A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 37.2

No one ever paid attention to the origin of such places, and thus few people knew that under the social ethos that disciplined women with ‘chastity concepts’ and ‘women’s teaching in the inner quarters,’ the legitimate existence of brothels was due to the establishment of official prostitution.

It is impossible to trace the exact dynasty or generation, but the ruling power established official prostitutes to raise funds for military expenses, with the brothels’ revenue going entirely into the national treasury to supplement state finances.

“Most respectable women are educated with the maxim ‘A woman’s lack of talent is a virtue,’ and few have read books or are literate. Promoting women’s education faces heavy resistance. However, women in places of pleasure are different. They are not restrained by Confucian ritual and morality. The reason why famous courtesans are sought after by scholars and poets, besides their beautiful faces, is their genuine learning and talent.”

Li Yujing paused, worried that discussing a sordid place like a brothel might offend the Princess’s esteemed ears and anger the Princess, thus defeating her purpose.

Xie Wenjun motioned for her to continue.

“Most respectable wives despise courtesans, yet they want to learn the methods of these courtesans to retain their husbands’ hearts. By promoting the trend of women’s scholarship through this, it won’t be necessary to go to great lengths to advertise, and the matter will succeed.”

Li Yujing bowed deeply again. “Your subject believes she possesses some talent and is willing to be used by the Princess.”

Xie Wenjun said, “According to your words, you intend to become a famous courtesan?”

Li Yujing gritted her teeth. “Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

“Did you not come to see this Princess to ask me to save you from becoming an official prostitute?”

“As Your Royal Highness said, your subject understands that the imperial court’s verdict is difficult for the Princess to interfere with. Since this day will come sooner or later, it is better to plan early, both for myself and for my family.”

The young female relatives of convicted officials mostly end up as official prostitutes. The older ones are sent to places that require heavy labor or menial work as slaves.

“I beg the Princess to protect my family from undue hardship, to preserve the chastity of my sisters, and perhaps, should a general amnesty occur in the future, they will still have a chance to live a normal life, marrying and raising children.”

“This is not difficult,” Xie Wenjun said.

Those designated as official prostitutes usually go to one of two places: Yifeng Pavilion or the Imperial Teaching Bureau. For either, sending a note and a couple of Palace Guards would suffice, as the Teaching Bureau and Yifeng Pavilion would not dare defy the Crown Prince’s palace. As for those assigned as slaves, they could be relocated to a leisurely, non-abusive place.

“Who is the person behind you? Have her come see me.”

Li Yujing was stunned.

Xie Wenjun said, “Is it someone from Cangnan? Hanrong Academy?”

Only someone who knew she had sent for the manuscript could guess her intention to promote women’s education.

Li Yujing was extremely troubled.

Gu Xie had indeed come with her, but she was waiting outside the temple. Since she hadn’t come up with her, she probably didn’t want to show her face before the Princess.

However, Xie Wenjun had already sent someone to invite her. Gu Xie was listening to their conversation just outside the door. Upon hearing the Princess’s summons, she was ushered into the meditation room by Yuanrong.

After performing the great courtesy, she immediately declared, “Your subject, Gu Xie of Cangnan, is willing to serve the Princess!”

Eighteen months after the national mourning period for Empress Huixian was over, Xie Wenjun, under the pretext of praying and wishing for the Empress’s blessings, pestered Emperor Xuanyuan for an amnesty, releasing a portion of female slaves and women of official prostitute status, restoring them to respectable commoner status.

Among them were Li Yujing’s mother and sisters.

Empress Huixian’s spirit tablet was enshrined in the Yongning Hall of the Great Imperial Temple.

A few days earlier, upon hearing that Princess Jiangning would arrive, the temple cleared the area around Yongning Hall. Pilgrims climbed high to get a distant view, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Princess’s grand appearance.

The robust and imposing Palace Guards were stationed everywhere in Yongning Hall, holding nine-stone composite bows and straight-edged long knives, looking awe-inspiring.

Xie Wenjun walked slowly up the bluestone steps, attended by several court maids and eunuchs in palace attire.

The pilgrims chattered, pushing forward to get a distant look. They couldn’t clearly see her face, but she was seen wearing a cloak with a black fox fur collar wrapped around a plain white dress, without a formal headdress.

She walked gracefully and climbed higher with every step.

Chen Liangyu also followed alongside.

She had only managed to close her eyes for a little while at the break of dawn today. After waking up, her head was pounding, and her throat was dry and burning. It only eased after drinking a lot of cold tea.

She should have rushed back to the Southern Military Headquarters immediately to await the imperial decree. The decree to send troops to the Southern Prefecture would be issued today at the earliest or tomorrow at the latest. Following that, she would need to negotiate with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue for the allocation of men and provisions.

Yuanrong called people in to attend to her. After she rinsed her mouth and washed her face, she went next door. Xie Wenjun was already bathed, dressed, and ready.

“Princess, your subject still has official duties…” she said.

“Mm.”

Xie Wenjun looked down, not meeting her gaze.

Chen Liangyu took two steps closer to Xie Wenjun. As if deliberately avoiding eye contact, Xie Wenjun turned her face slightly away.

She only said that one word, and nothing else.

Seeing her like this, a certain spot in Chen Liangyu’s heart was pricked. She couldn’t describe what kind of emotion it was.

Pity? Distress?

She had originally intended to say that she had official duties today and would not travel with the Princess.

But what came out was: “Your subject must return to Yongdu. If the Princess is going to the Great Imperial Temple to commemorate Empress Huixian, your subject can escort you along the way.”

Returning to the Southern Military Headquarters from this town and going to the Great Imperial Temple were not on the same route; they were in different directions. However, calculating the approximate distance, even with Redmane’s speed, taking the detour to the Great Imperial Temple and then rushing back to the Southern Military Headquarters wouldn’t take too much time.

It was the annual memorial for Empress Huixian; she ought to light a stick of incense.

Xie Wenjun finally turned her face to look at her. That look was full of uncertainty, surprised that Chen Liangyu offered to escort her along the way.

Whether it was a misconception or not, Chen Liangyu caught a fleeting glimpse of apprehension.

“Yesterday… I was drunk,” Xie Wenjun said.

Chen Liangyu asked, “Was your subject disrespectful in any way yesterday?”

“No,” Xie Wenjun said, surprised. “Do you not remember what happened yesterday?”

Yuanrong and Daiqing wished they could instantly turn into ostriches and bury their heads in the sand. Both their faces were flushed, and they tried their best to shut their eyes and ears.

“I remember.”

“Remember what?” Xie Wenjun retracted her gaze, a moment of panic in her expression.

“Your subject remembers the Princess saying that a person who can be used, can also be you.”

“Do you… remember anything else?”

“Anything else? What else was there?” Chen Liangyu asked. “Your subject’s judgment was impaired by the drink yesterday. If I missed anything, please remind me, Princess.”

“Nothing. Let’s go!”

Chen Liangyu accompanied Xie Wenjun to offer incense at Empress Huixian’s spirit tablet. The temple monks performed a service and chanted scriptures.

Behind Yongning Hall was the meditation room where Xie Wenjun met Li Yujing and Gu Xie. The temple monks had cleaned it, and it was spotless.

Xie Wenjun planned to stay at the Great Imperial Temple for three to five days.

Chen Liangyu looked around. The room’s furnishings were antique, its simplicity comparable to the inn where they had rested: a bamboo couch, a set of pine wood tables and chairs, a Buddhist shrine with two meditation cushions beneath it.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Are the clothes and food adequate? Will you be uncomfortable staying here?”

Xie Wenjun knelt on the cushion, pressed her palms together, and silently recited something before saying, “This is where my heart finds peace, so everything is well.”

How could she be uncomfortable staying here? This place was far from the clamor. She could also be close to her mother, reciting scriptures and praying for her often, wishing her a smooth and peaceful next life.

“It’s just that the night here is too quiet, without a trace of human presence. It is so quiet it makes one anxious. Sometimes when I wake up at midnight, I can’t distinguish whether I am in the mortal world or the underworld.”

“Is Yuanrong or Daiqing serving you improperly?”

The moment Chen Liangyu finished speaking, Yuanrong and Daiqing both knelt down, saying in alarm, “It is our fault, your servant deserves to die.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Chen Liangyu felt a bit awkward and turned to look at Xie Wenjun.

“Get up!” Xie Wenjun said. “They are attentive in their work, but it is simply not as comforting as having you guard the bedside.”

That rainy night at Guanjue Tower in the Marquis of Xuanping’s Residence, she had slept incredibly peacefully.

Chen Liangyu looked at the lone figure on the cushion, who, despite being surrounded by countless people, was inexplicably lonely and forlorn.

“Every year at this time, if your subject is not tied up with official duties, I will follow the Princess and impose on Empress Huixian for a few days.”

She now realized that the promise she made to Empress Huixian years ago was not easy to keep. Yet, every time she saw Princess Jiangning isolated and alone, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

“Your subject will sit outside the door to ensure Her Royal Highness rests well for the night.”