A widow without children was ranked one of the lower, but scarcely higher than that of a daughter-in-law. Who married into the family and were expected to take anything be it absolute humiliation, cheating, beatings like them. And divorces were granted only if the woman asked and have her wounds examined or otherwise.
“Honestly I wonder whether this all began from when we listened to them. Sure it was the word of their day, but why are we heeding the wisdom of someone who has been dead over a thousand years. In a thousand years, a lot of things has changed for China. Even as there have been things which sprung up, but there are some which till now I do not get. Maybe for an Emperor, I do.”
“I also do, since you’re the richest man in the entire world. You can have anything you want, and anything you wish. Even as for some ministers they do not take concubines, while all the lower ranking scholar families were that as well.”
While realizing just how different they were. They were speaking and perhaps mocking some of the most traditional ways they were looking at. She was raised by someone so removed from it, while he merely took the time to see and realize just why.
“And that it is necessary. Since being an Emperor would sometimes mean having to marry someone you don’t like but is appropriate because of her family.” While also showing how it was applied. “And it would make sense to also do it to all the richest families as well, since you would need their support. And that’s how a harem is probably made.”
She laughed, while seeing her father behind her. Not blinking an eye on what they were discussing, but of course he chose to leave after seeing him. A necessity it was. “You both are getting along well.”
“I apologize for what is said.”
“What you believe in is simply what we can’t control. Because as parents, there comes a day that we won’t be here for you. But still, that was a fairly interesting discussion. One that I can attest to myself.” Experiencing both love and at the same time much loss. She knew that her father had gone through both, and did not comment. “And very true, to his own word. Although in mine, I was devastated after her death. And they forced me so I didn’t have much of a choice. Now, your grandmother would want to see you.”
Choosing to bring her deep into the rooms again, further into the region which were given for girls to live upon. Before the door opened, perhaps he sought because otherwise it would be a frantic search suggesting that she was fleeing the house.
Before she was brought deep into it, where she was already feeling an immense ability to not trust anything here. But she stepped inside, to face the woman who was her grandmother. Sitting while she stood, the sign that she was so very well respected and also enjoyable by this point at the very least.
“I’ve been looking for you.” She said it, keenly aware that perhaps she done an affront to her. Especially when she left instead, or rather choosing to leave. This was not anything which they could choose to do at least right now.
She bowed down, knowing that it was best to try and avoid trouble as much as possible. There was no point in trying to do anything while they were here at the very least, while they were trying right now. At least a situation which they could not rectify or truly try to.
“You know what we are supposed to do.”
“Obey our fathers when young and then our husbands when married and grown. Be a good mother children and associate herself with womanly virtues.” She almost revolted while speaking of this at the very least, deep within herself where she not only immensely disliked it but also found it with such an issue that she would not do so again.
“It seems that that mother of yours has done one right thing. I’ll repay her later, when you’re married.” So, in a sense keeping her docile and here. Even as she did not depend on them, she ran her own restaurant. Free from their threats, sure they could threaten her. But it was her father who would prevent such pettiness.
She may have raised the unruly member of her house, but anything could be said about why they did not choose to do so. Such as why they had not raised her, or why she was taken in such a dubious fashion that many people would have questioned it. She was not related to them, even as she was put into a situation of much legal greyness that it would be immensely difficult to even remotely untangle right now.
“Of course, I thank you on her behalf.” Be dutiful, and no one would find it strange. It was the woman who was there for her and raised her as well. Just as she barely kept a smile on her face. The sort which she used to deal with her customers whenever they raised her ire.
Not much, except than to smile. But to keep her own thoughts to herself, she was powerless here. She had not much say. “How about I pick a set of jewelry for you, you certainly need it once you go over.”
And one of the heirlooms. Down there, there were many. She chose the last of the last, which revealed itself to be that of her mother’s. Where she did not do much but add another to it. Two of them, as it seems. Perhaps because she was cautious in her behavior, never to do anything.
“Marriage is the only road which is given to all women. That is the truth.” She did not even need to bring the others up, for her mother did not lead a leisurely life. She worked, but now she could work from the side. Away from all of this but also able to retain all of it, rather than one which hanged by a thread.
This riches were all promised based on a couple of things, the ability to deliver a son. There was never an element there which was calculated, or she could simply reboot again. And why an old woman was at her most dangerous, if she did not have any children.
“I hope you will do well to remember this.” Not something which was lied upon, since her mother was so different. So removed from all of this, as well as so vaguely different. She walked out with them, and seeing her father alone.
Before knowing that he also wanted a word with her. Perhaps seeing it. The wedding gift. “I did not have much use for it, and when I married her around three years later there was no mention of it again. She didn’t want it, for it didn’t make her easy.”
Even as he looked at it before returning. “This is very much yours, as I always did intend to pass it back to you. She never liked it and this would benefit you as well.” An extra gift.
She guessed that she should not have sold it. Or perhaps bring it with her when necessary. But he also gave her something else. Plenty of ingots. “Not for the wedding but perhaps when you decide to leave. For you need the gold after all, to find a place to run to and leave.”
She kept it within herself at the very least. “Why?”
“Because I owe you that much. I left you with her, and you are my daughter. To see you happy, is all that matters. Not a secure or glorious future. That is never the case here, because you will find your way. Just as she had done so when she paid her debt and became an owner.” Unlike others, who thought that they needed someone. He did not trust nor did he believe in that, but knew that she perhaps knew what to think.
To her, that was all that mattered. She just wanted to be able to do as she wished in her life.
“Thank you, but I’m not sure I need it.”
“Keep it. Consider it a gift from father to daughter, in case it should ever be used. Back then, when I left you I believed that it was better to never contact you. But since I’m here today, I want to free you to allow you to really go on. You have a mind on your own, and since I was never here I can’t make any.”
“And my mother does that as well.” While keeping it, guessing that it was a gift of sorts. In return for not showing up for most of her childhood and leaving her here. “Did you ever thought of coming back?”
“That was something I resolved myself to not ask, but if I had the chance or heard about you somewhere close I might have. I did not have any contact with your mother, so I did not know much about how she raised you other than it was to the principles that we agreed upon when we married. Just that it was a shame she could not instill those in you herself.”
She knew in its own way, this was also serving on behalf on that as well. The fact that he perhaps knew that he could not, and knew that it was better to leave her to someone who would teach her that she was an equal. Not something to be traded around, but a person with her own thoughts and beliefs. That also translated to her own goals. She left the place, still knowing that he was not forcing her by any means.
She could choose, and he was supportive of that.
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