Chapter 139 Women’s School Opening

Shu Yuwan entrusted Qing He to handle the women’s school affairs. After some time of training, She had become more proficient in her work.

The location was chosen in West Street, where common people gathered. It used to be a large restaurant that closed due to poor management. Qing He bought the building and renovated it for the women’s school.

As for the teachers, it might be difficult to find those teaching traditional skills like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, teaching embroidery, culinary arts, medical knowledge, and other practical skills was much easier. Artisans from the common folk were often more open-minded than scholars.

Qing Dai reported, “Qing He said she hired a renowned embroiderer from Nandi Xiulou for embroidery, a master chef who previously worked at Shangshifang for culinary arts, and a senior physician from Tongxintang for medical knowledge. These individuals are not easy to hire, but Qing He hinted that it’s your initiative, which made them willing.”

“In addition, she also hired a midwife, a perfumer, a carpenter, a framer, and a seal engraver.”

Satisfied, Shu Yuwan nodded approvingly, “Qing He has done well.”

Her intention was clear. For the common people, traditional skills like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting might not provide a livelihood, but practical skills could. If these women had a skill, they would have an additional means of supporting themselves.

Shu Yuwan informed the Emperor about the preparations for the women’s school opening. Soon, the Emperor sent a calligraphy piece.

Unfolding it, Shu Yuwan saw the words “立身學院” (Lishen Academy) written boldly and elegantly.

Seeing the words, Shu Yuwan couldn’t help but smile. The Emperor understood her intentions well.

She handed the calligraphy piece to Qing Dai, saying, “Frame it nicely and hang it above the main entrance of the women’s school.”

Qing Dai smiled, “Yes!”

With the Emperor’s support, the establishment of the women’s school would undoubtedly proceed smoothly.

Although she wasn’t a woman with nowhere to go, Shu Yuwan was willing to see fewer women in such situations. She remembered the hardships her mistress faced when she was first abandoned, and Qing Dai couldn’t help but feel a twinge of heartache. Thankfully, everything was better now.

On Qing He’s end, upon receiving the news from Qing Dai, she began enrolling students for the Lishen Academy.

Qing He posted enrollment notices in various places in the capital, especially in West Street where common people gathered. The announcement stated that divorced women, abandoned women, and homeless women could enroll in the academy to learn a skill!

The tuition fee was only five hundred wen per year. For those with limited means, they could even pay later after finding a livelihood with their newly acquired skills.

The news immediately caused a stir in the capital.

Many families with divorced or abandoned daughters couldn’t help but consider the women’s school.

One of them was Aunt Zhang. She stood in front of the notice and asked a young scholar-like man next to her, “Young man, do you really accept divorced women?”

The scholar-like man nodded affirmatively, “Yes, the notice states that divorced and abandoned women can come here to learn a skill.” He then whispered to Aunt Zhang, “I heard that this Lishen Academy was established by the Empress, who was also divorced in the past.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhang felt relieved and immediately went home. She wanted to tell her daughter, who had been divorced after three childless years and returned home in tears. She was worried about her daughter’s future and hoped that learning a skill would provide her with a means of livelihood.

Soon, many women gathered the courage to come to the entrance of the Lishen Academy to inquire about enrollment.

Qing He personally received them at the academy’s entrance.

On Shu Yuwan’s end, she sent invitations to her godmother Fei, Mrs. Changning, and Mrs. Wang from Ning’s family to attend the opening ceremony of the Lishen Academy.

The news spread quickly in the capital, sparking discussions among the aristocrats and scholars, most of whom were not in favor of the women’s school.

Chen Yushi said, “This Empress not only monopolizes the harem but also establishes this Lishen Academy. It’s simply…”

However, he stopped mid-sentence, realizing the implications. Another Yushi nodded in agreement, feeling dissatisfied with the Empress.

Zhang Yushi added, “It’s not a big deal. Besides, I heard that the Emperor’s wife established this Lishen Academy, and the Emperor even named it.”

The group from the Yushi Hall fell silent.

In the Shu household, Mr. and Mrs. Shu and Tang and Zhou were discussing the matter.

Tang expressed concern, “The Empress is doing a good thing, but it might bring up discussions about her past divorce.”

Zhou agreed, “Yes, Mother, why bother with these things?”

In Zhou’s opinion, the Empress was living a good life now and didn’t need to bother with such matters.

Mrs. Shu didn’t respond but looked at Mr. Shu.

Although they hadn’t discussed it with Shu Yuwan, She had a general idea of her intentions. She knew Shu Yuwan’s kind heart and how she had overcome hardships in the past. Now that her life was better, she wanted to help other women.

Mr. Shu said, “The Empress establishing this academy is for the welfare of women across the country. While it may cause temporary controversy, it is ultimately a good thing for the people. In the long run, it will benefit the Empress’s reputation among the common folk. We should stand by the Empress’s side as a family, no matter when or where.”

Mrs. Shu nodded immediately, “You’re right. I’ll write to the Empress and attend the opening ceremony of the school.”

Tang added, “I’ll go too.”

Seeing Tang’s determination, Zhou said, “I’ll join as well.” It was only right to support her sister-in-law.

Mr. Shu nodded in agreement.

The Ning Family lady received Shu Yuwan’s invitations and gladly accepted.

Lady Wang hesitated but, after consulting with Ning Wang Fei, who was supportive, decided to join her.

Shu Yuwan was delighted to receive replies from the three of them.

She also received a letter from Mrs. Shu, learning that her mother and two sisters-in-law would support her, which made her smile helplessly.

Soon, the day for the women’s school opening arrived.