RWNEFE -Chapter 295 Verbal Duel with the Censor!

The Renxiao Emperor, keeping his delight under control, instructed Wang Bao to place two of the treasure beads on the throne in the Golden Hall, and the remaining four in the sleeping quarters. After arranging them, he subtly admonished Shen Lanxi.

“These six beads have an extraordinary origin. It’s best not to speak of them to outsiders.”

Shen Lanxi immediately replied sincerely: “Uncle, I understand. Today I’ve only brought leather goods, spices, and the glazed beads.”

The emperor nodded in satisfaction, though he felt a twinge of regret—if Shen Lanxi were a man, she would undoubtedly be his favorite general.

Wang Bao urged: “Your Majesty, the morning court is about to begin.”

The Renxiao Emperor’s smile faded, replaced by authority: “Lanxi, come with me to court!”

“Yes!”

Apart from a few senior ministers, no one else knew that Shen Lanxi would attend court today.

Seeing her in official robes walking beside the emperor, the other ministers instinctively stiffened.

How could a woman be allowed in the majestic court?

Allowing her to command troops was one thing—but now she might participate in government affairs? Their sharp glances cut toward Shen Congwen like arrows.

Shen Congwen himself froze. How could this be? Didn’t she just say she was delivering gifts to the palace? Why was she now at the front of the court?

This was nonsense. Even if the emperor favored her, surely he wouldn’t indulge her to this extent!

The emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, lowered his eyes and took in the ministers’ expressions.

“Lanxi, stand beside your father.”

Shen Lanxi nodded and calmly moved to her father’s side.

Shen Congwen’s face darkened. What was His Majesty implying? Was this a subtle warning?

“Minister Shen’s recovery of the Northwest is a meritorious achievement for all time. I make an exception in allowing her to enter court and participate in governance.”

Immediately, the censors stood to oppose her.

“Your Majesty, this cannot be! There is no precedent for women attending court. Allowing a woman in court undermines decorum!”

One by one, the censors stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, a woman in court is a disruption to our Great Zhou. If Your Majesty insists, I, an old minister, will stake my life to prevent it!”

“Your Majesty, we, the supervising censors, all dissent. A woman in court, a woman exercising authority—it will destabilize our Great Zhou. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!”

The Renxiao Emperor’s face darkened with anger: “You claim a woman will destabilize the state—where were your words when the Northwest was in crisis?”

“When the Northwest was in crisis, why didn’t you petition to go pacify it?”

Shen Lanxi stepped forward: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I returned in haste, and there are still many matters in the Northwest that haven’t been settled. Since these censors are all so eloquent, why not send them to negotiate with the Turks about restoring trade routes? With such sharp tongues, they surely won’t let the Turks take advantage!”

The censors were speechless.

The emperor, too, paused.

“Shen Lanxi, you assume the worst of us. We are supervising censors, not ritual officials. We speak the truth impartially. And yet you maliciously suggest sending us to the Northwest!”

Shen Lanxi mocked: “How could the Northwest be a perilous place? It has already returned to peace and stability, thanks to Your Majesty’s wise appointments. The Northern Army was able to sign a peace treaty with the Turks. Are you saying you don’t want to go and contribute to the Great Zhou?”

The censors were beside themselves with anger.

This woman, sharper and more ruthless than ordinary women, deliberately sought revenge. If such a woman were allowed to stand in court, what would become of them? She must be driven away before her audacity grows further.

Suddenly, a shout rang out.

“Heavens…”

Censor Cai Heng collided with a pillar. Luckily, the surrounding officials prevented bloodshed on the spot.

“Lord Cai, what are you doing!”

Struggling, Cai Heng shouted at Shen Lanxi: “I must protect the integrity of the Great Zhou court…”

Shen Lanxi coolly replied: “Is it just being sent to the Northwest? If you don’t want to go, don’t throw yourself off a pillar. Lord Cai, if foreigners hear of your behavior, they’ll think Great Zhou fears them.”

Cai Heng blushed with humiliation. He had only pretended to hit the pillar, and now wished he could actually crash into it to prove his righteousness.

The Renxiao Emperor’s face was pitch black. The realm was at peace, and today they had received rare treasures, yet these ungrateful ministers still found ways to vex him. Even his daily ginseng tea and treasures could not prolong his life now.

These ministers had grown more inflexible and antiquated by the day.

“You all, silence!” The emperor’s thunderous anger fell, and the hall instantly went quiet.

“Now that Great Zhou faces many pending affairs, do you waste time quarreling instead of going to the Northwest or Dongchuan to help the people?”

Heavens, surely some officials deserved demotion!

The ministers, unwilling to be sent to remote regions, quietly calculated the emperor’s intent.

“Your Majesty is wise; now is a time for rebuilding. Those capable should be given opportunities!”

“Your Majesty is brilliant and martial. Allowing General Shen into court must have a purpose!”

“Your Majesty knows talent well—truly a wise ruler of the age…”

Seeing the tide turning, the censors retreated and ceased their remonstrations.

The emperor began to consider Shen Lanxi’s proposal.

“Ministers, what are your thoughts on restoring the trade routes?”

The ministers, intimidated by the emperor’s earlier display, remained silent.

He finally fixed his gaze on Shen Lanxi.

“Lanxi, what do you think?”

Her eyes glinted. “We can allow the imperial merchants to start limited trade first. After a year or so, if no disturbances occur, we can expand trade routes.”

This aligned with the emperor’s own thinking. He preferred waiting a year or so to open trade, but the treasury was empty. The Ministry of Revenue frequently complained of lack of funds, and he had already spent much of his private treasury. The court needed silver.

The emperor nodded lightly. The ministers, seeing the favorable wind, quickly adjusted their stance.

“I also believe this method is feasible!”

“I agree; trade routes can be reopened gradually…”

Near the end of the morning court, Grand Tutor Mei Nanhua submitted a memorial:

“Your Majesty, after six years of war, the imperial examinations were suspended. Now that the realm is at peace, should we take advantage of the celebrations to reopen the exams and recruit talented officials for the court?”

The emperor’s lips curved slightly; he had been considering this.

“Approved!”

“Your Majesty’s benevolence is boundless…”

As the court concluded, most ministers no longer cared about a woman attending court. They were more concerned with the upcoming spring examinations.

“After all, Shen Lanxi is a woman. She’ll marry and bear children eventually. Does she plan to come to court with a child in her arms?”

Scoffing laughter echoed.

“A woman attending court—what a breach of propriety! Did you see Minister Shen’s face during the morning court?”

“It’s all due to his poor guidance. She never learned the three obediences and four virtues. Instead, her arrogance grows. Seeing him, it’s clear he fears both men and women. At home, does he bow to his daughter, or does she bow to him?”