Lady Xu Mu speaks

I ride swiftly to Cao to mourn my brother. The Duke of Wei has died; Wei’s in trouble. The Di people are taking over the country. I get home before the officials arrive; I know they don’t want to see me. They don’t like advice from a woman. I gather mugwort for healing. I haven’t always had an easy time. I married Xu Mu and his people didn’t like me. They won’t like me no matter what I do. They say I’m childish and reckless, which makes me sad, but I’ll make my own way. The country is rich in wheat fields but poor in imagination. Otherwise, officials and nobility would rush to help me. They criticize me for wanting to help. They think they have a better way, but their thoughts aren’t as good as my intentions.