Chapter 1695: Chapter 1695 Miss Wei
Time flies quickly; the academy has already been rebuilt, and everything is ready, just waiting for the auspicious day to arrive.
Zhulan became the dean. She wishes for more women to enroll; the Wang family clan currently has five members enrolled, thanks to Tao’s efforts.
Now with the Zhou family clan joining along with the Wang family clan, having more students enrolled gives some leverage. She does not stay idle at home; she goes out when invited.
Among the maternal families of several daughters-in-law, Zhulan did not mention the Dong family and Jiang family but rather discussed with Lady Li. Lady Li shook her head. Firstly, it is too far away, and secondly, she does not want to bring her family’s girls to the capital. Lady Li fears they might lose their true selves upon seeing wealth. Anyway, once the capital academy becomes successful, it will gradually open in various states, so Lady Li is not in a hurry.
The maternal family of the granddaughter-in-law, the Ran family has also prospered in recent years, but since Consort Ran and the eldest princess emerged, the Qi Clan’s help is of no use.
As for the Lin family, the old Lin lady inquired helped out since she was the dean; the Lin family clan timidly sent two girls.
On this day, the Qin Prince Residence hosted a banquet organized by Rongchuan. For the sake of the academy, the men’s college lacks no students, and Rongchuan hopes that each family can have someone enroll.
A family can be quite large, with a clear hierarchy within. Rongchuan’s target is the impoverished members of each family. The invitation today hopes the families do not obstruct this.
Zhulan also came. The invitation today included ladies; her son-in-law and daughter were considerate enough to invite on her behalf.
The son-in-law is in charge, so today, the ladies must show her some respect, whether willingly or not.
She also wants to go to each village to persuade them, but unfortunately, the effect is not good. Ancient class distinctions are clear-cut, so she has tried to persuade each family. When the time comes, villagers will see the girls from various families attending the academy and will feel assured that the academy is good, reducing much resistance.
When Zhulan arrived, the Qin Prince Residence already had quite a few guests. Xue Han personally welcomed her, "Why haven’t Yu Die and Yu Jiao come?"
Zhulan replied, "Today there’s a serious matter, and since they can’t help, they didn’t come."
Xue Han smiled and said, "Yu Yi and Yu Wen are great aides to you."
Zhulan responded, "They have indeed helped me a lot."
Recently, Yu Wen has also stopped being lazy and proactively helped her with many chores, while Yu Yi has taken over the accounts. These two granddaughters are like two assistants, making her much more relaxed.
Xue Han felt sympathy for her mother, "Mother, you’re not young. You should rest more."
"Don’t worry about me. Lately, with all the busyness, I’ve been sleeping better. Look, doesn’t my complexion seem much improved?"
Xue Han attentively examined her mother, and indeed, her mother’s complexion was quite good, "Then I can rest easy."
As they spoke, they arrived at the garden. The Qin Prince Residence was spacious, with men and women in separate areas; the garden was filled with ladies. Not only were the family heads present, but they also brought their daughters.
Zhulan took her seat under everyone’s gaze. Since she became Dean Yang, she already got used to all kinds of attention, even smiling at everyone.
A commotion erupted outside; it turned out Empress Dowager Chen and Princess Qi had arrived. Among several dowagers, Empress Dowager Chen was the one who loved going out the most, thus living the best.
Empress Dowager Chen entered the garden and headed straight towards Zhulan, indicating that her seat should be placed next to Zhulan.
Zhulan smiled, "I thought you were busy writing stories."
The new newspaper had already published three issues, each selling better than the last. She would also read the dowager’s novels. Let me say, the dowager writes tragedies excellently, even making her tear up, especially during the emotional scenes!
The empress dowager said, "You are my first, right, reader. I know you are in a bind, so I made time to come and help you."
Zhulan blinked; she often asked the dowager for autographs, and there was this perk?
"Thank you, Dowager."
Empress Dowager Chen said, "My Chen family clan is a large family."
Zhulan naturally knew, such a vast clan. Her heart couldn’t help but race; could it be like what she guessed?
Empress Dowager Chen blinked, "I know you have many stories in your mind; when you’re free, how about you share them with me?"
"Sure!"
Empress Dowager Chen glanced around; many watched their conversation. She raised her voice, "The Emperor handed the Girls College to you, showing the Emperor’s emphasis on it. I heard the Zhou family clan sent girls to the academy, and I’m here to ask you in person if the Chen family clan plans to send children of impoverished family members to the academy. Will you accept them?"
Zhulan’s racing heart calmed, "I would, why wouldn’t I? Anyone who wishes to enroll is welcome, the minimum age for enrollment is six, and there’s no upper limit. Even married women who want to learn skills can enroll."
Though it is rare for married women to come to study, you never know!
Empress Dowager Chen smiled, "Well, it’s settled. My elder brother worries about the lives of impoverished clan members. If they find another path in the future, he’ll have fewer concerns."
Not only is she helping Yang out but is also making her stance clear to the Emperor. Since her father passed away, her elder brother became the Clan Leader. With the Chen family clan being so large, she needed to express her intentions to the Emperor. It’s probing and beneficial for the clan members, as a silent Chen family clan affects many clansmen, and her elder brother also worries.
Of course, if she can earn Yang’s favor, it would be even better. Earning favor with Yang is equivalent to earning favor with Marquis Zhou. Everyone knows how much Marquis Zhou cares about his wife.
Zhulan perked up her ears; Empress Dowager Chen’s words stirred discussions around.
Princess Qi was shocked; she knew her mother-in-law came with a purpose, but she still underestimated her. Should she relay the message to her family? She sighed later, deciding not to; she’s not close to her family in recent years.
After a while, when everyone finally gathered, Zhulan and Empress Dowager Chen stopped their conversation. Zhulan then noticed the old lady of the Luo family had arrived, her gaze turning to Ms. Ji beside the old lady. How to put it, she quite admired this Ms. Ji; she had the brains and means but could only appreciate from a distance.
Xue Han brought people over at this point, "Empress Dowager, Mother."
Zhulan looked at her daughter with doubt in her eyes, "Who is this?"
Xue Han introduced, "This is Lady Phang, wife of Deputy Minister Wei from the Ministry of Justice, and her young daughter."
Zhulan recalled this; Deputy Minister Wei was transferred to the Ministry of War this year. She didn’t know what connection he had with her son-in-law, or her daughter wouldn’t introduce them separately.
Lady Phang accompanied her daughter for the greeting, "Greetings, Empress Dowager."
She then said, "Greetings, Mrs. Hou."
Empress Dowager Chen’s gaze fell on the young lady of the Wei family, a realization flashing in her eyes, "You may rise."
Xue Han smiled and led the people away, and then Empress Dowager Chen spoke, "This young Lady Wei seems to be most cherished at home."
Zhulan also noticed, "She is bold, with a slightly naive laugh."
This was cultivated by indulgence at home, and she’s an affectionate girl, with bright eyes that are quite likable.
Empress Dowager Chen, "Your daughter must have a good opinion of Lady Wei. I wonder which of your sons she has in mind."
Zhulan also realized and it suddenly made sense. Her daughter must have encountered a good girl, so she lets her take a look, "I’ll have to ask Xue Han."
Empress Dowager Chen said wistfully, "A daughter is always considerate."
She had wanted another daughter to make a pair of good words, but alas!
Because Empress Dowager Chen helped Zhulan, many people came to inquire about the Girls College, dispersing when Xue Han returned.