Help! The innocent prince always tries to seduce me clumsily

Bishui immediately brought pen, ink and a thick stack of paper.

Princess Lily of the Valley's pretty little face looked as ugly as if a fly had eaten it.

Bishui also gave a special reminder.

"Princess, please."

Princess Lily of the Valley stared at the pen and ink on the table, her expression becoming increasingly ugly.

Chu Shitong drank her tea slowly. She had previously inquired about Princess Lily of the Valley and knew one of her shortcomings that she was most reluctant to mention.

That is writing.

I heard that Princess Lily of the Valley didn't like studying since she was little, and people in the Western Regions didn't pay much attention to these things, so Princess Lily of the Valley couldn't read a single word, and the only few words she knew were written very ugly.

Princess Lily of the Valley felt uneasy and tried to save her face in embarrassment.

"Could it be that in your Beiqing, women are used to get married, have children, live in the backyard and engage in intrigue?"

Her words suddenly put Chu Shitong on the moral high ground.

The women on the boat looked at Chu Shitong one after another. Even though most of them would have the same fate in the future, some of them still had great ambitions.

"That's not it."

Chu Shitong said: "If a woman has talent, what's wrong with her standing in a high hall or fighting on a battlefield?"

Chu Shitong's words surprised everyone present.

There has never been a female official in Beiqing's history, let alone a female general.

Chu Shitong dared to think in this direction and was willing to accept it, which was already a very broad-minded thing for other women.

"Then why do you say that to me?" Princess Linglan said, "You said that women can stand in the halls of honor, so why do you ask me to observe the virtues of a woman? Isn't what you said inconsistent?"

"your Highness."

Chu Shitong suddenly laughed, "People are different. You have to understand that you came to Beiqing for marriage, or to put it bluntly, to marry the right person. This is your purpose. Since you have made this choice, it has proved that you don't have the heart to be a female official on the battlefield. You must understand the responsibilities of your position. If you want to be an official, you should learn to be honest and fair. If you want to go to the battlefield, you should learn how to arrange troops. If you want to stay in the harem, you naturally have to learn how to abide by the rules, how to serve your husband, and how to raise children. What I mean by this is not that women who are busy in the harem are not worthy of respect, but simply that as a person, you should do your job. Your Highness, do you need me to explain even this most basic truth to you?"

Princess Lily of the Valley: “…”

It seems to make sense, but also seems like something is wrong.

She wanted to retort, but she didn't know what to say.

Before she opened her mouth, a young man asked.

"Your Highness Prince Qi, do you think it is acceptable for women to discuss political affairs and arrange military battles?"

"Why can't you accept it?"

Chu Shitong propped up his chin and looked at the group of rich young men.

In their eyes, a woman should spend her whole life in the backyard, waiting obediently like a dog for their arrival, and madly trying to win their favor. It would be best if she never left her boudoir and saw the world.

"absurd!"

A young man dressed as a scholar came forward and argued, "Women should serve their parents-in-law in the backyard, support their husbands and raise their children. What are you talking about, Your Highness Prince Qi? What right do women have to discuss political affairs? Women's virtue lies in their lack of talent! Your Highness Prince Qi doesn't even know this?"

Chu Shitong said slowly: "The real meaning of 'a woman without talent is virtue' is that she has talent but does not show it in front of her husband. Instead, she behaves modestly and submissively. This is the noble virtue of a woman. This sentence does not belittle women for not having talent, but hopes that women should focus on virtue and not overemphasize their talent, but maintain a modest and submissive attitude."

The scholar's face turned red. He didn't expect Chu Shitong to be able to say such things.

"Even if this is not what I meant, it proves that officialdom and battlefields are not places for women! Women should stay in the backyard and take care of their husbands and children! This is the right thing to do!"

These words were really harsh to the ear, and many young ladies from aristocratic families looked extremely unhappy when they heard them.

Bishui was also very unhappy with the scholar's attitude towards Chu Shitong, and was about to scold him when Chu Shitong spoke with a smile.

"It seems that today I am here to discuss the issues with you gentlemen. May I ask you, sir, what is right and what is wrong?"

The scholar said, "Right is right, wrong is wrong. Since ancient times, men have been responsible for the outside world and women for the inside world. The harmony of yin and yang is the right way."

"Since ancient times?" Chu Shitong said with a smile, "Just because it has always been like this, does that mean it must be right?"

The scholar was stunned.

It has always been like this, so is it right?

Since Chu Shitong mentioned the theory of reasoning, it meant that the two of them were discussing right and wrong in a calm manner. The scholar simply sat opposite Chu Shitong, and the two of them started talking face to face.

"Women are naturally weak, jealous, and gossipy, so since ancient times men have held political power and fought on the battlefield. Your Majesty, is this wrong?"

"Of course not, but what you said is not all." Chu Shitong said: "Excuse me, are there any men who are weak? Are there any men who are jealous? Are there any men who love to gossip?"

The scholar was speechless for a moment, "This..."

As a man, how could he have the nerve to say no with a smug face?

If the other party was a woman, he would have just bitten off the bullet and killed her, but the other party was a prince who had seen the world and must have seen all kinds of people.

"You are talking about a very small minority... not most men are like this, but most women are like this."

"So can those few be classified as women just because they are weak, jealous, and gossipy?"

"How about that?"

The scholar argued: "Men are men, and women are women."

"So according to what you said, young master, there are also men who are weak and jealous, but there are more women, right?"

The scholar felt that there was something wrong with Chu Shitong's question, but he couldn't find anything wrong, so he nodded reluctantly.

"Yes."

"So not all women are weak and jealous. There are always some who are wise, outstanding, and strong. They are just a minority, but they do exist, just like a minority of men, right?"

The scholar was silent for a moment, then said, "Very little."

Chu Shitong asked: "But there must be, right?"

"This... cannot be denied."

Chu Shitong smiled and looked at the young man, "So, what do you want to argue with me about?"

The scholar looked at Chu Shitong's smiling face and blushed for no reason.

"I... I just want to say that government affairs and battlefields are not suitable for women..."

“It’s not suitable.”

Chu Shitong did not deny this statement. Most of the officials were men, who relied on their physical strength to hold most of the decision-making power, while women had been taught to be obedient and follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues since childhood. If Chu Shitong had not received a male education since childhood, she probably would not be like this today.

"But you don't have the right to decide whether to stay or go. Whether they can stay in the officialdom or on the battlefield is a matter of their personal ability. You can't completely cut off all possibilities by saying that they are not suitable."

The scholar stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Highness is broad-minded and knowledgeable. I am grateful for your teachings..."

Chu Shitong asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Zhang Yuanqing, and I am from Tufang Village near the capital."

Chu Shitong nodded, "He should be going to Beijing to take the provincial examination."

Zhang Yuanqing said politely: "Your Majesty has good eyesight."

"It is fate that we meet today. I admire your courage to argue. If you have any difficulties in the capital, you can go to the Seventh Prince's Mansion to find me. I am willing to help you."

Zhang Yuanqing was flattered and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Chu Shitong recognized this person's identity at a glance when he appeared.

That’s Zhang Yuanqing.

The runner-up in this imperial examination was born in a poor family, which was not easy for him. However, he is talented and can become an important official in the court in the future.

He impeached people every day, and Chu Shitong was impeached many times by him.

In the previous life, he impeached me for renovating the palace, he impeached me for going in and out of restaurants, and he also impeached me for going out to race horses.

Chu Shitong secretly sent someone to beat him up, and he limped to court the next day and played the guitar!

If it weren't for the fact that Zhang Yuanqing played a few tricks on everyone, and they were all trivial matters, Chu Shitong would have thought that he was Chu Shixuan's man.

Seeing that Chu Shixuan had not gotten married, Zhang Yuanqing submitted 15 memorials in three months to urge her to get married, leaving Chu Shiyu speechless.

It was then that Chu Shitong realized that Zhang Yuanqing was not a person who participated in the fight for the throne, he was simply sick.

Chu Shitong thought that at least he could give a little favor, which would be useful to Chu Shixuan in the future.

Zhang Yuanqing returned to the crowd. Even before he took the provincial examination, the prince praised his talent. With Chu Shitong as his backer, he would not have any trouble taking the provincial examination in the capital.

Only then did Chu Shitong turn his gaze back to Princess Linglan.

After listening to the argument between Chu Shitong and Zhang Yuanqing, Princess Linglan's originally ugly expression had almost recovered.

"I didn't expect that this is what His Royal Highness Prince Qi wanted to express just now. This princess is narrow-minded."

Chu Shitong: "Well, did you copy "Female Training"? When did you copy it?"

Princess Lily of the Valley: “…”

Her face flushed slightly, and she said uncomfortably: "This princess has never practiced calligraphy in the Western Regions. If my copying is not good, please don't laugh at me, Your Highness Prince Qi..."

"That's natural."

Princess Lily of the Valley really started copying the book, and the crowd dispersed in twos and threes.

Chu Shitong's speech just now has been the focus of discussion among the crowd. Even Zhang Yuanqing, an unknown and poor scholar, was surrounded by the crowd.

When the boat reached the center of the lake, the lake surface was green and clear, and the breeze created ripples.

Princess Lily of the Valley finally calmed down, and Chu Shitong also had a rare chance to rest.

She leaned against the side of the boat, leaning against the railing. The gold embroidery on her black robe reflected a faint light in the sunlight, making her look low-key and noble.

The wind blew up a strand of hair by her ear, her stunning face seemed natural, cold and elegant, her amber eyes were indifferent, reflecting the clear water of the lake.

Bishui approached and whispered, "Your Highness, Xie Chuchu has already prepared the ice cream. I want to ask you when it will be delivered."

"Send it now."

"Yes."

Xie Chuchu was temporarily transferred to the ship by Chu Shitong today, and is now making ice cream in the back kitchen of the cabin. Meeting Princess Lily of the Valley is one thing, secretly promoting the restaurant is one thing, and another thing is to promote ice cream.

In the winter, Ji Shu finally found the saltpeter cave, and a large amount of saltpeter was secretly sent to the capital. Seeing that the weather was getting hotter, Chu Shitong had been waiting for this opportunity.

Although he has earned a lot of money over the years, Chu Shitong still feels it is not enough.

Bishui came over with a row of servants from the restaurant, carrying a tray. On the tray was the recipe for ice porridge that Yuan Xi had written long ago. Before, because not much saltpeter was found, it was inconvenient to mass-produce ice, so the recipe for ice porridge had been put aside.

On a slightly hot day, the ice porridge attracted everyone's attention as soon as it was served.

Bishui smiled and ordered someone to give one portion to the gentlemen and ladies present.

"This is the latest ice cream from the Michelin restaurant, called ice porridge. Our prince specially invited Michelin chef Xie Chuchu to come to the ship to make it. The prince invited everyone on the ship to have it."

Ground borneol mixed with various fresh fruits, topped with candied red beans and honey, is served in a bowl, which makes people hungry just by looking at it.

Bowls of ice porridge were served, and the originally bored crowd instantly became lively.

Ice is indeed a rare thing. Most young men and women have never eaten ice. Who wouldn't be happy to be treated to some for free?

Following Chu Shitong's instructions, Bishui first gave a bowl to Si Jingli, and then to Chu Shitong and Princess Linglan.

Si Jingli took a look and found that his bowl was bigger than others, with more ice and fruit in it, and the material was also different. Other people's bowls were made of celadon, while his was a colored glaze bowl, and the spoon was made of ivory inlaid with gems. He felt a little more comfortable.

"He still has some conscience."

Princess Lily of the Valley was born in the Western Regions. She had only heard of something called ice but had never seen it before. She was so excited when she saw ice porridge for the first time.

"Is this the freezing point? This princess has never seen it before!"

Chu Shitong waved his fan and said nonchalantly, "Her Royal Highness the Princess has seen it now."

Lily of the Valley put down her pen, picked up the bowl and took a sip with a spoon. The icy cold borneol mixed with the sweet and sour honey and fruit made her love it so much.

“This is so delicious!”

Princess Linglan's eyes sparkled. "Your Highness Prince Qi, where did you buy it? I want to buy a bowl for each of my father and his family!"

Bishui said: "It's a Michelin restaurant, it's in the capital, but you probably can't take it back because the weather is hot and the ice will melt after a while."

"Ah?" Princess Lily of the Valley was a little disappointed. "Well, it's a pity that my father and his family don't have this kind of fortune. But the name of this restaurant is so strange. What does Michelin mean?"

"..."

Chu Shitong: "Maybe it means something high-end."

Originally, the restaurant was not called this name.

Yuan Xi strongly suggested that this change should be made.

Everyone thought the name was strange, including Chu Shitong, and he had no intention of agreeing to it. However, Yuan Xi went to the palace to look for Chu Shitong for half a month, and Chu Shitong was really annoyed. After all, it was just the name of a restaurant, so he changed it and agreed to Yuan Xi's idea.

Yuan Xi insisted that the name sounded very high-end.

Now when I mention this name, I feel inexplicably ashamed.

She doesn't know what the high-end is, but as long as she can make money.