Chapter 93
After finishing the meal, Emperor Qianlong specifically asked about the price. When he heard that it was only twenty cents a piece, he couldn't help but feel ripples in his heart. He thought of the luxurious life of the officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the palace. An egg could be sold for ten taels of silver. This huge gap made him feel mixed. He thought to himself, if those eggs in the palace were replaced by this curry chicken rice, it would be enough to feed hundreds of people. The greed of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is really heartbreaking.
After visiting Yancheng for a day, Emperor Qianlong and his ministers became more and more impressed by the city. The buses are on time, the streets are lined with shops, and the products are dazzling. Every household has water, electricity and gas, and modern home appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, fans, etc. are an eye-opener for Emperor Qianlong. In particular, the automatic flushing toilet made him marvel. He thought to himself that it was beyond imagination that the people of Dayan lived so conveniently and comfortably.
After dinner, the group strolled leisurely on the street, enjoying this rare leisure time. Suddenly, a burst of noise broke the tranquility. The little swallow became energetic as soon as he heard it, and ran towards the direction of the sound. Yong Qi was worried about her safety and quickly followed her. Although Lord Qianlong was old, his curiosity drove him, and he slowly waved his fan and followed behind with a suave look.
When I arrived at the place, I saw a woman wearing a Ming Dynasty-style coat and skirt, grabbing a young girl by her hair, beating and scolding her. The woman's face was beautiful, but she looked a little distorted by anger. Her voice was sharp and harsh, as if she wanted to pour out all her dissatisfaction and resentment. There was a man next to him, his face flushed with embarrassment, and he kept trying to persuade her: "Let's talk about it when we go home, don't fight here, how embarrassing!" When the woman heard this, she became even more angry, and kicked the woman with her foot. The man grabbed the mistress's face with his hands. The mistress was not an easy person, so she resisted with all her strength. The two of them pulled their hair, scratched their faces, and fought hard. In the end, it was the man who saw that the mistress was at a disadvantage and went up to protect her. This is good, my wife got angry, and even her husband and mistress were beaten together. The three of them were twisted into a ball, making it look like a mess.
Lord Qianlong and the others were dumbfounded and muttered to themselves: "This girl from Dayan is so powerful! My wife beats her husband in the street, this world is really in chaos!" However, after thinking about it, the customs here are very different from those in the palace. , it is not so strange that a man can marry multiple wives. He couldn't help feeling filled with emotion. The various scenes among the people were really more exciting than the drama in the palace.
At this time, Xiao Yanzi couldn't help but stepped forward to dissuade her. Her voice was clear and sweet, but with unquestionable firmness: "Stop! If you continue to fight like this, it will only make things worse! Hearing this, the woman was stunned for a moment, and then shouted angrily: "Who are you? Why are you meddling in my business?" Xiao Yanzi was not afraid. Fearful, he continued: "I was passing by, but when I saw you like this, I couldn't help but say a few words. If you continue to fight like this, not only will you not be able to solve the problem, but you will also make more people watch the fun. Why don't you calm down, Let’s talk about it?”
After hearing Xiao Yanzi’s words, the woman seemed to be touched and stopped what she was doing. The man also took the opportunity to separate the two people and explained awkwardly: "Actually, this is all a misunderstanding. She and I were originally married, but we had a quarrel because of some trivial matters. In a fit of anger, she found this girl, She mistakenly thought that I had some improper relationship." After saying that, he sighed deeply, his eyes full of helplessness and regret.
After hearing this, Emperor Qianlong couldn't help but think to himself: "The grievances and hatreds in this world are really messy. However, in this prosperous Yancheng, I can witness this scene with my own eyes. It can be considered a rare experience." He shook his head slightly, with a faint smile on his lips, and continued to follow the team, but his heart was filled with more curiosity and expectations for this small town.
Qianlong and his party strolled on the streets of Yancheng. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the bluestone road, casting a faint golden glow on the ancient city. There are many shops on both sides of the street, and the sounds of hawking, talking and laughter are intertwined, making it very lively. However, behind this bustling scene, a family dispute is quietly unfolding, attracting their attention.
Qianlong wore a luxurious brocade robe and held an exquisite folding fan. There was a bit of majesty and curiosity between his brows. The little Yanzi beside him was wearing a light dress, his eyes were moving, and he was full of curiosity about everything around him. Ziwei followed meekly, her eyes showing sympathy and understanding for all kinds of things in the world. The fifth elder brother, Yongqi, was dressed in casual clothes, but he still couldn't hide his royal temperament. He was always paying attention to his surroundings to ensure the safety of the group.
They had no intention of getting involved in this dispute, but the wife's unique behavior made them stop involuntarily. I saw the wife, dressed in simple cloth, with slightly disheveled hair, but her eyes were burning with blazing anger and unyielding. Although she was not strong in stature, she seemed to have infinite power at this moment. She was wrestling with her husband and concubine, and the scene was extremely fierce.
The concubine is young and beautiful, wearing gorgeous clothes, with a provocative smile on her face, and her words are full of meanness: "You can't even look down on your own man, and you still have the nerve to blame me? Look at you You're such a shrew, what kind of man would like you? Your husband thinks you're old, so he finds someone like me who is young and gentle." These words were like a sharp knife, piercing my wife's heart.
The wife's tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She screamed, her voice full of grievance and unwillingness: "Where is my conscience? I have worked hard to take care of the housework, take care of the elderly and children, and he actually had an affair behind my back. , please give me some feedback!" Her cry penetrated the noisy streets, attracting the surrounding crowd to gather around her.
Qianlong and the others were also attracted by this sudden change and couldn't help but get closer. I saw the wife, although her clothes were disheveled, her eyes revealed a kind of tenacity and determination. There were tears on her face, but there was a stubborn arc at the corner of her mouth, as if to say: "I will never give in!"
The people around him started talking, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the behavior of the husband and concubine. Some people shook their heads and sighed, some yelled, and some even stood up to support their wives. Seeing that everyone was on her side, the wife felt warm in her heart. She even more firmly accused her husband of being unfaithful and vowed to make the matter bigger and strive to get more property during the divorce.
“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu What's the point of living..." His wife's heartbreaking cries moved everyone present. Everyone criticized the man and woman one after another, and some even waved their fists excitedly, as if they wanted to seek justice for the wife.
Qianlong and the others were deeply shocked by this scene. Although they knew that Dayan Country advocated equality between men and women, seeing this scene with their own eyes was still unacceptable. Especially Qianlong, as an emperor, it was even more difficult for him to accept such behavior that challenged traditional concepts. However, amid the public discussion, he had to start to re-examine this issue.
Yong Qi murmured to himself: "My wife accused her husband of cheating and asked for a divorce. This... this is really incredible." Although his voice was soft, he revealed the shock and confusion in his heart.
An old lady next to her rolled her eyes and said unceremoniously: "What's so strange about this? If her husband cheats on her, of course the wife has the right to divorce. How can we, the women of Dayan, suffer this humiliation!" Her words were sonorous and powerful, winning the approval of those around her.
"That's right, both men and women are born to parents. How can women be wronged? Anyone who cheats, regardless of gender, should be punished." A middle-aged man agreed.
“This time I caught someone in bed, the whole city was shocked. The next scene will definitely be exciting.” A young man shouted excitedly.
"Go quickly, go to the Yamen to watch this divorce lawsuit!" The crowd began to surge, everyone wanted to witness with their own eyes how this bizarre divorce case was decided.
Qianlong and the others were also infected by this enthusiasm and decided to follow to see the outcome of this lawsuit. The group of them followed the crowd to the Yamen and saw that there were already crowds of people inside and outside the Yamen. Everyone craned their necks to wait for the opening of the hall.
In the yamen, the wife had already tidied her clothes. Although there were still tears on her face, her eyes were extremely firm. She stood in front of the hall, facing the majestic county magistrate, and stated her experience without fear. The husband and concubine lowered their heads and did not dare to look directly into the magistrate's eyes.
After listening to his wife's statement, the county magistrate frowned, obviously feeling very troubled by this matter. However, with everyone watching, he was forced to render a just verdict. Finally, he announced that the husband would be fined for cheating and ordered to divorce his wife, while the concubine was also punished for seducing another husband.
This result satisfied everyone present, and everyone applauded the county magistrate for his justice. As for the wife, although she won the lawsuit, there was not much joy on her face. She knew that although the lawsuit was over, her life still needed to start over.
Qianlong and the others looked at this scene with mixed feelings in their hearts. They began to realize that the world was quietly changing and traditional concepts were being challenged. And they, as a part of this era, also need to constantly adapt to and accept these changes.
On the way back to the palace, Qianlong was silent, his heart full of thoughts. He knew that as an emperor, he needed to pay more attention to people's livelihood and understand the real thoughts and needs of the people. Only in this way can he govern the country better and let the people live a happier life.
Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei and Yongqi also learned a lot from this dispute. They began to cherish each other's feelings more and understand the importance of equality between men and women. They know that only by respecting each other and understanding each other can love last longer and be better.
Li Qingge, a famous female official in the southern part of the Great Yan Kingdom, implemented the year-end commendation system with her unique vision and courageous decision-making. This system is like a spring breeze blowing through all the provinces and cities in the south, giving officials there a shot in the arm. They are all very motivated and competing to perform in order to win at the year-end commendation meeting. Get a seat at the table.
Yancheng, this ancient and prosperous city, is also boiling with this craze. In the streets and alleys, people were talking a lot, speculating on who would be the lucky one standing on the commendation stage this year. However, in this warm atmosphere, a staggering thing happened.
There was a wife named Lin Waner, who was originally a virtuous and virtuous woman in Yancheng, but unfortunately she suffered the betrayal of her husband. When she discovered that her husband was entangled with a mistress, she did not choose to remain silent and endure it, but took resolute action. She took a few relatives and friends to catch the mistress and made a fuss all the way to the magistrate's office.
On this day, there was a huge crowd in front of the Yancheng magistrate's office, surrounded by people watching the excitement. The prefect, a majestic-looking official in his late fifties, was sitting in the hall, preparing to hear this divorce case that shocked the whole city. Wearing an official robe, with fluttering sleeves, he sat down in the hall, picked up the gavel tree, slapped it, and asked loudly: "Who are the two people standing in the hall, and what grievances do they want to complain about?"
When Lin Wan'er heard this, she burst into tears. She cried with a trembling voice: "Sir, my husband cheated on me and used our common property to support his mistress. What's even worse is that he beat me in the street. I couldn't bear it anymore, so I begged you to make the decision for me." !" Her voice was filled with endless grievance and anger, which moved everyone present.
When her husband Liu Fugui heard this, he hurriedly wanted to make a few excuses. He said innocently: "Sir, that's not what happened. I just had some friendship with that woman, and I didn't cheat on her. What's more, how could I hit her? This is all nonsense she said!" However, his The defense seemed so weak amidst the anger and accusations from everyone.
When the people around him heard this, they were filled with indignation. They all accused Liu Fugui: "Sir, this man did cheat on his wife and beat his wife. He is simply not a human being!" "We all saw it. He beat his wife with the mistress. It's so shameless!" "The Queen has an order, men and women. Equality, how could there be such a husband!" Their voices came and went, full of anger and contempt for Liu Fugui.
The scumbag Liu Fugui and his mistress were sprayed all over by the righteous people. They wanted to defend themselves, but could not find any breakthrough. The prefect still had to provide evidence when handling the case. He checked one by one according to the procedures and finally confirmed the fact that Liu Fugui cheated on his wife and beat his wife. Now that the matter was clear, the prefect asked Lin Wan'er how he planned to deal with it.
Lin Wan'er wiped away her tears and said firmly: "Sir, I have four requests. First, I want to divorce this scumbag; second, I want to divide the property. I am the victim and should Give more points; thirdly, I want the scumbag to use common I will recover all the money I spent to support my mistress and protect my rights; fourth, I will have the custody of the child, and I will change the child's surname so that the child belongs only to me." Although her voice was still trembling a little, it was already. He regained his former firmness and courage.
When the prefect heard these four requests, he thought they were quite reasonable. He nodded and said he would judge according to law. When Liu Fugui heard that he was going to lose most of his property and that he could not keep his children, he shouted anxiously: "Lele is my son, the Liu family cannot be cut off!" The mistress also glared at Lin Wan'er and said, "Those jewels are all of his own free will." How could you take it back if you gave it to me? "
However, Lin Wan'er just sneered and ignored them. She only asked the magistrate to rule according to law and let this farce end as soon as possible. The prefect looked at Lin Wan'er's firm eyes, then at the embarrassed looks of Liu Fugui and Xiao San, and finally announced the verdict.
"When a couple divorces, because the husband cheats and hurts his wife, the wife gets 70% of the joint property and the husband gets 30%; the children are raised by the wife; the mistress must return all the money she received from the scumbag." The prefect The adult's voice echoed in the hall, exciting everyone present.
This divorce case has finally come to an end. Although Lin Waner experienced countless pain and torture, she finally won her own rights and dignity. She took her children and left the home that made her sad and started a new life. And what about Liu Fugui and Xiaosan? They can only suffer the consequences of this farce silently, and can no longer restore the happiness and beauty they once had.
On the streets of Yancheng, people are still discussing this divorce case that has caused a sensation in the city. They marveled at Lin Wan'er's bravery and determination, and sneered at Liu Fugui and Xiao San's shamelessness and despicability. This case not only allowed people to see the fairness and strictness of the laws of Dayan Kingdom, but also allowed people to see the status and dignity of women in Dayan Kingdom.
What about Qianlong and Yongqi? They mingled with the crowd and watched the trial quietly. Qianlong had mixed feelings in his heart. He thought that the Qing Dynasty and Dayan would merge sooner or later, and Dayan's laws might be implemented in the north in the future. If this divorce case is too harsh, it will not be a good thing for the Aisin Gioro royal family. After all, the most important thing for the royal family is the prosperity of their heirs. However, throughout the ages, there have been many infatuated people, but there are also many who are infatuated. If men and women were truly equal, the men in their royal family would probably suffer a lot.
However, looking at Lin Wan'er's firm eyes and decisive back, Qianlong had to admit that the laws of Dayan Kingdom did have their own unique features. It protects the rights and dignity of women and allows women to have equal status and rights with men in Dayan Country. This was something that he, as the Qing emperor, could not ignore.
Yong Qi looked at Qianlong's complicated expression and said softly: "Father, times are changing, and we must change with them. There may be something worth learning from the laws of Dayan Kingdom." Qianlong After listening to Yong Qi's words, he was silent for a while, and then nodded. He knew that Yong Qi was right. Times are changing, and they must change with them. Only in this way can they adapt to this ever-changing world and maintain the status and glory of their Aisin Gioro royal family.
As soon as the verdict was announced, applause echoed like thunder over the prefect's Yamen, making people's hearts tremble. Li Qingge stood in the crowd, looking firmly at the high gavel, with an imperceptible smile on his lips. Her eyes showed both relief that justice had been served and hope for future change.
"This verdict is really satisfying. This is how scumbag men and bitches should be dealt with!" An aunt in coarse cloth clapped her hands and applauded, the wrinkles on her face stretched out with excitement. "My wife is still thinking about the old relationship. If it were me, I would directly sue him for intentional harm!" A young woman next to her said angrily, with a determined light shining in her eyes, as if she was speaking for all women who have been wronged.
"Between husband and wife, peace should still be the most important thing, but this kind of judgment is indeed the most just!" An old man with white hair and beard leaned on a cane and nodded slowly, his eyes revealing all kinds of insights into the world. .
"This man is really confused. His wife at home is so beautiful. She is much better than that mistress. Why do you go out to look for sex?" A well-dressed young woman curled her lips, her eyes full of disdain for the man. .
"It really goes with the old saying, a wife is worse than a concubine, and a concubine is worse than a thief. Men's bad nature. Unfortunately, the price is too high this time!" A middle-aged man wearing silk clothes shook his head, with a tone of There is regret and ridicule.
“It’s entirely your own fault!” A scholar-looking person next to Li Qingge said softly, his eyes showing his indifference to this farce.
Qianlong was sitting in a corner of the crowd, his face so gloomy that it seemed like he could drip water. He clenched his fists so hard that his nails almost dug into his flesh. There seemed to be a fire burning in his heart, but there was nowhere to vent it. He thought angrily: "How dare this magistrate judge the case so hastily? Isn't it just a cheater? As for the sentence being so severe? Which man in the world has never made this mistake!"
Yong Qi, Erkang, and Ertai also looked shocked, as if they couldn't believe the scene before them. Their eyes showed confusion about the verdict, as well as confusion about the huge difference between Qing law and Dayan law.
"This is too much, it makes no sense!" Erkan gritted his teeth and said, his eyes revealing his dissatisfaction with the verdict.
“Is the prefect crazy?” Ertai’s eyes widened, as if he wanted to imprint the figure of the prefect in his mind.
"When a woman gets married, she belongs to her husband's family, and her children should also return to her husband's family. How can we award it to the wife? It's ridiculous!" Yong Qi shook his head and said, his tone revealing his disapproval. Dayan's law is difficult to understand.
They turned to look at Qianlong, and saw that his face was livid, as if he was about to explode. Everyone left the Yamen silently and found a quiet place to sit down.
Qianlong was so angry that he trembled and cursed loudly: "This bastard magistrate is making random decisions. Fortunately, this is not in the Qing Dynasty, otherwise I would have to chop off his head and kill the nine tribes of him!" His voice Echoed in the empty streets, attracting passers-by's side glances.
Back at the inn, Qianlong was still angry and couldn't get rid of his anger. He paced back and forth in the room as if he were treading through the floorboards.
"I originally thought that Yancheng is so prosperous and the officials should be very honest. I didn't expect that such a judgment that violates the ethical principles would be issued. It really pisses me off!" Qianlong said angrily, his eyes revealing Expressing dissatisfaction with Dayan officials.
Erkang glanced at Ziwei secretly. Ziwei understood, approached Qianlong, and said softly: "Emperor...Master, the customs and habits of each place are different. Although this sentence is strange, since it has been approved by the people, There must be a reason for the recognition, why don't we ask?" Her voice was soft and firm, as if it could calm the anger in Qianlong's heart.
This verdict not only surprised men like Qianlong and Ji Xiaolan, but also girls like Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei. Although they are women, they are also deeply influenced by the idea that men are superior to women. Faced with such a judgment that goes against common sense, one can imagine the shock they felt. It's like seeing the weak Daiyu suddenly become so powerful that she can pull up a big tree, which makes people speechless in surprise.
In the evening, everyone came to an elegant restaurant for dinner. The restaurant was brightly lit, bustling with people, and very lively. They found a seat by the window and ordered a few local specialties.
By chance, they heard the waiter talking about it. Qianlong became curious and asked him to come over and ask. The waiter is a young man with good looks and a kind attitude.
Qianlong tried his best to sound calmer and asked: "What do you think of this sentence?"
The waiter smiled and said without thinking: "It's a very good sentence. OK, that’s how it should be sentenced.” His tone revealed his firm belief in Dayan’s law.
When Qianlong heard this, his face darkened again. He suppressed his anger and asked: "A woman should obey her husband after she gets married. It's not a big deal if the husband occasionally has an affair, right? I didn't say that I would take the place of the head wife, so why make such a big fuss?" His voice revealed Confusion and doubts about Dayan’s law.
The waiter explained: "The guest is from the Qing Dynasty and may not know much about our laws. After Her Majesty came to the throne, she has always advocated equality between men and women, whether it is marital relations, property distribution or name rights. , all are treated equally. The verdict this time was also based on the law. The husband cheated on his wife and the circumstances were atrocious. , so the decision to divorce and divide the property is based on the child's growing environment and the mother's ability to raise the child. As for the money received by the mistress, it was paid with the joint property of the couple. Of course, such a decision must be recovered. It protects the wife’s rights and interests and safeguards social justice and morality.”
When Qianlong heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt him: "Is even property equal?" His eyes revealed shock and confusion about Dayan's laws.
The waiter nodded, with a serious look on his face, as if every word he said carried unshakable truth: "Yes, property is equal, and it must be divided equally in case of divorce. If the husband has an affair, the wife can still apply for more points according to the law." His eyes flashed with determination, as if he had endless trust and respect for Dayan's law.
After hearing this, Yong Qi couldn't help but have a playful smile on his lips. He shook his head gently, as if he couldn't believe such a rule: "Women usually don't plow fields and weave cloth, except for dowry. , are all supported by the husband's family, is it too much to be able to share half of the family property after divorce?" There was a bit of ridicule in his tone, obviously he had reservations about such a system.
When the waiter heard this, a trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes. He glanced sideways at Yong Qi, with an unquestionable firmness in his tone: "What's too much? When men and women are equal, property will naturally be divided equally. , this is a matter of course and who says that women will not participate in production. Already? Our Majesty established Dayan, encouraged the development of all walks of life, and encouraged men and women to work together to support the family. The money earned after marriage is jointly created by the couple, why can't women share it? Although not high-pitched, every word is powerful and seems to penetrate people's hearts.
Yong Qi was speechless by the waiter's series of rhetorical questions. He opened his mouth, but couldn't find the right words to refute. There was a trace of confusion in his eyes. He was obviously touched by the waiter's words, but he found it difficult to accept such a concept for a while.
Seeing this, the waiter softened his tone and continued to explain: "Women can hold up half the sky. This is a rule set by Your Majesty at the beginning of the founding of the country. The prosperity of Dayan is built by men and women. In our country, there is no distinction between men and women. Is there anything wrong with a husband having an affair and a wife safeguarding her rights in accordance with the law?" His voice was full of respect and affirmation for women, as if he was speaking for all women who had been wronged.
Qianlong sat aside and silently listened to the conversation between the waiter and Yongqi. Although he knew that Dayan emphasized equality between men and women, he did not expect that it would be achieved to this extent. He couldn't help but have a surge of complex emotions in his heart, including admiration for the Great Yan Law and persistence in the traditional concepts of the Great Qing Dynasty.
He complained: "Although equality is said to be true, if a wife takes away her husband's property and changes her children's surnames, isn't this going to end the husband's family?" There was a hint of dissatisfaction and worry in his tone. , obviously find it difficult to accept such a system.
After listening to Qianlong's words, the waiter's mouth raised a faint smile, as if mocking his ignorance and prejudice: "What is the husband's property? The child cannot be born by the husband alone. There is no mother. How can a child come from the hardship of being pregnant for ten months? If a husband has an affair, it is unfaithful to the marriage, betrayal to the wife, and irresponsible to the child. Your Majesty understands the hardship of a woman as a wife and mother, so she made such a law. Law: Children under the age of three shall be raised by their mother; after the age of three, the decision will be made based on who can take better care of the child. Cheating does not distinguish between men and women. In the past, there were women who cheated on their husbands and had secret affairs. If the matter was exposed, they would lose their property and give it to their lovers. Everything must be recovered. Everyone is equal before the law, and whoever makes a mistake will be dealt with the same way. Isn’t this fair?" His voice was full of awe and belief in the law, as if he was speaking for everyone protected by the law. People speak out.
After hearing what the waiter said, Qianlong couldn't help but feel an indescribable shame and anger in his heart. He was ashamed of his ignorance and prejudice, and angry at the huge gap between the traditional concepts of the Qing Dynasty and the modern laws of the Great Yan Dynasty. He gritted his teeth, as if to suppress the gasp that was about to come out.
The waiter seemed to have read through Qianlong's thoughts, and continued to add: "Also, in our Dayan, only children born in wedlock can inherit the family property. Those children born from extramarital affairs or extramarital affairs have no inheritance rights. Such a rule not only guarantees The stability and harmony of the family also maintains the justice and dignity of the law." His voice was full of respect and awe for the law, as if he was speaking for all those who abide by the law.
The waiter's words stunned Qianlong, Yongqi, Ji Xiaolan and others. They looked at each other, as if they were looking for the answer in each other's hearts. Although they felt that the waiter was right, under the law of equality between men and women, such a sentence was also reasonable. But there is still a knot in my heart that I can't get rid of. I always feel that such a law is somewhat contrary to traditional natural principles.
After all, Great Yan is rapidly moving toward modernization, while Great Qing still clings to those old ideas. As vested interests of the ruling class, Qianlong and others would naturally want to protect their own interests. In the past society where men were superior to women, men could be romantic, and as long as they changed their ways, they would still be good men; but women could not, their reputation was more important than their lives, they could not resist their husbands, and they had to endure when they were wronged, otherwise they would be unvirtuous. . Men have very high requirements for women. They must be gentle, virtuous, obedient to their husbands, and filial to their elders. However, in the brand new country of Dayan, everything is quietly changing.
Qianlong and others were silent for a long time, as if thinking about the challenges and opportunities that this new world would bring to them. Their eyes flashed with complex emotions, including wonder and awe of the Great Yan Law, as well as persistence and reluctance to give up the traditional concepts of the Great Qing Dynasty. However, they all know that whether they are willing to accept it or not, the world is moving forward at an unstoppable speed. And they, as witnesses and participants of this era, can only try their best to adapt to this new world and meet the unknown challenges and opportunities.
The husband's betrayal is like a sharp knife, quietly cutting apart the originally peaceful life. Li Qingge, this gentle and virtuous wife, faced her husband's affair, instead of indulging in the abyss of jealousy, she silently cleaned up the mess left by this emotional storm with extraordinary tenacity. In her heart, she felt the pain of her husband's betrayal and deep doubts about her self-worth, but she always adhered to the dignity and responsibility of a "good wife".
In the dead of night, Li Qingge sat alone under the dim light, holding a needle and thread in his hand, stitch by stitch, mending the family that was broken by her husband's affair. In her eyes, there is both nostalgia for the good times in the past and confusion about the unknown life in the future. Although her face is slightly haggard due to the passage of time, her calmness and calmness are like chrysanthemums in autumn, blooming proudly.
Afterwards, Li Qingge would also reflect on herself. She was afraid that she was not virtuous enough and could not help her husband take a concubine, so she asked him to look outside. Her heart was filled with self-blame and guilt, as if all her faults stemmed from her own imperfections. However, behind this self-blame, there is a deep helplessness and sadness.
When the true concept of gender equality blows like a spring breeze in every corner of Dayan, the impact is really hard to describe for Li Qingge. She looked at the older generation people around her, such as Qianlong, Yongqi, and Ji Xiaolan. Their faces were full of difficulty in acceptance and confusion. Even Ziwei, a woman who has always been smart and smart, seemed a little at a loss.
In Dayan, people hate mistresses and regard them as the culprit who destroys family happiness. However, in a different environment, in the Qing Dynasty, the mistress became a concubine, while the outer room was secretly kept outside by the husband behind his back. Concubines are allowed by the law and recognized by the family; but concubines are different. They are secretly kept by husbands behind their wives and concubines. Ziwei's mother is such an outsider. Her identity is like dust floating in the air, neither stable nor recognized.
Every time Ziwei thinks about her life experience, she feels embarrassed and aggrieved. Although her mother gave her a love as fiery as fire, that love was like a tree without roots and could not find a true destination for her in this world. She looked at the children born by the wives and concubines around her. They could enjoy the glory and wealth of the family, but she had nothing. Her heart was filled with the desire for fairness and identity.
Xiao Yanzi, as Princess Huanzhu, enjoys the honor and knows that she is not an illegitimate child, so she feels at ease. She looked at Ziwei's experience and her heart was filled with sympathy. She secretly thought about Dayan's laws, which included monogamy, equality between men and women, and equal division of property upon divorce. This was simply great. She thought, if the Qing Dynasty also implemented such a law, then when you get married, you don’t have to share your husband with others. Your husband only loves you and all your children are legitimate children. How happy that would be!
After visiting Yancheng for a few days, Qianlong and his party decided to go to Jinling. They originally planned to take a bus, but they heard from an old man that there was a direct train from Yancheng to Jinling and there was no need to change trains. This news surprised them. They were always full of curiosity and yearning for Dayan's advancement and convenience.
Early the next morning, everyone got up. Little Yanzi was so excited that she asked curiously: "What is an EMU train? Is it really so convenient?" Her voice was full of expectation and curiosity, as if a mysterious veil was about to be unveiled.
Yong Qi replied with a smile: "Maybe, the buses are already very fast, and the EMU trains must be as fast as flying." His eyes flashed with longing and expectation for the future, as if Also looking forward to that new world.
Xiao Yanzi asked again: "Is there an air conditioner in the car? The air conditioner in Dayan is amazing. When you press the remote control, the cold wind blows over, which is very comfortable." The admiration and love of Yan Technology, and the pure joy, are like the breeze in summer, making people feel relaxed and happy.
During their stay in Yancheng, they stayed in a luxury hotel with air conditioning in every room. Although Yong Qi, Xiao Yanzi and others were born into the royal family, they had never experienced this modern summer resort. After trying it, everyone couldn't put it down and praised Dayan's advanced technology. Qianlong even wanted to buy thousands of air conditioners to put in the palace, but unfortunately there was no power supply in the palace, so he had to give up. In his heart, there was not only envy and yearning for Dayan's technology, but also helplessness and sigh at the current situation of the Qing Dynasty.