Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

Chapter 227 Concubine Wen declares war

What Concubine Wen didn't understand was that abolishing the official prison for women was something that Emperor Shenwu had been planning for a long time and was bound to do. No matter how much she, a concubine in the harem, tried, it would be in vain.

If it was just to go against him and make himself uncomfortable for a few days, Lan Qingwu thought, then there was really no need to do so.

The previous dynasty argued about the woman being imprisoned for half a month, and Emperor Shenwu finally made the final decision.

Standing atop the solemn and majestic throne room, he spoke these words: "What is law? What is law? Law is a set of rules that must be followed, and law is a set of punishments that serve as a warning to the world! It is clear that laws are made for the people of the world. When a set of rules no longer applies to the people, and its disadvantages outweigh its benefits, then it is time to change the law!"

"Order the Minister of Justice and Imperial City Governor Lin Suzhi to revise the regulations for women's official prisons in accordance with Dasheng law. These regulations must be rigorously reviewed three times, each lasting one month, until they are perfected!"

The Dali Temple Minister and Lin Suzhi knelt down to express their gratitude: "Your Majesty, I obey your order!"

Emperor Shenwu sat back on the dragon throne, as if he had just remembered: "Oh, by the way, those manuscripts on the research of cities, towns, and villages were compiled by Lord Lan?"

Lan Shuren bowed and stepped out of the group. "Yes, Your Majesty! Whenever I and your mentor arrive at a place, we ask the local people what they think about the women's prison. These are the people's true thoughts."

Emperor Shenwu nodded and said, "The court is currently in need of such hard-working officials! You, the top scholar, can't just sit there idle forever! This time, you, the Hanlin compiler, will work with Lin Suzhi and the others to revise the laws!"

Lan Shuren hurriedly accepted the order and thanked him. He understood that this was an opportunity bestowed upon him by the Emperor, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the great cause of the ages. Perfecting the laws of Dasheng and compiling them into a codified code would be recorded in history. The Emperor was about to place him in a high position! As long as he firmly grasped this opportunity, then… Lan Shuren glanced veiledly at his Grand Master. Sooner or later, he would bring him down. This wasn't just a political disagreement; a deep-seated feud separated them.

Emperor Shenwu also appointed several editors from the Hanlin Academy to assist them. From then on, the controversial issue of women's official prisons finally came to an end.

In the hundreds of years after this revision of the Da Sheng laws, Da Sheng has been gradually relaxing the laws towards women. During the reign of the next emperor, women were allowed to divorce, to live independently, and to do business... This had a profound impact on women and the world.

In Wenhua Palace, Concubine Wen's face looked very ugly when she heard the news, and the two senior palace maids Caiyun and Caixia behind her didn't even dare to breathe.

After a moment, Concubine Wen stood up, a cold look in her eyes and brows: "Let's go! Let's go to Suowu Palace and see. Concubine Yi survived the disaster, and I haven't had time to congratulate her yet!"

Concubine Wen rushed straight into the Suowu Palace. Lan Qingwu was slightly surprised when she heard the panicked reply from the palace servants: "Then please go to the main hall!"

In the main hall of Suowu Palace, Lan Qingwu arrived late. Concubine Wen did not stand up, but only smiled lightly: "I didn't expect that Concubine Yi, who is favored the most in the six palaces, is so frugal and keeps her own palace so simple."

"Since Concubine Wen has come so suddenly, I'm not so tidy, so I'll have to make you wait a little longer."

Concubine Wen put down her teacup and asked curiously, "Do you know? Ever since the rumors about the empress's coronation that year, the former court and the harem have been setting their sights on us high-ranking concubines. Now Concubine Wan is no longer a force to be reckoned with, Concubine Chen is trapped in her own web, and Concubine Jiang has been a good person in the palace for so many years, but that's all she has. So, the only one who can soar to the top is you and me."

Lan Qingwu cast a clear and cool gaze towards Concubine Wen: "This isn't something you and I can decide, right?"

Concubine Wen shook her head. "The Shi family is the most prominent among the civil officials. I have been well-versed in poetry and literature, etiquette and rules, and scheming and strategy since I was a child. I have always been respected in the harem. Someone who sits in that position is not something that ordinary people can control. I am telling you this as a declaration of war. I will not give up, whether it is favor or that position!"

Lan Qingwu couldn't help but be slightly stunned. The strong family backing gave Shi Qingluan strong confidence and courage. It seemed that next, this Concubine Wen would really start to do something. But I don't know what Emperor Shenwu would do?

Concubine Wen continued, "Did you really stay at Huangjue Temple to pray the entire time you went to Miaoling Palace to escape the summer heat? I've been to Huangjue Temple several times, but I didn't see any sign of you!"

Lan Qingwu's heart trembled. "If I'm not in Huangjue Temple, where else could I be? Or where do you think I should be, Concubine Wen?"

She had a vague suspicion in her heart that if this was true, then Concubine Wen was indeed a hidden talent. She had expected someone to fan the flames, but she had never imagined it would be her.

Concubine Wen smiled. "I was just saying it casually! You really shouldn't have interfered with this revision of the women's prison regulations. Do you know how many people's interests are affected by this? How many families are affected by this?"

Lan Qingwu was amused by these "heartfelt" words: "As you said, the sacrifice and fate of these women should be used to benefit the interests and wealth of certain people? Then those people don't need to exist! They actually seek the way to survive from weak women and children!"

"Furthermore, Your Majesty and the majority of the court officials believe that the women's prison should be abolished. They should be able to foresee and bear all the consequences and effects in advance. Concubine Wen, I only have one point to make: as a woman, do you really have to devour the bone marrow and blood of other women? On this point, I believe we will never reach a consensus, because our positions have always been different!"

Concubine Wen couldn't help but sneer, "That's right! Nowadays, Concubine Yi can leave the palace whenever she wants and return whenever she wants. It's perfectly normal for you to put those orphaned children before the major families."

Concubine Wen stood up and squinted at Lan Qingwu: "His Majesty dotes on you so much. If one day he makes someone else the empress, then - what will you do?"

Concubine Wen leisurely left Suowu Palace.

Ru Ping said worriedly, "My lord, Concubine Wen has not been idle these days. She has won over many concubines in the palace, and these people are now led by her. And Concubine Jiang is now... only taking care of her own affairs." This gave everyone the illusion that the six palaces were about to be controlled by Concubine Wen.

Lan Qingwu frowned slightly: "Struggling for power and winning people's hearts is indeed not what I am good at, but sometimes, just having someone standing behind you is enough."

Ru Ping hesitated and said, "Is it... Your Majesty?"

Lan Qingwu shook his head slightly: "Sometimes men can't manage the affairs of a group of women. Later, ask Ruyan to take my invitation to De'an Palace."

"De...An Palace?"

"Yes! I'm going to visit Concubine Jiang tomorrow!"

It's not like Concubine Wen is the only one who can go to other people's palaces. If necessary, she, Lan Qingwu, can also go.

On the second day, Lan Qingwu went to De'an Palace as promised.

Concubine Jiang was waiting for him in the main hall of De'an Palace. After the two of them exchanged greetings, they sat down according to their place of honor.

Concubine Jiang only invited Lan Qingwu to have some tea. After Lan Qingwu took two sips, he put down the teacup in his hand and said, "Madam Jiang, why don't you ask me why I came here?"