Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court-Chapter 333: Men Plow, Women Weave

Xu Yanmiao spent the entire night carefully examining the scroll over and over again, studying it intently. He was mostly certain that there was no deception involved.

The next day was a rest day, and Xu Yanmiao stayed home and rested well for the entire day. On the third day, when he attended court, he stepped forward in front of everyone and said, “Your Majesty, this official has a memorial to present.”

The old emperor teased him, “Now that’s rare. Go on, what do you want to present?”

Xu Yanmiao gave a slight bow and took out the scroll. “Your Majesty, women from the capital—Madam Huang Xiangniang, Madam Lin Jinlan, Madam Tang Chagu, Madam Chen Sanniang, and others—have devised a tool that can increase the amount of cotton fabric that can be woven.”

“Oh?”

The old emperor was very pleased.

Although he had not yet looked at the scroll, he already gave his approval: “Not bad. Men plow, women weave—these ladies have done well in their duties. This is very good. They should be commended and held up as models for the empire.”

Then he glared at his two daughters with a “hate iron for not becoming steel” kind of look.

Look at that! Other families’ daughters are so sensible! And you two? Always neglecting your proper duties!

The two princesses expertly stared at their noses, noses at their hearts, fully embodying the attitude of You say what you want; I’ll do what I want.

After venting a little, the old emperor opened the scroll, and his eyes lit up: “This is… an improved roller machine?”

The roller machine was one of the tools used in cotton textile production, designed for ginning. The current model only needed one person to operate and was already very efficient—it could gin a hundred catties of cotton per day.

However, the roller machine shown on the scroll was different from the current version—it had wheels attached to one end.

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The structure and operating method hadn’t changed, but with wheels added, it became more maneuverable.

“Not bad, not bad—quite a clever idea. Ministry of Works, make a prototype of this and see if it’s better than the current one.”

Minister of Works Yuan Zheng cupped his hands in reply: “As you command.”

The old emperor glanced at Xu Yanmiao, who was still standing outside the official ranks, and smiled, “Beloved subject, you’ve rendered merit by presenting this new roller machine today. Once the Ministry of Works verifies its effectiveness, how about I transfer you to the position of Director in your bureau?”

Xu Yanmiao cupped his hands again: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Lian Hang was both happy for his friend and a little disappointed.

Now that Xu Lang was getting promoted, they would no longer be able to stand side by side.

But he had long foreseen this. After all, how could it be possible for him to be promoted every time Xu Lang got promoted too? That would be far too obvious. Besides, he didn’t want to keep relying on Xu Yanmiao either—he had his own aspirations and ideals.

Xu Lang…

Lian Hang silently cupped his hands.

May your future be as brilliant as brocade, and may you rise step by step.

Xu Yanmiao waited for a few breaths.

[Eh? That’s it? No more?]

The old emperor couldn’t help but laugh.

This cheeky lad still wanted a reward? Fine, then let’s reward him…

Before the emperor could decide on what to reward, Xu Yanmiao stepped forward and carefully chose his words: “Your Majesty, those ladies are devoted to the country. As soon as they improved the roller machine, they entrusted me to present it to Your Majesty. Their loyalty and integrity are truly commendable!”

The court fell silent for a moment. Then, many of the lower-ranking officials showed expressions of surprise and envy.

According to past conventions, at most, these women would be casually rewarded with some money and that would be the end of it. It had always been like that throughout the dynasties—who even remembers the first person who made paper? Who still knows who invented the curved-shaft plow? The inventions or improvements made by craftsmen were usually credited to their superiors, and the few whose names were remembered were either already famous or held official titles, which allowed them to be mentioned in the historical records.

But Xu Yanmiao’s current stance clearly meant he wanted to seek official merit for a few reformed courtesans!

How admirable! If only their own superiors were like that.

The old emperor said, “Naturally, they must be rewarded.”

Xu Yanmiao was delighted: [Yes! Awesome!]

The old emperor asked seriously, “Then what kind of reward do you think is appropriate? Gold, silver, jewels? Silks and brocades?”

Xu Yanmiao looked like he wanted to speak but held back.

[Just a bit of money? That’s all?]

The emperor wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he smiled slightly and asked as if amused, “What, do you want Me to grant them official titles?”

Xu Yanmiao blinked and was just about to nod. “This subject thinks—”

Suddenly, a voice cut in, laced with reprimand: “How bold of you, boy!”

Xu Yanmiao turned his head and, seeing who it was, was surprised: “Director Liang?”

Liang Rui’s frown was so deep it etched wrinkles into his forehead. He looked extremely displeased. “You snot-nosed brat, how dare you speak such nonsense about granting official posts to women! Don’t you know that throughout history, such contributions have only ever been rewarded with wealth?”

Xu Yanmiao blinked again, but before he could speak, Liang Rui continued:

“Do you know of the gunpowder formula? That thing was of immense importance, yet the one who presented it was merely given some clothing and bundles of cloth.”

“The person who brought forth the design of the naval warship? Only rewarded with strings of copper coins.”

“The one who introduced the eight-wheeled transport ship? Merely praised by the emperor.”

“For you to go so far as to request official titles for women—how utterly absurd!”

His words fell like a torrential storm on banana leaves—fast and overwhelming, leaving no room to interrupt.

Liang Rui barked, “Why haven’t you admitted your guilt yet?!”

Xu Yanmiao was momentarily stunned.

Lian Hang grew so anxious he wanted to stomp his feet.

Xu Lang, don’t just stand there blankly! Admit guilt, quick! Director Liang is trying to shield you from crossing the emperor’s bottom line! Some thoughts, it’s fine to hold them privately—the emperor may be annoyed, but he’ll let it pass. But saying it outright in court? That’s a whole different matter!

Xu Yanmiao looked at Liang Rui, then at the emperor.

The old emperor’s pitch-black eyes were also watching him.

Xu Yanmiao fell silent for a moment, then turned to look at Liang Rui and cupped his hands in salute. “Director Liang, please don’t be hasty. I hadn’t even spoken yet—why accuse me so quickly? I was actually going to say that granting an official post is indeed too much. However, those women are weak and have no family foundation—money alone won’t solve their hardships. So I shamelessly ask His Majesty to bestow a few residences upon them, as a sign of imperial grace.”

After a pause, Xu Yanmiao added, “Still, I thank Director Liang for his kind intentions.”

Liang Rui realized that Xu Yanmiao had understood his meaning. He smiled and cupped his hands in return. “No need to thank me.”

Then he added a formal remark to wrap it up: “It was I who was too narrow-minded.”

The emperor also smiled. “Lord Liang, you were a bit too hasty. One mustn’t be so rash when handling matters in court.”

Liang Rui bowed. “This minister accepts Your Majesty’s instruction.”

The emperor then turned to Xu Yanmiao, his tone calm but firm. “It’s good that you didn’t wish for them to be granted official posts. You must understand—men go out, women stay in; men plow, women weave. For women, textile work is their duty. If they were to become officials, it would be neglecting their proper roles.”

Xu Yanmiao gave a slight bow. “This subject understands.”

Seeing Xu Yanmiao like this, the old emperor’s heart softened a little.

Was I too harsh with him just now?

He started, “Actually…”

[But if that’s the case, won’t that memorial from the magistrate of Changli County be for nothing?]

[What a pity… A talented woman skilled in astronomy emerged in Changli County, and the magistrate went to great lengths to recommend her. But from how the emperor sounds, it’s likely he’ll reject it.]

[Then again… even without this issue, who knows whether the emperor would have accepted it anyway.]

The old emperor: “…”

[Right, that memorial is still sitting under the pile at my elbow. The next one I read should be it, right?]

The emperor looked down at the stack of memorials under his arm. After a moment of silence, he picked up a pair of grasshopper-leg reading glasses he rarely used and set them on the bridge of his nose.

Then, he opened the memorial.

Sure enough, it detailed how a woman in Changli County was highly skilled in astronomy, describing her talents in great detail. Then, quite directly, it said: Didn’t Your Majesty want to recalculate the calendar? This subject believes this woman has the talent for the job.

Usually, the emperor read memorials with brisk efficiency. But with this one, he suddenly seemed to age—reading it slowly, page by page.

[Huh? He’s already started reading it, so why hasn’t he let me step back into line? Is he making me stand here as punishment?]

[Ugh, so this is what they mean by “accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger”!]

Lian Hang wiped the sweat from his brow.

He couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: No—you’re the real tiger here.

Can’t you see the emperor has been backed into a corner by his own words? He wants this talent, but he also doesn’t want to contradict himself. Xu Lang! This is your cue to give the emperor a way out!

But clearly, Xu Yanmiao wasn’t going to do that.

So Liang Rui quietly stepped forward and, crossing a boundary, asked, “Your Majesty, is there some difficulty in the memorial?”

[No, there’s a lady.]

Xu Yanmiao threw in a bit of cold humor.

—“Lady” (nǚ shì) refers to a woman who possesses the conduct of a gentleman. In the Great Xia dynasty, that was the understood meaning.

The old emperor’s forehead twitched with a popping vein.

A “lady,” huh? It’s been three years and you still don’t know how to give your emperor a way out? What use are you to me! I might as well take the lady instead!

Then, taking the opportunity Liang Rui handed him, he smoothly backed down: “It’s not exactly a difficult matter. It’s just that upon seeing someone so skilled in astronomy, I couldn’t help but take a closer look.”

He signaled the head eunuch to pass the memorial to Liang Rui.

After reading it, Liang Rui gave a formal, upright bow and said, “Your Majesty, since this woman possesses such talent, why not promote her outside the usual ranks and summon her to an official post?”

The old emperor looked displeased.

“I just said women shouldn’t hold office—do you mean for me to go back on my word?”

Liang Rui bowed again and said solemnly, “This minister knows a ruler does not speak lightly, and is well aware of Your Majesty’s intentions. You were born during chaotic times, rose from humble beginnings, unified the realm, and spread virtue across the land. Every word and deed must carry concern for the nation’s well-being. But for a woman to hold office would blur the separation between inner and outer roles, disturb the balance of yin and yang—such things only a sage king could stabilize.”

“Yet Your Majesty’s heart is broad and benevolent—you are a ruler like Yao or Shun. As the sages said: a ruler must bear the disgrace of the state. Your Majesty’s merit will be celebrated for a thousand generations, and your kindness remembered for all time.”

“It is we petty men who are useless, unable to shoulder the burden for our sovereign, forcing Your Majesty to sully your golden words.”

“This minister knows Your Majesty is deeply concerned for the people’s suffering. I humbly and boldly ask that Your Majesty summon this talented woman to court, to revise the calendar. It would be a blessing for the nation.”

The old emperor nearly bared his gums from gritting his teeth. He gave Xu Yanmiao a sharp glance.

See? See?! That’s what a loyal and capable minister looks like! Learn from him!

[Wow! Such a smooth talker! Director Liang is amazing!]

Little Bai Ze looked on with eyes full of admiration—but showed absolutely no intention of learning how to do the same.

The old emperor looked away, disheartened.

Better to look at his ministers who actually knew how to help him save face.

“Since Lord Liang speaks thus, then let this person be summoned to court,” he said.

The old emperor thought for a moment. Originally, he wanted to send her to the Palace Bureau of Internal Affairs. But considering this calendar correction issue—a lingering mess from the previous dynasty had left Great Xia using an inaccurate calendar for decades, with even the date of the spring equinox being incorrect—what they really needed now was to fix the calendar…

“Let her enter the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, then.”

The court bowed together: “Your Majesty is benevolent…”

[Yo yo yo~]

As Xu Yanmiao bowed, he couldn’t help mocking the emperor in his mind: [‘Men plow, women weave~’ ‘Women’s duty is in spinning and weaving~’ ‘If they become officials, they’re neglecting their proper roles~’]

The officials were drenched in cold sweat. A few old ministers even threw out their backs in the process.

The old emperor’s face went black.

Xu Yanmiao, if you don’t speak, no one will assume you’re mute!