Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 359 You Are Truly a Heavenly Immortal-like Figure

Chapter 359: Chapter 359 You Are Truly a Heavenly Immortal-like Figure

Murong Jiu had also thought that Sikong Wan was like any other girl, her heart filled with youthful affection, but she did not expect that Sikong Wan actually harbored an extraordinary heart, aspiring to become a Female Teacher.

She was unwilling to be confined to the inner quarters and had her own ideals; she was a woman of great ambition.

Murong Jiu felt pleasantly surprised.

The people of the time all believed that a woman’s lack of talent was a virtue. They thought that women should devote themselves to supporting their husbands and teaching their children, remain within the inner courtyard, and not show their faces in public. Some even touted that a true example of a woman was one who never stepped out of the inner door or crossed the threshold of the outer door, wishing they would never leave their bedchambers so they could be regarded as truly pure and flawless.

How pitiful.

It was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines, yet women were shackled with layer upon layer of constraints.

Inappropriately, she recalled what Jun Yuyan had shared with her during a heart-to-heart not long ago.

Jun Yuyan had said that the war in previous years had claimed the lives of many soldiers, many of whom were already married. With their deaths, the living had to move on. Some women, young in age, had already become widows, and yet society insisted that they remain widows for life. The Imperial Court even erected chastity arches for women who had been widowed for many years, as though it were a great honor.

This forced those women who did not wish to spend their lives honoring an empty place, pressured by family, friends, and societal norms, to waste their youth and lock themselves away for life.

He had once made a suggestion to the Emperor, advising that the Imperial Court encourage widows to remarry. Such a policy would not only solve the issue of singleness among the populace but also would increase the birth rate, a solution beneficial in every aspect.

However, the Emperor did not even grant an opportunity for discussion, rejecting his proposal outright.

Such was the current state of women, and the sorrow of countless others.

Thinking this, Murong Jiu spoke her thoughts in the presence of Sikong Wan.

She strongly approved and encouraged Sikong Wan’s ambition, believing that one day women, too, could achieve great things. However, she also knew that the current environment was quite challenging and called for resilience against rumors and the scrutiny of outsiders.

"I understand. Since I first had this idea, my mother told me about the difficulties I might face in the future. I’ve also considered that after I’m married, my husband’s family might disdain me, but I have indirectly had my father inquire about Young Master Lou’s opinion. He believes that women can appear in public. He has even told my father about the idea of employing Female officials, but he also knows that His Majesty prefers women to stay at home and attend to their husbands and children, so he never proposed it to the Imperial Court."

Murong Jiu understood. She was also a very clear-headed person. Although she truly admired Lou Zixi, if he were like other men who looked down on women, she would not contemplate marrying him, no matter how much she admired him.

She was marrying Lou Zixi because he allowed her to pursue the things she wanted to do, which is why she was extremely satisfied with this matrimonial arrangement.

This made Murong Jiu like Sikong Wan, this girl, more and more.

She chuckled and said, "You can rest assured, Lou Zixi never looks down on women. His mother was the one who taught him the basics when he was a child. If you wish to be a Female Teacher who educates others, I believe Lou Zixi would certainly appreciate you."

She felt that Sikong Wan and Lou Zixi were quite a good match for each other.

Whether in terms of appearance or thought.

The two could slowly adapt to each other, and surely Lou Zixi would see Sikong Wan’s shining qualities.

She had only been with Sikong Wan for half a day, and she had already grown fond of this open-hearted and kind girl.

"Please, stop teasing me," Sikong Wan said, her demeanor showing a touch of embarrassment, her cheeks aglow with shyness, an endearing sight.

The more Murong Jiu looked at her, the more she liked her, and taking her hand, she said, "In the future, you can often visit the Prince Mansion to talk with me more. We could also discuss how, once you become a Female Teacher, you would teach others."

"Oh yes, I’d like that very much—I like you a lot, Princess Consort!"

Madam Sikong was brimming with the vibrancy of youth, and Murong Jiu was affected by her, her face smiling even more.

"Princess Consort, your smile is truly beautiful, just like a Heavenly Immortal, the most beautiful person I have ever seen," she said, then added in a soft voice, "Even more beautiful than the Your Majesties in the palace! When I was young, I saw Consort Qi and was amazed, thinking she was ethereal. But now, after seeing you, I realize what a Goddess descending to earth looks like!"

She spoke with utmost sincerity, and she even felt a bit shy to keep staring at Murong Jiu’s face, fearing that too much gazing might lead to feelings of inadequacy.

"You are also very beautiful, you know. Your almond eyes, when you smile, are like crescent moons; your brows and eyes brimming with affection. Lou Zixi is fortunate to marry you; it must be the good karma from his last life."

Her words made Madam Sikong blush, "Please, don’t keep mentioning him..."

It was so embarrassing.

Murong Jiu said with a smile, "Alright, alright, I won’t mention him anymore. Come sit closer, and let me check your pulse."

She had felt Madam Sikong’s hand just before and noticed it was a bit cold.

Upon checking her pulse, it was indeed somewhat cold, and her energy and blood were a bit deficient.

"Ah Wan, do you suffer from severe abdominal pain during your menstrual cycle?"

Madam Sikong’s eyes widened, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, every time I get my period, the pain is so intense I roll around on the bed. Sometimes, when the abdominal pain is unbearable, I wish I were born a man. My mother has sought treatment from Imperial Physicians, but the improvements were minimal. Princess Consort, do I have some serious illness? That Old Imperial Doctor even said... said that I might have difficulty conceiving in the future, having trouble getting pregnant."

After all, she was an unwed girl, and she spoke of such matters with great shyness.

It wasn’t that she was desperate to bear children for a man’s legacy; she simply adored children personally. Having seen the Prince and Princess Consort’s two children earlier made her particularly fond of them, naturally filling her with joy. To bear and nurture children with the man she loved would surely be a blissful matter.

"It’s not a serious illness; most women have a cold uterus. Perhaps the treatment approach was incorrect. Once properly addressed, it won’t affect fertility. However, it’s better for a woman to have children later in life; too early, and it can lead to more suffering."

Murong Jiu explained, having had her own children too early. But once pregnant, she could not bear to terminate the pregnancy.

Her master had told her that if a woman waits until after twenty to conceive and bear children, she is less likely to encounter difficult childbirth. Many young girls who bear children right after their coming of age ceremony haven’t even fully developed their pelvic bones, which is why there have been so many women throughout history who have died in childbirth.

Her own difficult delivery had been partly due to this reason.

On this topic, she felt she should have spread this theory earlier, as it may have saved many young lives.

Upon hearing this, Madam Sikong also nodded thoughtfully, taking the advice to heart.

Murong Jiu prescribed new dietary therapy and medicinal recipes for her. Aside from fertility, with sufficient qi and blood, one doesn’t tire easily, and most importantly, it makes menstrual periods less torturous.

When Madam Sikong came to pick up Madam Sikong Wan, upon hearing that the Princess Consort was treating her daughter’s health, she was endlessly grateful.

On their way back, Madam Sikong mused in the carriage:

"I had heard that the Princess Consort was kind-hearted, but I never expected her to be so approachable. My mother was still worried about Lou Zixi..."

"Mother! Please stop talking about it. The Princess Consort is such a good person, open and honest; we can’t think of her like that! And even if... that’s just Young Master Lou having unrequited feelings! Hmph!"

Madam Sikong couldn’t stop smiling. A visit to the Prince Mansion seemed to have made her daughter fancy the Princess Consort more than Lou Zixi.

But the mother’s anxiety was finally relieved.

"Mother, the Princess Consort also approves of me becoming a Female Teacher. In the future..." Madam Sikong Wan talked incessantly, her spirit soaring.