Chapter 693: Emperor and Empress Chapter (Part 1)

Chapter 693: Emperor and Empress Chapter (Part 1)

The new emperor of Great Shen ascended the throne, changing the era name to Chengtian and adopting the temple name Yongning.

In the first year of Chengtian, Xie Yuan, who had assisted Emperor Yongning in ascending the throne and quelling the internal strife in Liaodong Province, unexpectedly went missing at Jiuyuan Pass. The new emperor personally went to Liaodong, causing many in the court, which had gradually calmed down, to become restless again, attempting to control the new emperor. The court was in an uproar over the control of the divine armaments.

However, half a year later, Xie Yuan suddenly returned, accompanying the new emperor back to the capital. Upon their return, they swiftly and decisively dealt with those who had been stirring unrest in the court during that time.

Thus, within three months of Emperor Yongning's return to the capital, the entire capital of Yanjing was peaceful. Even the series of decisions by Emperor Yongning that sparked public protests were met with little opposition in the court.

Firstly, schools were established to teach the art of divine engineering, which was included in the imperial examinations, and new positions in the Ministry of Engineering were established. Secondly, the court decided to open the imperial examinations to women, setting a precedent for women to become officials.

The public was more accepting of the former, as it was the art of divine engineering that had quelled the internal strife. However, the latter, allowing women, who were deemed inferior to men, to become officials, was seen as a fantasy.

Yet, there were already precedents for female officials in the court, and despite the public outcry, there was little opposition in the court. Thus, the new policies were implemented as planned.

When Xiao Feiyan learned that the court was truly opening the recruitment of female officials, she was so excited she could have jumped three feet in the air.

"Mother! Mother, did you hear? The emperor is opening the recruitment of female officials, and I can participate in the selection!"

This had always been her dream, and now that the opportunity had finally come, how could she let it pass?

The emperor is truly a great man!

She didn't understand why so many in the court feared him. He had been so gentle when he was at Jiuyuan Pass.

In any case, she wasn't the least bit afraid of him. In fact, her admiration for the new emperor grew because of his decision to add female officials to the court.

Marchioness Jinghai, observing her exuberant daughter, couldn't help but hold her back: "Feiyan, if you want to become a female official, I won't stop you, but it's time to discuss your marriage. Look at Yue'er's little Xiaobao, in a few months he'll be crawling everywhere."

Xiao Feiyan thought of Xie Xiaobao and couldn't help but want to visit the Xie residence again.

That little one's cheeks were so irresistibly pinchable. Although Yue'er said that a baby's face should be pinched less, she simply couldn't resist. As a result, Xie Xiaobao, at such a young age, had already learned to recognize people and would hide in his mother's arms whenever he saw her.

This only made Xiao Feiyan fonder of him.

How could such a little baby be so smart?

"Mother, I'll head to the Xie residence first. I'll talk to you when I get back!"

With that, Xiao Feiyan dashed off.

"Feiyan..." Watching her daughter run off faster than anyone, Marchioness Jinghai shook her head helplessly.

Previously, because of her daughter's nightmares, she had always felt they were glimpses of her daughter's past life. In this life, she had even considered letting her daughter remain unmarried. If any of her sons dared to look down on this aunt, she would thrash them.

But now, seeing Madam Su constantly showing off her grandson, she couldn't help feeling envious. She thought it would be good for her daughter to have a home. After all, parents couldn't accompany her forever, and she wanted her daughter to have a home and children of her own.

If her daughter really didn't want to, she naturally wouldn't force her. But since her daughter hadn't expressed a strong opposition, as a mother, she naturally felt compelled to urge her appropriately.

Watching her daughter run off happily, Marchioness Jinghai shook her head.

Oh well, let her enjoy a few more years of freedom. Let others say what they will.

No matter what they say about her being an old maid, to her, she would always be a child.

Xiao Feiyan, who had run out, let out a sigh of relief.

She was genuinely afraid of her mother bringing up marriage.

After all, Fourth Brother hasn't even married Rong'er yet, so why should she be in a rush?

Xiao Feiyan completely ignored Su Rong's young age, feeling that she herself wasn't in any hurry.

Her past nightmares had left her somewhat averse to the idea of men, and her ex-fiancé's family had truly disgusted her, so she didn't want to think about these matters now.

Now, all she wanted was to run for a female official position!

Knowing that Madam Su and Su Youyue were the most knowledgeable about these matters, Xiao Feiyan went to ask them for clarification.

"Feiyan, although the court has decided to widely recruit female officials, the military exams are still closed to women. As for civil officials, you just can't get into studying. A few days ago, I had you attend classes on ingenious mechanisms at the women's school, but you dozed off after a while..."

Su Youyue spoke halfway, her eyes showing both indulgence and helplessness.

The strand of hair that had been sticking up on Xiao Feiyan's head now drooped down.

Yes, why was she so bad at everything, only excelling at slacking off and eating!

How could she ever become a female official like this?

Xiao Feiyan felt like crying.

Su Youyue, however, looked hesitant.

As Su Youyue's close friend, Xiao Feiyan knew her well and immediately sensed something, "Yue'er, have you thought of something? Tell me, quick!"

Su Youyue touched her chin: "Actually, Xie Yuan's Ministry of Justice is recruiting female officials too, responsible for investigating cases among the populace, especially those involving women. Having female officials would actually be more effective, but investigating and handling cases exposes you to too much of the world's darkness..."

So she wasn't too keen on letting Xiao Feiyan try.

She knew Xiao Feiyan had suffered in her past life and only wanted her to live a lighter, happier life this time.

But before she could finish, Xiao Feiyan got excited, grabbing her arm and shaking it vigorously, "Yue'er! I want to go! I really want to go! You know how much I love to stand up for justice! Every time I see cases unfair to women, I get so angry that I want to help them seek justice!"

Su Youyue knew that once she brought it up, this girl would definitely be interested.

"But investigating and handling cases is dangerous; what if you encounter drugs again..."

Xiao Feiyan patted her chest, "Don't worry, since last time, my First, Second, Third, and Fourth Brothers have been teaching me how to recognize them, and they've given me plenty of drugs. Who ends up drugged might not be certain then!"

"And during this time, I haven't done much else, but I've been practicing martial arts... You know, since you disappeared, I've hated that I couldn't protect you, so I've been practicing martial arts hard. At Jiuyuan Pass, I cried every day thinking of you while practicing martial arts..."

Xiao Feiyan's bright eyes gradually filled with tears, like a wronged little animal.

Su Youyue couldn't help but soften. Actually, the reason she thought of letting Xiao Feiyan go was because she knew that even if Xiao Feiyan went now, she would only be an apprentice, not a formal official, and wouldn't really be exposed to those vicious cases.

Plus, with Xie Yuan's care, it would let her get a taste of being an official. Maybe after a while, the novelty would wear off, and she wouldn't want to be one anymore.

So she finally struck a blow, "Then I'll say it upfront, going now is just to be an apprentice, you have to be like other civilian women participating in the selection, no special treatment. After spending half a year with them in the probation period, and passing the Ministry of Justice's exam, can you officially become a female official, you..."

"I'm willing!" Xiao Feiyan agreed without hesitation, then kissed Su Youyue on the cheek, "Yue'er, I love you so much, I'll definitely repay you when I become a female official!"

Su Youyue touched her cheek, dazed.

Repay?

Isn't this already given?