History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 336 Everyone's Thoughts

Wang Sengnan replied, "It's probably a case of the palace servants mishearing and spreading the wrong information. Minister Wei holds two positions. Recently, she has been participating in the discussion of etiquette in the Secretariat. She has been selecting ancient rituals related to the inner palace from the archives, as well as daily records of ceremonies, clothing, food, sleeping quarters, and duties from the time of Empress Dowager Wenming. Minister Wei has handled everything from sorting and classifying to filling in the gaps. My duty is to assist the princess and noble ladies in revising the inner palace regulations, removing previously irregularities, adding the required annual duties, and filling in any missing rites and palace decrees."

Among the noble ladies present, Consort Yu, who held the nominal position of female official, was not well-educated and struggled to even understand what was being said. After listening, she felt that if it weren't for Wei Yao's meddling, she wouldn't have needed to attend to these duties at all.

Yuan Ying then asked, "Regarding the ancient system of appointing wives and concubines, did the female official ask you to relay anything?"

"No," Wang Sengnan replied truthfully, her gaze sweeping over the four noble ladies before focusing on Yu Baoying.

She knew that barring unforeseen circumstances, the position of Empress would belong to this noblewoman. Therefore, the sooner she drafted the petition regarding the ancient system of wives and concubines, the more it would demonstrate her competence as Empress and her decisive and insightful judgment. However, the noblewoman's expression, like everyone else's, seemed unable to comprehend the good intentions of the female official.

Wang Sengnan hesitated slightly, looked at Yu Baoying, and subtly reminded her: "I have been in the palace for forty years and have read about the ancient systems of wives and concubines in various dynasties. I have asked many nobles and officials in charge of internal affairs about this issue, and they all said that few people actually followed the ancient rites." It is one thing if you can't do it, but it is the most important thing to do it for His Majesty and the court officials.

Princess Yiyang immediately became angry and said, "So what does Wei Yao mean? Knowing that this matter is difficult, why are you still causing us trouble? Let whoever wants to do it do it. Anyway, I have made an appointment with my aunt to go out of the palace for a banquet tomorrow and the day after."

Princess Yuan Ying said, "Alright, stop worrying. Even if we're busy, it won't be for more than a day or two. Sister, I'll go with you to Aunt's place tomorrow and ask her if she has any good ideas."

Since that was the case, Wang Sengnan bowed and took her leave. She was usually cautious in her words and deeds, but when she was alone, she sighed softly and lamented that although Minister Wei was young, he was a person who was born to live in the palace. As for Consort Yu, her understanding was mediocre, and she really could not openly help her.

Outside the Dongji Hall, in the official's quarters.

Wei Yao had returned from her official duties at the Secretariat, and although she had only been gone for a few days, Xie Yi and Pei Shen felt as if they had been separated for months, their words and actions filled with longing. In their hearts, Wei Yao was not only a teacher but also a family member, someone they felt a deep affection for.

Wei Yao was also willing to teach these two students.

Xie Yi and his companion both understood that bestowing titles upon women of noble birth was a beneficial political matter, but why create unnecessary trouble by perfecting the ancient rites of wives and concubines in the harem? It would be a blessing for women if men did not take concubines!

Wei Yao recounted in detail: "Are all the imperial edicts issued by the court, whether from Sizhou or other local prefectures and counties, strictly implemented as written in the edicts?"

"For example, the new education decree. Prince Rencheng no longer oversees this matter, and Minister Wang, who is capable of handling it, is stationed at the Shouchun camp. If it weren't for the construction of the Four Gates Primary School in the capital, the new education decree would probably have been completely shelved. However, it is precisely because of the promulgation of the new education decree that our dynasty has been able to compete with the island barbarians for the right to rule China!"

"For example, more than 800 laws and regulations were revised between the first and fifth years of the Taihe reign, but they were not yet implemented in all prefectures and counties. They were revised again in the fifteenth year of the Taihe reign. Although there were many rumors in the court that the prefectures and counties were dissatisfied with the frequent revisions of laws and regulations and continued to implement the old ones while ignoring the new ones, the late emperor's various reforms had to be based on laws and regulations. Only by following the laws could the old Xianbei forces be silenced. This is the key."

"His Majesty is about to establish an Empress, and countless powerful families are watching closely, wondering if the Empress can fulfill the responsibilities of the Empress, and whether the other three Consorts are virtuous and capable concubines who will assist her. As long as the Empress and the Consorts do one or two things according to orthodox ancient rites, they will immediately be able to stop all the scheming nobles who want to send their daughters into the harem. As for whether the noblewomen in the capital despise the ancient rites of wives and concubines, or whether they listen to the advice of the Empress and the other consorts, it is completely unimportant."

"His Majesty has just taken over the administration and is busy day and night. He worries about the disaster-stricken counties every day. In the next year or two, it is better to have fewer concubines in the harem than more. We must keep things stable."

Pei Shen suddenly realized, "I understand now. Conferring titles upon noblewomen is a favor, while restoring the ancient rites for wives and concubines is a warning. This process of favor and punishment is a good opportunity for the Empress to connect with the noblewomen, and it also makes the officials more loyal to the Emperor. Only loyalty to the Emperor can benefit mothers and wives, and thus lead to the prosperity of the family." Xie Yi puffed out his cheeks guiltily and asked in a low voice, "What if the noblewomen in the harem are as stupid as me, and no one explains it to them in detail, and they misunderstand that you are causing them trouble?"

Wei Yao gently pinched the other's nose and first praised, "You're not stupid, you even know to speak softly." Then she said, "I'm doing my job for His Majesty. What the noble ladies in the harem think is not my responsibility. Don't worry, if they don't understand, they can ask someone who does."

into the night.

Inside Princess Yiyang's bedroom.

Her trusted maid checked the gift for Princess Chenliu for the next day one last time. Princess Yiyang said, "Add the box of pearls that His Majesty bestowed upon you at the beginning of the year into it."

The maid asked in surprise, "Are these pearls the reward from the victory at Shouchun? I remember the princess loved them very much."

"No matter how much I like them, they are still inanimate objects. If I can't bear to part with the pearls, it will be difficult to win my aunt's favor. Minister Wang is in Shouchun, and my aunt will definitely have special feelings for the pearls I sent. Today, I've realized that none of the four noble ladies are smart. If I want to marry a good man in the future, I'm afraid I can't rely on them. I'd better ask my aunt to keep an eye out for me as soon as possible."

The maid was surprised again and asked, "Princess, you are truly amazing. How did you realize that none of the four noble ladies were intelligent?"

Princess Yiyang said with a look of disgust, "Nonsense! A smart person can't tell, but a stupid person can tell at a glance!"

She tilted the bronze mirror to the side, reflecting it onto the maid, and added, "Just like your stupid face!"

Wang Puxian's residence.

She was reciting and copying articles at the same time. At the age when she should have been reading and learning to read, she had spent her time fleeing and running around. After reuniting with her father and settling down, she naturally wanted to spend all her free time reading and practicing calligraphy.

The young palace maids who served her daily life wrote a note, advising, "Does Your Highness's wrist ache? Take a rest."

Wang Puxian nodded with a smile.

Since entering the palace, she has been gentle in nature. The little palace maids have gradually become bolder. In addition, maids have to share honor and disgrace with noble ladies. So she asked, "Restoring the ancient rites for wives and concubines... No matter how I think about it, I feel that it is a tricky task. Doesn't Your Excellency have a relationship with Minister Wei Yao? Why not send a private message to ask Minister Wei Yao?"

Wang Puxian was not worried and said, "I will just observe what the princess and the other nobles do and follow suit. You should ask around outside and let others say whatever they want, but don't spread rumors, and you will have nothing to worry about."

"Yes, we will remember Your Excellency's instructions."

Wang Puxian was indeed without worry. Of the two tasks Wei Yao had chosen, wasn't one a good one—the one involving bestowing a title upon a noblewoman? Why was he only focusing on the difficult one?