The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Both of them looked at Pei Du with disgust, but they quickly suppressed those feelings.

No wonder Pei Du has become even more aggressive these past two days, practically trampling on Pei Mingjian's face. As the head of the family, Pei Mingjian was naturally furious at being provoked and disobeyed like this, so he resorted to family discipline.

This whole charade was actually orchestrated by the fact that they knew Princess Yongning would come, and they deliberately made the mother and son lose face in front of the princess.

Han Yueru stood meekly with Pei Mingjian. Fine, as long as Pei Mingjian still favored her, that was enough. Pei Du was, after all, a member of the Pei family and needed to be under Pei Mingjian's control.

Princess Yongning couldn't interfere too much in other people's family affairs, so she only offered a few reminders. She had her own business to attend to today.

The atmosphere eased a little after everyone was seated.

Shen Hanyu looked towards Pei Du, who happened to glance at her as well, before turning and heading towards the men's section.

He wiped the powder off his lips and sat down next to Xu Zhun.

Pei Xingzhi stood behind him, "Brother, you really have some good methods."

Many elders already had reservations about his identity, and now that they know Pei Mingjian beat Pei Du for his sake, and the princess found out, it will be even more difficult for him to be included in the family genealogy.

If he can't be included in the family genealogy, he can't compete for the position of heir to the founding duke's mansion, unless Pei Du dies.

Pei Du didn't turn around to look at him. He just took a sip of tea, said a few words to Xu Zhun next to him, and didn't pay any attention to him at all.

Feeling deeply insulted, Pei Xingzhi clenched his fists, but still endured it and sat down on the other side.

"I thought you dressed up so elegantly to see Miss Shen, but it turns out you were just putting on a show."

Xu Zhun tugged at Pei Du's sleeve, remembering Pei Du's feigned innocence just now.

Pei Du pulled his sleeve back.

"It's not so easy to get into the Pei family's genealogy. Let them make a fuss."

Xu Zhun exclaimed, "What are you planning?"

Pei Du remained silent.

Princess Yongning's arrival today has indeed disrupted Han Yueru's plans. She glanced at Princess Yongning, wondering what the princess had come for.

Yang Yueying seemed to remember something and started the conversation.

"Your Highness, I heard that the Emperor has already approved the establishment of a girls' school?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked towards Princess Yongning.

Princess Yongning nodded approvingly at Yang Yueying.

"That's right, that's why I came here today."

Everyone then realized that Princess Yongning had come today for matters concerning the girls' school.

The expressions on everyone's faces were varied. They only knew that the matter was still being debated in the court, and they only realized that the emperor had already agreed after hearing Yang Yueying's words.

Several women whose families held official positions in the court looked somewhat embarrassed because of the impeachment of Princess Yongning by the girls' school.

Yang Yueying smiled and said, "If the girls' school is successfully established, it will be perfect for my daughter to go there and broaden her horizons."

She was delighted by this. The Yongning Princess established the girls' school for the sake of women, and it allowed not only daughters of high-ranking officials and nobles to enter, but also daughters from ordinary families.

If this is done well, it will be a meritorious deed.

Princess Yongning happily agreed.

"My idea is to have the daughters of the powerful and wealthy in one place and the daughters of ordinary people in another. They will be taught the same things, so there will be fewer conflicts and I can save some effort. As long as the girls are willing to come, I will accept them all."

Princess Yongning took the opportunity of Yang Yueying's words to mention that the matter had been settled.

Han Yueru had only heard Pei Mingjian complain a few times when she saw that several ladies who were on good terms with Yang Yueying were already saying they would send their daughters over there.

She didn't know what to say at the moment. If she retorted, she would displease the princess, but if she agreed, she didn't know what Pei Mingjian would do.

Wei Ming pulled Shen Hanyu along, "Why don't you go to the girls' school too? His Highness said that students at the girls' school can participate in the imperial examinations. Who knows, we might end up serving as officials in the same court in the future."

Shen Hanyu nodded.

“It’s easy to arrange for girls to attend school, but it might be a bit difficult for them to participate in the imperial examinations.” Shen Hanyu could guess how much effort those people would put into stopping them.

There has never been a precedent in history for men and women to serve in the same court, which is why there are so many voices of opposition.

Princess Yongning, with her sharp ears, overheard what Shen Hanyu said.

“Miss Shen is right. The matter of the scientific expedition is indeed not yet settled, but everyone can rest assured that this matter will definitely succeed.”

Princess Yongning exuded confidence, which made Shen Hanyu somewhat envious, even though she harbored some resentment towards the royal family because of the incident where the princess's residence fell into the water.

But she couldn't help but sigh that this 'unconventional' princess might actually be able to pave a way for women like them.

Entering the imperial court as an official, Shen Hanyu also developed some aspirations. Holding power in his hands would definitely be better than his current situation.

If she hadn't been married into the Guangning Marquis's family in her previous life, she might have actually had a chance to change her fate.

Unfortunately, life is unpredictable.

Shen Hanyu withdrew her gaze. The imperial examination was mostly blocked by court officials, but the emperor was willing to carry it out. If this matter could be resolved ahead of schedule, it would be a good thing for her now.

Hearing Princess Yongning's words, Wei Ming, who was standing nearby, had bright eyes. Having spent most of her time at home, she was filled with anticipation for these things.

"Your Highness is a man of your word, so perhaps things will be settled soon."

Shen Hanyu also said that she was thinking about how to speed things up.

After saying these few words, Princess Yongning stopped talking about it and let the ladies think it over. She would investigate first and have a clear understanding of the situation so that the girls' school wouldn't end up with only a few scattered students.

Propaganda among ordinary people is more difficult than among them, so Princess Yongning focused more on ordinary people.

When Han Yueru saw that Princess Yongning had stopped talking, a smile appeared on her face.

The maid behind her received Han Yueru's gaze, left silently, and another maid took her place.

Shen Hanyu noticed the commotion on Han Yueru's side. What was Han Yueru up to now?

Liang Ruoxue wasn't interested in the girls' school thing, and Lin Lihua came over at that moment.

"If they establish a girls' school, you must go."

Liang Ruoxue glanced at her.

"I'm not going. What's the point of that girls' school?"

Lin Lihua whispered, "I just heard Xu Ying say that she's going to send Liang Ruoyan there. You have to go. We can't lose to those two."

Liang Ruoxue frowned and ran over to Shen Hanyu.

Should I go to this girls' school?

Since it concerned Princess Yongning, Liang Ruoxue gave it a rare moment of thought.

Shen Hanyu nodded and said, "Of course you should go."

Liang Ruoxue has never liked reading; just thinking about it gives her a headache. But now, she generally doesn't refuse Shen Hanyu's decisions.

"how about you?"

"I'll go too."

Hearing that Shen Hanyu was also going, Liang Ruoxue felt relieved.

“Even if your aunt doesn’t let you go, I will still help you, so don’t worry.” Liang Ruoxue raised her chin.

Shen Hanyu paused for a moment, then told her to go back and sit down.

The women's side was mostly discussing whether or not to send their daughters to a girls' school. Old Mrs. Lin rolled her eyes and whispered a few words in Lin Yun's ear.