nucmednet Chapter 258 Morning Court Debate
Chapter 258 Morning Court Debate
Back in Kunning Palace, Wang Xiruo gently sat down in front of the dressing table and, with the gentle touch of her maid, removed the heavy, elaborate headdress adorned with pearls and jade.
Each hairpin removed seemed to lighten a burden, yet a nameless melancholy also crept into her heart. The maid's skillful hands flew, and in no time she had styled her hair into a gentle and elegant updo, the simple style highlighting her undeniable grace even without makeup.
The personal maid could no longer contain her doubts and muttered softly, "Your Highness, you actually believe His Majesty's words? That girl's background is unknown, and His Majesty hasn't given her any official status, yet she was brought into the palace with such fanfare. Could it be that His Majesty truly has something special about her?"
Wang Xiruo stroked the smooth edge of the mirror, her gaze piercing through the bronze mirror as if trying to see through the layers of mist surrounding the palace walls. She too harbored such doubts, but since Shen Yuxi had already made it clear that the woman would not enter the harem, whether she believed him or not was not something she could easily control.
A self-deprecating smile curved her lips as she said softly, "You may all leave. I am tired. Instruct the Imperial Household Department to take good care of Miss Shi."
The palace maids hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects and filed out, making the hall exceptionally quiet except for those on night duty.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's residence was brightly lit. Cui Zhe paced back and forth, talking animatedly to his nephew Cui Zhihao, his mouth watering, filled with disappointment and frustration.
His brows furrowed, and he pointed at Cui Zhihao's nose, shouting angrily, "Huai'an, why are you so obsessed with that vixen? Do you know what the situation is now! Even if His Majesty doesn't pursue our crimes for the time being, do you think you can protect her? His Majesty's mind is unfathomable, how could he easily let this matter go!"
Cui Zhihao clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. How could he not know that the road ahead was full of thorns? But when he thought of Miss Shi's bright eyes and delicate figure, he couldn't let go of her.
He stiffened his neck and protested, "Uncle, I cannot stand by and watch her face danger alone. Since I know her, I cannot abandon her."
Cui Zhe was so angry that he glared and slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups rattle: "Foolish! You're trying to push our entire clan into a fire pit! What kind of place is the palace? His Majesty's mind changes in an instant. Your relationship with that woman is as fragile as an ant in the face of this power struggle!"
Wang Xiruo lay on her couch in the palace, but found it hard to fall asleep. Shen Yuxi's every move and the arrangements that had not been explained in detail kept flashing through her mind like a revolving lantern.
She recalled their first meeting, the handsome young man's refined demeanor amidst the apricot blossoms and light rain. Years had passed, and now he was the Empress, yet it felt as if a thousand mountains separated them. The girl of unknown origin was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
She knew all too well that beneath the seemingly peaceful surface of the harem lay turbulent undercurrents, and that a single misstep could jeopardize not only her own position as empress but also the rise and fall of her family.
Cui Zhihao returned to his room, gazing at the dim moonlight outside the window, his heart filled with bitterness. He had met Miss Shi in the marketplace; at that time, she was lively and playful, adding a touch of brightness to his gloomy struggle for the throne.
He knew that emperors were suspicious, especially when their power was unstable, and his relationship with Miss Shi was seen as a thorn in their side.
But his feelings, like vines, had already meandered and grown deep within his heart; the pain of severing them was worse than being skinned alive. He secretly plotted how to find a glimmer of hope in this intricate web of predicament, to protect his beloved, even if it meant going against the entire world…
As dawn broke, the Golden Palace was already brightly lit. Shen Yuxi sat high on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the dozens of court officials below. He appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, his heart was churning with anticipation for the outcome of today's court assembly.
That girl named Shi Wanxia, a mere woman, uttered grand theories on governing the country and its people. Whether her strategies could successfully persuade these veteran officials was not only related to the implementation of government orders, but also to her own life and fortune. After all, the path of breaking with convention is always fraught with thorns.
"My beloved ministers, rise. The reason I summoned you here today is to ask you your thoughts on Shi Wanxia, a woman, entering officialdom and disrupting the court."
Shen Yuxi's voice was calm and steady, echoing in the hall, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward first, his face tense, his eyes filled with disgust and resentment: "Your Majesty, I believe that since ancient times, the order of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher has been well-established. How can there be such a fallacy as women holding official positions?"
"Women should stay within the inner palace and manage the household affairs. It is already a breach of morality for them to show their faces in public, let alone enter the court to govern. This trend must not be allowed to continue. If this precedent is set, it will surely lead to the collapse of the court!"
After saying this, he flicked his long sleeves and returned to the train, his posture as if he had already condemned Shi Wanxia.
The Minister of Personnel stepped forward immediately, bowed slightly, but his tone was extremely firm: "Your Majesty, to protect the reputation of our court, you must not listen to that witch's nonsense."
"Even if she talks about governing the country, I think we should not pay any attention to her! Our Cangling Kingdom is strong and well-equipped, with many talented generals. For many years, it has been a powerful force in all directions. How can it be a weak country that can be bullied and threatened by other countries at will? A woman's rash entry into the court will only disrupt the rules and cause a loss of decorum. She should be punished with the most severe punishment to set an example!"
Upon hearing this, most of the court officials nodded in agreement and whispered among themselves, all condemning this "heretical" act.
Seeing the situation, the Minister of War also strode forward and spoke: "Your Majesty, I believe that the Minister of Personnel's words are not without reason. The imperial court is the hub of the nation's vital institutions and the place of decision-making. It is utterly absurd for a woman to attempt to become an official."
"Leaving aside talent and learning, this very phenomenon of yin and yang being reversed and the universe being out of balance is enough to make the world take notice and the people's hearts unsettled." His eyes were bright as he stared directly at Shen Yuxi on the dragon throne, as if waiting for a verdict that conformed to the will of the people.
Just as this wave of opposition was about to overturn the Golden Palace, a clear yet firm voice suddenly rang out: "Is that so? Am I being absurd, or do you gentlemen really think you can ensure that everyone in the world is not hungry, that everyone is well-fed and warmly clothed, and that they are not disturbed by border invasions?"
Everyone turned around in astonishment, only to see Shi Wanxia gracefully stepping in from the side of the hall. She wore a plain silk dress and no makeup; although her face appeared youthful, her eyes revealed a determination and wisdom beyond her years.
Shi Wanxia stepped forward gracefully, bowed deeply to Shen Yuxi, straightened up, looked around, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Gentlemen, you are well-read and knowledgeable in etiquette, and you always talk about the rules and regulations of the court. Have you ever personally witnessed the suffering of the people? When the fields fail to yield a harvest, do you have any brilliant solutions?"
"Where the frontier is engulfed in flames, have you ever led the charge? Though I am a woman, I cherish my country and its people. I have traveled through mountains and rivers and witnessed the hardships endured by the common folk. The strategies for governing the country that I propose are not mere figments of imagination, but rather stem from the real needs of the people. If I am rejected simply because I am a woman, then in this court, is it talent or gender that matters?"
These words caused an immediate and deathly silence in the court. The ministers exchanged bewildered glances, some with expressions of anger, but none could utter a word.
Some bowed their heads slightly, seemingly deep in thought. A barely perceptible hint of admiration flashed in Shen Yuxi's eyes. He coughed lightly, breaking the awkward silence: "Do any of you gentlemen have a response to what Miss Shi has said?"
The Minister of Rites snorted coldly and stepped forward to refute: "You young girl, spouting nonsense! So what if you travel among the common people? Matters of state are decided from afar, how could you possibly understand them! Don't try to spread rumors and mislead the public, attempting to confuse the Emperor's ears."
Shi Wanxia smiled faintly and slowly took out a booklet from her sleeve: "Your Excellency is mistaken. This booklet contains the various measures I collected and implemented when I was the magistrate of Xinyang County."
"At the same time, I have collected details about people's livelihoods in various places, including tax malpractices, neglected water conservancy, and lax military preparedness. All of these are clearly documented and supported by evidence. Would you be willing to take a look, sir, and then judge whether I am speaking carelessly?" After saying this, he presented the document with both hands.
The young eunuch hurriedly took the booklet and presented it to Shen Yuxi. Shen Yuxi opened it and examined it closely, his expression growing increasingly solemn. When he looked up at Shi Wanxia, his gaze held a hint of consideration.
Seeing this, the ministers in the hall also felt uneasy. This woman seemed weak, but she came with a fierce momentum. If she really had some real skills, today's court assembly might change the course of events...