CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER 193: DRUNK (PART 2)

Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment, then laughed: "Cui Du, you are indeed different from ordinary young men."

"In the Da Liang Dynasty, men are considered superior and women inferior. It should be said that it has been like this since ancient times. Women depend on men to live, like ’Unmarried, they follow their father; married, they follow their husband; widowed, they follow their son.’

"As a Commandery Princess, Nanyang County is my fiefdom, and logically, the subjects should all bow to me. But that’s not the case. I’ve spent ten months, using both hard and soft tactics, balancing kindness and authority, just barely gathering people’s loyalty."

"To make everyone truly respectful and loyal, I don’t know how much more time and effort is needed."

"If I were a man, these wouldn’t be issues at all. Just because I’m a woman, I have to be twice, three times, or even ten times better to earn their recognition and make them bow down."

"You are different from them. I know you genuinely respect me as a person, irrelevant of gender. You truly believe that both men and women can achieve greatness."

Cui Du felt like a warmth in his heart, like a burning coal: "Yes, what I think in my heart, Commandery Princess has expressed."

"Where I live, men and women are equal; they study together, work together. Smart and capable women can go into business or politics. My mother is an outstanding politician, decisive in her actions, much more capable than many men."

"Around me, there are many excellent young women of my age. They are meticulous and work harder than men. My teacher is also a woman; she is the country’s top agriculture expert. I learned from my teacher for eight years."

"I’ve never thought women are inferior to men."

"Commandery Princess, you are the most formidable and capable young woman I’ve ever seen. I believe you can achieve a remarkable and groundbreaking career."

"The Commandery Princess is destined for greatness, not to be troubled by love affairs. You don’t have to look back, just look forward. The right person will be on your path, walking alongside you."

Cui Du was somewhat guilty as he finished speaking.

Not knowing if the Commandery Princess understood his "ulterior motive".

Jiang Shaohua didn’t notice. Her attention was captured by Cui Du’s earlier words: "Is it all true? In the place where you live, all women can study?"

Cui Du nodded as though naturally: "Of course."

In the Da Liang Dynasty, studying was a privilege of the few. Ordinary people could not afford to educate their children; less than one-tenth of men could read and write, let alone women.

Even girls like Chen Jinyu, with her background, were often criticized by their mothers for studying too much and not being obedient enough.

All women being able to study like men, going out to work, and shining in all industries. What a majestic scene!

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes gleamed brighter: "Someday, I want the women of Nanyang County to live such good lives."

Cui Du immediately said: "I am willing to follow the Commandery Princess and work for her."

Jiang Shaohua softly laughed: "Good, I believe you. You are a treasure given to Nanyang County by heaven, and I believe you will definitely become a great contributor to Nanyang County."

Whether or not he is the right person, it is yet unknown. At least, he already qualifies to walk with her.

Cui Du grinned and exchanged smiles with the Commandery Princess.

Achoo!

A chilly wind blew again, Jiang Shaohua was fine, but Cui Du couldn’t help sneezing, shivering all over.

"It’s a bit cold here, let’s go back!" Jiang Shaohua came back to her senses: "Don’t catch a cold."

Cui Du was reluctant: "I’m fine, let’s stay a bit longer... Achoo!"

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "Let’s go back!"

Cui Du had no choice but to nod.

...

After midnight, the fireworks stopped, and everyone went to rest.

Jiang Shaohua had a wonderful dream.

In the dream, she suddenly arrived in a strange country. The streets were crowded with people, and the houses were too tall to see the roofs, with many strange and unfamiliar things coming and going on the road.

She walked past a transparent glass and took a look; a clear reflection appeared in the glass.

She looked like she was ten years old, wearing a skirt that revealed her knees, exposing her pale white calves, and her two white arms also exposed. Her long hair was gone, replaced by shoulder-length short hair. She carried a square bag on her back.

She was slightly bewildered. Who was she? Where did she come from? Where was this place? Where was she going?

"Xiaohua," a familiar voice sounded in her ear: "What are you doing, hurry up and get into the classroom! The class bell is about to ring."

She turned her head, a handsome face came into view, smiling while urging her: "Hurry up, let’s go, don’t be late."

She instinctively responded with an "okay," and walked into the campus with him, stepping into the classroom.

There were already many people in the classroom, all about the same age, boys and girls sitting together, making noise and arguing with each other, some whispering together.

She entered with him, and immediately someone teased: "Wow, came together again! Cui Xiaodu, you follow Jiang Xiaohua around all the time like a shadow."

"When you grow up, are you going to be Jiang Xiaohua’s boyfriend?"

Such chaotic words, yet all the young ones seemed to not mind, joking for a while and then no longer paying attention to them.

They sat down and took out their books from the bag. Soon, the teacher came in.

She looked up, the teacher was also a woman. Wearing short sleeves and a short skirt, with red lips and dark eyebrows, extremely beautiful, she calmly faced the praises from the students: "You little monkeys, all sit properly."

She instinctively straightened her back.

After class, she went to have lunch. The cafeteria was crowded, with boys and girls, big and small, casually sitting together. The plump woman serving rice and soup had an exceptionally loud voice.

After school, she carried her bag, walking out of the campus. A pretty woman drove a strange tool in front of her, smiling as she called: "Xiaohua, mom’s here to pick you up. Let’s go home."

She responded, familiarly opened the door, and sat inside. Halfway through, the pretty woman said a few words using a strange device, and then she looked apologetic: "The company suddenly has a meeting, can you come to the company with mom for a while?"

She nodded and followed the pretty woman to another strange place. There were both men and women there, all very busy. She did her homework in a spacious room, occasionally looking outside.

For some reason, she felt very happy inside.

"What good dream did the Commandery Princess have?"

A warm towel was laid on her face, Jiang Shaohua quickly woke up. Opening her eyes, Mrs. Zhang’s smiling face appeared: "Today is New Year’s Day, everyone in the Prince Mansion is waiting to bow and pay respects to the Commandery Princess. You have to get up early!"

Turns out, it was a beautiful dream.

Perhaps, if she strives for a lifetime, she can make Nanyang County become the beautiful scene in her dream.