Chapter 39: Feeling Kicked While Walking Down the Street
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Du Zi Heng originally thought that after he spoke up for Yu Zhi Yi, she would at least offer him a smile of gratitude.
Unexpectedly, her gaze towards him resembled one directed at a thief.
He thought, “…”
Yu Zhi Yi averted her eyes. “How could you find such a terrifying story touching?”
“Ter… terrifying?” someone asked, puzzled.
Yu Jiao Jiao muttered under her breath, “Sister, how could you think that? This is obviously a story of bliss and happiness. You shouldn’t maliciously interpret it just because of your own unfortunate circumstances, right?”
Ignoring her, Yu Zhi Yi swept her indifferent gaze across the gathered noblewomen. “You’re all so envious of the heroine in the story. Well, if in the future you had daughters, would you allow them to associate with a poor boy?”
“Would you still smile if your daughter severed ties with you for him? Would you even feel moved by their ‘perfect love story’?”
The crowd fell silent.
Some imagined themselves in such a situation and felt suffocated. “How is that possible!? If any poor boy dared to whisk my daughter away, I’d beat him to death!”
The noblewoman who spoke suddenly realized her slip and awkwardly glanced around.
The others averted their eyes in discomfort. Though they shared her sentiments, none would mock her for voicing the truth. However, they were at odds with Yu Zhi Yi and would not support her outright either.
Du Zi Heng felt as though he was a dog, innocently walking down the street, only to be kicked for no reason.
While he wasn’t a daughter, the critique somehow applied…
Yu Jiao Jiao, seeing the others’ silence, nearly ground her teeth in frustration. “Marrying one’s daughter to a poor boy does indeed carry risks. Most parents hesitating over this matter is only natural.”
“But regardless, the couple in the story found happiness, didn’t they? The man became the Top Scholar, and the woman became a titled lady—”
Yu Zhi Yi interrupted, “The woman endured endless torment in the man’s family and was posthumously granted her title after her death. If such glory were offered to you, would you take it?”
The story was a classic tale filled with male-centric fantasies and melodrama.
A rich daughter fell in love with a poor boy, but her parents staunchly opposed the match.
The boy’s family, however, was more than eager to welcome the girl.
Her parents, adamant, threatened that if their daughter dared to see the boy again, they would ensure the boy’s family couldn’t survive in the area.
Thus, the boy’s family fled, taking the girl along to a distant city.
Without parental blessings or a proper matchmaker, they held a simple wedding ceremony.
The rich daughter received no betrothal gifts, and the boy’s family was penniless.
From a pampered young lady, she abruptly transformed into a poor housewife, enduring coarse meals she wasn’t accustomed to. To make ends meet, she spent all the money she’d brought along, selling off her jewelry and clothes.
Ten years later, the boy passed the imperial examination and became the Top Scholar.
By then, the daughter had exhausted all her resources, completely transitioning from a rich lady to a worn-out wife.
The boy’s mother, gaining confidence as a mother-in-law, gradually began asserting her authority.
The former noblewoman, once served by maids, now served her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Managing household affairs became her burden. Overwhelmed, the delicate lady turned into a bedraggled wife.
After the boy achieved success, she did become the Top Scholar’s Wife.
Yet her health deteriorated, and she passed away not long after.
Following her death, the man married a daughter of the Chancellor who had amicably separated from her previous husband, ascending to a higher social circle as a well-established son-in-law.
This story, drenched in melodrama, was frighteningly realistic.
And yet, such a grim reality was romanticized as love’s steadfastness and preciousness?
Steadfastness?
Hah.
The steadfastness belonged to the woman, the preciousness too.
This so-called love was merely a horrifying tale of a man draining a wealthy daughter of her resources, discarding her once she was no longer useful.
Yu Zhi Yi spared no words in dismantling the tale, leaving it thoroughly criticized. “Love that transcends class is indeed rare and valuable. But only the courage to pursue it is commendable. Whether everything else deserves praise depends on whether the person is worthy.”
Du Zi Heng, curious, asked, “And in your opinion, what makes someone worthy?”
“If I were the woman or her mother, before considering such a match, I’d first evaluate the person’s character,” she replied.
“If a man is raised by struggling parents, he would be understanding of their hardships, assisting them in small ways while pursuing his studies.”
“A true gentleman isn’t simply someone who avoids the kitchen,” she said pointedly.
“To me, a gentleman is loyal to the nation and decisive, respectful and considerate to parents, cherishing and caring for his wife, and setting an example for his children. He wouldn’t squander his parents’ hard-earned money or feign diligence under the guise of studying.”
“Moreover, when a new wife enters the home, he wouldn’t shift the burden of supporting his parents onto her shoulders. Instead, he’d take responsibility together with her.”
“Many men, upon bringing a new wife into the family, often say, ‘My mother worked hard to raise me; you must honor her after joining our family.’ Such words are laughable.”
“The mother’s struggles weren’t caused by the new wife but by an unloving husband and an ungrateful son who refused to share her burdens. He enjoys her care and affection but expects his wife to assume the duties of support. What nonsense!”
Her eyes were too clear and discerning, as though they could pierce through hearts.
Du Zi Heng squirmed under her gaze, hastily reflecting. Had he ever said such words to Yu Zhi Yi upon her arrival?
Good news: No.
Bad news: He’d said worse.
He wanted to crawl into a hole.
Even the noblewomen present were stunned by Yu Zhi Yi’s revolutionary perspective.
Thanks to the efforts of Senior Princess Jia Luo, the Protector of the Nation, and numerous female pioneers, the women of the Great Sheng Empire were no longer bound by the beliefs of a century ago.
Still, their thoughts remained confined within a certain framework.
Yu Zhi Yi’s words struck like a thunderclap, revealing a new vision of gender dynamics.
Some began questioning the traditions they had dutifully followed for years.
Those already inclined to rebel against convention looked even more inspired.
Yu Zhi Yi, observing the reactions, playfully remarked, “Oh dear, I was just speaking casually. You should only listen casually too. After all, if you find such tragic love stories beautiful, then by all means, give them a try.”
“Just remember my words—falling from prosperity to poverty only takes a romanticized mindset. Climbing back from poverty to prosperity may take a lifetime… and even then, success isn’t guaranteed.”
“Not every poor boy becomes the Top Scholar.”
At this moment, the second Gold-Ranked Embroideress took the stage.
However, the crowd was still reeling from their shattered worldview, their reactions to the following garments subdued.
Until the fifth round.
This time, the Splendid Embroidery Pavilion’s most renowned Gold-Ranked Embroideress appeared.
Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze flicked past Embroideress Zhou, spotting Red Luan peeking from behind a nearby door. The woman grinned brightly at her.