Chapter 32 Come and become an official!
Wang Tonghua stood tall and straight, without the slightest fear or hesitation.
For a moment, the hall was completely silent; even breathing could be heard clearly.
Everyone's gaze instinctively turned to the graceful figure on the high platform.
Yuan Hua slowly stood up, his phoenix robe trailing behind him, making a soft rustling sound.
She didn't speak immediately, but instead took two steps with steady strides beside the dragon throne.
Every step he took felt like stepping on the very hearts of his ministers.
Several officials, especially those from the Langya Wang clan, had beads of cold sweat on their foreheads and their palms were clenched tightly.
Suddenly, Yuan Hua stopped and looked down at the small figure.
"Your Majesty," her voice was calm and even, "what are your intentions?"
Everyone's hearts were in their throats!
The Empress Dowager has passed the buck to the young Empress!
What can a four-year-old emperor understand? If he is displeased, the royal family will likely suffer!
Wang Tonghua's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.
However, Yu Zhaoning, sitting on the dragon throne, seemed completely oblivious to the somber atmosphere.
She swung her short legs, moved her little body forward, propped her chubby chin on her hand, and curiously looked at Wang Tonghua below.
[Wow! Grandmother is so clever! She's setting a difficult task for me while simultaneously doing me a favor!]
[This old lady is ruthless, ruthless to herself, and even more ruthless to her husband! But I like her!]
Lin Xiang silently lowered his head, focusing his gaze on his nose and his mind.
Your Majesty, your way of praising people is truly unique.
Yu Zhaoning was not intimidated when her grandmother called her name.
She cleared her throat like a little adult, waved her chubby little hand, and spoke in a childish voice, yet with an air of authority.
"Well, considering that Madam Wang took the initiative to report it and even presented evidence to expose that old villain Liu Cheng!"
"Merits and demerits cancel each other out!"
"Fine, we'll just temporarily strip you of your title of First-Rank Imperial Lady! Take your son and daughter back with you and get some rest!"
The child's clear, bright voice echoed in the silent hall.
Wang Tonghua suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with disbelief.
The Wang officials behind her were also stunned, then overjoyed!
That's it?
Is it merely a matter of stripping someone of a hollow title?
This is no punishment, it is clearly a tremendous blessing!
The huge weight that had been pressing on Wang Tonghua's heart finally lifted.
She made the right bet!
The Empress Dowager and His Majesty are indeed reasonable! They understand her predicament and are willing to make an exception for her!
The title of a first-rank imperial consort is of no consequence to her now. As long as her children are safe and their futures are secure, what do she have to fear?
Moreover, this result was a thousand times better than the best-case scenario she had anticipated!
At that moment, Wang Tonghua instantly understood the profound meaning behind the Empress Dowager's actions.
Let the young empress handle this, and let her say these words of leniency. The entire Langya Wang clan will have to accept His Majesty's kindness!
As long as Wang Tonghua is alive, she will not allow the Wang family to easily make things difficult for the Empress.
That's brilliant!
Indeed, experience is the best teacher!
Without further hesitation, Wang Tonghua kowtowed heavily towards the dragon throne.
"Your Majesty, I kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! I also thank the Empress Dowager for her boundless kindness!"
Just then, a round figure tumbled and crawled out from behind the golden dragon pillar.
The Second Prince, Yu Jinghong, turned pale and knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling with sobs.
"Grandmother! Your grandson knows nothing about this either!"
"It's all Grand Tutor Liu's fault! He's been deceiving me all along. I have never had the slightest thought of rebellion towards Father Emperor or my sister!"
As he spoke, he kowtowed frantically, his forehead hitting the gold bricks with a dull thud.
Yuan Hua merely glanced at him indifferently and uttered a single syllable through his nose.
"oh?"
Wang Tonghua also looked at the boy coldly.
Liu Cheng, who spent his whole life scheming and plotting, had kept countless sordid secrets from her, yet he treated the Second Prince with utmost sincerity.
To pave the way for him, he did not hesitate to openly challenge the Empress Dowager in the imperial court.
In order to plan for him, they were willing to risk the entire Grand Tutor's mansion and its very lives.
But what happens in the end?
What he got in return was the boy's unwavering betrayal and excuses.
They have absolutely no sense of responsibility!
Wang Tonghua sneered inwardly.
The Empress Dowager's choice was indeed correct. If such a person had truly ascended the throne, it would likely have been a catastrophe for the entire Great Yu Dynasty!
Yu Jinghong was so frightened by that "oh" that he was trembling like a leaf.
He cautiously raised his head, only to meet Yuan Hua's cold, unwavering phoenix eyes.
Just when he thought he was about to be in big trouble.
The Empress Dowager slowly shifted her gaze, her tone indifferent.
"I didn't mention you, so why are you stepping forward?"
Yu Jinghong froze completely.
He then breathed a sigh of relief and secretly rejoiced.
The Empress Dowager has no evidence whatsoever, how could she possibly punish him? She was too hasty just now and shouldn't have stepped forward at all!
On the high platform, Yuan Hua sneered inwardly.
It would be far-fetched to deal with this fool now, and it would easily give others grounds for criticism.
It's better to leave it and let Zhao Ning handle it personally.
Perfect, this is also a good opportunity for this little girl to practice.
The Empress's heartfelt words, though late, have finally arrived.
[Oh my! My second brother's intelligence is truly admirable!]
[He's really something else, jumping out to take the beating himself!]
[As I predicted! In his mind, everyone else is just cannon fodder! That old man was truly blind!]
Some officials couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Used as a butt-pad, cannon fodder?
Your Majesty, your vocabulary is truly astonishing!
Several senior ministers who could hear his inner thoughts were also holding back their laughter, their faces turning red and their beards twitching. They tried desperately to cover their laughter with coughs.
At the same time, they were also having their own thoughts.
What exactly did the Empress Dowager teach His Majesty on a daily basis?
Is this still a four-year-old child?
Below.
Wang Tonghua kowtowed again to express her gratitude and was about to leave under the guidance of the palace servants.
"Why!"
On the dragon throne, the little empress suddenly stood up, leaned forward, and waved her chubby little hands vigorously.
"Don't go! Madam Wang, don't go!"
The clear, childlike voice made everyone pause in their tracks.
Wang Tonghua was also stunned. She turned around in confusion and looked at the exquisitely beautiful young emperor.
"Your Majesty, is there anything else you require?"
Yu Zhaoning's big, dark eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I've heard before that Lady Wang's daughter is named Liu... Oh right, Liu Yueru! She wrote a poem called 'Exploring Spring' when she was young, which was widely circulated, and even my father praised it repeatedly?"
Wang Tonghua's heart tightened. She didn't know why the young empress had suddenly brought up her daughter, so she could only answer respectfully.
"Your Majesty, it is true. However, those were just my daughter's casual creations, hardly worthy of serious consideration."
"No, no!"
Yu Zhaoning immediately puffed out her cheeks and shook her little hands like a rattle drum.
"What defines a refined and elegant hall? It's only refined and elegant if people appreciate it!"
She put her hands on her hips and said in a serious tone.
"I really like it! I think she writes exceptionally well!"
"so!"
Yu Zhaoning's voice suddenly rose, and she waved her small hand, looking quite domineering.
"I have made my decision! Effective immediately, Liu Yueru is hereby appointed as a female compiler in the Hanlin Academy! She will be in charge of compiling anthologies of women's writings for our Great Yu!"
"You can't do that again! You can't hide it! Your daughter has such great talent, she should stand up and contribute to the Great Yu!"
These words shocked the entire court.
Does the Hanlin Academy have a position for a female compiler? Surely His Majesty wouldn't want to create one himself?
Moreover, any position related to the Hanlin Academy was an important official post.
Why appoint a woman to such an important official position?
This is simply unheard of!
Wang Tonghua was completely stunned.
She stood there, stunned, opening her mouth but unable to utter a single word.
A surge of warmth coursed through my heart.
Everything before my eyes instantly became blurry.
She no longer knew how to express her gratitude.
At this moment, Wang Tonghua truly realized what the rule of an empress meant for women all over the world.
This is a door to a whole new world!
Why did she initially believe that an empress's ascension to the throne would endanger the country? Clearly, she was also a woman!
She's so foolish!