Liu Ye'er, a young woman of the new era, possessed a free spirit that could not endure stale customs and rigid rules. Yao Zijin, though trapped in the shackles of feudal society, harbored a flame within that refused to be confined. With a tone of curiosity and respect, Liu Ye'er asked softly, "Sister Yao, throughout these endless years, what expectations and aspirations have you held for your own future?"
Yao Zijin closed her eyes slightly and took a deep breath, as if drawing strength from within. Then, she spoke slowly, her voice revealing a mix of helplessness and resolve: "Since childhood, I have felt the injustice of this world. Men hold all the power, while women seem to be regarded merely as ornaments in their lives. The ancient 'Three Obediences and Four Virtues' are like heavy shackles that make it hard for a woman to even breathe. However, as a fragile woman, while I lack the power to directly resist this injustice, I choose to accept my fate silently while guarding my inner freedom and dignity, hoping that one day, there will be a place for us in this world."
There was helplessness and sorrow in Yao Zijin’s words, but even more, a longing for the future. She craved a place where women could exercise their own power, a world where they were no longer mere appendages.
Chapter 162