Zhang Chengjue was practically in tears. "I'll give it to you for free! I don't need any money! I just beg you to spare the lives of us, the emperor and his subjects!"
With Chuanwen's unspoken words, the matter, which had been stumbling and difficult all afternoon, was finally concluded. As Zhang Cheng left, his legs felt weak, and Chuanwen curiously asked, "Why is he walking like that? Did the emperor beat him?"
Cough cough cough!
The emperor, who had just taken a sip of tea, choked. "Am I to be a scapegoat?" Zhang Chengjue, on the other hand, didn't dare to stay for even a second and left as if fleeing.
Chuanwen was even more puzzled and horrified: "Ahhh! It's not what I thought! A group of people! And just one person!"
The emperor didn't react for a moment. What?
Zhang Chengjue outside reacted faster than the emperor. After understanding the meaning of the message, he tripped over his own feet and fell face-first to the ground with a thud, getting a mouthful of dust.
The Crown Prince, Li Yuan, and several other officials were stunned on the spot, unable to imagine the scene in Chuanwen's mind!
The guards with official ranks around them were also stiff, their eyes not daring to move.
Hmm...maybe I'm overthinking it. I've been outside the whole time and haven't heard anything.
As Chuanwen's heartfelt words reached them, the courtyard was filled with sounds of relief. Zhang Chengjue got up from the ground, and several officials came over to help him up. The group left laughing and chatting, as if nothing had happened.
But the atmosphere in the air... was a little subtle.
The emperor in the hall blinked before belatedly realizing the meaning of the message, and was so angry that he coughed!
Now the emperor has only one thought in his mind, and that is punishment!
You're punished by copying this book! Copy it a thousand times! Ten thousand times!
I refuse to believe that the sacred words in the book can't cleanse Chuanwen's filthy mind!
Therefore, Chuanwen was rewarded with a big gift of copying books as punishment, because her handwriting was too ugly and she needed to practice more.
He Lingce felt a pang of sympathy. They had seen Chuanwen's calligraphy at the palace banquet before, and it was even better than his own. If Chuanwen's calligraphy still needed practice, then wouldn't they have to practice even more? Couldn't Your Majesty come up with a more suitable reason?
Chuanwen went to copy the book with a resentful expression, while in his heart he cursed the emperor thoroughly, calling him unpredictable, inexplicable, and irritable. The emperor could only grit his teeth and not lash out.
Today is the first court session after the Lunar New Year. As if to match the occasion, the homes of officials throughout the capital are bustling with activity as they send their daughters to girls' schools, including those who are already married and have become wives.
When Zhang Qing saw the Imperial Censor Dong Zhen supporting his eighty-year-old mother, whose hair was completely white and who was walking unsteadily with a cane, he was stunned.
Dong Zhen was worried that she wouldn't accept him, saying that since she wanted to fight for women's rights, she had to treat everyone equally. Wasn't his mother a woman? Women should have the same opportunity to attend school!
It took Zhang Qing a while to react. He felt that what the person said made sense, but he still felt somewhat conflicted looking at the old lady. However, he still politely invited her in and even found two female students to help her, fearing that the trembling old lady might accidentally fall.
While busy receiving the girls sent by officials, Zhang Qing also had Tian Wanyin write a notice and post it on the gate of the girls' school. Just as Dong Zhen said, they had to treat all female students equally. If the girls from officials' families could come in, the girls from ordinary people's families should also be able to come in.
When the people saw the grand opening of the girls' school and the notices posted, they were all stunned. After being stunned, they went home to hold a general meeting.
Although girls' schools were free for ordinary people, and some were eager to benefit from following the high-ranking officials, many others hesitated. They thought that while the officials were sending their daughters to girls' schools, they were officials who could handle any problems that might arise. But they were just ordinary people. If the political climate changed and someone in power decided to make an example of them, wouldn't it be the ordinary people who would be held accountable?
Zhang Qing wasn't worried about this situation. Over time, they would naturally understand the benefits of the girls' school. Besides, the girls' school was already overcrowded. If Chuan Yu hadn't given her a heads-up beforehand so she could prepare a larger space, things would probably be really difficult now.
Everything has to be done step by step; you can't get fat in one bite. At least some people are willing to send their daughters to the girls' school, which is a good start.
But the officials already felt there wasn't enough soup to go around, and then another group arrived, which they naturally didn't want. However, they still cared about their reputation; although they wanted a share, they couldn't make it look too bad. So, the next day at court, several officials hesitated several times before finally saying nothing.
However, the most composed one was Dong Zhen. Since he had no daughter and his sons' wives had all been taken away by their in-laws, he was sending his old mother over to cause trouble. He was hoping that more people would come and share in the spoils of these people.
After the court session, the emperor and Chuanwen went to Ganlu Hall. The emperor sent someone to invite the envoy from Xiaoliang Kingdom, and at the same time sent someone to bring Hu Nuan'er from the Cold Palace.
In the Cold Palace, Consort Shu held Hu Nuan'er's hand and entrusted her with many words of advice, "Nuan'er, whether our Hu family can rise again, and whether your parents and relatives can get a chance to live, all depends on you!"
"That remote and difficult Liang Kingdom must have been tough on you..."
"These are all the pieces of jewelry I've saved up over the years. There's not much left, so I'm giving them all to you for protection. You must take good care of yourself..."
Consort Shu wiped away her tears, and Hu Nuan'er was also somewhat moved. Although she wanted to escape the Cold Palace, she knew how good Consort Shu was to her. She held Consort Shu's hand and said, "Aunt, I will definitely rescue my parents, my family, and you. Don't worry!"
She had already planned it all out. Once she arrived in Xiaoliang, she would lead the people of Xiaoliang in a rebellion. Although Xiaoliang was relatively weak and might not be able to reach the capital, as long as she could capture two or three cities of Dajin, she would have enough leverage to negotiate with Dajin and ask the emperor to release her family!
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