Chapter 574 - Is It Because Of Me?
Ji Cheng looked at everyone with a serious gaze and addressed everyone in the court.
" After listening to everyone's side of the story and on the account of Empress Zhao Ming's words, I, the Emperor of the Ji Dynasty would like to make another amendment in the rule book of the Ji Dynasty."
When he said this, everyone was bewildered and confused hearing his words. It's not normal for the Emperor to make amendments to the rule book.
" From now on, the long tradition of a man having many wives will be abolished. Now a man cannot have many wives other than one nor he can take any concubines. "
" This old tradition is not only cruel to women who are kept as concubines but to their children as well. The Ji Dynasty will become a stepping stone of development and progress."
" In the eyes of the Emperor, all his subjects are his children. Be it, men or women. If women are being tortured because of this long tradition, there is no need for us to continue this tradition."
Ji Cheng's words caused havoc in the court. Everyone was shocked hearing that he wants to abolish this long tradition.
The merchant and his son Gao Lin were shocked as well. He abolished the long-standing tradition just because the Empress doesn't like it?
Zhao Ming was shocked as well. She thought that he might be changing something else or might do something for women but she wasn't expecting him to abolish this tradition.
It's not something which has been happening since a few years ago but it's a long-standing tradition and has been a part of the history of the Ji Dynasty.
The late Emperor, Ji Cheng's grandfather was a progressive man and made many changes and shaped the country which is different from other contemporary dynasties.
However, this is a drastic change that Ji Cheng has taken.
' Is it.. because of me?'
Her heart thumped loudly when she thought about it.
" Your Majesty, you want to abolish this long tradition? Why? Taking concubines is not a crime. Why should it be abolished?" Gao Lin panicked as he didn't like this at all.
Zhao Ming frowned upon hearing his words. But Ji Cheng didn't give her any chance to say as he chided him.
" It's not a crime. But it was before. From now on, it will be a crime. This will not apply to those who already have concubines but from now on nobody can take any concubines or have several consorts. If that happens, that person will be liable to punishment by the state." Ji Cheng said as he glanced at all the men in the court.
" Also, Minister Lao, please talk to the head of the Paradise school and tell him to make arrangements for the admissions of girls in the school as well."
"-_-"
"-_-"
People were shocked as Ji Cheng continued speaking and all of his words and orders were making them go dizzy. How many changes is he going to make to the system in one day?
" Your Majesty, you said admissions of girls in school? You want the girls to go to the schools?" Minister Lao asked in bewilderment
Ji Cheng nodded and said, " Yes. Not only that, but the education of girls will also be supported by the royal treasury. For the education of girls, a separate fund will be created which will support the education of girls so that parents can send their girls to schools without any burden."
" Also, make arrangements to build a separate school for women. Also, train a few female teachers as well. Parents will be more relaxed if their daughters were taught by female teachers." Ji Cheng with a faint smile on his face.
"-_-"
Zhao Ming was shocked as her mouth unknowingly opened. Why do his words sound so familiar?
He turned to her side after he was done and leaned to her side and whispered, " This is what you want, right?"
Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized that he had said all the things that she had written in her diary.
It's been a few days since she has been writing a diary. She doesn't know how long she is going to stay here or what's going to happen in the future, but she remembered that her friend who majored in history has said once that written journals, diaries, or documents helps a lot when building a history of a certain period.
So at one point, she started jotting down things that happen in her daily life, or the things she wants to change or the things that she doesn't like.
She tried to keep it a secret from him, so how come he read that one? The changes he just made, have all been mentioned in her journal by her.
She didn't expect this in her wild dream that he would not only read her diary but also imply all those changes as well.
His lips curled up in a satisfactory smile seeing her shocked expressions.
Minister Lao was shocked but he had no choice other than to nod and agree to his suggestions.
They can't possibly go against his words right now. He wondered how other ministers are going to react to his changes.
It's going to create havoc in the palace if this continues.
….
After the session ended, Zhao Ming and Ji Cheng left the court to go to their chamber.
While leaving the court, she could hear people's whispers and it was clear that many of them were not happy.
Since all of them were men and these changes were meant to decrease their control over women, this made them more flustered.
However, she could hear some positive responses as well. Not only Xu Hua but a few men also complimented Ji Cheng's decision and supported this change.
At that time she realized that not every man is the same as Gao Lin or her father Xie Rong. Some of them can be like Ji Cheng or others who supported his decisions.
After leaving the court, she glanced at him and felt glad that she met him in her new life. This man makes her feel proud to be his wife.
She never feels so good for being a woman because since childhood she has witnessed the biases of society towards women.
She hated the comments like that she is too beautiful and arrogant, or she is too knowledgeable for a woman. Even though she lived in a modern world, the prejudices against women were the same and every woman has to go through some kind of difficulties and prejudices.
But because of Ji Cheng, she started to feel proud to be a woman. His comments and the way he pampers her, makes her feel good to be a woman.
She used to think that all men are trash because of the few men she has met in the past. But it's because of Ji Cheng that she started to realize that not all men are bad.
It just...she didn't notice the good qualities of a man. She was too focused on the bad side, that she ignored the good one after the few bad experiences.
However, he became the reason that she changed and started to see positive things in people.
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