Quick Wear: I and the Female Match Share the Battle Shirt

Chapter 260 If you are not called Qingping, you can’t be happy (End)

"Me?" Cao Danshu looked a little surprised. "What can I do?"

“Give us a chance to excel.”

Cao Danshu thought about it and was still a little worried. "But the ministers in the court have such strong opinions on reforming the official system. If the imperial examination for women is really opened, they will probably rebel."

Lu Changqing said: "I once heard a saying called 'boiling a frog in warm water', which means that a frog is placed in water and slowly heated. At first, the frog in the water does not notice the change in water temperature. Until later, when it finds that the water is hot and wants to jump out, it is too late.

We can take it slow. When we give those women official positions, we can arrange some seemingly insignificant positions for them to relax the frogs' vigilance. After a while, even if they still can't get used to it, they can only try to accept it."

Seeing Cao Danshu still hesitated, Lu Changqing took drastic measures, "Your Majesty, helping us is helping yourself! Think about Empress Dowager Zhangxian, why could she only wear the emperor's robes to pay homage to the ancestral temple and could not take the last step? Because all the ministers opposed it, she had to compromise! If you can lead all the women in the world to enter the court together, then they will definitely support you behind your back."

Cao Danshu's face changed and she scolded, "Fu Ying, stop talking nonsense!"

"Your Majesty, there are only you and me here, so I will speak my mind directly." Lu Changqing said earnestly, "I know that everything Your Majesty has done is for the country and the people, and you may not have thought about that position. But please allow me to ask you a question. If the court officials now ask Your Majesty to remove the curtain and return power to the emperor, would you be willing?"

Cao Danshu pursed her lips with an unpleasant expression and said nothing.

Seeing that Cao Danshu didn't reply, Lu Changqing expressed her thoughts for her, "Let alone you. Even if the ministers in the court asked me to return to the Shangshu Neisheng to continue reviewing memorials, I would not be willing to do so, let alone give up the power that is above millions of people."

"The current emperor is not the late emperor, let alone you, Your Majesty. He dislikes me very much. If I want to continue to act in the court in the future, I can only rely on you, Your Majesty. So please rest assured, Your Majesty, everything I do will never harm you."

Lu Changqing persuaded him earnestly, "Besides, the emperor is not your biological son. His biological father, the Prince of Runan, is still alive and kicking outside the palace. Think about the late emperor. The Empress Dowager Zhangxian treated him like her own son. Later, the Empress Dowager passed away. The late emperor learned about his life experience and believed the slander that his biological mother had died a violent death. What did the late emperor do at the first moment?"

"You and the Emperor are the Empress Dowager Zhangxian and the late Emperor. The Emperor is now fourteen years old. When he reaches the age of twenty, the court officials will certainly ask you to return the power. By then, will the Emperor, who has grown stronger, banish all your confidants in the court to other places like the late Emperor did, and then hold the imperial examinations every year for several years to select their own people? By then, you will be isolated and helpless in the harem."

Cao Danshu naturally understood Lu Changqing's principles, but she was afraid if it really came to that.

It took Empress Zhangxian thirteen years to wear the emperor's royal robes and pay homage to the ancestral temple. How could she have had the remaining six years?

Lu Changqing guessed what Cao Danshu was worried about, so he suggested considerately: "Your Majesty, the emperor is now fourteen years old, and many ministers have begun to care about his lifelong affairs. I see that the emperor and Miss Gao have been childhood sweethearts, so why not ask them for their opinions?"

In history, Gao Taotao and Zhao Shu were a couple who loved each other very much. From the secular perspective of the society at that time, Zhao Shu was better than most men in terms of emotional loyalty.

After the two got married, there was no other woman besides Gao Taotao until Zhao Shu became emperor. Therefore, Empress Dowager Cao asked her confidant to tell Gao Taotao: "Your Majesty has been on the throne for a long time, and now that your Majesty has recovered, how can there be no one to serve you?"

Then Gao Taotao responded strongly: "I married the Thirteenth Tuanlian (Zhao Shu), not because he is from an official family."

But later, Zhao Shu became seriously ill and was on the verge of death. Perhaps in order to get him married, Gao Taotao still agreed to choose a concubine for Zhao Shu.

But this rush directly killed the person. The concubines entered the palace at the end of the year, and Zhao Shu passed away in January of the following year.

It’s a pity that those young women were trapped in the deep palace all their lives and lived out their lives in loneliness.

Cao Danshu didn't understand why Lu Changqing suddenly mentioned Zhao Shu's marriage, so she asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"Your Majesty, use the Crown Prince to control the officials!"

Cao Danshu was puzzled, "Crown Prince?"

"Does your Majesty still remember Prince Lu?"

Cao Danshu couldn't remember who this person was for a moment.

"Taizong's eldest son Yuanzuo."

After hearing what Lu Changqing said, Cao Danshu immediately remembered.

"Prince Lu had already moved into the Eastern Palace, but he was deposed because of a heart attack. If the emperor also suffers from a heart attack in the future, wouldn't you be able to use the crown prince to control the ministers?"

Cao Danshu stared at Lu Changqing in a daze, and it took her a long while before she uttered the word "bold".

"Do you know what you are talking about? That's the government!"

Lu Changqing said: "Taizu was also an emperor, but he also died inexplicably. He passed the throne to his younger brother instead of his son. Everyone must have thought it was strange at that time. But the emperors now are all descendants of Taizong. Who dares to say that Taizong was bad at all?"

"That's enough. Don't say such treasonous words anymore." Cao Danshu stretched out her hand to stop Lu Changqing from speaking. Not wanting to hear Lu Changqing say these words anymore, she waved at her and said, "You should leave first. I want to be alone for a while."

Lu Changqing retreated as ordered and walked out of the palace alone.

With the precedent of Wu Zetian, it would be impossible for Cao Danshu to follow Wu Zetian's path of asking her son to move to another position wisely.

Lu Changqing could see that Cao Danshu was now Liu E 2.0, so how could those old foxes in the court not see it? They must be more wary of her than the previous generation of court officials were of Liu E.

So she could only wait and see, get through these few years with Zhao Shu, and then wait a few more years with Zhao Shu's men, until most of the people in the court were her confidants, and then she could reach the level of Wu Zetian.

Lu Changqing didn't believe that Cao Danshu couldn't understand the current situation in the court. If she really wanted to seize power, then she could only follow the path that Lu Changqing had planned for her.

The establishment of the imperial examination for women was finally decided, and Gao Taotao and Zhao Shu's wedding was scheduled for March of the next year.

Cao Danshu later found Lu Changqing again and said with a very tired look: "Taotao likes the emperor very much. Fuying, let's wait a while."

Lu Changqing felt relieved, knowing that Cao Danshu was wavering, so he smiled and said, "Of course we have to wait. Miss Gao and the emperor are still young now."

The first imperial examination for women was presided over by Lu Changqing. The process was the same as that of ordinary imperial examinations. In autumn, each state held the prefectural examination (i.e. the provincial examination in the Ming and Qing dynasties). In the spring of the following year, the provincial examination was presided over by the Ministry of Rites, and finally the palace examination was held.

Lu Changqing highlighted the key points of the exam for the students. Just like the ordinary imperial examination, it focuses on classics and policy essays, and also requires legal studies. After all, they will be officials in the future. How can they abide by the law or judge cases if they don't understand the law?

In the examination hall held in the capital, Lu Changqing saw two familiar faces, Bai Xingke and Bai Weijing.

Since Bai Xingke left Beijing, the two have not had any correspondence. After not seeing each other for several years, Bai Xingke has changed a lot and looks much stronger than before.

When passing by the other person's seat, Lu Changqing glanced at Bai Xingke's answer sheet.

To be honest, I answered very poorly and there is probably no hope this time.

Bai Weijing’s answer was pretty good.

Bai Weijing was able to appear here today thanks to Du Hezhi. Perhaps she was inspired by Lu Changqing. When her own son was unreliable and her second daughter left Beijing, she remembered that she had a daughter at home.

Although Bai Weijing was timid, he had some talent in studying, so a teacher was invited to the mansion to teach Bai Weijing.

As expected, Bai Xingke was eliminated in the first round of examination. Since it was the first imperial examination for women, if it followed the standards of ordinary imperial examinations, the number of people who could enter the provincial examination in the country could be counted on one hand.

So Lu Changqing was almost releasing a flood, and Bai Weijing flew at an ultra-low altitude, ranking second to last in the provincial exam.

During the Song Dynasty, the imperial examinations admitted an average of about 300 people each time. Since the court was currently laying off employees, Lu Changqing suggested that Cao Danshu only admit 80 people this time.

Cao Danshu frowned, "Isn't it too little? I'm afraid the ministers will quarrel again."

"My queen, think about the former Tang Dynasty. Every year, only 20 to 30 people were admitted as Jinshi through the imperial examination. Our number is quite a lot."

Cao Danshu was persuaded and, despite opposition from her ministers, ordered that only eighty candidates be admitted this time, with forty women and forty men making up the total.

As expected, someone brought up the number of people. Cao Danshu said unhappily, "Even if I recruit women, aren't there still more men than in the Tang Dynasty? What else are you dissatisfied with?"

Lu Changqing sent Bai Weijing to Youzhou to serve as a prosecutor, who was mainly responsible for hearing cases and handling local litigation matters.

When Bai Weijing left Beijing, Lu Changqing went to see her off, patted her on the shoulder and asked her to work hard.

There will be a war in Youzhou sooner or later. As long as she does a good job, she will definitely be able to move to another place in less than two years.

The carriage rolled away, and Lu Changqing finally had time to reminisce with Bai Xingke.

The two of them sat in the pavilion, and Lu Changqing asked Bai Xingke, "Third sister, where have you been all these years? How come you haven't sent any letters home?"

Bai Xingke smiled and said, "When I first went to Yangzhou, I was planning to get involved in the clan's business, but the clan elders saw that I was a woman and didn't allow me to get involved, so I set out from Yangzhou, doing some small business while traveling.

Later, I heard that you defeated Li Yuanhao twice, so I went to Luoyang. Later, our army entered the Xia Kingdom, and I formed a caravan with a few friends I knew, engaged in border trade, and made a little money. "

"Are you still doing business now?"

Bai Xingke nodded, "I did. I came back this time mainly to give it a try. I thought that since it was the first women's imperial examination, the test questions would not be too difficult. I wanted to see if I could get lucky. Facts have proven that cramming at the last minute doesn't work."

"So after you come back this time, will you leave again?"

"If you want to go, make more money while you're still young. It's not good for you to support the family alone."

It's good to have a pursuit, and Bai Xingke learned how to be a housekeeper in the Bai Mansion, dealing with money and property. For now, doing business may be more suitable for her than being an official.

"Then you should stay at home for a few more days. The mistress has missed you a lot in the past few years."

Bai Xingke looked at Lu Changqing gratefully, "Fourth sister, thank you for taking care of my mother and home when I was away all these years."

"Why are you saying this? We are sisters, and this is my home too, isn't it?"

Bai Xingke's nose suddenly felt sore when he heard this, and his eyes instantly turned red, "I'm sorry."

Lu Changqing gently patted Bai Xingke's shoulder, "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"

Bai Xingke sniffed, "I used to look down on you because of the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, and I always looked down on you because you were born out of wedlock."

Lu Changqing smiled easily, "It doesn't matter, you said that was in the past, and I don't care about those things anymore."

After Lu Changqing finished speaking, he stood up and extended his hand to Bai Xingke, saying, "Let's go. The mistress and the others are still waiting for us in the mansion."

Bai Fuying stood on the palace road outside Baoci Palace, and a branch of peach flowers in full bloom stretched out from the red palace wall.

This is the eighth year since she returned. The Liao Kingdom no longer exists, and the Funing Palace where the emperor lived has a new owner.

Zhao Shu suffered from a sudden heart attack and was often mentally disturbed. He was unable to manage the government and passed the throne directly to his eldest son. As the child was still too young, Cao Danshu, who was promoted to Empress Dowager, continued to manage the government while Zhao Shu lived in Ruisi Palace to recuperate.

Bai Fuying is now 35 years old, and she has also reached the highest position among the ministers.

"Bai Xiang, why are you standing here alone?"

When Bai Fuying heard the voice, she turned around and looked back, and found that it was Princess Fukang who had left the palace to set up her own residence two years ago.

Bai Fuying bowed slightly and saluted her, "Your Highness the Princess."

Zhao Huirou held her one-year-old daughter in her arms, pinched her little arm and waved at Bai Fuying, "Yanquan, go say hello to Prime Minister Bai."

Since Zhao Huirou often returned to the palace to visit her mother and Cao Danshu, Zhao Yanquan could always see Bai Fuying at Cao Danshu's place. She had an impression of Bai Fuying in her mind and reached out to Bai Fuying to hug her.

Bai Fuying held the child in her arms. The child could not speak very well and could only giggle.

Looking at the child named Yan Quan in her arms, Bai Fuying sighed in her heart again, Zhao Huirou really did not hide her thoughts at all.

But then again, if she were Zhao Huirou, she would probably also be thinking about that position.

Cao Danshu's thoughts are now known to everyone. Female officials now occupy almost one-third of the positions in the court, and there are more and more memorials in the court asking her to become emperor. Zhao Huirou is the only child of Song Renzong, and also the child of Cao Danshu. When Cao Danshu dies in the future, it is not impossible for her to succeed to the throne.

Zhao Huirou decided to send her daughter to Cao Danshu's care when she was older and let her raise her personally.

Even if she can't survive the other person, her daughter will definitely survive, right?

Bai Fuying teased the child for a while and then returned the child to Zhao Huirou.

Zhao Huirou took the child and asked, "Has Bai Xiang just come out of the Queen's palace?"

Bai Fuying nodded and said, "When I came out, I saw a branch of peach blossoms outside the palace wall, so I came over to take a look."

Zhao Huirou looked up following Bai Fuying's gaze and indeed saw the peach branch extending outside the palace wall.

"Bai Xiang likes peach blossoms?"

"It's fine, but I prefer edible peaches to peach blossoms."

Zhao Huirou smiled, looked at the peach blossoms on the branches, and said, "Speaking of peach blossoms, I remembered a poem I heard a few days ago."

Bai Fuying asked curiously, "What word?"

"It's a very sad poem. The title of the poem is 'Diaoxiao Jiju'." After Zhao Huirou finished speaking, she began to sing softly.

“Mistakenly.

Taoyuan Road.

The vast expanse of smoke and water.

If I can't keep you here, you must leave.

Autumn moon and spring breeze leisurely.

The peach blossoms are scattered like red rain.

I don’t know where the person is.”

After Zhao Huirou finished singing, she smiled and asked Bai Fuying, "What do you think of this lyric, Mr. Bai?"

Bai Fuying felt that it was a bit hypocritical, but she said, "It's catchy."

"I think so."

Zhao Huirou's hands felt a little sore from holding the child, so she said goodbye to Bai Fuying, "Prime Minister Bai, I'm going to pay my respects to the queen first, and then I'll leave!"

Bai Fuying watched Zhao Huirou leave, then turned and left towards the outer court.