Тhе rеfоrm of the imреriаl ехamination sуstеm was a mаjor affаir.
Еvеn thоugh it wаs оnly prоposed by a few sсhоlars, thе entirе соurt wаs thrown intо а stаtе оf uneаse.
Almost еvеry fаmily and clаn spent а sleeрlеss night, аnd Соnsоrt Rоu remainеd аt the Suреrvisоry Dеpаrtmеnt until midnight.
With over а hundrеd schоlars lodging cоmplaints, Cоnsоrt Rоu was uttеrly exhаustеd just frоm heаring thе саsеs, lеt alоnе Li Chеng, who wаs only еlevеn уеars оld.
Соnsоrt Rou, conсerned for Li Cheng, sеnt him to bed eаrly while shе hersеlf listеned tо the scholars' cases, staying up late into the night.
She had long lost her patience, but this was, after all, the first case she had taken on—the first step in establishing her authority in the Supervisory Department. No matter what, she had to handle this matter well for Li Cheng, to pave the way for him.
So Consort Rou gritted her teeth and listened to the last scholar's statement before seeing Shangguan Ya approach with the testimonies, smiling as she said, "Your Highness, all the testimonies from those involved have been recorded. Please give your instructions."
Consort Rou looked at Shangguan Ya. She wanted to replace her, as she was a girl from the Shangguan family. But at the moment, she had no energy left to argue with Shangguan Ya, nor could she find anyone to replace her. So she simply smiled and said, "It's late. After you've put the testimonies away, go back and rest."
Having received Consort Rou's words, Shangguan Ya bowed and withdrew with the others. Consort Rou then rose and returned to her carriage. Only when she was alone in the carriage did she finally have the time and energy to reflect on the day's events.
Early that morning, Cui Yulang had come to see her and told her about the scholars lodging complaints at the palace gate. She had wanted to seize this opportunity to take charge of the Supervisory Department, earn some merit for Li Cheng, and please Li Ming.
Li Cheng was still too young, and Li Ming's health had been poor lately, leaving her feeling unsettled. She needed to secure something for Li Cheng as soon as possible, so that if anything were to happen to Li Ming, she could be prepared.
But she hadn't expected such a huge trouble. How could she bear the responsibility for a reform of this magnitude?
That scoundrel Cui Yulang...
Consort Rou cursed inwardly. Just as she was about to have someone notify Cui Yulang to enter the palace the next morning, before she could speak, the carriage suddenly came to a halt.
"Your Highness," the coachman's voice came from outside, "the Second Young Master requests an audience."
Hearing this, Consort Rou paused, hesitating for a moment before finally nodding. "Let him come into the carriage to speak."
The coachman spoke with someone outside for a while before a young man draped in a black cloak leaped onto the carriage.
He entered the carriage, first bowed to Consort Rou with proper and elegant grace, and then calmly took a seat.
"What brings you here?"
Consort Rou sat in her seat, feeling somewhat uneasy.
The other person sat in the farthest corner of the carriage from her and said slowly, "Today, Your Highness took on the scholars' case. May I ask who suggested it?"
He knew her too well to even consider that it might have been her own idea.
But how could Consort Rou so easily reveal Cui Yulang? Even though she now harbored resentment toward him, it didn't mean she had no guard against him. So she picked up her tea and chuckled lightly. "This was my own idea. Why would I need anyone's suggestion?""Oh?" The other party's tone turned somewhat cold. "Did Your Ladyship think of taking on the aristocratic families yourself? Your Ladyship, you and Prince Su have no foundation in the court. Even Princess Pingle is avoiding this case, yet you rush headlong into it. I fear you may have been set up. I've said all I can. I hope Your Ladyship will take care of yourself."
After speaking, the other party ordered the carriage to stop, then jumped down and disappeared into the night.
Consort Rou felt both furious and chilled. She knew what this person said was not wrong, yet she was helpless. She had accepted the case in front of everyone, and now these scholars were certainly targeting her with their protests. Although she held no position in court and Prince Su was still young, due to her background, there were many among the commoner class who secretly supported Prince Su.
She had come to win the support of the commoner class, not to wreck everything. If she took the case and these scholars later became dissatisfied and protested again, it would damage Li Cheng's reputation to some extent.
But to have her close the case...
Where did she have the ability to implement reforms?
Consort Rou let out a heavy sigh, trying not to overthink it. She decided to enter the palace first and see Li Ming.
By the time Consort Rou returned to the palace, Li Ming had long been waiting for her in her quarters.
It was the first time she had returned so late, and Li Ming found waiting for her rather amusing. He had tea brought in and waited in the main hall for a while, his mind recalling the discussions he had with Pei Wenxuan earlier that day.
These scholars causing trouble was all planned by Pei Wenxuan.
Though young, Pei Wenxuan was quite capable. Getting these scholars' grievances all the way to the main hall, though a small matter, required navigating many connections.
From the guards outside the palace gates to the palace guards and eunuchs inside—if any link in the chain failed, the message would never reach the main hall.
But Pei Wenxuan had already discussed it with him a few days prior.
Pei Wenxuan would have these scholars file a complaint, then pretend to clash with him in court. Li Ming would then take the opportunity to hand the imperial examinations over to Pei Wenxuan, letting him take full charge of the matter. Afterwards, Pei Wenxuan would leave the palace and accept the scholars' demands for reform.
Reforming the imperial examinations was something he had dreamed of for years.
In truth, he didn't want to act so hastily, but since the beginning of the year, his health hadn't been good. He often felt overwhelmed by many tasks.
He feared Prince Su might not wait for him.
And just then, Pei Wenxuan handed him the reason for reform. With an opportunity and an executor, even if there were risks, he had to take them.
Who would have thought that in the end, it would be Consort Rou who stepped forward to take the case?
So he quickly summoned Pei Wenxuan and spent the afternoon discussing with him.
Privately, he didn't want Consort Rou to take the case. He knew the risks involved. For him, Prince Su was a trump card to keep Li Chuan in check, and he didn't want anything to happen to Consort Rou that might affect Prince Su.
Thinking of this, Li Ming sighed softly. Fulai was pouring tea for Li Ming, and hearing the sigh amidst the gentle sound of flowing water, Fulai couldn't help but ask, "Why does Your Majesty sigh?"
"Consort Rou," Li Ming said somewhat helplessly, "is too foolish."
"Since things have come to this," Fulai set down the teapot and handed the teacup to Li Ming, his thin voice tinged with regret, "no matter what, Consort Rou is now sharing Your Majesty's burdens. Your Majesty should set your mind at ease."
Listening to Fulai's comfort, Li Ming remained silent.
He and Pei Wenxuan had already discussed it all afternoon. The best way to handle this matter was to let Consort Rou accept the case with peace of mind.
If successful, Consort Rou could take control of the Supervisory Department and pave the way for Li Cheng.
If it failed...Li Ming's gaze turned somewhat cold. Consort Rou, a mere consort... in the end, it was all her fault.
Li Ming had already planned all his escape routes. After waiting for a long time, he finally heard the sound of Consort Rou returning from outside.
Even before Consort Rou had passed through the palace gates, she heard that Li Ming was waiting for her. Surprised and puzzled, she thought to herself that Li Ming was not a man of particularly good temper. She had always accommodated him, but this was the first time he had ever waited for her like this.
Consort Rou hurried into the hall and knelt before Li Ming, apologizing remorsefully, "Your servant was delayed by other matters today and failed to greet Your Majesty in time. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
"I know," Li Ming stood up and personally helped her to her feet, his voice gentle. "You've worked hard. How could I blame you?"
Consort Rou was lifted up by Li Ming, who then led her into the hall. "Have you eaten anything?"
Reminded by his question, Consort Rou realized she had barely eaten anything all day. But Li Ming had come so late at night and waited for her for so long. If she rushed off to eat now, she feared he might be displeased. She was about to say she had already eaten when Li Ming directly ordered someone to bring in the porridge that had been prepared.
"I thought you probably hadn't eaten, so I had someone prepare porridge earlier," Li Ming said gently. He guided Consort Rou to sit down, took her hand, and whispered, "I know you don't like sweet porridge, so I specifically asked them to make century egg and lean meat porridge. You haven't eaten much all day, so you shouldn't have anything too heavy."
When it came to caring for a woman, Li Ming was extremely attentive. For some reason, Consort Rou felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.
It seemed like many years since she had received such affection from Li Ming. Between her and Li Ming, it had always been her accommodating and looking after him. After all, Li Ming was the emperor, the foundation of her existence.
Among so many women, why did Li Ming favor her alone? She was now around the same age as Li Ming. In terms of beauty, she could not compare to those young maidens; in terms of family background, she was no match for noble families like Shangguan Yue. She was not skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. The reasons she had remained by Li Ming's side for so long, aside from her humble origins and the affection from their youth, were that she understood Li Ming.
Her unconditional accommodation and companionship were what Li Ming needed most in the depths of the palace.
He had been suppressed by court officials for too long. His pride as an emperor made him extremely sensitive to any defiance. Any disobedience from noble families felt like arrogance to him, and the so-called integrity of noblewomen seemed like disrespect.
Thus, her gentleness, obedience, seemingly unconditional devotion, and wholehearted companionship were all things Li Ming valued deeply.
Li Ming had been willful with her for so many years that she had almost forgotten she was a woman. Now, with Li Ming comforting her like this, she suddenly felt her eyes grow moist.
Seeing her eyes redden, Li Ming couldn't help but ask, "Why do you look like you're about to cry all of a sudden?"
Consort Rou forced a smile, sniffled softly, and whispered, "I was just thinking of how good Your Majesty was to me when we were young, and I feel like I've failed Your Majesty all these years."
"How have you failed me?" Li Ming shook his head. "You've done exceptionally well. In this court, you are the only one willing to share my burdens."
As he spoke, Li Ming sighed, seemingly remorseful. "Court matters should not involve you women, yet now I must rely on you to charge into battle for me. As your husband, how can I bear this?"
"Your Majesty..."Consort Rou shed tears upon hearing the word "husband." Li Ming chuckled and drew her into his embrace. "Why are you crying? Don't be afraid," he reassured her. "Tomorrow, I will restore your consort rank. As for the matters of the Supervisory Department, handle them freely. I will support you."
"I will arrange everything for you. Do not worry."
"Your servant understands." Hearing Li Ming's promises, Consort Rou felt greatly reassured.
Suddenly, she no longer resented Cui Yulang.
She recalled his advice from earlier in the day: "Your Majesty, the Emperor is your foundation. No noble family wishes to support a crown prince from humble origins. For families rooted in lineage and bloodlines, this would be an insult."
"Only His Majesty is your sole reliance."
Cui Yulang was not wrong.
Leaning against Li Ming's chest, Consort Rou's heart settled.
Whether the imperial examination system existed or not, she and the noble families would never walk the same path.
Li Ming was her only support.
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