History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 292 Princess Chenliu

"What are you thinking about?"

Yuan Mao arrived and saw her sitting in a daze among the books. He waved to her to bring her back to her senses and helped her tuck a few stray hairs behind her ears.

The two set their wedding date for mid-July. Their relationship was naturally different from before. Whenever Yuanmao was not busy, he would come to the Secretariat around lunchtime. If they were on duty together, Yuanmao would also come to pick her up and take her back to the school.

Wei Yao said, "I was thinking about Yang Shizhong's trip to Hengzhou for disaster relief. I'm afraid he will make a wasted trip."

She then explained why she made this inference.

"Last year, while I was sorting through old imperial edicts in the Secretariat, I came across the reward and punishment documents from September of the eighteenth year of the Taihe reign, in which the late Emperor Xiaowen personally examined the performance of all officials. They were all drafts, and there was a record of Wei Yu being punished for negligence in his performance."

Wei Yu is the current governor of Hengzhou.

"After that, I heard some rumors from the officials of the Secretariat. They said that Wei Yu had petitioned himself that he could not adapt to the climate of Luoyang, saying that he was getting old and wanted to move his family back to the old capital to spend his old age. It just so happened that your father was transferred back to Luoyang, and the position of governor of Hengzhou became available, so Wei Yu had the opportunity to return to the northern border."

"Would an official who is so eager to return to his roots open the granaries and distribute grain just because the court has appointed a mere Chamberlain? Especially since the people being helped are not from his own prefecture. Furthermore, what if Hengzhou also suffers from a drought?"

Yuan Mao suddenly remembered something and immediately said, "You reminded me! Do you still remember Changsun Wuzhuo?"

Wei Yao nodded.

Yuan Mao: "At the end of last year, Xi Jiao received a letter from Changsun Wuzhuo in Pingcheng. Wuzhuo chased the fugitive all the way from Pingzhou to Hengzhou in order to capture him. He said that the post stations in remote areas of Hengzhou were empty, and some had been used as gathering places by refugees. Pingcheng itself was also far less prosperous and peaceful than when we were there. If Governor Wei were capable, how could he have allowed Hengzhou to become like this in such a short time?"

Pingcheng was the place where the two had lived for so long, and all the unpleasant changes were like stains on their beautiful memories, leaving them angry and helpless.

Seeing his gloomy mood, Wei Yao tilted her head and smiled in front of him: "Mao Lang, let's not talk about these things anymore. Didn't you notice that I have several more boxes of books here today?"

"Call me Maolang again. Yaoyao, call me, call me. Yaoyao, Yaoyao Yaoyao..."

"Moro."

Yuan Mao was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear, before looking at the boxes of books and asking, "Are these the books presented by the Pei family, a prominent clan in Hedong?"

From February to April, Pei Shuye, the champion general of Xiao Qi, surrendered. The Prince of Pengcheng led 100,000 iron cavalry to meet him and decisively defeated the Qi army. Pei Shuye died of illness before he could enter Wei territory, but he had many relatives and officials. After arriving in Luoyang, they immediately presented a large number of precious books to show their loyalty to Wei.

Wei Yao: "You guessed right. The clerk gave me these boxes to sort out. Look at these two books. The original text is from a passage in the Book of Changes. This book has always been kept in the palace library. The book you are holding is a book presented by the Pei family. If you only look at the part with Zheng Xuan's annotations, is there any different content?"

Yuan Mao's expression turned serious: "That's really true! Which one is right, and which one is wrong?"

Wei Yao: "It's hard to say. The clerk explained that when I discovered this situation, in addition to picking out the books, marking them, I also had to record the contents, sort them by category, and store them in boxes. So, Mao, I won't be going home tonight, so don't wait for me after my shift."

Yuan Mao: "If you don't reply, I won't reply either."

The palace was heavily guarded at night, and the palace gates were locked. Even if he stayed in the palace, he could not see Wei Yao. However, knowing that the person he loved was only a few walls away was just as satisfying and happy.

The Secretariat held a public meal. After Yuan Mao finished eating, Wei Yao escorted him. The two saw several officials surrounding a high-ranking official of the second rank. This official was tall, imposing, and had an air of grandeur.

Yuan Mao recognized the other person and whispered to Wei Yao, "It's the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat."

Then the two stepped aside and bowed.

Minister Wang Su had already walked over, but stopped to glance at Yuan Mao and asked Wei Yao, "Proofreader Wei Yao?" Wei Yao replied "Yes," a hundred thoughts racing through her mind in an instant! Mother had obeyed the order of Prince Rencheng to arrest Minister Wang and imprison him in the Court of Justice. Although Mother then informed the Grand Commandant that he had been released, Minister Wang might not be grateful.

She had to be careful what the other person would ask her!
"When I passed by Quanxue Lane, I heard the Confucian scholars discussing that you were teaching Fangyan at Wenya Academy?" Wang Su asked.

"Yes."

“I have a hundred volumes of ‘Dialect’ notes, which I will have sent to Wenya Academy another day.”

Wei Yao was overjoyed!

"On behalf of my teacher and fellow disciples, I thank Minister Xie for presenting this book!"

Wang Su nodded and led the officials to the library.

After the officials had gone some distance, Yuan Mao said, "Last year, Minister Wang petitioned His Majesty several times to reinstate Li Biao's official position. His Majesty disliked Li Biao, so he spoke to us close attendants about Minister Wang's character, saying that Minister Wang had merits, but was quite arrogant and unreliable. He often boasted after being praised, and also liked to bestow favors. His Majesty also said that Minister Wang rarely sincerely praised or promoted others, and his several exceptions to plead for Li Biao must have been because Li Biao had said countless flattering words to curry favor with Minister Wang, just like Li Biao had curried favor with Li Chong."

In the end, Li Chong was betrayed by Li Biao and died of resentment and anger.

Wei Yao: "Don't worry, I will be careful and I will tell my parents. There is no such thing as a free lunch. The help others give me may not be what I want, and the reward they want may not be what I am willing to give."

Yuan Mao's original intention was to remind Wei Yao not to be too happy about the hundred volumes of notes that Wang Su had given to the study, and to be wary of others. He did not expect that she had thought about it more deeply.

He really liked her cautious yet courageous nature!
Wei Yao's precautions were not in vain. Two days later, the emperor issued an order, appointing Minister Wang Su to marry Princess Yuanzhen of Chenliu, and bestowing upon her 200,000 coins and 3,000 bolts of silk.

After Yuanzhen entered the palace to express his gratitude, he changed the subject to Zhao Zhi, who was on duty at the palace gate.

"It's being said in Luoyang that Mulan in the poem 'Ballad of Mulan' was actually Zhao Changshi."

The emperor's voice was not loud: "Zhao Zhi, enter the hall."

"Yes." Zhao Zhi strode over.

Lord Yuanzhen was secretly amazed. What a pair of sharp ears! No wonder he is a brave warrior!
The Emperor said, “If Aunt has anything to tell Zhao Zhi, please speak freely.”

Yuan Zhenjun: "Since Your Majesty has granted permission, then I will speak frankly. My household lacks a maid who is knowledgeable in poetry and literature. I would like to borrow Zhao Changshi's daughter to interpret the Book of Poetry in my household. After a year or two, I will send Wei Shushi back to the palace to serve. What do you think?"

The emperor remained silent, his thoughts unreadable.

Yuan Zhenjun looked at Zhao Zhi, thinking that Zhao Zhi did not understand, and said more directly: "Next year His Majesty will assume personal rule, and there will definitely be major changes in the female officials in the palace. It is better for me to recommend Wei Yao's talent than for her to struggle in the palace on her own."

Zhao Zhi bowed and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. My daughter, Wei Yao, only likes reading and teaching. She is a proofreader in the Secretariat. Although her official rank is low, it is exactly my ideal."

What an ungrateful wretch! Yuan Zhenjun was no pushover; otherwise, she wouldn't have walked through the pouring rain to the Xuanhu military camp the summer before last to expose Empress You's incest to the late emperor. Her words carried an impatient tone: "I was referring to the palace officials!"

Zhao Zhi said, "I have already taken up an official position in the outer court, so I am not required to serve as an official in the inner court." After retorting, she bowed deeply to the emperor.

Yuan Zhenjun was furious. He stood up, his sleeves fluttering, and swallowed back the words he was about to utter. After all, Yuan Ke was now the emperor, no longer the obedient boy who couldn't even hold onto the position of crown prince.

"Your Majesty, since Consort Zhao and her daughter look down on the Imperial Household Department officials, I will not force you." She bowed and took her leave, not even glancing at Zhao Zhi.