Bai Sheng looked at the group of single dogs and suddenly felt that the marital status of the servants at home was also a big issue.
Lu Tu, the oldest, was in his thirties, a confirmed bachelor, who had probably never even touched a woman's hand in his life.
Lu Shui was nearing thirty, also a somewhat aged bachelor.
The others were young men in their teens and twenties, full of youthful vigor. They couldn't suppress their desires too much, or there would be trouble.
Although Bai Sheng strictly prohibited illicit relationships, she wasn't a prude. She believed that as long as it was reasonable, proper, and legal, and one truly liked a man or woman, they should pursue them boldly and sleep with them.
Just like her and her man, when they were together, they always openly displayed their desires and explored them to the fullest.
The mosaic between men and women was like eating, dressing, and sleeping – merely a primal instinct of life. With love, this instinct would be elevated to a higher realm, commonly known as the union of spirit and flesh.
There was no need to confine women like nuns or ascetics, cold and detached from worldly desires, unless they chose to be so voluntarily.
Looking at the young men and young-at-heart individuals before her, Bai Sheng felt that the issue of hormones needed to be resolved reasonably, properly, and legally.
After the lamb feast, Bai Sheng called a meeting for all the servants at home.
Although it was a meeting for the servants, all the family members attended. The meeting took place in the front hall of the main courtyard.
The servants, divided by gender, sat below the main seating area, while the family members occupied the sides.
Consort Mei and the Fifth Prince were also present.
Bai Sheng believed that for Consort Mei to take the crucial step and bravely approach the Third Uncle, she needed further "PUA" (Pick-Up Artist techniques). As for the Fifth Prince and the other children, they needed to establish correct views on love from a young age. Therefore, there was no need to deliberately exclude them from such a meeting.
The Fourth Uncle's emotional maturity had reached that of a five or six-year-old. Bai Sheng was confident in treating him. Given his good looks, it was impossible for him not to find a wife in this life, so he also needed to receive education on the views of love.
Bai Sheng surveyed everyone, cleared her throat, and said, "Everyone is not getting any younger. Today's meeting is mainly to address the issues of love and marriage for our single men and women."
As soon as Bai Sheng spoke, everyone's eyes widened. The women who understood the implication blushed shyly, while the men chuckled foolishly.
In such a public setting, in front of so many people, to openly discuss matters of men and women, occasionally uttering bold words, was likely something only their Madam would do.
Amidst the astonished yet excited gazes of everyone, Bai Sheng continued, "First, the rule of our Lu family is monogamy from top to bottom. Men are not allowed to take concubines after marriage, frequent brothels, keep mistresses, or seduce unscrupulous women. Women are also not allowed to do so. In short, regardless of gender, no one is allowed to engage in improper relationships. If you are going to have relationships, they must be reasonable, proper, and legal. Does anyone have any questions about this?"
Everyone looked intently at Bai Sheng and loudly replied that they had no questions.
Bai Sheng nodded and continued, "Since there are no questions, I will proceed.
I encourage everyone to pursue love freely. For those who are already married, if either the husband or wife no longer wishes to continue living together, they can negotiate a separation. Only after separation can they pursue new love and marriage.
Single young men and women can also pursue those they like. If you decide to get married, you can first report to Uncle Ding, who will then report to me. I will help you hold weddings and arrange housing for your new families."
Lu Tong, Lu Tie, and the other young men were immensely excited. They could actually have weddings, their own homes, and then raise children.
Even the thirty-something elder, Lu Tu, sat up straighter, a glimmer of hope igniting in his eyes.
Although he was in his thirties, his body was robust, and his "equipment" was still new and functional. Therefore, if he could have a wife and a child in this life, he would abandon worshipping Buddha and instead worship the Madam.
Lu Tu couldn't help but glance at Su Jinfeng. Although Su Jinfeng had been married before and had two children, she was attractive and plump, and also diligent and straightforward... he actually quite liked her.
The Madam had said that one should pursue someone they liked boldly. Lu Tu had decided, he would pursue Su Jinfeng!
Although he had never pursued a woman before, he had the Master as an example at home, and recently the Third Master also seemed to be paying special attention to that woman named Ah Qing. He could learn from the Third Master.
On the women's side, everyone shyly lowered their heads, a hint of joy on their slightly upturned lips.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Bai Sheng felt that the meeting today was very meaningful.
As servants who had sold themselves into servitude, they were also human beings with normal human needs. Although Bai Sheng was their owner, she still wanted to grant them certain human rights, allowing them to experience love, have children, and maintain hope and anticipation for life.
Thinking of having children, Bai Sheng added, "If you get married and have children, they will be born into the Lu family and can enter the academy to study alongside the young ladies and young masters. If the children born into the family wish to be freed from their slave status, they can also tell me. I will, according to certain requirements, remove their slave status and restore their freedom."
Upon hearing this, everyone was deeply moved.
Although none of them wanted to be freed from their slave status now, or rather, none of them wanted to leave the Master and Madam's home, if their future children were successful in their studies and wanted to enter the imperial examinations, they would have to be freed from their slave status.
Uncle Ding was born into servitude. The previous Baili family had also been very generous to their servants, but the current Master and Madam were not only generous but also enlightened towards their servants.
He felt fortunate to have met the Master at the Baili Agency and become his household servant.
Uncle Ding surveyed all the servants and said loudly, "The Madam thinks of everyone like this, why don't you quickly thank the Madam."
Everyone immediately thanked Bai Sheng in unison, "Thank you, Madam!"
Bai Sheng nodded and smiled, "I will protect everyone in my household with all my might, but if anyone has ill intentions or behaves improperly, I will never forgive them lightly."
Uncle Ding immediately bowed his head and pledged, "Madam, please rest assured, I will teach them to follow the rules."
"Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Ding," Bai Sheng said gratefully. "The meeting is now adjourned. You are all dismissed."
Everyone stood up, returned the tables and chairs to their places, and dispersed in various directions.
Lu Huo, Lu Yin, A Dong, and A Qiu slept in the same side room.
Lu Yin whispered, "Sisters, what kind of men do you want to marry in the future?"
"I'm not getting married. I'll take care of Madam, the young lady, and the three young masters my whole life," Lu Huo said with a firm tone.
"Don't say that, Huo. There are men who like your physique. To each their own, like carrots and cabbages," Lu Yin said.
"I'm not interested in men," Lu Huo said.
A Qiu let out a sigh of relief. "Huo, I'm the same as you. I'm not interested in men either. Men are stupid and troublesome creatures. I only want to follow Madam and take good care of her my whole life."