Zhu Jiayu, having experienced being kidnapped by Fox Master’s subordinates, especially couldn’t bear to see girls in distress. Thinking of the little girl from earlier, her emotions became somewhat low. “Who knows how many little girls like that have their lives ruined because of poverty.”

“Yes, I wanted to scold her father severely, but after hearing about their family situation, I didn’t know what to say anymore.” Chi Caiyun had spilled an entire package of candied fruit and only had a fragrant sesame meat pastry left, but she’d lost her appetite.

“Actually it’s not just girls—life is hard for all poor families.” Tao Qing sighed.

The number of beggars and displaced people on the streets of the capital had clearly increased, all effects brought by the war. These people were men and women, old and young, living hand-to-mouth existences.

Chen Yi clutched her new round fan tighter and thought of her own situation, saying softly, “But women always have it harder.”

This earned unanimous agreement from everyone.

The little girl’s predicament earlier could be solved with a simple gesture from them, but when they encountered trouble themselves, they might not be any better off than that little girl.

Seeing everyone’s low spirits, Kou Wan smiled with pursed lips. “Isn’t the flower essence shop A’Hao opened specifically for taking in women who encounter difficulties? Now there are four flower essence shops—growing flowers, picking flowers, making fragrances, managing fresh flower gardens… The more flower essence shops open, the more places need staff. We can’t help everyone, but we’ve done what we can with good intentions.”

Hearing this, everyone smiled and said one after another, “A’Hao, you should open more shops. Don’t forget to let us invest.”

“Alright.” Lin Hao agreed with a smile.

Everyone got into their respective carriages to go home. Lin Hao and Qi Qiong rode in one together. When getting out, they happened to encounter Qi Shuo leaving.

The two were about to be married, so according to custom they shouldn’t meet, but having run into each other, there was no problem with talking for a while.

“Big Brother, A’Hao, you two chat.” The young princess blinked and walked into the Prince’s mansion with a smile.

Outside the mansion, the willow branches hung down like ten thousand green waterfalls dazzling to the eye. Qi Shuo stood beneath the willow tree, his face showing concern. “Did you encounter something unpleasant while out on the street today?”

“You could tell?” Lin Hao casually broke off a willow branch and swung it idly.

Qi Shuo nodded.

Lin Hao then told him about the little girl, concluding, “There are too many such cases. It seems we can’t really change anything. A’Shuo, if it were you, what would you do?”

Qi Shuo grasped her hand. “Actually, what you’re all doing now is already very good—doing what you can, taking it slowly. Even if you can only help one person, for that person, it’s an enormous change.”

Lin Hao tossed the willow branch into the grass and leaned closer. “Mm, the flower essence shops are employing more and more people now.”

In the market, almost all those doing this type of work were men. Since she paid wages higher than market price, the women working at the flower essence shops naturally gained more say at home.

Lin Hao didn’t have such profound thoughts. She just vaguely sensed one thing—in ordinary common households without so many rules and restrictions, whoever could support the family lived with confidence.

“A’Hao, since you several are opening shops together not for profit, I have a suggestion.”

Lin Hao’s eyes brightened as she waited for him to continue.

“Why not take a portion of the profits to establish a school, charging low tuition to educate the children in households of those working for the flower essence shops, especially girls? If you could waive tuition and provide one meal, I imagine they’d be willing to send them. If these children read more books and gain more knowledge, they’ll have more opportunities in the future…”

In this world, men who studied could take the civil examinations. Even poor families, seeing their child had aptitude, might grit their teeth and take a chance. For girls, there was absolutely no possibility. Six or seven-year-old girls could already do light chores at home—how could anyone waste silver sending them to school?

The flower essence shops paid slightly higher wages than the market rate, and the working environment gave these people broader perspectives. If girls weren’t charged and could get one meal provided, there would definitely be many willing families.

Lin Hao listened carefully, nodding repeatedly. “Your suggestion is excellent, A’Shuo. Let me give you a reward.”

Qi Shuo instinctively stepped back, his relaxed expression becoming tense. “I don’t accept rewards before the wedding.”

Lin Hao laughed until she bent over, then lifted her skirt and ran into the General’s mansion.

Qi Shuo hadn’t expected Lin Hao to just run off like that. Watching the direction where that slender figure disappeared, he became anxious instead.

After the wedding, A’Hao won’t stop giving rewards, will she?

With the wedding day close at hand, the matter of establishing a school could only be put off until after the marriage. The day before Lin Hao’s wedding, Lin Chan specifically stayed at the General’s mansion to rest with her in Luoying Residence.

Outside the window, the banana plants were lush and green. A breeze slipped through the half-open window, stirring the smoke-pink bed curtains.

The two sisters nestled together on one bed, speaking in whispers accompanied by the chirping of insects.

“Don’t be nervous. Everything is properly arranged. You just need to follow the arrangements.”

“Mm, I’m not nervous.” Lin Hao lay on her side, one hand propping up her chin.

The moonlight was bright, the candlelight flickered slightly. Looking at her younger sister’s calm face, Lin Chan felt some hesitation arise in her heart.

That… Mother wouldn’t have failed to instruct A’Hao, would she?

The night before her own wedding, thinking of that little booklet, she had been both flustered and frightened, secretly nervous for quite a while.

Thinking of their mother’s personality, Lin Chan found it hard to feel at ease. Suppressing her embarrassment, she asked in a low voice, “About tomorrow night—did Mother talk to you about it?”

“Tomorrow night? Mother didn’t say anything.”

Lin Chan choked, her voice even lower. “Then she didn’t give you anything either?”

Lin Hao looked puzzled. “Elder Sister, are you asking about things like account books and keys for the dowry? Mother gave me those long ago.”

Lin Chan: “…”

On the other side, Lin Shi slapped her forehead, suddenly remembering. “Oh no, I forgot to give the marriage painting to A’Hao!”

She hurriedly sent her senior maid Fangfei to deliver the small box containing the intimate illustrations to Luoying Residence.

Normally a mother should personally instruct her daughter before the wedding, but thinking that her elder daughter was resting with her younger sister, Lin Shi felt reassured and said to Fangfei, “Tell Second Miss that if she doesn’t understand something, she should ask her elder sister.”

In Luoying Residence, Lin Chan was pondering how to bring up the subject when she heard Baozhu say that Fangfei from Madam’s courtyard had come to deliver something.

Lin Hao invited Fangfei in and received a small box.

Fangfei curtsied. “Second Miss, Madam says if you don’t understand something, you should consult Elder Miss.”

Composed as Lin Chan was, hearing these words she couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

What a dear mother indeed!

After Fangfei took her leave, Lin Hao opened the box with some curiosity. Before Lin Chan could prepare herself mentally, she had already opened that mysterious little booklet.

Seeing the images in the booklet, she suddenly widened her eyes, then looked at Lin Chan.

Lin Chan’s face instantly turned as red as a cooked shrimp.

Mother absolutely did this on purpose!

Lin Hao lowered her eyes and looked very carefully, then looked at Lin Chan again.

Lin Chan’s expression froze for quite a while before she forced out an awkward smile. “Second Sister, you look first…”

She ultimately couldn’t bring herself to say the second half of the sentence, “if you don’t understand, ask me.”

Lin Hao turned page by page, continuing all the way to the end, then lightly touched Lin Chan’s arm. “Elder Sister, I think I’m starting to get nervous…”