Although Xiao Jingyun was an imposter and died, Xiao Li still let the queen take charge of the Phoenix Seal and handle the affairs of the harem.

After Xiao Li handed the affairs of the harem over to her, he stopped caring about them, and this lasted for a month.

It was rare that she finally had time to see her.

"Your Majesty has arrived."

Xiao Li didn't really like shouting so loudly, but his status didn't allow it.

The queen quickly came out with her attendants. Upon seeing Xiao Li, she immediately bowed and said, "I pay my respects to your majesty."

Xiao Li took two steps forward and supported her: "No need to be polite."

His eyes swept over the piles of files in the room: "What is sister-in-law busy with?"

The Queen replied, "This is the list of all the palace servants. It has been sorted out almost completely."

After answering, she gently reminded him, "My husband is not of royal blood. It is inappropriate for His Majesty to still call me sister-in-law."

Xiao Li sat down: "I am the emperor now, what's wrong with calling someone that? Or maybe the queen doesn't like this title, then I'll change it to, sister?"

Queen: “…”

She was really impressed by Xiao Li. How could she be as cunning and scoundrel as she was when she was a princess when she was already an empress?

Sister-in-law, queen, sister, each one is more messed up than the other.

Does she still remember that she is an emperor?

She personally served tea to Xiao Li: "I have sorted out what needs to be sorted out, and arranged the people in each palace. It's all written down in the book. Your Majesty, please decide how to deal with me."

She already had an idea of where she would return to, and her composure returned to normal. "I cannot return to the Wang family, nor can I go to the royal ancestral temple. If Your Majesty allows, I will find a remote nunnery, practice cultivation, and pray for Your Majesty."

Xiao Li turned the lid of the cup and thought for a moment before speaking: "It's a bit presumptuous to ask this, but I really want to know why my sister has completely lost her passion for life."

As she said this, she couldn't help but laugh: "Don't tell me it's because of men."

The Queen gave her a faint look of disapproval: "Your Majesty, what you said... Although it is related to men, it is not what Your Majesty meant."

Father, brother, husband, how could she avoid men in her life?

It was because of their decision that she was completely fed up and disillusioned with the world.

"I will tell your majesty a story..."

The Queen slowly recounted the events of the past. Because she had long since let go and seen through everything, her tone was emotionless, as if she was telling someone else's story.

After talking about how she married Xiao Jingyun, she continued to talk about the years she had been married to him. Xiao Jingyun was not a good emperor, nor a good husband, but the only good thing about him was that he did not bully others.

The Empress Dowager didn't like her, and Concubine Shu and Concubine Yun wanted to replace her by relying on their favor, but the Emperor really didn't make things difficult for her.

But not being embarrassed doesn't mean there is love. The emperor is filial to the empress dowager and dotes on his concubines. Her frustrating predicament is also caused by him.

Fortunately, she never fell in love, so she can live peacefully until now.

Now that the emperor has changed, Xiao Li is willing to give her dignity. It would be a blessing for her to leave on her own initiative and spend the rest of her life in peace. She has nothing else to ask for.

Xiao Li was flipping through the files. Because he was in a peaceful state of mind, the word "empress" was also very neat and soft, exuding a feeling of peace and tranquility.

The content is concise and clear, easy to understand at a glance, and the personnel arrangement is appropriate. This is a natural material for civil service.

"It's a mess outside, so I can't let you leave the capital for now. If you really want to leave the palace, then you can move to my princess's mansion. I can help you look for a house."

The Queen was surprised: "This is not appropriate..."

Xiao Li: "I see you weren't this awkward before. Why are you talking so strangely now?"

Xiao Li tapped his knuckles on the table as he spoke. "I plan to revive the imperial examination system. The imperial edict will be issued tomorrow, and the exam will begin in a month."

"Although all officials in this world are men, that's because they don't give women a chance. Now that I'm the empress, I must give women in this world a chance. Therefore, this time the imperial examination will be open to both men and women, and those who are capable will take the position."

The Queen was shocked again: "Your Majesty, do you want women to be officials?"

They are not female officials in the harem who are almost like servants, but officials standing in the court, the kind who truly hold power.

Xiao Li slowly leaned back in his chair, looking up at her. "I wanted Wang Wanqing to participate. She's quite talented and could barely get a rank. With my support, she'll definitely be able to secure a position and become the first woman to hold an official position."

"But now I think you are a more suitable candidate than her."

"In terms of age, experience, ability, character, and status, he is simply the chosen one." She looked at him with admiration and spoke in a positive tone.

"Of course, I'm just expressing my opinion, not forcing you. Think about it carefully. If you're interested, you can sign up. I'm looking forward to seeing a very special name on the list of the first batch of officials. Empress Sister-in-law, no, I should call you - Wang Yizhu."

The queen was stunned. The three words "Wang Yizhuo" sounded so familiar yet so unfamiliar. She hadn't heard anyone call her that for many years.

Her maiden name was forgotten after she entered the palace.

I thought the next time I would use it would be after she died, when I carved a tombstone.

I didn't expect to be called out by the empress so calmly.

She is no longer the queen, she is Wang Yizhuo.

When Wang Wanqing learned that Xiao Li had arrived, she hurried back but still could not see him. Instead, she saw her aunt sitting there stupidly, with empty eyes and not moving at all.

"Aunt, aunt?"

Wang Wanqing waved her hand, and the queen finally came back to her senses. Looking at Wang Wanqing, who still looked a little naive in front of her, she recalled Xiao Li's words in her mind.

Wang Wanqing likes Her Majesty the Empress, admires her, and is grateful to her. She has long been eager to serve Her Majesty. If Her Majesty asks Wang Wanqing to take the exam to become an official, Wang Wanqing will definitely agree.

Being escorted by the empress and setting a precedent for women to serve as officials, what an honor it is.

But Wang Wanqing was too immature. She was only eighteen years old and still an unmarried girl. Entering the officialdom full of men, she had to face worldly eyes, men's gazes, and all kinds of humiliating words and attitudes.

At first, Wang Wanqing might not care because of her passion for the empress, but after a long time, she would not be able to bear it.

The reason why Xiao Li was able to become emperor was that she was powerful and indestructible.

But Wang Wanqing obviously did not have such a strong heart and awareness.

The Empress said she was suitable, and the Queen thought about it carefully and found it true.

She had been a queen, so even if those people wanted to say something bad about her, they would still be in awe of her. She had been married before, so she wouldn't be unable to cope with men's gazes. The character she had cultivated over the years allowed her to deal with many things calmly.

She is indeed the most suitable candidate.

Enter the court as an official... The queen thought about it for a long time, and the dead light in her eyes rekindled little by little, and then became bright. In her eyes, there was a different path in life. Although it was full of thorns, it would definitely bloom with extremely brilliant and bright flowers.

Wang Wanqing: Huh? Auntie's expression is scary, like she's going crazy.

What did Your Majesty say to irritate her?