I’m the Farmgirl You Can’t Mess With
Chapter 979 - Chapter 979 Big Picture

Chapter 979: Big Picture Chapter 979: Big Picture Editor: Atlas Studios Europe was not like China.

In China, be it in the past, present, or the future, the upper echelons of the aristocrats would only marry people of equal social status.

In Europe however, transnational marriage was the norm.

This was because in their opinion, they came from the same lineage.

It was a little like the phenomenon of intermarriage between vassal states during the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period.

Therefore, although most of the businessmen who came to Great Qi were Portuguese and Spanish merchants, the women they brought with them were from varying countries, including France, Italy, and Naples.

Mu Yangling looked at Madam Anna with a smile.

Anna raised her head proudly and said, “I come from England.” Mu Yangling roughly calculated which year it was.

However, because the current version of history in China was vastly different from the history she’d learnt in modern times, she was not sure how much had changed in Europe.

At least, as far as she knew, in her previous life, the English went to India to do business at the end of the 17th century, and the beginning of colonization was at the beginning of the 18th century.

However, according to the Chinese chronology, this should be the middle of the 14th century in her previous life, around 1345 CE.

Even if there was a difference, it would not be more than 50 years.

This was because the history before the Great Zhou Dynasty had not changed.

It had gone through five generations and ten reign titles, and the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty included the Song dynasty.

The difference was not big.

In other words, the current Great Qi was equivalent to the period before the Ming Dynasty was established in her previous life.

According to the timeline of Europe in her previous life, England and Scotland were at war at this time and did not have a good relationship with France.

In terms of maritime trade and hegemony, Spain was considered the most outstanding, followed by Portugal and Italy.

However, in terms of national strength, England and Austria should be the strongest.

Mu Yangling wanted to secretly inquire about the situation in Europe, but when she saw Anna looking up proudly, she suddenly felt a little displeased.

Anyway, since everyone knew that Great Qi people did not know much about Westerners and the Western countries, it probably didn’t matter if she misspoke.

When the time came, she would just dismiss it as hearsay.

Why was it that the Westerners knew everything about the Great Qi Kingdom, but they did not even know the Emperor and the situation of the Western countries?

With this thought in mind, Mu Yangling asked with a smile, “Is the current Emperor of England called Edward III?” “That’s right.” Anna did not think that there was anything wrong with Mu Yangling knowing about the king of her country.

Edward III was wise and mighty, so it was only natural for everyone to have heard of him.

She smiled politely and said, “I greet your country’s Emperor on behalf of my king.” The madam, who was born in France, sneered.

“A cruel warmonger.” “Oh, it’s better than a coward who only knows how to escape.

My wise and mighty king is protecting his subjectsaEUR|” The two sides started to fight.

Seeing this, the governor’s wife was about to calm the two parties down when she saw the Princess Consort shoot her a look.

She quickly lowered her head and sat down, but her ears pricked up.

She realized that the names of some countries and kings kept popping out of their mouths.

She felt a headache coming on.

Not only did she not understand a word, but she also could not remember it.

Looking up slightly, she saw that the Princess Consort was listening seriously.

This made her realize that the Princess Consort was trying to find out more about the Western countries.

At this realization, the governor’s wife gave everyone a look.

Only when she saw that it was about time did she go forward to persuade them to reconcile.

The two women were pulled apart and separated from each other.

The governor’s wife changed the topic with a smile and asked about the situation in their country and the places they had been to.

All the while, her eyes had been secretly watching Mu Yangling.

Seeing that she had indeed sat up straight with interest, she knew that she was sucking up to her the right way, and she could not help but feel a little smug.

When the other madams saw this, they naturally knew how to steer the conversation.

Even though Mu Yangling had been in Guangzhou City for more than a year, she rarely went out to socialize or entertain guests.

Even if they wanted to suck up to her, they had no opportunity to do so.

It was not easy for them to finally meet the Princess Consort this time.

Since she was interested in Western matters, they naturally had to pave the way for her.

In terms of knowledge outside the country, these wives of officials and businessmen in Guangzhou might not be as knowledgeable as these Western women who had traveled extensively.

However, in terms of gathering information and guiding topics, these foreign wives probably couldn’t compare to the madams of Great Qi.

In addition, they had the advantage in numbers.

By the time half a day was over, Mu Yangling had heard plenty.

When she looked up, she saw that the children had sneaked in at some point and were sitting at the side with their chins propped up, looking at Madam Anna and the others with bright eyes.

The corners of Mu Yangling’s mouth twitched.

Just as she was about to chase the children out, she heard Little Bear ask Madam Anna, “The Emperor of France died in England.

Didn’t France seek revenge on your country?” Madam Anna was puzzled.

“John II died of illness and his death has nothing to do with our country.

Why would France seek revenge on us?” Little Bear pursed his lips.

The king of a country went to be a hostage in an enemy country and died there.

There had to be some sort of connection, right?

Furthermore, France was too weak.

Not only did the Crown Prince and the other princes escape at the last minute, but even the son they sent out as a hostage had escaped.

Instead of lighting up firecrackers to celebrate, the Emperor actually took the initiative to fulfill his promise and offered himself as a hostage.

It was obvious that the other children had the same thought.

They looked at Madam Mary, who came from France, with strange expressions.

Afraid that they would say something shocking, Mu Yangling quickly chased them out and said, “What are you boys doing here among a group of women?

Hurry up and go out to play with your friends.” Only then did Little Bear remember the real purpose of their visit and called out, “Mother, Father said it’s time to go home, he sent us to fetch you.” In public settings like this, Little Bear and his siblings always addressed them formally as ‘Father King’ and ‘Mother Consort’.

Mu Yangling also made sure to use their full names instead of their nicknames.

“So early?” Mu Yangling turned to look at the clock hanging on the wall.

Only then did she realize that it was getting late and hurriedly got up.

“I didn’t expect time to pass so quickly.

Half the afternoon has passed in the blink of an eye.” The governor’s wife hurriedly smiled and said, “I’m afraid Your Highness finds us noisy.” Smiling, Mu Yangling said, “How can that be?

What you guys were talking about is very interesting.

I enjoyed listening to your chats.

The governor’s wife smiled and suggested, “If Your Highness likes it, I’ll invite you again next time.

We can talk in detail then.” Indeed, Mu Yangling wanted to know more, so she nodded with a smile.

The group hurriedly sent Mu Yangling and Little Madam Xia out.

The two of them bade farewell to the foreign madams before bringing the children to look for Qi Haoran and Fan Zijin.

Qi Haoran was already impatient from waiting.

When he saw them come out, he glared at the brats and said, “Where did you guys go?

It took you an hour to fetch your mother?” If he had known earlier, he would have gotten the servants to call for Mu Yangling.

The children excitedly said to him, “Fourth Uncle, we listened to the foreign wives talk about their country’s history.” This was Little Treasure.

“Daddy, have you heard of this very strange Emperor in France?

He actually ran, of his own accord, to England to be a hostage, but in the end, he died of illness there.” This was Little Bear.

“He has three sons.

One of them is very bold and became a captive.

Two of them fled at the last minute, and one of them is the Crown Prince.” This was Little Lion.

“I don’t like France.

Their people are all so weak.

Brother Little An, we’ll specialize in doing business with the people of France in the future.

If they don’t listen, I’ll help you beat them up.” This was Tiger Head.

Little An actually nodded seriously and said, “Yes, the soft ones are easier to bully.

From the way that Madam Anna’s head was raised so high, it’s obvious that the people of England are not easy to get along with.

We can start with France first.”