Chapter 93

Chapter 93: You Will Always Be Father’s Pride The next morning, Ling Jiayue rose exceptionally early. Today, she would be accompanying Ling Taian to court—the first time in Dayi that a woman had ever attended the imperial court. Naturally, Ling Jiayue did not dare to be careless. She put on the gold-thread soft armor Ling Jiaxuan had given her beneath her clothes, then donned her official uniform over it. Lingxue tied her hair in a man’s style. After checking herself in the mirror and making sure her clothing and headwear were in order, Ling Jiayue went to Madam Liu’s courtyard to pay her respects. She would also be leaving for court with Ling Taian. Ling Jiayue headed toward Madam Liu’s courtyard with Lingxue and Danyun, leaving Lingzhu behind to watch over the courtyard. As soon as Ling Jiayue entered Madam Liu’s courtyard, she saw that Ling Taian had already finished getting ready. Madam Liu was arranging breakfast, and Ling Jiaxuan had come as well. When Madam Liu saw Ling Jiayue arrive, she said, “Yue’er, come have some breakfast. There won’t be anything to eat once you reach court, so don’t let yourself go hungry.” “Yes, Mother,” Ling Jiayue replied. The family gathered around the table for breakfast. Strangely, they were much quieter than usual today. Even Ling Jiaxuan, who was normally so talkative, was unusually taciturn. Before long, they had finished eating. Madam Liu then had the steward matron bring water for rinsing their mouths. Ling Jiayue and the others rinsed their mouths, simply to freshen their breath. “Let’s go.” Ling Taian spoke to Ling Jiayue and began walking outside. Ling Jiayue bowed to Madam Liu, then followed Ling Taian. The sky was not yet fully light. Since the imperial palace was some distance from the Ling Residence, Ling Jiayue and Ling Taian first had to take a carriage to the Dismounting Stele, then walk the rest of the way to court. When Ling Taian and Ling Jiayue reached the main gate of the Ling Residence, the carriage used for going to court was already waiting. Ling Taian boarded first, and Ling Jiayue followed close behind. Once the coachman saw that both masters were aboard, he set off toward the imperial palace, the carriage creaking and groaning as it went. Perhaps because they had risen too early, Ling Taian seemed somewhat tired. He leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes for a brief rest. Seeing that Ling Taian was not treating her as he usually did, Ling Jiayue felt somewhat alarmed and asked, “Father, I became a First-Rank County Lady without your permission this time. Are you angry with me?” Only then did Ling Taian open his tightly closed eyes. “Yue’er, you needn’t worry that Father will be angry. Whatever you wish to do, Father will always be your strongest support.” Ling Jiayue felt somewhat reassured, but asked again, “Father, I thought you were angry because you wouldn’t speak to me.” “Father is worried about you. You’re a perfectly good girl, yet you insist on involving yourself in this treacherous imperial court. Our family isn’t lacking one more daughter in government service. I’m afraid the schemes and struggles of court politics will only hurt you. Wouldn’t that make your mother and me worry?” “Father, don’t worry. Don’t I have you? Besides, I absolutely won’t put myself in danger. As long as you aren’t angry with me, that’s all that matters.” Ling Jiayue was touched by Ling Taian’s tolerance. Now that she felt reassured, she instead began comforting him. As she spoke, her official cap had shifted slightly askew. Ling Taian reached out and straightened it for her, saying, “How could Father be angry with you? You will always be Father’s pride.” “Father, you’re the best.” Ling Jiayue hugged Ling Taian’s arm and acted coquettishly. Ling Taian gazed at Ling Jiayue affectionately. “You should rest for a while too.” The father and daughter leaned against the carriage wall and closed their eyes to rest. Amid the carriage’s creaking and swaying, they soon arrived at the Dismounting Stele. “Master, Miss, we’ve arrived at the Dismounting Stele.” The coachman stopped the carriage and respectfully addressed Ling Jiayue and Ling Taian. “Father, let’s get down. We’ve arrived at the Dismounting Stele, so we have to walk from here,” Ling Jiayue said. “All right. Let’s get down and walk in together.” Ling Taian straightened his clothing and headwear, then led Ling Jiayue out of the carriage. Only after getting down did Ling Taian and Ling Jiayue discover that the officials going to court had gathered at the Dismounting Stele. It seemed the appointed time had not yet arrived, so all the officials were waiting there. Once the time came, they would enter the imperial palace for court. When the officials saw Ling Jiayue and Ling Taian arrive, they all turned to look at them. Ling Taian and Ling Jiayue remained entirely composed, neither avoiding nor shrinking from the crowd’s curious gazes. With easy dignity, Ling Taian led Ling Jiayue in saluting the officials. “Your humble daughter, Ling Jiayue, pays her respects to all the lords,” Ling Jiayue said. The officials hurriedly returned the salute. “You’re too courteous, too courteous. Lord Ling, please accept our respects.” At that moment, Censor Wei spoke from the side in a mocking tone. “The women of Dayi have always observed the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. There has never been a precedent for a woman to serve as an official. How is it that Miss Ling has taken it upon herself to act like a hen crowing at dawn?” As soon as Censor Wei finished speaking, faint, scattered laughter rose from the surrounding officials. In their understanding, women had never before held office. Ling Jiayue was the first. These officials assumed that Ling Jiayue had obtained her position solely through a single piece of calligraphy and her beautiful appearance. They looked down on her in their hearts, but out of consideration for Ling Taian, they had no choice but to put on a polite front. Now that someone had come forward to question and ridicule Ling Jiayue, they were content simply to watch the spectacle. Ling Taian was naturally furious upon hearing Censor Wei slander his daughter. However, for the sake of appearances, he could not openly quarrel with Censor Wei. If the two of them started arguing, who knew what kind of joke it would become? Ling Taian could only glare angrily at Censor Wei. Ling Jiayue raised her eyes when she heard those words, and understanding dawned on her. So it was an old acquaintance. Censor Wei’s wife had previously lost an Exquisite Box to her, while Censor Wei’s daughter had been kicked by a horse and suffered broken ribs. His wife and daughter had lost all face at the peach-blossom banquet. Naturally, seeing Ling Jiayue so triumphant, Censor Wei had to make a few mocking remarks. Ling Jiayue, however, was not the sort of person who would quietly accept a loss. She replied, “I heard long ago that Censor Wei’s family is so strictly governed. That must be why Censor Wei’s Wife and Miss Wei are such paragons of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. This is my first time serving as an official, so I’ll have to trouble Your Excellency to offer me plenty of guidance.” Censor Wei was so infuriated that he could not speak for quite some time. Finally, he flung his sleeve and snapped, “What an ill-bred creature!” Even though Ling Taian was the most mild-tempered of prime ministers, he could not tolerate Censor Wei insulting his daughter like this. He glared furiously at Censor Wei and said, “I must ask Censor Wei to mind his words and conduct himself with caution. Yue’er is my daughter, Ling Taian’s. She was raised and taught properly from birth, and your words are utterly undeserved.” Censor Wei let out a cold humph and said no more. Ling Taian, however, solemnly cupped his fists toward the assembled officials. “My daughter, Ling Jiayue, is serving as an official for the first time. If there are any ways in which she falls short, I ask all my fellow colleagues to be understanding. And as for the Three Obediences and Four Virtues—regardless of what anyone says, Yue’er will always be my pride.”