CHAPTER 415: CHAPTER 415: PURSUING KNOWLEDGE (PART 2)

This matter is indeed surprising.

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow and said, "Quickly, get up." Standing by, Chen Sheren cleverly stepped forward to help Aunt Mei and her daughter up.

Jiang Shaohua asked directly, "Does Lu Junma know about this matter?"

"I told my father yesterday, and he scolded me harshly, then punished me to kneel for half a day."

Lu Ruohua’s little face was full of indignation: "I refuse to accept what Father said. Why can’t girls go out to study? Ye County has a women’s school with over forty female students. I want to go to the Ye County Women’s School!"

Aunt Mei softly chimed in, "Lu Junma does not approve. I am also reluctant to let go. Ruohua is only eight years old and has never been away from my side."

"I lack insight and am not clear about the difference between studying in school and studying in the Prince Mansion. However, Ruohua has her reasons for wanting to go, so I came to seek help from the Commandery Princess with a thick face."

In the Prince Mansion, there’s a life of abundance, with a Mr. specially teaching. It also means living under Lu Xuan’s watchful eyes.

As a concubine, she couldn’t muster the strength to speak firmly. When Lu Xuan scolded and punished, she couldn’t even stand out to protect her own child. How beneficial could such an environment be for a child?

Lu Ying went to Jingzhou Prefecture School, with open and vast opportunities.

Her daughter shouldn’t be confined within the inner chambers. Ye County is the most prosperous county in Nanyang County, where women’s status is respected and the atmosphere is enlightened. The women’s school has two female teachers of extraordinary talent. Such an environment is the best and most suitable for a little girl.

Such a heartfelt maternal instinct that young Lu Ruohua doesn’t understand. But how could Jiang Shaohua not know?

Jiang Shaohua gave Aunt Mei a profound look: "Very well, I approve of this matter."

Aunt Mei was delighted and was about to kneel to express her gratitude.

"No need to kneel or express thanks." Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "I’ve already said that Ying is my biological brother, and Ruohua is my biological sister. As the elder sister, it’s only right that I care for them. As long as Aunt Mei takes good care of Lu Junma and doesn’t cause me worry, that’s enough."

The last sentence was profound with meaning.

Aunt Mei’s heart trembled slightly, having no time to savor this sentence, she quickly replied, "This is my duty."

Jiang Shaohua looked at Lu Ruohua with a smile: "I will immediately send a message to Ye County. You will go to school to study and live in the back courtyard of the county government. I will ask Mr. Li and Mr. Cui to take good care of you. There are holidays every month at the school. If you miss home, you can come back."

Lu Ruohua was so happy she almost floated and nodded like a little chick pecking rice.

Everyone knows that in the Prince Mansion, the Commandery Princess makes all the big and small decisions. Since the Commandery Princess has agreed, it’s settled. Her biological father Lu Xuan has no room for objection.

Lu Ying, being precocious and mature earlier, thought much further ahead than Lu Ruohua. Both he and his sister studying outside the mansion would further weaken their father Lu Xuan’s authority. A father without authority over his children, how much influence can he have on them in the future?

In fact, Jiang Shaohua had another intention, which Lu Ying couldn’t guess or understand. Although Lu Ruohua bears the surname Lu, she is the Commandery Princess’s biological sister from a different mother. The matter of Lu Ruohua studying at Ye County Women’s School will soon spread throughout Nanyang County. The daughters of those great families will soon follow suit. Thus, the influence of the women’s school can be quickly elevated.

As for whether Lu Xuan agrees or not, of course, it doesn’t matter at all.

Jiang Shaohua turned to give an order: "Ma, go and invite Lu Junma."

After a stick of incense, Lu Junma arrived.

Upon entering the inner hall, Lu Xuan sensed something was amiss. Aunt Mei, along with her mother and daughter, were all present, each with a look of joy. Especially Lu Ruohua, her face was beaming with happiness.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, "Hua wants to go to Ye County School to study, and I have already approved it."

Lu Xuan: "..."

Lu Xuan’s expression froze instantly as he looked at Jiang Shaohua in disbelief. Then he turned to look at Aunt Mei and Lu Ruohua, his eyes gathering stormy clouds of anger.

Aunt Mei’s mind flashed with many unbearable scenes, and her body trembled slightly. Lu Ruohua was also frightened by her father’s gloomy expression, instinctively shrinking into her mother’s arms.

Aunt Mei hugged her daughter, and her trembling body calmed down.

In this muddy pond, she was deeply trapped with no strength to escape. Having her two children leave was already a great fortune.

Lu Xuan’s heart was filled with a burning rage he could not swallow. He glared fiercely at Aunt Mei and her daughter before turning his head to Jiang Shaohua: "Commandery Princess, Ruohua is my daughter. Shouldn’t her going to Ye County School to study be approved by me as her father?"

Jiang Shaohua leisurely replied, "What? Such a good thing, could it be that you, Prince Consort, do not agree?"

Of course not! Absolutely not!

Lu Xuan suppressed the anger in his heart, striving to keep his tone calm: "Ruohua is still young and just a little girl. It’s truly inconvenient for her to leave her parents and study outside."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Ye County is just in Nanyang County, only a two or three days’ journey back and forth. Father and Aunt Mei can visit her whenever they miss her. She can return to the Prince Mansion during holidays. She will stay in the Ye County government office, with a few careful maids and two steady nannies, with all her needs meticulously cared for. There’s nothing inconvenient about it."

"In Ye County Women’s School, there are all children from ordinary folk families." Lu Xuan continued to endure his anger: "With Ruohua’s background, how can she mingle with them?"

"When Hua goes to the school, there will naturally be many wealthy families sending their daughters to study." Jiang Shaohua said lightly, "Moreover, studying in school does not distinguish between high and low, noble or humble. Just like Jingzhou Prefecture School, there are also many boys from ordinary backgrounds who excel in their studies. Ying can make many acquaintances there."

"The principle of ’never despise the poor young’ is something Father should understand."

Lu Xuan’s fair and handsome face quickly flushed red.

Jiang Shaohua’s last sentence contained ridicule and sarcasm, which he understood perfectly.

Unwilling to concede easily, he argued strongly: "Men studying can earn fame through the Imperial Examination. One might start lowly and end up as an official managing affairs. What use is there for women to study? Can they also take the Imperial Examination?"

"Even if the Commandery Princess can employ Chen Sheren exceptionally, employ the wife of County Magistrate Cui as a teacher, and employ a widowed Mr. Cui and a Mr. Kong who has been in a bandit den. Can all educated women have jobs?"

"In this world, it is still a man’s world, and the officialdom consists of men. Does the Commandery Princess think she can change all of this by herself?"

Jiang Shaohua’s expression was calm: "Outside Nanyang County, I can’t control, but within Nanyang County, I can make the calls. In a few years, when Ye County Women’s School yields outstanding talents that pass my examinations, I will put them to important use."

"By leveraging my own strength, I can achieve many things others can’t do or dare not do. Hua’s ambition to study will have my full support."

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