As I emerged from the palace, the afterglow of the setting sun shone upon the palace walls, and the vermilion glazed tiles reflected golden light, making them appear exceptionally solemn.
Lu Jingze glanced at Wang Xiuxiu, then at Luo Qiyou standing not far away. He pursed his lips slightly and said calmly, "I'll wait for you at the palace gate first."
Wang Xiuxiu was startled and looked up at him.
Lu Jingze remained calm, but his tone lowered slightly: "You haven't seen each other for many years, so you must have a lot to say."
Wang Xiuxiu felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that he was deliberately leaving space for her and Luo Qiyou to catch up, so she nodded gently: "Okay, I'll be there soon."
Lu Jingze grunted in response, turned around and strode away. His back was as straight as a pine tree, yet there was an inexplicable awkwardness about it.
Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but smile before turning to walk towards Luo Qiyou.
The two stood facing each other, and for a moment they fell silent.
In the end, Wang Xiuxiu spoke first, asking with a smile, "How has Aunt Luo been lately?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Qiyou's brows relaxed slightly, and he said gently, "My mother is in good health, but she often talks about you, wondering how you are doing these days."
Wang Xiuxiu felt a warmth in her heart and smiled, "I will go see her in person in a few days."
Luo Qiyou nodded, and the two walked side by side along the palace path, gradually starting to chat about their recent situations.
Wang Xiuxiu said, "I am doing very well now, and I have done many things that I never dared to dream of before."
Luo Qiyou glanced at her, his gaze gentle yet profound: "I know."
Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback: "You know?"
Luo Qiyou smiled slightly and said, "When the news of the new imperial examination policy came, I guessed that it was related to you."
Wang Xiuxiu's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously asked, "Why?"
Luo Qiyou stopped and looked at the palace wall in the distance, as if recalling something. After a long while, he whispered, "Do you still remember the day we said goodbye? You were drunk and said a lot of things."
Wang Xiuxiu blinked, trying hard to recall, but she could only remember that she was drunk and confused that day; the specifics of what she said were already a blur.
Luo Qiyou continued, “You said that scholars like us, who are learned and ambitious, should not just study the classics, but should come from the people and return to the people to seek the well-being of the people. Only in this way can we truly benefit the people when we enter the court as officials.”
"You also said that if you were in power in this dynasty, you would definitely find a way to prevent the court from being occupied by aristocratic families, and instead let the talented people take over."
Luo Qiyou looked at her with a touch of emotion in his eyes: "At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but later when I saw that the imperial examination questions were no longer limited to the Four Books and Five Classics, but focused on diligence in government, people's livelihood, water management, disaster relief... I knew that your shadow must be behind this new policy."
Wang Xiuxiu was shocked, never expecting that she would reveal so much while drunk.
She paused for a moment before saying softly, "Back then, I was arrogant because I was drunk. I only offered some ideas. It was His Majesty who truly implemented the new policies."
Luo Qiyou shook his head: "If someone hadn't reminded him, how would His Majesty have thought of reforming the system? Xiuxiu, I once suspected that you were a celestial being who descended to earth to relieve the people's suffering, because your opinions and ideas often surpass those of us ordinary people."
He paused, then continued, "Over the years, I've personally witnessed how scholars from humble backgrounds have found a way out through the imperial examinations in Yongzhou, and how local governance has been completely transformed as a result... Wang Xiuxiu, what you've done is far more important than you realize."
Wang Xiuxiu was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "It seems that what I said when I was drunk back then has come true. I am really happy to be able to help you."
Luo Qiyou looked at her and suddenly smiled with relief: "Seeing you doing well with my own eyes puts my mind at ease."
Wang Xiuxiu looked up and smiled, "Now that you've achieved so much, Aunt Luo must be very pleased."
Luo Qiyou nodded and said, "Qi Ming will also be returning to the capital to report on his duties in a few days. If it's convenient for you, the three of us can get together again?"
Wang Xiuxiu readily agreed: "Great! It'll be a good opportunity to see if my cooking skills have deteriorated."
The two exchanged a smile, as if they had returned to the time when the three of them sat around the fire and talked late into the night in Lizhou.
Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the palace gate.
Lu Jingze was leaning against the carriage, arms crossed, watching them with a calm expression that revealed neither joy nor anger.
Wang Xiuxiu waved to Luo Qiyou: "Let's get together another day."
Luo Qiyou nodded with a smile, then bowed to Lu Jingze before turning and leaving.
Wang Xiuxiu walked to Lu Jingze's side and, seeing that he still had a stern face, couldn't help but laugh and say, "What's wrong? Getting impatient?"
Lu Jingze snorted and reached out to help her into the carriage, saying in a cool tone, "Having a pleasant chat?"
Wang Xiuxiu deliberately said, "Yes, it's natural to be happy to reunite with an old friend."
Lu Jingze narrowed his eyes, then suddenly leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "Wang Xiuxiu, you'd better think about how to coax me tonight."
Wang Xiuxiu's ears burned, and before she could react, he lifted her onto the carriage.
The carriage curtain fell, blocking out the setting sun and also silencing the low laughter and chatter inside.
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