Pei Wenxuan sent the officials away, and Li Rong came out from behind the screen, fanning herself with a fan. "Lord Pei is very charming. He has only been in the Ministry of Personnel for a few days, but he has become a good brother in everyone's heart."

"They don't consider them my good brothers," Pei Wenxuan smiled, "they just can't stand Concubine Rou."

"So you're going back now?"

Li Rong leaned against the door, Pei Wenxuan came up and hugged Li Rong: "Your Highness, please allow me to rest for another night."

Pei Wenxuan rested one more night, and his neck was scratched at night. When he went to court the next morning, he covered it up again and again with powder. Li Rong lay on the bed and looked at Pei Wenxuan with a smile, and said lazily: "Master Pei, just go to court like this. Anyway, you have been staying in my house for so long, what are you afraid of rumors?"

Pei Wenxuan looked at her helplessly and said, "I think you really don't want to marry anyone else except me."

"Who do you want me to marry then?" Li Rong was a little curious. Pei Wenxuan paused with the powder puff. Li Rong sighed and put her hand on her chest, complaining, "My husband is so heartless."

Pei Wenxuan laughed out loud, feeling somewhat helpless: "I am thinking about your reputation."

"What kind of reputation do I need?"

Li Rong closed her eyes and tapped the edge of the bed gently: "You can leave with this wound. When father asks me why I let you out, you can be embarrassed. Who wouldn't understand when they see the wound on your neck?"

Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. Li Rong looked up at him, only to find him in a daze.

Li Rong raised her eyebrows: "What are you daydreaming about? You're not going to court? If you're not going to court, just lie down." Li Rong said each word with a playful tone, "I will support you."

Pei Wenxuan shook his head and looked at the mirror again. Seeing that the scar on his neck was almost covered up and it was almost time, he put down his powder puff and walked to Li Rong.

He knelt on one knee beside Li Rong's bed and looked up at Li Rong who was lying on her side.

"What?" Li Rong's laughter caused her thin shirt to sway slightly. "Do you want me to kiss you before you leave?"

"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan looked up at her with a gentle expression, "I will light a city of fireworks, spread red makeup for ten miles, and come back in a grand sedan chair to marry you."

Li Rong was stunned for a moment when she heard him say this. Pei Wenxuan gently lifted her slender white hand and kissed it: "I will let everyone know that Pei Wenxuan loves Li Rong more than Li Rong loves him."

"What's wrong with your brain?"

Li Rong came back to her senses and raised her hand to poke him gently: "Who cares about this?"

"It's not like I haven't ridden in a sedan chair before," Li Rong said, even though she didn't care. But she felt warm inside. She said softly, "I don't care."

Pei Wenxuan smiled but said nothing. He stood up and kissed her again, then said lightly, "Let's go."

Then he turned and left.

Li Rong watched him walk out the door and closed it carefully, fearing that she would get caught in the wind.

Li Rong stared at the door for a while, finally closed her eyes and turned over on the bed.

Pei Wenxuan arrived late. When he arrived, Concubine Rou was already standing in her seat, talking and laughing with the people next to her.

The place where Concubine Rou was standing now was exactly where Li Rong had stood before. If she hadn't turned around, she would not have seen Pei Wenxuan coming. After Pei Wenxuan came, he lowered his head and stood in his position. As soon as he stood still, he heard the eunuch's voice announcing that the court was about to begin.

Pei Wenxuan lowered his head and followed the ministers in. After entering the court, the people around Pei Wenxuan also noticed his arrival, but they didn't say much. They just looked up and said nothing.

Su Rongqing also noticed Pei Wenxuan's arrival. He and Pei Wenxuan stood side by side on his left and right. He glanced at Pei Wenxuan indifferently, and Pei Wenxuan smiled and nodded at him.

The court officials discussed the unrest on the southwestern border, the defection of the main general, the temporary resistance organized by a stormtrooper, Rui Feibai, to defend the city, and the disaster prevention and relief efforts in various parts of the south during the June flood season. Finally, they mentioned the imperial examination.

"Now that the Inspection Department has closed the case, it's time to start the investigation. It's been delayed for several months, so we have to hurry up."

Li Ming said calmly: "This year, there are vacancies in the court. The imperial examination is different from the past. We should select more talents."

"Your Majesty is right." Concubine Rou immediately responded, "But now the original chief examiner Pei Wenxuan is still recovering from his injury, so why not..."

"Your Majesty," Pei Wenxuan spoke at the right time. Everyone looked over. Concubine Rou had a brief look of surprise on her face, but then she immediately calmed down. Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly and bowed, saying, "I am fine now. I have been in contact with other colleagues these days. The imperial examination has not been delayed. From the test questions, the examination room, to the selection process, everything has been prepared. As long as Your Majesty agrees, the imperial examination can start at any time."

Li Ming looked at Pei Wenxuan. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Then let the Ministry of Rites set a date and start preparing this month. Don't delay any further."

Pei Wenxuan came down in response.

After the court session, Fulai stopped Pei Wenxuan and invited him to Yu's study. Li Ming looked him up and down and asked inquiringly, "Master Pei, you came at the right time. Did Pingle let you leave the house?"

"Your Majesty, please don't make fun of me," Pei Wenxuan said with a bitter smile, "I am now a hot topic in the streets and alleys, and I am almost a talking point."

Fulai chuckled softly. Li Ming listened to him and glanced at his neck again: "Pingle really likes you."

"Your Highness is a simple man."

"In the imperial examination, this time, you must strive for fairness. The court needs people who can do things."

Li Ming's words were meaningful and Pei Wenxuan understood them.

What the court needs are not only people who can do things, but also people who can work for the emperor.

"I have always hoped to conquer the north and pacify the north in one fell swoop, so as to avoid being harassed by them all the time," Li Ming said, standing up. Fulai hurried to support Li Ming. Pei Wenxuan followed behind Li Ming and listened to Li Ming slowly saying, "I also thought that after the northern expedition, I would send another 100,000 troops to the south to live there and spread our Great Xia culture to inspire those barbarians. After a hundred years, the south will not be in chaos all the time."

"Your Majesty is thoughtful."

Pei Wenxuan spoke respectfully. Li Ming sighed and walked out of the yard with Pei Wenxuan. "I have thought that the south has been flooded for many years. We can't always think about repairing the dikes. We should find someone to go there and dig the river and change the course. What a pity." Li Ming stopped and stood in the yard, looking at the lush vegetation in the yard. "All the money, food and elite soldiers in the world belong to the aristocratic families. In order to protect themselves, the aristocratic families don't even take the initiative to march north and south. When the war reaches their doorsteps, they only think about negotiating peace."

Li Ming shook his head and said with a bit of sneer: "All they think about is marrying off princesses. My three sisters were all sent to marry, and now they want to send my daughter to marry. What a bunch of cowards."

Pei Wenxuan did not speak. He listened quietly. Seeing that he was silent, Li Ming turned to look at Pei Wenxuan: "What do you think of my ideas?"

"Your Majesty is a holy monarch," Pei Wenxuan said softly, "I dare not make any rash comments. But my clan was originally a humble clan, and it has prospered because of your Majesty's appreciation. My father is willing to follow your Majesty, and I feel the same way as my father."

Li Ming listened to Pei Wenxuan's words in silence. After a long time, he nodded and said, "Your father is very good."

As he said this, he turned his head and said, "I have always hoped that my name would be remembered in history books in the future, but when I woke up yesterday, I suddenly felt that I was a little old. Wenxuan," he raised his hand and patted Pei Wenxuan on the shoulder, "Although Prince Su is not smart enough, he is also innocent and brave. He is still young now. If you teach him well, he will have a bright future."

Pei Wenxuan understood what Li Ming meant when he heard these words. He bowed respectfully and said, "I understand."

Li Ming called Pei Wenxuan, who nodded. After chatting with him for a while, he asked Fu Lai to see him off.

Pei Wenxuan and Fulai walked out of the courtyard. Pei Wenxuan asked softly, "Your Majesty, have you been worried about anything recently?"

"Your Majesty was blind for a moment when he woke up yesterday and was very panicked." Fulai lowered his voice. Pei Wenxuan's expression did not change. Fulai continued, "Now Your Majesty is secretly recruiting famous doctors and looking for a master."

After hearing this, Pei Wenxuan walked to the door with Fulai. He bowed to Fulai and then walked out.

He understood what Li Ming said. Li Ming was very similar to Li Chuan in his previous life, but also different.

Li Ming wanted to march north and south, hoping to use this as a means to disintegrate the military and financial power of the aristocratic families, truly disintegrate the aristocratic families, so that he could sleep peacefully on the dragon bed and rest assured.

Li Chuan, on the other hand, was just the opposite. He wanted to disintegrate the aristocratic families and gain access to military and financial power in order to fight against the Rong and Di tribes in the north and control floods in the south.

Aristocratic families are a major concern for all emperors. No matter whether it is for personal gain of imperial power or for the sake of the country's foundation, an emperor will tolerate the division of power in this way if he wants to realize his political ideals and achieve his political status.

The physical decline made Li Ming start to prepare for the worst. He told him so much just to make Pei Wenxuan, a "poor clan", realize that King Su would be the best destination for him to build his grand ambitions and great career.

Pei Wenxuan was thinking about Li Ming's words. As soon as he left the palace, he saw Cui Yulang standing in front of the palace gate.

Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows, and then heard Cui Yulang say with a smile: "Master Pei, the Queen wants to see you."

By now, almost all the officials in the court knew that Cui Yulang was helping Concubine Rou.

Cui Yulang was tactful and resourceful in his work, and was also good at praising women. Recently, he had written no less than twenty poems praising Concubine Rou, which were widely circulated among the people, making Concubine Rou's reputation spread throughout Shengjing, and thus he won Concubine Rou's trust.

Pei Wenxuan was led by Cui Yulang to the Inspection Office, where Concubine Rou was teaching Prince Su how to interrogate prisoners.

The slave being interrogated this time did not have the protection of the law that prohibited children of officials and noble families from being punished. When Pei Wenxuan entered, he saw that there was almost no intact part of this servant's body.

Prince Su held a long whip in his hand, which was stained with blood. When Pei Wenxuan entered, he saw Prince Su proudly turning his head and happily saying to Concubine Rou, "Mother, how was my beating?"

"Very good, Cheng'er's whip skills have improved again," Concubine Rou clapped her hands and said softly, "Come, let me wipe the sweat off your face. Your father likes your manliness the most."

Prince Su listened and went forward to wipe the sweat off Concubine Rou's face.

Pei Wenxuan stood at the prison gate, his expression unchanged, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty."

"Ah," Concubine Rou heard Pei Wenxuan's words, turned around and said with a smile, "Minister Pei is here, come on, sit down."

Pei Wenxuan bowed and sat on an empty chair nearby.

Concubine Rou wiped the sweat off Prince Xizhi's head and asked gently, "How has Lord Pei been doing in Pingle Mansion recently?"

"It's just a bit noisy," Pei Wenxuan said calmly, "but it's nothing."

Pei Wenxuan changed the subject and looked up at Concubine Rou: "But I would like to ask Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty felt that it was inappropriate for me to be the chief examiner, and wanted to replace me?"

When Concubine Rou heard this, she froze.

She was about to question Pei Wenxuan, but was suddenly blocked. She originally thought that Pei Wenxuan had caused trouble for Wang Houwen without authorization, and that he had an unclear relationship with Pingle. Yesterday, a group of young men from the Ministry of Personnel came to Pingle's house, and he would go to court today.

Pei Wenxuan should have felt guilty about everything, but Pei Wenxuan was not prepared to explain to her. Instead, he seemed very angry and asked her, "Your Majesty, I think I have done my best for you. I would like to ask if there is anything I have done wrong that has displeased you?"

"Lord Pei misunderstood," Concubine Rou calmed down. Before she figured out Pei Wenxuan's position, she didn't want to see him and Pei Wenxuan clashed. She smiled and said, "I thought Lord Pei's injury had not healed yet, and seeing that His Majesty was in a hurry to hold the imperial examination, I thought of finding a backup first. I didn't really mean to replace you."

"Are you serious, Madam?"

Pei Wenxuan stared at Concubine Rou and said, "I have been in the residence of His Majesty Pingle for a few days. Why didn't Your Majesty help me?"

"Help... help?" Concubine Rou was stunned. "You are in Pingle Mansion, do you still need my help?"

"Your Majesty," Pei Wenxuan seemed to be extremely angry and took a deep breath, "If I am happy to stay in the residence of Your Majesty Pingle, why would I want to get divorced?"

Concubine Rou was confused for a while, and after a long time, she slowly realized that there might be some embarrassing discord between Pei Wenxuan and Pingle.

She calmed down a little and forced a smile, "I haven't thought about it so much. I just thought Pingle was crazy about you, so it would be good for you to go to her place to recuperate for a while. Besides, Pingle has a strong temper. I can't do anything if you enter her house. She has been a little bully since she was young and was spoiled in the harem. I..."

Concubine Rou sighed: "I am just a concubine, what else can I say?"

Pei Wenxuan kept silent with a straight face. Concubine Rou saw that he didn't believe her and quickly said, "Anyway, now that your injury has healed, everything is fine. The imperial examination is about to begin, and I have prepared everything. You don't have to worry too much."

Pei Wenxuan's face was stiff, and he bowed to Concubine Rou. Concubine Rou drank a sip of tea and was silent for a while. Finally, she felt that the atmosphere seemed to be normal. She remembered her purpose and smiled at Pei Wenxuan and said, "This time you touched Wang Houwen, which caused me a big trouble."

"But doesn't it also give Your Majesty the best opportunity to establish your authority?" Pei Wenxuan turned to look at Concubine Rou, "Your Majesty has taken down a minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Now, who in the court doesn't think that Your Majesty is very capable and is vying to curry favor with you? In this way, Your Majesty has the opportunity to recruit talents for His Royal Highness Prince Su?"

Pei Wenxuan said this, and Concubine Rou vaguely understood: "So that's why you went to find Wang Houwen to deal with the trouble?"

Pei Wenxuan nodded: "It's right that your Majesty doesn't want to provoke the noble families, but you can't just not provoke them at all, after all, His Majesty is watching. By punishing Wang Houwen, your Majesty has shown your attitude, and by letting others go, the noble families will think that your Majesty has let them off. If your Majesty had let them go from the beginning, would the noble families still think that your Majesty is doing them a favor?"

Pei Wenxuan leaned forward and lowered his voice as he spoke: "They just think that the queen can't do anything to them."

"What you said makes some sense."

Concubine Rou thought for a moment, and then she took out a list from her sleeve: "Now that I have offended the Wang family, I cannot offend all the remaining noble families."

Concubine Rou said as she pushed a list to Pei Wenxuan: "Sir Pei is the chief examiner for this imperial examination. It should not be a big deal to arrange for a few people to pass the examination."

Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows when he heard this: "Young man from an aristocratic family, why don't you just recommend him?"

"These people are not included in the family tree," Concubine Rou shook her head, "They are just related to us."

After hearing this, Pei Wenxuan understood that it was not a matter of money.

Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment, then looked up at Concubine Rou: "Your Majesty, I have something to ask you. Please dismiss the others."

Concubine Rou raised her hand and waved, and everyone around her walked out. Even the person who had already fainted on the rack was taken down and dragged away.

When only Pei Wenxuan and Concubine Rou were left in the room, Pei Wenxuan finally spoke: "What do you want, Your Majesty, to do? Do you want to get a large sum of money to live out your life in the harem, or do you want to give His Royal Highness Prince Su to that position?" Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and pointed in the direction of the palace. "Which position do you want to give him?"