learned, is that not also a pleasure?"'"
The eldest princess paused for a moment, then shook her head. "Your subject has not learned this."
Shen Shixi instructed, "Go and invite Fu Chuji over."
Fu Chuji was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), served as a Hanlin Academy attendant, later worked in the Grand Council, and is now doing odd jobs in the cabinet. These young people who are not qualified to be nominated as Grand Secretaries are now referred to as "prospective prime ministers" by outsiders.
With the experience of working in the cabinet and being a candidate favored by the emperor, he will eventually join the cabinet.
Fu Chuji was on duty today and arrived quickly. After looking at the copying of the eldest princess's punishment that the Empress handed over, he gave the Empress a meaningful look and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this is the 'Women's Analects'."
The eldest princess's lips curled slightly upward, and her eyelids drooped, concealing the mockery in her eyes.
You got slapped in the face, didn't you?
Shen Shixi laughed. "Hejing, did I ask you to copy the *Women's Analects*? What did I say that day?"
The eldest princess said, "My mother asked me to copy the Analects that day, but I am not a man. I am a girl, and girls should read the Analects for women."
Shen Shixi nodded. "Very good! You've copied the 'Women's Analects' ten times. What are your thoughts? Tell me!"
He Jingxin said, "You don't even understand the 'Women's Analects,' so what if I did?"
The eldest princess was also preparing for this day, and she did her best when copying it; at least she could recite the opening lines: "All women should first learn to establish themselves. The way to establish oneself is to be pure and chaste. Purity leads to uprightness, and chastity leads to honor."
She recited it once, afraid that Shen Shixi wouldn't understand and would ask more questions, so she quickly said, "Qingzhen means quiet and chaste."
Shen Shixi said, "Since you are willing to learn this 'Women's Analects,' I will not force you. If you can do it, that's fine. But I have to make it clear that I originally asked you to copy the 'Analects,' not the 'Women's Analects.' If you can't understand its meaning, then forget it."
I've seen what you copied. Your attitude is at least somewhat correct, so you can go back now. Behave yourself in the future!
"Your subject obeys the decree!"
She and the headmistress went back. Once outside the palace gates, she asked, "Why did Mother make me copy the Analects, not the Women's Analects? Has she never even read it herself?"
As Empress, how can she be expected to rule the world if she hasn't even read this?
The headmistress quickly reminded her to be careful with her words. The eldest princess pouted, somewhat afraid, and kept quiet.
Fu Chuji was also curious about this and asked Shen Shixi, "Has Her Majesty the Empress not read the *Women's Analects*?"
For daughters of prominent families, especially the Shen family, wouldn't girls be taught the Four Books for girls as their first education?
Shen Shixi retorted, "What? Why would a man like you read 'The Analects for Women'? What about needlework? Can you embroider?"
Fu Chuji smiled and said, "I only glanced at it when my sisters were reading it. Although I haven't read the whole thing, I at least know that it is the 'Women's Analects'."
Shen Shixi stopped joking and asked, "I heard you sent someone to the Shen family to propose marriage? You really intend to marry my fourth sister?"
Fu Chuji immediately composed himself and said, "Your Majesty, I am of the utmost sincerity. How can a matter of marriage be treated lightly!"
Fu Chuji had expected the Empress to give him a reprimand, but Shen Shixi didn't say anything and simply asked him to take his leave, leaving Fu Chuji completely puzzled.
He ran into Han Xiao when he went out, and asked Han Xiao for advice. Han Xiao was alarmed when he heard this, and said, "Then your marriage is probably in jeopardy. The Empress didn't tell you clearly, but just wait and see. She'll tell your fourth sister that the whole Shen family listens to her alone."
Fu Chuji felt completely distraught. "How could they do this? How could they listen to her so readily? Even though she's the Empress, she's still a married daughter!"
Han Xiao continued, "Hehe, you don't know, the Shen family has always been like this. Back when the Grand Tutor was alive, it was always like this. As long as she opposed something, no one else could get it done."
Fu Chuji was so stunned he could barely move. This was the first time he'd encountered something like this, something that concerned his entire happiness. "What should we do?"
Han Xiao then shared his experience with him, saying, "One thing to do is to be shameless and let everyone in the capital know that you are going to marry Shen Si. This will defeat all your competitors, and no one will dare to compete with you. In the end, they will have no choice but to marry you, even if they don't want to."
Or, you could show the Empress your sincerity; at the very least, you should defeat that fool Xu Wanyi.
Fu Chuji's mind went blank because these operations were all very difficult.
Leaving aside the fact that the second point doesn't even provide a direction for effort, the first point, forcing someone into marriage, is quite despicable.
Fu Chuji looked at him and thought to herself, "It seems the rumors might not be false. This guy, could he have gotten Cousin Du pregnant before the wedding? And he even caused Cousin Du to be scolded by Prime Minister Cui in court. No wonder Cousin Du was so desperate. Who could live with that kind of situation?"
"What kind of look is that? I'm trying to teach you out of kindness! If you don't want to listen, fine!"
Han Xiao was furious, completely unaware of the enormous blame he had been placed on.
But as it turns out, not listening to Han Xiao was the right thing to do.
When Fu Chuji returned home, he heard from his mother that the Shen family had agreed to the marriage, which he could hardly believe.
Pei Yanli found an inn to stay in, and the next day he went to pay respects to his father. On the third day, he applied to enter the palace.
Shen Shixi met him in the East Warm Pavilion of Qianyuan Palace. There were still many things she hadn't been able to clarify last time.
"Have you investigated what happened during the last attack?"
Pei Yanli said, "This matter is still related to Suhebalu. His mother had a maid named Sarilang. When he was in Xiling, Sarilang found him and tried to force him to take revenge, saying how tragically his mother died."
Suhbaru didn't actually want revenge; it was too difficult for him. If he sought revenge, the Northern Sands might fall apart, and the common people would suffer the most. But Sarilang, wanting him to take revenge, revealed his whereabouts to the Wolf King of the Northern Sands.
The Wolf King of the Northern Sands was naturally unwilling to let Suhebalu grow up, so he arranged for people to come and kill him. However, these people were too ruthless and did not even spare the old and children.
Shen Shixi had guessed as much, but she was still furious when she heard the answer. "Where are the Sukhbaatars?"
"He went back to Beisha; he's determined to take revenge!"
He and Sukhbaatar parted ways halfway, and at night they climbed onto the roof together to drink. Sukhbaatar said that he wanted revenge, for his mother, for his grandparents, brothers and sisters in the charity who died because of him.
Shen Shixi then sent a decree to the Northern Border, instructing them to pay close attention and, under certain circumstances, provide some support to Suhebalu. After all, if the Northern Sands were to fall apart, it would be a good thing for the Great Zhou.
She asked Pei Yanli, "Lin Maolai's letter mentioned that you are going to arrange a marriage with a merchant from Quanzhou. Is that true?"
Pei Yanli felt ashamed. "I am not engaged and will get married sooner or later. If it can help with important matters, it is not impossible."
Shen Shixi said, "I don't care who you marry, but Pei Yanli, if you can sacrifice your marriage today, you might sacrifice yourself tomorrow. When you can even sacrifice yourself, what else can't you do?"
If you cross the line, would I dare let you do anything?
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