Chapter 119: Breaking the Deadlock in the Council Chamber, A New Path to Counterattack Unfolds

Chapter 119: Breaking the Deadlock in the Council Chamber, A New Path to Counterattack Unfolds

Within the council chamber, the scent of sandalwood drifted gently through the air, yet the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy.

Lin Shiya stepped inside, her eyes sweeping across the room. Familiar faces greeted her—Deputy Minister Liu Li, the venerable Scholar Chen, Censor Li, and several ministers she had never met before.

Their gazes flickered over her like searchlights, making her feel as if sharp needles pricked her back.

“Top Scholar Lin, do you know why you have been summoned here?” Scholar Chen was the first to speak, his tone tinged with displeasure.

Lin Shiya understood perfectly well: this council chamber was to be the battlefield for her new trial.

She bowed slightly, her voice respectful. “I do not know, sir. I humbly ask for your guidance.”

“Hmph, guidance?” The challenger Wang sneered coldly, drawing a sheet of paper from his sleeve. “Your answers in the Wen Yuan Pavilion echo every word the authorities want to hear. Are you trying to curry favor with the examiners to gain undue advantage?” He slammed the paper onto the table; it scraped across the polished surface with a piercing sound, like thunder crashing in the silent chamber.

Strategist Zhao quickly chimed in, “Indeed, Top Scholar Lin’s responses appear profound but are actually hollow—mere ornate words without substance or genuine talent.” His words were sharp, hitting Lin Shiya’s core.

The ministers began whispering among themselves, casting doubtful glances at Lin Shiya.

A chill surged from her feet to her head, as if she had fallen into a carefully laid trap.

She inhaled deeply, striving to maintain composure. Her eyes scanned the assembly before settling on Wang’s face. A faint, inscrutable smile curved her lips.

“Lord Wang, your accusation is mistaken,” Lin Shiya’s clear, strong voice resonated through the chamber. “All my answers come from my heart; how can you claim I am flattering anyone?” She paused, then turned her gaze to Strategist Zhao. “As for your remark about ‘empty embellishments,’ I must respectfully disagree. Would you care to point out which of my words are hollow, or which arguments lack true merit?”

Zhao’s face stiffened. He had intended to discredit her but had not anticipated such a bold counter.

He stammered, momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Wang hurried forward to defend, “Top Scholar Lin, your eloquence twists the truth. Are you trying to pass through deceit?”

“Deceit?” Lin Shiya sneered coldly. “Lord Wang, you have not specified where I ‘twist the truth’ or where I ‘speak cleverly,’ yet you leap to judgment so rashly. Is it because you feel guilty?”

Wang’s face flushed crimson, his eyes blazing with fury. “You…”

“Enough!” Suddenly, Censor Li, who had remained silent, spoke with a piercing gaze, sweeping over the assembly. “This matter requires careful investigation; we must not jump to conclusions.” He turned to Lin Shiya. “Top Scholar Lin, you may withdraw and await summons.”

Lin Shiya bowed slightly and turned to leave.

At the doorway, she paused and looked back. “Esteemed lords, the truth will eventually emerge. I shall await it with patience.” Her voice was calm and resolute, tinged with an imperceptible chill.

Stepping out of the chamber, Lin Shiya took a deep breath. The cold air filled her lungs, clearing the fog in her mind.

Instead of returning directly to her residence, she turned toward the imperial garden. She needed a quiet place to contemplate her next move.

Inside the council chamber, Lin Shiya’s strategic display of humility left Wang and Zhao, who had been confident moments before, drenched in a cold shower.

Their carefully planned attack had fallen on soft cotton, powerless and ineffective.

“Esteemed lords, perhaps there are deficiencies in my answers,” Lin Shiya spoke sincerely, a hint of self-reflection in her brows. “But may I ask, is there any answer in this world that is flawless?”

The ministers exchanged glances, momentarily silenced.

Scholar Chen stroked his beard thoughtfully, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes.

Even the usually aggressive Wang was stunned; he had not expected Lin Shiya to admit her shortcomings so candidly.

She paused, her voice growing firmer. “The imperial examinations must value fairness above all and embrace diversity in talent selection. My answers may not be perfect, but they reveal my unique insights and thought processes. Is this not the original intention of the examination system?”

Her eyes scanned the room, burning with intensity. “You, learned lords, surely understand the saying, ‘To believe everything written is worse than having no books at all.’ Rigid adherence to convention stifles innovation and hinders progress. Today, you accuse me of ‘catering to authority’ and using ‘empty rhetoric’—are you not afraid of chilling the spirits of scholars throughout the realm?”

Her words struck like thunder, echoing through the chamber.

The ministers murmured among themselves, reassessing Lin Shiya with newfound respect and admiration.

Scholar Chen considered for a moment, then spoke slowly: “Top Scholar Lin makes a valid point. The imperial examinations should not be bound by formality but focus on substance.”

Deputy Minister Liu nodded in agreement. “Though her answers deviate from convention, Top Scholar Lin demonstrates remarkable talent and insight.”

Seeing the tide turn, Wang’s face darkened like iron. He glared fiercely at Zhao and hissed, “Good-for-nothing!” Zhao turned pale, drenched in sweat, unable to conjure any rebuttal.

A faint, barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of Lin Shiya’s lips.

She knew she had successfully navigated this crisis.

Censor Li cleared his throat. “Further investigation is necessary. Top Scholar Lin, please return and await further notice.”

Lin Shiya bowed lightly and began to leave. At the door, she halted and turned back briefly.

“Esteemed lords, I trust justice will prevail in the hearts of the people.” With that, she left, leaving the ministers exchanging silent glances.

Scholar Chen watched her retreating figure, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “This young woman is no ordinary person…”

After Lin Shiya’s departure, the elder ministers remained uneasy.

One white-haired elder snorted heavily. “A mere greenhorn, yet so arrogant! Our dynasty has always valued seniority. How dare she belittle it so!”

Another elder agreed. “Indeed! We have toiled for decades to earn even a modest post. That she, so young, dreams of rising in a single leap is sheer folly!” He slammed his teacup down, splashing tea across the polished table, mirroring his turbulent emotions.

“Esteemed lords, I must respectfully disagree,” Lin Shiya’s clear voice rang out as she returned to the chamber, unwavering.

She walked steadily to the center, standing tall, eyes blazing like a general about to lead an army.

“Seniority is important, but it is not the sole measure of talent,” she declared firmly. “Throughout history, many heroes have risen young, achieving great deeds for their nations. Shall we dismiss their achievements solely because of their age?”

“Jiang Ziya met King Wen at eighty and was appointed prime minister, ultimately helping to overthrow the Shang dynasty and establish a lasting legacy,” Lin Shiya continued with conviction. “Gan Luo became Qin’s chancellor at twelve and negotiated the cession of five cities from Zhao without a single soldier. Were their successes due merely to seniority?”

She paused, eyes sharp as they swept the assembly. “Learned lords, do you not understand the truth that ‘circumstances create heroes’? Our dynasty, now in disarray, urgently needs fresh blood and bold talents willing to break tradition. Will you let rigid conservatism cause us to miss this opportunity?”

The elders were struck silent by her fervor, exchanging uncertain glances.

Scholar Chen stroked his beard again, finally saying, “Top Scholar Lin makes a compelling argument. While we must respect seniority, we should not be so rigid as to bury talent.”

Deputy Minister Liu nodded. “She is young and talented; we should give her more opportunities to showcase her abilities.”

Lin Shiya smiled slightly and bowed. “Thank you, esteemed lords, for your understanding.”

Censor Li regarded her closely.

Lin Shiya bowed once more. “I am deeply humbled.”

“Very well, that will be all for today,” Censor Li announced. “Top Scholar Lin, you may leave.”

Lin Shiya bowed again and turned to go.

At the doorway, she paused once more, not looking back, but calmly stating, “Tomorrow at noon, the Wen Yuan Pavilion.”

In the imperial garden, dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves.

Lin Shiya wandered among the blossoms, a gentle breeze brushing her cheeks and carrying floral scents that eased her tense nerves.

She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, savoring this rare tranquility.

At this moment, she thought of Murong Fu, the man who silently supported her from behind.

Remembering his warm smile and encouraging words, a surge of warmth flooded her heart.

She knew that no matter what hardships lay ahead, she was not alone in this struggle.

Back at her residence, Lin Shiya bathed and changed into a simple yet elegant gown.

Seated by the window, she gazed at the setting sun, her mind awash with thoughts.

Today’s confrontation in the council chamber had deepened her understanding of the court’s complexity and dangers.

Yet she did not retreat; instead, her resolve only strengthened.

She was determined to uncover the truth behind her family’s injustice, to fight for women’s rights, and to carve out her own place in this turbulent era.

Night fell, and the residence glowed warmly with lights.

Lin Shiya was reading in her study when suddenly, a shadow silently appeared behind her.

“Miss, someone from the palace has arrived. The emperor summons you,” the maid’s low, urgent voice carried a subtle tension.

Lin Shiya’s heart skipped a beat; the emperor’s summons was unexpected.

She set down her book and rose, following the maid to the front hall.

There stood a man dressed as a eunuch, holding a bright yellow imperial edict.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees...” The eunuch’s sharp, high-pitched voice pierced the quiet night.

Lin Shiya knelt to receive the edict, her heart filled with questions.

The decree was simple: she was to appear at the Wen Yuan Pavilion tomorrow at noon.

The Wen Yuan Pavilion housed the imperial archives and was where the emperor handled state affairs.

Why summon her at this hour?

Could it be related to today’s events in the council chamber?

After the eunuch left, Lin Shiya returned to her study, but her heart remained restless.

She sensed this summons was no ordinary matter.

A vague unease crept over her.

She approached the window, opened it, and gazed into the dark night, drawing a deep breath.

The night breeze brought a slight chill but could not dispel her inner turmoil.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed past outside the window, swift as lightning.

Startled, Lin Shiya turned to look but saw nothing.

Was her vision playing tricks on her?

She peered out again, noticing a note had appeared on the windowsill.

She picked it up, unfolding it to read the few words inscribed: “Be careful, this is the final test.”

The final test?

What could it mean?

Confusion and unease filled her heart.

Clutching the note tightly, her fingers pale with tension.

Who was secretly aiding her?

And what was this so-called “final test”?