freenovelworld Chapter 375 Lü Zhi's Awakening 5
Chapter 375 Lü Zhi's Awakening 5
The night in Pei County was so quiet it was almost oppressive, as if even the air itself had been sealed by the dust of time. Moonlight, like water, spilled into the courtyard of the Lü family. Lü Zhi, dressed in plain clothes, sat alone there, her shadow stretched long by the moonlight.
She looked up at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, her heart filled with mixed emotions. From childhood, her life had been tightly controlled by her father, Lü Gong. Her education consisted entirely of books chosen by him; those rigid characters, like ropes, bound her mind. Her daily life, from the materials and patterns of her clothing to the dishes at each meal, was arranged by her father according to the standards of etiquette and their social standing. While seemingly meticulous, it left her with absolutely no room for choice.
Now, this marriage, forced upon her by her father, felt like a shackle, binding her tightly. She thought of Liu Ji, the carefree and unrestrained village headman of Pei County, whose unconventionality contrasted sharply with her own life. It wasn't that she disliked Liu Ji, but this preordained life filled her with resistance. She longed to be like ordinary farm women, free to choose her own destiny and live a simple life with the one she loved; she yearned to leave this secluded mansion, to see the vast world outside, to experience firsthand the everyday life she had never known, and to take control of her own fate.
But the net of traditional ethics clung to her like a shadow. The rule that a woman should obey her father at home and her husband after marriage was like an invisible mountain, suffocating her. Her father's stern image instilled both awe and resentment in her. She often wondered if her dissatisfaction with her father was a form of rebellion. But in the quiet night, this emotion grew wildly like weeds.
Lü Zhi unconsciously gripped the hem of her dress, her knuckles turning white from the force. She recalled her conversation with her father during the day. Whether Liu Ji would wake up or not, whether she would marry him or not, it was never up to her; it was all arranged by her father. She wanted to resist, but she was afraid to face the accusations from her family, the strange looks from others, and the disappointed expression on her father's face.
The old locust tree in the courtyard rustled in the wind, as if whispering her anxieties. Tears welled in Lü Zhi's eyes, shimmering in the moonlight. In the torrent of history, she was but a tiny woman, yet she struggled desperately, trying to break free from the predetermined path of fate. But her strength was too weak; the heavy weight of tradition and authority ruthlessly suppressed every thought of rebellion.
Lü Zhi sighed deeply and rose slowly to walk towards her room. Tonight, she still couldn't make a decision, but the desire in her heart was like a spark, ready to ignite into a raging fire once it found an outlet. The road ahead was fraught with thorns, and she stood at the crossroads of fate, waiting with a mixture of confusion and determination for the opportunity to change things.
On this day, sunlight, like a golden veil, gently spilled into the courtyard, and a light breeze carried the unique fragrance of spring. Chunhua, with light steps and a cheerful smile, entered Lü Zhi's room. Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement, and her cheeks were flushed with a faint blush from her run.
As soon as Chunhua entered the room, she saw Lü Zhi sitting by the window, looking somewhat dejected. She quickly walked over to Lü Zhi and said with a smile, "Miss, I heard some good news outside!" Her tone was full of barely suppressed joy, as if this news were the most precious treasure in the world.
At this moment, Lü Zhi was listless. She slightly raised her head and asked weakly, "What good news?" Her voice was tinged with weariness, as if she had no interest in anything.
Chunhua, completely unfazed by Lü Zhi's coldness, continued excitedly, "Miss, did you know? I heard that Princess Jiayang of the Great Qin Dynasty plans to open an academy!"
She paused deliberately, keeping Lü Zhi in suspense, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her. Seeing that Lü Zhi didn't react much, she continued, "This academy is no ordinary institution. It not only teaches traditional subjects like classics, history, philosophy, and literature, but also arithmetic, astronomy, geography, agriculture, water conservancy, and many other practical subjects!" As she spoke, she counted them off on her fingers for Lü Zhi to hear.
A glimmer of light flashed in Lü Zhi's previously dim eyes. She seemed intrigued, sat up straight, and asked, "This is indeed a good thing, but can this academy be built? After all, establishing such an academy requires a great deal of manpower, material resources, and financial resources; it's not an easy task. Moreover, won't those traditional scholars object? They have always revered the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections; they might have many criticisms of these new fields of study." The more Lü Zhi thought about it, the more difficult the matter seemed, and her brows furrowed unconsciously.
Chunhua seemed to have anticipated Lü Zhi's question, and she confidently said, "Miss, I heard it's already under construction. Moreover, I've also heard that this academy accepts both men and women! Anyone who wants to learn, regardless of gender, can study there." Her voice grew louder and louder, her face beaming with excitement, as if she herself had already become a member of the academy.
Empress Lü Zhi stood up in surprise, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Really? Women can study in academies? This has never happened before! In this patriarchal era, women have always only learned needlework and etiquette, rarely having the opportunity to receive a systematic academic education. If Princess Jiayang can really establish such an academy, it would be a tremendous blessing for women everywhere." The more Empress Lü Zhi thought about it, the more excited she became. She paced back and forth in the room, her heart filled with anticipation.
Chunhua pursed her lips slightly, her eyes filled with certainty as she said, "In my opinion, this matter is probably true. I've seen it spreading like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys. They're saying that Princess Jiayang is someone who doesn't respect etiquette. Anyway, many people are gathered together arguing about this. Some say she acts boldly and doesn't care about those rules at all; others say it might be a conspiracy by the Qin state. However, this is ultimately a matter for the Qin state, and we are just listeners. Many people are just arguing a bit and getting their fill of gossip."
Lü Zhi nodded slightly, sighed softly, and echoed, "Yes, this is a matter for the Qin state. We are far away in Pei County, and it is beyond our reach to participate. The rules of the Qin state are different from ours. How can we outsiders arbitrarily interfere in their national affairs? It is best to stay out of it."
Qiu Zhu, her eyes darting around, leaned closer to Lü Zhi and said in a low but excited voice, "Miss, I have an idea. Look, Liu Ji is still unconscious. This is a great opportunity! You can go out and see the world. Let's go to Xianyang. I've heard it's very prosperous. Just take the First Tower of Qin, for example. It's said to be three stories high and can be seen from afar. It's a favorite place for many high-ranking officials and nobles. If you get married, you'll probably be bound by many rules and rarely go out. Now's a good time to go out and broaden your horizons."
Qiu Zhu's words were like a ray of light shining into Lü Zhi's heart. Lü Zhi's previously dim eyes instantly brightened, and a look of surprise appeared on her face. She quickly grabbed Qiu Zhu's hand and said, "Yes, you're absolutely right! How come I didn't think of that? Being stuck in this mansion all day is so stifling. Going to Xianyang is great; maybe we'll encounter some interesting things there."