RPAGF Chapter 246 Court Debate (1)
Chapter 246 Court Debate (1)
Shi Wanxia never expected that she would cause such a big mess by simply saying the wrong thing and performing the wrong courtesy.
In this solemn and majestic hall, everyone's gaze instantly turned to her like steel needles, sending chills down her spine.
That white-bearded old man was none other than the Imperial Censor, known in the court for his uprightness, incorruptibility, and stubbornness.
At this moment, he was trembling with anger, his finger pointing shakily at Shi Wanxia, his angry voice echoing in the hall: "How dare you! How can a woman from the inner palace be so rude and ill-mannered? His Majesty has not yet told you to rise, how dare you behave so disrespectfully in front of the palace!"
Shi Wanxia was stunned for a moment. She was originally an ordinary modern girl who had inexplicably traveled to this unfamiliar ancient world.
She had just been thinking about how to persuade this imposing emperor to let her go. Moreover, she came from the future and had many ideas that would benefit the country and its people.
How could I possibly adapt to such complicated court etiquette all at once? Although it was my own fault for being careless, the old man's words were just too harsh.
A surge of resentment mixed with anger welled up in her heart. She straightened her back and looked directly at the censor: "My lord, could you please watch your words and be more mindful of your speech? Although I am an orphan and have never met my parents."
"But you can't just spout insults like that! Is this how you raise people? I'm sorry, but you certainly have excellent manners."
"Besides, no one told me about the etiquette for entering the palace to meet the emperor, right? It's your fault, so how can you blame me?"
The hall erupted in uproar; no one expected that a frail woman would dare to defy the Censor in such a way.
The censor was so angry that his face turned ashen, and he could hardly catch his breath, panting heavily.
Upon seeing this, Shen Yuxi, sitting on the dragon throne, frowned deeply. He had hoped to find some fresh ideas to boost the economy from these talented people in the countryside, but he did not expect the opening to be so chaotic.
He waved his hand impatiently and hurriedly summoned the imperial physician: "Someone, summon the imperial physician and quickly help Lord Qi to the side hall to rest."
Then, he coldly swept his gaze over Shi Wanxia, "You woman are too hateful. How can you be so rude and ill-mannered, maliciously slandering an official of the imperial court? You are simply guilty of heinous crimes."
Shi Wanxia's heart skipped a beat; she knew she was in big trouble now.
In the rigidly hierarchical ancient court—the palace—a single wrong word could lead to utter ruin.
But her indomitable spirit kicked in, and she clenched her fists, determined to find a way to turn the situation around.
After all, she was still young and didn't want to die. She couldn't guarantee that if she didn't die, she wouldn't be able to go back...
The atmosphere in the imperial court was heavy, like leaden clouds obscuring the sun. Shi Wanxia knew she had long since stepped into this vortex of power struggles; her posture was upright, yet she could not conceal her loneliness.
At the head of the table, the emperor's gaze was deep and unwavering, as if he were waiting for a good show to begin.
"Your Majesty,"
The Imperial Censor was the first to speak out, his voice booming like a bell, echoing throughout the hall.
"This woman has no virtue whatsoever. She dares to show her face in public and, with the audacity to disrupt the court with her womanhood, I implore Your Majesty to execute this ignorant and arrogant woman in order to uphold the authority of my mighty laws."
"Women are inherently unfit for public life and lack manners. How can they be so disrespectful of ancestral customs and etiquette? It is truly hateful!"
After saying that, his gaze sharpened as he stared intently at Shi Wanxia, as if he wanted to nail her to an abyss of no return.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward immediately, flicked his sleeves, clasped his hands, and said with deep sorrow, "Your Majesty, I second your opinion. This woman's behavior has already violated the centuries-old rules of our dynasty."
"It is a woman's natural duty to stay at home, to be a good wife and mother. But she goes to court and speaks ill of state affairs, causing endless gossip in the streets. If this continues, the country will cease to exist!"
"I, Cangling, govern the world with propriety and law, and I will not tolerate such insolence from her."
After saying that, he glanced around and saw many of his colleagues nodding in agreement, so he straightened his back even more.
Shi Wanxia raised her eyes, her gaze cold and clear, sweeping over the angry-looking courtiers, a bitter smile playing on her lips.
She never imagined that she, who simply wanted to help the world with her knowledge and compassion for all living beings, would become the target of public criticism.
But she could not back down; the hopes of thousands of women behind her were like thorns in her back; and the clarity and order of the court before her was also what her heart desired.
"His Majesty,"
Shi Wanxia bowed with her hands clasped in greeting, her voice steady and calm.
“I know that my actions have angered the public, but what I have done is not for my own selfish desires.”
“Nowadays, we are surrounded by foreign enemies, and people’s livelihood is difficult. What I see in the city is that many government orders are not being implemented and people are suffering.”
"Although I am a woman, I also have a heart to serve my country. I dare not keep my knowledge and understanding to myself. I only wish to do my best for Your Majesty and for Cangling."
After speaking, she touched her forehead to the ground and remained there for a long time. The hall was silent for a moment, with only her suppressed breathing remaining.
On the throne, the emperor lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers, his gaze shifting between Shi Wanxia and the assembled officials, without uttering a word.
At this moment, he weighed the pros and cons in his mind. He knew Shi Wanxia was talented, but the court was rife with undercurrents and the old forces were deeply entrenched, so he could not be easily touched.
But in Shi Wanxia's heart, another worry followed her like a shadow—Lord Cui.
To her, he was a glimmer of light in the darkness, silently supporting her when she was most isolated and helpless, providing her with precious books to help her understand the details of the court.
During those long, intimate conversations, their hearts drew closer, but because of the impending storm, they had to keep their feelings hidden.
She knew that she couldn't let the current political turmoil implicate him. All the impeachments were aimed at her alone, and she had to weather the storm alone to protect him.
"Hmph, all talk and no action!"
The Vice Minister of Personnel snorted coldly, breaking the silence, "Women who are literate are more prone to having wild thoughts. You keep talking about serving the country, but are you just trying to use this to climb the social ladder and get a high position? How can my majestic court be defiled by a woman like you!"
Words were like knives, each sentence slicing into Shi Wanxia's dignity.
Shi Wanxia clenched the hem of her clothes, her nails digging deep into her palms, the pain clearing her mind.
She slowly rose, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, neither humble nor arrogant: "My lords, if we judge talent by gender and apply ancient methods to current affairs, how can Cangling achieve its golden age?"
"A century ago, our ancestors overcame all obstacles and expanded our territory by employing talents without being bound by convention. Today, with foreign enemies coveting our land and frequent disasters, we need to recruit talented people widely, rather than closing ourselves off from the world."
"I swear on my life that everything I have said and done is for the sake of the Cangling Kingdom and its people. If I have any selfish motives, may I be struck by lightning!"
Some of the officials in the hall hesitated upon hearing this, but most remained unmoved.
Shi Wanxia took a deep breath, straightened her back, and looked firmly at the emperor on the dragon throne, then glanced around at the assembled officials.
She opened her mouth and said, "Your Majesty, esteemed officials, I, a mere woman, am aware that my appearance in the court is shocking and unconventional, but it is truly a helpless act, and I have absolutely no intention of offending the ancestral laws and etiquette."
"My knowledge covers agriculture, sericulture, water conservancy, and the allocation of funds and grain. If I were to remain secluded in my boudoir, I would only be able to let these profound insights be obscured."
"I entered the court not to seek fame or fortune, but only to offer my humble talents to Your Majesty and save the people from suffering."