"Grandma, look at me staying at home every day without much to do. I also want to go out and see more of the world. Shaoting is so excellent, and I'm his wife, so I should also be more outstanding, right?"
Rong Dai was sitting on the soft blanket in the small garden upstairs, speaking gently to Old Madam Huo with a book on her knee.
She had just been rejected by Old Madam Huo when she first brought it up. Rong Dai's maternal family was once one of the most prominent aristocratic families in Shenjing. She was brought up in a rather traditional way and disliked the entertainment industry to begin with.
And Rong Dai was the daughter-in-law she had personally approved of, so of course she would not agree to let her go to such a place.
But Rong Dai was determined to act in this drama, because she really needed the money, and the role was perfect for her.
One year was a very short time. She had to stabilize her life in this one year. It was already not easy for Shaoting Huo to agree to give her a year.
There was little she could do in this one year. She really couldn't give up such an opportunity.
"Do you really want to go that much?" Old Madam Huo looked at her and took off her reading glasses, staring at her closely.
She liked this girl because she was not restless like other girls. It was good enough for her to be quiet and peaceful.
The Huo family had reached its limit. They didn't need a strong woman to emerge in the family anymore.
Although Shaoting was very capable, he lacked the desire for marriage. The two children were similar in some ways.
They had things in common. Getting together just needed some time. This was also why she had insisted that Shaoting marry this girl back then.
"I really want to go, Grandma. Please agree to it, okay? And this is produced by Shaojie. Don't you trust his works?"
Seeing signs of Old Madam Huo softening, Rong Dai immediately nodded and brought up Shaojie Huo to sing his praises.
If it was someone else, it would probably be impossible to persuade Old Madam Huo.
This was also why she had resolutely given Yue Cheng the promise when auditioning. Since Shaojie Huo could set foot in the entertainment industry, she could also get in with some more effort.
Old Madam Huo heaved a deep sigh, put her glasses back on, and looked down at the book in her hands again.
"You can go if you want to see more of the world. It's true that you've been bored at home for a long time without Shaoting around to keep you company. That's unfair to you."
A shallow smile appeared on Rong Dai's face. "Grandma, I don't blame Shaoting. I just don't want to stay at home like this all the time. I'd go crazy from boredom. It's rare to have such an opportunity, so let me try it!"
Seeing her coquettish manner, and thinking of how she interacted with Shaoting Huo, Old Madam Huo was also worried. Perhaps this could also improve the relationship between the two. That child Shaoting had suffered too much.
"You can go."
"Thank you Grandma, I knew you'd be the most understanding!" Rong Dai was overjoyed and happily rested her head on the old lady's arm.
The old lady immediately smiled. "Little thing, you've learned to be glib too. I haven't told you the conditions yet!"
"Tell me, Grandma!" Rong Dai immediately sat up straight and looked at her obediently. It was already not easy for Old Madam Huo to compromise, so it was to be expected that there would be conditions.
The smile on the old lady's face faded and she looked at her solemnly. "Although the Huo family is not feudal and conservative, the entertainment industry is still too chaotic."
Rong Dai didn't respond, just listened quietly. Although she had no contact with the entertainment industry, she could understand this reasoning based on her experience in her previous life.
"You can act in this drama, but only this once. You cannot get involved in the entertainment industry again. This is the first condition. Since it's for gaining experience, once is enough. There's no need to continue if you can't learn from the first time."
The old lady was very serious. She was a pampered young miss before getting married, and had a blissful marriage after marrying into the Huo family, until her husband passed away and she lost her son in middle age.
In order not to let her husband's efforts go to waste, she had to take on the burden, managing the company while grooming her eldest grandson. Her vision and caliber were certainly not comparable to an average noble lady.
Rong Dai nodded and immediately agreed. She took this role entirely out of desperation.
She needed time and experience to understand this world, and also to allow herself time to grow and accept all these changes.
Besides, she didn't really like exposing herself to the public eye, so she had no plans to develop a long-term career in the entertainment industry anyway.
Seeing her nod, the old lady's frown relaxed. "Secondly, you cannot neglect your studies. We women are destined to suffer a lot from the moment we are born, and to receive some unfair treatment."
"Although the Huo family can give you everything, some things still have to be strived for by yourself. Only when you stand tall can those skeptical voices disappear."
Rong Dai was moved that Old Madam Huo could think so thoughtfully for her.
With her experience from her previous life, she understood the meaning behind the old lady's words all too well.
Before getting married in her previous life, she was the most favored youngest daughter in the family and did things purely based on personal preferences, simply because her family was powerful.
But even so, she still encountered a lot of obstacles and doubts on her journey from being a prince's consort to becoming the Empress, even though her maternal family was so formidable. Those favored concubines and consorts still tried to trip her up.
If not for her own capabilities, plus her family's power, she would probably have been torn apart early on in the back palace.
With such great protection from her family, she as an Empress still had to be cautious. Let alone now when she had nothing.
Her studies were certainly something she could not neglect.
No matter the era, women still had to be self-reliant and strong. This was what her father had taught her, and what Old Madam Huo was teaching her now.
"Thank you Grandma, I will." Her face grew serious as she looked steadfastly at Old Madam Huo and agreed very resolutely.
Only then did the old lady smile and stroke her thick black hair affectionately. Her voice was full of kindness. "Good child, although Grandma knows you've suffered in your heart, you still have to care more about Shaoting. In a marriage, neither can be stubborn. You have to be considerate of each other to be blissful."
Rong Dai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What true marriage did she have with Shaoting Huo? It was merely a mutual use of each other.
But she knew she couldn't say this to Old Madam Huo. She obediently rested her head on the old lady's knee, speaking gently, "I know, Grandma."
