Dong Changyuan once again bowed deeply to Bai Jinzhi, then said to Li Mingrui: “Minister Li, you should be the one to speak with His Majesty!”

Li Mingrui knew that Dong Changyuan didn’t want to take credit, and after nodding gratefully, he said to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty, the new laws include legislation encouraging widows to remarry. This subject has received word that people are now spreading rumors, saying… saying that the Bai family women are all widows, yet we don’t see the Empress Dowager or the various ladies of the Bai family remarrying, nor do we see… Your Majesty is remarrying. They claim this new law is targeting ordinary people, not noble families!”

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi immediately flared up: “What business is it of theirs whether my aunt, my mother, and elder sister remarry or not! The new law encourages widows to remarry – it doesn’t force them to remarry! If my mother wanted to remarry… I, Bai Jinzhi, would be the first to raise both hands in support!”

“Be careful, Third Aunt doesn’t hear you say that and give you a beating…” Though Bai Qingyan scolded Bai Jinzhi with her words, she felt very comforted in her heart. For children who have grown up, their mother’s remarriage or father’s taking a new wife inevitably creates some discomfort, whether for their reputation or their feelings.

That Bai Jinzhi could think this way proved she truly put her mother’s feelings first. She was very pleased with her sister’s filial devotion.

She remembered when she first proposed this new policy and mentioned it during breakfast with Mother, Mother had expressed such concerns, worrying that this new law would target the Bai family.

“Your Majesty, Princess Gaoyi thinking this way is only natural, but if those with intentions to oppose the new laws use this point to cause trouble, preventing widows from remarrying while claiming widows don’t want to remarry, constantly bringing up the imperial family – I fear it will break the good situation that has just emerged…” Li Mingrui was genuinely worried.

“Where did these rumors originate…” Bai Qingyan asked.

Li Zhijie was someone who would never drag Dong Changyuan before Bai Qingyan to discuss such matters without concrete information.

Especially after the incident with former Left Chancellor Li Mao, when Bai Qingyan overlooked past grievances to promote Li Zhijie to implement the new laws, Li Zhijie was someone who knew how to seize opportunities. There was no reason for him to speak groundlessly before Bai Qingyan and ruin his prospects.

“This subject went through some trouble, but has already been investigated clearly. The rumors initially came from the Qin residence…” Li Zhijie said.

What a coincidence…

Bai Qingyan’s fingers rubbed against the sandalwood table. First there was the Qin residence guard approaching Xiao Si, then there was Second Miss Qin meeting with Sun Wenyao, and now Li Zhijie had traced these rumors back to the Qin residence.

Those two Qin family daughters, Bai Qingyan, had met them before. They certainly didn’t have such cunning or capability. There must be someone guiding them from behind.

“In your two opinions, how should this be handled…” Bai Qingyan raised her eyes to look at Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui.

Li Mingrui glanced at Dong Changyuan before speaking hesitantly: “If Your Majesty’s aunts were willing to remarry, or if… Your Majesty could establish a new imperial consort; it might alleviate the situation somewhat.”

Dong Changyuan frowned deeply. This was a last resort… but he couldn’t think of a more suitable solution either. If the rumors were truly allowed to escalate, they would inevitably obstruct the overall implementation of the new policies.

Moreover, regarding encouraging widows to remarry, they absolutely could not show weakness. Once they yielded on one point, others would seize upon it to attack the new policies, especially those noble families.

“Minister Li answers with such a lack of confidence – this must indeed be a poor strategy,” Bai Qingyan said with a smile.

“This subject is ashamed of being unable to share Your Majesty’s burdens. It’s precisely because this subject and Minister Dong couldn’t devise a solution, yet felt the situation was serious, that we came to inform Your Majesty of this matter.”

“If Your Majesty could establish a new imperial consort, that would be best…” As Bai Qingyan’s cousin, Dong Changyuan naturally dared to speak more boldly than Li Mingrui. Fearing he might touch upon Bai Qingyan’s painful memories, he quickly bowed to her: “Your Majesty grieves over the imperial consort’s passing – this subject understands! Your deep feelings for the imperial consort – this subject also understands. But Your Majesty is the imperial consort’s wife, and more importantly, Great Zhou’s emperor. You must ensure the imperial lineage continues – the more heirs, the better. If this subject’s words… contain any offense, please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

One could hear that Dong Changyuan was truly concerned for his cousin: “Cousin Changyuan need not be so cautious. I understand your words.”

Dong Changyuan quickly bowed formally. Though Bai Qingyan addressed him as a cousin, with Li Mingrui present, he absolutely could not disturb the proper protocols between ruler and subject.

“Your Majesty need not worry either. If Your Majesty finds this approach unfeasible, this subject and Minister Dong will do everything possible to suppress these rumors!” Li Mingrui gritted his teeth. Rumors had always been difficult to suppress – too light was ineffective, too heavy was excessive. The proper measure was extremely hard to grasp.

“Preventing people from speaking is more dangerous than damming a river. To resolve this matter isn’t as difficult as reaching heaven. There are still ten days until Princess Gaoyi’s birthday. Before then… both ministers should do everything possible to fan the flames.”

Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui looked bewildered.

“Great Zhou has reforged new laws, established schools so more people can study, and opened channels for public discourse – all to enable the people to understand and discuss politics. As the ancient saying goes, truth becomes clear only through debate. Whether this new policy is good or right isn’t determined by what nobles say, but by what the people say. Since it’s a new law established for widows, naturally it should be determined by those who have lost their husbands!”

Li Mingrui understood Bai Qingyan’s meaning and glanced toward Princess Gaoyi: “Your Majesty means to handle this matter during Princess Gaoyi’s birthday?”

“The Bai family children’s birthdays mostly fall in October. Let’s use Princess Gaoyi’s birthday to celebrate with the people. If someone truly intends to cause trouble, wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity? This way… we can debate openly before the people. At that time, have Princess Gaoyi invite Minister Liu – Minister Liu’s debating skills are unmatched and his words are sharp.” Bai Qingyan thought further and added, “Additionally, we can invite recently remarried widows to speak with the people about the differences between their lives when widowed versus after remarrying.”

Dong Changyuan hadn’t expected Bai Qingyan to have such magnanimity, daring to let the people discuss and debate politics.

“The people are simple and honest, especially those who haven’t studied. They mostly need guidance… Break down and explain the reasoning to them piece by piece. Once they see the benefits, they’ll understand the advantages of the new policies.” Seeing Dong Changyuan’s expression, Bai Qingyan smiled lightly. “I know Cousin Changyuan has always been noble and upright, preferring to work diligently rather than engage in empty talk. But I hope Cousin Changyuan understands that being able to guide public opinion will make implementing new policies twice as effective! Blocking is inferior to channeling. Public opinion can be fearsome… but public opinion can also be respectable, depending on how the court guides it.”

Bai Jinzhi turned to look at her elder sister, just like back then… when her elder sister tirelessly recounted the Bai family’s achievements before the people, pushing the Bai family’s reputation to its peak.

Thinking of that time when the people welcomed the Bai family’s loyal souls at the south gate, kneeling along the long street to send off the Bai family’s heroes…

Bai Jinzhi clenched her fists tightly. This was something she must firmly remember!