Outmaneuvered

"That seems... to make sense."

"Yes, why can't we change the family rules?"

"I do think it's inappropriate to let the men of the clan cultivate the 'Water Moon Precious Mirror,' but even if problems arise, that's a matter for the future. Compared to that, overcoming the current difficulties is more important."

"I don't think it matters. Even if we forced those useless men in our clan to cultivate the 'Water Moon Precious Mirror,' they might not be willing to learn. Martial arts training isn't child's play, especially the foundational stages, which are very tough. How many men in the clan can endure such hardship?"

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Si Huamu panicked, but she gritted her teeth and said with her last strength, "Even if the family rules are amended, that's for the future. It doesn't mean that past mistakes can be forgiven. A mistake is a mistake. If mistakes aren't punished, it's hard to convince everyone."

Unfortunately, she didn't have many supporters. After all, Si Huamu was not well-liked in the clan and didn't have any outstanding talents. Most of the people who gathered under her were dissatisfied with the clan leader and wanted to change the distribution of benefits, rather than recognizing her.

"Sigh, Elder Mu, why make such a fuss? Let's just let this go. We're not Legalist School."

"Yes, yes, if we drive them away, we'll end up losing more than we gain. Our Si Clan has rarely had martial arts masters, and now that we've finally produced one, we should actively try to win him over."

At this point, Si Jingyu spoke up in agreement, "Hmm, what you said makes sense. How about we ask the parties involved for their opinion? After all, even if the court makes a judgment, it should give the accused a chance to defend themselves, shouldn't it?"

I have no objection.

Si Ming's answer was completely unexpected, leaving everyone present dumbfounded. Had this kid gone mad from practicing martial arts?

Si Shuiyun couldn't help but say, "What's wrong with him? Doesn't he know that confessing will implicate you, Miss?"

Only Si Jingyu wore an expectant expression, as if she had anticipated that Si Ming would make an unconventional move.

After her initial surprise, Si Huamu was overjoyed. "Then, according to family rules, please come with us to the prison on the east side. You are not to leave without permission..."

"Wait a minute, you seem to have misunderstood something." Si Ming yawned on the spot. "I just said I have no objection to your ideas, which doesn't mean I'll cooperate with your actions. Do whatever you want, but I have to warn you beforehand, I can resist."

"..."

"I've never taken family rules seriously. It's your business if you want to abide by them, but if you're going to force me to, then remember one thing: write your will before you send anyone to arrest me." Si Ming said, stretching as he spoke. "Of course, I'm also a chivalrous person, so rest assured, one punch will be enough. I guarantee a 'painless abortion'."

Chapter 279 I've Been Schemed Against

"You've actually wanted to abolish the family rule that forbids male members of the Si Clan from cultivating the 'Water Moon Precious Mirror' for a long time, haven't you?"

After the farcical family discipline incident ended, Si Ming followed Si Jingyu to a peach orchard and immediately got to the point. "You could have asked my master to send a woman to help, but you insisted on finding someone to impersonate your brother, just to force the clan to agree to your changes to the family rules."

Si Shuiyun, who was following along, glared angrily and said, "What did you say! It was clearly because of your irresponsible remarks that Miss had to risk changing the family rules to quell public anger. Not only do you not appreciate the favor, but you also question Miss's good intentions."

However, she was immediately proven wrong by Si Jingyu.

"That's right, that's what I plan to do."

"Miss!"

Si Jingyu comforted Si Shuiyun and continued, "Guan Chong's example, it's clear that the family rule forbidding men from practicing martial arts is a hidden danger, especially in these turbulent times. No one can guarantee that a second Guan Chong won't emerge."

Si Ming continued, "Even if not, other Aristocratic Clan can help uncover it, or plant a fuse in advance. After all, this family rule is like a powder keg that could explode at any time."

"I understand the principle that 'prevention is worse than cure.' Rather than being overly guarded, it's better to loosen restrictions openly, leaving the opponent with no leverage, and also giving our tribe an extra quarter of manpower."

The men of the Si Clan make up about a quarter of the clan's population.

Si Ming asked, "Aren't you afraid that after the men in the clan learn martial arts, they will develop ambitions and want to overturn the Si Clan's tradition of favoring women over men?"

Si Jingyu smiled, picked a peach blossom, and gently smelled it. Combined with her pure white dress, it gave her a beautiful and radiant appearance.

"I heard that Su State has implemented eight years of compulsory education, and all school-age children must attend school and study under the supervision of teachers. They are also frequently tested and examined. So, if there were no exams, no teachers, and no compulsory education, would you study hard?" As always, she did not answer directly, but instead answered the question with another question.

After a moment's thought, Si Ming understood what the other person meant and said self-deprecatingly, "Then I'll probably become a useless parasite to society."

Learning is a transformation of life. In a sense, learning is against human nature because most people are born lazy and hate learning. If they could be guaranteed to live a life free from worries about food and clothing, most people would probably choose not to learn or work and live a cynical life.

Practicing martial arts is only more arduous than studying; how many people are born liking hardship?

Si Jingyu said, "I am merely abolishing the family rules and allowing the men of the clan to cultivate the 'Water Moon Precious Mirror,' not forcing them to cultivate it. The choice is in their hands, and they are free to do as they please. If a martial arts master can emerge from this, it can only prove that he is the chosen one of Heaven, and his rise can never be stopped. So instead of desperately trying to hinder him, it would be better to wholeheartedly win him over."

Are there no strong women in the Sea Continent?

Yes, but in very small numbers, so Sea Continent remains predominantly male-dominated.

The same applies to the Si Clan. Even if the family rule prohibiting men from practicing martial arts is abolished, and without any forced education, the Si Clan might produce a few male masters who are naturally passionate about martial arts. However, this is ultimately a drop in the ocean, and the proportion is too small to overturn the overall situation of favoring women over men.

Si Jingyu played this move brilliantly, gaining the support of the men in the clan, eliminating a potential threat to the Lineage, and maximizing the role of Si Ming as an external ally.

Si Ming shook his head and sighed, "The men of the Si Clan are truly pathetic. They've gained freedom, but in reality, they've been locked in an even bigger cage."

"Heaven and earth are inherently a great cage, and we all live within it. I gave them a choice, but they didn't choose. Who can we blame?" Si Jingyu smiled and placed the peach blossom back on the branch. "Isn't there a professional term for this situation in Su State? What's it called? Right, holistic education, is that the term? The men of the Si Clan can pursue their own interests and do what they like. No one will force them to study, and no one will force them to take exams. They have a happy childhood that everyone envies. What more could they ask for?"

Let's just say that's how it is.

Si Ming had no intention of becoming the spiritual leader of the men in the Si Clan, and there would be no benefit in doing so; in the end, he might even be branded as a scoundrel.

However, in just two days and a few brief encounters, Si Jingyu left a deep impression on him. Among the people he had met, only Si Jingyu and Yu Shuying deserved the title of "wise man".

However, the two had completely different planning styles. Si Jingyu would point to the road ahead and analyze it for others one by one, explaining which road was flat and easy to travel, and which road was bumpy and difficult to travel, and then let others choose which road to take freely—in fact, she had already changed these roads in advance.

Yu Shuying, on the other hand, forces people to the edge of a cliff, telling them that they either come down the mountain with her or jump off the cliff. It seems like there are two paths, but in reality there is only one, and there is no choice at all.

From the perspective of her companions, Si Jingyu's method was undoubtedly easier to accept; of course, her schemes were also more prone to unpredictability.

Yu Shuying's schemes have a higher success rate, but she is by no means a good partner. Spending too much time together can easily lead to enmity, so one needs a certain level of mental resilience.