In a private room on the second floor of the Mingyue Tower, scholars and literati gathered, engaged in lively discussions.
Two literati sat on either side of a central table.
One, dressed in a cyan robe, spoke passionately, gesticulating animatedly as he presented his views.
"Your Majesty, why are you so interested in these pedantic scholars?" Xue Yan asked, perplexed, wondering why the Empress was so captivated.
"Now, let us discuss the current Empress."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zining became even more curious. She wanted to hear these scholars' opinions of her, though she was prepared to be harshly criticized.
"A lecherous, incompetent, and tyrannical ruler," the scholar in the cyan robe scoffed.
Seated opposite him was an elder with white hair. Hearing the young scholar's words, he chuckled, "Lustful, yes, but incompetent and tyrannical, I wouldn't say so."
The scholar in the cyan robe sneered, "Lustfulness is incompetence and tyranny."
The elder waved his hand and asked, "Where are you from?"
The scholar in the cyan robe, not understanding the elder's question, replied, "Huizhou."
The elder nodded, "Huizhou suffered drought last year. Did anyone in your family starve?"
The scholar in the cyan robe became enraged. "We are here to discuss state affairs, not to engage in personal attacks."
The elder smiled, "You misunderstand me. I am from Xinzhou. A few years ago, we had a severe drought, and it's only recently recovering. However, the grain we produce is barely enough for ourselves. This year, the Empress decreed that Xinzhou would be exempt from taxes, and not a single person starved."
"That doesn't prove anything," the scholar in the cyan robe retorted unceremoniously.
"If that proves nothing, you may return and continue paying taxes," the elder said calmly.
The scholar in the cyan robe was furious. "We are discussing matters of state, and you are being unreasonable. This is unbecoming of a scholar."
The elder sneered, "I am not pedantic. Whoever makes the people live well and eat their fill is a wise ruler."
The scholar in the cyan robe, angered, exclaimed, "Fine, fine. If that's your logic, then what do you say about the Empress forcibly taking Tingwei Zhu into her harem?"
The elder smiled, stroking his beard, and said, "Who can truly understand the affairs between men and women?"
The scholar in the cyan robe snorted disdainfully, "Tingwei Zhu was an upright official. A good official forced into the harem. I feel injustice for Tingwei Zhu."
"Indeed..."
"Indeed..."
The surrounding scholars chimed in their agreement.
"Upright, I don't know. Whether a good official, shouldn't officials be working for the people? What else are they for?" the elder said calmly.
The crowd paused, seemingly finding merit in his words.
"Well said," a voice suddenly chimed in.
Everyone turned towards the source of the voice and saw a young girl in a water-sky blue dress, her face obscured by a veiled hat.
She walked towards them slowly, each step light yet imbued with a sense of steadiness.
Although her face was hidden by the veil, the girl exuded a clear, crisp aura.
It was as if an invisible force controlled the atmosphere, leaving everyone with no power to resist.
"Who are you..." the scholar in the cyan robe asked.
The girl removed her veil, revealing a refined and beautiful face, astonishing everyone.
What a refined and graceful maiden she was.
Though her features were still somewhat youthful, with time, she would undoubtedly become a beauty of unparalleled allure.
"You... you... See no evil." The scholar in the cyan robe quickly averted his gaze.
The girl didn't spare the scholar in the cyan robe a glance. Instead, she turned to the elder, "Elder sir, may I ask you a few questions?"
The elder stroked his graying beard and smiled, "Please, young lady."
"If you were the Tingwei, what would you do?"
The elder was slightly taken aback, not understanding why the girl would ask such a question. He felt he should simply dismiss it, as the girl, seemingly not yet of age, likely wouldn't grasp such discussions.
However, the girl's gaze was so clear and bright that he felt compelled to believe her and answer.
"Be a person," the elder replied simply.
The crowd was surprised. Shouldn't the answer be to be an upright and benevolent official?
"Why do you say that?" the girl inquired.
The elder smiled, "People cannot avoid desires; these are human nature. Before that, if one doesn't even know how to be a person, they certainly cannot be a good official. Knowing how to be a person helps one understand what should and should not be done."
"Absurd logic..." the scholar in the cyan robe shook his head.
"I, however, believe the elder is right. Before doing anything, one must first be a person," the girl stated.
The scholar in the cyan robe scoffed, "As expected, the saying goes that petty men and women are difficult to manage?"
"What are you talking about?" The girl's maidservant, standing beside her, became indignant, glaring at the scholar in the cyan robe.
The scholar in the cyan robe flinched back several steps.
"One should be a gentleman when it is appropriate, and a petty person when necessary. People should be adaptable," the elder said.
"Elder sir, would you be willing to step outside to discuss this further?"
The elder hesitated. He was meant to be a mere spectator, but looking into the girl's unblemished eyes, he inexplicably trusted her.
Inside the carriage, the elder looked at the imperial seal in the girl's hand and was deeply shocked. However, being experienced, he lifted his robe and knelt on one knee. "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"If I were to appoint you as Tingwei, would you accept?"
The elder trembled, then looked up, seeing the clarity in the girl's eyes, unclouded by any disturbance. She was calm.
He too became strangely still and kowtowed, "Your servant accepts the decree."
"Let us go, accompany me to court."
"Yes, your servant obeys!"
At the morning court, the officials looked curiously at the elder behind the Empress.
They couldn't help but wonder, had the Empress summoned a favorite?
Did she favor old men?
When they saw the elder standing in the position of Tingwei, everyone was astonished.
The girl, seated on the dragon throne, slowly spoke, "The position of Tingwei will be held by Lord Yu."
"Your Majesty, isn't this decision rather hasty?" Regent Xue Wenjie had not expected that in just one morning, the Empress would fill the position of Tingwei.
"I believe it is not hasty. Tingwei is not an insignificant position. Lord Yu, you will assume your post as Tingwei after this court session." the girl said.
Lord Yu bowed, "Your servant obeys the imperial edict!"
"Your Majesty, you have been hasty," Xue Wenjie said coldly.
"Regent, as a subject, you must carry out the Empress's decisions," Lord Yu suddenly interjected.
Xue Wenjie shot Lord Yu a cold glance and said, "Lord Yu, what qualifications do you possess to serve as Tingwei?"
Lord Yu let out a few laughs and said, "Regent, you may not know, but before I became an official, I worked tirelessly between the people and the government. If it concerns official duties, I believe I know a thing or two."
Xue Wenjie sneered, "Such minor achievements make you Tingwei? This is a grave misuse of talent."
Hearing this, Lord Yu looked up at the Regent, his gaze filled with an imposing aura. "Regent, you have not witnessed firsthand the starving people at your feet, nor have you seen scenes of people worse than beasts, selling their wives and children for food. But I have seen all of it."