Chapter 182, The life you want
In ancient times, big families always prospered and suffered a loss. Last year, Shi Fuyin and Shi Fuxin were admitted to the National Women's Prison, which gave Shi parents a lot of face. Mrs. Shi is very concerned about the progress of their studies.
Knowing that she will start learning talents in the second year of entering the National Women's Prison, Mrs. Shi was worried that her two granddaughters would not understand these things, so she called them to her front.
The old lady did not ask the two of them what they wanted to learn as soon as they came up, but asked the two of them a question: "What kind of life do you two want to live in the future?"
Shi Fuxin showed surprise on her face, she didn't expect Mrs. Shi to ask them such a question.
Da Chu’s restraint on women is not as strict as other dynasties, but women basically still have to depend on men to live, which leads to many women without self, and most of their needs are determined by their husbands and family members.
Her grandmother is a capable person, and she has such an avant-garde self-awareness.
When the old lady looked at the surprised-looking sixth granddaughter and the third granddaughter who was pensive, she picked up tea and drank it without urging them to answer immediately.
When Mrs. Shi put down the teacup, Shi Fuxin saw that her sister was still thinking, so she smiled and said: "Grandmother, the life granddaughter thinks about is very simple, as long as I have the final say."
"Ahem ~"
Hearing this, Mrs. Shi was choked up and looked at Shi Fuxin with an expression of not knowing what to say.
I always knew that the sixth granddaughter had an idea, but this was too much.
She has the final say on the future life, and the idea is very good, but it may be difficult to implement it.
Mrs. Shi didn't say anything, she turned her eyes to Shi Fuyin.
When Fuyin saw her grandmother and younger sister looking at her, she thought for a while and said, "Grandmother, my granddaughter just thinks about the future, as long as the family is safe, harmonious and happy."
The old lady nodded, and did not comment on the answers of the two granddaughters, but said: "Life is a life, some people have a smooth life, and some people suffer constantly. Do you know why?"
Shi Fuyin and Shi Fuxin looked at each other and shook their heads.
Mrs. Shi: "Because living a life requires corresponding abilities, and what kind of life you want to live, you must have the ability to match it."
"If you just have ideas and no ability, your life will only be a mess, and you may end up living yourself as a resentful woman."
"As women, there are two key points in the fate of our lives. One is birth and the other is marriage."
"Birth cannot be changed, but marriage is optional."
"The daughters of the Shi family, unless they are willing to give their daughters as concubines like your fifth uncle and aunt, otherwise, they will marry into other families to be their regular wives."
"Whether it's a noble family or a small family, the main wife has to take care of the middle class."
"It's not easy to take care of Zhongfu. You can see how busy your aunt is every day. You say, if she has no skills, can she be the head wife of the Haoshi family?"
"A family has very high requirements for being a daughter-in-law. For the superiors, they must serve their parents-in-law and elders. For the subordinates, they must be able to manage servants and arrange general affairs, and they must socialize with others. These are very tests of a person's ability."
"The time you have returned to the uncle's house is short, and your mother can't teach you by example, but fortunately, you have worked hard and been admitted to the National Women's Prison."
"As the highest women's institution in Dachu, the National Women's Supervisor will not only teach you to read and write, but also teach you various talents, etiquette, and rules."
“However, a person’s time and energy are limited, and it is impossible to learn everything and be proficient in everything, so choosing what to learn is very important.”
"As for how to choose, it depends on what kind of life you want to live."
"Remember, for women, De Rong's speech skills are the most important. Things like piano, chess, calligraphy and painting are just icing on the cake. It will be very good, and it doesn't matter. When choosing what to study, don't put the cart before the horse."
Shi Fuyin and Shi Fuxin both listened carefully.
After a moment of silence, Shi Fuxin smiled and said, "Grandmother, my third sister and I have enrolled in business classes."
Hearing this, Mrs. Shi raised her brows in surprise: "Business class? How did you think of enrolling in this?"
Shi Fuxin: "I want to earn a lot of money."
The second son's family lived a hard life in the northwest, probably because of this, Sister Xin wanted to make money so much.
Shi Fuyin thought that it was difficult to get into the business class, so she asked, "Grandma, we both don't understand anything, do you have any good suggestions?"
When the old lady looked at her two granddaughters: "Business class, sister Xin can try it, but don't have too high expectations."
Sister Xin wants to live a life where she has the final say. It is not enough just to have ability, but also to have bargaining chips. Being able to do business and earn money is a good bargaining chip.
Whether it is a big family or a small family, money bags are indispensable.
Shi Fuxin: "Why?"
Lady Shi: "You have been studying in the National Women's Prison for a year, do you know the original intention of Queen Wende to establish the National Women's Prison?"
Shi Fuxin replied: "Empress Wende wants women to go out of the house to study like men, have the same status as men outside, and have the opportunity to show and realize their own value."
The old lady nodded: "That's right, during the period of Taizu and Gaozong, the students of the National Women's Supervisor could not only enter the court as officials, but also do business abroad."
"Whether it is an official or a business, women are not inferior to men at all, and in many ways, they are better than men."
"It's a pity that the women's prison was later involved in the royal battle, and the qualification to be an official in the court was deprived."
"In this way, the only opportunity to show value is doing business abroad."
"During Yingzong's time, some officials said that women's exposure to the outside world was not good for business, and wanted to cancel the business school of the National Women's College. Do you know why Yingzong didn't agree?"
"Because of the top ten imperial merchants at that time, five of them belonged to the families of the women's college students. The tax money they handed over to the national treasury every year was quite considerable, and Yingzong was reluctant to part with these money bags."
"In Renzong, that is, the period of the first emperor, because of the confrontation between the regent and the four ministers, the women's prison was innocently involved. Although it was not banned, it was repeatedly restricted. As a direct result, only the top ten imperial merchants were left. One is the family of the National Women's College students."
“Even so, the money earned by the students of the Business School of the National Women’s College is still deeply imprinted in people’s minds.”
"The current emperor's attitude towards the Women's Supervisor is quite gentle. It may be because the treasury is empty, or it may be because he is dissatisfied with the previous imperial merchants. He even publicly told Mr. Beifeng at the palace banquet that he hopes that the Business School of the Women's Supervisor will come out again." A few business geniuses."
"With the words of the emperor, how can the students of the National Women's College and the families behind them not compete for places in the business class?"
As she spoke, she looked at Shi Fuxin.
"Business ability, everyone's measurement standard is different. Whether it is good or bad depends on the invigilator's instruction. There are too many things that can be done here."
"The current situation in the Bofu House cannot help you."
Shi Fuxin smiled and said: "Grandma, I know, don't worry, I will do my best, but I won't expect too much."
Seeing that Shi Fuxin had listened, Mrs. Shi showed satisfaction, and then looked at Shi Fuyin again: "Sister Yin, don't spend too much time on this."
This girl is not as bold and aggressive as her sister, and her temperament is more docile, so she is not suitable for business.
"Sister Xin is still young and can still make a fuss, but you are different. You can stay at home for only two years. You have to hurry up and learn those skills that will help you live."
"It's not so easy to find a good husband's family. Even if you find one, if you don't have real skills, you will be angry at your husband's family. In this way, how can you have a good life."
"Housekeeping, checking accounts, managing common affairs, and socializing, these things are the most important things for you, and you must study hard."
"This man is all flirtatious. If he wants to secure his position as the head wife, he must have checks and balances. It is best to let his husband's family leave him."
"In this way, no matter how many women a man has, you can still sit in the back house."
Shi Fuxin felt a little uncomfortable hearing this: "Isn't life like this too aggrieved?"
Shi the old lady glanced at her: "If you don't want to feel aggrieved, that's okay, it depends on whether you have the ability and means to subdue men."
"I've said it all, life is made by yourself. If you are capable, life will naturally develop in the direction you want. If you are not capable enough, and you can't control and restrict others, what can you do?"
"Study hard, life is full of learning, and if you understand it, you will naturally be able to go well."
(end of this chapter)