Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 376: Clamor

The girl spoke loudly and confidently.

The old woman became a bit annoyed, reaching out to pinch the girl: "You stubborn child, always striving for the best since you were young, overshadowing your brother all the time. Where is the demeanor of an elder sister?"

The girl felt the painful pinch, tears welling up in her eyes but stubbornly refusing to fall. She retorted loudly, "I just won’t allow it!"

The young woman nearby also got angry and stepped forward to protect her daughter: "What did Daniu do wrong? Why are you pinching her?"

The old woman was infuriated by her daughter-in-law’s protective and tough stance, pointing at her daughter-in-law’s nose and cursing angrily: "It’s all because you’re spoiling her every day. Instead of learning to plant mulberry and weave, she insists on going to the academy to study. Comes back with a stinking attitude, sharp-tongued, and argues with her own grandmother. I think it would be better if she didn’t study!"

The daughter-in-law didn’t give an inch: "Studying can help her understand principles. My daughter is very smart, she comes first every month in examinations. Why shouldn’t she continue studying? I want her to study."

"Pah! What’s the use of a girl studying? Can she take the Imperial Examination and become an official..."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who never got along started to loudly argue in the street. The onlookers stuck their heads out to watch the commotion.

"Guess who will win the argument today!"

"Back then, the two even took their case to the county government, and the daughter-in-law won. The mother-in-law was dissatisfied and they have argued a lot over the years. In my opinion, Mrs. Lu Zhang will still win today!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

It turns out, this was the Lu family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair who went to the county government over three years ago. The girl was Lu Daniu, praised by the Commandery Princess.

On horseback, Jiang Shaohua suddenly ordered, "Halt."

The trusted aides immediately stopped their horses.

Under the astonished eyes of everyone, Jiang Shaohua dismounted and walked over to the Lu family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Mrs. Lu Wang, who was previously spitting fire, was startled and trembled as she knelt down. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhang, also dared not argue anymore and anxiously knelt down to apologize.

It’s over! They had disturbed the Commandery Princess with their loud argument, and the Princess surely was displeased and was about to rebuke them.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t look at the fierce mother-in-law and daughter-in-law but gently comforted the wronged Lu Daniu, "I heard everything you said just now."

"What you did was right. What’s yours is yours; you shouldn’t and don’t have to give it up!"

Despite being pinched and scolded by her grandmother, Lu Daniu didn’t cry. Now, hearing the gentle words from the Commandery Princess, all her grievances surfaced, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Of course, Jiang Shaohua remembered Lu Daniu.

A few days ago, while inspecting the academy, Li Ying had praised Lu Daniu a lot in her presence. Smart, with an excellent memory, able to draw inferences, always first in exams. Even among the boys’ academy, another like her couldn’t be found.

"Don’t cry now," Jiang Shaohua took out a clean handkerchief and handed it to Lu Daniu, "You can continue to study at the academy. When you grow up, come to Prince Mansion and work for me. In Nanyang County, women can also become officials."

Lu Daniu smiled through her tears and nodded forcefully: "I will remember what the Commandery Princess said. I will definitely study hard from now on!"

Kneeling on the ground, Mrs. Zhang was filled with excitement and joy. She knocked her head on the ground, thanking Xie En: "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for your favor to Daniu."

Mrs. Lu Wang also knocked her head on the ground to express gratitude, her eyes filled with anticipation: "It is our Lu family’s blessing that the Commandery Princess favors Daniu. By the way, our Bao’er is also studying at the academy..."

Jiang Shaohua’s smile faded, and she glanced at Mrs. Lu Wang dispassionately: "Men study to participate in the Imperial Examination and have a future on their own."

The Commandery Princess’ gaze was sharp and cold as a blade. Mrs. Lu Wang, feeling a chill in her heart, went along with a forced smile, not daring to speak any more.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze swept over the crowd, and without raising her voice, she spoke clearly for everyone to hear: "Men uphold families and have descendants. Women manage household duties and bear children, working hard with equal merit. In Nanyang County and Ye County, women weaving cloth to earn silver for the family lose to no man. They can also study."

"As long as their studies yield results, they can have a future. This is my promise!"

The people’s spirits were lifted by her words.

There are more than forty girls in Ye County Academy. Today, almost all parents and relatives came to bid farewell to the Commandery Princess. How could they not be pleased by her words?

Those who hadn’t allowed their daughters to study felt a twinge of regret. They quickly weighed the options. If their daughter stayed home, she could gather mulberries and weave cloth, earning immediate silver. But compared to a girl who could study and work for the Commandery Princess, the difference was significant.

The older ones at home were already ten years old, so sending them to the academy would be late. Maybe they should let the younger daughter study?

Jiang Shaohua retracted her gaze and settled on Lu Daniu’s face: "Are you still called Lu Daniu?"

Lu Daniu nodded, feeling wronged: "I’ve wanted to have a proper name for a long time, but my parents are illiterate and can’t name me."

"Today, I will grant you a name," Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Your nature is straightforward and sincere. How about the name Lu Zhen?"

Lu Zhen!

It’s such a beautiful name!

From now on, she would be called Lu Zhen!

Lu Zhen’s eyes shone brightly, nodding forcefully: "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for the name."

Having completed this small task, Jiang Shaohua left without lingering and quickly rode away. Ten-year-old Lu Zhen stood there, watching the Commandery Princess leave, her bright black eyes shining even more.

The kneeling Lu family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law helped each other up.

Mrs. Zhang, filled with joy, hugged her daughter tightly: "Daniu is truly blessed to have the Commandery Princess personally grant her a name. She will certainly have a promising future."

Lu Zhen felt proud and raised her chin: "Don’t call me Daniu, I’m Lu Zhen."

Mrs. Zhang was so delighted that she couldn’t close her mouth, saying repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I’ll change it right away. The girl named Lu Zhen is formidable and caught the Commandery Princess’ eye."

Indeed! This was a great joyful event for the Lu family!

Even Mrs. Lu Wang wasn’t ignorant, smiling broadly: "Come on, let’s go home and set off some firecrackers to share the news of the Commandery Princess bestowing a name with relatives and friends. We’ll prepare two tables for lunch so everyone can share in the joy."

Mrs. Zhang playfully glanced at her mother-in-law: "The money for the banquet must come from you, Mother-in-law."

"Of course," Mrs. Lu Wang didn’t hesitate: "Zhen Zhen is my own granddaughter. How could I, as her grandmother, be unwilling to spend a little on the meal?"

Saying this, she warmly took her granddaughter’s hand.

Lu Zhen, holding a grudge, was unwilling to be close to her and withdrew her hand.

Mrs. Lu Wang grabbed her granddaughter’s hand again, laughing and saying: "You little rascal, it was wrong of Grandma to speak like that before. Don’t hold a grudge against Grandma. Grandma apologizes to you, isn’t that enough?"

Lu Xiaobao, brushed aside, wiped his nose with his sleeve, thinking how truly opportunistic his grandmother was!

...