After Pei Wenxuan saw off these officials, Li Rong walked out from behind the screen, fanning herself. “Lord Pei has extraordinary charisma. It’s only been a few days at the Ministry of Personnel, and you’ve already become everyone’s dear brother.”

“They don’t regard me as a dear brother,” Pei Wenxuan smiled. “They simply can’t stand Consort Rou.”

“So you’re going back then?”

Li Rong leaned against the doorway. Pei Wenxuan came over and embraced her. “Your Highness, allow this minister to rest one more night.”

Pei Wenxuan stayed one more night, and during the night his neck was scratched with marks. When he was preparing for morning court the next day, Pei Wenxuan kept applying powder repeatedly to cover them. Li Rong reclined sideways on the bed, smiling as she watched Pei Wenxuan worry, saying lazily, “Lord Pei should just go to court like this. After all, you’ve already stayed in my mansion for so long—what gossip are you still afraid of?”

Pei Wenxuan looked at her helplessly and only said, “I see you truly don’t want to marry anyone else but me.”

“Then who else would you have me marry?” Li Rong asked with some curiosity. Pei Wenxuan’s movements with the powder puff paused. Li Rong sighed, raised her hand to place it over her heart, quite resentfully. “My husband is so heartless.”

Pei Wenxuan laughed aloud, somewhat helplessly. “I’m thinking of your reputation.”

“What do I need a reputation for?”

Li Rong closed her eyes and lightly tapped the edge of the bed. “Just go out with these marks showing. When Father Emperor asks me why I let you leave, you can feel embarrassed for a moment. Who would see the marks on your neck and not understand?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t respond. Li Rong raised her eyes to look at him, only to see him in a daze.

Li Rong raised her eyebrow. “What are you spacing out about? Not going to court? If you’re not going, then lie down,” Li Rong said word by word, quite meaningfully, “This palace will support you.”

Pei Wenxuan shook his head, then looked in the mirror once more. Seeing that the marks on his neck were mostly covered and it was about time, he set down the powder puff and walked to Li Rong’s side.

He knelt on one knee beside Li Rong’s bed, looking up at the reclining Li Rong.

“What is it?” Li Rong’s laughter caused the thin garment on her body to sway gently. “Do you want me to kiss you once more before you leave?”

“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan looked up at her, his expression tender. “I will light fireworks across the city, lay out a ten-mile red wedding procession, an eight-carrier sedan chair, and return in grand splendor to marry you.”

Hearing him say this, Li Rong was momentarily stunned. Pei Wenxuan gently lifted her fair, slender hand and lowered his head to kiss it. “I will let everyone know that Pei Wenxuan loves Li Rong more than Li Rong loves him.”

“Has your brain gone bad?”

Li Rong came to her senses and lightly poked him. “Why care about such things?”

“It’s not like I haven’t ridden in an eight-carrier sedan chair before,” Li Rong said dismissively with her mouth, though her heart felt somewhat warm. She said softly, “I don’t care for such things at all.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled without speaking. He stood up and kissed her again, saying casually, “I’m leaving.”

With that, he turned and departed.

Li Rong watched him walk out the door, carefully closing it behind him, worried the wind might chill her.

Li Rong stared at the door for a while, then finally closed her eyes and turned over on the bed.

Pei Wenxuan arrived late. By the time he arrived, Consort Rou was already standing in her position, smiling and chatting with people beside her.

The position where Consort Rou now stood was exactly where Li Rong had once stood. If she didn’t turn around, she wouldn’t be able to see Pei Wenxuan’s arrival at all. After Pei Wenxuan arrived, he stood with his head lowered in his position. Just as he settled into place, he heard the eunuch announce the imminent start of court.

Pei Wenxuan kept his head down and entered with the officials in single file. After entering the court, the people around Pei Wenxuan also noticed his arrival, but it wasn’t appropriate to say much. They only looked up once and said nothing.

Su Rongqing also noticed Pei Wenxuan’s arrival. He and Pei Wenxuan stood in parallel positions on the left and right sides. He glanced at Pei Wenxuan indifferently. Pei Wenxuan smiled and nodded at him.

The court officials deliberated on matters, from the turmoil on the southwestern border and the defection of the commanding general to a charge officer named Lin Feibai who temporarily organized resistance and held the city, to flood control and disaster relief during the June flood season in various southern regions. Speaking until the end, they finally mentioned the imperial examinations.

“Since the Constabulary Bureau has closed the case, the imperial examinations should begin. Having been delayed for several months, we must hurry.”

Li Ming’s voice was flat. “This year there are many vacant positions in the court. The imperial examinations are different from previous years—we should select many more talented people.”

“Your Majesty speaks truly.” Consort Rou immediately responded. “However, the original chief examiner Pei Wenxuan is still recuperating from his injuries, so perhaps…”

“Your Majesty,” Pei Wenxuan spoke at the appropriate time. Everyone looked over. Consort Rou’s face briefly showed surprise, then she immediately calmed down. Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly and bowed. “This humble minister is already recovered. During this time, I have been in constant contact with other colleagues. The imperial examination matters have not been delayed. From test questions to examination halls to the selection process, everything is properly prepared. As long as Your Majesty approves, the imperial examinations can begin at any time.”

Li Ming looked at Pei Wenxuan. After pondering for a moment, he spoke, “Then have the Ministry of Rites set a date and begin preparations this month. No more delays.”

Pei Wenxuan acknowledged the order.

After court was dismissed, Fulai stopped Pei Wenxuan and invited him to the Imperial Study. Li Ming looked him up and down, his tone somewhat probing. “Lord Pei’s timing is quite apt. Did Pingle let you leave the mansion?”

“Your Majesty, please don’t tease this humble minister,” Pei Wenxuan said with a somewhat bitter smile. “Now this humble minister has become a hot topic of discussion in the streets and alleys—I’m practically becoming story book material.”

Fulai laughed softly. Hearing his words, Li Ming’s gaze swept once more over his neck. “Pingle truly likes you very much.”

“Your Highness is a simple person.”

“Regarding the imperial examinations this time, you must strive for fairness. The court needs people who can get things done.”

Li Ming spoke meaningfully. Pei Wenxuan understood clearly.

The court needed not only people who could get things done, but people who would do things for the emperor.

“I have always hoped to launch a northern campaign and conquer the north in one stroke, to avoid constant harassment from them,” Li Ming said as he stood up. Fulai quickly went to support Li Ming. Pei Wenxuan followed behind Li Ming, listening as Li Ming slowly continued, “I’ve also thought that after the northern campaign, I would dispatch an additional hundred thousand troops to the south to live there locally, spreading our Great Xia culture and inspiring those barbarians. After a hundred years, the south would no longer be in constant turmoil.”

“Your Majesty’s foresight is profound.”

Pei Wenxuan spoke respectfully. Li Ming sighed and walked out of the courtyard with Pei Wenxuan. “I’ve also considered that the south has suffered from water disasters for many years. We can’t always just think about repairing dikes. We should send someone there to dig canals and redirect rivers—that’s the proper solution. But alas,” Li Ming stopped walking and stood in the courtyard, looking at the lush vegetation. “All the wealth, grain, and elite troops under heaven belong to the aristocratic families. In seeking self-preservation, the families won’t speak of actively launching northern campaigns or southern expeditions. Even when enemies reach their doorsteps, they only think about peace negotiations.”

Li Ming shook his head with a somewhat mocking laugh. “Day after day, all they know is marrying off princesses. My three elder sisters were all sent for marriage alliances, and now they constantly think about sending my daughters for marriage alliances. A bunch of cowards.”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. He listened quietly. Seeing him remain silent, Li Ming turned to look at Pei Wenxuan. “What do you think of these thoughts of mine?”

“Your Majesty is a sage ruler,” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was very soft. “This minister dares not speak presumptuously. But this minister’s clan was originally of humble birth and rose to prominence due to Your Majesty’s favor. My father was willing to follow Your Majesty, and this humble minister’s heart is the same as my father’s.”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Li Ming fell silent. After a long while, he nodded and only said, “Your father was very good.”

With that, he turned his head. “I have always hoped that history books would remember my name in the future. But yesterday when I woke, I suddenly felt that I have grown somewhat old. Wenxuan,” he raised his hand and patted Pei Wenxuan’s shoulder, “although Prince Su is not clever enough, he at least has the heart of a child and great courage. He’s still young now. With proper guidance, his future is limitless.”

Hearing these words, Pei Wenxuan understood Li Ming’s meaning. He bowed respectfully. “This humble minister understands.”

Having given Pei Wenxuan this guidance, Li Ming nodded. After chatting with Pei Wenxuan for a while, he had Fulai see him out.

Pei Wenxuan walked out of the courtyard with Fulai. Pei Wenxuan’s voice was very soft. “Has His Majesty been worried about something recently?”

“Yesterday when His Majesty woke, he was blind for a moment and was extremely frightened.” Fulai lowered his voice. Pei Wenxuan’s expression remained unchanged. Fulai continued, “His Majesty is currently secretly summoning famous physicians and seeking immortal masters.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan walked with Fulai to the entrance. He bowed to Fulai and withdrew.

Li Ming’s words—he understood them. Li Ming was very similar to Li Chuan from the previous life, yet also different.

Li Ming wanted a northern campaign, wanted a southern expedition. What he hoped for was to use these as means to dismantle the aristocratic families’ military forces and financial power, to truly dismantle the aristocratic families so he could sleep peacefully on the dragon throne without worry.

Li Chuan, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He wanted to dismantle the aristocratic families and obtain military and financial power precisely to campaign against the northern barbarians and repair the southern water disasters.

The aristocratic families were a serious concern for all emperors. Whether driven by private desires to consolidate imperial power or truly for the foundation of the nation, an emperor seeking to realize his political ideals and establish his political standing could not tolerate power being divided and dispersed in such a way.

Physical decline made Li Ming begin preparing for the worst. His saying all this to him was nothing more than wanting Pei Wenxuan, this “member of the humble clan,” to realize that Prince Su would be his best destination for establishing grand achievements.

Pei Wenxuan contemplated Li Ming’s words. Just as he left the palace, he saw Cui Yulang standing before the palace gate.

Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows, then heard Cui Yulang smile and say, “Lord Pei, Her Ladyship requests your presence.”

By now, Cui Yulang helping Consort Rou with affairs was something almost all court officials knew about.

Cui Yulang was smooth and strategic in handling matters, and skilled at praising women. Recently, he had composed no fewer than twenty poems praising Consort Rou, which were widely circulated in the public, spreading Consort Rou’s reputation of beauty throughout the capital, thus earning Consort Rou’s deep trust.

Pei Wenxuan was led by Cui Yulang to the Constabulary Bureau. Consort Rou was teaching Prince Su how to interrogate prisoners.

The person being interrogated this time was a servant who didn’t have the protection from torture afforded to officials and aristocratic family children under the law. When Pei Wenxuan entered, he saw that this servant had almost no intact skin on his body.

Prince Su held a long whip in his hand, with blood on the whip. As Pei Wenxuan entered, he saw Prince Su proudly turn back and happily say to Consort Rou, “Mother Consort, how was my whipping?”

“Excellent. Cheng’er’s whip technique has improved again,” Consort Rou clapped her hands and said gently. “Come, let me wipe the sweat for you. Your father emperor loves your manly spirit the most.”

Hearing this, Prince Su stepped forward for Consort Rou to wipe his sweat.

Pei Wenxuan stood at the prison gate, his expression unchanged, speaking respectfully, “Your Ladyship.”

“Ah,” hearing Pei Wenxuan speak, Consort Rou turned around and said with a smile, “Vice Minister Pei has arrived. Come, sit down.”

Pei Wenxuan performed his courtesy and sat on an empty chair to the side.

Consort Rou carefully wiped the sweat from Prince Su’s head, saying gently, “How has Lord Pei been living at Pingle’s mansion recently?”

“Noisy and chaotic,” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was calm. “Nothing much.”

With that, Pei Wenxuan changed the subject, raising his eyes to look at Consort Rou. “However, this humble minister does want to ask Your Ladyship—I’ve heard Your Ladyship felt this humble minister was unsuitable as chief examiner and wanted to replace me?”

Hearing this, Consort Rou’s movements stiffened.

The words she had prepared to question Pei Wenxuan were suddenly all blocked. She had originally thought that Pei Wenxuan had taken it upon himself to trouble Wang Houwen and was involved in something unclear with Pingle. Yesterday, a group of aristocratic family children from the Ministry of Personnel went to Pingle’s door, and today he attended court.

Every single matter should have made Pei Wenxuan feel somewhat guilty. But unexpectedly, not only did Pei Wenxuan not prepare to explain anything to her, he actually seemed quite angry and questioned her instead. “Your Ladyship, this humble minister dares to say I’ve done my utmost for Your Ladyship. May I ask where this humble minister’s work has been inadequate, causing Your Ladyship’s displeasure?”

“Lord Pei has misunderstood,” Consort Rou steadied her mind. Before figuring out Pei Wenxuan’s position, rashly clashing with Pei Wenxuan was not what Consort Rou wanted to see. She quickly smiled. “I only thought Lord Pei’s injuries hadn’t healed, and seeing His Majesty was anxious to start the imperial examinations, I wanted to find a backup option first. I never truly meant to replace you.”

“Is Your Ladyship being truthful?”

Pei Wenxuan stared at Consort Rou. “Then why didn’t Your Ladyship help when this humble minister was in Princess Pingle’s mansion for several days?”

“Help… help?” Consort Rou was stunned. “You were in Pingle’s mansion—did you need my help?”

“Your Ladyship,” Pei Wenxuan seemed extremely angry. He took a deep breath. “If this humble minister was willing to be in Princess Pingle’s mansion, why would I have divorced?”

Consort Rou couldn’t process this for a moment. After a long while, she slowly reacted. Between Pei Wenxuan and Pingle, there might be some marital discord too difficult to speak of.

She calmed down slightly and smiled with difficulty. “This palace didn’t think so much. I simply thought Pingle was utterly devoted to you, and having you recuperate at her place for a while would be fine. Moreover, Pingle has a strong personality. Once you entered her mansion, I had no way to intervene. She’s been a little tyrant since childhood, pampered and raised in the harem. I…”

Consort Rou sighed. “I’m merely a consort. What more can I say?”

Pei Wenxuan kept his face stiff without speaking. Consort Rou saw he didn’t believe her and quickly continued, “Regardless, now that your injuries have healed, all is well. The imperial examinations are about to begin. I’ve prepared everything—you needn’t think too much.”

Pei Wenxuan stiffly cupped his hands toward Consort Rou. Consort Rou drank some tea and was silent for a while. Finally feeling the atmosphere had somewhat normalized, she remembered her purpose. She smiled at Pei Wenxuan. “This time you stirred up trouble with Wang Houwen and caused me quite a bit of trouble.”

“But didn’t it also give Your Ladyship the best opportunity to establish authority?” Pei Wenxuan turned to look at Consort Rou. “Your Ladyship brought down a Minister of Personnel. Now all the civil and military officials think Your Ladyship is extremely capable and scramble to curry favor with you. This way, doesn’t Your Ladyship have the opportunity to gather talented people for Prince Su?”

When Pei Wenxuan put it this way, Consort Rou vaguely understood. “So you deliberately troubled Wang Houwen?”

Pei Wenxuan nodded. “Your Ladyship was right not to want to provoke the aristocratic families, but you also can’t avoid provoking them at all—after all, His Majesty is watching. By handling Wang Houwen, you demonstrated Your Ladyship’s attitude. By sparing the others, the aristocratic families will feel Your Ladyship showed them mercy. If Your Ladyship had released them from the start, would the aristocratic families still think Your Ladyship was selling them a favor?”

Pei Wenxuan leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. “They would only think Your Ladyship simply had no way to move against them.”

“What you say does have some merit.”

Consort Rou thought for a moment. She took out a list from her sleeve. “Well then, now that I’ve offended the Wang family, I can’t offend all the remaining aristocratic families.”

Consort Rou pushed a list toward Pei Wenxuan. “This imperial examination, Lord Pei holds the position of chief examiner. Arranging for a few people to pass shouldn’t be a big matter.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows. “If they’re aristocratic family children, why not directly recommend them?”

“These people aren’t in the family registers,” Consort Rou shook her head. “They just have some connections.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan understood—merely financial connections.

Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment, then raised his eyes to look at Consort Rou. “Your Ladyship, this humble minister has one question I’d like to ask. Please have Your Ladyship dismiss everyone else.”

Consort Rou raised her hand and waved. Everyone around them left, and even the person who had long since passed out on the rack was taken down and dragged away.

When only Pei Wenxuan and Consort Rou remained in the room, Pei Wenxuan finally spoke. “Does Your Ladyship wish to plan for obtaining a large sum of money to live out your years comfortably in the harem, or,” Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and pointed toward the direction of the palace, “to send Prince Su to that position?”