nucmednet Chapter 357 Making things difficult
Chapter 357 Making things difficult
Wang Shuyue stood under the covered corridor outside the main hall. His dark brocade robe was embroidered with dark cloud patterns in silver thread, and his jade belt was tightly tied around his waist, which made him look tall and handsome.
He was the young patriarch of the Wang family of Taiyuan. He grew up in a wealthy and influential family, was well-versed in literature and martial arts, and was a well-known young talent in the capital.
However, at this moment, his furrowed brows and tightly pursed lips betrayed his inner displeasure.
Faint sounds of laughter and conversation drifted from inside the hall, among which a clear and melodious female voice stood out, like a fine needle gently pricking Wang Shuyue's heart.
That was Shi Wanxia's voice.
Instead of staying at home to support her husband and raise her children, this woman insisted on showing her face in public, getting involved in court affairs, and even interfering in the imperial examination system, which was crucial to the foundation of the nation.
The more Wang Shuyue thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and the pent-up frustration in his chest almost burst forth.
"Women interfering in politics, what kind of behavior is this!" he sneered in a low voice, his tone full of disdain.
"Long hair, short wit; women are women after all. How could they possibly understand matters of state and national importance?"
He wasn't unaware of who was behind Shi Wanxia—it was the current Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou, and the Emperor who favored Shi Wanxia.
Although the Wang family of Taiyuan was powerful, they did not dare to act rashly in the face of imperial authority.
He knew very well that he couldn't openly oppose her.
But just because he understands it doesn't mean he can accept it.
The vast land and its people were won by our ancestors and by countless men who sacrificed their lives. How can we allow a woman to "mess with" it?
The thought that Shi Wanxia might offer some "superficial" suggestions about the imperial examination system, which could then affect the nation's important task of selecting talent, gave Wang Shuyue a headache.
"Little Lord,"
The personal servant whispered a reminder, "His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence."
Wang Shuyue took a deep breath, suppressed his dissatisfaction, straightened his robes, and stepped into the main hall.
The hall was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the fragrance of incense.
Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a moon-white robe, which made him appear even more gentle and refined, with an extraordinary demeanor.
The person sitting to his left was Shi Wanxia.
Today she wore a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), her long black hair was loosely tied up and secured with a jade hairpin, and her face was free of makeup, yet her natural beauty was undeniable.
She was tilting her head, talking to Shen Yanzhou, a faint smile in her eyes, her expression calm and confident.
Wang Shuyue's gaze swept over Shi Wanxia, a flash of contempt crossing his eyes, before he turned to Shen Yanzhou and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Shuyue is here, please have a seat."
Shen Yanzhou smiled gently and pointed to the seat next to him.
"We were just talking about the reform of the imperial examination system. Miss Wanxia has some insightful opinions. Why don't you listen to them too?"
Wang Shuyue sat down as instructed, but his gaze remained scrutinizing Shi Wanxia.
He spoke, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of provocation: "Your Highness, in my humble opinion, the imperial examination is a matter of vital importance to the nation and its people. Selecting the virtuous and capable is the foundation of the country."
“Miss Shi…”
He paused, deliberately emphasizing his words.
"A woman with limited vision and little knowledge is truly unfit for such a heavy responsibility."
"I urge Your Highness to prioritize the well-being of the nation and its people, and not to be..."
He was on the verge of saying "womanly pleasures," but the meaning was already self-evident.
These words immediately created a somewhat awkward atmosphere in the hall.
The students and talented women present looked at each other, none of them daring to utter a sound.
Wang Shuyue's words were extremely rude. Even if Shi Wanxia was a woman, she was now someone that His Majesty and the Crown Prince valued. How could he speak so disrespectfully?
Sitting not far from Wang Shuyue, Wang Shiwan turned pale with anxiety upon hearing her cousin's rude words.
She had personally witnessed Shi Wanxia's talent and character; even His Majesty and the Crown Prince praised her highly. How could her cousin say such a thing?
She couldn't help but want to speak up and offer advice, but was pulled back by Cui Yashu who was next to her.
Cui Yashu gently shook her head, signaling with her eyes not to act impulsively.
In this situation, saying more is pointless and will only make the situation more awkward.
Wang Shiwan bit her lip, swallowing back the words that were on the tip of her tongue, and looked anxiously at Shi Wanxia.
However, Shi Wanxia's reaction was surprisingly calm.
She didn't get angry or argue; she simply raised her head quietly and met Shen Yanzhou's gaze.
Shen Yanzhou's smile remained gentle and refined. He seemed unconcerned about Wang Shuyue's almost offensive remarks, showing neither anger nor reprimand.
He simply raised his hand, indicating that Wang Shuyue didn't need to say anything more.
"Young Master Wang, you are mistaken."
Shen Yanzhou's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable power.
"Whether Miss Shi is ignorant or has the talent to manage the world, it is unlikely that a mere verbal argument will convince the public."
"It's better than..."
As he spoke, he strode over to Shi Wanxia's side, his movements natural and intimate, his eyes so tender they could almost drip water.
He leaned down slightly, looking down at Shi Wanxia with eyes full of reassurance and trust, his voice becoming gentle and deep.
With an unspoken understanding shared only by the two of them: "Miss Shi, would you please compose a poem to show them your talent?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone in the hall.
Wang Shuyue was stunned.
He never expected that Shen Yanzhou would use this method to "verify" Shi Wanxia's talent.
Composing a poem? What kind of verification is that? Does he think that composing a poem can prove that she is capable of participating in court politics and discussing important matters such as the imperial examinations?
He sneered inwardly, waiting to see Shi Wanxia make a fool of herself.
In his view, even if a woman could compose a few poems about romance and nature, they were nothing more than trivial sentiments, hardly worthy of serious consideration, let alone matters concerning the nation and the world.
Shi Wanxia met Shen Yanzhou's gentle gaze and saw encouragement and support in his eyes.
She nodded slightly, a confident smile playing on her lips.
"Since Your Highness has shown me such favor, I, Wanxia, will humbly comply."
Her voice was clear, with a hint of composure.
All eyes in the hall were on her, some with curiosity, some with anticipation, and some with indifference like Wang Shuyue.
Outside the window, a gentle breeze blew by, rustling a few locust leaves.
Inside, sunlight streamed in, illuminating Shi Wanxia's beautiful face and the different expressions on everyone's faces.
As Shi Wanxia lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, her fingertips unconsciously caressed the lotus pattern on her cuff.
Shuyun stood beside her, her palms already damp with sweat. Wang Shuyue's rude words had pierced the hearts of the two of them like needles, but now she saw a faint smile on her mistress's lips.
It was a confident and assured statement, like a general's flag carrying a thousand troops, steadily fluttering in the wind.
She gently patted Shuyun's hand; the touch was slightly cool, yet carried a soothing power.
The candlelight flickered in the hall, casting shadows on the varied expressions on everyone's faces.
Cui Zhihao's fingers trembled slightly, Wang Shiwan clenched her handkerchief tightly, and even the usually composed Cui Yashu couldn't help but lean forward slightly.