Chapter 27 The Path to Becoming a Female Official Begins

When the imperial edict was finally issued, it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples all around.

The Zhaoyin Dynasty officially restarted the system of female officials, conducting open selections for daughters of officials and nobles.

For a time, there was much discussion in the capital, with some praising the reforms and others scoffing at them.

But for Ling Wei, this decree was the official pass she had long awaited, the formal ticket to power and independence.

After the joy comes the reality we must face.

With unprecedented solemnity, she approached the Lin family.

Without detours or excuses, she took a deep breath, lifted her skirt, and slowly knelt on the cold floor tiles.

“Aunt,” Ling Wei’s voice was clear and firm, “Wei’er… wants to apologize to you.”

Madam Lin was checking the account books when she saw this and was startled. She quickly put down what she was holding and stood up to help her up, saying, "Weiwei! What are you doing? Get up quickly!"

Ling Wei avoided Lin Shi's hand, straightened her back, and looked up at her aunt, who treated her like her own daughter, with clear eyes: "Wei'er has been deceiving you. Since the autumn hunt, Wei'er has made up her mind to participate in the selection of female officials and to fight for a place in this world with her own strength. These days, Wei'er has been... preparing for the exam."

Her eyes held deep regret, but even more so, an unwavering determination. "Wei'er knows this path is arduous, far from the peaceful life in the inner chambers that Auntie hoped for. I have failed Auntie's nurturing kindness and painstaking efforts; Wei'er... deserves to die. But my resolve is firm, and I humbly beg Auntie to grant my request!"

Lin's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. She had sensed something was wrong, but she didn't want to think about it too much. Now that Ling Wei had so bluntly exposed it, she was overwhelmed by immense disappointment and worry.

“Weiwei…you…why did you have to choose this path? It’s incredibly difficult for a woman to become an official! Your aunt only hopes that you will be safe and happy, find a good husband, and raise children well…”

“Aunt,” Ling Wei’s voice was gentle yet firm as a rock, “the peace and joy that Wei’er desires is in her own hands. The path of a female official may be perilous, but it is what Wei’er’s heart desires. Please, Aunt… grant Wei’er’s request!” She bent down, her forehead gently touching the ground.

Lin's heart was in turmoil.

She recalled her composure when she received the imperial decree, and her intelligence and resilience that she had repeatedly demonstrated... This child's heart had already flown out of the deep courtyard.

After a long silence, Madam Lin sighed with endless helplessness and heartache, and reached out to help Ling Wei up: "Enough... enough! You stubborn girl! Aunt... Aunt can't stop you. I only ask that you... be careful in everything, don't be reckless, and when you are tired or weary, Aunt... will always be your way out."

Ling Wei hugged Lin Shi tightly, tears streaming down her face silently: "Thank you, Aunt... Wei'er... will never let you down!"

The Lin family's compromise does not mean that the Gu family as a whole agrees.

Especially when Gu Qingyu also stepped forward and expressed her desire to prepare for the female official exam together, a storm was suddenly brewing beneath the calm surface of the Gu family.

The second wife, Madam Liu, was the first to attack, speaking sarcastically: "Oh dear, the winds of this female official are really blowing wildly, making our two daughters' hearts wander. Qingyu, you are the legitimate eldest daughter of our Gu family, raised with the utmost care and privilege, why bother learning those skills of serving others?"

Her gaze swept over Ling Wei, her words carrying a pointed meaning, "And she's different from those from humble families..."

The old lady Gu had initially become more friendly towards Ling Wei because her son, Minister Gu, said that Ling Wei had bravely saved the emperor and received praise from him.

Now this person wants to take the exam for a female official, fine, but she even wants to bring her own granddaughter into it as well.

This has completely crossed the line for the Gu family!

"Nonsense!" Old Madam Gu slammed her cane down heavily, her gaze sweeping over Gu Qingyu before finally settling on Ling Wei. Her gaze was complex, scrutinizing, and filled with obvious aloofness and indifference.

"Qingyu! You are the eldest daughter of the Gu family. Your marriage is a matter for your parents to decide and for a matchmaker to arrange. How can you be so willful and reckless? What about being a female official? Is that something a proper young lady should be thinking about? A daughter of the Gu family doesn't need to suffer the hardship of showing her face in public!"

She then turned to Ling Wei, her tone trying to remain calm, but lacking the previous kindness: "Wei girl, you have ambition, and it is inconvenient for this old woman to say more. It's just that Qingyu is young and simple-minded, and easily influenced by others. Her affairs are for her parents and grandparents to decide."

Although Minister Gu did not directly reprimand Gu Qingyu, he only said lightly, "This matter will be discussed later," in response to Gu Qingyu's request.

The attitude is already clear.

Ling Wei saw all of this clearly.

She was well aware of the implications. If Gu Qingyu truly followed her onto the path of a female official, in the eyes of outsiders, it would be as if the eldest daughter of the Gu family had chosen this path.

Others may not know, but Ling Wei is well aware that the selection of female officials is driven by Princess Xiao Yue. Once Gu Qingyu is selected, it is almost equivalent to the Gu family having a deeper connection with the princess's camp.

The Gu family strives for neutrality and remains cautious amidst the uncertainty surrounding the succession.

She, Ling Wei, is willing to fight for her future, and even if she fails, the consequences will be limited.

She cannot, for her own selfish desires, take advantage of Lin's kindness and Gu Qingyu's sisterly bond to bind the entire Gu family to her ship, whose future is uncertain and destined to sail into the center of a storm.

This is unfair to the Gu family, disrespectful to Madam Lin, and an even heavier burden on Gu Qingyu...

Ling Wei came to Lin's room again, and this time, she brought a decision that would cause Lin even more heartache.

“Aunt,” Ling Wei said calmly, “I have counted the gold His Majesty previously bestowed upon me, and it is enough to buy a quiet little courtyard in the capital. I… want to move out.”

Madam Lin was shocked and grabbed her hand: "No! Absolutely not! How can a young lady like you be out alone? Your aunt will never allow it! Is it because of the household..."

She was speechless for a moment when she thought of her mother-in-law's attitude.

“Aunt,” Ling Wei grasped Lin Shi’s hand, her eyes filled with earnestness and reassurance, “Wei’er is moving out not because anyone in the household has treated me badly. Aunt, you have treated me like your own daughter, and Wei’er will remember that forever. It’s just that I need to focus on preparing for the female official examination. Besides…”

Her voice was even lower, "As for Qingyu... Wei'er moving out might ease the elders' worries and give Qingyu... more time to calmly think about her path. Wei'er isn't cutting off contact, but just looking for a quiet place to prepare for the exams. I will definitely come back to visit my aunt from time to time."

Looking at the resolute look in Ling Wei's eyes, Madam Lin knew that the child's mind was made up.

She understood Ling Wei's concerns and was even more aware of her mother-in-law and husband's attitudes.

Forcing her to stay will only make Ling Wei's situation in the mansion more awkward and difficult.

Madam Lin choked up and said, "You child...you always have such a strong will...how can your aunt be at ease? Never mind...never mind! Since you want to move, your aunt will make arrangements for you. Make sure you find a safe and secure place that isn't too far away! Tell your aunt immediately if you need anything or anything you're short of. Don't try to carry it all yourself!"

She kept arranging things in a rambling manner, as if only in this way could she slightly alleviate the unease in her heart.

On the eve of moving, Gu Qingyu hugged her pillow and crawled into Ling Wei's room, insisting on sleeping with her.