History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 341 Wei Yao's Moves

Accompanying them were Buddhist chants and sermons.

The nuns clearing the way each had their own duties. At the front, one held a lacquered tray with a purple-gold incense burner on it, and the nuns behind her waved flower petals and sprinkled dew to cleanse the air amidst the incense smoke and chanting.

Petals fall onto the felt as you walk, curling up under your feet, truly making every step a beautiful lotus, adding to the dazzling effect.

Today was the first time Ciqing had left the palace since arriving in Luoyang. Zheng Daoan went to greet her first, and the noble ladies present then realized which one was Ciqing, and they all called out, "Welcome, Master!"

Many noble ladies also curiously observed the female officials, especially Wei Yao, who led the female officials' entourage.

Like the other female officials, Wei Yao wore a flat-topped gauze crown. However, her crown was different because it was adorned with a golden cicada and had a sable tail hairpin on the side. The ribbons that tied her seals were also different. She wore two seals at her waist, one for the "Female Minister" of the inner court and the other for the "Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat" of the outer court. As a woman holding both inner and outer court official positions, she naturally aroused speculation among the noble ladies.

The more people envied Wei Yao, the more Consort Gao hated her! She hated her so much that even when Wei Yao didn't look at her, she couldn't distinguish between reality and imagination, and believed that Wei Yao was maliciously spying on her.

The group entered Yaoguang Temple and went directly to the place where the sutras were being preached.

Ciqing ascended the platform to expound on the Vimalakirti Sutra. All the nearby Buddhist temples and nunneries were temporarily requisitioned. In the most spacious nunnery, Weiyao instructed the female officials on how to arrange the seating.

Whenever Wei Yao gave an order, Consort Yu would simply repeat the message, walking back and forth without bending over or exerting any effort.

An hour later, Ciqing finished her sermon, and the nuns of Yaoguang Temple only allowed Zheng Daoan to enter the prepared nunnery.

The noble ladies and noblewomen invited by the list were scattered around the Nisha, waiting to be invited for questioning.

The women of the Beihai Prince's Mansion brought many strong servants into the nunnery and occupied two nunneries; no one dared to contest them.

Noble ladies from the late Grand Tutor Feng Xi's residence also came to listen to the sutras. One of them was the current Lady of Leling, who was in charge of the household affairs, and her daughter Feng Jihua. The Feng family followed the deposed Empress Feng Ci. Feng Jihua's seventh sister, Feng Linghua, was still with Consort Gao.

Once inside the house, they could finally speak in private. Feng Linghua asked in confusion, "Who is the woman beside Princess Chang Le?"

Consort Gao looked at her daughter-in-law, Liu.

Liu quickly replied, "When I was listening to the Buddhist scriptures, I had my maid inquire and found out that the noblewoman was His Majesty's aunt, Gao Yue'en."

Consort Gao: "When did Gao Yue'en arrive in the capital? We only just found out!"

Liu: "I couldn't find out from the maids, so they probably haven't been in the capital for very long."

Having received a generous gift from the Feng family, Consort Gao would certainly do her best to plan for Feng Linghua to enter the palace as a "female attendant". Originally, she thought this matter would be difficult and that her son Yuanxiang would have to do the work. However, the sudden appearance of Gao Yueen caught Consort Gao off guard and reminded her of the woman who was summoned to the palace to serve as a high-ranking female official during the reign of the late emperor because of her literary talent.

Women of lower rank could be granted as many titles as they wanted, but women of higher rank, such as the second-rank "Female Attendant," could not be granted two titles at the same time.

Liu, observing the old hag's expression, knew that she was in a dilemma and was reluctant to return the generous gifts given by the Feng family. So she deliberately came up with a bad idea: "Actually, if we take a step back, we can first recommend Miss Feng as a third-rank female official and add Diao Chan to her headdress. Wouldn't that make things a little easier and not be any worse than the treatment of a second-rank official?"

Feng Linghua's face lit up with joy. To be honest, she was extremely envious of that mink tail today. It really attracted everyone's attention wherever it went.

If no one else were around, Consort Gao would have given this stupid daughter-in-law a good slap! Want to add Diao Chan to the mix? Dream on!

At this moment, a servant who had been gathering information outside came in and reported, "The first person to call out over there was Gao Yueen."

Consort Gao snorted: "What's the rush? Gao Yue'en is His Majesty's aunt. It's normal to give her a title first. Otherwise, would she always sit with the families of ordinary court officials?" Feng Linghua flattered sweetly: "What the Consort says makes sense. I am young, and I am fortunate to have the Consort's constant admonitions and guidance."

Consort Gao appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, her mind was racing, and she was envisioning all sorts of situations she would have to deal with next.

The female official has arrived!

"Master Ciqing invited Consort Gao over for a chat."

Consort Gao stood up with a serious expression and solemnly instructed her daughter-in-law: "Stay here. You are not allowed to leave this room until I return!"

Just as Liu was about to respond, Feng Linghua said worriedly, "What if the noble lady or that Wei Yao sends another female official to find Princess Liu?"

Lady Liu: "I need to prepare medicine for my mother, which she must take in half an hour. No matter who calls me, I really cannot leave."

"For once, she's been so clever!" Consort Gao glanced at her daughter-in-law and left, relieved.

When Consort Gao saw Empress Dowager Ciqing, she looked around the room and couldn't find Yu Yao. She immediately realized something was wrong! However, her reaction came too late. Once inside, Empress Dowager Ciqing immediately showered her with concern and then began to reminisce about the old capital. Consort Gao found it difficult to leave in a short time.

At the same time, Wei Yao, Princess Yuan Ying, Yu Baoying, and several robust female officials entered the residence of the Princess of Beihai and invited out Feng Linghua and other unrelated persons. Wei Yao first read out the imperial edict strictly ordering the restoration of the ancient rites for wives and concubines, then helped the Princess of Beihai up and asked, "What are your thoughts on implementing the ancient rites for wives and concubines? Is there anything difficult about it?"

Liu nodded obsequiously and said, "My mother is in charge of all matters in the backyard of the Prince's mansion. I will ask my mother after I return, and then report back to the Lady-in-Waiting."

Before they arrived, both the princess and Yu Baoying were instructed by Wei Yao that they only needed to sit down and exude confidence.

They both looked at Wei Yao.

Wei Yao took a book of admonitions from the female official and placed it in Liu's hands. Whether she was holding Liu's hand or patting the book, she tightened her grip and said, "I know the Princess's difficulties. So I have done everything I can for the Princess. I have written down how many concubines the Grand Tutor's mansion currently has, their backgrounds, names, and origins. Please read it now, Princess. If any of them are dead, I will cross them out. If any of them were taken in last night or this morning, please tell me, and I will add them in."

Yuan Ying couldn't help but admire Wei Yao! No wonder she's been promoted so quickly at such a young age; she's truly meticulous and dares to speak and act!

Yu Baoying felt that she had learned something, but then she thought that if she were to imitate Wei Yao's speech and behavior now, she probably wouldn't dare to say it out loud, let alone act so frankly.

Liu forced a smile, unfolded the paper. Her current situation was as if she had been forcibly pushed onto a boat, and if she didn't go with the flow, she would have to drown herself in the lake!

Wei Yao smiled gently and urged softly, "If I ask the Princess Consort for a long time, then Master Ciqing will have to chat with the Dowager Consort for a long time. I'm not afraid of delaying the time, but I'm afraid that the Dowager Consort will get tired and annoyed, and then take her anger out on innocent people when she goes back to the Prince's residence."

"Heh." Madam Liu gave another bitter smile. She had no choice but to quickly read through the document. After reading it, she said, "There is no mistake. There are indeed 123 women with the status of concubines."

Wei Yao: "I made two copies of this list. The Princess Consort will take one back, and I will keep one. The court has decreed that, according to the ancient etiquette of wives and concubines, the more concubines one has, the heavier the punishment will be. Therefore, your palace can only have one day. Tomorrow morning, send the extra 119 women with concubine status to the gate of Qianqiu Palace. The Imperial Guards will take them to the Xi Official Residence."

Lady Liu was secretly overjoyed, but on the surface she looked very troubled: "This is no small matter. I have to ask my mother and husband first."

"My affairs are trivial. Your Highness may convey this to the Dowager Consort. If the Dowager Consort considers my affairs to be important and wishes to defy His Majesty's will, then she may have the Grand Tutor submit a memorial requesting that I remain. However, until His Majesty grants permission, any additional concubines or women will still be required to perform labor in the Xi government office."

Liu's lips twitched, thinking to herself: Once they're in the Xi official residence, even if you let them out, the Beihai Prince's Mansion won't dare to take them back.

Wei Yao: "Now that we've finished with the small matters, let's get down to business."

Upon hearing this, not only Yu Baoying and Liu Shi were surprised, but even Princess Yuan Ying was astonished, as she had never heard Wei Yao mention anything else.