Chapter 29 Onboarding (Bonus Chapter)

The next morning.

Ling Wei had just slowly woken up when she heard Xiao Yao's voice coming from the courtyard: "Huh? Who put this here?"

She put on her coat, got up, and went out the door.

In the dim light of dawn, Xiao Yao was seen holding a long, plain-colored brocade box in her hands, looking completely bewildered.

The two maids left behind by Lin yesterday were also standing around, peeking and looking around.

The old woman guarding the gate hurriedly replied, "Miss, this old servant just opened the door this morning and saw this bundle on the threshold. Inside was just this box, nothing else."

She pointed to a neatly folded letter next to the brocade box.

The letter contained only four strong, bold characters: "Congratulations on moving."

Are you a neighbor?

Just then, Li's mother rushed over, holding a silver needle. "Young lady, don't touch it yet. Let this old woman test for poison. It was left here alone without knocking. Be careful."

Ling Wei was gratified. Although Xiao Yao and Li's mother were helpful, their upbringing instilled in them a kind and benevolent nature in their interactions with others.

Just like in the beginning, she often finds it difficult to resist sudden malice.

In order to help those around her grow along with her, she would occasionally tell Xiaoyao and Li's mother some "experiences" that she had adapted, influencing them subtly.

The results are already showing, even though she already knew who sent the gift through the system.

Mother Li carefully examined the inside and outside of the instrument with a silver needle, held her breath and waited for a long time, but the silver needle remained as clean as new.

She reached inside and felt around a few times to make sure everything was alright before taking out the items and handing them to Ling Wei: "Miss, they look clean."

Ling Wei took it, her fingertips touching a warm, cool sensation.

It appears to be an extremely exquisite hair ornament.

The two sides are delicate butterfly wings, not solid, but made of countless fine gold threads that are intricately woven and intertwined, forming a hollow and lively texture.

The center is adorned with tiny pearls and jade, extending out to a soft and elastic hairnet woven from fine gold threads.

Xiaoyao stared at it for a long time, and finally realized: I know!

She carefully picked it up, gently touched Ling Wei's hair for a while, and finally said: Done!

Mrs. Li clicked her tongue in amazement: "This is just right for Miss's current hair length."

Ling Wei's hair has now grown to her collarbone, and she can only tie it into a low bun.

The gold netting of this hair ornament holds the hair high and secures it, and the twisted and folded butterfly wings together make it look like a butterfly about to take flight on the hair bun.

Xiaoyao frowned with some concern: "But... the person delivering this gift didn't even show their face, and it's a young lady's personal hair accessory... Miss, isn't this... a bit inappropriate?"

“It’s alright,” Ling Wei touched the butterfly, her smile meaningful. “It must be the intention of a kind person.”

Now that it's been delivered, it must mean that they've found out what happened at the princess's residence and that it wasn't something she deliberately orchestrated.

System: Tsk tsk tsk, this guy is really a closet pervert...

It came out of nowhere in the middle of the night. It thought it was some thief trying to cause trouble, and almost woke Ling Wei up. But then it put down its things and left.

But speaking of thieves...

System: "Weiwei, will Du Qianqian try anything again?"

She? She's probably too busy taking care of herself.

After the autumn hunt, Ling Wei did not reveal the relationship between the assassin and Du Qianqian to the public.

Not only because there was no evidence, but also because the Second Prince was behind her, Ling Wei didn't want to confront him directly right now.

But Qiu Lie's shout still made Du Qianqian resent her, especially because it was because of her that her Brother Mu became Brother Mu.

So Ling Wei secretly did something bad, letting the Second Prince's inner circle know about Du Qianqian's relationship with the assassin.

Although the Second Prince tried his best to protect Du Qianqian, he and the Third Prince were both suspected by their father because of the assassination incident, and now the Empress's faction is gaining popularity.

Having gotten the definite answer from Du Qianqian's distraught appearance and evasive eyes, the Second Prince could only distance himself from her.

At least that's how it seems to others; His Highness the Second Prince has already distanced himself from this Miss Du.

Not to mention, judging from her tone, she was there to cause trouble for Ling Wei.

Ling Wei was personally commended by the emperor for her "courage and perseverance." If this were discovered...

The third and fourth brothers' faction could immediately pin him down on the assassination incident.

Ling Wei not only must not get into trouble, but she must also live a very good life.

Knowing that Ling Wei had moved out, Shen Qinglan, who had been abandoned in the capital by her father, also excitedly moved out of the mansion and into Ling Wei's courtyard.

He only brought one personal maid, who volunteered to be his security guard.

Ling Wei's husband also moved in at the same time.

The title of "Queen of Scrolls" is well-deserved. After she arrived, the original three-day schedule was compressed into one day.

After studying day and night, the selection of female officials arrived as scheduled.

The examination was held in a quiet side hall within the palace. It was initially thought that not many people would come to take the exam after the initial decree was issued, but surprisingly, quite a few did.

The questions covered a wide range of topics, emphasized practical skills, and were of moderate difficulty. Inside the hall, only the scratching of pens on paper and the occasional steady footsteps of the proctors could be heard.

Ling Wei was confident, and her photographic memory allowed her to vividly recall the content of Lu Youyi's grueling training, making her writing flow effortlessly.

After finishing the exam and returning to her residence, she wrote down her answers for Lu Youyi, then lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Although Lu Youyi had no experience in grading papers, she felt relieved after reading Ling Wei's answer.

Although I don't know the examiner's preferences, this answer will surely ensure I don't fail.

On the day the results were announced, the list of successful candidates was passed down in the Golden Hall.

Ling Wei's name was prominently displayed at the top of the list—she was the champion in the examination for female officials.

Although Ling Wei had a vague idea, she still couldn't help but tremble when she actually heard her name called.

The only regret is that the women's examination was different from the imperial examination. There was no parade through the streets on horseback. Instead, those who were selected went directly to the emperor and listened to his and empress's instructions.

In a solemn and majestic side hall of the Golden Palace, Emperor Yuanjing, Xiao Liheng, looked at the young woman with clear and upright eyes below him, his eyes revealing a hint of approval: "You have won first place in this year's women's examination, and your talent and learning are also extraordinary. I hope that when you enter the palace to serve, you will be conscientious and diligent, and live up to my expectations, as well as the words 'courage and perseverance'."

Empress Xie also offered gentle encouragement, as the last autumn hunt had always been a thorn in her side.

Her management of the harem, allowing assassins into the women's quarters, was a dereliction of duty on her part.

If Xiao Yue hadn't reminded her, she wouldn't have realized that the Palace Administration, staffed by senior officials from various palaces, had been extremely incompetent over the years, resulting in very lax discipline within the palace.

Therefore, after discussing with Emperor Yuanjing, she decided to completely overhaul the Palace Administration Office, which was responsible for discipline in the harem, and fill the position with a new female official. Ling Wei was appointed as the head of the Palace Administration Office, a seventh-rank official.

Her words revealed her determination to reform the harem: "The Palace Attendant is in charge of investigating the inner palace, issuing orders and punishments, and bears a heavy responsibility. I hope you will be upright, impartial, and assist me in reforming palace discipline and cleansing away the filth."

"Your subject, Ling Wei, will obey Your Majesty and Her Majesty's decree! I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's grace!" Ling Wei's voice was clear and melodious as she kowtowed to express her gratitude. Her posture was as steady as a mountain, and the golden butterfly fluttered its wings gently with her movements.