Chapter 3, 003: I won't do it.

Previously, Zhao Jialing relied on his dream of becoming a powerful emperor and acting arbitrarily to force himself to attend court.

But after she decided to become Xie Lanzhao's puppet, attending court became a nightmare.

A man who works from dawn till dusk and dies young.

During the morning court session, those words echoed in Zhao Jialing's mind. Her eyes were lifeless, and she didn't even glance at the officials below her.

[Host, as a wise ruler, you should take the initiative to discuss and govern.] The Wise Ruler System went online while Zhao Jialing was lost in thought.

【Okay, okay.】 Zhao Jialing mentally dismissed it. She woke up to find that thing claiming to be a system was still with her. It seemed her delusions had reached an incurable stage. But looking at her older sisters, she felt she could still try and take advantage of the situation.

A few unusual noises suddenly broke the silence of the hall.

Who is speaking?

The Imperial Censor's eyes suddenly sharpened. Although the Imperial Censor was only a minor official of the seventh rank, he was also considered a court official because of his duties in charge of court etiquette and investigating officials. Upon hearing the commotion, the Imperial Censor immediately stood at attention, his hawk-like gaze searching for the person who had violated the emperor's decorum.

It's outrageous to gossip in the Xuanzheng Hall!

Compared to the righteous indignation of the Imperial Censor, many court officials were simply looking on with amusement.

Whispering during court sessions—isn't that just asking for trouble? Wait, what did that audacious person say again? The courtiers who had been trying to recall what they'd heard turned green with rage a moment later.

Xie Lanzhao pursed her lips. When she heard the conversation again, her heart was not stirred. This proved that yesterday was not a dream.

Even if His Majesty were the most absurd person, he couldn't possibly hide someone in the Xuanzheng Hall to perform magic tricks.

She glanced discreetly at her colleague to the side, noticing a look of bewilderment and fear on his face.

Are there other people who can hear it?

After its defeat in its struggle against Zhao Jialing, the Wise Ruler System cruelly chose to amplify its thoughts. The faint sounds subsided, leaving the hall eerily silent. Satisfied, the Wise Ruler System prepared to issue more tasks, shocking everyone. A short sentence might only have aroused suspicion among the court officials, but what if it launched a relentless verbal attack?

"[Host, host.]" came the cheerful voice of the Wise Ruler System.

Feeling drowsy, Zhao Jialing forced herself to stay awake. She didn't want to have a fit in front of the court officials, but the noise was just too much. However, she thought to herself, "No one will know, right?"

Lost in her thoughts, Zhao Jialing's gaze fell on Xie Lanzao's beautiful face, and she began to talk to herself.

I want to die. I want to sleep.

Anyone who disturbs my sleep, drag them out and behead them.

[I am a foolish ruler, will Xie Lanzao depose me? If she follows Yi Huo's example, who will she choose to inherit the throne?]

What title will she give me? Duke of Anle? Marquis of Haihun? Where will I live after I'm deposed?

[Host!] The Wise Ruler System crashed for a moment. No, ignoring her is one thing, but why does the host have such a vivid imagination?

Zhao Jialing ignored the system and focused her gaze on Xie Lanzhao.

Xie Lanzao was in the front row, but she was a distance away from the throne, so she couldn't see clearly. However, that didn't stop Zhao Jialing from automatically sketching her appearance.

[Will she imprison me in her own home? That would be best; I'd like to keep her hidden away like a mistress!]

[The algae is bad, but the color is good.]

[I'm so hungry!]

Zhao Jialing felt a surge of helplessness. By the time she came to her senses, Xie Lanzhao was already kneeling on the ground, with a whole row of people kneeling behind her.

Not everyone can hear what's on their mind, but seeing the prime minister kneeling, what can you do but follow the crowd? Are you just going to stand there like a clothesline?

Zhao Jialing: "?" What's going on?

Kneeling on the ground, Xie Lanzhao clearly felt the faint gazes falling on her.

She heard His Majesty's voice, as did the other courtiers. Perhaps those in the back might have thought His Majesty was speaking, but she was certain that His Majesty had not uttered a sound.

Where did that voice come from? Was it His Majesty's innermost thoughts? How did she hear it? How many people heard it? The people kneeling behind looked bewildered; were they unaware of the situation?

Xie Lanzhao's face was as cold as frost, her heart filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Kneeling not far from Xie Lanzhao was the Minister of Revenue.

She heard those words clearly, and she dared to look directly at the Emperor's face, but the Emperor did not speak, nor did anyone with a voice similar to hers speak up for her.

She swallowed nervously and secretly looked up.

She was an old friend of Xie Lanzhao's mother and was one of the few female officials to enter the central government after the reform.

She had practically watched Xie Lanzao grow up and knew she wouldn't presume to depose the emperor. Although Lanzao came from the Zhongshan Princess's residence, she and His Majesty had grown up together.

Hiding a beauty in a golden cage? Could it be that His Majesty intends to bring Lanzao into the harem? His Majesty has been on the throne for several years, yet he still retains the temperament of a child, constantly opposing Lanzao. Even when she was still a princess, she had asked the late Emperor and Princess Zhongshan for Lanzao several times, and after being refused, she even sneaked out of the palace—

So, all these years, His Majesty and Lanzao have actually had a love-hate relationship?!

They have that kind of relationship!

The Minister of Revenue's gaze suddenly became intense, like a burning fire.

[They might have been intimidated by your imposing presence, host.]

The Wise Ruler System knew, of course, that it was caused by its own externalizing of Zhao Jialing's thoughts, but it kept quiet about it.

Zhao Jialing had no time to consider whether these words were true or false. It wouldn't be appropriate to have all the civil and military officials kneeling on the ground in a chaotic mass. She said listlessly, "Rise."

Immediately afterwards, the head eunuch's sharp and drawn-out "Rise!" echoed throughout the hall.

As is customary, the next step is the court deliberation session.

Xie Lanzhao frowned, still immersed in Zhao Jialing's thoughts.

The Xuanzheng Hall was deathly silent.

At this moment, Huan Qi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Duke of Anguo, stepped forward holding his official tablet and said, "I have something to report."

His mind was still somewhat dazed, wondering why Xie Lanzhao had suddenly knelt down and led the assembled officials in bowing in obeisance. This was no time to concern himself with such trivial matters. He raised his head, his clear and resonant voice echoing in the hall: "The autumn lectures will begin in August, and the selection of lecturers should not be taken lightly. Your Majesty, I would like to recommend one person."

Zhao Jialing felt a headache coming on at the mere mention of "autumn lectures"; she had absolutely no desire to study. Her gaze lingered on Huan Qi's face; by blood, Huan Qi was her uncle. She should give Huan Qi some face, but—Zhao Jialing then secretly glanced at Xie Lanzhao, whose expression was blank. She quickly made her judgment and said, "The Grand Secretary has already found lecturers for me, and the number of positions has been determined."

Huan Qi felt a lump in his throat and retorted indignantly, "Xie Zhongshu's actions were not without fault, but he dismissed Lu Shi out of personal bias." He did want to put someone in the lecture hall, but Xie Lanzhao simply wouldn't listen to him. Although the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel held a high rank, the Grand Secretary was in charge of the Secretariat, so the Left Vice Minister had long lost the real power of a prime minister!

Zhao Jialing asked, puzzled, "Who is Lu Shi?"

Xie Lanzhao said, "He was a Jinshi in the fifth year of the reign of the late Emperor Qiyuan. He was disloyal, unrighteous, frivolous and immoral, and unfit to be a teacher."

In the past, Zhao Jialing would have been determined to oppose Xie Lanzhao, but after deciding to give up, her attitude was unusually amiable: "That makes sense."

These two simple words not only stunned Xie Lanzhao, but also left Huan Qi, the emperor's maternal uncle, utterly shocked. He was the emperor's maternal uncle; whose family was the emperor on?! Huan Qi immediately said, "Your Majesty possesses the utmost respect and caution of the ancient sages, entrusting all matters, large and small, to your ministers, deferring to them yourself. If those entrusted are truly loyal and virtuous, it is a blessing for our Great Yong. But what if there are treacherous officials among them? Wouldn't that endanger the state? With petty men in power, Your Majesty only accepts their words as truth and their appointed officials as virtuous. These petty men in court disregard the gods and treat Your Majesty like a child. I implore Your Majesty to exert your will and make your own decisions!"

The drama of mutual attacks in the imperial court is playing out once again.

Zhao Jialing wasn't surprised at all; she let her thoughts wander: [What game? Who's playing?]

Under the watchful eyes of some court officials, Xie Lanzhao's expression darkened further.

Seeing the change in Xie Lanzao's expression, Huan Qi raised his eyebrows, revealing his smugness.

Once the topic is started, it's not easy to stop; Huan Qi has only just begun.

Censor Meng Xuanhe stepped forward to attack Lu Shi, recommended by Huan Qi: "Lu Shi excels in worldly learning but lacks the conduct of a gentleman. He achieved nothing in his advancement and harbors resentment towards the emperor in his retirement. This man has no respect for his superiors and has repeatedly slandered Huan Qi's policies!" These words caused the assembled officials to change color. Censors were subordinate officials of the Censorate, holding only the eighth rank, but like the Palace Attendant Censors, they had their place in the court's ranks during regular court sessions. Those who engaged in heated debates in the court were often censors like Meng Xuanhe, or remonstrating officials like the Left and Right Remonstrance Officials.

Xuanming and Qiyuan were the reign titles of the previous emperor. The policies of Xuanqi refer to a series of reforms implemented during the previous emperor's reign, spearheaded by the prime minister, Xie Lanzhao's mother. The most important, and often criticized, reform was the division of the imperial examinations into the "Qian" and "Kun" lists, setting a precedent for women to serve as officials in the outer court. Meng Xuanhe was a scholar who entered the court through the women's examination.

Criticizing Xuanqi's policies is tantamount to dissatisfaction with the late emperor. Given that the current sage is not prepared to implement reforms, no one dares to accuse him of this serious matter.

The civil and military officials dared not speak, but the system of the wise ruler was very active.

It ignored the fact that Zhao Jialing hadn't done any tasks and assigned her a new main quest.

[Host, the main quest "Governing the Country, Eliminating Traitors - Part 1: The Defeat of the Emperor's Brother-in-Law" has been activated. Good luck completing it!]

A treacherous official? One? The emperor's brother-in-law?

The courtiers who could hear Zhao Jialing's inner thoughts perked up their ears.

Once it happens, it will happen again. Who else but the emperor's brother-in-law? By the way, can the emperor's brother-in-law hear me?

With these thoughts in mind, many people secretly glanced at Huan Qi.

Huan Qi, who was being watched, looked completely bewildered.

Zhao Jialing: [I am merely a puppet; I have no power. I will not do this.]

Zhao Jialing: [However, where is the Emperor's brother-in-law's treachery? Where is his sycophancy?]

Wise Ruler System: [Host, wait, let me check.]

A little while later—

[Huan Qi, that old scoundrel, is no good. He's derelict in his duties and utterly corrupt! He uses the Empress Dowager's name to seize other people's land, and he's so heartless that he forces women into prostitution! He's a member of the Loyal Prince's faction! He told the Loyal Prince that you, host, are just a three-year-old child, easily fooled. He even said you're useless, unable to even handle Xie Lanzao.]

Zhao Jialing: [The Loyal King is a cripple.]

Wise Ruler System: [He has a son. By the way, Old Deng plans to marry his daughter to Prince Zhong as his second wife. However, he hasn't dared to mention it yet, fearing the Empress Dowager's disapproval.]

Zhao Jialing was furious. Wasn't this pushing someone into a fire pit? But when she thought about how she didn't even have the freedom to choose what books to read or what paintings to hang in her study, how could she possibly manage the ministers? Her expression immediately became sullen.

She said wearily, "Let's discuss it again."

At that moment, the courtiers below who heard his thoughts were sweating profusely and dared not utter a sound.

Do they know too much?!