From the moment Lu Jin received Bai Qingyan’s decree to collect evidence of the imperial clan’s crimes, he had guessed that Bai Qingyan was doing this to reduce feudal power… deliberately creating a maze of confusion for those feudal princes, which was why she hadn’t moved against these Jin Dynasty imperial clan members.

Even… Lu Jin suspected that those rumors about Bai Qingyan being considerate of the Grand Princess and therefore not taking action against the Jin Dynasty imperial clan were deliberately spread by Bai Qingyan’s orders.

“Implementing new policies benefits the people’s livelihood for thousands of years…” Bai Qingyan raised her eyes, bloodshot from exhaustion, looking at Lu Jinxian. “To implement new policies, reducing feudal power is imperative. However, if we reduce feudal power through war with thunderous methods, though it would be the simplest way to reduce feudal power, it would inevitably harm the people and consume national strength. Weighing the pros and cons… at this time, when the Great Zhou has just been established and everything needs rebuilding, we seek stability rather than speed! Only after the coronation ceremony will Lord Lu’s implementation of new policies become much smoother.”

Chancellor Lu and the others nodded repeatedly, acknowledging that Bai Qingyan’s considerations were comprehensive.

“Since Lord Lu says the implementation of new policies in Han City has been smooth, why did the former Great Liang noble families cause trouble? I remember… the messages sent back to the Capital City before all said that the former Great Liang noble families had donated their family wealth… only seeking to preserve their lives.” Bai Qingyan asked again, her voice hoarse and dark.

When Bai Qingyan received news of this matter, it was quite late, and she hadn’t yet departed from Luohong City to return to the capital. Moreover, the information wasn’t very detailed, so she wasn’t clear about the underlying reasons.

When asked about this, Lu Jinxian instinctively looked toward his father. Seeing his father calmly picking up his teacup, he no longer tried to cover for Bai Jinzhi, saying in a low voice: “Originally it was like that, but when Princess Gaoyi was handling this matter in Great Liang, she saw that the former dynasty’s royal family members who claimed to have surrendered all their family wealth to save their lives were carrying large and small boxes out of Han City when they left. Princess Gaoyi stopped them all and had those royal family members and their entire families imprisoned. The other royal family members became panic-stricken, which led to the trouble! Fortunately, the trouble has been quelled, though Princess Gaoyi was slightly injured. When the news and the grain, and the money Princess Gaoyi confiscated in Han City were sent to the capital, the messenger said… Princess Gaoyi was already fine.”

Hearing that Xiao Si was injured, Bai Qingyan’s heart immediately tightened.

Bai Jinzhi also had a personality that reported good news but not bad news. If she was injured… was she fine? Not necessarily…

Since she had returned from Great Liang, Bai Jinzhi had the highest authority in Han City. Presumably, neither Cai Ziyuan nor Zhao Sheng could persuade Bai Jinzhi.

Previously, due to the sudden circumstances, Bai Qingyan could only trust Xiao Si, which was why she placed her there. But now with the critical implementation of new policies and Xiao Si’s rash personality, it seemed… Xiao Si couldn’t be left in Han City anymore.

In Bai Qingyan’s view, those who could handle these matters would be either Bai Jinxiu or Bai Jintong…

But now Bai Jintong was far away in Xiliang, and Bai Jinxiu hadn’t seen Wang Ge’er for too long. Even if it was after the coronation ceremony, having Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang travel together to Han City, such a small child as Wang Ge’er probably couldn’t endure such hardship.

Seeing Bai Qingyan lower her eyes in contemplation, Lu Jin guessed that Bai Qingyan was considering recalling Princess Gaoyi. Princess Gaoyi had an impulsive personality, and if she remained in Han City and was manipulated by someone with ulterior motives, it might not benefit the implementation of new policies.

Actually, through this incident of Prince Liang’s rebellion, Lu Jin felt that Bai Jinxiu was much more capable than they had all imagined. It was just that she was very gentle and refined, appearing delicate. Even knowing Bai Jinxiu was capable, everyone still thought it was only within the confines of the inner quarters.

Unless it was such a critical moment… unless it was wartime, people would truly forget that Bai Jinxiu had once been on battlefields, fought in wars, and was a resourceful woman of the Bai family.

“This minister believes Madam Qin could go to Han City to control the overall situation. Although Qin Lang doesn’t have thunderous methods, he’s still quite capable. Your Majesty could send Qin Lang and Madam Qin to Han City together.” Lu Jin spoke at the right moment. “This way, it wouldn’t separate the couple, and… this order would serve as preparation for Your Majesty’s future appointment of women as officials.”

Bai Qingyan looked up at Lu Jin. His words aligned perfectly with what Bai Qingyan was thinking, as if he were a roundworm in her belly.

“This matter needs further discussion.” Bai Qingyan needed to first ask Bai Jinxiu, Qin Lang, and Second Aunt for their opinions before deciding. She turned to discuss the upcoming coronation ceremony: “With Great Zhou newly established, at this coronation ceremony, we can announce a general amnesty for the realm. Next year we’ll hold imperial examinations to select talented people for the court. The court plans to establish schools in various places, and women… may also attend school and participate in imperial examinations.”

Chancellor Lu perked up. Indeed… after Bai Qingyan’s reforms, she was going to elevate women’s status.

As a man who had been exceptionally learned since childhood, Chancellor Lu wouldn’t think that allowing women to attend school and participate in imperial examinations would pose a threat to men. If women were like Bai Qingyan… they would be no less capable than any man, otherwise she wouldn’t have made him willingly submit.

Even Chancellor Lu’s granddaughter, if she hadn’t learned some characters in the family school and later… been withdrawn from clan school to study at home with a female teacher because it involved imperial examinations, Chancellor Lu dared say… his granddaughter would be no worse than her two brothers.

But just because Chancellor Lu could think this way didn’t mean all scholars in the realm would think the same. Women attending school… participating in imperial examinations could be said to be overturning traditional ethics.

Bai Qingyan’s thinking was too advanced. A female emperor ascending the throne had already shaken the world’s perception of male superiority and female inferiority. Chancellor Lu privately believed… the matter of women participating in imperial examinations should be approached gradually.

“Your Majesty… this old minister believes this matter should be considered carefully!” Chancellor Lu’s voice was sincere. “The concept of male superiority and female inferiority didn’t form in a day. To completely eradicate it… requires a gradual process. This old minister fears that once this edict is issued… it will surely shake the hearts of scholars throughout the realm and cause their dissatisfaction.”

Bai Qingyan rested her elbow on the armrest, forcing herself to stay alert, and said to Chancellor Lu: “I understand Chancellor Lu’s meaning, but this matter… Bai Qingyan believes cannot be approached slowly. After reducing feudal power… while implementing new policies, this matter must be implemented simultaneously. Chancellor Lu, the Great Zhou, desperately needs talent. Bai Qingyan herself is a woman… I don’t discriminate in employing people based on gender. Those who can seek survival and profit for the people are useful talents. If scholars throughout the realm have questions… I will personally go to explain!”

Bai Qingyan bowed to Chancellor Lu: “In this matter, Bai Qingyan wishes to act arbitrarily once. If I make a mistake… I’ll still need Chancellor Lu’s assistance.”

Chancellor Lu pressed his lips together, very much disagreeing in his heart, but since Bai Qingyan had said this much, what else could he say?

“But Your Majesty, boys and girls shouldn’t sit together after age seven. Establishing schools where men and women study together—wouldn’t that be inappropriate?” Chancellor Lu still wanted to make one last struggle.

“Your Majesty wants to establish schools in various places. They could be separated into women’s schools and men’s schools. This would solve Father’s concerns…” Lu Jinxian was earnestly trying to find solutions, his brow furrowed, completely oblivious to his father’s gaze directed at him.