Chapter 103: Renewed Debates in the Court, the Heroine Steadfastly Rallying Everyone's Resolve

Lin Shiya gazed at the dispersing crowd, her heart filled with profound emotions. She knew this was merely the beginning.

As expected, the next morning at the imperial court, an invisible pressure shrouded the Golden Throne Hall. The air was thick with a heavy atmosphere, as if the golden dragon carvings on the emperor’s throne had dimmed.

Scholar Zhao, an elder official renowned for his rigid adherence to ancestral traditions, stepped forward once more. His grey beard trembled slightly, and he gripped his ceremonial tablet tightly, his expression as stern as solid rock.

"I implore Your Majesty to reconsider! For a woman to interfere in state affairs is the very source of chaos! The rituals and laws of our ancestors must not be abandoned!" His booming voice echoed through the hall, each word striking the hearts of the officials like a heavy hammer.

The hall fell into an instant, suffocating silence. All eyes turned to Lin Shiya, awaiting her response.

Lin Shiya took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the pressure, yet she remained entirely fearless. She stepped forward, her gaze meeting Scholar Zhao’s with unwavering resolve.

"Lord Zhao is mistaken! The times are evolving; how can we blindly cling to outdated rules? While ancestral rituals are important, they must keep pace with the era! Women possess talent as well; why should they be barred from serving the country?" Her voice was crisp and resonant, contrasting sharply with the deep, gravelly tone of the scholar.

The court erupted into chaos, with two factions of officials arguing incessantly. Supporters echoed Lin Shiya’s views, believing women deserved opportunities to serve, while opponents clung to tradition, insisting that female involvement in politics violated the natural order.

Scholar Zhao sneered, "Lord Lin, you speak too lightly! What can women do? Managing the household and raising children is their true duty!"

"Managing the household is indeed important," Lin Shiya replied, neither humble nor pushy, "but women are capable of balancing more. Lord Zhao, tomorrow I shall show you..."

Lin Shiya smiled slightly, drew a thick stack of dossiers from her sleeve, and held them high above her head. "Lord Zhao, and all the esteemed officials, this is the answer I have for you!" She handed the dossiers to the attendant beside her, signaling for them to be distributed to every official present.

"These records detail the contributions women have made in recent years to agriculture, handicrafts, and even commerce! They weave and spin, raise silkworms, and produce exquisite crafts that are sold abroad—how much revenue has this brought to the national treasury? They open shops, manage industries, and create jobs—how many livelihoods have they secured? Are these not ways of serving the country?"

The dossiers passed from hand to hand, the rustling of paper sounding like silkworms gnawing on mulberry leaves, slowly consuming the stubbornness of the opposition. The detailed data, true cases, and official seals from various regions provided irrefutable proof of women's value. Many wavering officials revealed expressions of admiration, whispering to one another and beginning to lean toward Lin Shiya’s perspective.

Scholar Zhao’s side fell into disarray; they had not expected Lin Shiya to be so thoroughly prepared.

Lin Shiya’s voice rang out once more, clear and resolute, like a mountain spring washing away the prejudices in people’s hearts.

"Women are not meant to be confined to the inner chambers; they, too, can have dreams and contribute to society! What I advocate is not for women to replace men, but for them to have equal opportunities to harness their talents, creating a brighter future for the nation, for the people, and for themselves!" Her gaze swept across everyone present, filled with strength and hope.

The atmosphere in the hall began to shift, and the voices of support grew louder. However, just then, a new undercurrent began to stir.

Madam Qian, a prominent noblewoman in the capital and a staunch opponent of the reforms, was not sitting idly by. She led her servants through the streets, spreading rumors that the reforms would lead to broken homes, disobedient wives, neglected children, and the collapse of social order. In marketplaces and teahouses, the common people whispered in panic.

"They say the court wants women to hold office; soon men will have to listen to women!"
"If all the women go out to work, who will look after the elders and the children?"
"The world has truly changed. Women should be at home; it is improper for them to be seen in public!"

The public outcry against the reforms rose again, bringing new pressure upon Lin Shiya. Stepping out of the Golden Throne Hall, she looked up at the cloudless sky, yet the sunlight seemed to have lost its warmth.

"Nanny Bai..." Lin Shiya walked quickly toward the palace gate, summoning her trusted guards. "Go, ask Master Sun and Merchant Wu to see me at once." Her plan was already set.

The next day, outside the Golden Throne Hall, a group of "special observers" gathered. They were invited by Lin Shiya—farm women, embroiderers, and merchants. Their commonality was that the women in their families were actively involved in society, and their lives had flourished as a result.

A sturdy farm woman stepped forward, her skin dark and her hands calloused, yet a vibrant light shone in her eyes. "My wife used to only know how to wash clothes and cook, but since she learned silkworm cultivation at the women's school, our lives have improved greatly! The children are fed and clothed!" Her simple, sincere words moved everyone present.

A young embroiderer also stepped forward, holding a piece of exquisite needlework. "I used to only know simple patterns, but since attending the school, I have learned new techniques that allow me to sell my work and help support my family!" She smiled shyly, while a shrewd merchant spoke at length about how his wife helped him manage his business, making it stronger and more prosperous.

The people listened intently. Their initial fear turned into realization as they witnessed the positive changes brought by women’s social participation. Madam Qian’s rumors collapsed, and public opinion began to turn.

However, it was not over. Scholar Zheng, an influential intellectual among the commoners, wrote a scathing article attacking the reforms. He claimed that women appearing in public would corrupt social morals and lead to the nation’s downfall. His article circulated widely, causing many to waver once more.

Lin Shiya looked at the article, her brow furrowed. It was highly inflammatory, filled with distorted facts and confusion. She rubbed her temples, her eyes landing on the signature at the bottom. "Scholar Zheng... ha."

She read the pompous, self-righteous text carefully. Between the lines, it was riddled with flaws. A cold smile curled her lips. This scholar, who appeared learned, was merely a frog in a well, bound by stagnant ideas, quoting classics out of context to suit his narrative.

The next day, at the women's school, Lin Shiya stood on the podium, her voice ringing out like pearls hitting a jade plate. "Yesterday, Scholar Zheng wrote an article slandering our reforms. Today, I shall refute him point by point!" She deconstructed his arguments, using historical records and real-world examples to dismantle his logic entirely.

"Scholar Zheng claims women in public cause moral decay. I ask you, what of the heroines throughout history? Did they not ride into battle to defend their homes? Did they ruin our customs?" Her voice was powerful, piercing the rot of old conventions.

"He says women participating in society causes broken homes. This is absurd! I see women improving their family's finances and earning respect. It is those who are idle and dependent who are most easily looked down upon!"

Applause thundered through the classroom. Outside, passersby stopped to listen, their doubts fading as they realized the truth. Scholar Zheng’s reputation plummeted, and the people began to question his motives.

Lin Shiya had stabilized public opinion once more. Standing before the school, she felt the warm sun on her skin, yet a flicker of unease remained. Nearby, a luxurious carriage stopped. The curtain lifted to reveal Madam Qian’s face, coated in delicate makeup. A cold, sinister smile played on her lips, her eyes flashing with malice and unyielding intrigue.

"It seems, Lord Lin, that I have truly underestimated you." Madam Qian stroked a jade bracelet, her voice soft but laced with an icy, hidden intent.