History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 303 A Variety of Birthday Banquet Scenes (Part 3)
That one-eyed man isn't Yuan Zhi! It's my fourth brother, Yuan Yu, who's the most absurd of all! That damned bastard, taking his shit in his orchard on such a fine day.

Yuan Yu was still dissatisfied, and clicked her tongue, asking, "What are you looking at? Everyone needs to use the restroom sometimes, did you bring a handkerchief?"

Yuan Xiang said angrily, "Didn't you bring it yourself?" Despite his anger, he still threw it to the other person to avoid further trouble.

Yuan Yu got up and stretched his numb legs, then said with a sneer, "Tell the Dowager that I've been here."

"Ah."

Yuan Yu patted Ji Di's shoulder lightly, his smile becoming even more wicked, and said, "You don't even bury the people you kill, so I won't bury them either. I'm leaving, no need to see me off."

Yuan Xiang stared at Yuan Yu's retreating figure, his anger quickly subsiding. It wasn't time to deal with his fourth brother yet. Judging from the emperor's repeated edicts last month, he would likely reclaim military power and assume personal rule by early next year. Therefore, the brothers absolutely could not kill each other in the next six months, because no one could guarantee who would be next after one of them died.

Yuanxiang flicked his shoulder twice with disgust at the pats his fourth brother had given him, then put his fingers in his mouth in a slight circle... It's like a dog flea, it smells like poop!
Change hands, blow the whistle.

The carrier pigeons flew at the sound of the whistle and soon brought a small boat to take Yuan Xiang to the waterside pavilion.

He arrived at the perfect time; all the distinguished guests in the adjacent Three Water Pavilion had already risen and were waiting for the envoy sent by the emperor.

The envoys were all female officials wearing cage-like hats, totaling twenty-one people: eleven third-rank female officials and ten fourth-rank female officials.

Female officials of different ranks were easy to distinguish: those of the third rank wore yellow robes, and those of the fourth rank wore white robes.

Wei Yao, holding the ceremonial book, walked in the second row of the procession, led by the female minister Wang Sengnan, who held the imperial edict.

The female minister was the most special among the third-rank female officials, as she could receive a high-ranking salary without being promoted to a higher official rank.

This special status is related to the duties of a female minister.

One type of female minister, whose duties were similar to those of the "Director of the Secretariat" in the outer court, could interfere in royal affairs, assist officials of the previous dynasty's provincial departments in submitting memorials, and had the power to offer advice. The duties performed by female ministers holding this power were actually those of the second-rank "Female Attendant-in-Ordinary".

The position of Lady Attendant remains vacant to this day, with no one ever holding it.

An unconventional female minister, in charge of the concubines' audiences with the emperor and recording the details of these audiences.

Closer to home.

Wei Yao and her entourage of female officials entered through the main gate of the Beihai Prince's Mansion. The first distinguished guests they passed were the families of court officials or guests who were affiliated with powerful clans.

For example, Yu Baoying and Li Yin.

Princes and princesses who frequently visited the palace were used to seeing female officials, but such people were still few. It was rare for relatives of court officials like Yu Baoying to see female officials, especially when twenty-one female officials of not low rank walked in at once.

At this moment, not only their banquet hall, but also those opposite and beside them all left their seats to watch.

It's impossible not to be envious!

At least Li Yin and He Lan were very envious. The official robes not only elevated one's status, but also brought an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Suddenly, He Lan's envious gaze turned to shock!

"Look, doesn't that female official look just like Wei Yao?"

Li Yin grabbed a willow branch beside him and whispered back, "It's her."

Why is she standing so close to the front?

"Yes."

The pairing of "Dong Li Yin and Nan Wei Yao" is becoming increasingly like a joke.

He Lan was anxious and agitated: "The female official who came to the Prince of Beihai's mansion to deliver the imperial edict, do you think... was she arranged by the Emperor? Or by the Grand Chamberlain?"

Li Yin shook her head, unaware that the willow branches had been twisted and mangled by her.

As the procession of female officials passed by, He Lan still gazed into the distance and whispered, "A Yin, will we really be recommended to the palace by the Princess next year? Will we be able to wear official robes?"

"Maybe." Li Yin's uncertain words infuriated He Lan. She couldn't understand why Li Yin, who had a good background, was knowledgeable, and was valued by the Princess, always seemed so listless!

However, she couldn't show any impatience towards Li Yin, because recently the Princess had been summoning Li Yin alone to inquire about her studies, which was not a good sign. Therefore, in the future, besides working harder to catch up with Li Yin in terms of knowledge, she also had to be more considerate towards Li Yin and firmly hold onto their sisterly bond! She believed that the Princess would see her strengths in valuing friendship and her willingness to endure hardship.

Yu Baoying was the first to return to the banquet hall. Yuan Nulang followed closely behind and sat down beside her, asking with a smile, "Do you think female officials are very impressive?"

"Yes," Yu Baoying acknowledged, nodding.

When Yuan Nulang saw her maid rushing over, she no longer concealed her identity as she spoke: "People outside the palace think that way, but in our eyes, female officials and palace slaves working in the Xi Office are no different."

When an ant climbed onto the food table, she gently pinched the little ant, which had worked hard to crawl to the food, back onto the ground. The little ant stood there, bewildered, spinning around.

"Do you understand? I am Princess Chang Le, Yuan Ying, and Miss Yu. I look forward to seeing you again." She smiled mischievously and followed her maid to the waterside banquet area via a shortcut.

There are tens of thousands of officials on duty in the palace every day. No matter what is new or important, it may take half a month for the news to reach you.

This is the story of how Wei Yao was bestowed with Diao Chan and a crown.

On his way out, Prince Yuan Yu of Guangling encountered a procession of female officials. He noticed Wei Yao's unique canopy hat and learned that the rumors among the court officials about Zhao Zhi becoming a treacherous minister had been spread far and wide.

"Zhao Zhi, a mere woman, has become a treacherous minister!" He always loved stirring up trouble and didn't mind making things worse, so he deliberately let those around him hear him sigh.

The other party responded sarcastically, "Your whole family are treacherous officials!"

Yuan Yu feigned mystery and inquired, "Are you referring to Zhao Changshi's daughter, Wei Nuguan?"

"I'm talking to you! What are you pretending for? You and your father are of royal lineage, yet you're asking for a marriage proposal from a female official who isn't even from a commoner family. You're more obsequious than any sycophant! Spit!"

Yuan Yu was furious. Everyone saw through his impersonation of Yuan Zhi, and when he was scolded, he took the blame for Yuan Zhi.

When the female officials entered the Three-Tiered Water Pavilion, according to custom, the female officials carrying the imperial edict, ceremonial documents, and gifts were not required to bow to princes, princesses, or other powerful figures.

Rules are rules, and the female officials all worked their way up from the lowest level of palace slaves. Who would dare to look directly at the powerful and wealthy?

Today is an exception; Wei Yao dares to look directly at him!
Therefore, the unique crown on her head was even more eye-catching and striking.

The front of the crown is adorned with cicada-patterned gold earrings crafted day and night by goldsmiths, and the sides of the crown are decorated with sable tails.

The cicada pattern symbolizes the cicada's noble character of "being clear-headed and perceptive of change".

The sable tail symbolizes literary talent without ostentation.

The symbolism is secondary; only those who have made great contributions can be given a cicada-patterned sable tail as an official! Since the founding of the Great Wei Dynasty, only Wei Yao has been granted this honor among palace officials!
Therefore, she had to look directly at the powerful and influential people at the banquet... even if she dared not, she had to muster up the courage to do so.

Next, the female minister Wang Sengnan read out the imperial edict congratulating the Empress Dowager Gao on her birthday, and then the female historian Wei Yao read out the rewards in the ceremonial register.

The officials expressed their gratitude.

Prince Yuanxiang of Beihai accepted the imperial edict and the book of rites.

Consort Gao stepped forward, took Wang Sengnan's hand, and said nostalgically, "We are the same age, how long has it been since I last saw you?"

Wang Sengnan: "More than twenty years have passed, Your Excellency's appearance remains unchanged, but I have grown old."

"Not old, not old."

Yuan Hao's wet nurse, Madam Hu, observing his expression, quickly brought over a cup of birthday wine, which was personally received and handed over by the Dowager Consort Gao.

Wang Sengnan was flattered and took a small sip apologetically, saying, "This servant must report to the Emperor upon returning, so I dare not have any smell of alcohol." After saying this, she saw the gaze of the Prince of Beihai, her heart skipped a beat, and fear made her body tense.

The refused glass remained untouched, leaving her arm frozen in place.

Like the host, Hu pretended not to see Wang Sengnan's embarrassment, and also pretended not to see Wei Yao's unusual crown. She then offered Wei Yao another cup of wine.