Chapter 78 Why Women Cannot Be Officials! ...
Wu Zhouping was still somewhat respectful to the prince.
"To tell you the truth, I recognized the Crown Prince of Chu and knew his relationship with the Tang family. I also recalled that Liu Cheng had served as the Minister of Justice and participated in the trial of the Tang family's treason case."
Even if Young Master Han is not a descendant of the Tang family, then Prince Chu can be considered half a descendant of the Tang family.
I was just being deliberately mysterious to get a better price, and I guessed right.
He was quite frank. "From now on, stay by my side and work as a drafter," Zhou Chuanxing waved his hand. "Go down."
After Liu Cheng's entire family was brutally murdered, Tang Xinuan had no choice but to search for other clues.
Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, even if there are still surviving insiders, most of them are no longer in the capital.
Besides, there's evidence.
Unable to find any evidence, Tang Xinuan decided to ask Li Ce, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, if Liu Cheng had any clues.
In fact, Li Ce had already gathered all the evidence, but he just hadn't found the right opportunity to bring it out.
Tang Xinuan had only met Li Ce once, so she naturally had no way of knowing that someone had already prepared what she was so desperately trying to get.
After having breakfast today, she changed into men's clothing and prepared to go out.
However, Chu Yanqing stopped him in the back courtyard.
"This humble woman greets Princess Duan."
Tang Xinuan has learned a lot about etiquette now.
Her cousin was younger than her, but of noble status; she was the Princess Consort of Duan.
Logically, she should bow.
Chu Yanqing was amused by her serious expression. "Cousin, are you being too formal with me?"
Tang Xinu chuckled, "I'm studying."
Chu Yanqing had been married for less than ten days, and she looked no different from before.
The last time the two cousins met was on Chu Yanqing's wedding day.
Tang Xinuan lay at the door of the new house like a curious child before Zhou Chuanxing forcibly dragged her away.
She left the Prince Duan's residence with some regret, as she hadn't seen the bride and groom kiss.
"Cousin, are you going out?" Chu Yanqing noticed her cousin's male attire.
Tang Xinuan leaned closer to her and lowered her voice, saying, "I'm going to the Dali Temple to find the murderer who killed my parents back then."
Chu Yanqing was startled: "You knew everything?"
Tang Xinuan replied truthfully, "My cousin has already told me."
Chu Yanqing suddenly remembered the purpose of her visit. "By the way, where is my brother? My sister-in-law came to see me earlier and said that my cousin has been missing for several days. Someone saw him last appearing near the Prince's Mansion. Cousin, have you seen him?"
Chu Yannuo has been imprisoned in the Prince's Mansion for three days.
How could Tang Xinu not know? She was the one who locked her in herself.
But she didn't intend to release him now.
Naturally, he didn't intend to tell the truth.
"Cousin, how would I know where my cousin is? Maybe... he's gone to propose to someone again."
Tang Xinuan had never lied, but at this moment her expression was evasive and her words were unnatural.
Chu Yanqing could tell at a glance that her cousin was hiding something from her.
"Cousin, is my cousin safe?"
Tang Xinuan was certain of this. "He's such a grown man, and he knows martial arts, how could he not be safe? By the way, cousin, how's your married life? I haven't seen Prince Duan lately. You two..."
She pointed to her fingers and asked, "When are we going to have a baby?"
Chu Yanqing looked somewhat uneasy.
She and Prince Duan never consummated their marriage, so there was no baby.
They had initially agreed that their marriage was a matter of mutual consent.
Prince Duan helped her avoid the marriage arranged by the Duke's family.
All she needed to do was be a good princess and manage the household affairs, but she couldn't interfere with his taking concubines.
The atmosphere between the two was quite harmonious when they lifted the veil and drank the nuptial wine on their wedding night.
But when she brought up the idea of taking a concubine, he actually got angry.
Prince Duan and Prince Rui got married on the same day. Prince Rui's principal wife and two concubines entered the mansion at the same time, which made many princes and nobles envious.
Chu Yanqing considered herself quite generous and planned to choose two women from noble families who were both of good character and appearance to be his concubines.
Prince Duan, for reasons unknown, suddenly flew into a rage and left without even staying in the bridal chamber.
After that, Prince Duan was busy and did not show up.
When it was time for the three-day return visit, Prince Duan suddenly appeared, and the two returned to the Marquis's residence together, getting along fairly well.
Then the person disappeared again.
To this day, she has yet to see a glimpse of Prince Duan.
Chu Yanqing naturally wouldn't tell her cousin about these trivial matters.
She simply said, "When fate brings you together, you'll become my aunt."
Tang Xinuan loves babies and believes she can be a great mother.
After she avenges her parents, she will have a baby with Erlang, and then there will be a little baby who looks somewhat like her calling her mother.
The two sisters were chatting when Zhou Chuanxing arrived.
The young woman had been investigating an old case on her own for so many days without any results, so he made a point of setting aside time today to go to the Dali Temple with her.
Seeing Chu Yanqing's surprise, he said, "The Prince Duan's mansion is full of monsters and demons. If there's anything you can't handle, go find Chuan Jin. If he won't make a decision, come to me."
Chu Yanqing thanked Zhou Chuanxing and, knowing he had something to say to her cousin, planned to leave as soon as possible.
Zhou Chuanxing suddenly called out to her: "Third sister-in-law, have you ever thought about becoming an official?"
Chu Yanqing paused, looking at Zhou Chuanxing with disbelief.
"Can women also serve as officials?"
Zhou Chuanxing frankly said, "Even Nuannuan can be a teacher. Anyone who comes to the capital to participate in the imperial examinations will respectfully call her 'Teacher.' Why can't women become officials?"
Chu Yanqing was overjoyed. "Cousin, do you think I can become a female official?"
Tang Xinuan replied without hesitation, "Why not? My cousin's talent is no less than those men's. If she really becomes an official, she will definitely do a better job than them."
Chu Yanqing had never thought about this.
There was a dizzying sensation, like the world was spinning.
"Your Highness, can I do it?"
She still lacked confidence.
Zhou Chuanxing encouraged him, "Didn't you do a good job organizing the examination materials a while ago? I'm never wrong when it comes to people. The Ministry of Revenue is short of a sixth-rank official. If you have any ideas, go to the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow and be responsible for calculating the tax revenue and grain collection of each prefecture."
The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was a sixth-rank official.
Many people study diligently for decades but may not be able to become officials in the imperial court.
She was a woman, yet the prince directly appointed her as a sixth-rank official.
Because of the prince's kindness in recognizing her talent, she must do her utmost to set an example for women everywhere.
"Your Highness is grateful for the important task entrusted to me. I will do my best to complete the task and will never fail Your Highness's trust."
After Chu Yanqing left, Tang Xinuan winked meaningfully at Zhou Chuanxing, "My cousin has become an official."
Zhou Chuanxing pulled her into his arms and pressed his forehead against hers.
The two exchanged intensely affectionate glances. "What, you want to be an official too?"
Tang Xinuan hadn't thought about this question, but given the opportunity, who wouldn't want to be promoted and given a higher rank?
Do you think I'm capable of becoming an official?
Zhou Chuanxing nodded without hesitation, "Of course our daughter can do it."
Tang Xinuan asked curiously, "Then what kind of official position do you think I could hold?"
Zhou Chuanxing had already made plans: "Once the Tang family is exonerated, I will hand over the Imperial Academy to you. Our daughter will surely be granted a title and a high-ranking position."
The first statement might be plausible, but the second is just a lie.
Tang Xinuan exposed her without hesitation, "You're already planning to resign as prime minister, why would you appoint him again?"
The young girl was becoming more and more adept at handling interpersonal relationships, which softened Zhou Chuanxing's heart. He couldn't help but pinch her little nose. "You can't fool me with this. You're really something."
After playing around for a while, the two set off for Dali Temple.
Li Ce had just finished sorting out the case of the Liu family's massacre.
All the evidence points to the inner palace. He was just a third-rank official in the Court of Judicial Review; how could he have the right to investigate cases in the inner palace?
This also put Zhou Chuanxing in a difficult position.
Even if the investigation leads back to the Empress, they will find someone to take the blame.
Now that the Emperor is seriously ill, he, as a subject's brother, went to investigate the Empress's sister-in-law. He knew that he was acting impartially, but those with ulterior motives would surely accuse him of being a wolf in sheep's clothing and bullying the Empress and her daughter.
"Investigate secretly."
Li Ce understood Zhou Chuanxing's difficulties, and said, "Your humble servant will certainly handle this impartially."
Tang Xinuan wasn't concerned about Liu Cheng's case. After Li Ce finished his report, she asked, "Lord Li, back then, the Tang family was convicted of treason and collusion with the enemy. You were already in the Dali Temple at that time. Do you know what happened back then?"
Li Ce had just observed the way Tang Xinuan and Zhou Chuanxing interacted and was certain that Zhou Chuanxing knew Tang Xinuan's identity.
Since the descendants of the Tang family have come forward, he should naturally present the evidence.
"Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask, is Young Master Han the daughter of Imperial Censor Tang?"
Tang Xinuan was surprised: "You also recognized that I am a woman?"
Li Ce, a man who was always impartial and incorruptible, couldn't help but soften his expression when he looked at Tang Xinuan.
“You and Madam Tang look at least five points alike. I could tell when you came last time.”
Tang Xinuan felt as if she had seen a relative. "You still recognize my mother?"
Li Ce sighed, "Speaking of which, your father and I were very close friends. Back when you lived in Jiangnan, I often went to the Tang family for meals. Your mother was a great cook, and your father would always show off to me."
It's you. I've met you a few times.
However, my stay in Jiangnan was short, and I never saw him again after returning to the capital.
Tang Xinuan couldn't remember anything from her childhood. "But... how come I have no recollection of anything at all?"
Li Ce recalled Tang Xinuan's adorable and intelligent appearance when she was a child, and his nose inexplicably felt sore.
“You were still little then. I remember once you were carrying grapes and bumped into my leg. Your mother was chasing after you, shouting, telling you to slow down.”
A somewhat unreal image floated into Tang Xinuan's mind.
Li Ce and his father were about the same age.
Li Ce is now the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a high-ranking official of the third rank.
If his father hadn't been framed, he would be a high-ranking official in the imperial court by now.
"Uncle Li."
Li Ce turned to the side and pressed his eye sockets, then said, "Your grandfather was a famous mathematics master, and I received his guidance many times..."
He turned to Zhou Chuanxing and said, "The old gentleman is very knowledgeable and also a very interesting person."
I remember he had an inkstone that he treasured like the back of his hand. He showed it to me more than once, reluctant to give it to his grandson. He planned to give it to his granddaughter's husband when his granddaughter found a good husband.
I even joked with the old gentleman, saying that if my son ever becomes successful in the future, he shouldn't be stingy and give him the inkstone..."
Years later, he regretted more than once that he hadn't settled on marriage back then.
This was the first time Li Ce had opened up to Zhou Chuanxing.
He only realized he had overstepped his bounds when he was almost finished speaking.
Zhou Chuanxing and Tang Xinuan had already pledged their lives to each other. He didn't bring out these old almanacs to try and steal the girl from the Regent!
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I'm getting senile and have offended Your Highness's ears with these jokes."
Zhou Chuanxing wasn't so petty. "Lord Li, you're too kind. If Miss Tang likes it, Lord Li might as well say more."
After chatting for a while, Li Ce took the initiative to get back to the main topic.
He handed Tang Xinuan a pre-prepared file.
“Miss Tang, your father was wrongfully murdered. I was unable to save him at the time. This is the evidence I have found through years of investigation, which is enough to prove that Censor Tang is innocent.”
Tang Xinuan searched for so many days without finding anything. She never expected that the evidence had been waiting for her all along.
After being wrongly accused for fourteen years, the truth is about to be revealed. Tang Xinuan couldn't help but tremble as she shakily accepted the file.
After she finished reading, she suddenly knelt down in front of Li Ce.
"I am deeply grateful to Uncle Li for his great kindness. My parents in heaven will also thank you."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Zhou Chuanxing: That was close! My daughter almost got engaged!!!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
