"Jia Yan gege, what kind of poison is this? It's so potent!" Yu Mingyue felt that the matter was not that simple.
"Drunk on the Breeze, a secret medicine of the Wuji Sect!" Xie Jia Yan had traveled extensively and was well-informed about the martial world. Hua Chao Fei was from the martial world, and the sect leader of the Wuji Sect was his mortal enemy.
"Wuji Sect, sounds like a martial arts sect," Yu Mingyue frowned.
Xie Jia Yan nodded, "It is indeed a martial arts sect."
"Consort Yao has lived in the inner palace for so long that she naturally wouldn't know people from the martial world. I fear it's the Yao family colluding with some martial arts sorcerers," Yu Mingyue said indignantly.
Was the Yao family trying to emulate the Sage by recruiting martial artists to establish the Li Jing Sect for their own use?
But not everyone could do what the Sage could. The Yao family was truly bold.
However, it also revealed their ambition.
They dared to use such despicable means against a weak woman.
"Sixth Sister, be careful with your words!" Consort Yao could extend her influence to the County Princess's mansion, so she likely had spies within her own residence.
"If they dare to do it, why can't I speak of it? If they want power and profit, they should come openly. If they are dissatisfied with the Sage's arranged marriage, they should ask the Sage to revoke the decree. In the end, it's always a woman who bears the consequences. The Luo family's rebellion was not the Eldest Princess's fault, yet she committed suicide to atone. The Wang family was too powerful for the Sage to control, and it was Empress Wang who was confined for eighteen years. Why are women always the ones who suffer? What did they do wrong?"
Yu Mingyue looked at Luo Ling Yi's state and felt heartbroken, pouring out all her frustrations.
Xie Jia Yan remained silent for a long time, "You are right, they are indeed innocent."
"Jia Yan gege, you mentioned before that you planned to go to Jiangzhou to establish a government school. When will you depart?" Yu Mingyue asked.
"I'm afraid I'll have to wait until the Sage awakens." He was about to depart, but the rebellion of Prince Han County had caused delays.
"I will be heading to Qinghe in a few days. Perhaps I can lend you a hand then, Jia Yan gege. However, I have a request for you. If it succeeds, it will be a small matter; if it fails, at least I will have tried." Yu Mingyue suddenly thought, if one day women could also serve in court, hold high positions, and control their own destinies, would the plight of women in the world improve?
"What is it?"
"Could Jia Yan gege ask the Sage for permission for women to also attend the government school?" Yu Mingyue's eyes sparkled.
"It might not be easy for women to attend the government school." Nowadays, even men in the Great Wei did not have the opportunity to study, let alone women.
"I know what Jia Yan gege means. Some imperial consorts in the Great Wei's inner palace are illiterate, let alone the common folk. However, women from noble families are generally literate. If they can attend the government school, their future achievements might not be inferior to men. If they can serve in court, their vision and connections will be broader. Wouldn't this break the Five Great Families' marriages?"
"The reason the aristocratic families are so united is inseparable from their intermarriages. If women can serve in court, they will have more choices, and marriage will be the same. At least they will have a chance to fight for their own destiny. Even without the support of their families, they can survive and live for themselves."
...
On his way back, Xie Jia Yan kept thinking about Yu Mingyue's words. Living for oneself, how easy it was to say. However, it was rare for her to have such compassion.
Luo Ling Yi woke up the next morning. Yu Mingyue had stayed by her side all night, her eyes red from lack of sleep.
"Sister, why are you helping me like this?" True friendship is revealed in times of trouble. Luo Ling Yi hadn't expected Yu Mingyue to help her so much at this time.
In fact, after being poisoned, she had suspected the aristocratic families. Yu Mingyue was the future Empress candidate favored by the Five Great Families. If she died, it would be most beneficial to Yu Mingyue.
But she immediately dismissed the idea. Yu Mingyue truly had no interest in the Seventh Prince. Even if the Five Great Families insisted, the Yu family would not be easily manipulated; it might even anger the Yu family.
Compared to her openness, her own thoughts had been sordid.