In Xiao's Manor, Xiao Rui chatted with the three ladies in the garden.
"If one day, women can also take the imperial examination, would you be willing to show off your talents?"
What?
Xiangcheng was surprised and said: "Husband, what nonsense are you talking about? How can a woman take part in the imperial examination? Do you want to suggest to my father to set up official positions for women and allow them to join the court as officials? This is absolutely impossible, don't say My father will never agree, even the ministers in the imperial court are enough to drown you in saliva."
Wei Yanran agreed: "Yes, husband, please don't be impulsive. We don't want to be officials. It's good to be able to support our husband and children at home, and accompany our husband and children. For important matters in the court, you men should do it. We I don’t understand either. Even if I know a little bit about it, it’s what you, my husband, teach me on a daily basis. So it seems that there is no use for a woman to be an official.”
Before Xiao Rui could speak, the third lady here, Li Shengnan, was unconvinced and said: "What the two elder sisters said, the younger sister disagrees. Why should we women take care of the children at home? We are not much worse than men, right? Besides, , when I really go to the battlefield to kill the enemy, I, Li Shengnan, may not be inferior to others."
"Sister Yanran, you used to help your husband negotiate business in the northeastern border town. You were in charge of all the border merchants. Although you had no official position, you were nameless. I think if you were given an official position in the Ministry of Revenue, you would definitely be able to Do it well.”
"Me...I won't take the imperial examination. If I take the martial arts competition, I want to try it."
Xiao Rui laughed loudly, clapped his hands and praised: "Not bad, not bad, Sheng Nan is outspoken! You two are only worried about me, but this is just a private conversation between us husband and wife, just casual chat, what is there to avoid?"
Princess Xiangcheng asked in confusion: "Husband, why do you suddenly have this idea? I admit that Sister Shengnan is right, but we can just joke about this in private, but we cannot spread it."
Xiao Rui waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I know the severity."
"It's not that I had a sudden idea, but someone gave me a difficult problem. The Cui family of Qinghe secretly sent me a letter, saying that the future crown princess wants to participate in the imperial examination next year. Haha, do you think this is feasible?"
What? ? ?
Xiangcheng and Wei Yanran were purely surprised, but Li Shengnan was full of curiosity, "Really? Is that the strange woman from the Cui family that your husband mentioned, the particularly smart Cui Ning'er?"
Xiao Rui nodded, "Yes, it's her! Back then, she was able to design and help Cheng Qian get out of trouble under the noses of all of us. This girl is not an ordinary girl. It's not too much to praise Zhuge among women."
so smart?
Xiangcheng and Wei Yanran also became curious.
Li Shengnan was even more excited and said: "Such a smart girl, if she is allowed to take part in the imperial examination, she might even win the top prize. Husband, how about you think of a way to get her to sign up? If a woman wins the top prize, Haha... so funny!"
"It will definitely embarrass all the men who study in the world."
Xiangcheng scolded: "Young men and sisters, please don't talk nonsense. How can military and national affairs be trivial? You... are afraid that the world will not be in chaos."
Xiao Rui chuckled and said: "No wonder Xiao Changle and you can play together on weekdays. Maybe she learned it from you."
As if a cat had been stepped on, Li Shengnan quickly retorted: "Don't shirk responsibility and slander good people. Who knows, you are Changle's teacher. Sister Changle and I are like-minded at best. By the way, husband, you say, If we let Sister Changle compete with Zhuge, the daughter of the Cui family, who is more powerful?"
Wei Yanran rolled her eyes, "What's the point? It must be sister Changle. There are no women in the Cui family who practice martial arts."
"Oh, I'm talking about literary talent and imperial examinations, not martial arts competition." Li Shengnan emphasized.
ah? Literary talent? Are you asking Sister Changle to compete with others for her literary talents? She seems to prefer fighting with others, right?
However, Princess Xiangcheng's heart moved and she actually changed her mind, "Husband, how about you think of a way and agree to them and let Miss Cui take the exam?"
ah?
Xiao Rui asked in confusion: "Xiangcheng, what are you doing?"
Xiangcheng explained: "I don't support women becoming officials, but it doesn't hurt if only one person is allowed to take an exam."
Li Shengnan nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, we can let her disguise herself as a man. Anyway, what she wants is to take the exam, not to pass the imperial examination and enter the court. As for whether she will be on the list in the end, it is hard to say! "
Xiao Rui reached out and tapped Li Shengnan's forehead, "You know how to make noises."
"Xiangcheng, tell me the truth, what do you think? Why do you suddenly support Miss Cui for no reason? Don't tell me that she is your future sister-in-law. This is a lame reason."
Xiangcheng's face was slightly red and he would only tell the truth, "Actually, I am here for Changle. She was banned from the palace by her father and mother. It is said that she cannot leave the house for two years. To Changle, this is no different from being imprisoned. It’s a pain for her. So, if there is a reason to let her out for a few days, even if it’s just for some fresh air, it would be good.”
"As for whether she can be on the list if she also takes part in the imperial examination, and whether she can compare with Miss Cui's family, these are not important."
Xiao Rui said angrily: "That's my guess! You know how to favor your sister. I don't think you are a sister, but like a worried old mother. Changle has been too out of touch in the past few years. , there’s nothing wrong with locking her up to temper her temper, to save her from getting into trouble.”
"It's better for you. She has just been grinding for a few months. If you release her, I don't know if she will concentrate on the exam, but she will definitely come to torture me..."
Xiangcheng rolled his eyes and scolded with a smile: "Bah, my little sister doesn't have to be with you. It's been a few months and she has already forgotten you. She said that she is so unforgettable that she won't pester you again. .”
Xiao Rui waved his hand and said: "Okay, okay, let's make a bet. I will reply to the Cui family and promise to let the Cui family girl disguise herself as a man to take the exam. At the same time, we will be responsible for the other party's safety in Chang'an and in the exam room. You enter Go to the palace and beg Your Majesty to see if he will let Changle out, I guess he won’t."
Xiangcheng immediately agreed, "Okay, let's bet. I bet my father will agree. I'll go to Chang'an right away."
As soon as Xiangcheng left, Li Shengnan and Wei Yanran looked at each other. Li Shengnan rolled his eyes and had an idea. He reached out and hugged Xiao Rui's arm and begged coquettishly: "Husband, you have agreed that Miss Cui will take the exam. How about asking Sister Yanran to give it a try? Sister Yanran has also been studying and studying essays since she was a child. If she comes back as the number one scholar, wouldn’t you, husband, be very proud?"
ah?
Xiao Rui looked at Wei Yanran, "Yan'er, do you really want to go?"
Wei Yanran nodded shyly, "This is interesting. If your husband agrees, then I would like to try it too. It doesn't matter if you don't get on the list, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a woman to participate in the imperial examination."
Once in a lifetime? Then I'm going too! Li Shengnan shouted.
Stop it. Those two times you did were not the fault of what I arranged for you to do. Xiao Rui put a hand on his forehead, feeling a little headache.
