What woman has ever attended the imperial court in the morning?!
In the Assembly Hall, there’s never been a woman who has discussed matters within it!
How could national affairs tolerate the meddling of a woman?!
The civil and military officials of the full court were shocked to learn that the Emperor of Xiyun had promoted An Jing to the rank of a second-grade senior official and also deeply disapproved of it.
The next day, the civil and military officials unanimously petitioned the Emperor of Xiyun to retract his decree and not to bestow such a high office on An Jing.
However, the Emperor of Xiyun immediately became furious, rising from his seat with a slap, "You all witnessed the achievements of Princess Yi, yet you choose to be willfully blind?!"
Aside from Su Chengyu, everyone at the jade steps knelt down in an instant, calling out, "Emperor, please calm your anger! Emperor, please calm your anger!"
The Emperor of Xiyun didn’t sit back on the Dragon Chair but stood in front of it, his elderly but sharp and majestic gaze sweeping over those kneeling below, and he spoke in an indifferent yet imposing tone, "In my view, it’s not Xiyun that can’t accommodate a female minister, it’s you all, isn’t it?"
This accusation was severe...
Hearing these words from the Emperor of Xiyun, those kneeling below were even more terrified. Subsequently, led by Prime Minister Li, they resignedly and in unison shouted, "The Emperor is wise! Xiyun can accommodate everything!"
An Jing had become a second-grade Minister of Public Works which, theoretically, required her attendance at the morning court, but An Jing had previously made an arrangement with the Emperor of Xiyun that although she had been promoted, she would retain the same freedom as before.
Therefore, An Jing would attend the morning court when she wanted to, and skip it when she did not want to.
And for the time being, An Jing had no desire to attend the morning court.
As for whether she might become interested in attending in the future, well, that would be decided when the time came.
With this mentality, An Jing led a particularly comfortable life at home.
Wang Youbao and Li Wuyu were very happy to learn that An Jing had been promoted to a second-grade official and came to congratulate her.
An Jing laughed, "You both know what kind of person I am, and still you come to congratulate me."
Wang Youbao and Li Wuyu actually knew that both An Jing and Xiao Changyi were uninterested in fame and wealth. Hearing An Jing’s words, Li Wuyu laughed informally, "Even if Bao Bao and I know what kind of person you, our master, are, we still need to extend our well-wishes. Others can’t even seek this honour, Master. Look at you now, a second-grade official. Which other woman can be as glorious as Master in the front court? I, your disciple, am very envious of you indeed."
"No need for envy, actually my being able to become an official as a woman, and continually being promoted without any hitches, is all because I married a good husband. Don’t forget, my husband is Prince Yi~" When An Jing said this, she looked toward her husband with a face full of pride and joy.
Wang Youbao and Li Wuyu also felt there was that reason. If An Jing’s husband was not Prince Yi, so favored by the Emperor of Xiyun, not to mention her promotion, An Jing might not even have been able to become an official.
If An Jing’s husband was not Xiao Changyi, even with her great contributions to Xiyun, the Emperor would never allow her, a woman, to hold office. At most, she would have received a title that could be conferred upon a woman.
Xiao Changyi was making wooden swords for the four children. The children were watching by his side. Seeing An Jing look his way with her face full of happiness and pride, he allowed the corners of his mouth to curl up almost imperceptibly.
It wasn’t long after Li Wuyu and the others left that Gong Juechen arrived, first congratulating An Jing on her promotion to Minister of Public Works.
Then, with a meaningful look, Gong Juechen said, "Jingjing, I told you that you would rise rapidly. It’s just... you ascended too quickly."