"Axi is gone?"

Inside Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu stood under the eaves, her expression a mixture of joy and sorrow. She knew that if A Qian missed seeing her brother off, she would immediately return to the military camp, ensuring that military intelligence would not be delayed in the slightest.

"Mother," Gu Qingyan said, his eyes filled with confusion, "is this what you call missing out?"

He had only ever heard people around him sighing about the mistakes his father and mother had made back then, but he never really understood. Today, he seemed to understand.

It's about two people who clearly like each other, but can't actually embrace each other.

"Ayan is only eleven years old, how come he's already thinking about these things?"

Jiang Yu twitched the corner of her mouth and reached out to rub Gu Qingyan's head.

"Mother, rubbing your head won't make you grow taller." Gu Qingyan's eyes gradually cleared, and he cleverly dodged the attack. "I saw my uncle and Aunt Bai, so I thought of missing out."

"Mother, what does it mean to miss out?"

“Missing out is a kind of destiny.” There was a look in Jiang Yu’s eyes that Gu Qingyan couldn’t understand. “Sometimes, missing out once means missing out for a lifetime.”

“But I don’t believe it.”

Gu Qingyan looked directly at Jiang Yu, "Now I am the Emperor of Daqing. After Aunt Bai finishes this battle, I will take her with me to the expedition. So Aunt Bai and Uncle will meet sometime."

"If my uncle still didn't have someone he liked at that time, then it wouldn't be considered a missed opportunity."

Jiang Yu was stunned by Gu Qingyan's words, then a smile bloomed on her face, "Ayan is right, it seems that Mother is being stubborn."

The mother and son rescued by Bai Qian settled in the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion, and the many evil deeds committed by Jiang Dang gradually came to light.

At the morning court session, Gu Qingyan was furious.

He stepped straight down from the dragon throne, and none of the civil and military officials dared to utter a word to meet Gu Qingyan's wrath. Gu Qingyan's sharp eyes swept over the crowd, "These are the scions of noble families in Daqing!"

"I am guilty!"

Consort Li's father hurriedly knelt down to beg for forgiveness, but was kicked away by Gu Qingyan. Only then did everyone realize the new emperor's martial arts prowess, and they became even more terrified.

“You are guilty of allowing such a beast to use your name to harass women and kill children at will.”

"What about the others? Didn't any word of these things leak out?"

Gu Qingyan's chest heaved with anger. "You're taking advantage of my youth and trying to blind me. I won't allow it!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

This time, everyone knelt down.

"Issue the decree: Jiang Dang shall be executed immediately, and the Jiang family shall be investigated and their property confiscated. As long as I am alive, no son of the Jiang family shall be allowed to serve as an official in the court."

Gu Qingyan closed his eyes and let the Jiang family woman go.

"Those who pass tomorrow's palace examination will not be bound by etiquette and can directly enter the court to serve as officials. Their official rank and grade will be determined by their abilities."

Gu Qingyan's last words were like a bombshell. After the court session, everyone looked at Zhong Wuyi, after all, Wei Ruo, who was raised in the Zhong family, was a strong contender for the top scholar.

"Congratulations in advance, Lord Zhong."

An official stepped forward and said, "According to His Majesty's opinion, if he takes a liking to Young Master Kui Ruo's talent, there is a high possibility that he will be granted a high-ranking official position as an exception."

"It all depends on his own fate."

Zhong Wuyi was deeply moved; he saw a bright and promising future for the Zhong family.

Almost simultaneously, Empress Dowager Jiang Yu's palanquin slowly walked out of the palace gate and headed straight for the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.

"This humble woman, Chang Xin'er, pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Chang Xin'er knelt on the ground, never imagining that one day she would meet the most distinguished woman in Daqing.

"Get up, how is the child?" Jiang Yu helped Chang Xin'er up with her own hands. The contrast between Jiang Yu's fair and slender hands and Chang Xin'er's rough and scarred hands stung Jiang Yu's eyes for a moment.

"The child... the child is much better. Dr. Mei said that he only needs to rest for another six months." Chang Xin'er was stunned and could only mechanically reply to Jiang Yu's words.

"That's good. You and the child can stay here in peace." Jiang Yu's tone was as gentle as a spring breeze. "However, you can't just stay here for free."

Chang Xin'er was about to kneel down again when Jiang Yu stopped her.

"Jiang Dang has bullied you more than once. Do you know about the other women who have been bullied by Jiang Dang?"

Seeing Chang Xin'er nod, Jiang Yu smiled.

"Go and find them secretly. Don't tell anyone who they are. Just give them this silver and tell them that Jiang Dang will be executed and that no one will bully them anymore."

Chang Xin'er's eyes widened instantly. The Empress Dowager had just said...

"If their children die, or if they are rejected by their husbands' families, let them go here." A piece of paper with an address was handed to Chang Xin'er. "This is an embroidery workshop where they can live a stable life."

"This humble woman kowtows in gratitude...kowtows in gratitude for the Empress Dowager's great kindness."

Chang Xin'er was already having trouble speaking, and it wasn't until Jiang Yu's figure disappeared from sight that Chang Xin'er finally burst into tears. Someone... someone remembered them.

At the same time, Gu Lin appeared in different places without warning.

At noon, it was time for Jiang Dang to be executed.

All those who had participated in the abuse of women or the attack on children died, and what was strikingly similar was that all of them had a cross slashed across their right cheek with a sharp blade.

Just like when Liu Feng was killed.

The bodies were laid out haphazardly at the street corner in the bustling city, and on that day, almost no one dared to walk past them.

No one in Daqing dared to bully women or lay a hand on children anymore.

Zhaoning Palace.

"You're still as swift as ever," Jiang Yu said without even looking up when she heard the familiar footsteps.

This scene inexplicably brought a touch of joy to Gu Lin's heart; he liked this feeling of being in sync with A Yu.

"How long will it take to get the Dali Temple to investigate? And what about those who were only punished once?" Gu Lin rubbed his fingers nonchalantly. "If you harbor malicious intent, you must bear the corresponding consequences."

"I don't want to put Ayan in a difficult position either."

"I didn't say you did anything wrong." Jiang Yu chuckled. "Gu Lin, what do you think about starting a girls' school?"

[Let women in Daqing also have access to education, so they are not confined to the inner quarters of the house.]

"When did Ayu start having this idea?"

"Very early."

But when I see those women who are humiliated and rejected by their husbands' families, suffering so much torment only to end up like this, I wonder if things would be different if they had the same opportunities as men.

This idea reached its peak at this point.

“Excellent.” Gu Lin’s expression became much more serious. “If Ayu can strategize effectively in the Daqing court, even if I send troops to attack Daqing, I may not be able to conquer it.”

He had always known how formidable women could be.

"You also think this is feasible?"

Jiang Yu raised her head, her eyes shining brightly.