As Zhao Hua spoke, the officials in the hall grew timid and dared not speak further.
However, there was an exception among them.
That was Yan Qi, the former "Great Censor" who used to give Xiao Jingheng a headache.
He was upright and uncompromising, yet also extremely conservative and obstinate.
The imperial edict in Zhao Hua's hands contained no fault of his, so he had full confidence to question her,
"Your Majesty claims that there was corruption in the previous dynasty, which can be thoroughly investigated. Those corrupt officials should return their ill-gotten gains to the national treasury. However, this should not be used as a threat to force us officials to accept your control over court affairs.
Since ancient times, men have handled external affairs while women have attended to internal matters. As a lady born into a prestigious household, you should know that even for ordinary women, it is unbecoming for them to appear in public, let alone a woman ruling the state, which would make us the laughingstock of the world."
Yan Qi pressed on relentlessly, almost standing right beneath the high platform, his voice resounding like a great bell:
"State affairs are complicated. This humble official advises Your Majesty to retire to the inner palace and leave governance to the Emperor, so as not to commit a great impropriety."
"Does Sir Yan think that if I retire to the inner palace, the realm will be at peace?" Zhao Hua sternly countered. "If the officials assist in governing and there are achievements, it is your credit. But if there are issues, the Emperor has to take responsibility?"
As she spoke, she walked out from behind the curtain,
standing beside the Dragon Throne.
She spread her sleeves and asked all the officials,
"If you insist on having the officials assist in governing, then we shall choose a Regent King. I will retire to the inner palace and not meddle in state affairs. Before the Emperor comes of age to rule independently, all decisions in court shall be made under the Regent King's guidance. However, if there are any missteps that harm the interests of the Qi Dynasty, the Regent King shall bear the responsibility. I will have his entire clan executed to atone for the crime before the world!"
Yan Qi said solemnly, "Your Majesty threatens with life and death on every matter. Is it because you wield military power that you treat us officials like pieces of meat on a chopping board?"
"Threaten with life and death? Has Sir Yan, having served three dynasties, not realized that the decisions made from this Dragon Throne, with the stroke of a vermilion brush, determine the life and death of countless commoners?"
Zhao Hua stepped down the platform, approaching Yan Qi step by step, and asked forcefully:
"In the present state of affairs, the Southern Barbarians have been invading for years, launching attacks on the borders, taking advantage of the internal turmoil of the Qi Dynasty to try to seize a share of the spoils;
The Jiangnan region suffers from unending floods, leaving the people unsettled;
Yu Province faces droughts and locust plagues. If not handled properly, famine could strike, repeating the tragedy of twenty-six years ago when people resorted to selling their children for food;
Officials high and low collude to line their own pockets, evading taxes, smuggling salt, and the list goes on. Which decisions are more or less important, which should come first or later? A misstep could lead to millions of people being displaced in the best case, or the collapse of the nation in the worst!
You officials insist on governing yourselves, but in reality, you want to remove the Emperor and rule exclusively. Now I want to ask you, if power is not centralized and disasters occur, who will take responsibility?"
Her barrage of questions left the officials in the hall speechless.
Even Yan Qi, who had been so lofty in his rhetoric earlier, was now cowed by Zhao Hua's formidable aura as a powerful woman and could not utter a word in response.
Zhao Hua glared at him fiercely.
"Earlier, Sir Yan spoke so decisively. Now, can you take on that responsibility?"
Seeing Yan Qi lower his head in silence, Zhao Hua turned away and ascended the high platform, standing beside the Dragon Throne. She gently patted Cheng Yu's shoulder and said softly:
"Yu'er, get up now."
Only after Cheng Yu stood up did Zhao Hua point to the empty Dragon Throne and sternly addressed all the officials:
"Now this Dragon Throne is vacant. I give you an opportunity - whoever can turn the tide and restore order, step forward and take this seat!"
The situation had reached an impasse. Who would dare to step forward?
After a moment, the officials simultaneously bowed and said in unison:
"Your Majesty, please be appeased. We are trembling with fear..."
Zhao Hua coldly scanned them and said, "I have given you a chance, but you are unwilling to take it. From now on, if anyone dares to bring up this matter and bother me again, do not blame me for being merciless!"
With that, she took Cheng Yu's hand and helped the child ascend the Dragon Throne once more.
As she turned her back to the officials, the solemn and dignified expression on her face unexpectedly softened into a warm smile towards Cheng Yu.
Then she retreated behind the curtain and sternly announced:
"All officials, rise. If you have matters to report, do so. Otherwise, you are dismissed!"
In fact, the common people had little objection to Zhao Hua governing from behind the curtain.
After all, during the Silkworm Worship Ceremony, Zhao Hua had used ten years' worth of her empress's salary to compensate the farming families for their losses.
In the eyes of the people, she was willing to sacrifice her own interests for the sake of the commoners. In the future, when faced with major issues, she would surely put the interests of the people first.
Moreover, the true commoners were too preoccupied with making a living to care about the power struggles among the rulers.
They only recognized one principle:
Whoever could make their lives better was the most suitable person to wield supreme power.
As for the various foreign tribes, the most powerful were the Hu and Mongol tribes.
These two tribes had pledged allegiance to the Qi Dynasty and openly supported Zhao Hua.
Would the smaller nations dare to cause any trouble at this time?
As long as the conflicts from the previous dynasty were resolved and the mouths of these officials were sealed, Zhao Hua could govern from behind the curtain or remove the veil and appear in front of the court without any more obstructions in the future.
The simplest and most effective way to dispel the officials' outdated prejudices against female rulers was to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys.
That night, Xiao Fuzi brought Zhao Hua a message from the Tianji Office.
"Your Majesty, since the passing of the late Emperor, you have instructed the Tianji Office to monitor which officials strongly opposed your governing from behind the curtain and might attempt to cause unrest. Now the Tianji Office has compiled a list of people who have almost formed a conspiracy and are secretly plotting something."
Zhao Hua glanced indifferently at the list and said disdainfully:
"Look, those who fear me controlling court affairs the most are precisely the ones who have been the most corrupt in recent years. With such scourges in the court, lining their own pockets by abusing their power, how can the people live in peace?"
Xiao Fuzi asked, "Then does Your Majesty want the Tianji Office to continue monitoring them, just in case?"
"No need," Zhao Hua nodded slightly, a brilliant smile curling her lips.
"Since they are so displeased with me, I shall send them on their way. When they are dead, they will no longer see me and won't be troubled anymore."
She raised an eyebrow at Xiao Fuzi, "Don't you agree?"
Xiao Fuzi smiled knowingly and hastily replied, "Your Majesty is so considerate. It will be their good fortune." He continued, "I shall make the arrangements immediately."
