12dz Chapter 251 Is she being sent to be a spy?
Chapter 251 Is she being sent to be a spy?
Seeing that she remained silent, Qin Yizhen stopped there and did not repeat the topic.
She's already said all this; if Shi Jin Kui is bullied and remains silent, then she's the one who's stupid.
"I've come to see you because of Miss Fang."
"Miss Fang?" Shi Jin Kui was very confused. What did Fang Shi Xin want to see her for?
"Indeed." Qin Yizhen took a sip of tea and then invited her to taste it. "Miss Fang is a rare person in the world. Sometimes I think she's crazy, but other times I have to admit that she does have some extraordinary ideas that are hard to find in ordinary people."
"It's just that I've fallen out with her. If I were to ask her some questions, she certainly wouldn't answer them. She might even go further and ask me for things that are difficult for me to do, which I also refuse to do."
“Miss Shi, everyone knows you are from the Zhenbei Marquis’s mansion and have nothing to do with me. So I would like to ask you for a favor and ask her to tell me something.”
Is she being sent to be a spy?!
Shi Jin Kui was unwilling, but she didn't dare to directly refuse in front of Qin Yi Zhen.
Qin Yizhen added, "Miss Shi need not worry. I will not make you violate morality or do things you do against your will. If you are unwilling, I will find someone else."
When asking someone to do something, it's best to do it willingly. Besides, Qin Yi has plenty of people willing to serve her, so she naturally won't force them.
"I'm not asking you to stay by Miss Fang's side every day. I just have some doubts now and then and would like to ask you to help me get an answer from Miss Fang. If you feel bad about it, give her all your money and jewelry in exchange, and I will bear the loss."
"By the way, I do have something that's quite puzzling me right now. You've probably heard about the Min family girl, haven't you?"
Shi Jin Kui had no idea what she was up to, and simply nodded upon hearing this: "I have indeed heard of it."
Qin Yizhen continued, “A woman’s divorce and remarriage are often the most controversial issues. People feel that a woman should not serve two husbands, otherwise she is considered immoral and unchaste.”
"Since the founding of the Eastern Qin, due to war and the busy recuperation, the court has always encouraged women to remarry. However, in the past ten years or so, the Southern Qi has been stable and prosperous, and the people have lived well. Some ideas that are very detrimental to women have also emerged."
“There are many similar opinions, such as ‘starving to death is a small matter, but losing one’s chastity is a big matter.’ Even more so, some people believe that women should not go out and show their faces. If they have to go out, they should wear a veil so that people can’t see their faces.”
"These kinds of remarks have now spread to Dong Qin and are even getting more and more intense. They demand that women stay at home and remain chaste and virtuous. In particular, those scholars who have read a few more books and think they know a lot about reason are bound to do wrong things."
Shi Jin Kui frowned: "Does the princess mean that I should ask Miss Fang for a solution to this matter?"
That's pretty much the gist of it. Would you be willing to help me with this?
Qin Yizhen thought about this matter for many days, but still couldn't find a solution.
Yes, perhaps she could have Empress Dowager Cheng issue a direct order to protect women's status, but she always felt that was inappropriate, and it might even provoke a backlash from the men, who, in order to protect their own status and interests, might make even more excessive demands on women.
Just like Empress Dowager Cheng, she disapproved of people taking concubines and could have issued an edict requiring people to marry only one wife. However, in the end, she only issued the order limiting concubines in the name of "procreation".
A one-size-fits-all approach could easily provoke rebellion, causing turmoil in the court and even jeopardizing her position as Empress Dowager. Taking a gradual approach and leaving room for maneuver is the safest course of action.
Qin Yizhen tried her best to find a way to give women the greatest tolerance and care, while also making it acceptable to men.
When she couldn't figure it out no matter what she asked, she thought of Fang Shixin.
Fang Shixin was so arrogant that she looked down on women becoming concubines, considering it a form of self-degradation. It seems that she may have lived in a world that protected women very well before.
Perhaps, the answer she seeks can be found in Fang Shixin.
Unfortunately, she and Fang Shixin had already fallen out and were enemies. If she or someone around her asked, the other party would definitely not tell her. Thus, Shi Jinkui, the adopted daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, caught her eye.
Shi Jin Kui remained silent for a long time, lost in thought. Qin Yi Zhen was not annoyed and quietly drank her tea while waiting. After about half a cup of tea had passed, Shi Jin Kui asked her, "Is this all you're asking? Nothing else?"
"Exactly."
"I only ask for a stable life for women in this world, nothing more."
“Alright.” Shi Jin Kui finally nodded in agreement. “Since it’s about this matter, I am naturally willing to help.”
Regardless of whether she herself has such a broad mind, she is a woman, and if things can be accomplished, it will only benefit her and not harm her, so she is naturally willing to give it a try.
"Then thank you very much, Miss Shi. I will offer you tea instead of wine."
"Together we offer our respects." Lady Changting and Lady Min also raised their teacups to toast her.
Even though Shi Jin Kui was usually very calm, she was feeling a little dizzy at this moment. Perhaps she was uncomfortable staying here, or perhaps she was afraid that it would reach the ears of the Lady of Zhenbei Marquis. After drinking this cup of tea, she got up and took her leave.
"Once I have news, I will report it to the princess."
"I am waiting for you."
Shi Jin Kui did not stay in the Peony Pavilion for long before leaving. After she left, Lady Changting asked Qin Yizhen curiously, "Why did the princess seek out Miss Shi? Wasn't she afraid she wouldn't agree?"
Qin Yizhen lowered her eyes: "If she doesn't agree, there are plenty of others who would. But I think it's best to leave this matter to her. Let's give it a try."
Okra was certainly not her only option.
I just thought of her first, so I gave it a try.
Lady Changting thought about it and agreed. There was no harm in trying, and this matter wasn't urgent. It would be good to let Shi Jin Kui give it a try.
Not long after, it was time for the autumn imperial examination results to be announced, and news kept coming from Wanshi Tower about who had passed.
Some were overjoyed, while others were devastated, shaking their heads and sighing. Some elderly men with white beards even wept bitterly, heartbroken.
Passing the autumn imperial examination meant becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations). The treatment of scholars in Eastern Qin was not as good as in Southern Qi, but it was not too bad either.
Most importantly, having the title of "Juren" meant that even without participating in the metropolitan examination, one could still be assigned an official position, even if it was a minor official of the eighth or ninth rank.
In this life, with a salary to receive and an official position, one can at least live a decent life.