Hua Zhi suddenly felt rather foolish for debating the Three Obediences and Four Virtues with men of this era, her mood growing increasingly impatient.
Initially, she had wanted to humiliate the Wei Family, but later realized it was entirely unnecessary. Now, however, she found this Pure Conversation Gathering utterly ridiculous. She had tried to steer the discussion back on course, yet they insisted on twisting it, dragging every topic back to her—their intentions obvious to all. This was nothing but a disgrace to the name of Scholarly Discussions, and she had no desire to waste any more time here.
"Lord Wei, I have fulfilled my obligation by attending. I shall take my leave now."
Wei Chenze hurriedly tried to stop her. "Miss Hua, please wait! This is simply how Pure Conversation Gatherings are conducted. There is no intention to target you..."
"This is not how a Pure Conversation Gathering should be!" Hua Zhi coldly interrupted him. "Scholarly Discussions are about learning, about strategies for governing the nation, about the present and the future. They are meant to examine our shortcomings, correct misguided directions, and humble the arrogant. They pour cold water on the complacent and provide clarity to those lost about the future. Scholarly Discussions are about arguing based on reason, engaging in fierce debates rooted in classics, and sometimes even heated quarrels. They are also about finding kindred spirits at first sight. A Pure Conversation Gathering is exactly that—a scholarly discussion, not a banquet!"
Hua Zhi picked up the wine jar, broke its seal, and poured the wine into the lake. "There should be no wine at a Pure Conversation Gathering, no frivolity, no arrogance, no distinctions of high or low status, no dancers or singing girls. Lord Wei, you should not bring the ways of the official court here, shaking the still-unsteady minds of young scholars and teaching them to scheme early on. May I ask, is the Wei Family trying to ruin individuals or the entire Daqing Dynasty?"
"You speak nonsense! This official—"
"The Hua family's Scholarly Discussion Hall contains only a single meditation cushion, several buckets of coarse tea, a room full of scholars, and the scholar Hua Yizheng. There is no 'Lord Hua' who speaks in official tones." Setting down the wine jar, Hua Zhi turned and walked out of the pavilion. She had had enough—this so-called Pure Conversation Gathering was nothing but a miniature version of the official court!
Hua Ling, snapping out of her daze, hurried after her a step too late. Zhu Ziwen and the others exchanged glances, all thinking that Miss Hua had offended a great many people today, but as her allies, they found it thoroughly satisfying.
Without needing to discuss it, they all stood up and left the pavilion together. Such a Pure Conversation Gathering was utterly meaningless!
Starting from one pavilion or another, the scholars who had remained seated also rose and stood by the railings, watching the woman stride away. Though her appearance was delicate and graceful, and she was even shorter than her maid, her resolute words seemed to echo in their ears. Through her speech, they could almost envision what the Hua family's Scholarly Discussions were like. In such an atmosphere, it must be truly enjoyable. To find three or five kindred spirits in life is a blessing, but in that kind of environment, one could gain far more than just a few.
It was precisely because of this that Scholarly Discussions had earned such renown, and why those who had participated in them spoke so highly of the experience, considering it one of the greatest joys of their lives.
Yes, that was what a Pure Conversation Gathering ought to be. The Wei Family's event, as Miss Hua had said, was merely a banquet. The resentment stirred earlier by her comparisons had now completely dissipated because of her words. Some scholars cupped their hands toward the main pavilion and left, but most remained, not daring to depart early and risk offending the Wei Family—the Ministry of Personnel that controlled official appointments.In the large pavilion nearby, several people knelt on the ground while the Emperor toyed with his wine cup, his expression inscrutable.
The only one standing was Gu Yanxi, his face covered by a mask. He paid no attention to the current situation, his fervent gaze following a figure until it disappeared from view. If possible, he would have gladly followed and left.
"Lord Zhu, is the Hua family's Pure Conversation Gathering truly as Hua Zhi described?"
Zhu Bowen, who was accompanying the Emperor, replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have attended several times, and it has always been so. It is common for them to miss meal times when the debates grow intense."
The Emperor had never attended but remembered that Hua Yizheng, who never took leave unless seriously ill, would always request leave on that day. Suddenly, he felt curious about what kind of scene it was. "Has Hua Zhi attended?"
"Yes, twice. Each time, she stayed as a tea-serving attendant." After a pause, Zhu Bowen added, "The Scholarly Discussion Hall does not allow anyone else to remain; only a few tea-serving attendants are permitted."
"Wei Jing, have you ever attended?"
Before Wei Jing could answer, the Emperor answered his own question, "Your family has not participated in the imperial examinations for generations. With Hua Yizheng's stubborn nature, he would never invite you."
"..." Hearing the Emperor speak the truth, Wei Jing could only lower his head further. At this moment, he deeply regretted his actions. If time could be reversed, he would never have invited Hua Zhi!
The Emperor rose and walked to the edge of the pavilion, with Gu Yanxi stepping forward to support him.
Glancing at him, the Emperor looked at the scholars in the various pavilions, unsure of what to do. These individuals were the pillars of Daqing, the future of the nation. Hua Yizheng could guide them onto the right path, while Wei Jing would only lead them further astray.
The Hua family was truly irreplaceable.
The Emperor felt somewhat resentful. Only the imperial family should be irreplaceable! Yet, hearing Hua Zhi's words, he had to admit the truth. Even a woman like Hua Zhi possessed such insight, proving that the Hua family had indeed excelled in this regard.
For the first time, the Emperor thought of that woman with calmness. Despite her many flaws, she cared for Daqing in her heart—a quality that surpassed many others. If she could earn more silver for him and fulfill his wishes sooner, he might grant her a peaceful end, provided that everything Hua Zhi said was true.
Turning around, the Emperor looked expressionlessly at the person below. "Let Wei Jing assume the position of Minister of Rites. The Minister of Personnel will be temporarily replaced by the Left Vice Minister."
A transfer from Minister of Personnel to Minister of Rites might seem like a lateral move, but everyone knew it was a demotion. The Ministry of Personnel was one of the three most powerful ministries among the six, while the Ministry of Rites could not compare!
Wei Jing's heart surged with turmoil, but he dared not show it on his face. Steadying his voice, he replied, "Your servant accepts the decree. Thank you for Your Majesty's grace."
"From now on, ensure that the descendants of the Wei family study more. In next year's imperial examinations, I await their performance."
Leaving these words lightly, the Emperor walked away with his hands behind his back. Wei Jing broke out in a cold sweat—the Emperor was angry with the Wei family!
Hua Zhi! Hua Zhi!
After the Emperor had left, the crowd finally stood up. Wei Jing forced a smile and looked at Zhu Bowen. "With such an impressive granddaughter, what are your thoughts, Lord Zhu?"
"Naturally, I am quite proud," Zhu Bowen replied with a much more genuine smile. "Her interests do not lie in scholarly pursuits; she has always enjoyed reading miscellaneous books. If she were to take the examinations, she might not even pass the county-level tests. However, if the Wei family's descendants were to take the exams, I am sure they would succeed. I, too, await their names on the golden list. Farewell."Wei Jing was filled with resentment. He knew his family's situation all too well. While his relatives were cunning enough in their own ways, none of them were cut out for scholarly pursuits. It wasn't that they were stupid—rather, the Wei Family had never required them to settle down and devote themselves to learning before. But now things were different. The Emperor had made his decree clear: in three years, someone from the Wei Family must take the imperial examinations. If they performed well, all would be fine. But if they couldn't even pass the first round, imagine the humiliation the Wei Family would suffer!
Hua Zhi! What a formidable Hua Zhi!
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