The days on duty at the ancient government office were quite novel for Wang Linlang.
Even though her superiors called her a County Princess and assigned her dull and tedious tasks, she found it all quite satisfactory.
The commotion in the capital had not subsided, with the entire city buzzing about Lin Yan. Few noticed that another woman had joined their ranks.
By the time of the next court session, the officials were kneeling in unison, demanding that the Emperor punish Lin Yan for her deception.
"Deception? Pray tell, which monarch do you speak of being deceived?"
The new Emperor's face betrayed no emotion as he looked at the officials kneeling before him. Was his stance not clear enough? What were they trying to achieve now, forcing his hand?
"Your subject... your subject would not dare."
"My family has known Yan'er for over ten years. Do you believe I am unaware of her identity?" In truth, he had only learned of it after they had joined forces.
"Her participation in the imperial examinations occurred during the reign of the deposed Emperor. If anyone was deceived, it was the deposed Emperor. What? Do you still miss the deposed Emperor? Perhaps you should go weep at his mausoleum."
"Your subject is filled with dread." The ministers at the foot of the dais bowed their heads deeply.
However, a few elder officials stood up. "Your Majesty, that statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Lady Lin did not deceive the current Emperor, a woman serving as an official is not conventional."
"Is there any law that states women cannot hold office?" Lin Yan addressed the aggressive elder officials. "Are you so afraid of women serving as officials, lest you be replaced by one?"
"A woman's primary role is to manage the household and raise children. Such actions are no different from a hen crowing at dawn!"
"But do you know that in a flock of chickens, if there are no roosters, one of the hens will eventually transform into a rooster? So how can you be certain whether it is a rooster or a hen that crows at dawn?"
Lin Yan's words sent a ripple of murmurs through the assembled officials.
The elder official who had been conversing with Lin Yan was rendered speechless, pointing at her for a long moment.
"Yan'er, is this true?" the Emperor inquired with amusement.
"Your Majesty may test it. It only takes a few months for a chick to grow," Lin Yan stated, unafraid of any verification.
"But what does this have to do with the matter at hand?"
"Furthermore, what concern is a woman serving as an official to Lord Li? This realm belongs to my Zhao family. Do we require Lord Li's consent to employ whomever we wish?" Zhao Hao stepped in front of Lin Yan, shielding her.
"If Lord Li is unwilling to serve alongside a woman, he is welcome to retire and make way for someone else."
"Hao'er!" The new Emperor's brow furrowed slightly, but he did not reprimand his son.
"Yan'er obtained her official post through legitimate examination, and her promotions have been based on merit. There are no issues whatsoever. I will not strip her of her position.
As for the future, if other women can pass the imperial examinations and ascend to the court, I will similarly grant them official positions."
"Your Majesty, think twice!" The group of elder officials did not anticipate that instead of suppressing Lin Yan, they had inadvertently paved the way for female participation in the imperial examinations.
"Court is dismissed!" The new Emperor, ignoring them, turned and swept out of the hall.
Lin Yan and Zhao Hao exchanged a glance and followed suit.
"Brother Li, you were too impetuous today." Another elder official shook his head, addressing the official who had confronted Lin Yan in court.
"If I had not been impetuous, would we have had to accept that woman serving alongside us in court?"
"But we served alongside her before. And you saw the attitude of the Crown Prince and His Majesty towards her today. It seems this matter is now irreversible!"
"A vixen misleading the nation!" he scoffed, wondering what enchantment that woman had cast upon the new Emperor's family to elicit such fierce protection.
"Brother Li, hush. Our current Emperor is not like the previous one." This was an Emperor who openly spoke of rebellion.
The deposed Emperor had many children and did not dote on them. The current Emperor had only this single precious heir, and he had watched Lin Yan grow up. In the past, they had assumed he treated her like a niece or nephew; now, it seemed they were family.
Proximity trumps kinship; how could outsiders like them compare to her standing in the new Emperor's heart?
"Hmph!" Lord Li, however, was unconcerned. "So what if they can do it, and I cannot voice my opinion!"
Despite widespread opposition, the decree was issued.
This decree sent shockwaves through all women. However, most merely entertained the idea, with few daring to actually participate.
After all, even talented women had only studied poetry and literature, lacking systematic education in the Four Books and Five Classics or the essay-writing skills required for the imperial examinations.
In the same year the decree was issued, the preliminary examinations for scholars were held. Regulations for women's participation in the imperial examinations had already been distributed to all counties, meaning that from this year onwards, women would be permitted to take the examinations.
Furthermore, the court issued another decree allowing women to establish independent household registrations. With these registrations, the wealth earned by women could be used to purchase land and property in their own names, no longer requiring dependence on men as before.
If a household had only a daughter and no male heir, they could choose to take in a son-in-law or have the daughter establish her own independent household registration, preventing her property from being reclaimed by the clan after her father's passing.
Of course, if they genuinely wished to adopt someone, that was also an option.
However, the ability for women to participate in the imperial examinations offered a glimmer of hope to many self-proclaimed talented women.
Although no women registered for the imperial examinations that year, leading to mockery from those who had anticipated a spectacle, their numbers also offered some respite.
"See, such a unique woman is a rarity!"
"Indeed. A woman's virtue lies in her quiet modesty. Who would be like her?"
Lin Yan, upon receiving this news, did not rush. She was currently discussing the establishment of women's academies across various regions.
"You don't seem to be in any hurry," Wang Linlang inquired. Due to her innovative forms and accounting methods, the Minister of Revenue held her in high regard, entrusting her with more responsibilities.
"This is a normal phenomenon. They need time to accept it. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down, and they wouldn't want to be that nail.
Moreover, without systematic study, even if they participated, their results might not be good. They wouldn't want to be ridiculed by those men."
"Aren't you afraid no one will ever participate?"
"Why wouldn't they? The profits from the bookshop last quarter alone increased by forty percent compared to previous years."
"No wonder you are so composed." Wang Linlang truly admired Lin Yan. If Lin Yan had lived in modern times, she would likely have become a prominent figure.
After all, in a society with such significant restrictions on women, she had managed to reach this point. In a world where gender equality existed, her potential would be far greater.
"The new type of loom has been made. Would you like to see it?" Lin Yan invited.