Chapter 1240 - 1150: Lady Minister 88
Since it has already been decided to assign Yin Shuangshuang to the role of County Magistrate, the Emperor wasted no time and directly issued a Holy Decree to Yin Shuangshuang. The Emperor personally appointing a County Magistrate is, ordinarily, a trivial matter that wouldn’t even cause a ripple.
But this time, it stirred the court, with many ministers opposing and Imperial Censors repeatedly advising the Emperor, uttering unpleasant words like women bringing ruin to the nation and warnings against being bewitched by vixens. Various ruinous comments emerged, especially from aristocratic families, who have always made it their mission to frustrate the Emperor, bouncing around with the most enthusiasm.
At this time, under the pressure from the aristocratic families, the nobles, who were the Emperor’s own people, staunchly supported the Emperor. Now that Xie Wenhao had been purged from the court by the Emperor, General An, with the Emperor’s support, had ousted the aristocratic candidate and became the Prime Minister. With General An standing by the Emperor, the aristocratic families’ exuberance was fruitless.
Failing to sway the Emperor, these aristocratic families and a section of their mouthpiece, the Imperial Censors, began vehemently attacking Yin Shuangshuang, uttering every imaginable insult, causing the Emperor to erupt in anger several times and deal with several officials from these families.
The Emperor’s thunderous anger slightly subdued the aristocratic families, but only just slightly, as they continued to cling to the notion that women cannot hold office, persistently opposing Yin Shuangshuang from taking up the role of County Magistrate.
While the external world was abuzz with uproar, the main character, Yin Shuangshuang, was sitting leisurely in General An’s Hot Spring Palace, admiring the red plum blossoms while sipping tea and teasing a deer.
This deer was sent by the Emperor to alleviate Yin Shuangshuang’s boredom, reportedly given to the Emperor as an offering by some governor below who exclaimed at the sight of the Divine Deer, with its snow-like white fur and white speckles barely noticeable, though it’s actually a deer with albinism.
However, the albino white deer indeed appeared exceptionally beautiful. The governor even bestowed it with a pleasant name, Liuban Deer. Good things, naturally, ought to be offered to curry favor with the Emperor, since auspicious omens belong solely to the Emperor. The governor, treating it reverently, sent the Divine Deer to the Capital City as an offering.
The Emperor, upon seeing it, was astonished by the magnificent deer. This white deer was indeed peculiar, naturally unafraid of people, very docile, and would coquettishly approach at the Emperor’s playful beckoning, delighting the Emperor immensely, to the point where even the three thousand beauties of the harem had to take a backseat to this white deer.
If it weren’t for the vile gossip outside, the Emperor wouldn’t have reluctantly sent his beloved pet to accompany Yin Shuangshuang for several days, hoping to cheer her up so she wouldn’t be infuriated by outside affairs and make herself ill.
At this moment, Yin Shuangshuang sat under a red plum tree wrapped in a white cloak, enjoying tea and holding precious seasonal vegetables in hand to feed the white deer in front of her.
These vegetables were not prepared by Yin Shuangshuang herself, as in this era without greenhouse vegetables, Yin Shuangshuang wouldn’t be so extravagant. These vegetables were delivered daily by the Emperor’s special personnel, all selected for their best and tender cores.
The Emperor, always advocating thriftiness, didn’t necessarily allow himself or the harem’s concubines to eat so well, yet was so generous towards this white deer, demonstrating his extreme fondness for it.
When General An entered, he saw Yin Shuangshuang in such a carefree manner, with no hint of illness from anger as he and the Emperor feared.
General An sat directly across from Yin Shuangshuang, looking her up and down, remarking lightheartedly despite her still pale complexion. "I worried you’d be angered to death by those outside, even the Emperor was quite concerned, sending his beloved white deer to accompany you.
Little did I know you’d be here so carefree. If those outside, endlessly talking, saw your appearance, I wonder if they’d be even more infuriated."
Yin Shuangshuang poured a cup of tea for General An, smiling lightly, "What is there to be angry about? If I were so petty, I wouldn’t have come this far. My heart isn’t that fragile; their words are nothing more than the set of rules for mundane women.
But I’m never one of those ordinary women—I can’t be overwhelmed by hearsay nor accomplish what I aim to do. And since I am determined to compete with the men of this world, naturally, I had long prepared for their attacks. I’ve never aspired to be a virtuous wife and mother, nor do I intend to abide by traditional female virtues.
As for being bewitching, one day they will know that this woman, they claim to be a bewitching vixen, will be their nemesis, ending their generations of aristocracy and quashing their future. Until then, what meaning is there in winning momentary verbal battles?"
General An couldn’t help but marvel. The casual remarks are indeed ruthless, and General An knew well Yin Shuangshuang’s words were biting, and her actions were even more so. He had witnessed firsthand the intensity of Yin Shuangshuang’s determination for revenge; she is someone intellectually sharp and never ready to yield.
Ever since General An met Yin Shuangshuang, only the Fifth Prince managed to catch her off guard, causing her significant harm, but she retaliated afterward. Now, reportedly confined, he’s almost driven insane, shouting daily in his residence that he wants to become Crown Prince.
...
While Yin Shuangshuang verbally stated she wouldn’t engage in momentary verbal battles with the aristocratic families, she afterward approached the Emperor to request a debate match with those families branding her as a bewitching vixen, to compare each other’s talents.
The Emperor naturally did not oppose, fully confident in Yin Shuangshuang’s talents, and particularly wishing for her to use those talents to slap those families who jump around joyfully, cursing him daily for being enchanted by beauty, labeling him a muddled ruler. He had been drinking Xiao Huo Tea daily due to his frustration.
Yin Shuangshuang then debated extensively in the Emperor’s political hall, citing authorities in lengthy diatribes, causing those aristocratic scholars to question their existence, including two who were actually enraged to the point of vomiting blood.
Finally, an elder with white hair and beard, reportedly a contemporary scholar appointed as the main force of the debate by aristocratic families, pointed at Yin Shuangshuang, furiously berating, "You woman, entirely devoid of womanly virtue! A crowing hen disturbing the dawn! A demon ruining the nation! You deserve to be burned!"
The old man, almost shouting angrily, was evidently enraged and had lost his reason. Yet, Yin Shuangshuang continued to smile coolly, her gaze slightly contemptuous as she looked at the elder.
"Aside from attacking me based on my gender, is there any other area where you surpass me? Your demeanor is far beneath your reputation—you can’t even exhibit triumph without arrogance or defeat without despair. What qualifications do you have to be called a great scholar of your generation?"
Having said that, she ignored the elder whose face was purple and breathless from anger, directly saluted the Emperor, then turned and left. The Emperor watching below at the aristocratic scholars jumping and clamoring wildly couldn’t help but laugh twice and also departed. Today, his mood was exceedingly pleasant.
Outside the Imperial Palace, General An observed Yin Shuangshuang for a while before spitting out a line, "You said you wouldn’t engage in momentary verbal battles." She nearly drove the aristocratic families mad.