Xiao Yunzhou made a mental note of the fifty chapters of the "Chasing Wife to the Crematorium" story that his daughter had silently read today.
[Oh, the novel is so good! But why can I only read fifty chapters today?] Xiao Chuchu grumbled dissatisfied, [How annoying, the system says I'm under eighteen, so I can only read fifty chapters a day.]
[And I can only start reading at two in the afternoon. They say the morning is the best time of the day, but I can't read in the morning or at night. This is so frustrating.]
Xiao Chuchu never imagined that in modern times, not only were there restrictions on playing games, but even reading novels had time limits after transmigrating.
As she complained, Xiao Yunzhou's eyes gradually lit up, remembering the time his daughter read novels every day.
...
When the top scholar Zheng Qiru came to the study to have an audience with Emperor Xiao Yunzhou, he found him coaxing his daughter to sleep.
"You're here?" Xiao Yunzhou quickly stood up, walked to the desk, and pushed the outline of the fifty chapters he had written down towards Zheng Qiru.
"Write a story for me."
Zheng Qiru was taken aback but respectfully accepted the paper.
However, when he lowered his head and saw the contents of the paper in his hand, he was dumbfounded.
What was this?
A girl enters into a marriage contract with a wealthy gentleman, but the man doesn't understand how to love, breaking the girl's heart.
The girl resolutely divorces the wealthy gentleman, and returns five years later with twins who bear a striking resemblance to the wealthy man!
She sits in a gold and silver-carved sedan chair, accompanied by guards and enforcers, standing mercilessly before the wealthy gentleman, holding her adorable children, and declares, 'I only came to you for insemination...'
Zheng Qiru skimmed through it, his jaw nearly dropping!
He pinched himself hard, looking at the emperor in disbelief. What on earth was this?
The emperor wanted him to write something like this?
What was the significance of this story?
He, a top scholar, and the emperor wanted him to write this bizarre biographical story?
Zheng Qiru's expression changed from bewilderment to pallor in a matter of moments.
Could it be that the emperor ultimately despised his ugly appearance?
After the Xun City literary gathering ended and the talents from the Chu State were recruited, would his ugly face no longer be valued?
Zheng Qiru had lived in the pain of being mocked for his appearance for too long, and at this moment, he wavered again.
But just as he was about to doubt himself, he heard Xiao Yunzhou smile and say,
"I heard from Concubine Liu that you once publicly reprimanded a husband who beat his wife and children, and even declared to the magistrate that the law of the land should apply equally to women and men."
Zheng Qiru was stunned, as it was indeed true.
But as soon as he nodded, he suddenly seemed to realize something, "Your Majesty, could it be that you want me to write this story in relation to that incident of the husband beating his wife?"
Xiao Yunzhou's smile widened. Indeed, this was a talent whose intelligence was recognized by the little princess.
"That's right." Xiao Yunzhou nodded, then walked out from behind the desk with a serious tone, clasping his hands behind his back and facing the setting sun.
"That day, I gave Concubine Liu a long whip that could be used to strike men, and I also ordered the Ministry of Justice to amend the law to punish that violent husband."
Xiao Yunzhou turned around, bathed in sunlight, looking at Zheng Qiru, and let out a light sigh, "But do you know, my dear official? Even with legal constraints, even with Concubine Liu's whip, we can't save every woman in the world."
"I can't make people instantly change to have the character to respect, love, and value their wives and daughters." Xiao Yunzhou's gaze was filled with pain, "And as long as they don't change, there will always be heartbroken women suffering."
"I'm anxious about this."
Zheng Qiru listened, his whole body trembling, "So Your Majesty, you want me, as the top scholar, to write such a story to influence the literati and common people to treat their wives and daughters well?"
"That's right," Xiao Yunzhou walked in front of him and said solemnly, "My dear official, can I entrust you with this task? Can the future path of millions of women in this world be blazed by the pen of you, the top scholar?"
Zheng Qiru's lips were trembling.
To use his pen to open a path for all the women in the world?!
He had been studying for more than a decade, but he never imagined that one day he could do such a great thing!
To create a path that no one had ever walked before!
"Perhaps one day, women will also be able to study and take the imperial examinations," Xiao Yunzhou continued to paint a grand picture for Zheng Qiru, "This novel outline I've given you, 'Does the Wealthy Gentleman Realize His Mistake Today?', is meant to use your talented pen as the top scholar to give confidence to all the women in the world. Not just wealthy gentlemen, even if it's becoming a top scholar, they can do it if they want to, without having to rely on men or husbands!"
Zheng Qiru opened his mouth, trembling as he looked up, and saw that Xiao Yunzhou's face seemed to be covered with a layer of golden light, his majesty indiscernible.
It was as if it were holy light, or a clear spring, enlightening Zheng Qiru's entire being in an instant!
That's right, it was like this.
Let the women of the world have faith first, and then strive to take the first step towards self-improvement!
When women become strong, men will no longer be able to stand in front of them as obstacles.
"So that's it, Your Majesty's intentions are profound, I am ashamed that I couldn't understand earlier." Zheng Qiru bowed his head, blushing. He had previously suspected that the emperor didn't want to use him and was just giving him a trivial task of writing a nonsensical story.
Zheng Qiru felt guilty and ashamed, both for his shallowness and for his suspicion and fragility.
"Your Majesty, I will not fail this mission. I will return home today and work tirelessly, striving to write out these fifty chapters as soon as possible!" Zheng Qiru was eager to start, wishing he could go home to write right away.
Hearing this, Xiao Yunzhou nodded with satisfaction, "Good, start writing quickly, there are more than 360 chapters to come."
"???"
Zheng Qiru was dumbfounded. Was this such a massive work with so many words?
Did the emperor come up with this all by himself?
How did he manage to do it?!
[Yo, I just took a short nap, and the Emperor Father has completely won over the top scholar Zheng Qiru, to the point of absolute loyalty?]
When Xiao Chuchu woke up, it was completely dark outside.
[My father has gathered five absolutely loyal followers! He has finally achieved the reward and can randomly increase one attribute by 20%.]
[Intelligence, martial prowess, charm, endurance, physical strength, which one should be increased?]
After sending off the top scholar, Xiao Yunzhou sat alone reading memorials until late at night. He had just put down a cup of strong tea when he froze.
He didn't dare move!
Heavens!
Heaven was bestowing grace upon him, about to grant him divine power!
Xiao Yunzhou's eyes were full of radiance, barely able to contain his wild joy!
Intelligence, he had wanted to improve that for a long time.
Martial prowess wouldn't be bad either. Although he didn't engage in combat much, who wouldn't want to become stronger?
Charm, he wasn't sure what that meant, probably becoming more handsome? This... A pained expression appeared on Xiao Yunzhou's face. If he suddenly became as handsome as a young man overnight, wouldn't the court officials think he was some kind of monster?
Oh my, even though he really wanted to become handsome...
Xiao Yunzhou was deeply conflicted, unable to resist letting out a drowsy yawn.
He had been reviewing official documents until the wee hours of the morning, his head feeling as heavy as a ball of dough. Despite persevering until now, he still needed to carefully consider which attribute to enhance, and he was utterly exhausted.
But he had to keep going!
Xiao Yunzhou fought against his drowsiness, biting his tongue to force himself to stay awake. Just then, he heard his daughter's inner thoughts.
[Hiss, the random enhancement landed on stamina!]
Xiao Chuchu's eyes widened in an instant, realizing she couldn't choose for him.
[Emperor Father's stamina, permanently increased by 20%!]
Xiao Yunzhou was immediately disappointed. What use was stamina—
But just as he began to complain, he suddenly felt his drowsiness vanish completely. Moreover, he had a sensation of being ten years younger.
His body felt lighter too!
Well, I'll be damned, he had the strange feeling that he might not need sleep anymore!
[Stamina enhancement reward: From now on, you won't fear staying up late. You can even go without sleep occasionally. You're now the chosen one for overtime work.]
Xiao Chuchu looked at this reward, utterly shocked.
[From now on, as long as it doesn't kill him, Emperor Father can work himself to the bone.]
Xiao Yunzhou: "...!"
The next day, the top-scoring scholar with his draft in hand, along with the civil and military officials preparing for the morning court session, all with dark circles under their eyes, saw Emperor Xiao Yunzhou, who had stayed up all night reviewing all the memorials. Yet, his face was ruddy, and his eyes were bright and alert.