0p0 Chapter 575: Establishing a Girls' School?
Chapter 575: Establishing a Girls' School?
Lu Shaohua and He Xiangling's wedding was just around the corner.
The presence of Prince Chang Le and his consort, with Prince Chang Le personally officiating the wedding, was a great honor for both families. Not long after the ceremony, Mu Xin Nuan also went to the bridal chamber.
Mrs. Liu brought her child to join in the fun, and the new house was even more lively than the outside.
Mu Xin Nuan only sat for a short while and did not attend the banquet. She left early with Duanmu Chu Ze.
The two did not return to the Prince's Mansion, but instead went to a villa in the east of the city.
Jin Hui was finally beheaded last month. When Mu Xin Nuan saw Jin Hui's head fall to the ground, she felt that all her previous worries and concerns disappeared at that moment.
Of course, Mu Xin Nuan hadn't forgotten that in her previous life, the reason the Li family was wiped out was fundamentally due to the ruthlessness of the Ming King. In this life, no matter what, she couldn't allow the Ming King to have another chance to get close to that position.
You look a little tired these days.
"Thankfully, my cousin's wife is six months pregnant. Her morning sickness has subsided, but she still seems to be a picky eater. I wonder if I'll be the same way if I get pregnant?"
Duanmu Chuze chuckled, put his arm around her waist, looked at her slightly flushed face, and gave her a light kiss. "Anuan, when you look at her, do you feel more and more like having one yourself?"
Mu Xin Nuan glared at him, "Don't you want a child of our own?"
"Of course not! I have more time now. I estimate that part of Chang Le Fang will be completed by the end of this year. As for the school, what do you think we should name it?"
"Construction has already started?"
Duanmu Chuze nodded. "Yes. Some old houses that look decent won't be demolished. We can just open them up and use them, and then repaint them."
"Aze, what's the difference between this government-run school and a private school?"
Mu Xin Nuan had never understood the difference between them. It was just a verbal difference, or a difference between one taking money and the other not taking money.
"One difference lies in whether or not tuition is charged. Government-run schools naturally do not charge tuition, but this is limited to children under the age of ten. These children are probably mostly from poor families who do not have extra money to send their children to school. Therefore, government-run schools are established to promote the practice of reading and writing."
“Aren’t you worried that government-run schools will be overcrowded? And with this kind of school, those who could afford it will probably no longer send their children to private schools.”
“You don’t understand! Although government-run schools don’t charge tuition, the furnishings and equipment for the children are naturally inferior to those of private schools. Therefore, wealthier families are still willing to let their children enjoy better things. As for truly prestigious families, they mostly have their own clan schools. So, they won’t send their children here.”
Mu Xin Nuan nodded. Indeed, their Mu family had its own clan school, didn't they?
"Aze, I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate?"
"Go on," Duanmu Chuze said, looking at his young wife. He had to admit that in such a feudal society, it was truly remarkable that he had managed to raise his wife into such an independent woman with her own thoughts.
It is evident that the Mu family's upbringing was crucial, and of course, Mu Xinnuan's own intelligence and agility were also indispensable.
"I'm thinking of starting a girls' school, what do you think?"
"A girls' school?" Duanmu Chuze was truly stunned this time.
This seems to be unprecedented in the Great Yong Dynasty! Mu Xin Nuan's idea is indeed bold.
"How could you have such an idea?"
Mu Xinnuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Children from poor families can't afford to go to school, so it's even less likely that young girls would be able to read and write. I know that in your eyes, women are virtuous if they are uneducated! This is because you are worried that if we women are too capable, your talents will not stand out."
Duanmu Chuze grinned and said, "When did I say such a thing?"
Mu Xin Nuan rolled her eyes at him. "I really do have this idea. As for the girls' school, I mean it should be separated from the schools you previously designated, or even far away from them. After all, the separation of men and women still needs to be observed."
"You don't mean to say that all the teachers in girls' schools were women, do you?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking. Why not?" Mu Xinnuan blinked, meeting his somewhat surprised gaze.
Duanmu Chuze opened his mouth slightly, but for a moment, he really couldn't think of any reason to object to her.
After a while, Duanmu Chuze calmed down. "So, according to your opinion, what kind of courses would you like to have taught at this girls' school?"
"Literacy courses will naturally be offered. In addition, we'll add arithmetic and needlework. If a woman knows some arithmetic, she won't be at a disadvantage when she gets married and manages the household. As for needlework, we'll teach it in more detail. If she learns it well, she can open her own embroidery shop directly."
Duanmu Chuze was startled by her audacious idea!
Women running embroidery workshops certainly existed.
However, they are not commonly seen.
In most embroidery workshops, although there are many embroiderers, the managers and owners are generally men.
Duanmu Chuze immediately began to look at his wife with new respect.
"Anuan, it's easy to find nannies for the needlework lessons. But what do you plan to have them learn for literacy?"
"Start with the simplest Three Character Classic, and later learn books like the Admonitions for Women. In addition, we can also teach some poetry. Oh, and we should also offer a few musical instrument lessons, such as teaching them to play the zither."
Duanmu Chuze nodded. "Your idea is not bad. However, it might be difficult to establish a girls' school. First of all, as you said, only girls can attend. I'm afraid there will be some trouble with the staff."
"Is it really that difficult to find female teachers who can read and understand sentences?"
"There are certainly many literate women, but I'm afraid not many are capable of teaching. However, your idea is quite good. I'm happy to support it. As you said, if a woman learns more, at least she won't become a burden to her husband in the future."
"Really? You really support it?"
"Hmm. But, Ah Nuan, do you plan to charge tuition for the girls' school or not? If you don't charge tuition, I'm afraid the fees will be much higher than those of ordinary schools."