si-mexico Chapter 457 Opening Ceremony of the Great Qin Women's Academy
Chapter 457 Opening Ceremony of the Great Qin Women's Academy
The morning mist in Xianyang had not yet dissipated. When Li Yanran pushed open the carved wooden door, her fingertips touched the lingering coolness. The snow that had fallen softly last night had vanished as if by magic, leaving only a few dark marks on the bluestone slabs, like the sighs left behind by snow fairies.
She subconsciously pulled her honeysuckle-embroidered ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) tighter around her neck and walked lightly toward the central square of the academy. Su Yao, who was with her, was vividly describing the Shu brocade that had just arrived at her shop. Liu Cui and Zhao Xiaoya occasionally joined in with jokes, and the laughter of the four of them was like a broken silver bell, startling a few sleeping sparrows from the eaves.
Looking into the distance, the large square was already bustling with people. The students were dressed in uniform dark blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), their hair adorned with colorful silk flowers, resembling a hundred flowers blooming in early spring. As Li Yanran tiptoed to look, a familiar figure came into view—Lin Yue was chatting and laughing with several unfamiliar women. Today, she had changed into a moon-white cross-collar ruqun, with a light purple sash tied around her waist, making her look like a graceful magnolia.
"Lin Yue!" Li Yanran called out and quickly went to greet her. The two held hands and smiled at each other, as if the time they had parted yesterday had never existed. During the introductions, Li Yanran learned that the women were merchant girls from Sichuan and hunters' daughters from Longxi, all of whom had traveled thousands of miles to Xianyang because of Princess Jiayang's decree to establish a girls' academy.
Just as everyone was chatting happily, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from afar, startling the students in the square who all looked in the direction of the sound. A bronze chariot decorated with black bird patterns slowly came to a stop at the entrance of the square, the bronze bells on both sides of the chariot shafts tinkling as if playing a welcoming melody.
The carriage curtain parted slightly, and a figure in a long black robe stepped out. The jade pendants at his waist clinked together with each step, producing a clear, melodious sound, like ice breaking in a cold pool. King Ying Zheng of Qin's gaze swept across the entire room, his imposing presence causing everyone present to involuntarily hold their breath.
Immediately afterward, another carriage slowly approached. The moment the curtain was lifted, a vibrant red figure, like a dancing flame, leaped into everyone's view. Princess Jiayang, Ying Wuyou, wore a crimson cloak over a moon-white inner garment. Her skin was as white as snow, and her features were exquisite. She possessed both the elegance of a royal noblewoman and the vivacity of a young girl.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Princess!" The unified sound of kowtows echoed across the square. Li Yanran lay prostrate on the ground, able to clearly hear her own heart pounding. She secretly glanced up and saw the King of Qin raise his hand to signal everyone to rise. His gentle words carried an undeniable authority: "There is no need for the formalities between ruler and subject today."
The opening ceremony commenced amidst rousing drum music. King Ying Zheng of Qin sat regally on the high platform, the black bird banners behind him fluttering in the wind, reflecting the sternness of his face. As he rose and slowly walked to the center of the platform, the entire square fell silent.
"In the past, Duke Mu redeemed a worthy man by offering five rams, and his horse drank from the Yellow River; Duke Xiao moved a tree to establish trust, and he became a tiger in Guanzhong!"
After a pause, the King of Qin continued, "Now, the seven states are vying for supremacy. Without the laws of Shang Yang, they cannot strengthen their armies; without the strategies of Guan Zhong, they cannot enrich their states! Yet, looking throughout the land, the number of books stored away in libraries is ten thousand times greater than the number of bamboo slips in a woman's hand!"
He suddenly turned around, glanced at Ying Wuyou, and continued, "My daughter established this academy not for the sake of women's cosmetics! It is to let the women of Qin wield the pen as if it were a sword, and the abacus as if it were a spear! When the Hangu Pass opens and the states come to pay tribute, let the world know—the mighty Qin, how can it lack beauties!"
As the King of Qin finished speaking, Princess Jiayang stepped forward gracefully, her steps light and elegant, as if the whole world made way for her.
As she reached the center of the square, she suddenly yanked it, and her crimson cloak billowed through the air like a blazing flame. It resembled a burning battle flag, fluttering in the wind and startling thousands of birds in the square. As if overwhelmed by Princess Jiayang's imposing presence, the birds took flight, circling in the air and creating a beautiful spectacle.
Princess Jiayang stood against the backdrop of fluttering white doves, like a fairy descending to earth. Her fingertips lightly traced the hem of her cloak, where a magnificent landscape was embroidered in gold thread. The lines were delicate, the colors vibrant, as if the entire majestic landscape of the Qin Dynasty had been condensed onto this small piece of fabric.
"Sisters, look at these cloaks!" Princess Jiayang's clear and resonant voice echoed across the square. Her gaze swept over everyone present, her eyes gleaming with confidence and determination. "In the past, when Empress Dowager Xuan ruled, Qin's swords pierced the Yiqu, and its might shook the world; today, we, who study here, should also use our pens and ink as swords to expand our territory and write our own glorious chapter!"
Princess Jiayang's words resonated in people's hearts like the morning bell and evening drum. Her voice revealed a boldness and domineering spirit, which inspired everyone.
After saying this, Princess Jiayang suddenly stepped down from the platform and walked straight to Liu Cui, who was standing in the first row. Liu Cui was a petite woman with delicate features, and her hands were somewhat rough from long hours of labor. However, Princess Jiayang showed no disdain; she gently took Liu Cui's hand and lifted it high into the sky.
"Here, agriculture, sericulture, and textiles are not shackles binding us, but the foundation of a prosperous nation; poetry and songs are not merely pastimes, but powerful tools for educating people!" Princess Jiayang's voice grew increasingly impassioned. "When you have completed your studies in three years, I hope to see some of you—some who can make caravans travel across the world, some who can rewrite history, and some who can defend the land of our Great Qin!"
All eyes were on Princess Jiayang and Liu Cui, as if they saw hope and light for the future.
These words struck like a thunderbolt, and Li Yanran felt her blood rush to her head. She saw the burning ambition in Su Yao's eyes, Lin Yue's clenched fist trembled slightly, and in the distance, the King of Qin was looking at his daughter, a smile more proud than the Black Bird Totem blooming on his cold face for the first time.
Looking at the King of Qin and Princess Jiayang on the high platform, Li Yanran suddenly felt that the fleeting snow yesterday might have been a prelude to today's extraordinary encounter—after the snow melts, spring will come when all things grow.
On this day, the students of Daqin Women's Academy remembered the emperor's earth-shattering words and the princess's lofty aspirations.
After the ceremony, the students gathered in small groups to discuss their future aspirations. Li Yanran and Lin Yue sat together, their eyes filled with determination. "I'm determined to learn the ways of business and make Qin's goods available to all countries," Su Yao said first, her eyes sparkling.
Liu Cui was not to be outdone: "I want to spread the methods of farming and sericulture to more places so that people can have enough to eat and wear."
Lin Yue gently stroked the book in her hand: "I want to write books and leave a lasting mark on the women of Qin."
Zhao Xiaoya gripped the bamboo slip tightly in her hand. She took a deep breath, her gaze fixed firmly on the distance, a strong sense of mission welling up in her heart.
“I want to study the law,” she said softly, her voice low but full of determination and conviction, “so that the people will never be left without a place to seek justice, so that there will be no more wrongful convictions in the world, so that everyone has laws to follow and laws to protect them. Let the law become the fairest and most just scale in the world.”
Hearing everyone's aspirations, Li Yanran felt a fire ignite in her heart: "I want to become a female strategist who can offer advice and strategies for the Great Qin."
The group exchanged smiles, as if seeing their hopeful future selves reflected in each other. From then on, their diligent study was a common sight throughout the academy. With the expectations of the King of Qin and the Princess, these women of Qin, like seedlings breaking through the soil, diligently absorbed the nourishment of knowledge, striving to grow towards their own spring.
Little did they know what magnificent chapters these newly enrolled female students would write in the future.