SBCEJM -Chapter 102 The Aftermath of the Nightmare! Stubborn Ministers Turned Into Women’s Rights Defenders in Seconds

However…

The entire court was strangely quiet.

Those who usually loved jumping out to oppose everything—Minister Zhao, Censor Li, and the others—were all lowering their heads in silence.

Minister Zhao clenched his hands so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

The Minister of Revenue leaned closer and whispered, “Minister Zhao, why aren’t you speaking against such outrageous proposals today?”

Minister Zhao shuddered.

Humiliating scenes surged through his mind—the forced marriage to a fool, the endless curses from his mother-in-law, kneeling by the frozen river in the dead of winter washing clothes…

“No… I think women should also have the chance to study.”

His voice sounded hoarse.

The Minister of Revenue froze.

“Are you sick with a fever?”

Xiao Juechen frowned slightly.

Why had all the opposition suddenly become mute today?

He deliberately called on him.

“Minister Zhao, what do you think?”

“This… this subject believes the Prince is absolutely right!”

He paused, and his voice gradually grew firmer.

“Women should also study and learn reason. They should not be trapped in ignorance.”

After saying it aloud, even he himself looked stunned.

Did those words really come from his own mouth?

The hall immediately erupted into chaos.

“What’s wrong with Minister Zhao?”

“Didn’t he say just yesterday that women studying would bring disaster to the nation?”

“This change is way too sudden!”

Seeing the bewildered expressions of the officials around him, Censor Li recalled the despair from his dream—gifted beyond measure, even earning the title of top scholar, only to be crushed to death by society’s prejudice.

That feeling of unfulfilled ambition, of possessing vast knowledge yet being treated as an “inauspicious woman,” still churned painfully in his heart.

He gritted his teeth and stepped forward.

“This subject agrees as well! A talented woman is not a calamity, but a blessing to both family and nation!”

The Minister of Works stared at him with wide eyes.

“Minister Li, didn’t you say yesterday that educated women would become unfaithful wives?”

“That was because this official was foolish for a moment!” Censor Li replied red-faced.

The other ministers who had experienced the nightmare also hurried to state their positions:

“Women’s academies benefit both nation and people.”

“The Prince’s actions are for the sake of generations to come.”

Censor Li became even more emotional as he spoke again:

“This subject proposes not only establishing women’s academies, but also allowing women to participate in the imperial examinations!”

The entire hall fell deathly silent.

Even the ministers who had shared the nightmare were shocked by the proposal.

Xiao Juechen: ???

The entire court: ???

Had the sun risen from the west today?

These old conservatives were actually supporting women’s education?

And Censor Li was even suggesting women take the imperial exams?

The Minister of Revenue quietly asked the Minister of Works beside him:

“Have these people been possessed today?”

“…Looks like they were possessed by the same ghost.”

The Minister of Works nodded, his gaze sweeping suspiciously across the abnormal ministers.

Feng Zexuan was laughing hysterically inside.

【Hahahaha! The emperor’s expression is priceless! His eyes are about to pop out!】

【He’s probably wondering if he’s dreaming! But the ones dreaming weren’t you—it was your ministers!】

Listening to her inner thoughts, the corner of Xiao Juechen’s mouth twitched slightly.

This girl had definitely pulled something behind his back again.

Still… the results were unexpectedly effective.

He glanced at the pale-faced yet unusually enthusiastic ministers below, then at the shocked expressions of everyone else. A guess had already formed in his mind.

Such a sudden and complete transformation could not possibly happen naturally.

And the only person present with both the ability and motivation to do something like this…

…was this fox-like Prince of Zhenbei.

【Hehe, he’ll never guess these people just spent an entire lifetime in their dreams as women!】

【And they were tortured half to death by all the old rules they normally worship!】

【Now try asking them to say “a woman without talent is virtuous” again. They wouldn’t dare even if you beat them to death! Hahahaha!】

The last shred of hope in the hearts of the twelve nightmare-stricken officials completely vanished.

It really was her.

This female devil really had done it!

Censor Li remembered Feng Zexuan’s meaningful smile that morning, along with her casual question:

“Did all the honored officials sleep well last night?”

Cold sweat instantly broke out across his back.

This female demon who could cast spells through dreams was absolutely not someone they could afford to provoke again.

Absolutely not!

Xiao Juechen nearly failed to maintain the dignity on his face.

This girl really had done it intentionally.

Still, if he could use her hand to push reforms he himself found difficult to advance directly, perhaps that was not a bad thing at all.

“Since none of my ministers object…”

He pondered briefly, sweeping his gaze across the hall.

“Since all my beloved officials believe women’s academies will benefit the nation and its people, then I shall naturally follow the will of the masses.”

Xiao Juechen tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, his voice loud and clear.

“The Prince of Zhenbei’s proposal is excellent. I approve it!”

An uproar immediately spread through the hall, followed by cries of “Long live the Emperor!”

Those officials who had not experienced the “Yellow Millet Dream” still felt deeply shocked.

The proposal for women’s academies had passed this easily?

Normally, even the smallest reform would require ten days to half a month of endless arguing in court.

Yet today there had not even been a proper voice of opposition.

The methods of the Prince of Zhenbei were truly terrifying.

Feng Zexuan was overjoyed inside.

【Yay! Fifty thousand gossip points acquired! Sweet!】

【One night of experiencing life as a woman really works better than ten years of lecturing!】

“As for the matter of women’s academies, it is of great importance and requires detailed planning.”

Xiao Juechen continued:

“I appoint the Minister of Rites to take the lead, with the Ministry of Revenue assisting. The Prince of Zhenbei and Censor Feng shall jointly supervise the matter.”

“Within three months, present a complete proposal and begin selecting sites to establish the academies.”

“We obey Your Majesty’s decree!”

The four hurried forward to kneel and accept the order.

【Ahhh, how did I get trapped into more work again?】

Feng Zexuan inwardly groaned.

【Why is living the life of a carefree salted fish so difficult?】

Xiao Juechen cast her an amused glance.

He really wanted to see what kind of women’s academy this girl would create.

Perhaps she would bring him even more unexpected surprises.

“Court dismissed!”

As Xiao Juechen rose, the ministers gradually dispersed.

Just as Feng Zexuan was about to leave with her father and brother, a crisp voice stopped her.

“Prince of Zhenbei, please wait.”

Turning around, she saw Third Princess Xiao Mingyue hurrying toward her.

Today, she wore a bright yellow palace dress. There was a trace of solemnity between her brows, and her pretty face carried a faint blush.

“Your Highness, Third Princess.”

Feng Zexuan cupped her hands in greeting, though inwardly she was puzzled.

【Why is the Third Princess suddenly looking for me?】

“I have an important matter to discuss with the Prince.”

Xiao Mingyue glanced at Feng Zekai beside her, her eyes dark and unreadable.

Noticing the officials who had yet to fully disperse, she lowered her voice.

“Please come with me. This matter is extremely important and cannot be discussed here.”

Feng Huai’an and Feng Zekai exchanged glances.

“Xuan’er, we’ll wait for you outside the palace gates,” Feng Huai’an instructed.

“Father, Brother, go on ahead. No need to wait for me.”

Feng Zexuan waved casually.

Feng Huai’an nodded and left together with Feng Zekai.

Feng Zexuan followed Xiao Mingyue toward a side hall.

Along the way, she noticed the Third Princess breathing slightly faster than usual, as though something truly urgent was weighing on her mind.

【Could it be that after learning my true identity, she’s here to settle accounts with me?】

Hearing her inner thoughts, a complicated emotion flashed through Xiao Mingyue’s eyes.

After discovering Feng Zexuan was actually a woman, she truly had felt both angry and disappointed.

Not long ago, she had even shamelessly begged her imperial father to grant them a marriage!

Who could have imagined that she, the dignified Third Princess, had fallen for another woman?

How was she supposed to face that humiliation?

Inside the side hall, Xiao Mingyue dismissed all the palace maids before finally speaking slowly.

“Prince of Zhenbei.”

Her voice trembled slightly, and her hands were tightly clasped before her.

“Do you know that I… have feelings for you?”