nucmednet Chapter 203 Xu Mingyi
Chapter 203 Xu Mingyi
The afternoon sun was soft and bright, casting a golden glow over the earth. It was like a colorful yet solemn painting.
On the streets, pedestrians came and went, men striding with their heads held high, while women kept their heads down and were cautious and timid. The market was bustling with activity, but everywhere the transactions were dominated by men, with women only able to assist from the sidelines.
In front of the county government's mansion, an imposing aura kept people at a distance, a symbol of power and status. Within this place, the concept of male superiority and female inferiority permeated everyone's words and actions like the air itself.
The Xu residence was a symbol of prominence in this era. The pair of stone lions at the gate, majestic and imposing, seemed to proclaim the Xu family's authority. The towering walls separated the Xu residence from the outside world, guarding the secrets and prestige within.
Stepping into the courtyard, the exquisite garden layout is a sight to behold. The pavilions and towers are arranged in a well-organized manner, and exotic flowers and rocks are scattered throughout. Every detail reflects the extraordinary status of the Xu family.
Xu Mingyi's study is like a treasure trove of knowledge. Books are piled up like mountains, ranging from ancient classics to contemporary masterpieces. Pens, ink, paper, and inkstones are neatly arranged, exuding a faint fragrance of ink.
Unfinished poems and essays are scattered on the desk, the flowing handwriting seemingly revealing the owner's creative inspiration. The calligraphy and paintings by famous people hanging on the wall add an elegant touch to the study, showcasing Xu Mingyi's talent and pride as a scholar.
Shi Wanxia was dressed in a soft satin outer garment of smoky red, with a thousand golden hibiscus embroidered on the moon-white skirt.
Adorned with a long, red-gold hairpin inlaid with jewels and a begonia-beaded hair ornament, with delicate silk flower hair ribbons casually tucked behind her ears, her expression was lively and her eyes sparkled, her charm was captivating, as if a fairy had descended to the mortal world.
Her brows revealed a firm resolve, an unwavering belief that could not be swayed by worldly conventions; her eyes shone with intelligence, as if she could see through all the prejudices of the world.
Her demeanor was impeccable, every movement perfectly executed, devoid of any womanly affectation. Her words were sharp and incisive; in the face of this patriarchal world, she was fearless, defending her dignity with her words. Though a woman, she possessed a spirit and wisdom no less than any man's.
Xu Mingyi held himself in high esteem. In his mind, a woman's virtue lay in her lack of talent—a deeply ingrained belief. When he learned of Shi Wanxia's arrival, a disdainful smile crept onto his lips.
However, beneath that disdain lay a sliver of curiosity deep within him. He wondered, what abilities did this woman possess that dared to intrude into his world and even attempt to change his mind? He wanted to see if she could truly rival a talented man like himself.
When the servants of the Xu family saw Shi Wanxia, their eyes were filled with surprise. They whispered among themselves, seemingly discussing this strange woman.
The maids, however, looked at Shi Wanxia with admiration.
"She's so brave, daring to do that," a maid whispered.
“Yes, I wish I had her courage. Can’t women be like men?” another maid replied.
Their conversation clearly reflects the different views of society at that time regarding women holding official positions.
Sparks flew between Shi Wanxia and Xu Mingyi at their first meeting.
"Why are you, a woman, here? This is not a place for you," Xu Mingyi said, frowning.
Shi Wanxia sneered, "Why can't women come? Does talent have a gender distinction?" Her words were sharp, like arrows piercing Xu Mingyi.
Xu Mingyi, not to be outdone, tried to suppress her with his knowledge, quoting extensively and speaking eloquently. Shi Wanxia, however, responded calmly, each word hitting the nail on the head and refuting his prejudices.
Shi Wanxia knew that to win over Xu Mingyi, she had to win his heart. She first talked about national affairs, speaking earnestly and analyzing the current situation, pointing out the importance of the position of Assistant Magistrate of Xinyang County to the development of Xinyang County.
"The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen; are we women not responsible?" Her words were a wake-up call.
Next, she discussed her personal talents and ambitions, citing historical figures such as Ban Zhao, who demonstrated extraordinary abilities in their respective eras and made significant contributions to the country and society. She attempted to use these examples to dismantle Xu Mingyi's deep-seated gender prejudices.
Under Shi Wanxia's persuasion, Xu Mingyi's resolve began to waver. Looking at the woman before him, the disdain in his eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by a trace of admiration.
He began to re-evaluate Shi Wanxia and discovered that she was not only talented, but also responsible and visionary. Every word she said struck his heart like a hammer blow, making him realize how foolish his long-held prejudices had been.
Ultimately, he was moved by Shi Wanxia's sincerity and talent and decided to take up the post of Assistant Magistrate of Xinyang County.
Throughout the entire lobbying process, Shi Wanxia maintained her unwavering belief. She was like an unyielding mountain, undaunted by any storms.
Her resilience and perseverance, like a beacon in the darkness, illuminated the path forward and deeply moved those around her. She knew she bore the mission of changing the status quo and could not back down in the slightest.
Under Shi Wanxia's influence, Xu Mingyi began to reflect deeply. He couldn't sleep at night, Shi Wanxia's words constantly echoing in his mind.
He realized that gender should not be the standard for measuring a person's ability, and that he had been bound by worldly views all along. This reflection gradually freed him from the shackles of prejudice, making him more mature and wise.
After successfully persuading Shi Wanxia, Xu Mingyi watched her retreating figure, his mind filled with complex emotions. He knew that he was about to face new challenges and opportunities.
After much deliberation, Xu Mingyi began packing his belongings, preparing for his new job. His wife came over, gently draped a coat over his shoulders, and said, "Husband, be careful on your way to the county government." Xu Mingyi took his wife's hand and nodded.
The next day, Xu Mingyi arrived at the county government office early. Shi Wanxia had been waiting there for a long time. When she saw Xu Mingyi, she smiled and went to greet him.
“County Magistrate Xu, you’ve come at the right time. Let me show you around the county government office,” Shi Wanxia said.
Xu Mingyi followed Shi Wanxia on a tour of the various departments of the county government office, learning about its work processes. During the tour, Xu Mingyi discovered that although Shi Wanxia was young, she was very capable and extremely familiar with the affairs of the county government office.
He secretly admired him, but at the same time felt that the burden on his shoulders had become heavier.
After the visit, Shi Wanxia brought Xu Mingyi to Cui Zhihao. Now that Lord Cui had been promoted to prefect, he would be there in a couple of days.
However, it is still there. The capital of Youzhou is Zhengding, which is two or three hundred miles away from here, not too far.
Cui Zhihao and Wang Chang were discussing matters after he took office when Shi's voice came from outside the door.
"My lord, I have brought the newly appointed county magistrate to pay our respects."
Cui Zhihao gestured with his eyes, and Wang Chang went to open the door. Wang Chang got up and opened the door, seeing Miss Shi and Xu Mingyi. With a beaming smile, he quickly invited them into the house.
"Magistrate Shi, Assistant Magistrate Xu, please come in quickly. Prefect Cui has been waiting for you two for a long time."
The two hurried inside and bowed to Choi Ji-ho to greet him. Choi Ji-ho waved his hand, "No need for formalities, please rise quickly."
Then he looked at Xu Mingyi, who was handsome and refined, a truly elegant young man.
He said to him, "County Magistrate Xu, from today onwards, you are a member of the county government. I hope you will work diligently and strive for the well-being of the people. If you have any questions, you can come to Magistrate Shi at any time."
Xu Mingyi nodded and said, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Shi. I will certainly not let you down."
After saying this, he was about to bow and kneel when Cui Zhihao gestured to Wang Chang with his men to leave, giving him some instructions.