Chapter 84: Chapter 84

A certain historical forum in the future:

"Friends, big news! Just recently, a renowned archaeologist from a research institute discovered a mysterious tomb with imperial-level specifications beneath the Eastern Mausoleum! Both its architectural style and burial customs clearly indicate it's from the Zhou Dynasty!"

"Hehe, everyone guess which lucky emperor this belongs to..."

The news indeed caused a sensation. Within a minute of posting, countless enthusiasts flooded the thread.

"Wait, the Great Zhou Dynasty? No way! If the OP says so, I'm going to boldly guess now!"

"First commenter, no need to be bold—just say it outright. Besides the famous Emperor Qianyuan of the Shizong era, which other Great Zhou emperor would have such archaeological significance?"

"Emperor Qianyuan +1! Honestly, I've been dying to see his tomb, especially... hehe..."

Original Poster (OP): "Haha! Didn't expect everyone to be so sharp. Well, the truth is—according to reliable sources—this tomb indeed belongs to him..."

"But is it really confirmed this time? Don't let it be another mix-up with some obscure minor emperor!"

OP: "Haha, no worries, friends. This time there's solid evidence. The excavation team not only uncovered numerous imperial burial artifacts but, more importantly, some extremely precious texts preserved through special methods!"

"Wait... when you mention texts, the kind this emperor would treasure so dearly..."

"It couldn't belong to that 'Lady,' could it?"

"Hahaha, no need to guess—of course it is! Who else's belongings would this emperor carefully preserve to this day, even placing them beside himself for eternal rest? Hehe..."

"Besides, what other texts could be considered 'super precious' besides those written by that Lady?"

"Exactly! After all, she was... well, those who know, know."

"Wow, the early bird catches the worm! Waking up to such juicy historical gossip—what luck!"

"Agreed, this gossip is delicious! Love it!"

"But if that's the case, then those historians and unofficial records weren't wrong—this renowned Emperor Qianyuan, who founded a golden age, was secretly infatuated with a literary figure..."

"Hey, commenter above, 'secretly' is putting it mildly! Later on, it was practically an open secret!"

"Right, what 'secret'? First, making her a First-Rank Junjun Lady, then exempting her from bowing to the empress, bestowing favors on her parents, and even granting her granddaughter—just because she resembled the Lady—the title of County Princess at seven, then elevating her to Commandery Princess before marriage. Back then, that was a privilege reserved only for legitimate daughters of imperial princes!"

"Tsk, if not for the age gap, that Wen Hui Commandery Princess would've been the Crown Princess and future empress..."

"But the most damning evidence has to be this: on the day the Lady passed away, the over-seventy-year-old Emperor Qianyuan—who had already abdicated as Grand Emperor—was supported by attendants to personally attend. He offered incense, helped carry the coffin, nearly shoving our then-Minister of Revenue, Tanhua Lin, into a corner..."

"Still... aren't these honors exactly what the Lady deserved?"

As the discussion grew increasingly off-topic, someone finally interjected:

"Given her erudition and brilliance, if the era hadn't been so restrictive toward women, her becoming a high-ranking official and benefiting her family would've been inevitable."

"Exactly! Just look at the systems later implemented in the Great Zhou Dynasty—calling her a 'capable minister who governed an era' wouldn't be an exaggeration!"

"Precisely! I hate how people always go on about how well Emperor Qianyuan treated Lady Qionghua, when in reality, she contributed far more to him."

"Logically, the Great Zhou Dynasty was already in its fifth generation—historically, that's when decline typically begins. The reason it instead grew more prosperous, reaching a state where foreign dynasties paid tribute, was largely due to the Lady's efforts. Her achievements in politics, literature, even mathematics—do none of you realize this?"

"And Emperor Qianyuan himself—given the medical standards of that era, for a hardworking emperor to live that long was nothing short of a miracle. Had Lady Qionghua not spent years studying medicine due to her frail health, compiling countless medical texts and health regimens, would he have been so fortunate?"

"Exactly! Commenter above speaks truth. Hah! Emperors—especially one historically recognized for diligence—don't make unprofitable deals. Did you really think he was lovestruck?"

"Yes! That commenter nailed it. The reason Lady Qionghua's privileges caused little backlash in court was precisely because everyone knew she deserved them."

"Agreed. Even people back then recognized her worth, yet some of us modern folks attribute it all to 'love'..."

"Uh... commenter, don't be upset. Everyone's just joking—no one means to belittle or deny the Lady's intelligence and accomplishments."

"In fact, for a beauty-surrounded emperor to remember her fondly his entire life, granting continuous privileges without causing court uproars—that alone proves how remarkable she was."

"Right? They say she had a photographic memory, eventually memorizing nearly the entire imperial library. According to Tanhua Lin's personal notes, he was often intellectually humbled by his mother—were it not for his father serving as contrast, he might've concluded he was the idiot."

"Hahaha... 'the idiot is myself'—if a seventeen-year-old tanhua is an idiot, what does that make the rest of us?"

"Idiotic pigs? Hahaha..."

"Uh... too harsh. Delete that—my friend feels attacked."

"Agreed, delete it. My friend is sharpening a knife."

"Knife-sharpening +1!"

"Honestly though, having such an extraordinary mother would make anyone doubt themselves. But it was precisely that terrifying intellect that allowed the Lady to lead such cultural trends, leaving behind invaluable academic works for future generations."

"And Emperor Qianyuan's admiration wasn't without benefits—his long reign ensured historical records portrayed this genius woman fairly through official and unofficial channels."

"Even today, many of her writings remain well-preserved..."

"Good point. Historically, how many brilliant women were actually recorded? Thanks to her, the later Great Zhou Dynasty saw many accomplished female scholars emerge!"

"Speaking of which, one must admire the Lady's wisdom in understanding her era's limitations. As a woman influencing imperial decisions, she didn't rashly push for female empowerment. Instead, she improved agricultural efficiency, restructured the economy—tying women's societal participation to tangible benefits."

"Even when authorities noticed, reversing these changes became impossible due to entrenched interests."

"Exactly! Slow progress beats violent backlash causing regression in women's rights."

"By the Lady's passing, many renowned female poets and businesswomen had emerged—though female officials remained blocked by the era's restrictions..."

"Given the times, her achievements were monumental."

"That's why I say the Lady was extraordinarily prudent. Take her marriage—while history records Tanhua Lin's father doted on her, geniuses often possess innate pride."

"With her talents, marrying a mediocre merchant—the lowest social rank—how many would accept that, even if it was the safest choice?"

"Yet the Lady showed no discontent, remaining obscure beyond tutoring family for exams—only revealing her brilliance after her son achieved tanhua status and she confirmed the emperor's character."

"But wasn't it this caution that secured her place in history? Countless geniuses met premature ends—especially a woman of humble origins in that environment."

As forum users marveled, the silent OP suddenly resurfaced:

"Major update! Most excavated texts are well-preserved, including advanced medical formulas—traditional medicine researchers are ecstatic!"

"Oh, and math and history departments too..."