After seeing Qingyun off, Wen Hemian pondered the matter seriously. She felt that it was still related to the system's protection.
To be honest, if the system hadn't guaranteed it for him, Wen Hemian wouldn't have dared to easily infiltrate the officialdom.
The ancient system was cruel. In the history she had studied, the few women who disguised themselves as men to take the imperial examinations did not have good endings. This made her hesitate.
However, because the system protects her, everything unreasonable is automatically rationalized, so she has never worried.
Not long after the last conversation with the system, this happened, and Wen Hemian did not believe it was unrelated to what the system had said.
It seems that simply paying attention isn't enough; she really needs to take this issue seriously.
Today it's in front of Xie Lang, but what about in front of others in the future?
She needs to plan ahead.
-
Xie Lang frequently visited the Prince's Mansion, so his room had everything he needed, including two sets of casual clothes, and was well-equipped with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
He lay on the couch for a while, his mind clear. After thinking it over, he quietly got up, drew what he had seen, folded it up, and placed it on himself.
He had a gut feeling that this was something quite important, and he would definitely have someone investigate it later.
What he doesn't know, others may not be unaware of.
...
I slept soundly until dawn.
Wen Hemian had to think about things last night and went to bed late, so getting up was particularly painful.
However, thinking about having to go to court and Xie Lang might still be waiting outside, she struggled for a long time before reluctantly opening her eyes.
They had to go to court at the crack of dawn; what kind of miserable life did they lead?
Wen Hemian put on his court robes with a limp gait, already thinking about retirement. He figured he'd have to sleep until nine o'clock every night from now on.
"Grand Tutor? Why are you so absent-minded?"
Xie Lang held a steaming hot sweet cake in his hand. Seeing that Wen Hemian did not react, he raised his hand and gently waved it in front of her. Before he knew it, he was close to her again.
Even in her distress, Wen Hemian still had the mind to correct her mistake: "That's not how you use 'absent-minded'... It's just that I haven't stayed up all night in a long time, and I can't take it anymore."
Although her body was healthy, her soul had long been accustomed to the fragility of her previous life, and in occasional moments of dazedness, Wen Hemian even felt a bit disconnected.
Xie Lang considerately suggested, "Why don't we skip it today? With me here, they won't do anything to the Grand Tutor."
"Since you're already up, go." Wen Hemian didn't want her hard work to go to waste. She glanced at Xie Lang and said, "Your Majesty, don't make too many exceptions."
Although it was all for her sake, in other people's eyes it was just taking advantage of her privileges and acting recklessly. People with heart conditions see everything as dirty, but she couldn't be indifferent at all.
Xie Lang said dejectedly, "Fine."
After eating the sweet cakes Xie Lang had specially prepared for her for breakfast on the way, Wen Hemian followed Xie Lang into the main hall right on time.
As soon as Wen Hemian stood at the front, Xie Lang, who had hurriedly changed into his court robes at the back of the hall, also came out. After the officials paid their respects, the morning court session began.
Wen Hemian noticed that Ning Hechu's gaze was a bit strange, but he didn't say anything, which puzzled her and made her wary.
The daily activity of the court assembly was to watch the six ministries quarrel.
Oh no, it's five parts.
After Wen Hemian became the Minister of Personnel, she voluntarily withdrew from the argument to avoid being spittle-splattered. To her surprise, many people in the Ministry of Personnel agreed with her and watched the show together.
Whether Min Rong would fight back if he disagreed is another matter.
"The rainy season is approaching, and the river embankment needs to be reinforced. The local government reported the situation to the imperial court a couple of days ago, but Lord Wei has been holding back the allocation of funds, causing the Ministry of Works to be slow to act. What should we do if the embankment breaks and the people are displaced?"
The one who spoke was the Minister of Works.
Lord Wei, who was the Minister of Revenue, almost vomited blood: "Just two days ago, the Ministry of War asked me for money to train the army. I would like to allocate funds, but where in the national treasury would there be so much silver!"
The Minister of War protested, "Lord Wei, this is a serious matter. The Ministry of War contacted you half a year ago, and you've only just now come to tell us. Why are you using us as a shield? Your Majesty, I implore you to be the judge!"
The Minister of War, true to his boldness, immediately steered the conversation towards Xie Lang.
Suddenly, all eyes turned to the dragon throne above.
The young emperor sat upright on the high throne, his expression inscrutable beneath his tassels, and said lightly, "I am not entirely clear about the situation. Perhaps I should ask Chief Minister Ning what he thinks?"
Most of the cabinet was still under Ning Hechu's control. The memorials that Xie Lang came into contact with were hard-won. There were many important matters that he had no chance to see and could only learn about from Wen Hemian.
It feels bad to be controlled by others.
Ning Hechu smiled faintly: "There are many places in the court where funds are needed. In the past two years, there was a severe drought, and taxes were not collected, so the national treasury was tight. Lord Wei's actions are understandable."
After suffering several losses, the Minister of Revenue turned to Ning Hechu. They were in the same boat, so it was understandable that Ning Hechu wanted to protect him. But judging from the situation, the allocation of funds was probably in jeopardy.
Wen Hemian glanced in Xie Lang's direction, pondered for a while, and then stepped forward: "The people of Linhe rely on the river for their livelihood. If a flood really occurs, as Lord Xing said, it will cause incalculable consequences. Therefore, reinforcing the dikes is imperative."
Wen Hemian knew this was true; otherwise, she wouldn't have intervened and agreed with the Minister of Works.
Before Ning Hechu could speak, Wen Hemian continued quickly, "There are priorities in everything. Since the Ministry of Revenue has no money, then let's temporarily stop repairing the imperial mausoleum. We should also stop the construction of the temporary palace in the suburbs. If we can squeeze some money out of them, we'll eventually find the funds."
Wen Hemian was unaware that the palace ostensibly built for Xie Lang was actually a cover for Ning Hechu's dirty deeds. As for the imperial mausoleum? What did Emperor Shun have that was worth doing for his descendants?
If you can't be a good emperor while you're in power, don't expect people to repair your imperial tomb after you die. Don't talk nonsense.
As soon as he finished speaking, an imperial censor immediately glared and said, "It's one thing to leave the temporary palace, but how can the repairs to the imperial mausoleum be stopped? This is disrespectful to our ancestors!"
Wen Hemian scoffed: "Does the dead matter as much as the living?"
The censors were all bristling with anger, and a few others were taking sides, making a lot of noise.
Xie Lang looked at the farce below, his tone visibly cold: "Enough."
The censors immediately fell silent.
Xie Lang: "I believe the Grand Tutor is right. What about Chief Minister Ning?"
Ning Hechu narrowed his eyes, looked at Wen Hemian, and after a long while, uttered, "...Your subject agrees."
Xie Lang made the decision: "That's settled then. We'll have the rest of you submit your reports for a final decision."
The ministers all agreed.
After the court session, Wen Hemian was led away by a group of officials. Xie Lang couldn't stop her, so he turned and went to the back hall.
He had just taken off his court robes when Huo Ping rushed in from outside, his face solemn, and said succinctly: "I have an important matter to report, concerning Lord Wen."
"Your Majesty, please dismiss your attendants."
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