Su Juan escaped from the imperial study and went to work in the Ministry of Revenue where official business was handled. After being busy for most of the day, she was still a little confused. Fortunately, she had colleagues to help her and she got the hang of it quickly.

Before she returned to Prince Jing's Mansion, Li An, the guard beside Song Qianfan, came to find her and said that Song Qianfan had something important to discuss with her.

As a result, Su Juan did not return the dinner to the prince's palace, but went directly to the residence of the Minister of the Central Secretariat.

Don't think she doesn't know that the old man Guangping Hou is having an affair with Song Qianfan. Today, Guangping Hou got into trouble, and Song Qianfan, with his bad temper, will definitely come to vent his anger on her.

Only a fool would go back and be someone's punching bag at this time.

Liu Miaoqing hosted a banquet for Su Juan in her courtyard. "My meals are always simple, with only a few dishes. If it's not enough, I'll have someone send some more."

Su Juan ate while waving her hands, "No, it's already a lot."

"I was on duty today and didn't have time to eat. I'm so hungry."

Speaking of this, Su Juan recalled the time when the old emperor called her to the imperial study room to punish her. She was furious. [This old emperor is really bored.]

[I'm fine and haven't done anything bad. I haven't said a word this morning. Why are you punishing me? ]

Listening to Su Juan's words, Liu Miaoqing couldn't help but laugh. She didn't ask Su Juan why she didn't go back to the palace for dinner at this time. It seemed that she would not have an easy time going to court today.

But no matter what, being able to serve as a Deputy Director of the Ministry of Revenue is a good thing.

"I haven't congratulated you yet. It has been decades since a woman has served as an official in our dynasty."

Su Juan sighed slightly. It was actually quite good to get a sixth-rank official position for free, but she was a little uncomfortable. "So, there were women officials in the past?"

Liu Miaoqing nodded, "When the Empress Dowager was in power, it was not uncommon for women to serve as officials in the court. You should have heard of this."

Su Juan remembered that Xie Xun and Song Qianhang had mentioned this last time at Baihua Tower.

She didn't really know much about the emperor of the previous dynasty. She only knew that she was a woman, but she didn't know how she ascended the throne and many other things.

Now that Liu Miaoqing mentioned it, she became really curious.

"Miao Qing, how much do you know about the previous dynasty?"

Liu Miaoqing: “Just a few.”

Su Juan blinked, "Can you tell me about it?"

Liu Miaoqing nodded slightly and told her about the emperor of the previous dynasty.

During the Wu Guang period, the emperor had three sons and one daughter. The eldest prince was weak and had to take medicine to nourish his body all year round, so he had no chance of becoming the crown prince.

The second prince and the third prince fought for more than ten years. The third prince was killed. The second prince was eager for merit and colluded with foreign countries, turning the court upside down. The emperor was so angry that he fell seriously ill.

Foreign nations took the opportunity to harass the Jin Dynasty and a war broke out.

The princess faced danger without fear and took over this mess. At first, some people doubted her, thinking that a woman could not handle such a big responsibility. But gradually, people found that this princess was much better than the second and third princes.

Gradually, more voices supported the princess in the court. Later, the princess was made the crown prince and moved into the Eastern Palace, which also attracted a lot of criticism.

But at that time, the emperor was seriously ill, the eldest prince was in poor health and had to rest for many years, the third prince had died, and the situation of the Eastern Palace was unresolved, which was definitely not a good thing.

After the 23-year-old princess ascended the throne, she accepted advice from all sides, improved policies, opened up customs, and employed talented people, both men and women.

In the capital at that time, all flowers bloomed, everyone was equal, and women could be the masters of their own families.

Unfortunately, the Queen Mother was busy with government affairs and reigned for only eighteen years. After her death, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace ascended the throne, who is now the Emperor. After that, women were frustrated and suppressed everywhere in the court, and gradually withdrew from the court, leading to the current situation.

Su Juan suddenly felt it was a pity, "What a pity..."

[It is really difficult for women in this world. Even though they are officials in the same dynasty, they are treated differently and suppressed by their colleagues just because they are women.]

【It’s really unfair.】

Liu Miaoqing looked at Su Juan with gentle eyes, "But you showed up and broke the deadlock."

Su Juan: “?”

Liu Miaoqing smiled, "I believe that if there is one, there will be another. In the future, there will definitely be women like you who will serve as officials in the court, recreating the glory of the Empress' reign and giving women a place to live in."

Su Juan discovered that there was light and yearning in Liu Miaoqing's eyes when he said this.

Could it be that...

【Miao Qing also wants to enter the government? 】

Liu Miaoqing was slightly stunned and was noticed by Su Juan.

She looked at Su Juan steadily, and said in a firm voice, "Ajuan, who says women are inferior to men? I think you are very good, and you will definitely do something in the court in the future."

My father strongly recommended Su Juan to the court. It seemed that he was trying to relieve the emperor's worries, but in fact, he was trying to break the deadlock that women found it difficult to enter officialdom.

Women in this world are in a difficult situation. She doesn't want to be trapped in the mansion and be a canary in a cage. She, Liu Miaoqing, also wants to set foot in that seemingly man's world.

Even if you are born at the wrong time, as long as you want to do it, you can always find a way.

The appearance of Su Juan gave her hope.

She admitted that she had guessed the emperor's intentions and used Su Juan to take advantage of him. She begged her father to recommend Su Juan to pave the way for her to become an official in the court in the future.

As long as the first person appears and sets a precedent for decades, then when the second or third person appears later, there will not be such a big controversy among others.

Su Juan lowered her eyes, thinking of the day in the imperial study, when the Minister of the Chancellery and the old emperor sang the same tune, and she immediately understood.

[So the Minister of the Central Secretariat strongly recommended me to the court, in fact, it was for his own daughter. ]

[But why did the old emperor agree? ]

【Why didn't he recommend his own daughter? 】

Su Juan couldn't figure it out and felt that the food on the table was tasteless.

She knew that she and Liu Miaoqing had only known each other for a short time, and they were not close friends, but they had treated each other with sincerity. Now that she found out that she was being used, she felt a little uncomfortable.

Liu Miaoqing's eyes darkened, but she did not regret it in her heart, "Ajuan, I'm sorry."

Su Juan quickly ate two mouthfuls of rice. She couldn't waste food anyway. After finishing her bowl of rice, she put down the bowl in her hand and said, "It's getting late. I won't bother you anymore. You should go to bed early."

Having said that, she stood up and was about to leave.

Liu Miaoqing behind her stood up and called out to her, "Ajuan! Believe it or not, I never thought of harming you."

"real."

She truly admired Su Juan and wanted to be friends with her, and she never had any intention of harming her.

But Su Juan couldn't listen at this moment.

Liu Miaoqing's mind was truly deep. She was probably on good terms with Liu Xuan not because she loved Liu Xuan as she had thought before, but because Liu Xuan's talent and reputation were beneficial to her.

She took every step so carefully in order to enter the officialdom.

At this moment, Su Juan felt both admiration and dissatisfaction and anger at being used. Afterwards, she couldn't help but feel sympathy and pity for her.

[But you have calculated everything, but you have overlooked Song Qianfan. Not to mention his future atrocities after he ascends the throne, how could he, who is so arrogant and looks down on women, allow you to enter the court? ]

[Miao Qing, you will eventually be trapped in the deep palace by him and die in depression...]

Liu Miaoqing's expression froze on her face.

How could it be Song Qianfan...