"This is a perfect opportunity to bring women into the fold."
"We often talk about women's liberation and gender equality, but we can't just wait until after the country is established to issue a policy and forcefully demand equality. No one would accept that!"
"Only by letting women take the first step, by letting everyone witness firsthand the capabilities of women, can we show that they are not just dependent on men. They too are strong and talented, and they can also enter the battlefield to defend their homes and country!"
"The hardships men can endure, women can endure just as well!"
"Only then will the common people start to truly accept this from the bottom of their hearts!"
Gender equality has never been just a slogan!
It requires thousands upon thousands of women to prove with their abilities, and even with their lives and blood, that they too can hold up half the sky!
In the face of life and death, they are equally fearless!
Most women from well-to-do households may not have the physical strength of men, but there are many farmwomen whose strength shouldn't be underestimated. They can also organize a women's shock troop!
Other women from noble households can take charge of the rear lines, traversing through artillery fire and smoke to rescue the wounded from the battlefield.
Whether they are warriors charging into battle or nurses braving the frontlines to save lives, they are all heroes!
"You've read my mind," said Gu Sang, her words striking a chord with what the Elder Princess had been thinking. A glint of determination and agreement flashed in her eyes.
"I originally had this plan too, to issue a notice recruiting a women's guard unit."
"But—"
The Elder Princess's words came to an abrupt halt, her gaze falling upon several royal physicians.
Having walked the palace halls for years, the physicians understood the Elder Princess's look and spoke up respectfully: "Elder Princess, Miss Gu, times are changing. We too should no longer cling to old customs!"
"We are willing to impart medical skills to women without reservation!"
"We are willing to impart medical skills to women without reservation!"
The Elder Princess felt a surge of excitement in her heart: "Excellent! You gentlemen care for the common people and are willing to break societal rules. I am gratified and also admire your stance!"
"From now on, here, we will no longer allow the suppression of the poor, the oppression of the common people, or the belittlement of women!"
"We will move step by step towards gender equality!"
Watching the Elder Princess's increasingly adept way of handling matters, Gu Sang felt as if she were witnessing the embryonic form of communism.
Gu Sang truly felt she was seeing a new era about to emerge!
There;
No one will go hungry!
Men and women will be equal!
Love will be free!
-
The next day.
Gu Sang returned to her local school to request leave.
The academic affairs teacher, looking at this figure that had grown thin in just a few short days, and recalling the videos online, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Gu Sang's ordeal.
She wanted to offer some words of comfort but feared bringing up painful memories Gu Sang might not want to revisit. The teacher patted Gu Sang's shoulder and said, "Take some time to recover at home first."
"Don't feel burdened. Your future is bright; the harm done to you will only make you stronger."
"You can travel with friends to broaden your horizons. Don't stay at home alone with your thoughts. If things get too tough, you can always come talk to me."
The academic affairs teacher was genuinely concerned!
She worried that Gu Sang might become trapped in the shadow of her abduction, her personality drastically changing, leading to depression and even death.
After all;
There were countless examples in the news of students who, because of trauma, developed psychological scars. Students who should have been shining in society, went from being geniuses to just another face in the crowd.
But in reality, Gu Sang's heart remained unperturbed!
She wouldn't let herself be consumed by this kind of incident. The one who should be depressed certainly wasn't her.
But Gu Sang didn't explain this. She thanked the teacher sincerely: "Thank you, teacher. I'll adjust well."
Leaving the academic affairs office, Gu Sang walked down the tree-lined path.
A furtive gaze from not far away drifted towards her. Gu Sang didn't turn to seek out this gaze; if the onlooker wanted to appear, they would.
Just as Gu Sang was about to exit the school gates!
The owner of the gaze could no longer hide. Summoning courage, she lowered her head and ran towards Gu Sang: "Junior, wait a moment. I have something to tell you."
"Can we... can we talk over there?"
Though Fu Di had buried her head down to her neck.
Her timid, self-deprecating voice was too recognizable. Gu Sang knew it instantly, her eyes sweeping over the guilty and conscience-stricken Fu Di: "What is it?"
"Is there something so shameful you have to hide to say it?"
Fu Di's fingers clenched tightly.
It felt like a sharp thorn had pierced her heart.
Fu Di's face turned ashen as she bit her lip. She even thought of fleeing in panic, but remembering her parents' and brother's pleading faces, she tremblingly took out a letter of understanding from her pocket.
Extending the letter with both hands towards Gu Sang, she apologized sincerely: "I'm sorry, junior!"
"I never imagined they would be so heartless as to do such things to you."
"It's my cowardice, my timidity. I know you'll never forgive me, but I still want to apologize to you sincerely. In the future, no matter what you—"
Before she could finish!
Gu Sang lowered her eyes and glanced at the letter of understanding before her. She almost laughed bitterly.
Unable to listen any longer to Fu Di's self-righteous words, she immediately interrupted with a cold laugh: "Apologize? You think you have the right to stand here and apologize to me!"
"You talk about being cowardly and timid, but in reality, you're selfish and self-serving!"
"How are you any different from your family of traffickers! And this letter of understanding, you want me to forgive the vermin that nearly destroyed me? I can't believe I even gave you the time of day!"
"I never used to believe in things like genetics, but now I truly feel that the offspring of human traffickers are more likely to become traffickers themselves! No, it's that your nature is evil! It's wicked!"
"Some children, when faced with evil parents, feel ashamed, they desperately try to escape. But you, you'll aid and abet tyranny for your own benefit!"
"I don't accept your apology. If you truly feel you've done wrong, then testify in court. Recount the evil deeds your parents committed!"
Every word, every sentence that left Gu Sang's mouth was like a sharp blade, stripping away all of Fu Di's pretenses.
Her darkness was laid bare in the light!
Before she could even react in panic or dodge, she heard Gu Sang actually demand that she testify against her parents in court!
Fu Di immediately raised her head in panic, blurting out a refusal: "No! That's impossible. No matter what they've done, she's still my mother. They're my family. How could I testify against them?"
"Junior, I beg you."
"Whether you hit me or curse at me, I only ask that you don't testify in court, please?"
"Born into such a family, I hate it too! I can't change my birth, but I've been working hard for a year to pass the civil service exam. I really, truly want to change my fate. I know it's unfair to you."
"But, but, but if you accuse my mother of her crimes, my life will be ruined forever!"
"Junior, you're not in any trouble anyway. Please help me one more time, I beg you!"
Gu Sang had originally thought Fu Di's unease was because she came to sign a reconciliation agreement, but now it seems there might be more to it!
It's possible that when the video was spread online, Fu Di already knew she'd be taken away. However, for some reason, she didn't tell anyone!
Gu Sang was absolutely livid!
What an ungrateful, backstabbing wretch!
