Chapter 1213: Henpecked

Chapter 1213: Henpecked

This was the first time the people of Great Qi learned that all the high-ranking officials respected women so much. It was understandable for the Emperor to write a congratulatory message since it was a well-known fact that he had always respected the Empress. Else, he could have done so on King Rong’s account.

However, people were surprised to see so many officials writing congratulatory messages. Ironically, there were also congratulatory words from the Zhu family’s head.

Could it be that King Rong went to his door with a broadsword to force him?

Curious about this, the commoners gossiped about whether there were any abnormalities in the capital during the few days before The Lily Times was released.

A foreigner didn’t understand and asked in half-baked Chinese, “Why King Rong? Didn’t they say that this is a woman’s newspaper? Is King Rong a woman?”

The people in the teahouse looked at the person who spoke with disdain. Seeing that they had the face of a Westerner, they forgave their ignorance. A humorous person pointed at the West Xia merchant who had come to do business and said, “Even the people of West Xia know the reason. King Rong of Great Qi respects women the most and he’ll do whatever Queen Consort Rong requests of him. Considering The Lily Times is run by Her Highness, doesn’t King Rong have to put in some effort?”

Enlightened, the Westerner said enviously, “King Rong and Queen Consort Rong are such a loving couple.”

The West Xia merchant almost spat out the tea in his mouth when he was pointed at. He shouted, “He’s clearly henpecked! You say that he respects women? I say he’s a cowardly man instead. Otherwise, why would he be suppressed by a woman?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the people of Great Qi in the teahouse were agitated. Although Qi Haoran was henpecked, he was widely acknowledged as the ‘God of War’ in Great Qi. Although everyone teased him in all sorts of ways whenever his name was mentioned, their tone was very respectful. After all, if not for King Rong, they might still be living in chaotic times.

Their teasing of King Rong was a way to express their affection. What right did a group of West Xia people have to look down on their King Rong?

The humorous person stretched out his hand to stop the Great Qi people who were about to use their fists. Looking at the West Xia merchant with a smile, he said, “Even when our King Rong is ‘cowardly’, he can already suppress West Xia effortlessly. Once his courage is ignited, he will destroy Great Jin in an instant. Thus, you’d better hope that our King Rong’s courage doesn’t get ignited!”

“Well said.” Someone slammed the table and said, “What do a bunch of barbarians know? Our King Rong respects women. Is hitting women and shouting at one’s wife considered an act of bravery? That is what I’d call cowardice!”

“That makes sense!”

Mrs. Lin grabbed her daughter’s ear and pulled her back to the private room, saying in a low voice, “If you continue to fool around, I won’t bring you out next time.”

Miss Lin shrunk her neck and whispered, “Mother, I’m just feeling indignant for King Rong and Queen Consort Rong.”

“With so many people in the teahouse, there’s no need for you to feel indignant. The people of Great Qi aren’t going to let a few West Xia barbarians bully us?”

Miss Lin pouted and said softly, “But we can’t let others criticize King Rong like this. The Imperial Court doesn’t even care…”

Frowning slightly, Mrs. Lin said coldly, “What do you know? This is great wisdom. Since ordinary people can even discuss the Emperor casually, why would people be forbidden from discussing King Rong, a mere King in comparison?”

Sensing her mother’s displeasure, Miss Lin shrunk her neck and did not dare to speak, but she pouted, clearly unconvinced.

Glancing at the noisy crowd below, Mrs. Lin got up and said, “Let’s head back to the newspaper office to take a look.”

After all, they had already seen what they needed to see, and there were still many things waiting to be done considering today was the launch day.

When the mother and daughter returned to the newspaper office, the others had also returned from lunch. They were all discussing outsiders’ views on The Lily Times, clearly excited.

Standing in front of the window, Mu Yangling watched for a while before she turned around and said to Little Madam Xia and Lu Jingshu, “We’ve won the first battle. The Great Qi Times will release the three other new newspapers tomorrow. As long as we can maintain a quarter of today’s results, we’ll be considered to have succeeded.”

With a frown, Lu Jingshu said, “Your Highness, you’re too pessimistic. Our print run today isn’t any inferior to that of The Great Qi Times.”

“This is only temporary.” Mu Yangling said, “We’ve attracted especially great attention today because everyone is curious. Secondly, it’s because of the support of many women. Thirdly.” Mu Yangling waved the newspaper and said, “I’m afraid many bought the newspaper because of these congratulatory speeches. It’s not easy to gather so many famous people’s congratulatory speeches at once. So far, only The Lily Times has accomplished such a feat.”

Lu Jingshu also smiled. “That’s true. We even have a congratulatory message from His Majesty. Your Highness, where are we going to hang His Majesty’s congratulatory words?”

This was calligraphy by the founding Emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty. With this alone, The Lily Times could continue indefinitely unless there emerged an Emperor who disregarded his ancestors.

Mu Yangling waved her hand and said, “Hang all the inscriptions we received in the newspaper office. His Majesty’s will be hung in the middle so that people can see it as soon as they enter.”

Lu Jingshu agreed happily. Seeing Little Madam Xia beaming at the side, she couldn’t help but smile when she thought of the origin of these congratulatory words.

Naturally, these congratulatory words could not have been forced by Qi Haoran using a knife. Other than the Emperor, the four inscriptions by Fan Zijin, Rong Xuan, and Yan Du were personally requested by Mu Yangling. The rest were sent by the madams and old madams of the various families after they forced their husbands or sons to write them.

As for Qi Haoran’s inscription, he took the initiative to write it.

What a joke. Since Mu Yangling was going around asking people for a personally-written congratulatory message, there was no reason for her to not use her husband’s. It wasn’t as if his calligraphy was unpresentable; furthermore, he held a prestigious title. In addition, he really respected Mu Yangling from the bottom of his heart, so he wrote this in one go. Even Qi Xiuyuan praised it. “This calligraphy is even better than Zijin’s.”

It couldn’t be helped. Fan Zijin was praising women against his conscience, so he couldn’t help but pause a few times while writing it.

Not ashamed of this at all, Fan Zijin said, “I believe there’s few people in Great Qi whose calligraphy can compare to his this time. The key is that their mentality is different.”

“There’s no need to insult me indirectly because I know you’re hinting that I’m afraid of my wife. However, Ah Ling still listens to me at home.” Qi Haoran said smugly, “I’m just respecting her outside. Zijin, you have to know that a husband ought to give his wife some dignity.”

“Oh, this is the first time I know that you’re in charge of things at home.” Fan Zijin glanced at him and said, “Then do you dare to stay behind to drink with me and Big Brother until the third watch tonight? Knowing your alcohol tolerance, I won’t force you to drink much. If you dare to finish two jars of wine and go home, I’ll believe that you’re the head of the family.”

Qi Haoran turned to Qi Xiuyuan and clicked his tongue. “Big Brother, look. Zijin doesn’t think about the big picture. Drinking is bad for one’s health, and there’s also a court meeting tomorrow. Instead of telling us to rest early, he actually urged us to drink.”

Qi Xiuyuan said calmly, “I can give the court a day off. Considering I haven’t rested for the past ten years, it’s fine to take a day off occasionally. If you’re willing to stay, we’ll drink at night.”

“…” Qi Haoran looked at the two of them accusingly. After a while, he said aggrievedly, “You guys ganged up to bully me!”

Qi Xiuyuan and Fan Zijin looked at him calmly and said, “Didn’t you say that you’re not afraid of your wife and can make decisions at home?”

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