The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 222 Preparation

The person who had just made those outrageous remarks was speechless. Cen Wan glanced indifferently at the people around her.

"Your concerns are actually easy to resolve. Regardless of gender, those with ability can go out and make their way in the world, while those without should stay home and raise their children. However, some people are in such a hurry. Could it be that they know that with more people competing, a good-for-nothing like them will be eliminated?"

Some people blushed immediately upon hearing this, but Cen Wan showed no sign of stopping. Seeing this, she chased after the person and scolded, "Hey, I was talking about trash, why are you blushing? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Indeed, you should be ashamed and embarrassed. If you really had that much energy, why didn't you go and destroy the Brown Kingdom? Aren't women your compatriots? Is your vision so short-sighted that you only know about us?"

Cen Wan knew that their opposition to her was simply due to their own interests.

Her words were merciless, hitting their sore spots perfectly.

If she were to enter the imperial court, she would inevitably open the door to female rule, which would then create more competition among them.

In a struggle for interests, it's always a matter of life and death, regardless of gender.

They simply divided men and women into two groups and then used different benefits to divide them.

They attacked her using men and women as a weapon, so don't blame her for retaliating with the "face" they care about.

"You, you, you are utterly unreasonable!"

She ignored him completely and looked at the emperor with neither arrogance nor servility: "Your Majesty, my achievements are all aboveboard, and I have a clear conscience. If these people question me solely because of my gender, I will not accept it!"

"Oh? So what do you want to do?"

“I, Cen Wan, am just like everyone else; I am also a disciple of the Emperor. Does His Majesty acknowledge this?”

"Naturally acknowledged."

"There is no provision in the Great Yong Code that states a son cannot serve as an official, is that correct?"

Someone muttered under their breath, "Isn't that something that's been agreed upon all along?"

Jianyang shot a sharp glare at him, startling the muttering minister so much that he lowered his head and dared not utter a word.

Jianyang scoffed and cursed in a moderate voice, "Coward!"

Cen Wan ignored the lawsuit behind her and said firmly, "Since it was not said that it was not possible, then it is possible. After all, women have only ever served as military officers, never as civil officials. It is normal for other ministers to have hesitations and doubts. Your Majesty, why not give me three years? If I make any mistakes or fail to achieve the highest performance rating within three years, I will voluntarily withdraw from the court without needing anyone else to question me!"

"I am not afraid of the test, nor am I afraid of what others say. I only ask for an opportunity!"

Cen Wan first used a strong stance to suppress the arrogance of her opponents, and in the end, what seemed like a concession was actually reasonable and well-founded, which made her appear more open and upright.

Those who had just opposed her felt like unreasonable villains from a storybook.

Zheng Xun hadn't expected her attack power to be so strong.

The Emperor pondered for a moment, then replied, "Granted."

After the court session ended, Li Xiaojun secretly brought Cen Wan to the emperor.

The emperor interrupted her bow: "Cen Wan, you are too impulsive. This is your first time entering officialdom, and you are the first woman to be granted an official position. You have no experience and no role models to learn from. You should know that being an official is not easy."

"Your Majesty, I know, but Your Majesty, I can look to any capable minister or general in the past. Your Majesty, no matter which path you take, being the first is not easy. I have long been prepared to set aside gender and reputation. Moreover, to be the first, I must do better than most people in order to win their respect."

The emperor sensed her determination and was somewhat moved.

"Is this why you are unwilling to use the Yuanjia name?"

"If the princess's name is mentioned, there will certainly be much less resistance. But without some major villains who question my abilities, how can I demonstrate my capabilities?"

She can rely on the princess for a while, but not forever.

The emperor offered to help her, even saying he could help her cheat.

If she were a man, she might have agreed, but she couldn't.

Once she chooses this shortcut, the emperor and princess will look down on her, and she will look down on herself.

She is the first, so she must have a solid foundation.

After Cen Wan left, the emperor remained silent for a moment, then suddenly slammed his fist on the table in frustration.

Li Xiaojun was startled by the commotion and was momentarily unsure whether to feel sorry for the emperor or for the table.

He asked cautiously, "Your Majesty?"

"There are many talented women among us! If I had known earlier, I should have recruited some to my side sooner. When I first ascended the throne, things were so difficult, and women didn't attract much attention. If I had been willing to promote them, they would definitely have been loyal to me! If I had discovered this earlier, I wouldn't have ended up in a situation where I had no one to rely on!"

Li Xiaojun: ...

"Your Majesty need not regret it. Someone like Cen Gu... Scholar Cen is one in a million. It is difficult for someone who has only been taught how to manage the inner quarters since childhood to grow into a capable minister who can govern the world."

"That's true, it's strange, how come there are so many powerful women now?"

“Perhaps it is the will of Heaven?” Li Xiaojun took the monarch’s hand and smiled as she rubbed the red and swollen area. “Because Princess Yuanjia has come, Heaven cannot bear to see her alone and helpless.”

"You have a point."

Zheng Xun turned off the canopy and suddenly smiled.

It's not wrong to say she was blessed by heaven, nor is it wrong to say she was ordained by heaven.

They were half right, I suppose.

She didn't notice that Wei Yanxing and Lü Mengying behind her had pupils that were almost shattered from shock.

What did they hear?

The princess actually sent a woman to take the imperial examination?

That woman also won first place and is about to enter the imperial court?

How long have they been away from the capital, and the world has changed like this?

Lü Mengying tilted her head to the side.

She suddenly realized that the princess seemed to prefer ambitious people.

Especially women.

She's actually quite easygoing, but since the princess likes it, why doesn't she give it a try?

She suddenly turned her head and looked at Wei Yanxing beside her.

How about we start from the nearest position?

Wei Yanxing shivered under her gaze: "What kind of look is that? Are you sick?"

Lü Mengying turned around.

Forget it, challenging Wei Yanxing would be too petty.

She stepped forward: "Princess, when shall we depart?"

“Now,” she said, taking out her token from her bosom and breaking it in two with her bare hands, “Lu Mengying, go to Xintian County to mobilize troops.”

The Tingzhou where they are now is a place once rife with river bandits. Later, the emperor and Jianyang established a water-savvy army there, stationed in Xintian County.

"Wei Yanxing, go to Dingzhou next door and get grain, herbs, and doctors!" Zheng Xun paused and said seriously, "The situation in Dingzhou is complicated. You don't need to get involved in their infighting. Just remember, anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy."

The situation in Xintian County is alright, because of Jianyang's influence, her name is still useful there. However, the situation in Dingzhou is complicated, and Wei Yanxing is quick-witted, so it would be best to let him handle it.