The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Perhaps it was because of the calming soup, but Pei Du slept quite soundly.

On the way back, Shen Hanyu stared at Liang Fangrong and Liang Ruochu in silence until they arrived at the Marquis's residence. Shen Hanyu got off the carriage first and left.

Xu Ying saw what was happening over there and met Liang Ruochu's gaze. Liang Ruochu nodded slightly, her eyes filled with flattery.

Because her daughter's affairs with the Third Prince were going badly, but there was some progress on Shen Hanyu's side, Xu Ying's mood improved slightly.

Recalling what she knew, Pei Du and Shen Hanyu seemed to have a close relationship, and she absolutely could not stand by and watch Shen Hanyu climb up to the Duke's mansion.

Seeing that Shen Hanyu was leaving in a hurry, Lin Yucheng informed Old Madam Lin and then followed her.

Lin Yun said with a smile, "So it turns out that you've taken a fancy to Miss Shen. No wonder you've been so restless these past few days."

Old Mrs. Lin's face turned cold.

"Don't say such things again. When we get back to Yucheng, his marriage will be decided by me, his parents, and me. I hope Shen Hanyu is an honest person."

Old Mrs. Lin looked down on Shen Hanyu's background, believing that Shen Hanyu would hinder Lin Yucheng's career.

But she also understood her grandson's personality; stopping him would only backfire. So she decided to let the two of them continue on their own, since they weren't going to stay here permanently anyway.

After settling Lin Yun's plans for attending the girls' school, she took Lin Yucheng and left, completely extinguishing his hopes.

Everyone had different thoughts. When the old lady who was bedridden at home heard about the girls' school, she suddenly got up and called all the women over, but did not let Old Lady Lin bring anyone with her.

“All the young ladies in the family must go on this matter. No matter how they perform there, they must let the princess and His Highness the Crown Prince see our sincerity. This is also what your Marquis wants.”

The Crown Prince was kind and diligent, and many officials in the court accepted the olive branch extended by him, including the Marquis of Anping's residence.

This time, the Crown Prince personally went to the Duke of Kaiguo's mansion to discuss this matter, so the old lady insisted on sending the young ladies there, whether they wanted to or not.

Although Liang Ruoxue was unhappy, she still cared about Li Jun, so she didn't say anything.

Liang Ruoyan is the same.

As for Liang Ruochu, she knew her own limitations and that there was no chance for her to succeed even if she went to the girls' school, so she had no interest in the matter.

Only Shen Hanyu's eyes gleamed with a burning light, yet she did not let them see her ambition.

“What my mother-in-law said is true. I just heard that Lin Yun is also going to stay at the girls’ school in Chang’an.”

When Lin Yun was mentioned, the old lady stopped herself from speaking.

"Don't worry about her. If she dares to do anything outrageous before the wedding, I will make sure she is disgraced and sent back to Yucheng in disgrace."

The old lady's words were ruthless, and Liang Fangrong below couldn't help but shudder. She felt that the old lady in front of her was very unfamiliar. More than ten years had passed, and things had changed.

The old lady knows that Lin Yun has gone to Chang'an Girls' School, and when that happens, the old lady will definitely ask Lin Yun to stay in the Marquis's mansion.

Even before Liang Siyu returned from Yucheng, the old lady was willing to agree to this.

Xu Ying smiled and said yes, with her mother-in-law around, she didn't need to worry about this. Having been a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for so many years, she understood the old lady's methods and temperament best.

"Alright, go back and rest. It's good that you know about this, but don't spread it around. The girls are all grown up now and should be more sensible."

The old lady waved her hand, leaving Xu Ying behind.

Shen Hanyu walked back and calculated the time. The girls' school would probably be completed after the spring hunt.

So how should we conduct scientific expeditions?

Before dawn, the people in official robes in the main hall exchanged glances, their eyes falling on Ji Yuxiu, who was standing on the right side of the court, just like them.

Ji Yuxiu stood next to Ji Yuanshu, meeting the scrutinizing gazes.

This was the first time Ji Yuxiu had appeared in the imperial court since the emperor had conferred an official title upon her.

Ji Yuxiu had heard a little about how badly the girls' school incident had caused, but with the support of Princess Yongning and the Emperor behind her, she was naturally not afraid of anything. Besides, this official position was something she had earned for herself by fighting on the border.

Emperor Li Jiangui sat down on the main seat. He glanced at the crowd below and saw that Ji Yuxiu had arrived. He leaned back slightly.

"Your Majesty, I have a report to make." A minister stepped forward first.

Li Jiangui hummed in agreement, signaling him to continue.

"The issue of girls' education has been debated for a long time. I believe that girls' education can be established, but allowing women to participate in the imperial examinations is absolutely unacceptable."

"Your Majesty, throughout history, there has never been a precedent of a woman holding an official position. Moreover, a woman's pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period involve many trivial matters that are of no benefit to politics. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider."

"Women taking the imperial examinations to become officials is something that has never been done according to ancestral laws; this is not an option!"

The group chatted animatedly, one after another, while Ji Yuanshu lifted his eyelids and glanced at Ji Yuxiu.

After bowing, Ji Yuxiu said with a smile, "What you all said is not without a solution."

As soon as Ji Yuxiu opened her mouth, all the criticism turned against her.

"General Ji, as a woman, you should know how complicated women's affairs are. Ten months of pregnancy, and several more months of postpartum recovery. State affairs are heavy, how can we have so much time to waste?"

The speaker was the Minister of Rites, and his tone was unpleasant. He was also the one who initiated the impeachment of the girls' school.

"If we don't get married, everything will be fine."

Ji Yuxiu spread her hands out calmly, completely unconcerned about the astonished expressions of the crowd behind her. Li Jiangui couldn't help but smile, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes.

This child dares to say anything.

The Minister of Rites was so angry that he pointed his finger at Ji Yuxiu and cursed, "You are simply a shameless and immoral scoundrel!"

Ji Yuanshu took a step forward.

"Just get to the point, why are you pointing fingers and yelling at people?"

As Ji Yuanshu drew closer and closer, seemingly about to make a move, the Minister of Rites shrank back.

"Ji Yuanshu! The Emperor is still watching!"

Li Jiangui smiled and said, "Alright, my dear minister, one must not resort to violence in the court. The recorders are all writing down their notes, so please be a little more careful."

Ji Yuanshu snorted and returned to his seat.

"Prime Minister, do you think it's feasible to hold a women's imperial examination?"

Zhao Wanfu is a member of the Crown Prince's faction, and his daughter has become the Crown Princess. Now that Princess Yongning and the Crown Prince are working together to establish a girls' school, Zhao Wanfu will definitely support it.

"I believe that the matter concerning the princess has been handled very well. If you all still feel it is not enough, it is not impossible to set aside a separate examination time for women to avoid being held at the same time as men, and to revise the passing criteria."

Zhao Wanfu ignored everyone else's expressions and continued to add to the story.

"As for the matter of pregnancy and childbirth they mentioned, our country has an open social atmosphere and there is no custom of forcing men and women to marry. General Ji's suggestion is not without merit. However, even if they get married, they are only pregnant and giving birth. They are not unconscious and unable to handle things. You should not underestimate the abilities of women."

Zhao Wanfu said all he had to say, thus clarifying his position.