novelraw Chapter 1311 - 488: Palace Intrigue vs. Rebellion (Part 25)
Chapter 1311 - 488: Palace Intrigue vs. Rebellion (Part 25)
Women attending court?
This is even more of a shock to the ministers’ nerves than the Empress Dowager presiding over court affairs.
The Empress Dowager regents, although attending court, sits at the Emperor’s side, representing not herself but the late Emperor.
However, Wang Shijiu, as a woman, presents a memorial to the court, which carries significant meaning.
This, this—
"A hen crowing at dawn! Reversal of yin and yang!"
"A woman actually dares to come to the Imperial court?"
"Why can’t she? Haven’t you heard that Wang Shijiu is a scholar at Bowen Academy? Fifth-rank, just enough qualification to attend court!"
"Fifth-rank? Isn’t it just a frivolous title, how can it truly allow for court participation?"
"Fifth-rank is indeed fifth-rank, when has an official of the court ever been presumed ’frivolous’?"
"What does Empress Dowager He intend to do? Does she wish to become Empress Lv, randomly interfering in court affairs through Bowen Academy?"
"Exactly, agreeing with the Empress Dowager’s establishment of Bowen Academy was a mistake from the start!"
The ministers discussed among themselves, feeling an inexplicable shame and anger—
Here is the Imperial court, the most prestigious and solemn place of the Dayuan Dynasty, and yet a woman dares to meddle.
Some officials from noble families were displeased.
Wang Shijiu is indeed a lady of the Langya Wang Family, but she is a woman, how can she openly show herself like this?
She, she is daring to go against the world’s condemnation.
"Grand Scribe Wang, what do you make of this?"
An official from a noble family not fond of the Wang Family approached Wang Yuan with ill intent, asking sarcastically.
Wang Yuan:... what do I make of this? I, of course, observe while kneeled!
Upon seeing his granddaughter at the entrance of the great hall, Wang Yuan was shocked.
But after the initial surprise, Wang Yuan felt a sense of "as expected."
Indeed, upon learning the Empress Dowager established Bowen Academy and appointed his Liulang as Director, Wang Yuan suspected the Empress Dowager had a grand plan.
Later, when his granddaughter successfully defeated several noble sons in the Bowen Academy’s "examinations" and became its scholar,
Wang Yuan knew his Nineteenth Lady would never be satisfied with merely holding a "frivolous title."
One day, given the right opportunity, his Nineteenth Lady was bound to ascend to the Imperial court!
And here it is, the opportunity arose, and his Nineteenth Lady decisively seized it!
If it were any other woman barging into the court, Wang Yuan would surely have opposed, maybe even admonished her.
However, Wang Shijiu is not just any woman; she’s a daughter of the Wang Family.
Thus, the situation can be approached differently.
Wang Yuan is not an obstinate man; he does not treat his grandchildren differently purely based on gender.
If truly that stubborn, pedantic, he wouldn’t have his granddaughters educated, taught the governance notes of their ancestors.
Since he has taught them, Wang Yuan hopes the Wang Family’s children, male or female, can become valuable talents of the family.
Now, Wang Shijiu hasn’t relied on the family, but her own ability, step by step ascending to the court, Wang Yuan will certainly not stop her.
As long as it benefits the family, as long as it’s a "talent" within the clan, Wang Yuan does not care about their gender.
Within seconds, Wang Yuan sorted his thoughts.
He smiled slightly, and replied calmly, "We, as ministers, must see the Empress Dowager’s and the Emperor’s intentions!"
What does he think?
He’s pleased to see it happen.
The person who was lightly rebuffed felt secretly annoyed, but dared not provoke further.
Despite Wang Yuan always smiling benignly, seemingly a gentleman.
In fact, he’s a cunning old fox, hiding daggers behind his smile.
Even as a "rival," that person dared not provoke him openly.
"Impertinence! Presumptuous! Your Majesty, this is completely outrageous!"
Among the officials, an elderly minister finally jumped out indignantly, accusing vehemently.
Emperor Yongcheng: ... ’Outrageous’? Hang it like a picture then!
Muttering inwardly, he saw the ministers finally targeting Wang Shijiu instead of him.
Emperor Yongcheng suddenly felt inexplicably relieved.
The feeling is quite subtle.
As if a moment ago, he was the criminal interrogated by the civil and military officials, seemingly guilty of unforgivable crimes.
But now, Emperor Yongcheng, the "defendant," had become the "judge" presiding over justice.
And those officials attacking him verbally, were screaming to let him adjudicate!
Refreshing!
Extremely refreshing!
Originally, Emperor Yongcheng held no fondness for Empress Dowager He or Wang Shijiu.
In another time or place, upon hearing Wang Shijiu come bearing Empress Dowager He’s orders, he would certainly feel repulsed.