Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 390 Plaque
The girls' charity school opened on the first day of December, and the emperor went to Yun Hao to question him the next day. "Jingyao, I heard that your wife and Yixing have set up a girls' charity school. What are their intentions?" The emperor's voice was filled with majesty and curiosity.

"Your Majesty, they are doing good deeds and praying for their children." Yun Hao evaded the question casually. As for the real reason, there was no need to tell the emperor.

And even if he said it, the emperor would probably think he had a mental problem.

In the emperor's opinion, men are superior and women are inferior, and women can only depend on men to live.

Upon hearing this, the emperor said happily: "Doing good and accumulating virtue is a great merit. I am very pleased and you deserve a reward."

"Your Majesty, I dare not accept your reward. I have a favor to ask for." Yun Hao bowed and said.

"What's the matter? Tell me about it."

"I think the name 'Girls' Charity School' is too straightforward and not elegant enough. I haven't thought of a name yet, so I would like to ask Your Majesty to give it to me."

The emperor was silent for a moment, then said, "The Girls' Charity School is intended to educate girls, so that they can read and understand reason and know the world. How about calling it 'Mingli Hall'?"

Yun Hao said: "Your Majesty's choice of name is very good. The three characters 'Mingli Hall' are both elegant and in line with the purpose of the girls' charity school."

The emperor laughed, "Okay, then let's call it Mingli Hall. I will have someone draft an edict to appoint your wife as the head of Mingli Hall and give her a plaque as encouragement."

Yun Hao hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, we are grateful for your kindness, but the principal of the school is Princess Pingyang."

With the plaque bestowed by the emperor, no one dared to interfere or cause trouble.

The emperor was stunned for a moment, then he burst into laughter. "So Pingyang is also involved. It's a good thing that she has this intention. I believe that with Pingyang here, Mingli Hall will get better and better."

The emperor personally drafted the decree and ordered people to carefully make a plaque with the words "Mingli Hall" and had the eunuchs deliver it to the girls' charity school.

Although they had used the name of Princess Pingyang to promote Mingli Hall, there were still many people gossiping about them in secret, and some even suspected that they were using the name of a school to run a bookstore for profit.

Yao Shanzhi was so angry, "Do I need money that badly? Do I need to destroy my reputation and open a bookstore? I am the county lady, and you are the lady of the imperial court. We both have salaries, okay?"

Zhao Wangshu comforted her, "Don't be angry, do you remember the story of Mr. Dongpo and Zen Master Foyin?"

Yao Shanzhi held his chin with both hands, "Tell me about it."

Zhao Wangshu smiled and told the story: "Once, Mr. Dongpo went to Jinshan Temple to meditate with Zen Master Foyin. Dongpo felt that he had made progress in Zen practice, so he asked the Zen Master: 'What do you think of me when I meditate?' Zen Master Foyin replied: 'I look like a Buddha!' Dongpo asked again: 'What do you think you look like?' Zen Master Foyin replied: 'A pile of cow dung.' Mr. Dongpo laughed after hearing this, thinking that the Zen Master had lost a move, and he told everyone he met: 'I won today!' The news reached his sister Su Xiaomei, who asked: 'Brother! How did you beat the Zen Master?' Su Dongpo was overjoyed and narrated the story truthfully. Su Xiaomei was extremely talented and had outstanding talents. After listening to Su Dongpo's proud narration, she said seriously: 'Brother! You lost! The Zen Master's heart is like Buddha, so he sees you as Buddha, and your heart is like cow dung, so you see the Zen Master as cow dung!'"

"What a good story, Yue'er, you told it very well. It's more interesting than the one told by the storyteller." Yao Shanzhi said with bright eyes.

"This story tells us that we should not care about how others see us. What matters is how you see yourself." Zhao Wangshu said righteously, "As long as we have a clear conscience, we don't need to care about those gossips."

After hearing this, Yao Shanzhi's anger subsided a little and he nodded, "You are right, as long as we do our best, those gossips will naturally fall apart." At this moment, the eunuch came to Mingli Hall with the emperor's edict and plaque.

The students of Mingli Hall gathered around and watched curiously.

The three big characters "Minglitang" on the plaque shine with gold, looking solemn and majestic.

Now with the emperor's order, all the gossip naturally disappeared, and no one dared to question the existence and purpose of Mingli Hall.

Before the school started, it took great efforts to recruit 30 students. After the emperor bestowed the plaque, some wives of officials wanted to send their daughters to study in Mingli Hall. Many noble ladies also visited Mingli Hall to see its charm.
For a time, Mingli Hall became famous and became a popular place for women in the capital to study. Those who had been skeptical about Mingli Hall also changed their views and began to take a strong interest in this school.

So, Zhao Wangshu and Yao Shanzhi began to be annoyed by the visitors.

This morning, Zhao Wangshu was playing a visual game with his son on the kang. "Son, look here."

Lan Fen came in with a few more visiting cards, "Young Madam."

"After you read it, just reply as I said before. There's no need to show it to me again." A hint of annoyance flashed in Zhao Wangshu's eyes.

Officials have the money to send their children to private schools or official schools, but they insist on rushing to grab the places in charity schools. Aren’t they just bored?
"Yes, Madam." Lan Fen took the invitation and went out. As soon as she lifted the curtain, she saw Yao Shanzhi coming over here. She turned around and reported, "Madam, the Princess of Yixing County is here."

Ever since Princess Pingyang saw that Yao Shanzhi was no longer thinking about eating and drinking all day, and knew that she should be busy with serious matters, she let her go out in the winter.

Zhao Wangshu got down from the kang and picked up little Yunyu. "Your godmother is here. Let's go meet her."

As soon as I reached the door, Yao Shanzhi came in, lifting the curtain. "It's going to snow outside. Where are you going?"

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm bringing your godson to meet you." Zhao Wangshu said with a smile.

"Why are you being so polite? Yu'er, wait until godmother warms herself up before I hug you." Yao Shanzhi took off her snow hat and cloak, and went to the copper stove to warm herself by the fire.

Zhao Wangshu held his son and sat back on the kang. "Zhizi, what's the matter with you coming here?"

"It's nothing serious. I just came to complain to you. Those noble ladies have been sending visiting cards to bother me. I've told you that Minglitang is a charity school that accepts poor girls, not noble girls. But they still refuse to give up and keep bothering me. If my mother hadn't restrained me, I would have taken action. Do they really think that I have been cultivating my mind and temper over the years and won't hit anyone anymore?" Yao Shanzhi said angrily.

Zhao Wangshu frowned and said, "Yes, I am also very annoyed. I received several visiting cards today.

"It's so annoying. It's so cold, can't they stay at home during the winter?" Yao Shanzhi warmed herself up and came over to hug Xiao Yunyu.

"Or, we should post a notice stating that Mingli Hall only accepts poor students and does not accept children of officials, and what courses are offered in Mingli Hall. After they see this, they should not be so persistent in sending people in." Zhao Wangshu suggested.

Yao Shanzhi's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea. I'll have them write a notice and post it up later."