Chapter 11 011 I have good intentions.
Zhao Jialing didn't ask, and the Wise Ruler System wasn't in a hurry to explain.
Xie Lanzhao showed little interest in the word "pillow" and, fearing she might hear even more outrageous and shocking words from Zhao Jialing's inner thoughts, retreated from the hall.
If Zhao Jialing had spoken directly, she could have offered some advice. But Zhao Jialing only entertained his own wild thoughts, so Xie Lanzhao could only suppress her emotions. She had spent time with Zhao Jialing in her childhood and knew that he wasn't stupid, but if he wasn't willing to use his brain, no amount of intelligence would help; he would end up just like a "blockhead."
Xie Lanzao's initial thought of assisting Zhao Jialing to create a beautiful story of a ruler and his minister gradually evolved into "as long as she doesn't cause trouble."
Will that system bring about any changes? At least so far, it has been exposing the treacherous officials in the court, guiding His Majesty towards becoming a wise ruler.
As Xie Lanzhao emerged from the palace, she looked back at the majestic palace. Her demeanor was solemn, but deep in her heart, she was filled with worry.
After a long while, she looked away.
It's time to go to Shangqing Temple.
"Why did she just leave like that?" Zhao Jialing muttered to himself in the hall.
Wise Ruler System: [The prime minister's duties are very busy. All the memorials from officials, both inside and outside the court, need to be discussed and dealt with by the prime minister. He has to oversee the emperor's decisions and the execution of those decisions by the officials. He has no time to appease the host.]
[You can shut up now!] Zhao Jialing snorted; she knew this thing was subtly mocking her.
[Aren't you going to ask the host about the use of the sleeping pillow?] The Wise Ruler System's voice was quite lively. If it were a resolute and decisive monarch, the achievement would probably be something like "Thunderous Wrath," but who told her to be stuck with Zhao Jialing, who was preparing to give up? "Someone brings you a pillow when you're sleepy" isn't bad either.
[What's it for?] Zhao Jialing asked with little interest.
As the emperor of the Great Yong Dynasty, it was impossible for her to undertake large-scale construction projects to build pavilions, towers, and palaces, but possessing a pile of pillows was a piece of cake. She wasn't some barking dog from Shu, so why would she make a fuss? In her treasury, there were even "immortal pillows" presented as tribute from foreign lands, described as "the color of agate and the warmth of jade."
The Wise Ruler System happily announced: "The Sleep Pillow can improve the host's sleep quality, providing highly efficient sleep—one hour is equivalent to two. The host no longer needs to worry about not waking up for court too early."
Previously, the host refused to become a wise ruler because he didn't want to work from dawn till dusk. But now? Sleep is no longer a problem. With this pillow, the host can sleep half the time.
Zhao Jialing was taken aback.
Instead of the expected surprise from the system, she looked utterly miserable, as if the sky was about to fall.
No, does she want to sleep? Okay, she does want to sleep, but is that all she wants to do? If it weren't for Huan Qi and Yu Shen causing a commotion, the daily court sessions would have been purely ceremonial—after all, half the time was spent on ceremonies to display the emperor's majesty.
Wise Ruler System: [Are you unhappy, host?]
Didn't it solve a small problem for the host?
Zhao Jialing gritted her teeth: "[I'm so happy, so incredibly happy!]" She paused, then asked, "[Only I can use it?]"
System: [No.]
Zhao Jialing's tense nerves relaxed, and a light smile returned to her lips.
Seeing her change in attitude, the Wise Ruler System, unaware of her intentions, assumed that its host had come to her senses and was about to embark on a glorious path to becoming a wise ruler. It even enthusiastically told Zhao Jialing the location where the Sleep Pillow had appeared.
Half an hour later, the system's sky also collapsed.
Zhao Jialing ordered an eunuch to take a jade pillow to Xie's residence to read out an imperial edict.
No, bestowing gold, houses, food, and even incense is all normal, but what's the point of bestowing a pillow?!
Would you recommend yourself as my bedmate?
Zhao Jialing argued vehemently: "Minister Xie has devoted herself to the affairs of the world so much, a little nap is most suitable for her. Young people have beautiful hair like clouds, but if they overwork themselves and age prematurely and go bald, then they are no longer beautiful."
The eunuchs represented the emperor, and their gifts outside the palace were watched by countless eyes.
Before long, even nobles and high-ranking officials knew about Xie Lanzhao being given a pillow.
Those who were interested in writing began to write with inspiration, and poems began to circulate in the alleys: "The king bestowed a pillow of longing, promising to make it a piece of cloud over Wushan."
Xie Lanzhao: "..."
Night falls.
Xie Lanzhao dined with her grandmother in the front hall.
Her grandmother was the late emperor's aunt, the Grand Princess of Xiangcheng, and the late emperor's mother was also from the Xie family. Because of this, her family enjoyed great favor during the late emperor's reign. The Xie family was small; her grandmother had only given birth to two sons, her father had died early, and her uncle was not very interested in officialdom and lived in another residence. So, the only people in the house were her grandmother and her.
The grandmother and granddaughter had a very good relationship. The Grand Princess was particularly concerned about Xie Lanzao's marriage. It was hard for her not to be worried after hearing that His Majesty had bestowed a "jade pillow" upon her.
"When His Majesty once sent you a poem, you said it was child's play. Is that really true?"
Xie Lanzhao said gently, "Your Majesty's playful nature remains unchanged."
When she first heard that Zhao Jialing had sent her a "jade pillow," she found it absurd and laughable, but in an instant, many thoughts began to surface. Was the reward for eliminating Yu Shen this time really a jade pillow? Did it have some special effect? Or was she being used as a test subject?
Xie Lanzhao, fearing her grandmother would worry, did not mention her concerns. She said, "I have long been in the central government, and unless His Majesty intends to, I am afraid it would be difficult to perform surgery."
"It was a pity that she was the one I regretted before, but now she doesn't seem too bad." With only the grandmother and granddaughter in the hall, the Grand Princess spoke without restraint. She asked, "After Yu Shen left, who will sit here?"
“If Huan Qi were here, he would surely plot something, and His Majesty would most likely agree. It's a pity—” Xie Lanzhao lowered her eyes, a dark glint flashing within them. That system's abilities were truly unfathomable; it knew so much. If it could be used on the likes of Huan Qi and Yu Shen, could it also uncover the secrets of others?
Next, even if Her Majesty lies in bed all day, the courtiers who can hear her thoughts will unconsciously fear her, believing that the Emperor's might is vast and unpredictable.
The Grand Princess said, "Although we have been preparing for this for decades, we still have too few like-minded people. We must at least support half of the country."
She referred to the "policy of Xuanqi," which indeed led to the number of women taking the imperial examinations, but studying was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Coupled with the numerous obstacles imposed by the prefectures and counties, only a minority managed to break through these barriers. And those who were among the first to break free of these constraints were scattered throughout the local areas. Because people came from the prefectures and counties, if the county officials deliberately obstructed them, they could not leave.
The Grand Princess then asked, "Is Xiyuan still in Fengqiu?"
Xie Lanzhao agreed, a helpless expression on her face.
The Xi Yuan mentioned by her grandmother was her senior sister Chen Xi Yuan, who was honest and upright. Four years ago, she angered Zhao Jialing by speaking frankly and was almost imprisoned. In the end, she was demoted and sent to Fengqiu as magistrate.
Her senior sister spoke too bluntly, saying that His Majesty was "self-serving and complacent, disregarding honest officials, allowing treacherous and deceitful people to rise up and factions to flourish," but this was not actually the emperor's fault; it was a problem left over from the previous emperor's reign. Her mother held power during the previous emperor's reign but died a few years before him.
The Grand Princess wanted to say something, but in the end she only sighed and said, "Let nature take its course."
Xie Lanzhao nodded.
Her Majesty can even remember things from when she was six years old; she probably remembers even when her senior sister scolded her.
By the time Xie Lanzhao had a free time to look at the jade pillow that Zhao Jialing had given her, it was already quite late.
A small note fell from the pillow; it was written in Zhao Jialing's handwriting.
When he was young, Zhao Jialing learned to write large characters and liked to imitate her handwriting. Later, he probably found it enjoyable and his handwriting became the best among his relatives. He was proficient in cursive, clerical and regular scripts.
"Official duties are quite troublesome, so I'll indulge in leisure. Please take your jade pillow and search for spring in your dreams."
It's not some frivolous remark meant to be read in bed.
Xie Lanzhao breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
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