In fact, the exigencies of the imperial examination system during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) meant that while men prepared for examinations their womenfolk often took on the role of breadwinner, in order to "help their husbands and educate their sons." In effect these women ran the family business, so naturally they didn't spend all day cooped up at home.
其實在北宋年間，由於科舉制度的普遍，當家中男人準備進京趕考的同時，士族的婦女們為了「相夫教子」，往往獨力挑起家裡的經濟大樑，成為家庭企業的實際經營者，因此她們的活動範圍不可能只限於閨房之內。