Chapter 115: If Only She Had Known Today, Why Bother in the Past?

This is the privilege of being an Emperor or a noble, they can openly select concubines, even if they are already old and dying, they can still choose eighteen-year-old women to serve them in the palace.

The selected women cannot resist, or else their entire family will suffer.

After Shen Ning finished the chicken soup, she sweated a little again.

However, she had just bathed not long ago, so it was impossible to bathe again. Thus, she quietly leaned against the headboard, waiting for her heart to calm and her body to cool naturally.

Ji Yucang ordered someone to guard the place and temporarily stepped out for a moment. Just then, the voice of the stewardess reporting from outside was heard: “Madam.”

Shen Ning turned her head: “Come in.”

Shi Qi and Shi Qin stood by the bed, watching as Mama Yu entered, respectfully bowing to report: “Miss Gu attempted suicide but was saved. She has been crying non-stop, saying she knows she was wrong in the past and wants to ask for forgiveness from the Regent and Princess Consort. She doesn’t want to marry General Wei, Yang Ming.”

After a pause, “Miss Gu also said that if the Princess Consort’s anger hasn’t subsided, could there be another form of punishment? She is willing to accept physical punishment, as long as she isn’t forced to marry.”

Shen Ning looked at her expressionlessly: “Didn’t your master order her to be confined? Has Mama Yu been very attentive to her these past two days?”

“This old servant wouldn’t dare.” Mama Yu quickly knelt down, “This old servant was only frightened by Miss Gu’s attempt to take her own life and ordered people to pay special attention, not daring to cause a loss of life. Please understand, madam.”

Shen Ning calmly said: “Since it was the Regent’s decision, I won’t interfere. Go and tell her that General Yang is a soldier who defends the country and is worthy of entrusting one’s life to. As long as she marries him and serves her mother-in-law and husband well, and manages the household peacefully, General Yang won’t mistreat her.”

“Yes.” Mama Yu accepted the order and withdrew.

“If only she had known today, why bother in the past?” Shi Qin spoke coldly, “A young lady from a maternal family, living under someone else’s roof, actually dared to poison the Master and the Lady of the house. If it weren’t for that slight blood relation, she would have died a thousand times over. How could she still have the chance to marry?”

Shi Qi bent down to wipe the sweat from Shen Ning’s forehead: “Miss Gu is jealous of the Princess Consort, feeling that the madam has taken her place, and is unwilling to accept it. That’s why she has repeatedly offended her superiors. But if the Master had any feelings for her, why would he have waited until today?”

Shen Ning remained silent.

She had no animosity towards Gu Yanran originally. After all, when she married Ji Yucang, she never intended to be his real wife, so she wouldn’t actively create an imaginary enemy for herself.

If Gu Yanran was willing to coexist peacefully with her, neither she nor Ji Yucang would make things difficult for her in terms of marriage. It was her duty as the lady of the house to choose a suitable husband for her.

Unfortunately, Gu Yanran obviously didn’t think that way.

Jealousy and unwillingness were one thing, but being foolish enough to be used by others was another.

Which noble family would marry such a woman to be the lady of the house?

However, Shen Ning frowned soon after.

In this era, women with even a slight family background seemed to be born to become a qualified lady of the house. They were taught strictly from a young age, not only to be gentle, humble, virtuous, and kind, but also to learn how to manage a household with dignity and a balance of kindness and authority.

Every word and action, every move, was as if carved from a mold, not allowed the slightest mistake.

Shen Ning, who was once a princess, was also required to learn these virtues that women should possess. She was taught that after marriage, she should support her husband, educate her children, and serve her mother-in-law. If it weren’t for later going to the battlefield, her life would probably be no different from that of an ordinary noblewoman.

“What are you thinking about?” Ji Yucang entered the inner chamber and, seeing Shen Ning lost in thought again, reached out to rub her head, “Bored?”

Shen Ning came back to her senses: “I was thinking, men can go to war, can become officials, can engage in business, but women are always expected to be virtuous helpmates at home. Isn’t that a bit unfair?”

Ji Yucang said: “This is the difference in the division of labor between men and women.”

“Do you think this division of labor is fair?”

Ji Yucang’s expression was somewhat subtle: “Then, my dear, do you think men should stay at home to support their wives and educate their children, while women go out and show their faces?”

Shen Ning frowned: “It doesn’t have to be so absolute. There should be a middle ground.”

“Although women are gentle, there are also those who can fight like men.” Ji Yucang’s gaze fell on her face, “Women like you, who are no less than men, should indeed be given important positions.”

Shen Ning shook her head: “Women are naturally not as strong as men, and from a young age, they are confined to the inner courtyard. It’s difficult for them to practice martial arts, and since the military camps are mostly male, who would allow women onto the battlefield unless absolutely necessary? But studying is different. Women from wealthy families are often well-read from a young age, and there are also those who have broad minds and care about the world. They should have the same rights as men to take the imperial examinations and enter officialdom.”

Ji Yucang didn’t say whether it was possible or not, he just looked at her deeply: “Men are the rulers of women. Men believe that these are the rules set by heaven for men and women, and they cannot be easily defied. Therefore, if you want to fight for the rights of women, you must first reach the pinnacle of power and hold absolute authority. Only then might you be able to change something.”

Shen Ning’s eyes narrowed, and she remained silent, lost in thought.

Ji Yucang knew that Shen Ning wouldn’t bring this up for no reason. He got up and walked to the door to ask a few questions. Upon learning that the stewardess had come and that Gu Yanran was causing a fuss about not wanting to marry, his expression turned cold. He called for Ling Feng: “Have someone guard Yanyan Residence. The day after tomorrow, when Gu Yanran marries, no one is allowed to disturb the princess consort’s recuperation.”

“Yes.”

For the next two days, no matter how much Yanyan Residence was in turmoil, not a single disturbance reached Golden Courtyard.

Even if Gu Yanran smashed everything she could, the servants didn’t dare to stop her, only cleaning up the mess she created over and over again.

But Ji Yucang didn’t indulge her. All the things she smashed within these few days were deducted from her dowry—because Shen Ning was unwell, Gu Yanran’s dowry consisted of what her aunt had left for her, along with a list prepared by the steward, accountant, and stewardess over the past few days. It was presented to Ji Yucang for approval.

Since this grand wedding was decided hastily and with a punitive undertone, Gu Yanran’s dowry was not particularly generous—not too generous compared to her identity as the Regent’s cousin.

However, as long as Gu Yanran lived a peaceful life after marriage, this dowry would be enough to support her comfortable life in the Yang family.

Moreover, since it was a remarriage and the groom, General Yang, was already in his forties, the wedding wasn’t extravagant—it was moderate. Gu Yanran, filled with unwillingness and resentment, left the Regent’s Residence in a sedan chair, escorted by a few carefully selected attendants chosen by Ji Yucang, and headed towards her husband’s home.