Chapter 173: with translation of chapter title

The whole family's faces changed dramatically in an instant.

Cheng Ru'an walked to her husband's side, took her daughter's hand: "Tuan Tuan, do you know Da Xia's National Preceptor?"

Tuan Tuan blinked: "I don't know, Mother, what's his name?"

Cheng Ru'an glanced at her husband, silently shaking her head.

Xiao Ningyuan and Xiao Ningxun walked over, took the letter from their father's hand.

The two looked at the letter, then at Tuan Tuan.

Cheng Ru'an's heart raced: "Tuan Tuan, do you know your origins? Do you want to know?"

Xiao Yuanhang tightened his arms, the whole family stared nervously at Tuan Tuan, thinking the same thing: Tuan Tuan is one of us! No matter where she comes from!

Tuan Tuan tilted her little head, thought, then looked at everyone, imitating Jifeng's tone, grinning: "My business is none of his damn business!"

Everyone's hearts settled back into their stomachs; Cheng Ru'an pursed her lips at her daughter: "Don't talk like that— that's what those men say, you mustn't learn it."

"Oh, got it!" Tuan Tuan hugged her father's big head: "Daddy! I still want to be lifted high!"

Xiao Yuanhang laughed: "All right! Let's keep playing!"

Xiao Ningxun carefully put the letter away, slipping it into his sleeve.

Two days later, morning court.

The Minister of Revenue was reporting: "Your Majesty, if the measures of this trade grand gathering can all be implemented, I believe only one year is needed."

"Goods will be abundant, the treasury full; our dynasty will surely present a scene where all artisans' tools are ready and all nations' treasures gather together."

"The foundation of our nation's strength will from now on be even more solid!"

He beamed with joy; the Ministry of Revenue will henceforth never worry about insufficient funds again!

"Good! Good!" Xiao Jieyun was delighted.

"Sheng Zhan, keep an eye on Da Xia, and hand over those three cities as soon as possible, incorporating them into our dynasty's map!"

Sheng Zhan stepped forward: "Yes! Your Majesty! This old subject will not fail the command!"

"This trade grand gathering was proposed by the Second Son of Prince Ning, and the greatest contributor is the Ning Prince's legitimate daughter, Princess Jiayou."

"Convey my imperial decree: the eldest son of Prince Ning, Xiao Ningyuan, appointed as Vice Minister of Revenue; the second son, Xiao Ningchen, as Central Commandant, overseeing the capital's defense; the third son, Xiao Ningxun, appointed as Vice Minister of Works."

"Princess Jiayou, whose merit is immense, is hereby specially appointed to the post of Jiziu of the Nüzi Jian, to manifest her virtue! May she continue to strive and not disappoint my expectations!"

The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted in an uproar.

"Nüzi Jian?"

"What is that? When was it established?"

"I've never heard of it! Could it be that they want women to study for the imperial examinations? Absurd!"

Xiao Yuanhang stepped forward, bowed: "Your Majesty's grace is vast; I, your subject, receive the decree!"

Turning to face the officials: "The Nüzi Jian was proposed by my daughter; its aim is to enable all women of our fierce nation to learn a skill, so they can support themselves independently without relying on fathers or brothers, and furthermore be able to serve the state and family with what they have learned."

Xiao Jieyun nodded: "Exactly! The Princess (Commandery)'s actions benefit the state and the people. If the Princess (Commandery) has any needs, all departments must exert their utmost to assist, without error. Should anyone shirk or be lax, I will surely punish them severely!"

The officials looked at each other, utterly astonished—something they had never heard before!

But the emperor had already issued a strict decree; no one dared to speak further: "Your humble servant obeys the order!"

Ning Prince's Mansion.

"Our Tuan Tuan, made… Jiziu?" Cheng Ru'an couldn't believe it.

Xiao Yuanhang took a sip of tea: "Yes, yesterday I went to see the emperor and mentioned this to His Majesty. You know, nowadays the emperor hardly ever refuses Tuan Tuan anything."

"This trade grand gathering, Tuan Tuan contributed greatly, but she already has the title of princess and a fief; His Majesty was worrying what to reward her with, and upon hearing this was something Tuan Tuan wanted to do, he issued an decree, opening wide the doors of convenience for her to accomplish it."

Cheng Ru'an felt some worry: "Prince, can this Nüzi Jian really succeed?"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled: "Whatever Tuan Tuan wants to do, we will fully support her. No need to worry; the children are already capable of standing on their own, rest assured— we're still here."

Cheng Ru'an nodded: "Liu Mama, go tell the young lady about this."

"Yes." Liu Mama came to the garden.

Tuan Tuan was riding on Xiao Er's neck, straining to reach a fruit on the tree: "Uncle Er, go higher! I'll give you the fruit once I pick it!"

Xiao Er's shoulder injury had healed; he supported her two little legs: "Young lady, take it easy— if you can't reach it, I'll pick it for you."

Tuan Tuan's little hand stretched out with effort: "I got it!"

Xiao Er squatted down; Tuan Tuan happily slid to the ground, holding up the little fruit: "Uncle Er, here you go!"

Xiao Er smiled as he took it, carefully placing it into his bosom.

"Huh, Granny! Why are you here?"

Liu Mama had just been watching, not daring to breathe, afraid she'd startle her and cause her to fall.

Seeing her feet land, she then approached and explained the whole matter.

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Imperial Uncle has appointed me Jiziu of the Nüzi Jian? How wonderful! Come on, Uncle Er, let's go check out the Nüzi Jian. Do you know where it is?"

"I also don't know how those young ladies are doing these days."

Xiao Er nodded; Liu Mama hurriedly said: "I'll go have them prepare the carriage."

All the way they arrived outside a large compound in the northern part of the city.

Xiao Er lifted Tuan Tuan off the carriage: "This is the place."

Tuan Tuan looked up: "What a huge compound! And there's a big gate— not bad."

She took Xiao Er's big hand: "Come on, let's go inside."

Upon entering the gate, the ground was clean, the houses tidy, yet everything was utterly silent.

Tuan Tuan looked left and right: "Huh, why is there no one?"

After walking a bit further inside, she saw several garments hanging out to dry.

"Young lady?!" A girl set down her water basin and ran over.

It was the little girl who got beaten with a rattan that day.

She ran to Tuan Tuan, knelt and kowtowed: "Miss, you finally came!"

Tuan Tuan hurriedly helped her: "Why are you kneeling? Get up quickly. Are you okay here? Where are those other Misses?"

The little girl nodded: "Thank you, Miss, for giving us such a good place to stay."

She turned and shouted: "Sister Ying! Juanzi! Come out quickly! Miss is here to see us!"

The little girls that Tuan Tuan rescued that day heard this and rushed out.

Gathering around Tuan Tuan, they chattered: "Miss, you finally came!"

"Thank you, Miss, for letting us stay here!"

Tuan Tuan looked up at them with a little face, thinking how nice they were, their faces all rosy.

Tuan Tuan asked: "Has no master come to teach you a craft yet?"

The little girls exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Tuan Tuan understood: Father had found a place and brought them in, but hadn't had time to find them a master.

Tuan Tuan patted her chest: "Imperial Uncle appointed me as the Jiziu of the Nüzi Jian! I'll find you a master!"

"What is a Jiziu?"

Tuan Tuan thought for a moment, also not understanding: "It just means the head, you know!"

The little girls' faces lit with surprise: "That's great!"

"Will you all show me around, okay? Whatever you lack, I'll get it for you."

The little girls accompanied her, touring the entire Nüzi Jian.

When they returned to the gate area, a woman in her thirties, carrying a basket of vegetables, walked over.

Seeing Tuan Tuan, the woman quickly bowed: "Please convey my respects to the Princess (Commandery); I am surnamed Guo, and by order of the Princess Consort I am here to look after them."

Tuan Tuan cheerfully called out: "Hello, Grandma Guo."

"They all call me Aunt Guo; the Princess may address me however she wishes."

Tuan Tuan heard that and said: "Aunt Guo, hello!"

Aunt Guo fidgeted, rubbing her hands: "Princess, you are too courteous. May I ask why the Princess is here today?"

Tuan Tuan replied: "Of course I'm here to get this Nüzi Jian properly organized!"

"Aunt Guo, are you the only one here taking care of so many of them?"

Aunt Guo nodded: "Yes. Actually they can do everything themselves—cook, wash, everything. I'm just keeping them company."

Tuan Tuan asked: "Aunt Guo, is anything missing here now?"

Aunt Guo thought: "If it's convenient for the Princess, I'd like to get a big dog to guard the gate."

"All the residents are women; sometimes at night we hear some noises, which are quite frightening. If there were a big dog, whatever noises occur, I wouldn't be scared."

"Noises at night?" Tuan Tuan frowned.

Xiao Er suddenly looked up, his eyes sharpening.

Aunt Guo replied: "Yes, Princess, these past few days we often hear unusual noises at night, and we don't know what they are."

Tuan Tuan's eyes flashed: "I'll get a big dog for you tomorrow!"