After reading my mind, Daddy, why don't you smile?

Zhao Ying suppressed her anger and said, "Captain Qi, you are also a woman. Why do you look down on women? Why do you make things difficult for women?"

Qi Dongqiang was a little surprised, "Princess, what do you mean? I am telling the truth, how can I embarrass a woman?"

Qi Dongqiang stood straight, speaking in a clear voice with sparkling eyes, "If Your Highness thinks that what I said is wrong, then you think that women in the world are not inferior to men. Then may I ask Your Highness, why are all the people fighting on the battlefield men? The people sitting in the temple are also a group of men. From ancient times to the present, the people who can leave a place in the history books are also men. Doesn't this prove that men are more capable and smarter than women?"

"Even if we don't talk about that, it is..." Qi Dongqiang smiled complacently, "The current emperor is also a man!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Zhao Ying's expression froze and his sharp eyes trembled slightly.

She could have argued back on what she said before, but in the end, she actually mentioned her father...

Zhao Ying's face was cold, as if covered with a layer of frost.

The other women present also looked unhappy. After all, they were dragged down and humiliated in public. Their resentment was mixed with helplessness and forbearance.

Many women sighed secretly in their hearts. This is a patriarchal society. Women have talents but cannot display them. They are still suppressed by men. This has been the practice since ancient times. Maybe their ancestors fought against it at the beginning, but lost. As a result, now, it has become a rhetoric to attack women without any basis!

How ridiculous!

Most men agreed with this view and did not think that Qi Dongqiang's words were inappropriate...

Only a few disagreed.

"It seems that Captain Qi has not read much, so his words are extremely biased and laughable!" Shangguan Shu said, and he really laughed. When he laughed, how could the officials under him who were under his command not laugh?

The officials smiled in response.

"People are born in heaven and earth, regardless of gender, and have their own division of labor and responsibilities. Men are strong and go to the battlefield to fight and risk their lives, while women guard the rear, give birth to children, or provide clothing and manage the household. What is a big thing and what is a small thing? With such a narrow mind, how can you discuss the affairs of the world?!"

"Little do people know that the greatness of the generals, the heights of the government, and the theories in the history books are all accomplished by men. If from ancient times to the present, women have been respected, women have written history, and women have discussed things, then the great things should be giving birth to children, and wearing flowers in their hair and dressing up..."

Shangguan Shu's tone remained calm throughout, and contained a hint of disdain for Qi Dongqiang.

Shangguan Shu was selected as the top scholar before he was even crowned. Originally, with his appearance, he should have been the third place winner, but the level of the other two on the day of the palace examination was far below his, so Emperor Jianxi had to select him as the top scholar.

As Shangguan Shu spoke, he even felt that with Qi Dongqiang's talent, how could he be qualified to debate with him?

After he finished speaking, the whole place fell into an eerie silence.

Until... Zhao Ying raised her hand and clapped slowly.

Then, sparse applause broke out.

The women present stared at Shangguan Shu with eyes that seemed confused, as if they had suddenly realized something...but each of them had eyes that were bright and shining.

It’s not that they can’t think of such words, but... they dare not even think about it.

An invisible prison and shackles have locked their minds deeply, even someone as noble as Zhao Ying...

Zhao Ying's heart was like a bell or drum being struck, echoing continuously.

At the same time, deep in my heart, there was a vague sense of inexplicable fear.

She is Zhao Ying...

Zhao Ying has been confident and strong since childhood...

She never thought that one day, there would be something she would not even dare to think about.

She suddenly remembered something her mother had told her.

"In a society where men are superior to women, the so-called fairness and respect are given by them for the sake of their own reputation and to gain greater benefits for themselves."

"They tacitly exclude women from the right to speak and firmly grasp the greatest resources and opportunities."

"If women want true fairness, they must stand on a high ground like men and have the right to speak!"

Zhao Ying suddenly understood that the officials under her respected her not because of her as a person, but because of her father, the emperor, who was behind her.

It was the same as when they just smiled at Shangguan Shu's expression.

The right to speak is something that men have since birth.

The applause gradually died down, and Shangguan Wuzi clapped the most enthusiastically.

Shangguan Qingwan's hands were almost red from clapping. She looked at her father with admiration and pride. That's right, as human beings, everyone has their own division of labor. There is nothing wrong with her liking Lu Ban's skills. It does not distinguish between high and low, or between men and women!

Shangguan Qingyue: [Oh shit, my dad is so smart... Wow, my mom is so smart too. I have such smart dad and mom, no wonder I am so smart...]

Shangguan Qiyou had some anticipation, looking at Shangguan Shu's shining eyes. He wanted to be like his daddy when he grew up!

"Shangguan Chengjing"'s eyes were slightly red. Women were often looked down upon in this world, but wasn't her father's official position donated with her mother's money?

Who is the lowly person who is uneducated and unskilled? If the world treats women the same as men, how can her mother support others? Why not buy an official position herself?

Shangguan Bailin thought for a while, then nodded solemnly. In fact, his father's words inspired him and he also had some ideas of his own.

Shao Yihui looked at Shangguan Shu, his dark eyes revealing a hint of admiration.

Wei Fu looked a little strange. He glanced at Zhao Ying, then at Shangguan Shu, thinking that he was trying his best to please Zhao Ying.

Qi Dongqiang was scolded by Shangguan Shu, and seeing the excited looks of the ladies whom she usually looked down upon, she was so ashamed and angry that her face turned red. She pointed at Shangguan Shu and said angrily: "General, you are a man who stands tall and proud. How can you be so self-deprecating and say such a rebellious statement?"

Shangguan Shu sneered, knowing that Qi Dongqiang, a woman with a brain that can be directly pasted on the door, was talking too profoundly, and she could not understand, so he said in a simple way, "Although I am upright, I am only here because of my mother. The grace of giving birth to me is greater than heaven, so how can I regard my own mother as a lowly person? If anyone has such thoughts, they should be struck by lightning. Even if heaven does not punish, the Great Chu governs the world with filial piety, and Your Majesty will judge for himself."

When Emperor Jianxi was mentioned, Qi Dongqiang finally calmed down a little. She was so scared that she staggered back two steps and barely stood firm.

Seeing this, Shao Yihui spoke up to help her out, "Captain Qi may have drunk too much. Since we are talking about the hierarchy between men and women, why don't you all be more tolerant of Captain Qi and not embarrass a drunk woman?"

Everyone looked towards Shao Yihui after hearing the voice. They all knew that he was now a retainer of Zhao Ying, so they gave him some face. The officials raised their glasses and laughed. They naturally did not want to embarrass Qi Dongqiang. It was not easy for him to come up with such a useful knife...

Zhao Ying had no intention of discussing this, and only said, "What Grand Tutor Shangguan said is very true. Men and women are of equal dignity. What men can do, women can do too. What men can do, women can do too!"