Watching Jiang Shuyue and Xiangyang walk away, the Empress Dowager glared at Chang Le and said, "You silly child, you have no sense at all. Is the Imperial Study lacking in lunch?"

Chang Le blinked her eyes with a wronged look on her face. "I want to have lunch with Sister Jiang. If Mother agrees, I also want to leave the palace with her."

"Second sister, would you like Sister Jiang to be our sister-in-law?" Yonghe asked in a different way, afraid that Chang Le would anger the Empress Dowager and confine her to her quarters again.

Chang Le nodded like a chick pecking at rice: "Of course I want to, that way Sui Sui can live in the palace every day, and we can see Sister Jiang every day."

Yonghe shook his head: "Wrong."

Chang Le's phoenix eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "Elder sister, don't you want Sister Jiang to become our imperial sister-in-law?"

"No, of course I hope Sister Jiang will become our Empress's sister-in-law. If Sister Jiang becomes our Empress's sister-in-law, then there will be younger brothers and sisters in the palace in the future. Don't you think so?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Yonghe with an approving gaze.

Chang Le sat back heavily on the chaise lounge, still shaken, and said, "That scared me to death. I thought my eldest sister didn't like Sister Jiang and Sui Sui anymore."

Yonghe sat down next to Changle and patiently explained, "It's rare for Sister Jiang and Second Brother to be alone together. If you go with them, Second Brother won't have a chance to develop feelings for Sister Jiang, and our wish will be hard to fulfill."

Chang Le suddenly realized, "Oh! I understand. In the future, it's either my second brother or me."

"Mother, is there anything you need me to do?" Chang Le looked at her mother obediently.

The Empress Dowager said irritably, "This is none of your business. Go back to the palace and practice your zither."

At this time, Aunt Cai also returned. The Empress Dowager asked Aunt Cai to go to the storeroom to select the best bird's nests and then send someone to deliver them to the Jiang residence.

...

There weren't many masters in the harem, so naturally there weren't many palace maids or eunuchs either.

They didn't encounter many palace maids along the way.

Xiang Yang, trying to make conversation, asked Jiang Shuyue, "You've managed Juxian Pavilion very well, Miss. I heard that there are many dishes that weren't available before."

Jiang Shuyue smiled faintly, "You flatter me, Vice Commander. The good business is also thanks to the efforts of Managers Hu Qing and Nangong Zeyue. If you have time, Vice Commander, you can try it. The specialties there are quite good."

Xiangyang nodded with a smile. He always returned to the palace on time when he went out on business, so he didn't have time to enjoy the food.

When the two arrived at the Imperial Study, Xiao Jingzhao was making tea.

There was no sign of Eunuch Ma inside the room. Several palace maids and eunuchs were standing under the corridor outside the hall. Without Xiao Jingzhao's instructions, none of them were allowed to go in to serve him.

After watching Jiang Shuyue go inside, Xiang Yang waited outside the door.

"Did I disturb you?" Since there was no one else around, Jiang Shuyue really didn't care about formalities.

Xiao Jingzhao placed the brewed tea on the opposite side of the desk. "I'm done with my work. Come and have a cup of tea."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jiang Shuyue took her seat with grace and poise.

The two were separated by a table, and the faint scent of cool bamboo lingered around their noses.

"You've come at the perfect time. Tomorrow, the academy will begin the assessment phase for incoming students, and in a few days, Sui Sui will be able to enroll." As Xiao Jingzhao spoke, his gaze fell on Jiang Shuyue's face.

Jiang Shuyue knew that most of the students at the Imperial Academy were children of noble families in the capital and officials of the court.

Not all sons and daughters of officials could freely enter the school.

All applicants undergo interviews to ensure their children are intelligent before being admitted.

Some exceptionally talented scholars were recommended by court officials, and such people were able to smoothly enter the Imperial Academy to study with the princes.

The Imperial Academy was once in chaos because of the Song family, and truly talented scholars all went to study under the Zhen family.

After reorganizing, Xiao Jingzhao appointed the real Grand Scholar as a Doctor, and put him in charge of the personnel and management of the entire Imperial Academy.

A total of six PhDs were selected, and the other five people each had their own duties, including teaching assistants, academicians, and supervisors, totaling more than a dozen people.

Everyone inside had been secretly investigated by Xiao Jingzhao, including many talented individuals who had been demoted by the previous dynasty.

Jiang Shuyue said solemnly, "Your Majesty, since there is an interview and assessment, Sui Sui, Su Nan, and Sui Sui's page should all be treated equally when facing the teacher's questions."

Jiang Shuyue looked up, and the two met eyes again.

A sly glint flashed in the deep phoenix eyes opposite him.

"Moon Lady, have you really looked at me carefully?" Xiao Jingzhao replied, seemingly ignoring the question.

Jiang Shuyue: "..."

How should she respond to this? Jiang Shuyue's ears turned slightly red, but she pretended to be calm and asked, "We are talking about the children's education. What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

Seeing a hint of panic in Jiang Shuyue's eyes, Xiao Jingzhao said, "Yue Niang, you don't understand me, so why do you deny me? If you are willing to be the empress, then every year you will rightfully be the crown prince. The crown prince can study without having to go through an examination."

"Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty. I have grown accustomed to a simple life these past few years. Your Majesty is very kind. It is just that I am not good at competing for favor in the harem."

Jiang Shuyue's words were very clear: you have too many concubines in your harem, I don't care to share a husband with others.

Xiao Jingzhao was incredibly intelligent, and naturally he understood the meaning behind Jiang Shuyue's words.

He said calmly, "I don't need to hold a talent show."

Jiang Shuyue picked up her teacup and took a sip, secretly thinking to herself that even without a talent show, the ministers' desire to send their daughters into the palace would not be stopped.

Your Majesty, you should simply enjoy the days of being surrounded by beauties.

Seeing that Jiang Shuyue remained silent, Xiao Jingzhao assumed that she was seriously considering the matter.

Little did he know, Jiang Shuyue had already imagined a blissful and sensual day for him.

He knew it would be hard to convince Jiang Shuyue that he wouldn't participate in the talent show; he just had to say it.

"I will prove it to you with time."

Jiang Shuyue smiled without saying a word; she dared not believe the Emperor's promise.

Since ancient times, the imperial harem has been intertwined with the imperial court. In order to consolidate their power and win over the hearts of the people, emperors had no choice but to take concubines.

Having multiple wives and concubines is something most men secretly desire. Faced with the advice of his ministers, how could Xiao Jingzhao possibly fulfill her wish of a lifelong monogamous relationship?

"Your Majesty, in order to avoid attracting attention, I will still have someone send Sui Sui and the others to the interview tomorrow."

Xiao Jingzhao couldn't refuse Jiang Shuyue, so he nodded and said, "I'll have Xiangyang pick them up."

"No, everyone knows that Xiangyang is a person close to the Emperor. Suisui looks too much like you. If Xiangyang sends her there, it will be like trying to hide something obvious."

Seeing that Jiang Shuyue refused decisively, Xiao Jingzhao stopped trying to persuade her.

He originally planned to reveal Sui Sui's identity directly, but he was worried about causing harm to Jiang Shuyue. After weighing the options, he came up with another plan.

Next, Jiang Shuyue talked to Xiao Jingzhao about Juxian Pavilion and greenhouse vegetables, which was also a way of reporting the progress of the work to the shareholders.

Jiang Shuyue estimated that it was about time, so she stood up and said, "Let's stop here for today. When the greenhouse vegetables are ripe, I will have some sent to the palace. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Xiao Jingzhao hurriedly said, "Wait, the imperial meal will be here soon. I have something to discuss with you. Let's eat and talk."

Jiang Shuyue: "..."

"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?"