Chapter 696: Each One’s Expression of Love
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the front of the team.
The one who spoke was Zhang Heyao.
Everyone was surprised.
Although they are all important officials of the court, they are also ordinary people.
When eating melons, he spared no effort.
Therefore, almost everyone knows the love-hate relationship between Zhang Heyao, Xiao Yan and Lu Qiniang.
These people all thought that Xiao Yan would not be able to help but speak out to protect his wife.
After all, this marquis’s character of loving his wife is as solid as a rock.
However, unexpectedly, it was her ex-husband Zhang Heyao who spoke.
This is very interesting.
Looking at Xiao Yan again, he looked calm, as if nothing had happened and he was staying out of it.
Everyone's desire to watch the show began to stir again.
Oh, no, they are arguing now.
Minister Wang was stunned. "What advice do you have, Lord Zhang?"
Zhang Heyao said slowly, "I vaguely remember that Minister Wang mentioned many times that his family was poor when he was young, and that your father died young. It was all thanks to your mother, who worked day and night sewing and washing for you, even breaking ice to wash clothes in the cold winter, that you were able to study and learn to read, and gradually rise to the position of Minister today. I wonder if I am mistaken?"
Minister Wang's expression changed slightly. This matter was his capital for educating the younger generation, and he often talked about it. But when it was brought up now, he felt a sense of unease. He gritted his teeth and said, "...It is true. My mother has indeed worked hard."
"Yes, your mother has indeed worked very hard," Zhang Heyao continued. "I'm sure there are many mothers here who, like Minister Wang, have endured great hardships to support their sons. Those women you say 'should be content with the inner court,' have endured so much hardship for their sons and their families. Have they ever given up the burden of their families simply because they were women?"
His tone shifted, becoming sharp. "What Madam Lu did today might seem to you to be encouraging wives to break free from their husbands' control. But in my opinion, she's more interested in creating a broader path for women as resilient as your mother. She's trying to secure for your daughter a chance to study and gain wisdom, perhaps even to serve the court with her talent and knowledge, bringing honor to your family, just like you have. Isn't that a blessing?"
He paused, his voice rising. "You all keep saying that men are stronger than women. If you're so confident, then what are you afraid of? Are you afraid that they'll actually pass the imperial examination? Or that they'll actually surpass you in government affairs? If, as you say, women are less talented than men, then even if they competed, the men would still win in the end, and they would naturally retreat and return to their families. Don't you even have the courage to let them try, to compete with them fairly? Where does this confidence come from?"
Zhang Heyao's words made many officials from poor backgrounds change their expressions. They remembered the difficulties their mothers had faced and their daughters who might be equally smart but could only wait to get married. They were unable to refute him for a while.
Lu Qiniang saw the right moment and immediately took a step forward, her voice clear and firm.
"Empress, Your Majesty, and all the gentlemen, on behalf of all the women in the world, I ask for fairness! No special treatment required, just a chance!"
"Whether it's the imperial examination or the official position selection, I am willing to compete with men on the same field, using the same test questions and standards, and only the best will be admitted."
"If the women are not talented enough and none are selected, I have nothing to say and will not mention the matter again. But if there are outstanding women who can stand out, why can't they serve the country? If you, my lords, firmly believe that men are stronger, why fear this fair battle?"
The words that Daya had polished for her in advance, aren’t they now useful?
There was silence in the court.
The Queen took the opportunity to say, "Madam Hou is absolutely right. Since no one objects, let's just leave it as it is."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qiniang waited for her to announce her official position.
The Queen had said before that today she would be sent to the Agricultural Promotion Office in front of all the court officials.
But after waiting for a long time, it never came.
In front of so many people, Lu Qiniang had no way to ask and could only swallow her doubts.
Although there were still people who opposed it later, the matter was finally settled.
When the court was dismissed, the queen kept Lu Qiniang.
Xiao Yan smiled at her and then went out with the others.
Jiang Xuan followed Xiao Yan and waited with him outside the hall.
He couldn't help himself after all, and lowered his voice to ask the question in his heart: "Just now in the palace, why didn't you say a few words for my mother-in-law? I saw those old-fashioned people being so aggressive, and I almost couldn't hold back."
Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the towering palace gate with a calm expression.
He glanced at Jiang Xuan with a proud smile on his face, and said slowly, "What do you think she represents by standing here today?"
Jiang Xuan was slightly startled, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "I am representing women all over the world and speaking for them..."
"That's right." Xiao Yan nodded. "She's standing there on behalf of herself and the women behind her. This is a woman's matter, but it's also a matter of state. If I were to jump in and defend her the moment she opens her mouth, wouldn't everything she's fought for today be seen by others as relying on her husband's power? Even if she gets an official position in the future, how can she truly convince the public? Everyone will just say, 'Look, that's the Marquis's wife. Without the Marquis, she's nothing.'"
He paused, his tone deep: "What she needs is to rely on her own words and reasoning to convince others, or at least to make some people unable to refute. She did a good job today, Zhang Heyao..."
When Xiao Yan mentioned this name, his tone remained calm, no emotion could be heard. "He spoke today not as the abandoned mother's 'ex-husband', but as the current Prime Minister. He supports the Empress's political views and defends the new policies that the court is about to implement. We have the same stance, but different starting points. He is speaking for public service, not for personal reasons."
At least on the surface.
"And I," Xiao Yan continued, "as the Minister of War, wasn't the driving force in this matter. If I had immediately stepped forward and spoken up for her alongside Zhang Heyao, what do you think the entire court would be discussing? Would they still be concerned with the pros and cons of women taking the imperial examinations and holding official positions?"
Jiang Xuan understood instantly.
Those people will immediately think of the entanglement between the three people.
Once the topic was diverted, all of Lu Qinniang's efforts and persistence today would become a continuation of the ridiculous situation of two men fighting for one woman in the court.
That was what truly ruined her and also ruined the Queen's efforts to implement the new policy.
He looked towards the tightly closed palace door, his tone firm yet gentle, "She doesn't need my 'help' like that. She stands there alone, arguing for her rights. Even the slightest progress she makes is more powerful than any of us speaking up for her. All I can do is stand by her side, trust her, and wait for her."
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