Xiao Man followed Xiao Ling's gaze and saw Nangong Yi flirting with a maidservant. Her expression remained unchanged. "Prince Qi is known for his charm; you've known this for a long time. You can't have both fish and bear's paw. If you want something, you must also give something up."
"Eldest Sister, if you were to choose a husband, would you want power, or true love?" Xiao Ling asked softly. She had chosen power on this path; she didn't need true love, yet as a woman, she also wished to be cherished and doted upon.
"Clear wine on a maiden's face, white wealth stirs the heart," Xiao Man said with a gentle tone. "People are greedy. I want power, and I want true love too. Third Sister, broaden your horizons. A woman's world is not confined to the inner quarters."
Xiao Ling glanced at Xiao Man. Besides the inner quarters, what other world was there for a woman? She had been taught feminine virtues and precepts since childhood, to be a lady of a prominent family and a noblewoman, all for the sake of marrying a powerful husband, assisting him in his endeavors, and bringing glory to the family. Yet Xiao Man spoke of a woman's world extending beyond the inner quarters!
Just then, the singers of Xianle Pavilion changed their tune. Several women in Hu-style clothing appeared, their arms slender and waists delicate, veiled in light gauze. They exuded charm mixed with purity, and their bold dance drew cheers from countless men. The ladies, meanwhile, cursed them inwardly for being shameless while secretly stealing glances.
Xiao Man's gaze fell upon the dancers, and her voice remained soft. "Step out of the limited space of the inner quarters, and you will discover that women can do many things. They can teach, they can do business, they can enter the imperial court, or join the military, instead of spending their days scheming against one man and wasting their youth."
"Eldest Sister has drunk too much. The laws of Yusheng forbid women from interfering in politics!"
"But in Lan Yue, women are held in high esteem. All previous emperors were women, and important court officials are primarily women. Even in Yun Qi, women can serve in the government," Xiao Man said warmly. "In different places, women live different lives. In Yusheng, women are taught the Three Obediences and Four Virtues from a young age, to assist their husbands and raise their children, and to compete for favor. In Lan Yue, women are required from childhood to study national studies, policy, and the Six Arts for gentlemen, including archery and martial arts. Who dares say that women can only be in the inner quarters, or only in the court?"
Xiao Ling's eyes were filled with shock, as if she couldn't believe Xiao Man would say such things. She then realized that it was normal for Xiao Man to say such things. After all, while she was learning the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, Xiao Man was learning the Six Arts for gentlemen, archery, and martial arts. While she was learning needlework and cooking, Xiao Man was studying national studies, policy, and military strategy.
She meticulously followed the rules, learning the etiquette and demeanor expected of a noblewoman. Xiao Man, on the other hand, frequented pleasure houses and gambling dens. Her room, aside from books on feminine virtues and precepts, and secretly hidden romance novels, contained poetry, musical scores, and art albums. Xiao Man had a whole room full of books, covering everything from national studies to miscellaneous records.
Xiao Ling swallowed, her gaze fixed on Xiao Zhen, who sat at the head. Eldest Sister's education was personally overseen by Father. Most of the tutors hired for Eldest Sister were dismissed within a few days, yet Eldest Sister's knowledge remained profound, and her archery skills surpassed even men. What kind of woman did Father intend to cultivate her into?
"Eldest Sister, have I done wrong?" Xiao Ling asked abruptly. She loved Prince Qin, but he was disdainful of her. She lost her virtue to Prince Qi, but Prince Qi was a rake and dismissed her with the position of a secondary consort. As the legitimate daughter of a general's mansion, why had she fallen to such a state?
"Right or wrong is irrelevant; it is merely a choice," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "And everyone must take responsibility for their own choices."
"If Eldest Sister were in my current position, what would you choose?"
Xiao Man's gaze fell upon Nangong Yi. After a moment, she stated resolutely, "Daughters of my Xiao family will never be concubines to anyone!"
Xiao Ling's body trembled. That was right. Xiao Man had told their grandmother before that the young ladies of the General's Mansion would not be concubines. Yet she had become Prince Qi's secondary consort. To put it nicely, a secondary consort; to put it bluntly, a concubine! But she had lost her purity. If she didn't become a concubine, what else could she do?
"Eldest Sister, if I don't want to be a concubine, will you help me?"
"Do you want to be Prince Qi's primary consort?" Xiao Man glanced at Xiao Ling and asked.
Xiao Ling fell silent. Besides Prince Qi, did she have no other options?
"Do I have other choices?"
"Yes, it depends on whether you have the courage to choose!"
"What kind of choice?"
"Step out!" Xiao Man said warmly. "Step out of these confined quarters and into the outside world. Life is too short; why waste your limited youth on a man who doesn't care about you."
Xiao Ling fell silent. Step out, step out of these confined quarters. But as a woman, with the heavens and the earth so vast, where was her place? The outside world was too dangerous for women! Yet she was unwilling to enter Prince Qi's manor as a concubine. What should she do?
Suddenly, an anomaly occurred. The several dancers who had been performing suddenly attacked Xiao Zhen. The shiny silver pieces on their outfits were actually hidden weapons.
Xiao Zhen dodged the dancers' hidden weapons and quickly stood up to check behind the screen. The dancers had caught up, and the screen fell, revealing the Emperor, who had been sitting behind it, to everyone's sight.
The dancers, who had intended to kill Xiao Zhen, turned their blades towards the Emperor upon seeing him.
"Protect His Majesty!" Hidden guards appeared, shielding the Emperor. The officials and their families cried out and scattered, no longer caring for each other.
Xiao Zhen blocked the lead assassin, while Steward Lu rallied guards to protect other guests. Xiao Man grabbed Wen Mohan, "Find a place to hide. It's dangerous here!"
"Where are you going then?"
"To my father's side." Xiao Man pushed Xiao Ling out. "Find a place to hide."
Xiao Man snatched a saber from a killer and rushed towards Xiao Zhen. Several princes gathered around the Emperor, protecting his safety.
"What's going on with the dancers from Xianle Pavilion?" Nangong Yi peeked out from behind Nangong Yu and saw Xiao Zhen, along with his son and daughter, sparring with the assassins.
The old Emperor remained composed, his gaze falling on the Xiao family of three fighting valiantly. Xiao Zhen and Xiao Luo, having military backgrounds, had killed countless enemies on the battlefield, their actions naturally ruthless. But Xiao Man, a woman from the inner quarters, though skilled in combat, faced numerous assassins with composure and decisive moves, without any flashy techniques, appearing even more efficient than Xiao Luo.
Just then, a figure, seemingly provoked, stumbled towards the Emperor's vicinity, a strange light flashing in their eyes.
Suddenly, a hand landed on the figure's shoulder, pulling them away. "Madam, it's dangerous here. Come with me, let's find a place to hide."