RWNEFE -Chapter 559 Huang Yu’s Words Shock Everyone

The set of headpieces was normally reserved only for the Empress Dowager and the Empress herself. Even a princess wearing them would be considered exceeding protocol.

“Princess, this is far too precious!” Huang Yu held the box, overwhelmed and flustered.

Zhou Xinrou didn’t mind at all, as if she were giving away nothing more than a trivial trinket.

“You saved my life. These few pieces of jewelry are nothing compared to that. Are they more precious than a life?”

“No!” Huang Yu hurriedly tried to protest, but Zhou Xinrou silenced her with a glance.

“Take them. You deserve them.”

Huang Yu had no choice but to hold the box and step aside.

The wives and daughters of the prominent families looked on enviously, their eyes lingering on the cloak and the headpieces.

Shen Yuantang was furious.

Such fine things had never been given to her by her mother.

The other Shen daughters were fine—after all, they were not blood relatives, so it didn’t matter to them who received gifts.

Seeing Shen Yuantang’s expression, they secretly laughed to themselves, anticipating the drama that would unfold.

Huang Yu was going to be in trouble.

Since Shen Yuantang married Zhou Ruyuan, she had become unbearably arrogant. After losing her child, she became even more domineering and unhinged, as if the entire Shen family owed her everything.

Even the elders in the family had to give her some leeway—why should that be?

It was about time Shen Yuantang got a few lessons.

Halfway through the goddaughter adoption ceremony, a congratulatory gift from Shen Lanxi arrived.

The prominent families had been eagerly waiting for this.

His Majesty’s absence was expected. What did Huang Yu’s status matter? What did His Majesty’s status matter?

It was just a goddaughter adoption ceremony—hardly a matter of state importance.

“By the mandate of Heaven… bestowing upon Huang Yu a set of headpieces, a precious sword, a box each of gold and jade hairpins, 500 taels of silver, and a bolt of gold-threaded brocade. By imperial decree!”

Hearing such generous rewards, many of the prominent families’ wives and daughters revealed looks of envy.

Zhou Xinrou, however, remained calm, giving the rewards to Huang Yu with serene composure.

“This is your elder sister’s heartfelt gift. Help her well in the future!”

Huang Yu smiled lightly. “I understand.”

Others might not know, but she had read the family letters sent from the palace.

In the letters, she was addressed only as a county lady, not granted a title—obviously Shen Lanxi did not approve.

Madam Liu Mingxin had also arrived; her daughter had achieved the top rank in the civil examination. When Zhou Xinrou stepped away to rest, the attention of the prominent families shifted from Huang Yu to Madam Liu’s daughter.

“Madam Liu, you have truly raised your daughter well. Has she already been betrothed?”

If it weren’t for Zhou Xinrou hosting the adoption ceremony, Madam Liu would never have left home.

She had come merely for a family visit. How did her daughter suddenly become the top scholar?

How could a woman hold office at court?

How could she even marry in the future?

Who would dare to marry her?

“My daughter—” Madam Liu was about to speak, but a nanny tugged her sleeve from behind.

“Madam, the Mistress does not allow you to interfere with the young lady’s marriage.”

Madam Liu’s eyes flashed with resentment. This was her own daughter—why couldn’t she arrange her marriage?

“Madam, do not forget the Mistress’s orders.”

Madam Liu recalled the quarrel from two days ago and shivered with unease.

She forced a polite laugh to the crowd. “My husband has already arranged an official post for our daughter. She will depart for Dongchuan next month.”

The prominent ladies expressed regret.

“Women still need to marry and bear children; otherwise, when they get older, the good matches will all be taken, leaving only unsuitable ones!”

“Men do not like women who compete for wealth or status and show no femininity.”

“Men prefer gentle, obedient wives.”

“To serve one’s husband, raise children, and care for in-laws—that is a woman’s proper place.”

The more Huang Yu heard, the angrier she became. She immediately retorted: “If you want to serve your husband at home, that’s your choice. Not all women agree with it!”

“A woman’s destiny isn’t necessarily confined to the inner chambers. And what if she gets older? Even our Emperor is past thirty. During the civil exam on the Golden Throne, many handsome young men publicly expressed their willingness to serve His Majesty.”

“The older officials are also surrounded by many younger women.”

“Clearly, marriage has little to do with age or looks. A capable woman will always attract men—young, handsome men will compete to win her favor.”

Her words struck like thunder, leaving the prominent ladies dumbfounded. Could a woman really speak like this?

Huang Yu spoke righteously, her voice icy.

“His Majesty proves with her actions that a woman’s destiny is not necessarily confined to the inner chambers. Ladies, do you dare say His Majesty is wrong?”

Who would dare question the Emperor?

The prominent ladies secretly hated Huang Yu. They had just begun currying favor with the Shen family, and now she was using her words to assert influence.

Only after realizing this did they regret it bitterly.

“We didn’t mean anything by it!”

“Yes, yes, we were just inquiring about Miss Liu’s marriage. Throughout history, isn’t that how it’s done?”

“Exactly. Miss Huang, please do not misunderstand us. If it came across wrong, it was only our good intentions misapplied.”

Huang Yu exhaled sharply. “Ladies, continue your feast. I will go see my mother.”

After she left, the prominent ladies were left flustered and quickly departed.

~

At the adoption ceremony, Shen Yuanxin actually took a liking to a young man.

After extensive inquiries, she learned he was already married with two children. Helplessly, she gave up and continued searching for a suitable match.

That day, upon returning home, she saw Shen Yuantang giving Shen Yuanjin a hard time and cursed her bad luck, quickly withdrawing.

“Back already? Why are you leaving?”

“Are you deliberately avoiding me, not wanting to see me?”

Shen Yuantang’s elevated voice rang out.

Shen Yuanxin’s smile stiffened as she turned. “I suddenly remembered something I had yet to attend to.”

Shen Yuantang’s face darkened. “I don’t care what you were thinking. Not greeting me when you see me is your fault!”

Shen Yuanxin’s smile froze. She was about to explain when Shen Yuantang said,

“Nanny, teach her the rules of our household. Distinctions between legitimate and secondary daughters must be clear. She, a secondary daughter, freely enters and exits the mansion and fails to pay respects to the legitimate daughter. This brings shame to the Shen family!”

Shen Yuanxin’s face turned pale. Even before, they had freely entered the mansion.

Clearly, Shen Yuantang was deliberately making things difficult.

“You will kneel here for two hours!” Shen Yuantang smiled maliciously.

Shen Yuanxin refused. Aside from hardships endured during exile, she had never suffered.

“Why should I kneel? This is unreasonable. I will go to Grandmother and explain!”