The Marquise: I Earn My Own Worship

While the people in the palace couldn't sleep, a family outside the palace was full of joy.

Lu served Song Shengfu dinner. Song Shengfu was a little helpless and asked her to sit down and eat with her. Lu couldn't refuse, so she sat aside.

"Mother, the Luo family sent word that it was the Ding family's intention. My fourth brother is getting old and doesn't have anyone close to him, so the Ding family said next year would be the best time for marriage. I think this means that the ceremony should begin."

Song Shengfu paused, she had almost forgotten about this. The fourth child was already engaged, if Lu hadn't mentioned it, she would have almost forgotten about it.

"That's a good thing."

Song Shengfu's face showed surprise, and she thought about it. She didn't understand the etiquette at this time, so she simply handed it all over to Lu and took it easy.

"Please pay more attention to Jing'an's affairs. I'm old and my memory is not very good sometimes. I feel relieved to leave this matter to you."

Mrs. Lu was deeply moved, thinking that her mother valued her so much that she was allowed to take charge of her brother-in-law's marriage. Any ordinary mother would take care of her son's marriage to prevent other people from causing trouble.

"Don't worry, mother. I will definitely arrange a marriage for my fourth brother. When the time comes, you can just wait for his wife to give birth to a big fat boy!"

Mrs. Lu knew that her mother's biggest worry was the lack of children in the family. Unfortunately, she didn't have this blessing and could only take care of Kang Ge'er for the rest of her life.

“good good”

After dinner, Song Shengfu asked someone to go to the warehouse to get some jewelry to give to Lu.

"These things are my dowry. I am old and can't use these bright things. It's just right for you young people to take them with you."

Lu looked over there and saw a tray with a red jadeite pearl crown inlaid with gold thread, in the middle was a pair of emerald green pearl headpieces, and a cloud and phoenix gilded eight-treasure hairpin.

"If you like it, wear it. If you don't like it, you can give it away."

Mrs. Lu touched these items lovingly. "How can I give my mother's things away? I see that these pieces of jewelry are exquisitely crafted. Just this hairpin alone is a special gift to take out."

Song Shengfu smiled and said, "If you like it, take it. I can't wear it either. It's better for you young people to dress it up than to leave it in the warehouse and collect dust."

Mrs. Lu accepted it with a smile. This was not the first or second time that her mother had given them gifts. Earlier, Mrs. Lu had tried to refuse them a few times, but now that she knew her mother was giving them the gifts sincerely, she didn't want to let her down.

"Since my mother gave it to me, I'll accept it. Alas, I just hope that when your youngest daughter-in-law gets married, she won't leave me, an old fool, aside and dislike me."

Lu's singing and dancing made Song Shengfu burst into laughter.

"You little rascal, how can you be left out? When your future sister-in-law comes home, I'll definitely tell her off about you."

Lu quickly begged for mercy, and the two talked and laughed for a while before Lu left.

"Madam and the old lady have a really good relationship."

Lu was walking on the road, and Mingyu beside her was talking.

Looking at the beautiful scenery in the mansion, Mrs. Lu felt very comfortable.

"Of course. Mother treats me like her own daughter. I am no different from her or her own son."

Mingyu pursed her lips and smiled. Since the master and the old lady had a good relationship, they, as servants, were naturally happy too.

"Now the old lady has become more kind and gentle. A few days ago, when I went to deliver something to her, she even rewarded me with a bowl of honey."

Mrs. Lu nodded Mingyu's head.

"You only said this in front of me. Wasn't the old lady the same before?"

Mingyu realized she had said something wrong and gave a start. Fortunately, the lady didn't blame her, and she quickly tried to make amends.

"No, no, look at this servant's mouth. The old lady used to treat us very well. What I mean is that she used to look much more majestic, but now she always smiles and looks more approachable."

Mrs. Lu nodded in agreement. Her mother was much kinder now than before.

"Mother suffered so much in the past, and now she is finally enjoying a peaceful life. Ultimately, it's because we are unfilial and have caused her so much suffering."

Mrs. Lu could understand. In the past, her mother had always been the sole caregiver for the entire family, worrying too much. Now that the younger generation was able to take on more responsibilities, things were naturally a bit easier.

Song Shengfu, who was missed by everyone, sent Lu away and started to work on her plan of a girls' school.

According to her idea, since the target audience is ordinary people, the content of the course needs to be carefully considered.

As for academics, she planned to achieve basic literacy, that is, to be able to recognize words, so that it would be easier to hire a teacher to teach her.

It is not enough to just be able to recognize words, you also have to be able to do arithmetic. These two are the basic skills.

If an ordinary girl can read and use an abacus, she can also have a skill.

On top of this, you also have to add some special courses, which are selected according to your own strengths and preferences.

For those who are good at arithmetic, there are accounting classes that are specifically designed to train female accountants; there are also needlework classes that are specifically designed to train female embroiderers.

In addition to these, Song Shengfu thought that making tofu could also be considered a course, and after learning it, she could also start her own business.

Then my thoughts are opened up. Many things related to food, carpentry, blacksmithing, and yes, farming, can be taught in courses.

One is to teach them how to eat, and the other is to pass on some experiences of predecessors so that they can avoid taking detours.

For example, in agricultural courses, you can ask experienced farmers to explain the details of sowing.

This way, children who depend on the land for their livelihoods would also gain experience, especially in accumulating some knowledge on how to deal with natural disasters. Song Shengfu thought about it and decided that she could also compile some modern experience and have someone teach it when the time comes.

In addition to these, there are many other types of handicrafts that can be arranged here.

Song Shengfu wrote down everything she thought of and then integrated the course into her lessons.

Her idea was simple. She opened a girls' school not to let them read as much as possible, because that was simply unrealistic.

To put it in an inappropriate way, reading too many books will change your temperament.

This is not a lie. First of all, in this era, there were no official positions that women could hold, and those "real men" would not allow women to be superior to them.

Men tend to become aloof and arrogant as they read more books, and the same is true for women.

What she wanted was for women to be independent, not to persecute them with these so-called "Four Books and Five Classics".

These childish knowledge is a form of oppression and dogmatic constraint for women.

As long as you can recognize words and understand etiquette and morality, that is enough.

Since Song Shengfu wanted to establish this girls' school, she definitely didn't want it to be a flash in the pan, but to have it passed down for a long time and take the first step in the awakening of women's thinking.

Food is eaten bite by bite, and the road is walked step by step.

She also wanted all girls to study, to pass on to them the modern ideas she had experienced, and to break down the barriers of this old world. However, reality told her that this was not possible.

If girls' schools affect the interests of those people, then the words of the superiors will destroy the schools, and these girls will eventually be dragged into a square house with a red veil.

She didn't want the road to female self-reliance to be filled with blood and tears, so she chose to use the most subtle way to influence and infiltrate step by step.

If women want freedom, then creating wealth and achieving economic independence are the first priority.