"Ming'er you're back,"Empress Bai asked still maintaining her unflappable nature and not the least bit interested about Wen Mingye's disappearance.
Empress Bai was in her thirties and looked young and beautiful. She was known for making bold wise and sometimes sarcastic remarks. Her strong sense of feminism was evident in the way she carried herself. She detested the emperor and avoided him at all costs by spending all her time in Yuhua Hall with servant girls by her side. Empress Bai wasn't the least bit controlling towards her children,she seemed to understand them and believed everyone was their own person.As a result, so they were left to make their own choices.
"Mother Empress , were you worried about me?"
"Me? Worried about you? You think too highly of yourself,"Empress Bai laughed sarcastically.
"If there is nothing else then Wen Mingye will take his leave,"Wen Mingye bowed.
"Make sure you wash up your clothes reek of alcohol!"Empress Bai commented as Wen Mingye was on his way out. Wen Mingye sniffed his clothes as he walked out.
Princess Wen Xiang followed him.
"Wan Wan,make sure you take some breakfast to him."
"Yes your Majesty."
"Brother why did you drink too much?"Princess Wen Xiang asked in a concerned voice hurrying up to catch up with Wen Mingye whose pace was faster than hers.
"Who said I drank too much?"
"The smell was so strong that Mother Empress could smell it from far away."
"It's not strong . She just has a sensitive nose that's all."
'Maybe she was a dog in her past life,'Wen Mingye joked about such things in his head but didn't dare to say them out loud.
The temperatures were getting warmer and snow started melting as a result. The trees began budding and the flowers began blooming. The days became longer with birds chirping merrily and bees buzzing. The green grass began sprouting and the animals emerged from a hibernation,a vivid sign that it was time to welcome a new vibrant season, Spring. Despite the excitement towards welcoming the spring season,the court was still in chaos with ministers arguing day in day out. The Crown Prince was just about to start his study era in preparation for his future responsibilities. He was allowed to learn a wide range of subjects such as literature,art and political science. At such a time sons from noble families would be invited to be his study buddies at the palace.
A new proposal called gender egalitarianism had just been presented in court. It advocated for the princess to receive formal education as well. Some of the Ministers believed that it was time women became literate as well just like how the Northern Border Dragon Dynasty had allowed women to learn martial arts as well. This proposal had caused a ruckus in court with some agreeing with it and others not.
In Longwei Hall, Emperor Wen sat on an opulent seat , the Dragon Throne, which was made of golden lacquered wood, inlaid with jade and precious stones and was elevated on a dais. He watched the ministers argue for a while and suddenly adjourned the meeting and suggested to hold another meeting to conclude the matter.
Empress Bai was reading a book in Yuhua Hall with Wan Wan massaging her shoulders. Princess Wen Xiang also resided there so it was normal for her to be a common figure there but this time she wasn't there just because she was a common figure. The facial expression written on her face was clear that she was angry about something.
"Why are you sulking?"
"Mother Empress,those old foxes are so narrow-minded. They only want me to learn needlework like a housewife."
"What? Aren't you satisfied with learning needlework only?"
"Needlework is so hectic. Why should we be the only ones to learn needlework? Why can't men learn needlework?"
"Why are you complaining to me? You should go and complain to your father."
"Father Emperor never makes decisions on his own. He only relies on those unscrupulous ministers to make a decision for him."
"Do you know you can be beheaded for bad-mouthing your Father?"Empress Bai spoke in a teasing yet calm manner and smiled slyly.
"Mother Empress, aren't you the one who always bad-mouths Father Emperor? Why is your head still attached to your neck?"
"Silly girl,you want to pick a fight with me?"Empress Bai smiled conceding verbal defeat.
"I dare not,"Princess Wen Xiang bowed suddenly faking a little filial piety in her.
"I know your hot-headed nature . You don't have to pretend in front of me,"Empress Bai spoke sarcastically.