Film and Television Variety Show: The Jade Girl's Love Affair

Seeing Zhao Jian's hesitant tone, Tang Yu smiled and shook her head.

"Wang Kuan is still the same as when he was a child, always remembering to be a gentleman, so this marriage was agreed to by myself and has little to do with you."

If I really didn't want this engagement, there were actually many ways to do so.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jian breathed a sigh of relief, but then asked with a hint of gossip.

"So, you and Wang Kuan are mutually in love? It seems this is fate."

When I was little, you helped me refuse an engagement, so later you and Wang Kuan got together. It seems fate had already arranged our marriage.

Seeing Zhao Jian's happy expression, Tang Yu couldn't help but ask a question out of curiosity.

"You're a year older than me, and you've been on the border for several years, yet you haven't met a man you like?"

“Princess, I have always been different from the girls around me since I was a child, but you have always understood me.”

So you should understand that after marriage, you have to manage the affairs of the household and raise children. How can you then be as free as you are now, to see the world?

Of course, maybe I haven't met someone I like, but I don't think I want to be like the many women in the Song Dynasty right now.

Staying home managing household affairs and busy raising children every day, I have a life I want to live more of.

Zhao Jian's tone was not confused or pained; her eyes shone when she mentioned her wish.

This reminded Tang Yu of the secret society that Zhao Jian had now joined.

"So you're having a great time in the Secret Pavilion? I thought it was a very dangerous place."

"Only in the Secret Pavilion can women go to school and study like men, and do the same things as men in protecting their homes and country."

I'm very happy here. Although I do some dangerous things, life is so free.

That would be a good way out for women, but can this secret chamber really remain untainted by the corruption of officialdom?

The officialdom of the Song Dynasty has been in place for a hundred years since the founding of the country.

The officialdom is rife with nepotism and the waters run deep. To be honest, Tang Yu didn't think a place like the Secret Pavilion was very reliable.

Of course, a country needs organizations like secret agents to gather information, understand the situation of neighboring countries, and eliminate spies within the country.

But this is only a supporting organization. The real way to make a country strong is to solve the problems of official corruption and people's livelihood.

Just like how the Ming Dynasty established the Embroidered Uniform Guard and then the Eastern Depot and Western Depot, any organization can become corrupt. This Secret Pavilion is worth paying attention to.

After meeting with Zhao Jian, several days passed before Wang Kuan, who was studying at the Imperial Academy, finally had a holiday. So the two of them arranged to meet again.

This time, the two decided to go to Fanlou, the largest restaurant in Bianjing (Kaifeng), for food, drinks, and entertainment.

Although the Song Dynasty was militarily weak, its people's lives were very rich, and its various commercial economies developed very well.

Places like Fanlou, which combine eating, drinking, and entertainment, are practically modern-day large shopping malls.

You can eat, play games, shop, listen to music... anything that's legally permissible for entertainment can be found here.

For example, at this moment, Tang Yu is enjoying a song and dance performance.

The beauty of classical dance, set against the backdrop of a brightly lit restaurant, possesses an indescribable, graceful charm.

Bianjing no longer has a curfew, so Tang Yu asked the palace for leave today, planning to spend the evening in Bianjing before resting at the Rong Mansion.

During the Tang Dynasty, officials enjoyed dancing and making merry together when they gathered, and there was even a dance ritual when they went to court.

However, officials are now bound by various rules and regulations, and there are many things they cannot do. Dancing, for example, originally had no distinction of high or low status.

What's now considered lowly work is being treated like this, while those on stage watching the performance seem elevated to a pedestal—it's truly lamentable.

Tang Yu said this with a smile, without much emotion, while Wang Kuan thought about it seriously.

"During the Han Dynasty, there was also a custom of dancing together. Once the host started dancing, the guests were also expected to dance along. If they did not dance along, they would be considered disrespectful to the host."

"Is the princess saying that there's something wrong with the current customs and practices?"

Tang Yu nodded with a faint smile.

"Actually, the situation isn't too serious right now, but if we continue to set strict rules, I'm afraid that in the future, women will be accused of breaking the rules and being rebellious just for going out!"

During the Song Dynasty, remarriage was quite common, and young women could be seen strolling around Bianjing (Kaifeng).

The Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism only emerged in the Southern Song Dynasty. Tang Yu knew about the future, but Wang Kuan did not.

"In ancient times, people practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, ate raw meat and drank blood, and lived their lives in ignorance."

Later, Leizu raised silkworms and reeled silk, thus initiating the beginning of civilization; then Cangjie created characters and transmitted writing, opening the door to wisdom; and still later, there were people who built carts and nests, laying the foundation for life.

Over the past few thousand years, the lives of people in the Central Plains have been getting better and better.

This shows that even if someone has taken the wrong path in the past, they should be able to correct it in the future.

Princess, there's no need to worry too much. The future will surely be better than the present, and people then will be far wiser and more intelligent than we are, finding the right path for all people.

After hearing Wang Kuan's comforting words, Tang Yu realized that she had indeed been overthinking things.

People in this era are so confident about the future, and although they took a detour, they eventually corrected it.

"You're right, I was just chatting on a whim."

"Wang Kuan, come for a walk with me. We've already eaten a delicious meal, it'll be good to digest a bit."

Chapter 10 Do You Know? + The Young Swordsman of the Song Dynasty 10

As the weather gets colder and the Lunar New Year is just a month away, the nights in Bianjing (Kaifeng) are not very lively during this season.

But the surrounding lights were all burning, so the whole city was filled with a lively atmosphere.

The two, wearing masks, walked hand in hand down the street, with a carriage following behind them in the distance, creating a rather pleasant scene.

"I reckon the Ministry of Rites will set a wedding date after the New Year. Have you heard anything about it?"

“My father told me this news a few days ago. I heard it was the government’s idea.”

Tang Yu nodded.

It is likely that the emperor realized he was getting older and his energy was waning, so he understood that he didn't have much time left and wanted to see his sons and daughters get married before he passed away.

The Crown Princess is still undecided about her daughter's marriage, but it will likely take place next year.

Therefore, Tang Yu will definitely marry Wang Kuan next year.

"I am actually quite delighted with this news. Does the princess wish to marry as soon as possible, or would you like to postpone it a little longer?"

"You said it yourself, I will still be free after marriage. Actually, leaving the palace would only make me happy. There are too many rules in the palace, so I really want to get married as soon as possible. Isn't that surprising?"

As soon as these words were spoken with a smile, Wang Kuan immediately tightened his grip on Tang Yu's hand.

“The princess’s frankness always catches me off guard. Although it’s offensive, I want to hug her right now.”

Tang Yu was amused by Wang Kuan, so she tiptoed and whispered in his ear.

"I like it when you take the initiative. I've already allowed you into my world, so there's no need to ask me about intimate matters between lovers every time."

Once or twice is fun, but if it's always like this, it's like we're strangers.

This joke immediately made Wang Kuan burst out laughing.

He was usually very restrained, but this time he laughed heartily.

With his arms outstretched, Wang Kuan embraced the person beside him without hesitation this time.

"I wish the wedding were tomorrow. People are so prone to taking advantage of others and becoming more and more greedy."

"Then why don't you have your father try to communicate with the people at the Ministry of Rites and set the date shortly after the New Year?"

"No, early spring is bitterly cold, and getting married will be very difficult. The princess should get married happily and comfortably. It would be better to choose a time when the weather is warmer."

That's really thoughtful.

"The way we're talking makes it sound like the Ministry of Rites listens to us."

Wang Kuan nodded seriously.

"This matter can indeed be accomplished. What does Your Highness think?"

"Let's get married when the weather is warm and the grass is growing and the birds are singing."

The two then walked hand in hand for a while before Wang Kuan escorted Tang Yu back to the Rong Mansion.

The carriage arrived at the gate of Rong Mansion.

As soon as Tang Yu got out of the carriage, she found her aunt hiding inside, crying. Her maids and servants were anxiously trying to persuade her, and the group of people were actually lingering there and not going in.

"What's going on? What are you all doing at the door!"

As soon as Tang Yu appeared, a group of people were so frightened that they immediately knelt down to pay their respects, but Rong Feiyan continued to cry.

Tang Yu went directly into the carriage to inquire.

"Auntie, why are you crying? If you have something to say, you should say it inside the mansion. Won't a bunch of people see you outside?"

"Princess, don't go in. I'm afraid I won't understand when I get home! Qi... Qi Heng doesn't like me. He likes other girls."

Although Princess Pingning agreed to the marriage, Qi Heng went on a hunger strike at home because he didn't want to marry me.

I just came from Qi Heng's house. I tried to persuade him to eat, but he ignored me! Princess, I feel so bad. Is there something wrong with me?

Rong Feiyan sobbed uncontrollably. Tang Yu, recalling what she had witnessed at the horse farm last time, subconsciously asked a question.

"You really have to marry him? There are so many young men in Bianjing, why marry someone who already has someone else in his heart? Auntie, it will be very painful to marry someone who doesn't love you."

Rong Feiyan's expression was stubborn, and she suddenly gripped Tang Yu's hand tightly.

"I don't understand what's wrong with me. No, I have to find out who he likes."

When I asked him in the afternoon, Qi Heng resolutely refused to answer. I really wouldn't be satisfied if I didn't know the answer!

After saying this, Rong Feiyan turned around and ordered the carriage to go to Qi Heng's house, which shocked Tang Yu.

"Auntie, it's already dark, let's go tomorrow."

“Princess, please stay with me. If I can find out the truth tonight, I will be able to make a decision.”

Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll never understand whether or not I should marry him. I only have this one night of courage!

Tang Yu sighed, faintly smelling the alcohol on Rong Feiyan.