History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

He Lan always plans ahead three steps before making friends or enemies, and she will never make enemies with anyone unless she has to deal with them thoroughly.

This feeling of scheming against people's hearts, which she had succeeded in doing so many times, had become an obsession for her.

So instead of parting ways with Li Yin, she feigned anger and heartache, explaining, "A teacher for a day is a teacher for life. How could I leave you when you're in trouble? I always remember my promise to you... If I could defeat Wei Yao's disciple with what I've learned, it would prove that you are more talented than her. But you're so disheartened all day. If I were to waste my time with you, wouldn't I be defeated without a fight?"

Li Yin said with emotion, "Even at a time like this, you still think of me and remain loyal to me. I am truly ashamed. That despicable Ji Ledao, I almost believed his slander against you! I will never trust him again. I should have seen through him long ago. He always used helping me and my brother as an excuse to swindle all my family's savings, and he hasn't helped us at all. He Lan, from now on, let's be friends... no, let's be sisters?"

He Lan: "Then I'll shamelessly become your elder sister." Great, first get rid of the master-disciple relationship, then completely sever ties by claiming incompatibility.

Unexpectedly, the Li family's fortunes turned around. Just as she and the other party became sworn sisters, Princess Chenliu sent servants to invite Li Yin. As Li Yin's sworn sister, she was allowed to go to the princess's residence together.

Yuanzhenjun's former trusted maid, Diezhuang, has fallen out of favor and is being punished in the courtyard by balancing a basin on her head. The basin contains several gold beads, and she is only allowed to hold the basin with one hand. If she loses her balance and the gold beads roll, she will be punished with an additional quarter of an hour.

As Li Yin and He Lan passed by the Butterfly Manor, they grew increasingly nervous. After being led into the house, they dared not breathe loudly or look directly at the Princess.

Given Yuanzhenjun's status, there was no need for idle chatter. She asked, "What is the most refined knowledge?"

Li Yin replied, "I studied the Book of Poetry and the Erya since I was a child, and I also studied..."

Lord Yuanzhen was impatient.

The maid Fu Zhuang quickly shook her head at Li Yin, who was so frightened that he pursed his lips and stopped talking.

Yuan Zhenjun: "Focus on one subject, the Book of Poetry. In the next six months, you should study diligently with the Confucian scholars in the manor, and make sure you learn the subject deeply and thoroughly, so that you are not too far behind Wei Yao."

Because Li Yin and He Lan were unaware of the proper etiquette, the former only dared to say "yes," while the latter said, "Thank you for your guidance, Princess."

The two young women had come with high hopes, but the princess only said a few words, leaving them feeling disappointed and uneasy. Fortunately, after they came out, their maid Fu Zhuang explained the situation to them in detail, and Li Yin and He Lan finally understood.

"The high-ranking ladies-in-waiting in the palace now all serve the former concubines. It's time to bring in new ones. The Princess's recommendation is certainly better than others, but to move up further, one must have real skills. In the next six months, you not only need to learn academic subjects, but also learn the rules of the palace and become familiar with interpersonal relationships in order to avoid harm and seek advantage."

"Six months is a tight timeframe. It would be best if you stayed here so that the Princess would know of your progress and often take you out to make friends. Before you enter the palace, let her spread the word about your poetic talents."

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Li Yin and his companion immediately replied, "We are willing to stay at the Princess's residence."

Fu Zhuang nodded in satisfaction and led them to see the courtyard, admonishing them, "Living here means following the rules. The maid you just saw being punished is named Die Zhuang. A few days ago, she had a quarrel with the people from Wenya Abode and secretly suggested that the servants in the manor dress up as street ruffians and cause trouble at the academy. Fortunately, this was discovered and stopped. Die Zhuang's mistake was not that she wanted to vent her anger and seek revenge, but that she was self-righteous and didn't know the seriousness of the matter!"

"Therefore, for the next six months, you two must not use the name of the Princess's residence to do anything that would damage the Princess's reputation."

He Lan quickly answered "yes" and asked on Li Yin's behalf, "Can we bring up the wrongful case of Miss Li's father to the Princess?"

Looking at his friend, Li Yin was moved once again, and ashamed of his previous thought of turning against him.

Fu Zhuang: "When the time is right, I will convey this to the Princess. The premise is that you all have to live up to expectations, especially Miss Li. You can't always be outdone by Wei Yao."

Little did Li Yin know that before she arrived here, the Princess already knew everything about her family.

Upon learning that the county government had hastily concluded the case in just a few days, and that Magistrate Jia was constantly avoiding the Li family members who came to plead their case, Yuan Zhenjun realized that Li Biao's death was unusual. She then ordered her subordinates to investigate which high-ranking official Li Biao had met before his death. With the Princess's influence, this was easy; within a day, they discovered that Li Biao had met the Prince of Rencheng on the day of his death. Yuan Zhenjun immediately instructed her subordinates to present her petition to the Supervising Censor, detailing the strangeness of Li Biao's case.

The duty of the Supervising Censor was to adjudicate doubtful cases and impeach high-ranking officials. However, after this censor submitted his petition requesting a retrial of the case, it disappeared without a trace, and there has been no news of him since.

Yuan Zhenjun understood: in His Majesty's heart, Li Biao deserved to die.

Therefore, instead of seeking justice for his father, Li Yin should strive harder himself. Once he succeeds, his father's grievances won't need a retrial; he will be posthumously restored to his former glory. This is similar to Butterfly Manor's desire to punish Erzhu Rong of the Elegant Abode—what good would be a beating do?

Did they think that by having someone pretend to be a rogue, Zhao Zhi and her daughter wouldn't be able to guess the Princess's residence?

How stupid!
Whether it's the elegant Wenya Academy or Erzhu Rong, they both rely on Zhao Zhi's power. Eliminate Zhao Zhi, and everything will be resolved.

East of the city.

Wei Yao and Yuan Mao were off duty today, and the two of them headed to their new residence, Yirenli, early in the morning. This neighborhood was located between Fanghu Lake and Hongchi Lake, and most of the residents were members of the Hongnong Yang clan.

Upon entering the neighborhood, one could hear the sound of poetry recitation from the Yang family's private school. Further on, another Yang family private school was reciting the Erya in unison, much like the life in Pingcheng where schools were numerous and the sound of reading could be heard everywhere in the streets and alleys.

The Yang family of Hongnong was known for its pure and honest family traditions, which extended even to the minor officials who managed the neighborhoods.

"The former official, a junior scribe, has come to inspect the residence."

Yuan Mao would smile and reward any minor official who greeted him, informing them of Wei Yao's new official position.

The mansion had servants to look after and clean it, and also a flock of geese to guard the gate, as well as a fat goose that had been beaten senseless and thought it was a goose.

Fat Goose can't remember people. It spreads its wings and stretches its neck to run forward and snatch Yuanmao. When it finds that the flock of geese has not followed, it immediately turns around and buries its head, pretending to pick up food on the ground.

This large mansion was bought by General Wei Yi and his wife. Even the large furnishings inside were purchased by them. Every time Wei Yi and his wife came over, they would bring some small items they had selected from the market, such as writing brushes and ink, various candles and lamps, flowers and plants, or sachets.

It's a rare day off, so I have a lot to do in one day.

After delivering the items and patting Daiyan's little head, the two headed back towards the city gate, heading towards Dong'anli, which was right next to the Dongyang city gate.

Wei Yao and Yuan Mao each bought houses in this neighborhood.

Yuan Mao's father's old residence is also here. It has been renovated long ago, but Yuan Zhi is too busy with official business and rarely comes to stay.

In addition, the new houses that Wei Yao and Wei Jing and Gao Loujin bought for them were also located in this neighborhood.

With the rainy season approaching, after inspecting these residences, they rushed to Yinian Lane in the west of the city at the agreed time to visit Madam Lu, who was about to give birth.

The conversation is divided into two parts.

In this life, Zong Yin's fate always seemed to miss Wei Yao. An hour after Wei Yao left, he accompanied Feng Xing to Yirenli. (End of Chapter)