["Chu people following our Jing Country? That's even more absurd than Duo Ti following my mother."]
Xiao Chuchu couldn't help but marvel.
["Who would have thought that when the sisters heard Aunt Pei say my mother would come to scold men, their loyalty level would skyrocket, haha!"]
Xiao Yunzhou coughed, almost spitting out his tea.
His expression was complex.
The Chu people were quite easy to win over... no, the women of Chu State had rather fierce hearts.
He couldn't help but glance at Concubine Liu, who was practicing her suturing by the window.
Ah, Concubine Liu was still the best.
So gentle.
"Chaniang, the Ministry of Revenue has sent word that several women wish to join the royal shops. Go and meet them on behalf of the ministry," Xiao Yunzhou said, putting down his tea bowl.
Before she could agree, he pondered aloud, "I've been thinking these past few days, could you teach your skill of suturing patients to other women?"
Liu Chaniang was startled, and Xiao Chuchu, watching the livestream from her swaddling clothes, shifted her attention back to her father.
This time, Xiao Yunzhou didn't wait for his daughter's thoughts and mused, "I was thinking that most of you women are taught embroidery and needlework from a young age. Your skill with such delicate work far surpasses that of ordinary men and scholars, and you have a natural talent for it."
"When I sent Liao Xing from the Imperial Kitchen to sell fried dough sticks, he nearly made a mess of things. This was a wake-up call for me," Xiao Yunzhou said, having learned from his daughter, "We should put people to their best use, each to their own profession."
"I should let the right people do the right jobs."
["Oh, the Emperor Dad is using his brain today. No, I mean, well done!"]
Xiao Chuchu praised her father as if praising a child.
Xiao Yunzhou, hearing this, felt as if his heart was filled with honey.
Of course, he listened to the immortal's teachings daily, how could he not improve!
Encouraged by this, Xiao Yunzhou became more confident in his ideas and turned to Liu Chaniang, "I think that when you go out of the palace this time, not only should you meet the women who want to open royal shops, but you should also meet the embroiderers who make winter clothes."
"See if there are any women suitable to learn suturing from you. If there are, bring them out separately to learn from you," Xiao Yunzhou pondered, thinking this plan feasible.
"Of course, men can learn too, if they have the talent. This task of training in the art of suturing, Chaniang, I'll leave it to you."
Liu Chaniang's eyes flickered. Ever since Min Rou was nearly assaulted but became a victim of public opinion, she had resolved to set an example for women, leading the way to show other women that they too could be independent.
Now, it seemed that path was slowly unfolding before her eyes.
Liu Chaniang stood up solemnly and considered, "I will not fail Your Majesty's command."
"But I wish to request a token from Your Majesty to act on my own authority."
Liu Chaniang's gaze was determined, "Since ancient times, there has been the Imperial Sword to execute treacherous ministers. Today, I wish to request an Imperial Whip from Your Majesty."
Xiao Yunzhou was taken aback.
"Not all men in the world are as open-minded and wise as Your Majesty, willing to let their wives and daughters pursue a career."
Liu Chaniang's flattery almost made Xiao Yunzhou unable to suppress his rising smile.
This praise was quite novel to him!
Since ancient times, people have praised emperors as enlightened rulers, but the great pressure they bear, the hardships of governance, and their dedication to the country – how could ordinary people compare?
But this praise of being a good husband, of being open-minded enough to let women pursue their ambitions, came so effortlessly that Xiao Yunzhou found it more and more appealing.
Lying down, doing nothing, letting his wife and daughter do the work – no, no, letting the right talents do the right jobs – and he could be praised for it.
Xiao Yunzhou felt that a door to a great path was slowly opening before him!
"I grant your request. Whatever whip or sword you need, just have Wei Zheng get it for you," Xiao Yunzhou said, in high spirits, agreeing readily. "You're doing this on my behalf, so corrupt officials and—"
Before he could finish, Liu Chaniang curtseyed in thanks, "Thank you, Your Majesty. In the future, I will discipline those incompetent men on your behalf."
"Hm?" The smile on Xiao Yunzhou's face froze instantly.
"Whichever man is stubborn and ignorant, blocking his wife and daughters from pursuing the great path, I shall whip him."
"..." Xiao Yunzhou's mouth twitched violently, and he even felt a chill run down his spine.
It was as if he could hear the whistle of the whip and feel the stinging pain.
Xiao Yunzhou regretted it immensely, only now realizing what he had just agreed to.
"Well, Concubine Liu..."
An emperor's word is law, but Xiao Yunzhou also feared being drowned in the spit of men across the land.
It's worth noting that those who write history books are all men!
He, as an emperor, giving his concubine a whip to lash all the men in the world.
How would others view him as an emperor? How would future generations sum up his merits and faults?
Moreover, suturing patients indeed required breaking the rules separating men and women.
Not everyone was like him, an emperor with an immortal little princess by his side to guide him!
"Ahem, Concubine Liu, don't be too rash. We should also listen to the voices of the men behind these women. If they object to their women leaving the house to treat and suture men, it's understandable..."
Xiao Yunzhou thick-skinedly tried to retract his words.
But halfway through, he was interrupted by the sound of Xiao Chuchu's inner fireworks.
["Ah, wonderful! My mother has received the Imperial Whip, and the social status of women in our Jing Country has risen by 14%!"]
Xiao Chuchu's inner voice abruptly cut off Xiao Yunzhou's regret.
["I've earned another chance to draw lots."]
"!" Xiao Yunzhou took a deep breath.
The social status of women has improved?
This could also bring lottery opportunities to his little immortal princess?
Could it enhance the princess's immortal power?
["In modern society, women and men are the same. They can go to school together, take exams, pursue higher education, receive scholarships, and seek employment."]
["Any profession can be pursued by girls or boys. It's the same for doctors and clothing designers."]
Xiao Chuchu imagined the future in her heart.
["I wonder when Jing Country will become like this."]
What?
Is this how things are done in the immortal realm?
Xiao Yunzhou was shocked.
Even the imperial examinations don't distinguish between men and women?
They recruit anyone who is talented?
Xiao Yunzhou's back broke out in a cold sweat as he realized that Concubine Liu's praise for him earlier was far from accurate.
How was he open-minded? How was he wise? How had he truly let the women in his household go out and do anything?
Compared to the immortal realm described by his little princess, he, the Son of Heaven, was still short-sighted and stubborn...
Thinking of this, Xiao Yunzhou gritted his teeth, "Chaniang, I give you the Imperial Whip to lash those stubborn men."
"However—" Xiao Yunzhou took a deep breath, silently mourning for all men in the world, "You must promise me that you will first reason with them properly. For example, explain to them that when performing suturing procedures, most of the patient's body is covered, and there isn't much physical contact. Also, emphasize the life-saving benefits of suturing skills."
Liu Chaniang nodded, "Your Majesty can rest assured. I understand—diplomacy first, force as a last resort."
"..." Xiao Yunzhou coughed lightly, "Then go choose some whips... the kind that won't cause fatalities."
Liu Chaniang quickly lowered her head to hide her smile.
Xiao Chuchu was thoroughly amused.
But when she looked at the live stream from the Sewing Cottage, her inner thoughts immediately began to chatter.
[Oh no! The timid woman who said she wanted to apply for a job as a seamstress—her husband has come looking for her, saying he's not afraid of the Imperial Consort!]
[He claims that even if the Emperor or the Jade Emperor himself were to come, he would be the one to collect his wife's sewing wages from the Sewing Cottage!]
[Oh dear, he even shoved Aunt Pei—]
[Now he's trying to beat his wife at the entrance!]
Liu Chaniang immediately stood up.
"Your Majesty, I shall go with Wei Zheng to select those whips now!"