Qiao Chu

The capital was quickly stabilized, followed by the cleanup outside the city.

During this period, investigations confirmed the Xie family's collusion and dealings with the Western Liang people, as well as some clandestine affairs involving the Wei Shi and other noble families.

Several leading masters of the Xie family were imprisoned, their properties confiscated, and the clan members dispersed, seeking refuge with relatives or friends, or changing their names and identities.

The Liang father and son were once again demoted to labor service in the Border Commandery. The crimes of how the Liang father and son fraudulently claimed merits and rewards, and how Stone Slope City was breached, were publicly announced, drawing widespread condemnation.

However, other members of the Liang family who were not serving labor sentences in the Border Commandery did not have their terms extended. They were cleared of their criminal status and allowed to live peacefully and earn a livelihood.

By the autumn of the following year, when Xiao Yu began his personal rule, the Great Xia had regained peace.

For the court officials, Xiao Yu's assumption of power seemed to make little difference.

The Empress still sat behind the Emperor.

There were differences, however. With Deng Yi gone, Xie Yanfang absent, and more than half of the court officials purged, there was no one to take the lead. The Empress seemed to have no opponents to contend with and hardly spoke at all.

The Emperor became the most vocal person in the court.

The thirteen-year-old youth, who had remained silent for so many years, showed no trace of inexperience when discussing court affairs.

After all, he had sat in the court for seven years and diligently reviewed memorials for seven years. Though he appeared to be an observer, he had always been involved.

Xiao Yu felt that his life had not changed much either. The time previously spent on lessons was now replaced by discussions of court affairs, and he remained busy in the study.

After reviewing and discussing matters, he would bring the memorials to the Empress's palace.

The guards, eunuchs, and palace maids outside the Empress's palace bowed to him one after another, relaying his arrival layer by layer. By the time Xiao Yu entered, Chu Zhao was already waiting at the door to greet him.

Today, Chu Zhao was not wearing her Empress ceremonial robes but was dressed in an everyday emerald-green outfit, her sleeves rolled up, holding an arrow in her hand.

"Sister," Xiao Yu called out happily.

Chu Zhao waved him over, smiling. "I'm playing pitch-pot. Come and compete with me."

Xiao Yu laughed. "Alright." Then he added, "But you must review the memorials first, sister."

Chu Zhao glanced at the eunuchs behind him holding the memorials and waved her hand. "Set them inside for now."

The eunuchs respectfully carried the memorials into the Empress's study.

Chu Zhao and Xiao Yu played several rounds of pitch-pot with the palace maids and eunuchs, with both the Emperor and Empress winning and losing in turns. Afterward, they had dinner together. Then Chu Zhao sat down to review the memorials, stamping them with the imperial seal after reading Xiao Yu's annotations.

Although the Emperor had assumed personal rule, the imperial seal remained in the Empress's hands.

Xiao Yu had no objections. He read a book nearby, occasionally answering Chu Zhao's questions. This was his favorite time of the evening.

"Preparations for the imperial examinations next year should begin now," Chu Zhao said after finishing the day's memorials.

Xiao Yu set down his book. "I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel to make preparations. Examinations will be held from the local level to the capital, ensuring no talented and ambitious individual is overlooked."

Chu Zhao said, "Regarding the imperial examinations, I have another idea."

...

...

"Have you heard? The imperial examinations are going to be held."

"I heard long ago. His Majesty's new policy abolishes recommendations and widely recruits talented individuals from across the land."

"No, besides His Majesty, the Empress is also holding an examination—for women."

"Women! What's the point of women taking the exams? Are they going to become officials too?"The empire is now strictly guarded by the Garrison Guard, so it is no longer like the old days when the Emperor sneezing a few times during court sessions would become known throughout the land. But if news does manage to spread, it is undoubtedly true.

Although this news sounds utterly absurd and unprecedented, if it is the Empress's proposal, then it must be genuine.

What the Empress decides to do, she always follows through with action and achieves results.

The common people are in an uproar, discussing the matter everywhere, with no shortage of treasonous remarks. Despite the Empress's long-standing arrogance and fearsome demeanor, matters concerning the principles of yin and yang, the distinctions between men and women, and the subversion of moral norms have infuriated many scholars. Unbearable as it is, some even went to the gates of government offices to loudly denounce her, intending to sacrifice themselves to awaken the world.

Yet neither the government nor the Garrison Guard or Dragon Cloak Guard, openly or covertly, arrested anyone.

The government even gathered these protesters and suggested to them: "Talking to us is useless. This has been decided from the top down. Why not focus on the imperial examinations? Once you pass and reach the capital, stand before the Empress, and then eloquently persuade her to change her mind and return to the right path."

It sounded quite reasonable, but some scholars felt uneasy. What if they couldn't pass the exams?

"Fail? If you fail, then study harder! You haven't even mastered the classics of the sages—what right do you have to debate principles?" the officials retorted bluntly. "Cultivate yourselves first, then manage your families and govern the state!"

Meanwhile, the women who heard the news were equally astonished.

This time, the Empress's palace banquet drew more attendees than usual, including many familiar yet unfamiliar faces who had traveled from afar.

Familiar because many were Chu Zhao's childhood playmates; unfamiliar because, over the years, they had married, had children, and drifted apart.

"Your Highness, is it true that we will take an exam?" one woman asked directly. "If we pass, can we really become officials? Like my father, wearing court robes, riding horses, going to government offices, and even attending court sessions?"

Another woman couldn't resist muttering, "Qi Leyun, your father isn't even qualified to attend court."

The other women burst into laughter.

Chu Zhao also smiled, looking at Qi Leyun, who was now dressed as a married woman but still retained the demeanor and temper of a young girl.

"It's a real exam, competing alongside men, just like we did back in the Chu Garden Literary Gathering," Chu Zhao said with a laugh.

Mention of the Chu Garden Literary Gathering stirred excitement among the women gathered there.

Over seven years had passed. They had married, borne children, and the past had grown hazy. At times, they even wondered if their girlhood experiences were just a dream.

But hearing the Empress mention it now, their memories sharpened instantly. If it was a dream, it was the most beautiful dream of their lives—one they could never bear to forget.

"This time, we won't be competing in a small garden but before the entire world," Chu Zhao continued, raising an eyebrow at Qi Leyun.

"Are you afraid?"

Qi Leyun declared, "When have I, Qi Leyun, ever been afraid!" She looked straight at Chu Zhao. "I even dared to bully you back then."

The women laughed again, some playfully hitting her, others exclaiming in amusement.

Qi Leyun felt a bit embarrassed and instinctively looked around for her mother, only to remember that she herself was a mother now, and her mother was no longer by her side.

Chu Zhao snorted. "Qi Leyun, you seem quite proud of your bullying."The woman before her, clad in empress ceremonial robes, wore an expression of fury, yet Qi Leyun felt no fear—instead, she couldn’t help but laugh.

Chu Zhao, just as fierce and unyielding as before, hadn’t changed a bit.

“Don’t be angry. I stopped bullying people after that,” Qi Leyun said with a smile.

“I doubt you’d dare now,” Chu Zhao replied, a hint of smugness in her tone. “You learned your lesson the hard way after crossing me.”

Qi Leyun’s face flushed crimson with laughter.

The other women joined in the mirth.

“Once you pass the exams, you can truly become officials—wear official robes, ride horses, and serve in government offices,” Chu Zhao continued, a faint smile gracing her lips. “As for whether you can achieve what your fathers, brothers, or husbands could not—that will depend entirely on your own abilities.”

So it was true after all. A wave of excitement swept through the women.

“I told you it was real,” Chu Tang interjected, holding a teacup. “I may be a princess, but why wouldn’t you believe me?”

“You’re a princess, but you’ve never held an official post,” Qi Leyun retorted. “Of course we didn’t take your word for it.”

Chu Tang set her cup down with a sharp clink. “Fine. After this, you’ll all see the authority I wield as an official.”

Qi Leyun laughed heartily. “Ah Tang, are you even cut out for this? Maybe you should just stick to being a princess.”

Amid the banter, a woman who had been standing quietly at the back stepped forward.

“Is the women’s imperial examination structured like the men’s, with tiered selections from lower to higher levels?” she asked.

One of the women, recognizing her, couldn’t resist remarking, “Zhou Jiang, I knew you’d come to take the exam.”

She remembered how Zhou Jiang had always been quiet and unassuming, avoiding conflict—until the Chu Garden Literary Gathering revealed her true nature. No wonder she loved chess; she thrived on competition.

Zhou Jiang frowned. “I wasn’t initially interested, but my grandfather insisted I come to the capital to serve as an official. He promised me the family’s treasured chess manuscripts if I brought my husband along and relocated here.”

So it was for the chess manuscripts. The women laughed again—typical Zhou Jiang.

Chu Zhao smiled as well and explained, “Since this is the first time, there won’t be many participants. The examination will be held only in the capital. Those who pass will serve as Hanlin Academy officials and won’t have the same range of postings or responsibilities as male officials—at least not yet.”

She paused, scanning the group.

“This is just the beginning. The goal is to gain acceptance.”

“Only once we’re accepted can we gradually expand our roles.”

“Once women hold official positions, we can promote girls’ schools across the regions.”

“We must show the world that knowledge and skills can become the foundation of women’s independence and livelihoods.”

“That way, more women will take the exams, enter public service, and as our numbers grow, so will our opportunities and experiments.”

She concluded with a gentle smile.

“Thus, the future rests in your hands.”

Qi Leyun pressed a hand to her chest, murmuring, “Am I truly this important? Can I really shape the future and bear such a responsibility?”

This life has not been lived in vain!

Someone nearby chuckled softly and teased, “First, you have to pass the exam.”

Qi Leyun snorted. “What’s there to fear? If I fail, I’ll have my daughter take it. If she fails, my granddaughter will. We have generations ahead of us.”

The women burst into laughter. Yes, even if they couldn’t succeed, their daughters and granddaughters would. With opportunity, everything changes.

As the banquet hall filled with joy, Chu Tang leaned close to Chu Zhao and whispered, “Remember to save the best official position for me—a little favor, please.”Chu Zhao whispered, "Of course. With an official position and the title of Junzhu, I'm counting on you to stand firm and lend everyone your support."

Chu Tang shot her a mock-annoyed look. "I knew I wouldn't have any peace." Then she smiled. "I almost feel like repeating what my father secretly said at home."

She imitated Chu Lan's voice with a long sigh.

"Ah well, it seems we're here to repay her debts."

Chu Zhao laughed. "Pretty much. That's the right way to think about it."

……

……

Though opinions varied, when the Empress decided to do something, once announced, it truly became unstoppable.

In the autumn of the fourth year of Jianning, women flocked to the capital to prepare for the examinations, while men across the regions began their own imperial exams, progressing from county to prefecture to province until reaching the capital.

"How amusing," chuckled a clerk in the county office as he organized the scholars' registers, bantering with his colleague. "You know what they're saying outside? They claim 'hanging one's hair from a beam, stabbing one's thigh with an awl, and boring a hole in the wall to steal light'—all just to compete with women."

Another clerk shook his head. "Pay no mind. It's just sour grapes from those who can't pass."

"I know. People need to voice their thoughts. I doubt the Empress minds either. The Garrison Guard has been quite idle lately—they aren't arresting anyone." The clerk paused abruptly, making a soft sound of surprise. "This name—"

His colleague asked, "What about the name? Does it violate a taboo?"

The imperial exams were strict; violating a taboo could indeed disqualify a candidate.

The clerk shook his head, staring blankly at the register. "No, it's just... somewhat familiar."

Familiar? With so many people sharing names across the land, his colleague found it amusing. "What's so strange about that?" He reached over to take the register, and at a glance, his smile also faltered.

"Hmm," he stroked his short beard. "This name does seem quite familiar."

Deng Yi.

It was actually the same name as that of the former Grand Tutor—who had risen dramatically as a regent, only to fall spectacularly, ending with charges of treason.