"For this year's imperial examination, do any of you, my esteemed ministers, have any suitable candidates to recommend to the chief examiner?"
Yuwen Xuanhong sat on the throne, looking at the ministers below who were holding their tablets and bowing their heads in silence, and felt a headache coming on.
Being an examiner is indeed a difficult job. It's arduous, and more importantly, it could be a serious crime that could lead to the execution of your entire family. If even one person accuses you of favoritism or cheating, the entire investigation will proceed.
Huo Xiaolong lowered his head and looked to the left. The civil officials didn't speak, and the military officers were none of his business.
So the girl stepped forward and said...
"Your Majesty, I recommend myself."
“Prince Zhenbei, I know you are an upright man, but this is a matter for civil officials. The job of chief examiner involves grading papers and living and eating with a group of men for several days. It’s not that I don’t want you to go, but it’s inconvenient for you.”
"Then why doesn't His Majesty allow women to take the imperial examinations as well? I'd like to go and see the women's examination hall."
"Absurd! There has never been a tradition of women entering examination halls since ancient times."
Grand Tutor Xu and the Empress Dowager are in cahoots, and the first thing he did was to come out and refute Huo Xiaolong.
The reason why Prime Minister Chen remained silent was that Lou Qingming had already given him the answer: as long as Huo Xiaolong didn't die, the throne was his.
Therefore, Chen Songyun's only task in the court now is to keep an eye on Huo Xiaolong and make sure he doesn't ruin himself.
"Grand Tutor Xu, why do you have so many things to worry about at your age?"
"Isn't the Emperor supposed to be without capable advisors? Look how terrified the powerful families are of me! Do you think they'll be on the same page as our Emperor?"
Huo Xiaolong put his hands on his hips and spoke to Grand Tutor Xu as if he were one of those old ladies haggling over a price in the red-light district of Pingyang County.
"you!……"
This is the first time someone has said this openly.
Everyone knows that the Emperor and the aristocratic families are not on good terms now, but half of those standing in the court are from aristocratic families. So when Huo Xiaolong said this, almost half of the civil officials dared not speak up.
Although the Prince of Zhenbei is reckless, is what she said wrong?
The emperor already dislikes you, so stop making a scene.
“A subject will always be of one heart with the Emperor; this is loyalty. The scions of noble families will never forget the Emperor’s kindness in helping us. The Prince of Zhenbei’s words are a bit excessive.”
Some members of the powerful families still spoke up. They couldn't just stand there like quails at this time, or they would give others something to use against them.
"Prince Zhenbei, a woman participating in the imperial examination is a matter of utmost importance, comparable to a change of dynasty. It cannot be done because of your momentary whim..."
Yuwen Xuanhong was also on the other side, trying to persuade Huo Xiaolong that the Prince of Zhenbei had a temper that could only be appeased; going against him was not an option. He should just endure it for the sake of his own longevity.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not a spur-of-the-moment decision."
“I am a woman, and it is righteous for me to reclaim the grasslands for my country. My female generals go to the battlefield for the people of the border city, which is also righteous. Consort Xiao went to war for the Great Yan, abandoning the glory and wealth in the palace. Such actions are even more righteous.”
"Your Majesty, Huo Xiaolong is not the first heroine. What I want to tell you is that if one Huo Xiaolong can lead troops to recover the grasslands, then if another Huo Xiaolong emerges from among the millions of women of Great Yan, then Great An will be no problem either."
"Among military officers, women are naturally weaker than men, but if they are civil officials, I believe that women will certainly not be inferior to men."
"Your Majesty, please grant women permission to take the imperial examinations, so that women throughout the land may share Your Majesty's burdens."
The girl knelt on the ground and raised her hands above her head in a deep bow.
This was the first time Huo Xiaolong had sincerely bowed to Yuwen Xuanhong.
“Absolutely not, Your Majesty! Women are confined to their homes. If they were officials in the court, who would be in charge of their children and the inner quarters?” Grand Tutor Xu hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.
"You married her just to manage your household?"
"Who do you think you are? The emperor? You think you can do anything about those three little things in your backyard?"
"Grand Tutor Xu, how many concubines do you have in your backyard? How dare you speak so arrogantly?"
Huo Xiaolong's little mouth was so talkative, and with his border town accent, it reminded Xu Taifu of the girl's flying kick that time, and his ribs still seemed to be aching slightly.
"emperor!"
Unable to argue with her, Grand Tutor Xu could only try to reason with the Emperor.
"I also think this is inappropriate," the Minister of Rites stepped forward, bowed to the Emperor, and said.
"As the Minister of Rites, I have never heard of women taking the imperial examinations."
"If you haven't heard of it, go out and see more of it. Otherwise, Lord Wei, with his high rank and narrow-mindedness, might raise a child who is no good, who died out there and whose body has never been found."
The Minister of Rites, the current Empress's father, is, by all accounts, the rightful father-in-law of the Emperor.
However, his feud with Huo Xiaolong was quite serious.
Wei Ci died in the border town.
The Minister of Rites didn't believe that Cen Ang wasn't involved, but he didn't consider Huo Xiaolong. How old was she back then? What did she know?
But today, the young woman's words have blatantly struck at the Minister of Rites' sore spot.
"You rude brat!"
"You're a damn fool!"
Yuwen Xuanhong looked at Fan Tiezui, as if to say, "Aren't you going to come and join the fun today?"
Since the Prince of Zhenbei arrived, you've been much quieter, and haven't fought during the Grand Court Assembly in a long time.
Imperial Censor Fan did not look at the Emperor, but held his official tablet and bowed his head.
He didn't know how to get involved in this matter, or even how to take sides.
What's the difference between this and enacting a new law?
But what the Prince of Zhenbei said was also true. The court needs more capable people. Since scholars from poor families are useless, then we should find some women from poor families.
"What insightful opinion does Imperial Censor Fan have?" Yuwen Xuanhong asked.
"I need to go back and consider this matter carefully. It is of great importance. I will give Your Majesty a reply at the next grand court assembly."
For the first time, Yuwen Xuanhong found Fan Tiezui'er agreeable and finally said something to save him.
He could directly refuse Huo Xiaolong, but given the temperament of the Prince of Zhenbei, he wouldn't let it go easily.
This girl never resorts to underhanded tactics; she has a whole repertoire of open and honest schemes.
If you're so capable, then kill me; if not, then you'll have to suffer.
Grand Tutor Xu led a team to isolate her, but what good did isolation do?
Military generals are granted official positions based on their military prowess. Is it true that she commands tens of thousands of elite troops in the border region? Can isolating her really take back her military power?
"Very well! As Imperial Censor Fan said, I will go back and think this matter over carefully, and we will discuss it again at the next grand court assembly! Court adjourned!"
This time, the emperor learned a trick. After finishing his speech, he stood up and left the dragon throne.
Upon hearing Lu Kai announce the end of the court session, Huo Xiaolong stared blankly at Grand Tutor Xu, making the old man somewhat bewildered.
In particular, she was followed by several strong and burly military officers.
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