Chapter 207 The Empress Dowager's Difficulties
Suddenly, the silence in the garden became subtly altered.
Jiang was deeply shocked.
How could she... how could she recognize her?
The Dowager Consort rarely goes out, and even if she enters the palace several times, she might not be able to recognize her at a glance!
How could Lu Zhaoruo, a merchant's daughter who had just arrived from Jizhou, know so much about the noble ladies in the palace?
Li Nian'er was filled with jealousy and resentment, her eyes widening in disbelief.
She can even tell the difference between the Imperial Concubine and Old Madam Di? When did this vile woman acquire such knowledge!
Several ladies nearby, who had initially been watching with a detached, spectator's mindset, exchanged surprised glances.
A lady dressed in a crimson dress covered her face with a fan and whispered, "Strange... this Lady Lu is actually a very meticulous person."
Another nodded in agreement: "For his first audience with the Emperor and his first time entering the palace, his manners were so impeccable that not a single mistake could be found."
Not far away, two elegantly dressed and distinguished ladies stood side by side, talking in hushed tones.
One was Lady Zhan from the Marquis of Anguo's residence, and the other was Lady Gu from the Earl of Yongjia's residence.
Lady Zhan's gaze fell on Lu Zhaoruo, who was kneeling in front of the waterside pavilion. She covered her face with her fan and whispered to Lady Gu beside her, "Sister, do you know that some time ago, my daughter Fujun got lost in the suburbs? It was this Lady Lu who rescued her along with General Xiao."
She paused slightly, her tone carrying a hint of assessment: "The young master of the Lu family who brought her back is quite ambitious. He stated at the gate that he came to the capital to take the military examination and gain fame. Now he and his sister are staying at General Xiao's mansion."
Upon hearing this, Madam Gu of the Yongjia Marquis's Mansion nodded slightly: "She does seem to be a composed person. When my Gu Xian returned home last time, he mentioned that he had met this woman several times in Jizhou and seemed to admire her character quite a bit."
The two ladies exchanged a meaningful glance and said no more.
Inside the waterside pavilion.
A hint of surprise flashed across the seated Empress Dowager's eyes, but her gaze towards Lu Zhaoruo was full of admiration.
The Empress's lips maintained a perfectly gentle curve, but her gaze lingered on Lu Zhaoruo for a moment longer.
Princess Yongfu leaned forward involuntarily, her bright eyes wide open, filled with pure curiosity.
Meanwhile, the old lady Di beside her kept smiling as she looked at Lu Zhaoruo below the steps, her gaze gentle and undisguised, revealing a loving affection that grew stronger with each glance.
The Empress Dowager took in the reactions of everyone below her steps, her face remaining calm, but a faint surprise crossed her mind at Lu Zhaoruo's ability to identify everyone present at a glance.
This woman is indeed meticulous; she must have done her homework before entering the palace.
She did not immediately make Lu Zhaoruo stand up, but let her kneel on the steps, becoming the focus of the entire room.
She picked up her teacup, gently stirred the floating leaves with the lid, and as if suddenly recalling some interesting anecdote, said to Madam Di and the Dowager Consort, "Speaking of which, I recently heard a strange story, and it has left me with a rather uneasy feeling."
Upon hearing this, the Dowager Consort's eyes flickered slightly, and a knowing smile appeared on her lips. She replied, "Something that you keep in mind and say you feel uneasy about must be extraordinary. Tell me about it, and let your old sister give you some advice."
The Empress Dowager said, "It is said that there was a newlywed woman in the south who actually filed a lawsuit against her husband's family. The case has been decided, but the whole city is in turmoil and people are afraid of gossip. In the end, it has come to an end."
She gently shook her head, sighed, and said with a compassionate regret, "This woman may have her own grievances, and I can understand them to some extent. But her methods... are ultimately too harsh. A woman should use gentleness to overcome strength and value harmony. Even if she has suffered a great injustice, can't she have dealt with it slowly and secretly? Why must she take it to court, engage in litigation, tear off her face, and end up with both sides suffering losses?"
“With such a mindset and such actions, even if she wins the lawsuit, she will lose her virtue as a woman and ruin her reputation. How will she stand in this world afterward? I am truly… worried about her.”
At this point, the Empress Dowager's gaze fell lightly on Lu Zhaoruo: "Lu, you come from Jizhou, your knowledge must be extraordinary. Why don't you tell me..."
"Even if she wins the lawsuit by suing her husband, how can she ever clear her name of the crime of violating wifely virtue and moral principles? Is such a woman clever or... foolish?"
Lu Zhaoruo's mind was clear.
Just as I expected.
Today's summons is not for admiring chrysanthemums, but for her trial.
The Empress Dowager did not inquire about the details of the case, nor about right and wrong, but only about "feminine virtue" and "reputation," intending to condemn her from the root of the matter.
She did not look up immediately, but instead gave a proper bow, giving herself time to think.
When she looked up again, her gaze was clear and respectful, and her voice was calm: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's inquiry has terrified me. Your Majesty's compassion and profound consideration for the women of the world are deeply appreciated by me. As for Your Majesty's question, I am too foolish to presume to judge whether that woman is wise or foolish."
She paused slightly, speaking slowly but clearly: "In my humble opinion, the key issue may lie in... how a weak woman should conduct herself when 'propriety' and 'law' conflict. Should she adhere to 'minor propriety' and endure humiliation and injustice, or should she defy public opinion and plead with 'national law' to uphold justice?"
"In my humble opinion, the first virtue of a woman lies in understanding reason. The law of the country is the foundation of the nation and the basis of its order. If a woman stands up for her husband’s family in violation of the law and causes death, she may be at fault for 'private etiquette,' but she is also upholding 'public justice.'"
She lowered her stance even further and spoke earnestly: "This humble woman knows that this act is shocking and unacceptable according to etiquette and law. Your Majesty's concern for her future prospects is truly a sign of your compassion."
“I come from Jizhou and have witnessed the cruelty of the Japanese invasion. I know that the existence or abolition of the law is related to the lives of the people. I only wish that justice in the world is as bright as the sun and moon, so that the wronged can have a way out and the guilty can be punished.”
"This is just my humble opinion, I am ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, and I humbly request Your Majesty to enlighten me."
She bowed deeply once again.
The entire Jinxia Garden fell into complete silence for a moment.
The shock of the ladies and young women watching the play, their faces covered in acne, was unmistakable.
The Empress Dowager's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
The mask of compassion on her face remained, but the fingertips resting on the armrest of the phoenix chair unconsciously tightened.
She never expected that this merchant woman would have such quick wit and courage. Instead of falling into the trap of "women's virtue," she opened up a new battlefield and raised the more noble banner of "national law" and "natural justice."
If one continues to dwell on "feminine virtues," it will only make one appear narrow-minded.
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