Watching the army advance slowly like a dragon, going farther and farther away, Qingzhu urged his horse forward and quietly said to Bai Qingyan, "Miss, let’s head back! You still need to go to the Imperial College at the hour of Si."
Bai Qingyan nodded, pulled the reins, and turned her horse’s head, "Let’s head back!"
"Miss, we’ve received news... last night, so students from the Imperial College went to invite Professor Guan Yongchong." Qingzhu rode beside Bai Qingyan and whispered to her.
Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes, pressed her lips together in silence, and quietly tightened her grip on the reins.
She naturally knew why these students invited her ntor, but Bai Qingyan believed... her ntor would understand her intentions in allowing won into schools, taking the imperial exams, and becoming officials.
Back then, her ntor defended her in front of so many students outside Wude Gate, calling her the pride of his life; hence, she believed her ntor would surely understand the intention behind her actions.
After all, if won could study, take exams, and serve in official positions, then the Zhou Dynasty’s pool of talent would increase by half.
Not judging people’s worth by gender, not ranking them by gender, everyone equal... each contributing to the nation and the people according to their talents, the country would grow strong at a multiplied rate.
"No worries, let’s head back. Ask Wei Zhong to prepare to depart for the Imperial College." Bai Qingyan said.
·
The Imperial College’s director of ceremonies and departnt head, along with everyone at the Imperial College, waited early at the gate to welco the Empress.
The morning sun was rising, scattering golden rays through the lush high trees, falling on the shoulders of the students, who hadn’t noticed and stood behind the director and departnt head, whispering, still discussing how to debate Bai Qingyan without fearing authority.
Dewdrops hung on the blades of grass on both sides of the high steps of the Imperial College, each shining brightly, as if holding a small world within, encompassing the resplendent morning sun, the dark blue roofs of the Imperial College, and the neatly dressed, vibrant students.
Suddenly, soone galloped in to report that the Empress was about to arrive. The director hurriedly supported the departnt head’s hand, walked down two steps, and saw Bai Qingyan approaching on horseback through the Dasheng morning light. He quickly lifted his robe hem and led the group of teachers and students from the Imperial College down to et her.
The students thought Bai Qingyan would be dressed in a dragon robe today, appearing as a man... Considering that whenever the Empress of Xiliang ascended the throne, she donned the imperial attire to attend court in a regal guise.
They had mulled over this last night and prepared to make an issue of it, but didn’t expect Bai Qingyan on horseback, wearing plain white attire without emperor’s attire. Her raven-like black hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with a single white jade swan hairpin, making her look like a stunning beauty from afar. Yet, amidst the delicate elegance, there was an incredibly heavy sense of composed dignity, preventing anyone from disrespecting her due to her beauty.
Bai Qingjue escorted with heavily armored cavalry, slowly arriving and stopping below the high steps of the Imperial College.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The elderly director of ceremonies was the first to kneel and paid respects to Bai Qingyan.
No one at the Imperial College dared to act superior and all knelt to kowtow.
Bai Qingyan dismounted, bent down and personally helped the elderly director of ceremonies up, "You all are potential pillars of the Zhou’s future, no need for so much ceremony. I know you have many questions and suggestions, so please enter the Imperial College first and sit down. Today, Bai Qingyan entrusts all court matters to Commandant Lu, to open heart and mind with you in the Imperial College, and in the future... work together for the Zhou."
The woman in narrow-sleeved attire bowed to everyone, her voice calm and elegant. Amidst these neatly dressed, wide sleeves fluttering in the wind students holding dust tails, appeared exceptionally graceful and elegant.
Bai Qingyan did not disguise the peace, knowing the students of the Imperial College harbored a belly full of grievances, she didn’t put on airs or intimidate, spoke openly, willing to give the entire day’s ti to open her heart and mind with those students yet uninitiated into officialdom, then discarding past differences to build the Zhou together, truly convincing the students with her deanor and character.
Having once caused an uproar by striking the drum of petition for the scholars of the world, exposing the imperial exam corruption case, Xue Renyi gained fa and received the exception to enter the Imperial College. Today, he also was among those prepared to debate Bai Qingyan, sincerely following the director of ceremonies and teachers to bow to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan was surrounded by the students of the Imperial College entering the Naxian Hall together.
The director of ceremonies had already arranged for preparation, setting up seating throughout the shade-filled Naxian Hall, in the spacious surroundings of old trees. The usually serene Naxian Hall was packed on both floors with students of the Imperial College. Seats were full, and several determined to remonstrate students knelt on the first floor, making even the outside of Naxian Hall crowded.
Bai Qingyan knelt by a clear spring in the center, surrounded by the sound of flowing water and the bamboo chi tapping stone, the coolness soothing one’s restless heart in the hot sumr.
After taking their seats, Bai Qingyan first bowed and said, "Any dissatisfaction with the new policies, feel free to speak up today. If it truly can benefit the people, Bai Qingyan will reward with high positions."
A student spoke loudly to Bai Qingyan, "I dare to say, Your Majesty... permitting won to take the imperial exam and beco officials, I find hard to understand. It’s not out of outdated disrespect for won, but traditionally n govern outside and won inside, if won can take exams and hold office, who will manage husbands and educate children?"
Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded, spoke slowly, "From ancient tis to now... which law stated, n govern outside, won inside, and which law explicitly declared won should manage husbands and educate children? Won entering schools, taking exams, becoming officials... why does it make students so indignant? Bai Qingyan analyzed and identified several reasons..."
"Firstly, as the student ntioned, traditionally n govern outside, won inside, if won can take exams and beco officials, no one would serve the elders at ho or educate their children, even requiring n to manage inside, greatly lowering n’s position. Secondly... the imperial exam is the only path for commoners into officialdom, if won can take exams and beco officials, they would inevitably replace students, as official positions are limited, undeniably adding competitors for scholars in the nation! Thirdly..." Bai Qingyan chuckled lightly, "perhaps due to dissatisfaction with Bai Qingyan ascending the throne, is it not?"
"Won bringing ruin is not uncommon in history! Daji, Baosi... which of them isn’t a fem fatale who brought disaster? How can won undertake such major responsibilities?!" Hearing Bai Qingyan ntion the throne matter, Xue Renyi bit his teeth tight, stood up resolutely.
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