Chapter 76 I Will Become the Target of Public Criticism
The carriage drove out of the city gate.
Shang Xi put the book down and looked at Xiao Ning who was sipping tea from the cup across from him.
"I told you to get rid of those guys, but you insisted on keeping them around as a potential problem."
"What if the guard just now recognized us?"
Xiao Ning chuckled, "He didn't even dare to look at us, how could he recognize us?"
“Even if they think we look like the person, they won’t necessarily think we are the person in the portrait.”
Shang Xi disagreed: "...making things simple becomes complicated and only invites trouble."
Xiao Ning sighed, "When people make mistakes, they should always be punished by law. If everyone thinks that someone has a problem and should be killed, then what's the point of having laws?"
"If this continues, the country will no longer be a country, and the people will no longer be people."
Shang Xi didn't understand: "But didn't you think the law was wrong before and wanted to change it? Why do you support the law now?"
Xiao Ning: "Support and change are not contradictory. It's like you hate a tyrant and corrupt officials, but when the country is in danger, can you stand by and watch?"
Shang Xi: “…”
That's definitely not possible.
But he can replace it.
He is the son of the previous emperor, and the throne should belong to him.
Xiao Ning continued, "If the law has deficiencies, then the deficient regulations will be abolished, the useful regulations will be retained, and the unnecessary regulations will be added."
"Princess, can you help me? Together, we can build a new order."
Xiao Ning looked at him with eyes so bright that they seemed to burn people.
Shang Xi: “…”
He avoided her gaze and whispered, "You're too whimsical. It's not that easy."
Xiao Ning: "I know it's difficult, that's why I need the help of Her Royal Highness the Princess."
"I am just a woman who cannot even enter the imperial court. How can I help you?"
Xiao Ning thought for a moment and said, "Princess, you can write a letter to the emperor to advocate the establishment of girls' schools. Given your status as a princess, this should be an easy thing to do."
As long as the people's minds are awakened, they will not be satisfied with the status quo. They will want to reform and strive for their rights.
When there are too many people, the boiling public opinion becomes like a river bursting its banks. When it cannot be blocked, it can only be dredged.
Until then...
Before Xiao Ning's fantasy was over, it was denied by Shang Xi.
"No, not to mention whether the emperor would agree or not, I can't get past the court officials either."
"Official careers and knowledge are inherently the preserve of the aristocratic families. These families constantly fight for power. If I were to make such a suggestion, I would undoubtedly be taking something away from them."
"I will become the target of public criticism and be attacked by everyone."
Xiao Ning: “…”
Shang Xi continued, "If we want to bring about change, we must first dismantle these large families, but even the emperor cannot do this."
"Throughout the dynasties, great families have remained standing. Many of them have a history of hundreds or even thousands of years."
"The collections of the aristocratic families are richer than those in the imperial palace's library. They have a wide range of interests, from scholars and farmers to artisans and merchants. Although they may not be emperors, they can still overshadow the emperor."
"Throughout the dynasties, how many bloody events were not instigated by these great families? They each supported their own monarch, fighting each other. The victor gained greater power, while the loser had their power taken away, falling into silence for years, or even being lost in the long river of history."
"Take the current dynasty, for example. The Fu and Qian clans supported His Majesty, and as His Majesty succeeded, their status and prestige soared. The heads of their clans were ranked among the Three Dukes, and they didn't need to bow when meeting the Emperor. Talented individuals and students from the Fu and Qian clans all served as officials in the court, almost occupying half of the court."
Shang Xi talked freely and Xiao Ning listened attentively.
She asked at the right moment: "Your Majesty, aren't you worried about the Fu and Qian families becoming so powerful?"
Shang Xi chuckled, "How could I not be worried? How could I allow others to snore beside my bed? Your Majesty has single-handedly supported the Shen and Wu families, as well as some scholars from humble backgrounds, over the years to rival the Fu and Qian families."
Xiao Ning asked again: "Are all the officials selected for the imperial court chosen from these big families?"
"Yes, the reason His Majesty was able to ascend the throne was because he promised the aristocratic families to abolish the imperial examination system and continue the nine-rank official selection system of the previous dynasty."
Xiao Ning: “…”
"My father...was forced to commit suicide because of his implementation of the imperial examination system."
"Officials who participated in the reform of the selection system...were all executed by being torn to pieces by chariots. Even students who passed the imperial examinations...were either killed or exiled to remote areas."
"I heard that during that time, the execution grounds flowed like a river of blood, and even after three days of rain, the strong smell of blood couldn't be washed away..."
Xiao Ning: “…”
No wonder the princess is so...
She was the one who mentioned the princess's sad story...
Xiao Ning raised his hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally put it on Shang Xi's shoulder, patted it gently, and said in a softer tone: "Don't be sad."
Shang Xi raised his eyes, his expression not fluctuating much.
"No need to comfort me. The Heavenly Family has always been like this. I am not sad."
…
At noon, Shang Xi signaled the driver to stop.
The two got out of the car, stretched their bodies, and ordered hot tea at a nearby tea stall.
There was no place to eat nearby, but Yuan Shao was thoughtful and prepared a lot of food, which the two of them shared with the driver.
"My two nobles, we must hurry up this afternoon, otherwise we won't be able to enter the city before dark and will have to spend the night in the wild."
The driver said.
Xiao Ning nodded, "No problem, where's my wife?"
Shang Xi said: "I have no problem either."
So the three of them finished their meal, took a short rest, and then continued on their journey.
Just in time to get in before the city gate was closed.
I found an inn to stay in.
The two of them still treated each other as husband and wife in public and naturally lived together again.
The driver parked the carriage before entering the inn.
After dinner, Shang Xi wanted to take a shower, so Xiao Ning left the room on his own accord.
The coachman's room was next to theirs. When they came out, they saw Xiao Ning standing at the door like a door god.
"Sir, what are you doing..."
Xiao Ning said, "My wife is taking a bath. I came out to get some fresh air."
Driver: “…”
Xiao Ning was speechless when he saw the driver's ambiguous look.
But her unyielding character made her straighten her chest and explain: "It was my wife. She didn't let me in. She said she was too tired and didn't want to toss around. She wanted to wash up and rest early."
Driver: “…”
The look in his eyes was even more ambiguous.
Xiao Ning: “…”
No, can you please pour out the colorful garbage in your head?
Xiao Ning withdrew his gaze and looked away.
After a night's rest and breakfast the next day, the two of them got on the carriage and hurried towards Shengjing.
After almost ten days, the two finally arrived in Shengjing.
Shang Xi did not rush into the city, but chose to change into that tattered linen clothes, took off all the hairpins on his head, and dressed himself up to look like a pitiful person who was exhausted and had experienced many hardships.
Xiao Ning: “…”
The princess is trying to please the emperor.
Seeing Shang Xi dressed like this, Xiao Ning went back to the room and changed into the same linen dress as hers.
After all, the princess has traveled a long way, so she can't be exhausted and dusty, right? She has to be dressed in fine clothes and ride a horse.
After changing clothes, I came out and looked at the princess with red lips and white teeth.
After thinking about it, he squatted on the ground, rubbed his hands in the soil, stood up, and touched Shang Xi's face directly.
"Since you're going to act shabby, then let's do it to the end!"
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