The Emperor is the origin of a nation’s ethos. Just like when the Emperor of the Jin Dynasty practiced alchemy, the noble families followed suit. For a time, inviting Taoists to practice alchemy and taking elixirs became symbols of prestige in Dadu City, making Taoist alchemists highly sought after.
Many noble families imitated the Emperor, buying young children from traffickers for the purpose of making elixirs to prolong their own lives. Countless children died in the process.
Such an Imperial Court, even if my cousin didn’t overthrow it, would inevitably lead to greater chaos in the future.
By the third evening, the piled-up memorials in the palace were dealt with, and the officials, dragging their weary bodies, were escorted back to their residences by soldiers. As they stepped out of the main hall, they felt like they had just completed the few days of youth exams, as if they’d been skinned.
The news that Bai Qingyan dispatched soldiers to escort officials back to their residences reached various mansions. The mistresses and family members stood at the doors to welcome their husbands or sons.
The Prime Minister Lu’s descendants are numerous, and the entrance of the Lu Mansion was crowded with Lu family members. Lu Yuanqing rode a horse to the palace gate to wait for his grandfather and uncle.
As soon as he saw his grandfather’s carriage coming out, Lu Yuanqing immediately spurred his horse forward. "Grandfather, Uncle..."
Prime Minister Lu heard him, lifted the carriage curtain, and glanced at his grandson. "Speak after we return to the mansion," he said.
"Yes!" Lu Yuanqing rode ahead to lead the way.
On the way back to the Prime Minister Lu Mansion, Lu Yuanqing saw many officials being helped into their mansions by their crying family members and offspring. He couldn’t help but worry, guessing that these officials had likely undergone severe punishment in the palace and had agreed to Bai Qingyan ascending to become Empress before being released.
When Prime Minister Lu arrived at the mansion’s entrance, all his children, grandchildren, granddaughters, and daughters-in-law gathered around him. Lu Yuanqing assisted Prime Minister Lu down from the carriage, and his third daughter-in-law tearfully said, "Father has suffered!"
Prime Minister Lu frowned, "What nonsense! We were handling the backlog of state affairs, and even His Majesty worked with us in the main hall for three days and nights without complaining. How dare we complain!"
Lu Yuanqing knew his grandfather feared his mother might say something disrespectful towards Bai Qingyan, which would be detrimental to the Lu family.
Lu Yuanbao hurried forward to support his father and said to Prime Minister Lu, "Grandfather, Father, let’s discuss this at home."
"If you don’t support her, who else do you have in mind?" Prime Minister Lu drank a sip of hot tea. "Although she is a woman, over the past three days... you’ve seen for yourself her vision and broad outlook. She deeply understands the governance methods of Yan and Xiliang, even extracting their essence to compensate for the deficiencies in our nation’s policies. She respects and listens to the opinions of others. Most importantly, she possesses a vigorous ambition to unify the world."
Lu Yuanqing, sitting beside, heard his grandfather and uncle exchanging praises about Bai Qingyan, and asked, "So, Grandfather and Uncle support the Princess of Zhen as Emperor?"
"She is His Majesty!" Prime Minister Lu abruptly capped his cup, instructing the Lu family members, "From now on, remember this well. Although His Majesty has yet to ascend the throne, the dynasty change to Zhou has been decided! From now on, we are Zhou Dynasty courtiers! Especially you... Lu Yuanqing, Lu Yuanbao, after His Majesty ascends the throne and promotes the new policies, she will surely have the courage to utilize new talents. One of you is a Second Place Scholar, the other ranked sixth among the second-tier candidates. You may very well catch His Majesty’s eye. Remember your grandfather’s words, never underestimate His Majesty because she’s a woman. Achieving such feats in three years... even men would be rare. His Majesty... is truly skilled."
Lu Yuanbao and Lu Yuanqing immediately stood up and respectfully saluted Prime Minister Lu, "Grandsons will remember Grandfather’s teachings."
Even if Prime Minister Lu hadn’t said so, Lu Yuanbao and Lu Yuanqing wouldn’t dare underestimate Bai Qingyan. After all... Bai Qingyan has numerous military achievements. Not only this recent campaign against Liang, but previously pacifying the southern borders as well. Even in her youth, accompanying King of Zhen Bai Weiting on expeditions, she beheaded General Pang Pingguo of the enemy nation!
No matter what others say, it may have been King of Zhen giving face to his granddaughter. But if Bai Qingyan lacked genuine skills, it would be impossible to behead an enemy general.
At this moment, not just the Lu Mansion, but many court officials upon returning home have conveyed similar thoughts.
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