mtl008 Chapter 212 A woman in office, utterly absurd.
Chapter 212 A woman in office, utterly absurd.
At this time, Miss Shi was serving as the magistrate of Xinyang County, which was under the jurisdiction of Youzhou. She was unaware of everything that had happened in Youzhou. She continued her busy daily life, handling all the official business of the county.
She wished she could sleep two or three hours less each day, but the gears of fate had already begun to turn, and she was about to be swept into this complex emotional storm.
In the days that followed, Shen Yanchu searched everywhere for Miss Shi's whereabouts. Ye Wenshu tried to win back Shen Yanchu's heart, the Princess noticed her son's unusual behavior, and Cui Zhihao silently observed everything from the sidelines.
The city of Youzhou seemed shrouded in a mysterious emotional fog, where everyone struggled with their love and destiny.
Inside the residence of Princess Youchang, the carved beams and painted rafters exuded royal majesty and luxury. Princess Shen Yuanzheng held Ye Wenshu's soft, boneless hand, her eyes filled with affection and comfort. Ye Wenshu lowered her head slightly, her brows furrowed, her eyes concealing an unyielding sorrow.
"Shu'er, don't worry, I know my son best. He has always been rather cold-hearted. Many girls have been attracted to him, but none of them have caught his eye."
The princess's voice was like a gentle spring breeze, softly caressing Ye Wenshu's heart. Ye Wenshu bit her lip slightly, seemingly trying to calm herself down.
"Shu'er, you are the woman he took the initiative to marry, so you don't need to be so afraid. You should have known that you were going to be listed in the royal genealogy."
The eldest princess gently patted Ye Wenshu's hand; the warm touch seemed to transmit strength to this somewhat uneasy woman. Ye Wenshu's eyes flickered slightly, as if she had found some comfort.
"You are the principal wife, and Yan'er's status means that you won't be the only one in this inner courtyard! I hope you can understand this yourself."
Although the princess's words were somewhat realistic, they were also heartfelt. Ye Wenshu's unease was greatly alleviated by the princess's words.
The prince's status was so noble that no matter how many women he had in his harem in the future, she would always be his lawfully wedded wife. This honor and guarantee gradually calmed her originally flustered heart.
At this moment, Cui Yuanqi had just returned to the mansion when he saw the princess and her future daughter-in-law strolling leisurely in the hall, chatting and laughing.
Granny Liu and the other maids hurriedly bowed, "Welcome back to the mansion, Prince Consort!" Their voices were in unison, breaking the originally warm atmosphere.
Upon hearing Granny Liu's voice, Shen Yuanzheng turned around and looked at Cui Yuanqi gently, saying, "Cui Lang, you're back. How are you? Have you seen your cousin?" She moved gracefully towards Cui Yuanqi, her skirt swaying, her eyes full of anticipation.
"I heard that my cousin has been promoted to the prefect of Youzhou. It seems that he has indeed accomplished a lot since entering officialdom, otherwise, how could he have been promoted so quickly?"
Cui Yuanqi said with a smile, but the smile seemed somewhat forced. His gaze was somewhat evasive, as if he had something difficult to say.
Shen Yuanzheng was incredibly perceptive; she immediately noticed his hesitant expression. She quickly pulled Cui Yuanqi to sit in the pavilion and poured him a cup of hot tea.
"What's wrong? Why are you so troubled?"
She looked at Choi Won-ki with concern, her eyes filled with love and worry, without a trace of blame.
Cui Yuanqi took the hot tea, sipped it, but didn't know where to begin. He looked up at Shen Yuanzheng, and the complex emotions in his eyes made Shen Yuanzheng's heart tighten.
He took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Highness, although my cousin's promotion seems glorious, I've heard there are many hidden reasons behind it. The political landscape in the court is turbulent, and it seems someone is secretly targeting him. I'm afraid..."
Shen Yuanzheng frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. "Targeting him? Is there any specific information?" Her hand unconsciously tightened around her handkerchief, her heart pounding with anxiety for her cousin.
"It's just rumors right now, saying that my cousin touched on the interests of certain powerful figures while handling some cases. Those people have considerable influence in the court, and I'm afraid they won't let it go easily." Cui Yuanqi put down his teacup, his expression grave.
Ye Wenshu listened quietly to the prince. Although she didn't say anything, she was also worried about him. The prince was her future support, and she didn't want anything to happen to him.
“Then we have to find a way to help him. We can’t let him face these dangers alone,” Shen Yuanzheng said urgently, her eyes full of determination.
"My lady, don't be anxious. Let's find out the situation first and then discuss it further. My cousin is very capable; perhaps he also has a solution." Cui Yuanqi held Shen Yuanzheng's hand, trying to calm her down.
Just then, the steward of the Prince's mansion rushed over. "Princess, Prince Consort, the Prince has sent word that he may be returning late these days, and that the mansion need not worry," the steward said respectfully.
Shen Yuanzheng nodded slightly, "I understand, you may leave." After the steward left, she looked at Cui Yuanqi, "I heard that my cousin seems to have found a woman to be an official. Could it be that he has connections in the court and is using this as an excuse?"
Ye Wenshu also stepped forward. "Princess, Prince Consort, although I don't understand the affairs of the court, I would like to do my part." Her gaze was firm, completely different from the worried woman she had been before.
Shen Yuanzheng looked at Ye Wenshu with relief, "Shu'er, it's good that you have this thought. Let's see how things go first. Don't worry too much, we'll take care of everything."
Inside the magnificent and imposing Princess's residence, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed to drip with tension. Cui Yuanqi's brows were furrowed, his heart filled with turmoil and confusion. He truly didn't know how to talk about his cousin, Cui Zhihao, that scholar who was always knowledgeable about law and reason.
"Cousin, what's wrong with you this time?" Cui Yuanqi thought to himself. "Letting a woman be an official is simply a heretical act!"
His eyes were filled with incomprehension and resentment. "There are so many scholars in the world. Which one of them hasn't studied hard for years and is full of knowledge? Which one doesn't know more than a woman confined to the inner quarters? What evil has possessed you to act like this?"
Shen Yunzheng, standing to the side, also looked disdainful. "Your Majesty, I am also very confused. What was Cui Zhihao thinking, appointing a woman as an official? It is truly the most ridiculous thing in the world."
These words were laced with deep sarcasm, as if a woman holding an official position was the most absurd thing in the world.
Shen Yunzheng listened to these words and deeply agreed with them. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes were full of disapproval of this behavior.
In her view, women should stay at home, take care of their husbands and children, and manage their household affairs. It was absolutely unacceptable for them to show their faces in public or serve as officials.
"This is utterly absurd!" she thought to herself, gritting her teeth.
In a fit of rage, Shen Yunzheng summoned Granny Liu and said sternly, "Granny Liu, convey my decree that the Prefect of Youzhou, Cui Zhihao, is to pardon the female magistrate he appointed. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!" Her tone was unquestionable and as cold as the winter wind.
Having served the Princess for many years and witnessed all sorts of situations, Granny Liu remained calm, but she knew in her heart that Her Highness was truly angry, and dared not slacken her efforts in the slightest.
He quickly replied, "This old servant obeys!" After saying that, he led his guards out of the princess's residence and sped towards the prefectural government office.