Chapter 173: Putting the wrong hat on someone and missing the point
The Langjiang envoy smiled and said, "Liu Shi, Bai Yue, and Xing Hu."
Three people sitting on the west side stood up, saluted Emperor Chengming, and then bowed to the Langjiang envoy.
The Langjiang envoy looked at Emperor Chengming and bowed, "Your Majesty, how about I ask the questions?"
Emperor Chengming nodded in agreement: "Yes."
The Langjiang envoy looked at the three people and asked, "Who will answer?"
Liu Shi bowed again and said, "I would be honored to learn from Her Royal Highness the Princess."
The Langjiang envoy nodded and turned his gaze to Xiao Qinggu, "Your Highness, would you like to answer first?"
Xiao Qinggu smiled lightly and said modestly, "Master Liu should go first."
Compared to before, Xiao Qinggu was obviously much calmer.
The Langjiang envoy didn't hesitate and said immediately, "In this world, a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Is this true or not?"
A hint of deep meaning flashed across Emperor Chengming's eyes.
Liu Shi replied respectfully, "The original sentence was 'A man with virtue is talented, and a woman without talent is virtuous.'"
The wine in Xiao Tong's hand created ripples.
If it weren't for the Empress' instructions, the Langjiang envoy would never have raised this question at this critical juncture of the crown prince examination. Is the Empress...helping Shang Yuwan and the others?
Xiao Tong clenched the wine glass.
The Empress's stance leaned towards Shang Yuwan... Those bastards had planned this all along!
Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu: "?"
Why did the Empress's people speak for Xiao Qinggu?
Xiao Qinggu couldn't figure out why, and because he couldn't stand this situation, he subconsciously scratched the back of his hand.
What's going on?
Liu Shi seemed oblivious to the others' gazes and continued, "This statement has different emphases for men and women. It refers to the fact that men should prioritize virtue and oppose arrogance based on talent, instead using virtue to control talent. Women, on the other hand, value virtue and are discouraged from using talent to gain fame."
"This saying has been widely circulated. Later generations, at some point, began to take it out of context, cutting off the idea that 'a man with virtue is talented' and claiming that a woman without talent is virtuous. This has forced women into captivity, mocking their ignorance and treating them like objects, ignoring their talent and skills."
"More than twenty years ago, there were the abandoned baby towers, the Mother-Child River, women being eaten in tents... selling wives and bearing children, and..." Liu Shi paused, his throat rolling twice, "According to investigations, the number of registered deaths was in the tens of thousands."
Liu Shi's tone was quite calm, but every word she spoke was like a sharp thorn, piercing the hearts of everyone present.
"Women in the world suffer from oppression, but one person once spoke out to refute that out-of-context statement, saying, 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent and debate,' speaking up for all women in the world."
Shang Yuwan's body stiffened. Xiao Qingxu took advantage of everyone's inattention and secretly grasped her fingertips, which had grown cold without her noticing.
"This person is——"
Emperor Chengming tightened his grip.
Liu Shi lowered her head slightly: "Dayu Dynasty, Madam Lu Xu."
She is not Shang Junhu’s wife, nor the mistress of the Shang family, but Madam Lu Xu.
She passed away eleven years ago, but what people remember most clearly is her name, her achievements, and the hope she brought to women all over the world.
Shang Yuwan pursed her lips secretly.
Who is Liu Shi reminding by saying these words?
Liu Shi bowed his head and saluted, "I think the saying 'a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' is correct. The wrong ones are those who take it out of context and look down on women."
This sentence was sharp, but Liu Shi said it so frankly.
There was silence in Luanyang Hall for a moment, and Xiao Qinggu uttered in a trance, "That's great."
Liu Shi was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted and said humbly, "I am a fool. I am ashamed to show off my skills in front of Her Royal Highness the Princess."
Xiao Qinggu came back to her senses, looked around, and found that everyone was staring at her. She coughed twice in embarrassment.
As soon as the cough ended, Xiao Qinggu's expression became solemn.
"In ancient times, wise men debated the difference between male and female talent. One said, 'Men have their proper place outside, women their proper place inside; this is how the universe is determined.' If women display their talents, they will inevitably interfere in politics. This interference in politics will reverse yin and yang, and the country's prosperity will be short-lived."
Everyone stared at Xiao Qinggu, and Emperor Chengming's eyes gradually became subtle when looking at Xiao Qinggu.
Xiao Qinggu was not at all nervous and bravely looked directly at Emperor Chengming.
"Some also say that the Duke of Zhou established rituals to govern the world, not to burden people. If Lady Xie had been confined to her boudoir, how could she have created the beautiful poem 'willow catkins swaying in the wind'? If Mr. Li had remained secluded, how could he have passed on the heroic spirit of 'born to be a great man'?"
"Were there no men who brought disaster to the country and disrupted government in the previous dynasty? People have misinterpreted the original meaning, saying that women's lack of talent is virtue, forcing women into ignorance and only knowing the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. They also say that it was the witch who deceived the king and made him miss the morning court, blaming the men's mistakes on the women, when it is clear that it was the men who held the greatest power! They are mistaking the original for the real thing!"
"If a woman were truly capable, how could she be a talentless and immoral being who only knew how to seduce men? How could she willingly become someone else's plaything? If a king were truly resolute, why would he indulge in wine and women, and perpetuate a tyranny that would endure for generations?"
Xiao Qinggu took a deep breath and said, "Just like what Master Liu said, 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' is not wrong. The wrong thing is those who take it out of context and look down on women!"
Shang Yuwan's eyelashes trembled, but Xiao Qingxu still held her fingertips tightly.
Xiao Tong was slightly stunned. She was surprised by Xiao Qinggu's words, but also worried that her words were too sharp and might have another meaning in the eyes of Emperor Chengming.
The expression in the Langjiang envoy's eyes changed very slightly, and after a moment, she looked at Emperor Chengming.
The expression on Emperor Chengming's face was unpredictable and no one could tell whether he was happy or angry.
"Prime Minister Qiu, Minister Zhen." Emperor Chengming's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the four judges. "Lord Bai, Lord Xing. Why don't you raise your glasses?"
The Langjiang envoy said, "Those who agree with the first answer, please raise your glasses."
Before he finished speaking, Bai Yue and Xing Hu from Langjiang immediately raised their glasses.
On the other hand, Qiu Bo Ke and Zhen Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites did not make any movement at all.
The envoy from Langjiang was not surprised by this. Langjiang had been at odds with Dayu over the past two years, both openly and covertly, and she had never expected the people of Dayu to stand on Langjiang's side.
What Your Majesty wanted her to see was Emperor Chengming's attitude towards the princess.
The Langjiang envoy's gaze shifted to Xiao Qingxu.
And... Prince Qi's attitude towards the princess.
The Langjiang envoy continued, "Those who agree with Her Royal Highness, please raise your glasses."
As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Chengming raised his wine glass before Qiu Bo Ke and Minister Zhen.
Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu were both shocked: "?!"
Xiao Qinggu: "...Ah?"
Xiao Tong frowned: "?!"
The Langjiang envoy glanced at Xiao Tong: "......"
Sure enough, Your Majesty's new choice is correct.
Qiu Bo Ke secretly pulled the stunned Zhen Shangshu, and Zhen Shangshu suddenly came to his senses and raised his glass with Qiu Bo Ke.
Emperor Chengming smiled and looked at the Langjiang envoy. "Your Excellency, please understand. I am not partial."
The Langjiang envoy smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. If I were to choose, I would definitely choose Her Royal Highness the Princess."
Emperor Chengming asked, "Oh? Why?"
The Langjiang envoy turned his gaze to Xiao Qinggu with a kind look.
"If a woman possesses extraordinary abilities, how could she be a talentless and immoral person who only knows how to seduce men? How could she willingly become someone else's plaything? Your Highness, what you say is exactly what I have been thinking."
Their Majesty's vision has never been wrong.
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