All eyes in the hall fell on Mu Zi'an.
Everyone knows that the current Ninth Princess is His Majesty's darling.
Although rumors of a secret romance between the two had long circulated in the capital.
But rumors are just rumors and shouldn't be taken literally.
However, right now, the current emperor directly announced the marriage between the two in the main hall.
That would be a done deal.
Mu Zian bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"
"Ding! Congratulations on your decision, host! System reward has been issued!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu, seated on the dragon throne, laughed heartily.
"Issue an imperial decree to the Imperial Observatory, instructing them to choose an auspicious day for the wedding."
"Your subject obeys the order."
With Xiao Yu's departure, this morning court session officially came to an end.
The court officials also dispersed and returned to their respective offices.
Today's court assembly was full of twists and turns.
All the officials who came out of the main hall breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from their foreheads.
Just as Mu Zian was about to leave, he heard Du Yuheng's voice behind him.
"Lord Zhenguo, please wait."
Mu Zian turned his head and saw Du Yuheng walking quickly towards him.
When the two met, Du Yuheng clasped his hands in greeting and smiled.
"Congratulations on your joyous occasion, Duke Zhenguo! Don't forget to invite me to your wedding feast!"
"If I can gain the favor of the prime minister, he will naturally invite me when the time comes."
The mere mention of the word "prime minister" brought a hint of resentment to Du Yuheng's face.
I almost lost my position as prime minister to you, kid.
"I never expected that the Duke of Zhenguo was not only exceptionally brave on the battlefield, but also possessed such political acumen in the imperial court."
"This cabinet system truly shocked me. However, the Duke of Zhenguo raised it directly in court without ever discussing it with me. It seems far too frivolous."
Mu Zian smiled awkwardly upon hearing this, naturally realizing that Du Yuheng was blaming him.
"Please forgive me, Prime Minister, this is my first time in court, and I have indeed spoken rather recklessly."
Du Yuheng stroked his beard and replied.
"It is truly admirable that the Duke of Zhenguo possesses such a heart for the country."
"Although the Duke of Zhenguo has achieved his wish to reform the abuses of the imperial examination system, this move has also offended the powerful families in the court. He will probably find it difficult to move an inch in the court in the future."
Mu Zian smiled calmly, then turned and looked up at the sun high in the sky.
"Throughout history, all reformers have shed blood and made sacrifices; let us begin!"
"If you are afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind, you are destined to achieve nothing."
"But I, Mu Zi'an, have never wanted to be a mediocre person."
"Those who block my way, kill! Those who obstruct me, annihilate!"
"I want this world! Wherever the sun and moon shine, it shall be the territory of my Great Li!"
Mu Zian's voice wasn't loud, but to Du Yuheng it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.
It wasn't until Mu Zian's figure disappeared from Du Yuheng's sight that he belatedly came to his senses.
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
Beneath the magnificent hall, Du Yuheng narrowed his eyes and murmured to himself.
"A sword hangs over my head, a sword hangs over my head!"
As the court assembly adjourned, news of what had happened there quickly spread throughout the capital.
As the saying goes, some are happy while others are sad.
Because of the public recommendation system, the imperial examinations in Dali have been dominated by powerful families for many years, with less than one-tenth of those from humble backgrounds being able to pass the examinations.
Those students who had initially given up hope immediately spread the news after hearing that the public recommendation system had been abolished.
Some students who had failed the exam for years even looked up and cried, as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining through.
Compared to the excitement of students from poor families, those from wealthy families seemed particularly angry.
They could have relied on their connections and networks to pass the imperial examinations and eventually become officials, even without much studying.
However, the abolition of the imperial princess system has caused the incompetent scions of those aristocratic families to collapse instantly.
Their promising future was shattered, leaving them furious and helpless at home.
Those from prominent families in the south suffered even more.
They used to be able to crush those bumpkins from the north with their talent, but now that the North and South campuses have opened up, the competition has intensified dramatically!
For a time, all the restaurants in the capital were packed with customers.
Some gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing loudly, while others gathered together and wailed.
It turns out that people's joys and sorrows are not shared.
Meanwhile, Mu Zian, who caused this situation, was leisurely enjoying himself in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, just waiting for the imperial examination to begin in half a month.
In a secluded corner, within the Lu family mansion, a long-awaited imperial edict was issued.
Upon hearing of the imperial edict, Grandmother Lu was extremely excited.
A young eunuch, holding the imperial edict in his hands, spoke with his head held high.
"Heroine Marquis, receive the imperial decree."
At this moment, Lu Yunxue, looking somewhat haggard, knelt on both knees.
Ever since she saw Mu Zi drunkenly wielding his brush on the painted boat that day, she could not forget him.
Especially the line, "I grow thinner and thinner, yet I have no regrets, for I am wasting away for her sake."
It was like a demonic chant lingering in Lu Yunxue's mind, causing her guilt to surge continuously.
She thought the imperial edict would bring good news, but to her utter dismay, something even more despairing happened.
After discussion within the Ministry of War, it was found that Lu Yunxue, as the deputy commander, failed to fulfill her responsibility to advise the commander-in-chief during the Battle of Luzhou, ultimately leading to the loss of three thousand elite soldiers in the field.
Although he later achieved merit in battle, the merits did not outweigh the faults.
Finally, His Majesty personally issued an edict stripping Lu Yunxue of her title of Marquis of Heroine and demoting her directly to the eighth-rank position of Xuanjie Colonel.
The First Female Marquis of Dali, who originally commanded thousands of troops across the grasslands, was directly demoted to a minor official of the eighth rank.
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