“Once women participate in governance and attain prominent positions, chaos will inevitably follow?”

The evening sun’s remaining glow spilled across the stone steps before the main hall of the Meng residence. Meng Tinghui sat inside, her expression calm as she gazed at Cao Jing seated to her left, and gently asked this question.

The light within the hall was dimmer than outside, making Cao Jing’s face appear somewhat dark. He sat upright on the high stool and replied, “Minister Xu spoke precisely these words to Parliamentary Official Ye. This statement has already spread throughout the entire Zhongshu Department today. His Majesty has likely heard of it as well.”

Meng Tinghui lowered her eyelashes and said with a cold smile, “Minister Xu is truly extraordinary in his boldness, daring to speak such words in the government hall! Though his remarks mock me, where does he intend to place the Emperor Emeritus who governed the nation for thirty-nine years? And where does he place Madam Shen, née Ceng, who once held the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Privy Council?”

Cao Jing raised an eyebrow slightly. “When you, Official Meng, petitioned His Majesty to abolish next year’s women’s jinshi examination and instead have female students from all regions take the jinshi examination together with men this year, the senior officials naturally believed you were disregarding court protocol and treating the imperial examinations as a trifling matter. Minister Xu merely spoke without thinking in a moment of anger.”

“The women’s jinshi examination…” Meng Tinghui’s voice grew soft. “Since Madam Shen, née Ceng, retired from politics, how many high officials in the two departments have emerged from the women’s jinshi examination over these many years? Women’s schools have been established for over twenty years, but to what end? Though the court offers women’s jinshi examinations, have the female jinshi graduates ever enjoyed the same official ranks and positions as those from the regular examinations? For years, no female official has achieved greatness at court, not because women lack capability, but because circumstances do not permit it. Now that His Majesty has just ascended the throne, my petition for examination reform is for the benefit of both the emperor and the court. How could this be treating the imperial examinations frivolously?”

Cao Jing smiled and said, “Official Meng is correct on all points except one. Do you not consider that you are a graduate of the women’s jinshi examination? How can you say there are no female officials who have achieved greatness in court? With your current rapid advancement, becoming a high official in the two departments is merely a matter of time…”

She could hear the flattery in his words and glanced at him. “His Majesty appointed me as Acting Drafter of Edicts has already made Minister Xu so concerned—how dare I speak presumptuously of high positions in the two departments? What the senior officials care about isn’t examination protocol at all. They simply don’t want women to enjoy the same privileges as regular jinshi graduates, dividing their power while being indebted to me. Haven’t you heard the court’s private accusations that I’m forming a faction? Even you, Cao Jing, are referred to behind your back as being part of the ‘Meng faction.'”

“The Meng faction? That would be good,” Cao Jing snorted softly. “When the Wang Qi case was unresolved, I said that if Official Meng’s assessment proved correct, I would follow your lead in future affairs. Now that you are rapidly rising in rank and possess the merit of quelling rebellion, though the senior officials may be jealous, they cannot criticize you openly. They can only make things difficult for you regarding this examination reform matter.”

After a moment of silence, Meng Tinghui asked him, “Did you come to my residence today merely to tell me what Minister Xu said in the government hall?”

Cao Jing slowly raised his head. He quickly glanced around the hall and, seeing no servants nearby, lowered his voice and said with a serious expression, “Official Meng, you currently oversee personnel matters. Don’t you wish to take this opportunity to cultivate some supporters for yourself?”

She heard him clearly and was startled.

Seeing her silence, he assumed she was tacitly agreeing. His lips curled slightly upward as he continued, “Among the officials of the seventh rank and below in the capital, there are still many who were my examination peers. As long as Official Meng gives the word, they would willingly follow your lead.”

Now she understood.

To rise from a capital official to a court official typically required years of assessment and promotion. Few young people were as fortunate as she had been. Those officials, constrained by old regulations for many years and unable to realize their ambitions, had probably seen how quickly Cao Jing had been promoted after following her advice and was now willing to “follow” her in this manner.

Cao Jing continued, “Among the current rising talents at court, Official Meng holds the highest position and enjoys the most favor from His Majesty. If His Majesty approves this examination reform, it would be natural for female officials from this year’s jinshi examinations to align themselves with you. Add to that the young, talented capital officials willing to associate with you, and who at court would dare underestimate your influence?”

Her hands grew cold as she replied softly, “His Majesty has only just ascended the throne and is not someone bound by old conventions. Wouldn’t he give young court officials opportunities to demonstrate their abilities? Why would I need to build power for myself?”

Cao Jing gave a low laugh. “I cannot fathom His Majesty’s thoughts. I only know that the conservative faction of senior officials cannot be dismantled in a day. The officials from the eastern and western regions who initially formed ranks in the new capital with the Emperor Emeritus and Prince Ping may be old now, but they still cling to the high positions in the two departments. Even if His Majesty has the ambition of a great ruler to enact change, he would find it difficult to counter the combined resistance of these senior officials from both regions. Minister Xu was originally an old official of the Western faction, yet isn’t he also dissatisfied with the examination reform? Without powerful backing, even with His Majesty’s repeated promotions, it would be difficult to stand as equals with senior officials in court politics! If Official Meng wishes to truly enter the inner circle of the two departments in the future, you must rely on the support of the new generation of court officials. Only by having influence comparable to the two old factions can you avoid subordination…”

Though his words bordered on treason, they were entirely reasonable, compelling her to listen.

After a long while, she asked, “You are also a person of great talent and learning. Why must you attach yourself to me? Wouldn’t it be better to wait for His Majesty to promote and employ you directly?”

Cao Jing gave a self-deprecating smile. “Being an official also depends on luck. There are many talented scholars at court besides myself, but who enjoys His Majesty’s favor as much as Official Meng? I am not skilled at discerning imperial intentions and fear I would struggle to gain His Majesty’s recognition. It would be better to follow Official Meng, where I might still have some opportunity to apply my abilities.”

She couldn’t help but smile wryly.

In the end, even he believed that her current high position was inseparable from her skill at “currying favor” with superiors.

Seeing that she still did not respond, he thought for a moment and added, “Official Meng’s heart is with national affairs and the welfare of the people. I saw this when the county people submitted their petitions. But you must understand that without influence at court, how can you truly realize your ambitions? Moreover,” he paused, seeming to find it difficult to continue, then after a moment lowered his voice again and said, “Moreover, Official Meng has attained her current position through His Majesty’s favor. If one day you lose this imperial favor, what will become of you?”

This remark struck directly at her concerns.

She knew that although Cao Jing was skilled in administrative matters, he had no ill intentions. Previously, knowing she was deeply disliked by officials of the eastern faction, he had still come to her aid in her time of need—something she would never forget.

Meng Tinghui looked up at him and asked, “Who are the people you wish to recommend?”

Cao Jing’s face brightened with delight. He quickly took out a folded memorial from his robes, walked over to hand it to her, and said, “They are all listed here. Official Meng can evaluate them individually and recommend those you find suitable.”

Meng Tinghui opened the memorial and skimmed through it, seeing that they were all people with respectable literary reputations. Her expression softened as she nodded to Cao Jing.

Seeing her agreement, Cao Jing smiled and gave her a deep bow before taking his leave.

A servant came in to escort the guest out while she remained seated. The tea on the small table beside her had long gone cold.

Her fingers traced along the edges of the memorial for a while before she let out a soft sigh.

She narrowed her eyes in contemplation, thinking that now she must be considered…

A petty power-seeker.

But having come this far, how could she retreat? Among Cao Jing’s many words, one truth stood out: she could not always rely on His Majesty’s favor and protection to contend with the senior officials.

If she truly wanted to stand by the emperor’s side throughout her life, how could she remain merely a pawn?