Xie Shilian, no, she should be called Lu Qianhuang now, shook her head in confusion. "To be honest, Your Highness, I was just about to ask you that question."
Based on her understanding of Lu Qingwan, Lu Qingwan was not a saint who repaid kindness with benevolence, and would keep her even knowing she had made a mistake.
Naming her something so conspicuous was one thing, but to also give herself Lu Qingwan's surname was another.
Given Lu Qingwan's current status, countless people would wish to be related to her. To bear the Lu surname was now a rare and sought-after honor.
Yet, Lu Qianhuang had been struck by this unexpected windfall. How could she not be bewildered?
It wasn't just Lu Qianhuang herself; many people around Lu Qingwan also didn't understand why Lu Qingwan, who had always been decisive and swift, would be so magnanimous to someone who had once betrayed her.
Lu Qingwan did not hide her intentions.
She stated plainly, "Do you remember why Xie Shiyu's reputation was ruined and she offended so many people that even your mother, who was so indecisive, had to send her to the estate?"
Lu Qianhuang, not understanding, replied, "I naturally remember. Wasn't it because she spoke carelessly and uttered nonsense, shouting about equality for all and that women should have opportunities to display their talents and not be mere appendages to men? Such absurd remarks angered the censors. However, what does Your Highness keeping me have to do with Xie Shiyu?"
Lu Qianhuang's dislike for Xie Shiyu was already ingrained in her bones. Just mentioning the name caused her beautiful face, which had once made Lu Qingwan herself lose her senses, to crease like a steamed bun.
Lu Qingwan even suspected that if she said she was keeping Lu Qianhuang for Xie Shiyu, she might just pack up and leave.
However, Xie Shiyu truly did not have that much influence over her.
With a scoff, her calm, steady eyes held a confidence and audacity that made Lu Qianhuang freeze, along with a startling ambition.
Lu Qingwan slowly said, "Everything Xie Shiyu said is what I wish to achieve. With the new dynasty newly established, while my words still carry some weight, I want to carve out a place for us women in this court dominated by men. I don't ask for immediate complete equality as Xie Shiyu proposed, with women having broad avenues for their talents. But at least I want to do my utmost to elevate the status of women in future generations. I don't want those old fossils to only think of hens crowing at dawn whenever they see a woman doing something important, nor do I want people to take it for granted that only men can achieve great things and women are merely their appendages. Even if I can make people realize that what men can do, women can also do, then the risk I'm taking by keeping you will be worth it."
Lu Qianhuang had never expected Lu Qingwan to keep her for such an impractical reason.
Due to Lu Qingwan's status and the kindness she had shown her, Lu Qianhuang dared not reprimand Lu Qingwan as she had Xie Shiyu. However, her shock at Lu Qingwan's words was evident on her face.
"Are you mad?" Lu Qianhuang exclaimed. "You know what Xie Shiyu did in the past. If it weren't for Xiao Jing'an's protection, Xie Shiyu would have been sent to a nunnery. You are about to become the Empress. Do you know that if you propose such things, those old fossils will spare no effort to pull you down from the position of the Empress?"
Lu Qingwan smiled. "I know! That's why I don't plan to tell them. But if a woman stands in court based on her own abilities, and those old fossils want to expel her, they will have to ask me if I agree."
Lu Qianhuang looked at Lu Qingwan with an expression of "Can it really be like this?" For a long moment, she silently bowed and cupped her fist. "Your Highness, I understand. Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will firmly establish myself in the new dynasty's court and will not leave without bringing out a few female officials who can stand in the front court. If I fail, I will die in court."
Such a solemn oath did not evoke much emotion from Lu Qingwan. She calmly said, "Ying Yi, arrange her new identity."
Ying Yi quietly led Lu Qianhuang away. After watching them leave, Li Su said in a low voice, "Your Highness, it's time to go back. Matters in Beiw Wei have been mostly settled. We should return to Shangjing."
Although a new capital had been proposed, the relocation of the capital was a major undertaking. Most of the people who could be utilized by Si Fengwu were still in Shangjing. Their return was to address the matter of the capital and the appointments of officials across various regions. Lu Qingwan could no longer stay in Beiw Wei.
Casting a final glance at Guihua City, Lu Qingwan turned and descended from the Star-Gazing Tower. "Regarding what I just told Lu Qianhuang, what are your thoughts?"
Li Su pursed her lips. "If it means less suffering for women in the world, I naturally welcome it. However, I believe Lu Qianhuang's concerns are not unfounded. This matter will be very difficult. I worry that with one wrong step, you will end up like Xie Shiyu, becoming a target of public condemnation. Even if His Highness can protect you, you yourself are not like Xie Shiyu, who claimed not to be a man's appendage while simultaneously seeking favor from men. But if this truly escalates, it might not only put you but also His Highness in a difficult predicament!"
Although Lu Qingwan had encountered many difficulties since arriving in this world, Si Fengwu had always protected her. Now, she also had a corresponding low status, making many people hesitant to speak their minds even if they had opinions. Therefore, she only knew that this era was unfair to women but did not realize how strong the resistance was to improving the status of women.
However, Li Su, who lived and grew up in this era, was acutely aware of how difficult it was for women to gain a foothold in court and compete fairly with men in business. She also knew how relentlessly those so-called wise ministers in court worked to suppress women. As a woman herself, and especially one who had been influenced by Lu Qingwan and respected by the Xuan Jia Army soldiers and some court officials, Li Su naturally wished for women's status to improve. But when she thought of the difficulties and obstacles Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu might face in achieving this goal, she couldn't help but worry for her two masters.
Lu Qingwan smiled and patted Li Su's hand, which was supporting her. "Why worry so much? I'll ask you this: do you want to be called 'General' like Shen Qingzhou, Li Jin, and Li Yang?" The few people around Si Fengwu had all experienced life and death on the battlefield. Li Jin and others served as guards around Si Fengwu, and on the battlefield, they became generals. Only Li Su, even when wielding a saber and fighting enemies on the battlefield, would still be called 'Guard Li Su' by the soldiers. It wasn't because she lacked ability or strength, but simply because she was a woman, and everyone automatically ignored the fact that she was also fighting to the death.