The following morning, as expected, Su Rong proposed allowing women to participate in the Golden Autumn Imperial Examinations, with an age restriction of under forty-five.
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court was shocked. Several senior ministers immediately protested, claiming that this act was inappropriate by the Princess. Current court affairs had just stabilized, and this year’s lenient examinations were already a pressing matter. If women were also allowed to participate, it would create chaos.
Su Rong calmly retorted, "It will not be chaotic. Uncle Xie is the chief examiner. A small matter like this, Uncle Xie will keep under control."
With this single sentence, she pushed the responsibility onto Xie Yuan.
Several high-ranking officials were taken aback, unable to refute Xie Yuan’s control in court. Was this really a matter of maintaining control? It was about setting a precedent. Even though there was a queen in Nanchu history, a lenient examination specifically for women was only introduced ten years after her coronation. Yet as soon as the princess returned to court, even before ascending to the throne, she wanted women to take part in the full-scale examination alongside men.
Before anyone else could speak, Su Rong intervened, "If any of you gentlemen have talented daughters at home, you can recommend them to me. If they can pass my examination, in recognition of your distinguished service to the imperial court, I will exempt her from the examination and directly appoint her a seventh rank female official."
This announcement stunned the court officials. For a moment, they all forgot to rebut, each pondering whether they had a suitable candidate at home.
Su Rong smiled, "Alright, let’s move on to the next matter!"
This issue was thus decided, just like that, by her carefree and unassuming manner.
Upon dismissing the morning session, the attendees came back to their senses, but it was too late. The tide had turned, and they silently recognized the Princess’s power and authority. Their lifetime of experience as old ministers was completely outmatched.
Thus, the matter of women participating in examinations was settled. On that very day, a royal proclamation was posted and disseminated throughout counties, townships, and provinces.
Within a mere three days, the matter was being debated unprecedentedly throughout the court and country.
Among families with daughters, there were feelings of both delight and worry. The delight stemmed from the fact that daughters now had the option of joining the royal court through the examination rather than marrying. The worry was that most daughters typically hadn’t received heavy tutoring at home. Even though they could now take the examination with men, there was a fear that they might fail.
Su Rong remained unaffected by these concerns. She considered even a small step a good one.
Upon hearing the news, Xie Yuan did not react much; he just summoned manpower to facilitate the new decision 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Half a month later, Mister Cui of the Qinghe Cui family arrived in Nanchu with his people. It seemed that he had set off as soon as he had finished writing his letter to Zhou Gu.
On hearing the news, Cui Xingzhi immediately went to find Zhou Gu. "Cousin, our grandfather is here, he just entered the city."
Zhou Gu was surprised, "So soon?"
"Yes."
Zhou Gu immediately set down what he was doing. "Let’s go, I will take a leave from the minister and we can go to receive him together."
Cui Xingzhi nodded in agreement.
So, they both took leave from the Minister of the Revenue and went together on horseback. Although they had received information quickly, by the time they were going to receive them, the Cui family caravan was already close to the entrance of the Cui Residence.
The two dismounted and together they shouted joyously at Mister Cui. One called "Grandfather" and the other called "Great-Grandfather."
Mister Cui stroked his beard, looking at them, and laughed, "Very good." Then he asked, "Where is Little Yanjin?"
Cui Xingzhi responded, "He has left the city with people from the Ministry of Works. It will be a few days before he comes back."
"Huh, quite capable, not only in the Ministry of Rites, but also in the Ministry of Works?" Mister Cui chuckled.
Zhou Gu helped Mister Cui. "Great-Grandfather, are you tired from the journey? Was everything smooth? How is your health?"
"I am fine," Mister Cui replied, nodding.
Zhou Gu also noticed that Mister Cui looked well, it seemed that he hadn’t suffered much during the journey. He exhaled in relief and turned around to greet the rest of the family, calling out uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Cui Yuanbin, Cui Yanjin’s father, clasps Zhou Gu’s shoulder, "Well, let me have a good look at you, Zhou Gu! You are quite capable, becoming the consort to the future queen. You are really tough! I saw your potential years ago, but I didn’t expect you to be this capable."
Zhou Gu: "..."
He knew that his uncle always made tasteless jokes. This habit hadn’t changed over the years. No wonder he almost sent his immature young cousin back home.
Cui Yanjin’s mother, Liao Yuying, also looked at Zhou Gu fondly, nodding along with her husband, "Our nephew has indeed made it big. We’re going to be relatives of royal family now, right? Can we also swagger around in the capital of Nanchu?"
"You two are elders. Please behave appropriately," Mister Cui admonished them, almost laughing.
Cui Yuanbin, not fearing Mister Cui’s scolding, since he had been scolded many times before, thick-skinned, still hung onto Zhou Gu’s shoulder, "Let your uncle get a good look at you."
Zhou Gu could endure it no longer and pushed him away. "Uncle, your son is more capable. Wait a few days for him to return, look at him well. I assure you that you won’t recognize him. A twelve-year-old royal court official, unmatched in the world."
"Heh," Cui Yuanbin laughed. "That kid, thanks to you."
Liao Yuying snorted, "Bah, what’s so special about that brat! The consort-to-be is certainly the most valuable."
Zhou Gu: "..."
He was almost on the verge of holding his head in his hands.
"Let’s go, let’s talk inside," Mister Cui, also lost for words, interjected.
Everyone entered the bustling Cui Residence. Both Cui residences were next to each other and were very large. As the young brothers were unmarried and only had guards, both residences were quite empty, with no slaves or servants. Now that Mister Cui arrived with his hundred-plus people, it filled up both residences quite conveniently.
Zhou Gu said, "Great-Grandfather, these residences are a bit small after all, so now I..."
Before he could finish his sentence, someone outside announced, "Princess is here!"
Zhou Gu was startled. He had gotten the news suddenly and in haste, he hadn’t sent anyone to inform Su Rong. He had not expected she would know and come on her own.
Mister Cui and the other members of the Cui family also froze. Mister Cui quickly got up to go outside.
Cui Yuanbin was shocked. "Why is the Princess here?" He also followed Mister Cui outside, nudging Zhou Gu, "Is she chasing you?"
Zhou Gu grinned, "Uncle, you really need to read more books."
To avoid making a fool of himself with his old age.
Mister Cui, ahead of them, heard clearly and turned back to give Cui Yuanbin a stern look, "If you don’t know what to say, keep quiet. That the Princess came out from the palace as soon as she heard that we had arrived shows respect to us. You should understand this."
Associating the Consort being chased by the princess and thinking nonsense all day long, such thoughts reflect the idiot he is.
Cui Yuanbin scratched his nose and quickly closed his mouth.
Liao Yuying sneered at him in a small voice. "Husband, you are really daft."
Cui Yuanbin wanted to say, "You aren’t much brighter," fearing another reprimand from his uncle, he chose to keep his mouth shut. This was not a time for verbal sparring; the princess was arriving and he had to go to greet her.
Few steps into their about-turn to receive her, they saw that Su Rong had already entered the gate. She walked briskly, followed by only two maids, hardly bearing the grandeur of a princess. Instead, her travels were remarkably simple.
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