Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 763: Female Official (Part 3)

The establishment of the women’s academy is to enable women to learn to read and understand principles.

Those who excel in their studies can take the female examination in the future. Even if their studies are average, it’s far better than being trapped in the house all day like a blind person. At the very least, they can step out of their homes and witness the vast horizons outside.

Especially for girls from ordinary families, who originally had no possibility of literacy. Now, with such an opportunity, they have a great opportunity to change their lives and destinies.

Years, decades later, there will be a large number of such women throughout Da Liang. They will all be the most loyal ministers to the Empress.

Lu Zhen is confident in the arrival of that day, for she is the first female official to emerge from the common folk. She knows of her passionate loyalty. Even if there were insurmountable obstacles ahead, she would unhesitatingly advance for the sake of the Empress.

Naming the academy is a minor task, yet also a significant one. It marks the academy with the Empress’s imprint from the very beginning.

Jiang Shaohua glanced approvingly at Lu Zhen: "Lu Sheren’s proposal is reasonable. The women’s academy will be established one after another throughout Da Liang. It should have a uniform name."

Then, she encouraged the housekeepers to think together: "Consider what name would suit the academy."

Lu Zhen’s mind immediately started working.

Wang Shu and Li Fangfei, unwilling to be left behind, began pondering intensely.

Chen Jinyu watched her diligent subordinates with satisfaction. With a few such capable people, her workload indeed felt lighter. In the past, such tasks would fall upon her to ponder deeply.

"How about calling it Jiang’s School?" Li Fangfei cautiously suggested.

"Not appropriate." Wang Shu bluntly rebuked: "It sounds like an academy established by the Imperial Family. It would be better to call it the Royal Women’s Academy, which sounds more prestigious and imposing."

Lu Zhen also came up with an idea: "Why not simply call it Nanyang School?"

"Everyone knows the Emperor was once the Nanyang County Princess. Now, as an Empress ascending the throne and ruling the nation, the established women’s academy should bear the mark of Nanyang County."

"Henceforth, all women’s academies will be named Nanyang School somewhere branch. For instance, the Ye County Women’s Academy will be called the Nanyang School Ye County Branch. This way, all women studying in women’s academies will know they are receiving the Empress’s grace and should serve to relieve the Empress of her burdens when they prove themselves academically."

The Empress smiled slightly and nodded in approval: "Lu Sheren’s suggestion is excellent, let’s name it Nanyang School. I will personally write the plaque, and when the academy is completed, you all can deliver it on my behalf."

Lu Zhen’s eyes sparkled as she bowed to receive the order.

Wang Shu and Li Fangfei instinctively exchanged a glance.

Lu Zhen had indeed gained the Emperor’s favor, partly due to her background. However, over the past few days of interactions, Lu Zhen truly proved to be exceptionally wise, able to think of everything that would please the Emperor.

Both of them needed to work harder too.

...

Li Fangfei intentionally or unintentionally approached Wang Shu, muttering softly: "Lu Sheren has overwhelmingly gained the Emperor’s favor, leaving both of us overshadowed."

Wang Shu glanced at her: "Instead of wasting time in jealousy, why not focus your thoughts on your responsibilities, contemplate how to perform well in serving and relieving the Emperor of his burdens."

Li Fangfei: "..."

Li Fangfei was left speechlessly frustrated.

Wang Shu, being quite astute, immediately turned to Lu Zhen for guidance.

Lu Zhen, though young, was quite perceptive, smiling as she spoke: "Both you and Mr. Li come from noble families; I’m merely a daughter of common folk with limited insight on how to perform duties. I simply ensure to stand with the Emperor in everything and meticulously ponder."

Wang Shu was full of admiration: "Thank you for the lesson."

Lu Zhen’s attitude toward Wang Shu and Li Fangfei was similar—outwardly friendly, inwardly cautious.

The three new housekeepers were competing in secret while maintaining harmony on the surface.

Chen Jinyu couldn’t help but smile at the Emperor: "Indeed, the young generation is formidable. Look at them, they are far more capable than I was at their age. If I weren’t relying on years of seniority and unwavering loyalty, I likely couldn’t suppress them."

Jiang Shaohua was amused: "Rest assured, you don’t have to vie for favor with them. In my heart, none can surpass you."

Chen Jinyu was delighted by the humble praise.

"The three of them are right under my watch, they won’t make any mistakes." Jiang Shaohua said: "I wonder how the female scholars observing the Six Ministries are doing now."

Chen Jinyu immediately replied: "I will go to the Six Ministries and check tomorrow."

As the Emperor of Da Liang, Jiang Shaohua had to preside over the palace and manage complex national affairs. It was inconvenient and too time-consuming to visit the Six Ministries, so Chen Sheren representing the Emperor was very suitable.

With three new housekeepers in the palace, even if she goes out for a day or two, the Emperor still has people at his disposal.

The next day, Chen Sheren first went to the Ministry of Rites. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites warmly greeted her. There were sixteen male scholars and three female scholars assigned to observe their affairs, totaling nineteen people. They were temporarily performing errands and minor tasks within the four divisions of the Ministry of Rites.

The female scholars, like the male ones, awaited orders without any special privileges. Chen Sheren surveyed, and she understood the situation.

Next, Chen Sheren visited the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice, which were similar to the Ministry of Rites.

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Revenue, the female scholars were all assigned to Tang Youyin. Minister Ji specifically instructed Tang Youyin to guide the female scholars well.

As for the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Personnel, the female scholars were idle with nothing to do.

Chen Sheren returned to the palace to report, and Jiang Shaohua chuckled after hearing: "Minister Dong knows what I desire. These female scholars are intended for great use and should be well-tempered. Ministers Ding and Yang are also trying to discern my intentions and act consistently with Minister Dong."

"Minister Ji assigned the female scholars to Tang Youyin, though avoiding effort, leaves nothing to be faulted. With Tang Youyin’s guidance, they might become competent officials in the future."

"Minister Zhou, Minister Zhang..."

Jiang Shaohua sneered twice: "For these two months, I shall indulge them. Eventually, after the female scholars rotate through different offices every two months, they’ll gradually learn."

"Those two are obstinate; I will deal with them slowly in the future."

Chen Jinyu was also equally frustrated: "The Emperor has given them face, promising not to move their positions within three years, and they have become invigorated."

"The Emperor can’t show leniency to them in the future."

Minister Dai was wise enough to voluntarily retire, creating a vacancy. Minister Zhou was unwise, stubbornly refusing to leave, and Minister Zhang secretly opposed the Emperor, utterly reckless.

The sovereign and the minister were chatting idly when Qin Hu joyfully reported: "Reporting to the Emperor, Commander Song has returned with his men, having entered the city gates an hour ago. He’ll soon come to the palace and meet you."

Song Yuan has returned!

Along with the heads of the rebel trio—Zheng Chen, Zhao Wu, and Lu Cheng.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed with joy: "Chen Sheren, could you go to the palace gate to greet them on my behalf?"