History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

At this moment, even if someone were to beat a drum and thunder on Gao Ying's chest, telling her that the culprit who caused her to fall and embarrass herself was Wei Yao, this young lady would probably never believe it.

“Sister Wei…” Gao Ying hid behind Wei Yao and wiped away her tears.

A steward rushed towards the banquet area, heading straight for Consort Gao, and hurriedly reported, "Someone from the palace has arrived. The leading eunuch is Yang Fan, and I don't recognize the other minister. Yang Fan inquired about the location of the Yellow Gate Attendant, Wei Yao, presumably because there is an imperial decree for Wei Yao to issue."

The stewards in the mansion are all experienced, but their current flustered state shows that the people from the palace have an unfriendly attitude.

Before she could think, Consort Gao asked, "Which way did Yang Fan go?"

"This is it, very soon..."

Before the steward could finish speaking, the guests began to rise one after another. Attendant-in-Ordinary Gao Xian and eunuch Yang Fan arrived with a number of palace officials and imperial guards. Gao and Yang each carried an imperial edict with solemn expressions. Several junior eunuchs carried military caps, official robes, and official boots, while the rest of the people carried nothing, not chests or boxes, and certainly did not appear to be there to bestow rewards.

Yang Fan stopped in front of Wei Yao, took out the imperial edict and read it aloud: "Wei Yao, listen to the decree... Wei Yao is renowned for her literary talent and has a keen mind. She has repeatedly offered good strategies in eliminating the traitor Yuan Xi. Now, Wei Yao is relieved of her post as Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate in the Secretariat and the post as Female Minister of the Imperial Workshop in the Palace Affairs Office. She is hereby appointed as Attendant Gentleman of the Secretariat and bestowed with a sable crown and golden cicada earrings."

Consort Gao, who had come to greet the imperial edict procession, stopped to listen. The more she listened, the angrier she became, until her face turned red and her neck muscles tensed.

The young eunuch set up a screen nearby to enclose the changing area, and helped Wei Yao change into her new official robes, hat, and boots.

As the screen was removed, Wei Yao slowly and deliberately adjusted her cuffs, drawing all eyes to her. Some couldn't help but exclaim, "A daughter should be like Wei Yao!"

Whether the guests present felt envy or resentment was irrelevant. Everyone finally understood that the current emperor was different from the late Emperor Xiaowen. The current emperor, Yuan Ke, did not care about aristocratic backgrounds at all. As long as one was loyal enough and served the emperor, one could rise rapidly in rank and despise the powerful and wealthy.

Yang Fan first congratulated Wei Yao, then gestured to the scroll of edict that Gao Xian was holding: "Your Majesty urgently summons Yuan Xie, Yuan Xiang, Yuan Yu, Yuan Yu, and Yuan Huai to the palace for admonition. Your Majesty has decreed that Wei, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, should announce this to the princes."

Whispers immediately filled the air.

The Empress Dowager was terrified by the words "urgent announcement" and "admonition," but fortunately, her daughter-in-law helped her stand up.

"Your subject obeys the decree." Wei Yao took the imperial edict from Gao Xian and said to the Dowager Consort Gao, "Taking advantage of the grand banquet, the edict will first be proclaimed to Yuan Xiang. Please, Dowager Consort and Princess Consort, lead the way."

The Xianbei people did not adhere to strict separation between men and women, and the noble ladies all wanted to witness the change. In a short time, the banquet ended, and they all followed the imperial edict procession to the banquet area in the outer courtyard.

On the way, Wei Yao instructed Gao Xian: "When we issue imperial edicts, we are conveying the emperor's will on his behalf. We must be imposing. You will watch from the side this time and learn how to deal with the officials as soon as possible."

Yang Fan secretly admired Wei Yao for once again guessing the emperor's thoughts. Gao Xian not only lacked a good background, but also lacked literary and military talents. How could he make powerful ministers accept Gao Xian's high-ranking position and develop respect and fear for him in the shortest possible time?
Naturally, an imperial edict was issued.

Yuan Xie and Yuan Xiang were the highest-ranking officials among the princes. The remaining three each had their own eccentric temperaments. If other officials were to deliver imperial edicts, even if they knew the imperial edict was infuriating, they would still be accustomed to flattering the princes and would not dare to offend them in their words or actions.

Wei Yao is different! Every promotion of Wei Yao was achieved by confronting all the officials! In the future, when Gao Xian announces the imperial edict alone, he only needs to recognize the words on the edict and imitate Wei Yao's imposing manner to avoid making a mistake.

The servants of the Prince's Palace hurriedly took a shortcut. By the time the procession carrying the imperial decree arrived, Prince Yuanxiang of Beihai had already dismissed all the singers and dancers. Border officials who should not have been present at the banquet had all gone into hiding. Even the luxurious ornaments such as the coral tree had disappeared and been moved back to the storeroom.

Wei Yao unfolded the imperial edict, glanced at its contents, and understood its meaning. "Yuan Xiang, receive the edict."

Her refusal to address the other party by title or official rank signified the severity of the situation. Instantly, the area surrounded by high walls fell silent, and everyone could only feel the tense pounding of their own hearts.

"I have chosen Jingming as the new name and wish to ascend the throne to rule the country with enlightened policies. However, Yuanxiang is unable to withstand the weight of the nation's burdens, and he is unaware of the importance of self-cultivation and careful conduct, repeatedly violating the law..."

One reprimand after another left Yuan Xiang speechless, his ears ringing. A sense of powerlessness spread through his body. His ambition to conquer the world was so fragile; in the blink of an eye, it was reduced to dust by Wei Yao's aggressive demeanor.

Wei Yao only read the part of the decree that rebuked Yuan Xiang. She closed the decree and did not give Yuan Xiang a chance to delay: "Go into the palace now, do not keep His Majesty waiting."

At this point, it was time for the women to step in. Consort Gao pinched her daughter-in-law hard, and Princess Liu immediately pretended to cry, covering her grinning mouth with her left sleeve, and put her right arm around her illegitimate son, Yuan Hao.

"Please, my husband, return quickly. We'll wait for you no matter how late it is..."

Consort Gao wished she could strangle her stupid daughter-in-law. What was the point of spouting such nonsense now? Knowing that pleading with Wei Yao was useless, Consort Gao quickly signaled to her trusted maid to Yang Fan. There were too many people around, so the maid could only give Yang Fan a small brocade pouch filled with rare pearls. The maid whispered and pleaded, "After Your Highness enters the palace, whatever news you receive, whether useful or not, please trouble the palace officials to have someone inform the Consort. The Consort will surely reward you handsomely afterwards."

If Wei Yao were not present, Yang Fan would accept the bribe and then return to the palace to confess to the emperor, thus transferring the bribe to his private property through legitimate means.

However, Yang Fan was afraid of Wei Yao's mouth, which would report to anyone and everything. He shook his head to indicate that he dared not accept the gift and kindly comforted the maid: "Don't worry, His Majesty will clearly inform you how he will deal with the princes."

Yuan Xiang left the Prince's Mansion, his fear growing. He saw that the palace had sent an oxcart, with soldiers on both sides of it carrying guns and arrows. It was more like an escort than a guard.

Wei Yao mounted her horse and gestured, "To the Prince of Pengcheng's residence!"

Princess Liu Nian watched the oxcart disappear into the distance, then questioned in a voice filled with astonishment, "Why is there only one oxcart? Are you suggesting that my husband and the Fourth Prince squeeze into this cramped space? Good heavens!"

Shut up, shut up, shut up! Consort Gao glared at her daughter-in-law with a ferocious expression. Her fake white jade nose, due to the constant expressions on her face, began to stand out against the thick powder, making her look like a wicked demon.

Harem.

Empress Yu Baoying was reading the Book of Songs absentmindedly when the lady-in-waiting Yu E entered the bedchamber and said happily, "His Majesty has summoned five princes to the palace for admonitions. I have found out that the Prince of Jingzhao is among them."

Yu Baoying put down her books and finally felt relieved. These past few days, she had been beating Yang Lianluo so badly she couldn't walk, and giving her only leftovers without reheating them. If the emperor inquired, he would surely find out how she had tortured Yang Lianluo.

But ever since she punished Lady Yang, the emperor has never visited the inner palace again. Why is that? Did he think she was too harsh?
Hearing Yu E say this, Yu Baoying got her answer.

Another female official came with a letter and reported: "The Princess Consort of Jingzhao requests to pay homage to the Empress."

Yu Baoying shook her head and smiled. Even without opening the letter, she knew what it said. Her younger sister must have guessed that the Prince of Jingzhao was going to be severely punished this time, and wanted to take advantage of his predicament to enter the palace and personally torment Yang Lianluo, venting her anger at being bullied by the Yang family in the past. (End of Chapter)