However, since it was an imperial decree personally issued by His Majesty, even though many people had reservations, they dared not speak out.
As for Lin Qingge, the person concerned, upon hearing this, she understood it was likely compensation mentioned by Leng Ningyue earlier.
Good heavens.
Shouldn't she say she lived up to her Ningyue sister's reputation?
Before she could even get an imperial enfeoffment for Ningyue sister, Ningyue sister had already given her the guise of a princess.
Despite a thousand and ten thousand reluctance in her heart, for Ningyue sister's sake, Lin Qingge still rose from her seat, bowed symbolically, and perfunctorily uttered "Long live, long live, long live."
The new Emperor also deeply disliked Lin Qingge. He nodded slightly as a sign of acceptance.
Following this, the eunuch took out another imperial decree and began to read:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
From this day forth, all women who have reached the age of sixteen may participate in the imperial examinations.
Those who achieve excellent results and enter the final imperial examination may serve in the imperial court as officials, just like men.
Respect this!"
Lin Qingge, upon hearing the second imperial decree read by the eunuch, looked at the person beside her in astonishment, unable to recover for a long time.
Seeing this, Leng Ningyue reached out and touched Lin Qingge's forehead, chuckling softly:
"Didn't you say you wanted women to participate in the imperial examinations and serve as officials in the bureaucracy?
Now that your wish has come true, why are you acting foolish?"
"Ningyue sister, I truly love you to death!"
After saying this, Lin Qingge, disregarding her cumbersome robes and the heavy headdress pressing down on her, opened her arms and gave Leng Ningyue a big bear hug.
The new Emperor, with a cold expression, watched the person who openly showed affection with his Empress right under his nose, yet he was powerless, feeling utterly vexed.
At this moment, Prime Minister Shangguan, who had been minimizing his presence since the banquet began, stood up from his seat, cupped his hands, and said:
"I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!
The Great Xia has never had a precedent for women serving as officials.
Furthermore, since ancient times, men attend to external affairs, and women attend to internal affairs; this has been an unchangeable truth.
It is a woman's duty to manage the household and raise children.
If women are allowed to serve as officials, would it not be a violation of natural order and treat court affairs as a child's play?"
"Child's play your sister's child's play?!
The imperial decree clearly states that only women who achieve excellent results and enter the final imperial examination may serve as officials like men."
Before Lin Qingge could voice her indignation, Feng Qingchen, who already had a contentious relationship with Prime Minister Shangguan, lost his temper first, placing his hands on his hips and scolding:
"What's wrong with women?
Isn't everyone born of a mother?
Why do you look down on women?
And this 'men attend to external affairs, women attend to internal affairs,' unchangeable.
It truly cannot change.
Because what women can do, your men cannot, but what men can do, women can also accomplish very well."
Speaking of this, Feng Qingchen clicked his tongue with a look of disdain:
"Prime Minister Shangguan, to put it bluntly.
If Prime Minister Shangguan you were placed in the inner chambers, within three days you would be packing your bags and thrown into a mass grave.
But if the women adept at calligraphy, chess, painting, and literature in the inner chambers were allowed to serve as officials, and their energy spent on scheming within the household was channeled into national construction.
In time, I guarantee this court will be much stronger than the current one, where the Right Prime Minister himself leads in taking leave!"
"You, you, you are quibbling!"
Prime Minister Shangguan glared at this impetuous young man who always opposed him, gritting his teeth with hatred.
Lin Qingge took the opportunity to chime in: "Prime Minister Shangguan, Prime Minister Feng is not quibbling; he is merely stating facts.
If Prime Minister Shangguan does not believe me, you might as well write a letter of leave and temporarily cede the position of Prime Minister to this princess.
This princess would not mind helping the aging and frail Prime Minister Shangguan to share the burden."
"Nonsense, utter nonsense!"
Prime Minister Shangguan, who had not expected the other party to so brazenly covet his position as Prime Minister, was so angered that he flicked his sleeves.
And the mention of 'letter of leave' made the officials present finally understand why they found the newly enfeoffed princess so familiar.
Seeing everyone's exaggerated, dumbfounded expressions, Lin Qingge bared her teeth and said:
"Right, I haven't had a chance to introduce myself yet.
This princess's surname is Lin, and her given name is Qingge. I am the twin sister of Mr. Lin Jingxing, Lin Daren, of the Shuntian Prefecture Administration.
Any of you esteemed officials who wish to write a 'letter of leave' can come to this princess.
I guarantee no charge!"
While everyone was dazzled by her overly radiant smile, they resolved that upon returning home that night, they would earnestly instruct their rebellious sons and daughters to never cross the path of this Princess Changle.
Only Feng Qingchen looked at Lin Qingge with a mournful expression, as if to say, "Big sister, please be human!"
Prime Minister Shangguan, finding himself alone and outnumbered, frequently cast glances at his own faction.
However, before Prime Minister Shangguan's faction could stand up and present their memorials, the new Emperor made a decisive statement:
"The women of our Great Xia are no less capable than men. Whether it is our Empress Dowager, our mother, or the late Princess Jing, who fought bravely on the battlefield, or the Princess Pingyang, who has defended her border fiefdom for over twenty years.
They are all worthy heroines.
Although the Great Xia does not have a precedent for women serving as officials, it does not mean it cannot happen in the future.
I believe that for a country to prosper and endure, it must broadly recruit talent and employ all capable individuals.
The talent here not only includes the sons of our Great Xia but also all the heroines of the Great Xia.
I believe that with the collective efforts of everyone, our Great Xia will surely flourish, its prosperity will extend across the Nine Provinces, and therefore, I have issued this imperial decree."
"Your Majesty is wise, Your Majesty long live, long live, long live!"
Despite their mutual dislike, Lin Qingge was the first to step forward and flatter the new Emperor.
With her setting the example, Princess Yongning, whose heart was stirred, immediately followed suit, shouting long live.
Miss Xu Siyun and other ladies from official families also echoed, and more and more people joined in.
Prime Minister Shangguan's faction, seeing the unfavorable turn of events, could only reluctantly go with the flow.
Thus, the matter of women being allowed to participate in the imperial examinations and serve as officials was firmly decided.
The banquet continued.
Next to present congratulatory gifts was the delegation from the Kingdom of Siam.
The physical characteristics of the Siamese people were closer to the Thai people from Lin Qingge's previous life. They presented the new Emperor with a rare ancient Buddha statue.
As there was a delay in the middle, the delegations from Goryeo and the Eastern Isles, who were ranked last, came forward to pay their respects together.
Perhaps due to the profound influence of her previous life, Lin Qingge always felt that these two were up to no good when they met.
As expected.
After the envoys from both countries paid their respects, the envoy from Goryeo spoke:
"Respected Emperor of Great Xia, we have prepared three congratulatory gifts for you, but these three gifts can only be obtained by the smartest person in your country."