The reform of the imperial examination system was a major matter.

Even though it was merely proposed by a few scholars, the entire court, from top to bottom, was in a state of anxiety.

Almost every family and clan went sleepless that night, and Consort Rou stayed at the Constabulary Bureau until midnight.

With over a hundred scholars filing complaints, just listening to the cases alone left Consort Rou mentally and physically exhausted, let alone Li Cheng, who was only eleven years old.

Consort Rou felt sorry for Li Cheng and sent him to bed early. She herself continued listening to these scholars’ cases, enduring until deep into the night.

She had actually long since lost her patience, but since this was the first case she had taken on and the first step in establishing authority in the Constabulary Bureau, no matter what, she had to handle this matter well for Li Cheng in order to pave his way forward.

So Consort Rou gritted her teeth and listened to the last scholar’s words. Only then did she see Shangguan Ya bring up the testimonies with a smile, saying, “Your Ladyship, all the testimonies of those involved in the case have been recorded. Please give your instructions.”

Consort Rou looked at Shangguan Ya. She wanted to replace her—after all, she was a girl from the Shangguan family. But right now, she didn’t have the slightest energy to argue with Shangguan Ya, nor could she immediately find someone to replace her. So she smiled and only said, “It’s already late. After putting away the testimonies, go back and rest.”

Having received Consort Rou’s words, Shangguan Ya performed a courtesy and withdrew with her people. Consort Rou rose and returned to her carriage. Only when she sat alone in the carriage did she have the time and energy to reflect on today’s events.

This morning, Cui Yulang had come to find her and told her about the scholars filing complaints at the palace gates. She had wanted to use this opportunity to take charge of the Constabulary Bureau, earn some merit for Li Cheng, and make Li Ming a bit happier.

Li Cheng was still too young, and Li Ming’s health had been poor lately. Her heart had always felt somewhat uneasy. She needed to quickly secure some things for Li Cheng, so that if something truly happened to Li Ming, she could prepare early.

She just hadn’t expected it to be such a huge trouble. How could she bear the responsibility for something as major as system reform?

That bastard Cui Yulang…

Consort Rou cursed inwardly. She was just about to have someone notify Cui Yulang to enter the palace the next morning when, before she could speak, the carriage suddenly stopped.

“Your Ladyship,” came the driver’s voice from outside, “that… the Second Young Master requests an audience.”

Hearing these words, Consort Rou’s movements paused. After hesitating for a moment, she finally nodded. “Let him come up to the carriage to speak.”

The driver spoke with the person outside for a while, then a young man wearing a black robe jumped up.

He entered the carriage and first performed a courtesy to Consort Rou with proper and elegant bearing, then sat down composedly.

“What have you come to do?”

Consort Rou sat in her seat, feeling somewhat apprehensive inside.

The other party sat in the farthest corner of the carriage from her and said slowly, “Today Your Ladyship took on the scholars’ case. I wonder whose suggestion that was?”

The other party understood her too well and didn’t even consider that she might have thought of it herself.

But how could Consort Rou so easily reveal Cui Yulang? Even though she now harbored some resentment toward Cui Yulang, it didn’t mean she wasn’t wary of this person. So she picked up her tea and laughed lightly. “This was my own idea. Why would I need anyone’s suggestion?”

“Oh?” The other party’s tone was somewhat cold. “Did Your Ladyship think of fighting with the aristocratic families on your own? Your Ladyship, you and Prince Su have no foundation in the court. Even Princess Pingle avoided this case as if it were a plague. You rushed headlong into it—I’m afraid you’ve been manipulated by someone. Having said this much, I hope Your Ladyship will take care of yourself.”

Having finished speaking, the person had the carriage stopped, then jumped down and departed into the night.

Consort Rou felt both angry and cold inside. She knew this person’s words weren’t wrong, yet she was helpless. The case was one she had taken on in front of everyone. Now these scholars were definitely keeping a close eye on her to make a fuss. Although she wasn’t in the court and Prince Su was still young, because of her humble origins, there were quite a few among the lower clans who secretly supported Prince Su.

She had come to gain the support of the lower clans, not to ruin things. If she took the case and these scholars were dissatisfied and made more trouble later, it would more or less damage Li Cheng’s reputation.

But to have her close the case…

Where would she get the ability to reform the system?

Consort Rou let out a heavy breath, trying not to overthink things. She would first enter the palace and talk more after seeing Li Ming.

When Consort Rou returned to the palace, Li Ming was already waiting for her in her quarters.

This was the first time she had returned so late. Li Ming found waiting for her rather amusing. He had tea brought up and waited in the hall for a while himself, his mind reviewing what he and Pei Wenxuan had discussed during the day.

These scholars coming to cause trouble was something Pei Wenxuan had orchestrated single-handedly.

Though he was young, he was very capable. Being able to have these scholars’ words reach the grand hall directly—although this was a small matter, it required greasing many wheels.

From the guards outside the palace gates to the palace guards and eunuchs inside, if any link in the chain had gone wrong, the message wouldn’t have reached the hall.

But a few days ago, Pei Wenxuan had already discussed it all with him.

Pei Wenxuan would have these scholars file their complaint, then pretend to clash with him in court. He would then take the opportunity to place the imperial examinations in Pei Wenxuan’s hands, letting Pei Wenxuan manage the matter with full authority. Afterward, Pei Wenxuan would leave the palace and accept these scholars’ demand for reform.

Reforming the imperial examination system was something he had been dreaming about for many years.

Actually, he didn’t want to be this hasty either, but since the beginning of this year, his health hadn’t been good. He always felt many things were too much for him to handle.

He feared Prince Su couldn’t wait for him.

And Pei Wenxuan had conveniently placed the justification for reform in his hands at this time. With an opportunity and an executor, even if there was some risk, he had to take it.

Who would have thought that in the end, Consort Rou would come out and take on this case?

So he quickly summoned Pei Wenxuan and discussed with him for the entire afternoon.

Deep in his heart, he didn’t want Consort Rou to take on this case. He knew the risks involved. To him, Prince Su was a trump card he used to restrain Li Chuan. He didn’t want anything to happen to Consort Rou that would affect Prince Su.

Thinking of these things, Li Ming let out a light sigh. Fulai was pouring tea for Li Ming. Hearing Li Ming’s sigh amid the trickling water, Fulai couldn’t help but say, “Why does Your Majesty sigh?”

“Consort Rou,” Li Ming said with some helplessness, “is too foolish.”

“Things have come to this point,” Fulai said, setting down the teapot and bringing the teacup to Li Ming’s hand. His thin voice carried a trace of regret. “No matter what, Consort Rou is now sharing Your Majesty’s burdens. Your Majesty should ease your mind.”

Hearing Fulai’s comfort, Li Ming remained silent.

He and Pei Wenxuan had already discussed it for the entire afternoon. The best way to handle this matter was to let Consort Rou proceed with the case in peace.

If it succeeded, Consort Rou could control the Constabulary Bureau and pave the way for Li Cheng.

If it failed…

Li Ming’s gaze grew somewhat cold. Consort Rou was just a consort… in the end, it would all be her fault.

Li Ming had already thought through all possible retreats. After waiting for a long while, he heard the sound of Consort Rou’s return from outside.

Consort Rou was still outside the palace gates when she heard that Li Ming was waiting for her. She was both surprised and puzzled. Li Ming couldn’t be said to have a very good temper. She had always accommodated him. This was the first time he had waited for her like this.

Consort Rou hurriedly entered the hall and knelt before Li Ming, saying apologetically, “This consort was delayed by other matters today and couldn’t welcome Your Majesty in time. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me.”

“I know,” Li Ming said, rising to personally help her up. His voice was gentle. “You’ve worked hard. How could I blame you?”

Consort Rou was helped up by Li Ming. Li Ming pulled her into the hall. “Have you eaten anything?”

Only when reminded by Li Ming did Consort Rou remember that she had eaten almost nothing all day. But with Li Ming coming so late at night and having waited for her for so long, if she still rushed off to eat, she feared Li Ming would be displeased. She was about to say she had eaten when Li Ming had already directly ordered someone to bring up the porridge that had been simmering.

“I thought you probably hadn’t eaten, so I had porridge prepared just now.” Li Ming’s voice was gentle. He brought Consort Rou to sit down, held her hand, and said softly, “I know you don’t like sweet porridge, so I specifically had them make century egg and lean pork porridge. You haven’t eaten much all day, so you can’t eat anything too hard.”

When Li Ming took care of a woman, he was extremely attentive. Consort Rou didn’t know what came over her, but she felt her heart grow somewhat bitter.

It seemed it had been many years since she had received such favor from Li Ming. Between her and Li Ming, she had always been the one taking care of and accommodating Li Ming. After all, Li Ming was the emperor, her foundation for standing in this world.

Among so many women, why did Li Ming favor her in particular? She was now roughly the same age as Li Ming. In terms of beauty, she couldn’t compare to those young maidens. In terms of family background, she couldn’t match aristocratic families like Shangguan Yue. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—none were her strengths. That she could remain by Li Ming’s side for so long, aside from her humble origins and that bit of affection from their youth, most importantly, she understood Li Ming.

Her unconditional accommodation and companionship were what Li Ming needed most in this deep palace.

He had been suppressed by court officials for too long. His pride as an emperor made him extremely sensitive to any defiance. Any displeasure from the aristocratic families felt like arrogance to him, and what the aristocratic family women called integrity was disrespect in his eyes.

So her gentleness, her obedience, her seemingly unconditional devotion, her wholehearted companionship—these were all things Li Ming valued extremely highly in his heart.

Li Ming had been willful with her for so many years that she had almost forgotten she was a woman. Now, being coaxed by Li Ming like this, her eyes suddenly grew sore.

Seeing her eyes redden, Li Ming couldn’t help but say, “Why do you look like you’re about to cry when everything is fine?”

Consort Rou forced a smile. She sniffed and said in a small voice, “I just thought of how well Your Majesty treated this consort in our youth, and felt that this consort has failed Your Majesty these years.”

“How have you failed me?” Li Ming shook his head. “You’ve already done extremely well. In this entire court, only you are willing to share my burdens.”

As Li Ming spoke, he sighed, seeming guilty. “Court matters shouldn’t involve you women, yet now I must have you charge into battle for me. As a husband, how can I bear this?”

“Your Majesty…”

Hearing the word “husband,” tears fell from Consort Rou’s eyes. Li Ming smiled and gathered her into his embrace. “Why are you crying? Don’t be afraid.” Li Ming comforted her. “Tomorrow I will restore your consort rank. As for the Constabulary Bureau matters, just go ahead and handle them. I will support you.”

“I will arrange everything for you. Don’t worry.”

“This consort understands.” Hearing Li Ming’s promises, Consort Rou felt mostly reassured.

She suddenly no longer resented Cui Yulang.

She recalled what Cui Yulang had advised her during the day: “Your Ladyship, His Majesty is your foundation. No aristocratic family wants to support a crown prince from humble origins—to families whose foundation is surname and bloodline, this would be humiliation.”

“Only His Majesty is Your Ladyship’s sole support.”

What Cui Yulang said wasn’t wrong either.

As Consort Rou leaned in Li Ming’s embrace, her heart settled down.

Whether there was an imperial examination system or not, she and the aristocratic families were ultimately not on the same path.

Li Ming was her only reliance.