Chapter 404
Chapter 404 Might of Ten Thousand Years
"Rise, my Dear Ministers," the old Emperor's voice rasped slightly as he slightly lifted his hand. The civil and military officials of the entire court thanked him in unison and respectfully stood up. Lin Wanrong examined the woman behind the curtain closely. She sat quietly, neither speaking nor smiling, her figure extraordinarily graceful.
The Emperor raised his eyes and looked around, nodding slightly, "At today's morning assembly, there is an important matter of state that I must discuss with you all. Concerning the rise and fall of our great Empire, I specifically permit Miss Xu Zhiqing to enter the court with a golden whip. Although Xu Zhiqing is a woman, she has several times personally fought fiercely with the northern nomads and is a true heroine among women. I allow her to enter the court to discuss politics, situated in the adjoining room. Does anyone object?"
Allowing a woman to participate in the court's affairs was against the rules, but since the Emperor had spoken, and the woman had achievements and status, and she was also discussing politics in the side room next to the Hall of Literary Brilliance, everyone nodded, praising the wisdom of the Emperor.
Gao Ping loudly called out, "Summon Xu Zhiqing to the great hall's side room for discussion."
"Thank you for the Emperor's great grace," a crisp voice of a woman came from outside the hall. Lin Wanrong heard it clearly; it was Xu Zhiqing. Though Miss Xu was full of talent, surpassing many in the court by hundreds of times, she still lacked the qualification to enter the main hall. Such was the difference between men and women. Lin Wanrong had been outsmarted by her earlier that day, and he felt a bit aggrieved. He then looked at the woman behind the curtain, whose treatment was much higher than Xu Zhiqing's, wondering what her identity might be.
"Dear Minister Xu, what major issues need to be discussed today?" the old Emperor asked Xu Wei.
Xu Wei stepped forward from the first position on the right and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, at today's morning assembly, there are three major matters that need to be discussed. Firstly, the Emperor of Dongyin sent a letter yesterday, stating that his second son, Prince Tsugumi Takeshita, had come to our capital for pilgrimage and has been missing for many days within our borders. Dongyin hopes that we thoroughly investigate Princec Tsugumi's whereabouts, insisting on an explanation."
Seeing Xu Wei's hesitant manner, it was estimated that Dongyin's communication was not so polite, and old Xu was understating it. Hearing the first matter, the ministers looked at each other, and no one spoke.