Chapter 8 008 I am wise and sagacious.

Xie Lanzhao ignored Zhao Jialing's thoughts and frowned as she flipped through the book in her hands.

Although the binding method differed from the fashionable scrolls, she knew how to flip through it as soon as she got her hands on it. She skimmed the text, secretly marveling at the convenience of the pages, noting this down before studying the contents more carefully. The language was easy to understand, and the charts in the book were novel and could indeed improve work efficiency.

"What is that? Why is Xie Lanzhao looking at it so intently? She's not even looking at me anymore." Zhao Jialing spoke to the system.

[Host, don't be unreasonable. That thin booklet is full of essential information. It eliminates all the empty rhetoric and grandstanding, using charts to make memorials clear at a glance. Management is assigned to specific individuals for easy accountability, task processes are simplified, and work summaries are submitted for easier browsing! It can be used in the court, and even in the harem.] The Wise Ruler System recommended to Zhao Jialing.

Of course, it wasn't relying on Zhao Jialing. Once it started talking, it began to rattle off, trying to cram knowledge into Xie Lanzhao's head. As for Zhao Jialing, let him slack off if he wants.

Xie Lanzhao was multitasking, flipping through the book while also paying attention to the conversation between the system and Zhao Jialing.

[Host, anyone could summarize this. The obstacle to reform is the old-fashioned rigidity. In short, this is just an appetizer. As long as you diligently complete tasks and achieve results, you will possess the powerful tool to make the Great Yong Dynasty prosperous and strong. At that time, not only will you be remembered in history, but even if you ride on the tablets of your ancestors to court, no one will say a word against you.]

Xie Lanzhao: "?" A product for the benefit of the nation and its people? A mission? An achievement? She was somewhat confused, only silently memorizing these terms. Then, the system's last sentence caused a subtle change in her expression. Such disrespect—was it truly the manifestation of the ancestors of the Great Yong Dynasty?

"Your Majesty." Xie Lanzhao raised her eyes.

Zhao Jialing was startled by her.

[Third Sister, is she going to pry again? How am I supposed to explain where the book came from?]

She admitted she was a little anxious; Xie Lanzhao's sharp eyes could not fool her with lies!

Xie Lanzhao did want to inquire about the book's origin, but upon hearing Zhao Jialing's flustered thoughts, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. She softened her tone and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I am able to bring it back for reference."

Zhao Jialing: "Approved, approved, approved." She definitely wouldn't look at it. This lousy system claims it's good stuff; if it really were, why doesn't it give her a sudden enlightenment? If it had divine power, it would just stuff her head full of governance strategies.

Xie Lanzhao stayed in the hall for a while before leaving with the imperial gift.

Zhao Jialing breathed a sigh of relief.

[Host, are you afraid of her?]

Zhao Jialing retorted: "Who's afraid of her? What do you know? She's my prime minister, a pillar of my state."

Wise Ruler System: [I'm not afraid, otherwise I wouldn't have repeatedly crossed Xie Lanzhao's boundaries.]

Zhao Jialing asked, confused, "What do you mean?"

Her intuition told her it wasn't good news.

The Wise Ruler System remained silent.

It's okay if you don't understand.

In the following days, apart from presenting the charges against Duke Anguo, nothing major happened.

Huan Qi himself was imprisoned, while the Duke of Anguo's family... indeed came to the Empress Dowager to plead their case. These were imperial relatives; everyone had their flaws, so a laugh it off was enough. Whether the crime was serious or minor, wasn't that up to the Emperor? Wouldn't the ministers give them any face at all? The Duke of Anguo was the Emperor's maternal uncle! Yet, those pleading for leniency didn't even get a meeting with Zhao Jialing or the Empress Dowager.

The palace's attitude is actually a signal.

The officials understood. Who cares? First, they would submit a memorial to impeach Huan Qi and distance themselves from him. As for the people they drank with and cursed in the past, those were things of the past. What did they have to do with them now? To gain a foothold in the court, one had to be thick-skinned.

Zhao Jialing was not surprised by the officials' reaction.

This has happened before over the years.

The late emperor left her with four regents. The lucky ones retired to their hometowns and lived in peace. As for the remaining two, they not only died, but their names also disappeared after their deaths. They were left a pit in the historical records of treacherous officials.

Xie Lanzhao was manipulating things, but those who relentlessly attacked them were all former relatives, friends, and students. Of course, there were also those who, like filial sons, stayed by their side in life and served them in death, demonstrating the deep affection of former officials and students. Moved as they were, they were directly expelled from the imperial examinations, sent to the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) to become commoners.

Among the group of people who turned against him, there was one who surprised Zhao Jialing.

It was her third brother, Prince Zhong.

He had himself carried into the palace, prostrated himself on the ground to beg for forgiveness, and presented the letters he had exchanged with Huan Qi.

What could Zhao Jialing do? He could only have the Prince of Zhong carried back. After all, Huan Qi's crime of communicating with the Prince of Zhong wasn't serious enough to warrant imprisoning the Prince of Zhong as well.

The court officials didn't mention it, and Zhao Jialing didn't want to bear the infamy of killing his brother.

Why didn't my eldest brother and second sister go a little crazier back then and take the Prince of Zhong with them?

Among the stack of letters, many were distorted poems praising the Loyal King.

I don't know how blind her uncle is, that he could still say something like "handsome and elegant".

With the Prince of Zhong bedridden for so long, how can he possibly be in good health?

"Host, some of them were burned by the Loyal King," the Wise Ruler System told Zhao Jialing.

"Could they be plotting to kill me?!" Zhao Jialing was furious. If that were the case, she would have to find a way to forcefully convict the Prince of Zhong as well.

"No, not at all. Although the Prince of Zhong has never stopped seeking out renowned doctors, once he's paralyzed, he's paralyzed. Unless there's a miraculous cure, there's no hope of recovery. His only hope is his son, Prince Ping'en, Zhao Qiming," said the Wise Ruler System.

In the imperial court.

The officials listened to the heartfelt words with trepidation, their thoughts drifting.

If a crown prince must be chosen from among the imperial clan, the lineage of Prince Zhong is indeed the most likely. Although His Majesty has shown mercy by restoring the imperial clan status of Prince Hengshan and Princess Zhongshan and bestowing titles upon their daughters, these two were, in essence, culprits who angered the late emperor, and their descendants are naturally excluded from the line of succession. Moreover, they left behind only daughters, and many secretly hope for a male emperor to restore tradition. As for Princess Jinxian, she and her husband cannot have children.

Wait, how did we conclude that His Majesty has no heir?!

The minister, lost in his wild thoughts, felt a chill run down his spine.

They could hear His Majesty's innermost thoughts, but did the gods who followed His Majesty also tell him about their every move and word?! The officials hurriedly stopped their wandering thoughts, afraid that they would not be able to leave the Xuanzheng Hall.

Originally, Prince Zhong had no such intention, but he couldn't resist the constant nagging from Duke Anguo. Besides calling him muddle-headed and incompetent, Duke Anguo also said that he and Princess Jinxian were of the same ilk—both loved women. In short, with a little effort, Prince Zhong could make his branch of the family a major clan.

Does His Majesty like women?

This conclusion came crashing down like a thunderbolt.

Oh no, liking women isn't scary, what's scary is turning into a madman like Princess Jin Xian.

The officials were so dizzy from being hit that they couldn't help but make connections.

His Majesty has not selected any candidates since ascending the throne.

She looked down on the sons of famous families.

Did His Majesty previously think of Xie Zhongshu?

The establishment of an empress is a major event in the imperial ancestral temple, and the chief ministers have an obligation to advise the emperor. However, Xie Zhongshu has taken care of all matters, but he has shown no interest in Your Majesty's marriage.

Therefore, it can be inferred that Prime Minister Xie did not want His Majesty to get married.

so--

The court officials didn't show it on their faces, but their minds were racing!

So His Majesty had long been secretly having an affair with Xie Zhongshu—no, I mean, they were mutually attracted.

If Your Majesty were to establish Xie Zhongshu as Empress, it would be inappropriate for the Empress to reside in the outer court and govern, so this has been kept secret from the court officials!

No wonder His Majesty was previously dissatisfied with Xie Zhongshu.

This clearly shows that they wanted to establish an empress but couldn't.

However, he was unwilling to hurt Xie Zhongshu's feelings, so his so-called "power seizure" tactics were like child's play.

Therefore, all the "loyal ministers" who plotted against Xie Zhongshu died.

Why meddle in other people's family affairs? He died without any injustice.

The officials suddenly realized what was going on.

Xie Lanzhao stood ramrod straight.

After hearing the system's words, she noticed several gazes falling on her.

A quick thought allowed her to guess what her colleague was thinking, which sent chills down her spine.

Good for Zhao Jialing! If she doesn't curb her wildly impulsive thoughts, her innocence will be completely ruined.

The only saving grace was that His Majesty the Emperor did not call her by name directly.

Zhao Jialing choked for a while before saying, "My uncle is thinking quite a lot."

Wise Ruler System: [Those kinds of people are masters of reading between the lines. Even a single glance from you, Host, at Xie Lanzao will be remembered. Besides, Huan Qi probably knew about you throwing the love poem into the Xie residence.]

Xie Lanzhao: "..." She relaxed too soon. Seeing that her inner thoughts were becoming increasingly outrageous, Xie Lanzhao could no longer remain silent. She said, "Please make your judgment, Your Majesty."

Zhao Jialing: "Although he is a relative of the emperor's maternal uncle, I dare not show favoritism and betray the people. Therefore, in accordance with the Dali Temple's decision, he is stripped of his official post and title, demoted to commoner status, exiled a thousand li, and his family's property is confiscated." This was the proposed solution submitted by the Council of State Affairs, and Zhao Jialing was too lazy to change anything. Huan Qi was a criminal official; he himself was exiled, but his family could remain. After all, he was a member of the imperial family; even without his former glory, he wouldn't be reduced to begging on the streets.

After regaining her composure, she continued, "The Prince of Zhong is ill. I wish to grant Prince Ping'en's filial piety and allow him to return home to serve his parents." Zhao Jialing wasn't completely confused. It was one thing for her to want to slack off in her current position, but it was quite another for her to be being watched.

The son of the Prince of Zhong is now six years old and has just entered the Imperial Academy. Originally, the imperial relatives and the sons of the prime minister all studied at the two academies, but after Zhao Jialing ascended the throne, Xie Lanzhao submitted a memorial stating that the students of the two academies were lazy and negligent, their level of teaching and examination was poor, and they had no special talents. They all relied on their prestigious family background and lived a muddled life. Therefore, he petitioned to close the two academies and send all the students to the Imperial Academy.

According to the old system of the current dynasty, students of the two academies only needed a rudimentary understanding of poetry, prose, and policy essays to pass the imperial examinations. As a result, the sons of noble families who entered the two academies became arrogant and unmotivated to study, which was a major drawback of the academies. Although many nobles tried to obstruct the proposal, it was still passed. As a result, members of the imperial family also became students of the Imperial Academy, including the son of Prince Zhong.

The officials all said in unison, "Your Majesty is wise."

Huan Mansion.

People inside and outside looked terrified.

Who could have imagined that such a grand Duke's mansion would collapse like this?

Huan Qi had many children, but only his eldest son Huan Chuze and his third daughter Huan Chuxiang were born of the principal wife.

Huan Chuze originally held the position of Gentleman of the Palace through family connections, but he was dismissed along with Huan Qi because of the latter, and he was indignant.

While Huan Qi was in a state of chaos, someone from the Empress Dowager's palace came to announce an imperial decree, inviting Huan's third daughter to the palace to attend to his illness.

"Third Sister, whether Father's situation can be saved depends entirely on you, since you were able to see the Empress Dowager!" Huan Chuze seemed to have grasped a lifeline.

Huan Chuxiang: "..." Ever since she learned that her father and brother were discussing marrying her off to Prince Zhong as his second wife, she felt nauseous whenever she saw their faces. "Brother, tell Father not to worry."

Go in peace. If you die on the way, she will beg the Empress Dowager to bring the coffin back so that Father can have a grand funeral.