You yourself said I am a lady from a prominent family. Just because a girl is raised according to the old standards of a well-bred lady does not mean she is a fool.
They simply have not received a modern education, but that does not mean their minds are imprisoned.
I know the new Republic is currently advocating for women to step out of the house, compete for jobs like men, and pursue more rights for themselves. There is nothing wrong with any of this.
However, these modern women should not use their bravery and fearlessness to turn around and belittle or mock the women who are locked away in deep boudoirs.
Bai Liuyue's words were very straightforward.
She was practically calling out Bai Baozhu by name.
Yes, Bai Baozhu was fearless and brave enough to speak up!
But she also looked down on traditional women, feeling they were out of touch with the times, mere appendages to men without their own thoughts or status.
In reality, was this not just a form of let them eat cake?
With different statuses and positions, if you have not stood in the other person's shoes, you simply have no right to speak for them.
Xie Manyu nodded blankly. Actually, her initial dislike and contempt for Bai Liuyue was also because Bai Baozhu had instilled many similar ideas in her.
Alright, I am in a hurry to head out. If you still want to chat with me.
You can come find me in my room next time. You are always welcome. Bai Liuyue curved her lips, giving her a bright smile.
Then she walked out in her high heels.
Only then did Xie Manyu notice that she was wearing an indigo qipao today, its collar adorned with pearls, looking dignified, elegant, and radiant.
Bai Liuyue was indeed a traditional woman, but she adapted to new things very quickly.
Therefore, one should not dismiss her entirely.
By the time Xie Manyu snapped back to reality, the person had already walked far away.
She had just taken a few steps forward when she saw Bai Baozhu walking over from the corner, emitting a faint smell of medicine.
Ever since Gu Qinghuai said she might not have long to live that day, she was so frightened that she quickly had Dr. Gu prescribe several doses of medicine. For the past few days, she had been practically soaking in medicine pots.
Manyu, Bai Baozhu took the initiative to call out to her.
Xie Manyu looked up and also called out, Baozhu.
But since that day, she had never called her sister-in-law again.
A trace of disappointment appeared on Bai Baozhu's face as she said quietly:
Did I do something wrong? Manyu, why are you unwilling to even use the most basic form of address for me lately?
Xie Manyu's thoughts were clear as she replied:
My brother has already given you a divorce letter, it just has not been publicly announced in the newspapers yet, so that title is inappropriate.
Or perhaps I should just call you by your full name, Bai Baozhu. Would you find that easier to accept?
Bai Baozhu twitched her lips.
She forced out a faint smile.
I did not mean that.
Never mind, let us not talk about this. I wanted to say that I prepared a birthday gift for the Second Concubine.
Xie Manyu asked, What is it?
Bai Baozhu smiled and said:
It is a secret. You should be able to see it at the birthday celebration tomorrow. I stayed up for several nights to finish it.
Xie Manyu actually was not interested.
But at least she used to be on good terms with Bai Baozhu. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, she could not help but say:
Baozhu, if you really still like my brother, then you should make changes yourself or let him understand you.
Currying favor with me or my mother is useless.
Whether it is marriage or a relationship, it is between the two of you.
Bai Baozhu said in an excited tone, Thank you, Manyu, I understand!
...
The next day, festive red silk ribbons were hung in front of the porch of the Northwest Marshal's mansion.
The road was parked full of cars one after another. The invited guests were all prominent figures in the military and political circles of the Northwest.
Inside the banquet hall, the crystal chandeliers cascaded like waterfalls.
The Second Concubine Lan Yingniang wore a vermilion qipao, her neck and ears adorned with emerald jewelry, looking bright and beautiful.
She was leaning affectionately against the Northwest Marshal Xie Zhenning like a little bird.
Greeting the visiting guests one by one.
The Chief of Staff and the Quartermaster both attended with their wives.
They were core members of the Xie warlord faction. Now that Xie Zhenning's wife had passed away, although Lan Yingniang was just the Second Concubine, she was the only female host in the Marshal's mansion.
The Chief of Staff's wife praised, The Second Concubine is really getting younger and younger. I did not look closely just now and thought you were some family's young lady.
The Quartermaster's wife chimed in:
Exactly, exactly. We are clearly the same age, but standing next to you, we look like mother and daughter. And I am the mother.
Their witty remarks made the Second Concubine Lan Yingniang smile radiantly.
Mother, look quickly, this is the birthday gift I got you.
The voice arrived before the person did.
Xie Manyu walked over briskly and handed over a skincare product packaged in a yellow box.
This is Hazeline Snow vanishing cream, the most sought-after item in the Western stores right now. It is very hard to get.
It has been out of stock for three months. I only managed to snatch this one by using my brother's connections.
Pausing, she added:
It is magical. It disappears immediately when applied to the skin, just like a snowflake melting on the skin.
Hearing this, the Second Concubine Lan Yingniang could not help but smile.
Not because the gift was hard to get or in high demand.
She just did not expect her daughter to be so thoughtful.
The Quartermaster's wife, listening from the side, could not help but praise:
The Second Concubine is so blessed. Miss Manyu is truly filial. I know of this Hazeline Snow vanishing cream. It seems to be a high-end product from Britain, extremely hard to get!
The Chief of Staff's wife agreed:
Absolutely. If my daughter could be as thoughtful as Miss Manyu, I would wake up laughing in my dreams.
The atmosphere was very harmonious for a moment.
Until Bai Baozhu appeared, and everyone's eyes could not help but fall on her.
Everyone knew that half a year ago, the Young Marshal's wife fell ill and was moved to a suburban villa to live. They said it was to recuperate, but in reality, she was exiled.
But no one knew what methods she had used recently.
To actually move back to the Marshal's mansion.
Those who had been itching to push their daughters into the Marshal's mansion temporarily put their thoughts to rest. Moreover, Young Marshal Xie had always been cold and kept his distance from women, so everyone started to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.
Now was the first time they were seeing Bai Baozhu in public.
The Young Marshal's wife looks to be in good spirits. Has she recovered from her illness? the Quartermaster's wife asked softly.
The Second Concubine smiled perfunctorily.
Oh? The Young Marshal is here too, someone suddenly called out.
One must know that Xie Chengxiao disliked attending such social banquets the most and usually declined them.
Why is the Young Marshal not walking with his wife? Who is that young girl accompanying him?
