How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

The crowd outside was almost all there. Comprador Zheng greeted everyone, but his eyes kept glancing at the main entrance, as if he was waiting for some important figure.

Qingru pulled Liu Xiang away from the crowd as much as possible, and the people who had been sticking to Zheng Peilan before now obediently followed Qingru.

“You’re so old, stop following me around. Go find your friends.”

Liu Xiang pouted, "Sister Cui'er, I'm only fifteen years old, and they don't really like me. I don't want to put up with their cold shoulders."

Although Liu Xiang is a bit clingy and not very good at reading the room, she is also a simple girl, and Qingru doesn't understand why she is not likable.

"No way, so many rich girls, and not one of them is your friend?"

Liu Xiang seemed a little melancholy, "It's not that I don't have any friends, it's just that they come very rarely. Sister Cui'er, can't I come with you?"

Qingru had no choice but to pull her along, and seeing the quiet garden not far away, she led her there.

Can I know why?

Liu Xiang thought for a moment, "There's nothing I can't say. My family... my dad is a minor bureau chief, so we're doing alright. But we have too many kids, and with so many people, we can't afford much."

Those young ladies loved to go shopping, ride horses, and throw balls all the time, which my family couldn't afford. Gradually, they stopped calling us "family." By the way, I'm the third child in my family; there are twelve children in total.

Qingru's eyes widened. "Twelve?! That... they were all born to your mother?"

“Yes,” Liu Xiang suddenly said proudly, “They were all born to my mother. Our family doesn’t have that kind of trouble. We don’t have concubines.”

So that's how it is. For some reason, Qingru suddenly thought of Mrs. Liu giving birth to twelve children in a row, and she couldn't help but shudder. It was terrifying.

This family is not as good as having a concubine, at least she can share the hardship of childbirth and raising children. However, Qingru did not say it out loud, but only praised her dryly, "Then your mother is really a remarkable woman, she has worked so hard."

“That’s right,” Liu Xiang said, but Liu Xiang also strongly disagreed with her own family’s views. “My mother has had so many children, she has no energy left, and she looks much older than my father.”

Looking at Liu Xiang's innocent expression, Qingru didn't know what to say. Perhaps this was sincerity, leaving her speechless.

There weren't many people in the garden at the moment, only a few couples walking side by side, probably on dates.

The paths and flowers here are cleverly arranged, creating a harmonious and varied landscape that divides the small garden into several spaces, with beautiful views at every turn.

The two walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing, and sat down to rest under a blue stone by the artificial hill.

It's cool now, so after eating a full meal, walking around for a while will warm you up, and then you need to rest for a bit.

"Ms. Zheng, I never imagined you had such progressive ideas."

A male voice came from inside. Qingru and Liu Xiang exchanged a glance, blinked, and realized they had nowhere to hide.

This bluestone is relatively hidden, with gaps through which you can see outside. Because of the lights outside, you can't see inside clearly. Behind it is a high wall, and not far away is a pavilion by the water. There is only a winding path overhead.

Liu Xiang raised her finger and made a "shh" gesture to Qingru. Qingru nodded, and the two of them held their breath, unwillingly becoming eavesdroppers.

"You flatter me. I just looked at a few more places and offered some immature suggestions."

Another female voice came through, and Qingru recognized it. She looked at Liu Xiang, who was clearly thinking the same thing, and mouthed:

"Sister Peilan, Young Master Guo."

The two fell silent immediately, unsure whether to leave or stay, so they could only shrink back and pretend to be quails.

"I heard you say that the development abroad is already very advanced, and the science is also much ahead. What are your thoughts now that you're back?" Guo Zixing asked.

"I have many ideas, but upon closer examination, very few can actually be put into practice. I see that many progressive people in China are writing articles and publishing major newspapers in an attempt to awaken the numbness and indifference of the Chinese people. I think that's great. I myself also want to start from this aspect. Perhaps... I can start a women's education program."

As Guo Zixing listened to Zheng Peilan's various plans, he couldn't help but frown and ponder, "There's already a girls' school, what type do you plan to open?"

After returning home, Zheng Peilan first mentioned this matter to her father, but it was clear that Zheng the comprador wanted her to take over the family business rather than start an education program. Her stepmother and she also didn't get along, so she rarely mentioned her thoughts to her peers during this period.

Unexpectedly, the young master of the marshal's mansion became quite interested and started talking to him at length.

“Those schools are for female students. I have no intention of running such a school. My school is for married, older women.”

I'm not afraid to say this, but the current social atmosphere is still incredibly ignorant, making things especially difficult for women. How long has it been since foot binding was abolished? Yet, look, how many women have truly freed their feet? Not to mention the countless women who have been suppressed and persecuted, deprived of education and employment. This is extremely unfair.

Therefore, the school I want to establish is to provide these poor women with a place to live, to equip them with a skill so they don't have to rely on men and can live with dignity in the world.”

Zheng Peilan spoke with great emotion, even becoming somewhat incoherent at times, but Guo Zixing heard her clearly. He was amazed by Zheng Peilan's magnanimity; it was truly admirable. He sincerely said:

"It seems that Master Zheng intends to be a pillar of support for all women in the world. If this can be accomplished, I wonder what a great merit it will be."

Zheng Peilan smiled and shook her head, "I don't pursue merit or virtue. I only seek peace of mind. Being able to receive an education and study abroad makes me luckier than many women. As the old saying goes, 'When you are successful, you should help others.' Since I have such an opportunity, I should naturally use what I have learned to benefit others."

Guo Zixing, however, had another thought: if he could unite with Zheng Peilan and make this happen, he would have more popular support in controlling Sifang City. So he said:

“Your ambition is admirable, and I support you. If you encounter any difficulties, please come to me. I will definitely help you and make a small contribution to women all over the world.”

Zheng Peilan deeply resented the traditional male-dominated society. Guo Zixing's support for her, regardless of whether it would materialize, at least for the moment, fostered a sense of goodwill towards him.

Just as the two were about to have a deeper conversation, a servant came looking for them.

"Miss, please hurry. The master says everyone is here and he wants you to go over and say hello."

Zheng Peilan looked helpless as she addressed Guo Zixing.

"See? No matter how lofty one's ambitions may be, they will eventually be reduced to worldly concerns."

Guo Zixing also laughed and said, "I'll go with you. My father might be here by now."

As for the Qiao sisters that General Guo had mentioned, he had already forgotten about them.

As the two walked towards the hall, Qingru and Liu Xiang breathed a sigh of relief. Liu Xiang gasped, "I was so scared. Luckily, we weren't discovered."

Qingru stared intently at Zheng Peilan's retreating figure, her eyes filled with longing. "I never imagined Miss Zheng had such ambitions. She is truly a role model for us all."

Liu Xiang nodded and watched for a while.

"But could you please stop looking? Your eyes are going to pop out if you keep looking."

Qingru couldn't help but roll her eyes. "You don't understand. This is what a woman should be like. Wait for me... I want to work under Miss Zheng."

"Huh? Waiting for what?" Liu Xiang clearly didn't understand Zheng Peilan's pursuit.

Qingru mumbled, "It's nothing, let's go, let's go, everyone's already inside the hall."

As the crowd entered the inner hall, it immediately felt even more magnificent than when they had arrived, with the crystal chandeliers sparkling brilliantly.

The city's elites gathered in one place, all dressed in fine clothes, their hair swaying in the breeze, a scene of dazzling splendor.

Zheng, the comprador, stood in the center of the dance floor, a microphone in front of him. He tested the sound, then said with a broad smile:

"Welcome everyone to support my daughter. Here is my daughter, Zheng Peilan. She just turned eighteen this year and has just returned from studying in Germany. I, Old Zheng, only have this one daughter. In the future, she will have to rely on the help of all of you uncles, elders, and aunts as she walks around the city. I thank you all in advance."

Zheng Peilan bowed gracefully to everyone, saying, "My father has spoken too much. I am but a humble person and my words are insignificant. I am already deeply grateful for the kindness and consideration shown to me by all the elders."

Looking at the dignified and elegant Zheng Peilan, who was poised and graceful and knew how to behave appropriately, everyone understood the situation.

It seems she will be the head of the Zheng family business in the future. Suddenly, families with sons couldn't help but have their own ideas about her.