Chapter 24
Then Why Don’t You Try Patrolling the Streets
In terms of status, she was a newly appointed county mistress — and if need be, could even be promoted again. As a woman of the imperial clan, her identity was more than respectable.
In temperament, she was the type to draw her sword when she saw injustice; otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths to investigate the case so diligently.
In capability, she acted decisively when needed — Emperor Jingtai could still vividly recall the scene at the birthday banquet when she smashed an assassin’s head with a brick.
But most importantly — though those former city patrol censors were indeed quite pitiful — people are naturally biased. On one side were nameless officials; on the other were the sons of old comrades. Naturally, Emperor Jingtai leaned toward the latter. This favoritism, however, was precisely why those young nobles had grown more and more arrogant.
Now, with Ying Jiuque standing before him, the Emperor found himself completely biased in her favor instead.
Why? Because she was a good child! Not like those spoiled brats!
Besides, through her, he could quietly gauge whether the capital was truly as his ministers described it. For those in power, suspicion was second nature — they doubted everything around them.
But now he didn’t have to worry — he had an honest and straightforward Ying Jiuque!
“Jiuque ah…”
For some reason, when Ying Jiuque saw the Emperor smiling so kindly at her, a chill ran down her spine. She had a bad feeling about this.
The Emperor’s tone was gentle and sincere.
“Would you be interested in becoming an official?”
“…Huh?”
Whether Ying Jiuque herself wanted to or not, the entire court was already in an uproar!
It had already caused discontent when a woman was allowed to investigate a case — but since she’d solved it within two days and met the Emperor’s expectations, most had grudgingly accepted it.
Still, wasn’t that supposed to be a temporary arrangement? Why was the Emperor now appointing her as a real official — and of the sixth rank, no less?!
Even scholars who placed in the imperial examinations started as sixth-rank officials — how could a mere woman possibly deserve that?!
The Emperor didn’t want to hear their whining, but even after court adjourned, they followed him all the way to the Hall of Nurturing Health, forcing him to listen to their endless complaints.
“Your Majesty! Ying Jiuque is but a mere woman! How could she possibly be qualified to serve as a sixth-rank city patrol censor? This violates court law!”
“Yes, Your Majesty! There are so many capable men in the court. How can an ignorant girl take on such responsibility?”
“This will only chill the hearts of your loyal ministers…”
And on and on they went.
The truth was, court positions were like holes waiting for carrots — each one already spoken for. There were plenty of posts, yes, but just as many people waiting to fill them. Every official had his own protégé or family member waiting in line.
Why should such a prime opportunity go to some green little girl instead of their sons?
She should be sitting quietly at home, waiting to marry, bear children, and manage her household — not competing with men for power!
In short, the entire hall of old and young officials glared with bloodshot eyes, all desperate to shove this woman out of their ranks — and trample her so thoroughly that she’d never rise again.
The Emperor’s head was pounding. With a loud smack of his hand on the imperial desk, the ministers who’d been red-faced from arguing suddenly realized they’d lost their decorum before the throne and hurried to kneel, begging forgiveness.
“Whatever you say, Ying Jiuque solved the Yu Lang case in just two days. Did any of you do better?”
“But she didn’t do it alone!” one official protested. “There were others helping her — and that Wei Yuan fellow — and… and Jiu—”
The moment he said that name, a chill crept up the back of his neck. When he looked up, he met the smiling, “benevolent” gaze of the imperial eunuch Jiu Fu. That kindly smile was downright terrifying. The official forgot what he was about to say.
As soon as one critic fell silent, others stepped up to attack, denouncing Ying Jiuque until she was worth less than dirt.
The Emperor had truly had enough.
“That’s still her ability!”
He had never thought his ministers were narrow-minded, but now it was clear how petty they could be. What good did it do to drag down outstanding women? Shouldn’t they be striving to improve themselves instead?
He said coldly, “Since you all think Ying Jiuque unfit for the post of city patrol censor, then tell me — who is willing to take the job?”
It was only then that a few ministers realized they might have gone too far. They’d only wanted to steal a position for their own family members. But remembering that the last three city patrol censors had all “accidentally” fallen and cracked their heads open this spring… well, no one was eager to volunteer their kin for that death trap.
When everyone fell silent, the Emperor sighed, rubbing his temples as if deeply troubled.
“I’m in a difficult position too. The last patrol censor lost two teeth — said he tripped on the road. I really do wonder, is the road in the capital that dangerous? Three censors in a row, all injured? I’d love to appoint one of your own household members, but most of you are too old now — a few falls could be disastrous. I’m thinking of you, after all…”
The Minister of Revenue twitched his mouth, glancing at the Censor-in-Chief beside him, who looked so moved he nearly fainted from “patriotic emotion.” Truly, His Majesty’s ability to manipulate people had only grown sharper with age.
After such a speech, no one dared argue further — to do so would seem utterly ungrateful.
The Emperor smiled faintly.
“Since you are all so loyal and willing to share my burdens, you’ve saved me some trouble. After all, Jiuque herself doesn’t wish to be a city patrol censor. She’s a delicate girl, fond of her looks — says patrolling the streets would tan her skin. Quite unwilling, really.
“Perfect then — Lord Li, if I recall correctly, your third son just reached adulthood this year and has already passed the provincial exams, yes? Since he hasn’t been appointed yet, why not have him serve as the city patrol censor? Young men need some real experience.”
A fine sheen of sweat broke out on the Minister of Revenue’s forehead.
His third son had been frail since childhood — his grandmother’s darling, spoiled and pampered by the entire family. If the boy were made a patrol censor, the old lady would kill him first!
Besides, the third son was their most promising child — they wanted him to rise through the regular civil exams and enter the prestigious Hanlin Academy, not waste his future on a minor sixth-rank post!
He hadn’t even come today to get his son appointed — he’d just come to watch the show! He couldn’t afford to get dragged into this mess!
“Your Majesty! I am most grateful for your favor, but the boy is unworthy. He recently fell ill and still cannot rise from bed. He would surely fail your Majesty’s expectations — I am guilty for disappointing your grace!”
