"Now no scholar in the world will speak out against the Prince of Zhenbei, and few people oppose the women's imperial examination. Your Highness has played this move very well."

As the black pieces fell to the plate, sitting opposite Lan Tingche was Li Yi, a male favorite of Princess Yuwen Helan.

The one who helped Lan Tingche steal the Ministry of War documents before.

"If one objects, it means one is incompetent and lacks knowledge. Isn't that the truth?"

Lan Tingche, dressed in a white fox fur coat, quietly observed the black pieces on the chessboard, then placed a white piece next to it and continued:

"I have come today to ask you for a favor."

"The eldest princess may not necessarily help you."

Before Lan Tingche could voice his request, he was interrupted by the man in front of him.

“But my great-aunt has thought about this more than once. She didn’t have the ability to be careful in front of the Emperor, but Long’er did, and he tried his best to make this happen.”

"I believe that if you add the influence of your wives, my aunt will not disagree."

The man's fox-like eyes smiled frivolously, not only implying that he wanted help, but also that he wanted to mock them, implying that none of them were useful and couldn't even monopolize the woman they liked.

"The Marquis of the Southwest is being a bit too certain," Li Yi said, his voice a little loud as he placed a chess piece on the board.

“The Prince of Zhenbei is in a high position, but he is still young. He will have a long time to live without control of his own destiny.”

Lan Tingche smiled and poured a cup of tea for the man opposite him.

"What's the use of holding a high position if you can't even make your own decisions?"

"I will go back and discuss this with the Princess. As for whether it will work, that depends on her own decision."

From the very beginning, Lan Tingche's association with the Princess was based on his interest in the families of her male lovers. Although this young lady did not hold any real power, these scions of noble families were genuinely infatuated with love.

Lan Yi draped a cloak over Lan Tingche as he prepared to mount his horse. The sound of hooves echoed from the alleyway. The man looked up; it was her who had come to take him home.

The first snowfall in the capital seemed to have fallen especially for the two of them; plum blossoms dominated the branches, their fragrance quite intoxicating.

"Tingche, are you done with your work? Aunt Zhang made a big feast of pork stew today. I just finished approving the documents and came over to pick you up."

The girl in the python robe dismounted and brushed a few snowflakes off his clothes.

"Are you tired today?" the man asked.

“I’m not tired, but my little sister is a bit tired. Today she clung to my leg and cried, not letting me go out. She said I should leave her in the deep mountains and forests for a few days, and then let her out when it’s time for the scientific expedition.”

"Ha ha ha ha."

Lan Tingche looked up at the somewhat oppressive sky, which was covered with dark clouds, but he felt very happy because she was there, and it warmed his heart.

"The road is a bit slippery, let's walk back."

"good."

After returning to the capital, he did not feel as sad as he had imagined.

He had not forgotten the hatred for his parents.

However, to be able to walk side by side with her is truly a blessing earned through three lifetimes of good deeds.

Does holding a high position mean you lose control of your own destiny?

Lan Tingche thought that most people were like that.

Whether it's their own parents, or the current emperor and the eldest princess, they are all powerless to control their own destiny.

However, Lan Tingche would not place Long'er and himself in such a high position.

Since you hold a high position, you should be the one whose words carry the most weight.

He wanted the entire court to be ruled by Long'er, so that no one could make her act against her will.

"Tingche, what are you thinking about?"

The man stared at Long'er's profile, lost in thought, even imagining the day she wore the dragon robe.

"I wonder if the women's imperial examination will go smoothly."

"We definitely can. We have the support of the people now."

The girl smiled brightly. The Empress Dowager had been worn out by Master Miao these past few days and probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed. This time it would take a long time, probably half a year. By the time she recovered, she would probably have finished the Sword Examination.

Now, apart from Grand Tutor Xu and his group, no one else should dare to speak.

As for aristocratic families...

Do you think those young ladies from aristocratic families are just freeloaders?

If given a chance, those girls who spend their time scheming and plotting in the backyard would dare to pluck the hair out of any brother who objects.

I was already free.

As the sunlight gradually peeked through the dark clouds, the girl took off her gloves and grasped Lan Tingche's exposed hand.

"Wear gloves next time you go out, it's so cold."

He clenched his long, slender fingers back, and felt a lump in his throat again.

I really want my parents to see how good the person he chose is.

How could she be so sentimental?

They're just a bunch of good-for-nothings; they can't even hold onto the people they like.

"Sharp sword, Huo Pan's sharp sword! We've been classmates for six years! We've known each other for over a decade! How could you hit me like this! I'm your colleague!" Sun Zixi was perched on a tree, with Huo Pan's sharp sword holding a ruler below her.

"Brother! Save me! Sun Ziyang! Save me!"

Sun Ziyang, who was rubbing his pen so hard it was practically sparking in Da Nier's study, briefly looked up, then glanced at the piles of official documents. Never mind, he couldn't hear him.

"Today you just need to memorize this book and that's it. Is that difficult?"

"Sister, that's a book! A book! Can you speak like a human being?"

Huo Xiaolong took his seat under Lan Tingche's service, holding a bowl and drinking sauerkraut and bone soup while watching the commotion.

The people at Fengyue Tower were used to it. Ever since the decision was made to have a few people take the imperial examination, Hou Xiangxiang and Sun Zixi's screams have been incessant. Even the dogs in the backyards of the high-ranking officials nearby didn't dare to breathe too loudly.

That's really scary.

"What's wrong with that? If you were as smart as Da Ni'er, that would be one thing, but you can read the debate essay at a glance and forget the points while you're also writing them down?"

"Can that be the same? No!"

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