Chapter 106 Doctor of the Imperial Academy for Women
When Liu Liniang returned from the Su residence, it was already close to dusk.
As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the Cui residence, a steward was waiting by the side, bowing and saying, "Madam, the Prime Minister is waiting for you in his study and wants you to go there immediately after you return."
She pulled her cloak tighter around herself, her face still expressionless, as if she hadn't taken anything she'd just experienced at the Su residence to heart.
Following the butler through the corridor, we found that the candles in the study were already lit.
Cui Shiliang was sitting behind his desk reviewing memorials when he saw her enter. He didn't tell her to sit down, but asked directly, "Did you notice anything unusual about the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at the Su residence today?"
Liu Liniang stood with her hands at her sides in front of the table. "Father, it was just an ordinary chrysanthemum appreciation banquet. A small poetry gathering was also held during the banquet, where ladies and young misses from various families recited poems and composed couplets. It was quite lively."
Cui Shiliang didn't believe it. "It's that simple?"
Liu Liniang said, "However, there is something strange about this matter. I overheard during the banquet that Miss Su is holding this banquet in order to find a female scholar for the Imperial Academy for girls to teach the female students the classics. Today, many learned ladies and young women are vying to show off their talents in front of Miss Su, hoping to win this opportunity."
"A female PhD?" Cui Shiliang raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze becoming more inquisitive. "Does she have someone in mind?"
Liu Liniang truthfully replied, "I do not know."
Cui Shiliang fell into deep thought.
He had previously thought that Li Yuanzhao's establishment of girls' schools and the holding of special examinations for women were merely attempts to gain fame among women across the land, but now it seemed that he had underestimated her.
That was a brilliant move!
First, he used the special imperial examination for women as bait, giving the daughters of ministers in the capital the opportunity to enter officialdom. If these women could get their wish, how could they not be grateful for Li Yuanzhao's kindness?
Then, subtly, they undermined the stance of his father and brothers.
If another position for a female PhD is created now, and Li Yuanzhao recommends one of his own to fill it, most of the female officials who emerge from the court in the future will be students of this female PhD, and wouldn't they become Li Yuanzhao's subordinates in disguise?
At that time, the Cui family will probably not gain any benefits in the Women's Enke, and may even have a group of more obstacles.
No, we absolutely cannot let Li Yuanzhao get his way!
Cui Shiliang's gaze gradually sharpened.
Why not take the initiative and replace the female PhD candidate with someone from the Cui family? This would not only secure the crucial position but also catch Li Yuanzhao off guard, turning her carefully laid plans into a benefit for the Cui family.
As he was thinking, he suddenly looked up at Liu Liniang standing to the side.
This daughter-in-law, since marrying into the Cui family, has been quiet and reserved, and rarely asks about the Cui family's affairs. Although she cannot have children, she is considered obedient and well-behaved.
Cui Shiliang's tone softened slightly, tinged with a hint of probing, "Li Niang, I remember that before you got married, you were a renowned talented woman in the capital, and your knowledge and experience were probably no less than anyone else here. As for Su Qingci... did you not speak to her?"
Liu Liniang said, "Father, you are joking. I have been married into the Cui family for three years. In these years, I have devoted myself to serving my husband and managing the household affairs. The poems and classics I learned before have long been forgotten. Miss Su is looking for a scholar who can teach female students. How could she possibly be interested in a housewife like me who has long been out of learning?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Shiliang's face showed satisfaction: "It's alright. If you're not used to it, you can pick it up again. Would you be willing to go to the Imperial Academy and take on the position of female scholar?"
Liu Liniang hesitated: "Father, a woman should regard her husband as her heaven, and it is her duty to support her husband and raise her children. Besides... I'm afraid my husband will not agree."
"What are you afraid of?" Cui Shiliang interrupted her. "You're going to become a female PhD to serve the Cui family. Dalang is sensible, how could he say anything? Besides, I'll arrange this matter, he wouldn't dare to object. It's settled then, you can go now."
"Yes, Father." Liu Liniang finally lowered her head and agreed.
Cui Shiliang made arrangements for this matter very quickly, and the next day he sent someone to the Ministry of Personnel to submit a letter of recommendation.
The Emperor had heard of Liu Liniang's reputation. Since she was the daughter-in-law of Prime Minister Cui and the daughter of Lord Liu, and many officials in the court vouched for her, he would naturally give them face. He immediately approved her appointment as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy for Women.
On the day the appointment documents were issued, both the Cui and Liu families felt honored, but Cui Dalang alone was filled with resentment.
Liu Liniang was indeed beautiful and exceptionally talented; everyone envied him for marrying such a wonderful woman.
But only he knew that his wife was as cold as ice, and talking to her was like talking to a brick wall, extremely boring.
Moreover, he actually felt a deep jealousy towards this woman.
Liu Liniang's talent and reputation far surpassed his, making him appear mediocre and incompetent in every way.
So over the years, whenever things didn't go his way, he would take it out on her.
But no matter how much he hit or scolded her, she remained unmoved, as if he himself were a clown.
This made him dislike her even more, and he even wished she would die soon so he could marry someone else.
But now, Liu Liniang has actually entered the court as an official and even obtained a doctoral position of the sixth rank, directly surpassing him.
Under heaven, how could a wife hold a higher official rank than her husband?
The imperial edict had just been issued today when some colleagues began to tease him privately. Those mocking looks made him feel utterly humiliated.
But this was his father's will, and he dared not disobey, so he could only vent all his anger and humiliation on Liu Liniang.
As evening fell, Liu Liniang returned from reporting to the Imperial Academy. As soon as she stepped into the inner courtyard, Cui Dalang suddenly grabbed her hair and slammed her against the wall.
A tearing pain shot through her scalp, and she couldn't help but furrow her brow.
Cui Dalang stared at her pale face, his mouth full of vicious curses: "You whore! Do you think you've really become an official now and your wings have hardened? You dare to climb over me and make me a laughingstock among my colleagues! Tell me, are you doing this on purpose? Are you deliberately trying to embarrass me!"
He pulled harder and harder, and Liu Liniang's hair was pulled painfully.
But even as she looked at Cui Dalang's furious expression, her eyes remained calm, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible mockery.
This mad dog-like person will always use violence to mask his incompetence and jealousy.
“My lord,” Liu Liniang said slowly, “this is Father’s arrangement and His Majesty’s decree. I am merely following the order.”
"Following orders?" Cui Dalang was completely enraged by her calmness and slapped her across the face. "I think you've been waiting for this day for a long time! Waiting to be able to overpower me, hoping to escape my control! Let me tell you, even if you become an official, you are still my wife, Cui Dalang's wife. I can hit you and scold you as I please!"
“My husband is right, how could I dare to overstep my bounds?” Liu Liniang did not struggle, but instead responded to his words, “However, starting tomorrow, I will have to report to the Imperial Academy to report for duty. If I have any scars on my body and they are accidentally seen by my colleagues or students, thus damaging my husband’s reputation, then that would be my fault.”
Upon hearing this, Cui Dalang loosened his grip slightly.
While disciplining one's wife is a matter of course, if word gets out, it will ultimately damage one's reputation.
He abruptly released his grip, letting out a cold snort: "So you've learned to use these tricks to intimidate me!"
Liu Liniang gently straightened her disheveled clothes, her voice still steady: "I dare not. Everything I have is a gift from my husband and the Cui family, how could I forget my roots?"
Cui Dalang was annoyed by her appearance.
"You know that much, now get out of here! Don't get in my way!"
Liu Liniang curtsied and quietly withdrew, but no one saw the cold glint that flashed deep in her eyes.
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