Emperor An Yi stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Someone bring a chair for the Anshun Envoy. She protects the Great An Kingdom, after all.”
The court ministers were stunned. Those in the front rows had heard Yu Hua’s inner thoughts; those further back didn’t know what had happened and whispered among themselves:
“This is unprecedented!”
“Indeed! The first female official in history, and she’s allowed to sit in court—who would believe it?”
Yu Shangshu wiped the sweat from his brow. “Thankfully we have the golden pardon token… I wonder how many times it can be used?”
Li Shun immediately had a young eunuch bring a chair.
Yu Hua looked at Emperor An Yi in suspicion. “Can I really sit?”
“The Anshun Envoy is still young,” the emperor replied, “so by special decree, you may sit. From now on, you may sit whenever you attend court.”
“Miss, thank the emperor quickly! You’ve just set a precedent for the entire feudal dynasty!”
The voice of the system startled everyone. Ministers whispered in shock:
“What is that sound? Could it really be divine guidance for this little girl?”
Emperor An Yi pondered carefully before deciding, “This is the right choice. This girl will surely protect our kingdom and ensure its prosperity.”
Yu Hua quickly bowed to show her gratitude.
But once she sat, having been accustomed to lounging at home, she slumped in the chair completely. The ministers shook their heads in disbelief.
“Is this really the daughter of Lord Shangshu?”
“Standing is awkward, sitting is awkward… is this how Lord Yu raises his daughter?”
Yu Jinghong buried his face in shame. “I don’t want to see it… I’ll pretend nothing happened.”
Suddenly, a rumbling sound came from Yu Hua’s stomach.
Since she sat on the emperor’s left, he heard it clearly. Yu Hua, however, felt no embarrassment. “It’s still early. I’ve come a long way; of course I’m hungry. What’s shameful about that?”
Yu Jinghong’s face turned red. He continued hiding his head. “I didn’t hear, I didn’t see, I didn’t notice anything.”
“You haven’t eaten yet, Anshun Envoy, right?”
“Obviously, who eats this early? Ask around; who has breakfast at this hour?”
Though she thought this, she nodded honestly.
“Bring the Anshun Envoy to the side hall for breakfast,” commanded Emperor An Yi.
Li Shun instructed a eunuch to escort Yu Hua to the side hall.
“All ministers, hear this: anyone who speaks of hearing the Anshun Envoy’s thoughts will face execution and their families punished. Do you understand?”
The ministers knelt in obedience: “We dare not, Your Majesty.”
About fifteen minutes later, Yu Hua returned to the court.
Seeing a little girl seated, the prime minister grew uneasy.
“Your Majesty, the Anshun Envoy is a woman. She should be at home, sewing and learning domestic skills, attending to family affairs. How can she sit in court and participate in governance? I request Your Majesty rescind this decree.”
Yu Hua turned to look at him. The prime minister was an elderly man with gray hair, wrinkles, and age spots.
Immediately, his subordinates echoed him, insisting women should remain in the inner palace.
Emperor An Yi listened, unamused, letting the discussion linger.
“Why is this old prime minister targeting me? Did I provoke him?” thought Yu Hua.
“Ignore the old curmudgeons, Miss. You weren’t the one asking for this. It’s the emperor’s command—he will explain it if needed.”
The emperor seemed slightly exasperated. “You sure know how to pass the buck.”
“Work is boring… any gossip to enjoy?”
“Miss, the court is full of gossip. Whose shall we pick?”
Yu Jinghong instinctively wanted to change the subject but was halted by Emperor An Yi’s sharp gaze.
The emperor casually mentioned something, and ministers debated among themselves.
“What about that prime minister who spoke against me? Any gossip on him?”
The prime minister tried to intervene, but another stern look from the emperor forced him back.
“His name is Cai Heshan. Though he appears commanding in court, he has a habit no one would guess. Miss, do you want to know?”
Only two people in the court were utterly awkward: Cai Heshan himself and Yu Jinghong.
“Of course! Otherwise, how would I get the gossip?”
“Whenever Cai Heshan is alone, he secretly cries.”
“No way! The prime minister of the Great An Kingdom… cries? This is hilarious!”
“It’s true. Whenever he faces a problem, he first cries on his wife’s lap, then thinks of a solution.”
“He treats his wife like his mother? Isn’t crying normally only for children in front of parents? Is he a mama’s boy?”
“Once, as a child, his parents brought him to his grandmother’s birthday. He fought with cousins over toys, being outnumbered, he ran to his mother crying, asking why she hadn’t given him more siblings to protect him in fights.”
“I can’t believe the prime minister has such a side!”
The other ministers pinched themselves to keep from laughing.
Even Emperor An Yi smiled, finding it amusing.
“So this left a childhood shadow? That’s why he cries first before handling matters?”
“Yes. Scolded by his mother, he would retreat to cry in private. Since then, whenever trouble arises, he cries first, then solves the problem.”
“This is too funny! Hahaha!”