Moreover, he secretly thought that if his daughter could enter the official career, Jiang Songyi would be ecstatic. At that time, she might abandon the name of "scumbag dad" and call him "daddy" affectionately.
"You're quite bold in your assumptions. Since ancient times, it has been unheard of for women to participate in the imperial court and hold official positions."
The emperor just thought he was joking and didn't really take his words to heart.
If he really dared to indulge Jiang Dinglian in this matter and risk the wrath of the world, he would probably be drowned in criticism from the conservative forces of the aristocratic families and be severely criticized.
By then, people may forget Jiang Songyi's contribution in resolving the disaster of the ghost fetus, and instead accuse her of usurping the throne and exceeding her authority, and behaving improperly.
Wouldn't such a reward harm the innocent woman?
The emperor thought to himself that Jiang Dinglian, this rough and tough warrior, was indeed too straightforward in his thinking.
However, the more Jiang Dinglian thought about it, the more he felt that having Jiang Songyi serve as the Imperial Preceptor was a brilliant idea. Since Abbot Yuantong was qualified, and his daughter was incredibly talented, how could she possibly be inferior to Abbot Yuantong? Why not?
"There's no precedent here. Your Majesty, why not step forward and become a pioneer in forging a new chapter, leaving your name in history? Wouldn't that be wonderful? The Empress Dowager has previously remarked that many of the palace's female officials are as talented as men, like the female doctors, whose skills even surpass those of the imperial physicians. However, simply because they are women, they are relegated to the bottom of the hierarchy, unable to soar to higher heights. Although I'm uneducated, I do know the old saying: 'Whether a cat is male or female, the one that catches mice is the best.' How can I explain this? Your Majesty should be open-minded and recruit talented individuals from all walks of life."
After Jiang Dinglian finished speaking, he bowed deeply and respectfully.
However, the emperor's expression was slightly subtle. "I didn't expect you to agree with the queen mother's point of view."
The Empress Dowager is not the Emperor's biological mother, and their relationship has always been distant. However, her influence is far-reaching, and she commands powerful backing. Her policies often concern women and the well-being of the people, rarely intervening in the heart of state affairs. The Emperor, out of filial piety, rarely intervenes, yet controversy permeates the court.
Jiang Dinglian had never cared much about these political affairs. His mind was only on fighting on the battlefield. He never thought that he still remembered what the empress dowager said.
"Ding Lian, I am not seeking praise from future generations, I just hope not to leave behind a bad reputation for all eternity. I will never do something that would offend the public. Don't harbor any illusions, I will never appoint your daughter as the Imperial Master!" The emperor spoke in a firm tone and a resolute look.
Although the emperor has always been quite tolerant of Jiang Dinglian, he still prides himself on maintaining an inviolable bottom line.
In his opinion, powerful ministers and favorite concubines are the same and must not be spoiled without principles!
However, the Emperor could not bear to see Jiang Dinglian lose heart, so he said gently, "But doesn't your daughter have a mentor who guides her in her studies? I can appoint her mentor as the Imperial Preceptor. In this way, she will be a disciple of the Imperial Preceptor, a truly unique honor."
Jiang Dinglian thought to himself that he should tell the emperor that Jiang Songyi's master, whose whereabouts were elusive and as unpredictable as a dragon, might be his prince who was bedridden and on the verge of death.
"Songyi's master is like a dragon that appears and disappears. Even I have difficulty finding his whereabouts. I'm afraid the emperor's reward will be difficult to deliver. Even if he cannot be appointed as the Imperial Master, my daughter's honor must not be buried."
Jiang Dinglian firmly demanded a reward.
Eunuch Ying Shuo, who was standing aside, couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead nervously.
Marquis Yongding was so arrogant. If it were any other monarch, they would have been afraid of him and put him to death.
"There is no need to say more. I will open the inner treasury and reward Jiang Songyi generously to commend her talent. What a woman pursues in her life is nothing more than a happy marriage. If you have a son-in-law in mind, I can also arrange a marriage for her. As long as her future husband has good character, I can grant him an official position and confer the title of Consort on your daughter." The emperor believed that this was undoubtedly the best arrangement.
Jiang Dinglian couldn't help but frown after hearing this, and his heart was in turmoil.
Despite this seemingly reasonable reward, Jiang Dinglian felt a strange sense of being shortchanged. He was puzzled: Why did his daughter's efforts and achievements have to be highlighted by others in order to be truly recognized?
Jiang Dinglian asked doubtfully, "What if she remains single and has no companion?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and asked in dissatisfaction, "Are you cursing your own daughter? Is your daughter planning to become a nun and practice Buddhism?"
Ji Cheng was silent for a long time before he slowly spoke, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid the Marquis of Yongding's intention is to secure a unique favor for Miss Jiang. This reward has nothing to do with others, it doesn't matter whose apprentice she is, whose daughter she is, whose future spouse or mother she is, but only belongs to her personally."
"That's right! This is exactly what I think!" Jiang Dinglian was a little excited. This was what he had always wanted to express, but he was troubled by his poor wording and found it difficult to convey it accurately.
Ji Cheng's words seemed to strike his heart, making Jiang Dinglian feel extremely resonated.
His daughter, why must her achievements be used to achieve the success of others?
The emperor suddenly understood. "You should have said it so clearly earlier! As long as you don't force me to appoint your daughter as an official, everything else is negotiable. You would certainly be reluctant to let her enter the palace as a female official and serve the royal family. There are precedents in the past for enthroning the unmarried daughters of foreign ministers. Then, I will decree that your daughter be a second-rank county lady and grant her a fief. How do you do?"
Jiang Dinglian immediately knelt, fearing that if the emperor changed his mind, he would lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "Your Majesty, I accept your order and thank you for your grace."
When the emperor saw that he agreed so readily, he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, as if he felt that he had suffered a loss in this deal.
The announcement of this special title garnered widespread attention at court: a Crown Prince's daughter could only be granted the title of Princess if she was the daughter of a First-rank Prince; and the title of Princess of the Second-rank could only be bestowed upon the daughter of a Prince. However, Jiang Songyi, despite not shouldering the responsibility of a marriage alliance, was unexpectedly granted the title of Princess of the Second-rank, a somewhat unconventional title within conventional etiquette.
In the past, the titles of princess, county lady, or princess-in-waiting to daughters of foreign ministers were often bestowed to consolidate the nation's borders and implement policies of marriage alliances. Jiang Songyi's case was clearly an exception. Nevertheless, the Emperor, after careful consideration, deemed the title of princess-in-waiting more acceptable than bestowing upon her the title of Imperial Preceptor, and the court officials agreed.
Furthermore, Jiang Dinglian, despite his distinguished military exploits, remained a marquis for many years, never asking the court for any reward. Now, he was seeking a rare honor for his beloved daughter, and the emperor naturally could not hurt his sincere feelings.
Abbot Yuantong waited anxiously outside the Imperial Study for a long time, but still saw no imperial edict appointing him as Imperial Master. He felt a sense of unease. However, when he caught a glimpse of the Imperial Observatory, which spoke so highly of him, he felt a slight sense of peace. After all, they had claimed that it was the Emperor himself who had spoken, so it must be true.
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