After Entering The Abusive Novel, I Became The Empress - chapter 17

As soon as Shen Yanqing’s words fell, the originally noisy grand hall quieted down. The normally eloquent civil officials could no longer utter a word.

“Minister Shen speaks the truth.” The Emperor swept his gaze around the hall. Just as he was about to make his decision, someone else spoke again.

“I find this inappropriate.” Minister Guo’s eyes held undisguised admiration as he looked at Shen Yanqing. “We cannot deny General Shen’s glorious military achievements. However, the imperial examinations are meant to test literary ability, not military skill.”

Qin Yuqing shook her head slightly. Regardless of Minister Guo’s intentions, in any dynasty, if people clung to outdated traditions and refused to change, the only outcome would be decline.

She believed her imperial father had already realized this. That was why he had joined hands with Lu Jingchuan to orchestrate this performance.

“Yuqian, Junyi, what do the two of you think?” Instead of immediately responding to Shen Yanqing or Minister Guo, the Emperor turned to the two princes in charge of this year’s examinations.

“Your son dares to speak.” Qin Yuqian knelt down at once. “I agree with General Shen’s words. As for Lady Qingshan’s essay, this son was fortunate enough to have read it. Her words are in no way inferior to those of men.”

“So do I. Our literary circles need fresh bl00d to break down the old barriers.” Qin Junyi echoed.

Qin Yuqing had been watching her father’s expression from the very beginning. She noticed that he had not rejected the idea outright. Instead, he remained aloof on his throne, watching the quarrel unfold with indifference. He clearly had already made up his mind and was only waiting for the right opportunity.

Since that was the case, she might as well provide that opportunity herself.

Qin Yuqing gestured for Eunuch Zhang to push her wheelchair to the center of the hall. She bowed to the Emperor and said, “Father Emperor, this daughter dares to volunteer. I shamelessly ask to participate in the imperial examinations myself, and thereby open the path for all the female students under heaven.”

“Besides, the literary circles of our dynasty have grown weak. For some time now, no new poetry has spread among the people.”

“Impossible!” Minister Guo immediately objected, his words sharp. “How could a princess, of all people, sit for the examinations? Besides, there is no precedent for women to take the imperial exams!”

“And why must precedent bind us? Just because the previous dynasty fell, why should all the blame be placed on women?” Qin Yuqing’s words were questions, but her downward tone and the cold smile at the corner of her lips made her words cut like a blade.

“In the early years of Great Yin, Empress Chen was renowned for her virtue. Many of her poems, which borrowed imagery to convey deep emotions, were widely recited by scholars across the land.”

Eunuch Zhang pushed Qin Yuqing closer to Minister Guo. Her words carried a pointed challenge: “Does Minister Guo mean to say that women are inherently inferior? Would you dare to dismiss even the achievements of the late Empress Chen?”

At once, all eyes in the hall turned on Minister Guo.

She had learned of Empress Chen just yesterday, while resting in her chambers. She had happened upon a book of poems from various dynasties, in which some of Empress Chen’s verses were recorded.

Minister Guo’s face changed. He had not expected the Sixth Princess—who had been absent from court for so long—to be so sharp-tongued. Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead. To speak lightly of the late Empress was unthinkable.

“I would never dare!” He fell to his knees at once, though he still stubbornly pressed his point. “Yet I still maintain that the examinations are to select useful officials for the court. Women should remain in the inner chambers, tending to husband and children.”

“Tending to husband and children—hah.” Qin Yuqing sneered, then turned to bow toward the Emperor. “Since neither side can convince the other, why not settle this with a contest, Your Majesty? Eunuch Zhang, if you please.”

Turning her wheelchair, she faced Minister Guo, her voice full of self-assurance: “Let us compete. If I win, then I shall participate in this year’s examinations, opening the way for women. If I lose…”

“And if Your Highness loses?” Minister Guo challenged.

“Lose? What a joke. I won’t lose.” Qin Yuqing had been born into a noble family in her past life. From a young age she had studied the seven refined arts and six accomplishments. She might not have mastered them all, but she had always ranked high within her clan.

That was the source of her confidence.

“Very well.” The Emperor’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he nodded in satisfaction. “I approve. You will compete here, in this hall, with three trials: poetry, archery, and music.”

“I have no objection. But Minister Guo is advanced in years. Perhaps it would be more fitting if one of his disciples competes in his stead?” Qin Yuqing clarified her intention. She only wanted the exam qualification, not to humiliate an elder.

“I also have no objection.” Though stubborn, Minister Guo was not unreasonable. He understood her courtesy and accepted. “Guo Lin, you shall represent me.”

Guo Lin? A character who had never appeared in the original book. He wore pale robes, carried a scholarly air, and held a book in his hand. He was clearly not yet an official.

“Sixth Princess, forgive my offense.” Guo Lin placed his book aside and bowed politely.

His voice was gentle, like spring water in March—soft enough to make one’s heart melt.

“No offense. Before the pursuit of learning, all are equal.”

The first trial: using the themes of “cliff,” “yellow flowers,” and “banquet,” compose a poem within the time it takes one stick of incense to burn.

Qin Yuqing had no intention of using poems from her previous life. The emotions, experiences, and artistic conception of those poems were not her own. To recite them here would make her a plagiarist in this unfamiliar history.

Guo Lin did not immediately pick up his brush. Instead, he gazed around, seeking inspiration from the scenery.

Qin Yuqing closed her eyes. Countless threads of inspiration surged through her mind. She seized some, organized them, and wove them together.

When the incense was nearly burned down to one-third, both of them began writing at almost the same moment—Qin Yuqing opening her eyes, Guo Lin lowering himself to the desk.

The hall fell silent as everyone watched. These seasoned officials could all see the Emperor’s intentions.

But none dared to act—or had the courage of the Sixth Princess.

When the incense finally burned out, both Qin Yuqing and Guo Lin laid down their brushes simultaneously. They exchanged a smile, then both extended a hand and said:

“Please.”

The eunuchs displayed their works for all to see, while the two competitors turned their backs. After a cup of tea’s time, the one with more supporters behind them would be declared the winner.

“His Majesty has already said—this is not the court!” Shen Yanqing’s voice rang out. “If anyone tries to curry favor, I’ll be the first to look down on them—pah!”

“Literary tradition is tied to the fate of the nation.” Lu Jingchuan’s cold, terse voice followed, true to his nature.

“Crown Prince, for fairness’ sake, we should abstain.” Qin Junyi spoke next.

“Second Brother is right. You all choose as you will—we won’t interfere.” Qin Yuqian chimed in, sounding as simple-minded as ever.

“Time’s up.” Eunuch Zhang announced. “Sixth Princess, Guo Lin, please turn around.”

Qin Yuqing had confidence in her poem, but she was not sure if anyone would choose her.

Her first glance was of Qin Qinqin, who said with a haughty air, “For the sake of our sisterly bond, I suppose I’ll reluctantly vote for you.”

So tsundere. Qin Yuqing smiled. “Thank you, Fourth Sister.”

“Over here, over here! Sister, between us, I think yours is far better than that Guo fellow’s.” Shen Yanqing’s boisterous voice came from behind Qin Qinqin, his head popping out with a grin.

“Us soldiers don’t like all that pretentious nonsense. Your poem speaks straight to the heart.”

“That’s right!”

“Every time we hear them go on about this or thus or wherefore, it gives us a headache.”

“If a poem is so obscure no one understands it, what good is it? Sixth Princess, we stand with you!”

The military men spoke one after another, their words blunt but heartfelt.

“Many thanks to you all.” Qin Yuqing bowed, knowing full well what this support signified.

She glanced around at the others. Many civil officials had gone to stand behind Minister Guo, but to her surprise, Duke Lu—the father of Lu Jingchuan—stood behind her.

In the original book, the Lu family had always remained neutral, never joining factions or meddling in politics.

Catching her gaze, Lu Jingchuan gave her a slight nod and mouthed a single word: cooperation.

Hah, so he does know how to cooperate. Qin Yuqing rolled her eyes inwardly.

“The results are in.” Eunuch Zhang proclaimed. “Sixth Princess, 58 votes. Guo Lin, 57 votes. 10 abstentions.”

Qin Yuqing blinked in surprise—until Shen Yanqing’s smug voice rang out: “Ha! I counted already. Today the military men outnumber the civil officials by exactly one. Fair bet, fair loss—remember to send the winnings to my manor!”

“See? Who says soldiers are useless? Numbers win battles, too!”

Qin Yuqing couldn’t help but laugh. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Emperor smiling faintly as well, tacitly allowing Shen Yanqing’s little gambling scheme.

He might not have been a good father, but he was indeed a good Emperor.

“The second trial: archery!” Eunuch Zhang announced. Servants carried out two targets, two bows, and six arrows. “The rules are familiar to all. I will not waste words. Begin!”

He pushed Qin Yuqing to her place and handed her a bow. “Sixth Princess, you need not force yourself.”

“Sixth Princess, I heard you were injured by assassins days ago. This test may be unfair to you. I am willing to forfeit one arrow.”

To give up an arrow meant losing one scoring chance.

Guo Lin was clearly a man of honor.

“There’s no need. Thank you for the thought, but I don’t intend to lose.” Qin Yuqing smiled faintly. Archery had always been her strongest skill since childhood. She had every confidence.

“As you wish. Forgive me.” Guo Lin raised his bow. His form was practiced, his release smooth. All three of his arrows struck the bullseye.

“Sixth Princess, please.” He set his bow aside and gestured for her to begin.

“This may be tricky.” Her words teased, but her eyes were full of amusement. She notched all three arrows at once, drew, and loosed.

The first two hit dead center. The third pierced clean through them both, embedding itself firmly in the target’s heart.

The outcome was obvious: Qin Yuqing won.

“Teacher, I don’t think there’s any need for the third round.” Guo Lin bowed his head. He was convinced. He had read her poem—it contained no lofty allusions, no ornate language, but the flow was smooth, and her word choices carried unexpected depth. It deserved contemplation.

He realized now that his earlier exam failure had its reasons. He still had much to learn.

Where Guo Lin could not see, Qin Yuqing quietly let out a breath of relief. Thank goodness. If it had come down to music, she would have been doomed. She had been tone-deaf since childhood—able to make a zither sound like a two-string fiddle.

“Enough.” Minister Guo only shook his head. He did not scold his student. Qin Yuqing’s performance had far exceeded expectations. His disciple’s loss was not undeserved.

“Since the results are clear, We hereby grant the Sixth Princess Qin Yuqing permission to sit the imperial examinations next month.” The Emperor descended from his throne, patted her shoulder, and said, “Do not disappoint Us.” With that, he left the hall.

“Long live the Emperor.”

At the same moment, the long-silent system voice rang again.

【Congratulations, Host, on completing Main Mission Three: Participate in the Imperial Examinations.】

【Upon assessment, Host is not yet qualified to complete Main Mission Two. Please continue your efforts.】

Qin Yuqing arched a brow. Just as she had expected.

But this examination… it would surely be anything but simple.

Several ministers discreetly handed documents, bowing as they presented them to Qin Yuqian and Qin Junyi.