"My beloved ministers, today I hope you can all offer your advice in a more peaceful manner and refrain from fighting. You are all respectable people, after all, and you don't care about losing face."
Yuwen Xuanhong sat on the dragon throne and looked at Huo Xiaolong, who was eager to try today, and directly suppressed her in the cradle.
Stop fighting, the main problem is that the Imperial Guards can't stop you.
"What are your thoughts on the Prince of Zhenbei's proposal to allow women to participate in the imperial examinations?"
Grand Tutor Xu was the first to step forward, launching a fierce opposition.
"I think this is inappropriate. There has never been a precedent in the Great Yan for women to take the imperial examinations. This move is like a hen crowing at dawn."
"Is it only Grand Tutor Xu who disagrees in the entire court? Then I think this matter can be done. Your Majesty, you see, everyone here at the grand court assembly except Grand Tutor Xu thinks my idea is good. Why don't you just agree?"
The girl in the python robe smiled brightly, holding a scepter. The emperor below waved his right hand at her, a slight hint of smugness.
"Imperial Censor Fan, please speak."
The Emperor called out a name: "You're usually the most talkative one in court, why aren't you saying anything today?"
Imperial Censor Fan slowly walked to the open space and said slowly.
"In my opinion, the Prince of Zhenbei's move is feasible."
If the emperor didn't call him, he would just close his eyes; but since he was called, he would just speak frankly.
These past few days, his granddaughter has been running to his study every day, looking at him with her big, expectant eyes.
"Grandfather, could you please put in a good word for the Prince of Zhenbei?"
“The women’s imperial examination is a major event, Pear Blossom. You should know that this is no different from promulgating a new law. This matter is not like the things your grandfather did when he impeached others.”
The young girl wore a pear blossom hairpin in her hair. She smiled brightly and said a sentence that the Imperial Censor Fan and his son would never forget for the rest of their lives.
“Grandfather, after women were allowed to take the imperial examinations, Pear Blossom was also allowed to take them.”
"Outsiders say that the Fan family father and son both entered the Censorate, and that they fought side by side, their sharp words making those corrupt officials feel ashamed. Grandfather, I also want to become a censor. Then the three of us, grandfather and grandson, will be together, and let's see which official in Great Yan dares to be a corrupt official."
When Fan Lihua was a child, she watched the Censorate impeach others by peeking through the door. She always thought that she would like to be a censor herself.
Now, the opportunity has arrived.
So, Prince Zhenbei has to do it today, whether he wants to or not. Grand Tutor Xu, right? Just wait, we'll investigate your past after court.
The Emperor was initially reluctant to agree, but upon further reflection, he realized that what the Prince of Zhenbei said made sense.
What if another Huo Xiaolong emerges?
“People from all six ministries, come out and say something. Don’t just hide in the back and keep quiet, or you’ll get into trouble, right?”
"I think this is inappropriate."
The Minister of Rites remained unchanged; even if his daughter didn't help him, he couldn't let Huo Xiaolong get what he wanted.
Before the remaining ministers could speak, Chen Songyun stepped forward, bowed to the Emperor, and then spoke.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Prince of Zhenbei's proposal is excellent. Now is the time when Great Yan needs talented people. Whether they are male or female is not important. What is important is that they have talent and real skills, and then they must be loyal to Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, think about it. If this matter were to start with you, as long as you remain in power, the women selected would surely be willing to do anything for you."
"I second that proposal."
"I second that proposal."
"I second that opinion."
Several ministers stepped forward and knelt down behind Chen Songyun.
Huo Xiaolong also knelt on the ground along with the other adults, and the military officers behind him also bowed. The situation was different for the military officers; everyone knelt on the ground in a neat and orderly fashion.
Meanwhile, most of the civil officials also knelt down.
Yuwen Xuanhong, watching this scene from above, understood that the situation was already decided.
"Just as the Prince of Zhenbei said, women can also participate in the imperial examinations this spring. Starting from the preliminary examinations, women's examination halls and examiners will be set up in each county, city, and prefecture. The examiners must also be women, and other rules are the same as for men."
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! This is unfair to all the students in the land!"
"What injustice is there? Does Grand Tutor Xu think that the Emperor will favor women during the palace examination?"
“You!…” Grand Tutor Xu pointed at Huo Xiaolong, speechless.
The girl in the python robe raised an eyebrow and continued speaking.
"Since that's the case, I have something to say."
Huo Xiaolong bowed to the Emperor.
"speak."
"Your Majesty is requested to review the examination papers first and select the top three candidates before allowing the scholars to pay their respects."
"This will ensure fairness and convince students from all over the world."
Yuwen Xuanhong nodded.
"Very well, as the Prince of Zhenbei says."
—Pingyang County
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that in the imperial examinations to be held next March, all women of the Great Yan shall be eligible to participate, starting with the preliminary examinations. Each examination center shall be equipped with examination rooms and examiners for women. This is the imperial decree."
Hua Luan and Wang Zheng knelt on the ground, unable to recover for a long time.
“Long’er did it.”
The woman's eyes were a little red, her voice trembled slightly, and she held Wang Zheng tightly, somewhat incredulous.
“Our Long’er has only been in the capital for a year, and she’s already accomplished this…”
Hua Luan stroked the imperial edict in her hand repeatedly, especially the words about the woman of Great Yan.
"Luan'er, don't cry. If you want to take the exam, that's fine too. We can study together tonight, and I'll teach you."
The woman glanced at her frivolous husband and gave him a light nudge.
She knew absolutely nothing about writing articles to appease the people and bring peace to the world. Although she had read some books since childhood, she only had a superficial understanding of them.
She cried because of her apprentice who kept the lamp lit until midnight every day.
And there was that girl who hugged and comforted herself as she left.
"Aunt Hua, what if we get to the capital and I can't outsmart others?"
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