The stunning beauty of Qing Dynasty

"Okay, just wait here quietly."

Xia Jingyao looked at her younger sister's fluffy flower bud out of the corner of her eye, and felt eager inside. It looked like it would be good to rub.

It’s a pity that the little sister was already unhappy because of being pinched, so forget it, she decided not to make her angry.

Xia Mengxin hid behind her third sister, not knowing that her third sister, whom she regarded as the only "good person", was also ready to make moves on her bud.

"Princess, His Majesty invites you in." Eunuch Li De stood in front of the palace gate and said with a smile.

Xia Xiyue glanced at her younger sister who was still hiding behind her third sister, then she slowly said to Eunuch Li De who was standing in front, "Okay, thank you, Eunuch Li."

……

Several people walked into the Golden Palace.

Qingyin heard several footsteps coming from outside, put down the tea in her hand, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, turned her head and looked at the young girls who came in.

A teenager is considered a schoolgirl in modern times, but in ancient times, she was already old enough to get married.

Qingyin raised her eyebrows and raised her lips. Her dazzling face eased the oppressive feeling a little and also made the girls standing below feel less nervous.

"Princess, please don't be nervous. Please sit down. I have called you here today to discuss family matters."

Qingyin waved her hand, signaling Xia Xiyue and the others to sit down.

Xia Xiyue and several sisters looked at each other in confusion, but they sat down calmly.

Looking at the girls who were sitting on pins and needles, a smile flashed across Qingyin's eyes.

The little girls were really interesting. They liked her but were also afraid of her.

Qingyin's eyes moved and she noticed Xia Mengxin who was secretly looking at her.

Xia Mengxin: “…”

I'm such an unlucky guy!

Qingyin glanced at her younger sister, who was lost in thought, with interest. Just as she was about to start overthinking, she spoke: "Well, I came here today to tell the princesses about their studies."

"Reading?" Xia Xiyue raised her head blankly.

Haven't they already read?

In the Xia Dynasty, although women believed that virtue lay in their lack of talent, princesses and daughters of wealthy families were still required to learn to read and a small amount of poetry, and nothing more than that.

So Xia Xiyue, Xia Yuanya and others had naturally learned to read.

Therefore, when they heard the emperor's younger brother asking them to study again, they couldn't help but feel confused as they were directionally challenged.

Seeing the confusion in their eyes, Qingyin didn't mean to hide it from them. She smiled and explained, "Yes, I am studying again, but it's different from before. I am studying the same courses in the study room as the princes."

Hearing Qingyin's words, Xia Xiyue and the others couldn't help but open their mouths wide.

Although they didn't know what studying in the study room meant at the moment, even when the princesses were old and recalled the glorious days of the past, they still remembered the strange look in their eyes when their younger brother, the emperor, looked at them when they were young.

They didn’t understand at that time, but they understood later, and that was called the light shining on them.

From then on, a new path of unique and brilliant life has opened up for them.

But at this moment, several people were still shocked or confused as to why the emperor's younger brother/older brother wanted them to study those courses like the princes.

Xia Xiyue was a little hesitant. Although she didn't know how much benefit those courses would bring her, she subconsciously knew that such learning might cause trouble for her brother, the emperor, in the court. She said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, have you told the ministers in the court?"

"Of course, I have also found a teacher for you." Qingyin said confidently.

I told Lin Chaozong about it, didn’t the ministers in the court say it?

Qingyin thought with peace of mind.

Xia Xiyue was a little shocked. She had never expected the ministers in the court to be so open-minded. Even their princess's study was so easily accepted.

Xia Xiyue never thought that her emperor brother was trying to trick her by changing the subject.

Seeing that her eldest sister had been convinced by her (?), Qingyin turned her head and looked at the other sisters, "Second Princess, Third Princess, Fourth Princess, do you have any other ideas?"

Xia Yuanya looked at her eldest sister who had agreed (confused that the ministers had agreed), her third sister with an uncertain look in her eyes, and her youngest sister who had no idea what was going on and just secretly stared at her brother the emperor. A vague black line appeared on her forehead.

Tsk, none of them are reliable.

You still have to rely on her.

"Since the ministers have agreed, then we are naturally willing as well. But when will we start school?"

"tomorrow."

Qingyin gave Xia Yuanya a kind and innocent smile.

Xia Yuanya: “…”

For some reason, she suddenly had an ominous premonition in her heart.

—

After successfully convincing a few sisters to go to school for re-education, Qingyin slowly returned to her own bedroom.

Princess Fudge√

Minister's bluff (to be determined)

Continue tomorrow.

Qingyin thought about it, and drank another cup of milk tea made by the imperial kitchen in the evening. After washing up, she lay down on the bed in a happy mood.

It's dawn all night.

in the hall.

Since Your Majesty changed the time for court sessions, court officials have been coming to court later, sleeping more at night, and are in better spirits when attending court sessions.

The officials' initial attitude towards changing the ancestral rules changed from ⊙︿⊙ to (≧?≦)/.

All I can say is that the fragrance comes late but it arrives.

Most of the officials had already arrived in the hall in advance.

A small number of people gathered together with familiar officials and chatted about something. It was unknown what they talked about, but someone started mentioning Lin Chaozong who was left alone yesterday.

The atmosphere began to become depressing.

One of the round-faced young officials said sourly, "Your Majesty kept Minister Lin by himself yesterday. It seems our Lord Lin will be promoted soon by His Majesty's grace! I don't know how Lord Lin managed to please His Majesty without telling us colleagues."

After hearing the official's words, the other people's expressions did not change, but their eyes involuntarily looked at Lin Chaozong who was standing in the middle, not far away.

Although the hall was not small in size, the officials stood at a distance from each other during court sessions, and the noise of their discussions was not too loud due to the rules. When this official spoke, no one was talking at that time, which made his sarcastic remarks extremely obvious, and everyone in the hall could hear them clearly.

And the people here naturally include Lin Chaozong.

Seeing that his voice was heard by everyone in the court, the official who was talking couldn't help but look a little embarrassed, especially since he was heard saying bad things about others.

Looking at the embarrassed young official and Lin Chaozong who was standing in the middle with a calm expression, some old foxes watching on the sidelines couldn't help but flash a look of admiration at Lin Chaozong.

He is worthy of being raised by the old fox Lin Chengyan. Although his ability is not as good as that old fox of the Lin family, his attitude of being calm in the face of praise or criticism shows that this kid has the temperament to adapt to the court. With him, the Lin family is really invincible, and the old fox Lin Chengyan can be said to have a successor.

However, if we ignore it like this, those young and energetic people will obviously not be convinced that Lin Chaozong has become the confidant of His Majesty.

Thinking of this, many people looked over here to watch the show.

Lin Chaozong, who was once a nobody, was surrounded and said: “…”

It's not that he wasn't angry at the official's sour words, but he had promised His Majesty to teach the princesses today, and his mind was filled with a pile of study materials, plus the news that His Majesty would make public later, all mixed up.

After Lin Chaozong returned from His Majesty's visit yesterday, he pondered over his conversation with His Majesty repeatedly at night and finally figured it out.

Your Majesty wants him to become a knife for the princess to learn reforms, but... the princess can learn just like the prince, and there is also the elder sister that Your Majesty mentioned.

Lin Chaozong was not a fool. In fact, he was very smart as he was able to enter the court and hold the position of Minister of Revenue, which was not an idle position but had real power.

He sensitively realized that the unspoken meaning of His Majesty yesterday concealed a possibility of getting his elder sister out of the Eighth Prince's Mansion. Not only his elder sister, but also the child Yue Min... Thinking of this, Lin Chaozong's eyes became more determined. No matter what, he must save his elder sister and Yue Min.

At this moment, Lin Chaozong's aura suddenly became powerful from being moderate.

He fought hard!

For the sake of his elder sister and Yue Min, he must become the sharpest knife in His Majesty's hand.

Lin Chaozong, who had already seen hope, had a determined and sharp look in his eyes.

The people around him suddenly noticed the change in Lin Chaozong's aura, and their eyes flickered with a hint of surprise and uncertainty.

Why did Minister Lin suddenly look more ferocious? It was as if the previous Minister Lin was an unopened, plain-looking sword, but now he was like a sharpened sword, showing its edge and chilling.

Everyone was puzzled by Lin Chaozong's change. Some of them naturally turned their eyes to the official who had just offended him. Could it be that this person had made Lin Chaozong angry, so he exploded in anger?

Everyone speculated, but felt that this was unlikely, and even had a vague sense of foreboding.

Those officials didn’t understand, but Qingyin, who came to the court, understood it very well.

Looking at Lin Chaozong who was looking at her with determination in the audience, she realized at a glance that this man had figured out her thoughts, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

Good, we can move on to the next step.

……

Eunuch Li De looked at the emperor's expression and probably knew what else the emperor would say, so he did not say the usual words, "If you have something to say, please report it; if not, please dismiss the court."

After the officials in the court reported on the matters they were in charge of, the ominous premonition in their hearts became stronger.

Sure enough, not long after, they heard their godlike-looking Majesty say, "My dear ministers, wait a minute. Today I want the princesses to go to the study to study. Is there any gentleman willing to teach us?"

Hearing His Majesty's words, everyone was shocked.

They must have heard it right. His Majesty wants the princess to go to the study to study.

The upper study is where the prince studies. His Majesty means that the princess should study like the prince. Everyone's face changed.

In particular, several older ministers stood up with sullen faces and said, "Your Majesty, how can this be allowed? The princess is a woman, how can she study and learn like the prince?"

"Moreover, the rules for women have always emphasized that virtue lies in being untalented. How can we continue to learn those things? Your Majesty, please revoke your order."

Qingyin narrowed her eyes and looked at Censor Wen who came out impatiently. Relying on the fact that her brother's daughter became the concubine of the previous emperor and gave birth to a son, it was no wonder that he had the guts to directly stop her from issuing the imperial decree.

Unfortunately, this little cleverness was used in the wrong place.

Qingyin looked at Lin Chaozong.

It is time for Lin Aiqing to step in, otherwise it will be difficult for her to get the benefits from the emperor.

Lin Chaozong, who was being stared at: “…”

Coming, coming, Your Majesty, it will be done for you right away.

Lin Chaozong stood up.

"Your words, Censor Wen, are wrong. The princess is a son and daughter of the emperor, born noble. Why can't she study in the upper study?"

"A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent" comes from Chen Jiru's "Words of the Elder An De", but the next sentence is "A man's talent lies in his virtue".

Combining the two sentences, the deeper meaning is to emphasize the importance of a person's talent and morality, not just because of gender, but it's just a one-sided interpretation that people often make. Why does Censor Wen like to marry illiterate concubines?

Censor Wen: “…”

He was so angry that his face turned red and blue.

The shameless waiter actually told his private affairs directly. It was simply disgraceful.

Censor Wen was breathing heavily and looking at Lin Chaozong angrily.

Qingyin was worried that Censor Wen would be angered to death by Lin Chaozong. Of course, she was not afraid of the death of this stubborn old man, but she was simply afraid that his death would bring a bad reputation to her beloved Lord Lin.

Qingyin is very hypocritical in this regard.

Qingyin currently likes Lin Chaozong, a loyal and capable minister who has come into her hands, very much. Well, she likes him to work for her.

However, Lin Chaozong has only persuaded one person so far, and the rest have not spoken yet.

Thinking of this, Qingyin looked at the court ministers below with different expressions as if watching a show.

Next, Qingyin enjoyed watching Lin Chaozong debate with the scholars.

Of course the victory belongs to her.

For this purpose, Qingyin also assigned a teacher to the princesses, a martial arts teacher named Wei Chengming.

Qingyin was somewhat surprised but also somewhat expected about this general who could win battles.

Surprisingly, this person did not seem to be a rule-abiding person, so he did not object when she suggested that the princesses and the princes study the same courses. Surprisingly, this person actually took the initiative to be the princesses' martial arts teacher.

Qingyin naturally had no reason to let this highly skilled martial arts master go just because he was offered an opportunity.

She agreed decisively.

After confirming the teachers for the princess's various courses, Qingyin waved his hand and let the ministers, who were happy, satisfied, angry, etc., leave the court.

—

And here, the Princess's Mansion.

"Princess, princess, wake up!" Yue'er whispered to the princess to get up.

Xia Xiyue, lying on the bed, was anxious and thought about what the emperor's brother said yesterday. As a result, Xia Xiyue stayed up for half the night and fell asleep in the second half of the night.

Xia Xiyue, who hadn't gotten enough sleep, mumbled sleepily, "No, Yue'er, I want to sleep a little longer, a little longer."

Yue'er knew very well that the eldest princess had stayed up half the night yesterday. She felt sorry for her, but she also knew that His Majesty wanted the princess to go to the study today and she naturally could not be late.

Therefore, she gritted her teeth, hardened her heart, and directly overturned Xia Xiyue's cup, and the sound became louder.

"Princess, have you forgotten? You promised His Majesty yesterday that you would go to the study room to study!"

Xia Xiyue suddenly woke up after losing the cup and hearing the sensitive words "school".