Inside the Imperial Study, the morning light was not yet strong, and the palace lanterns were still lit.
The three young imperial heirs, Xiaoqi, Xiaoba, and Xiaojiu, had already risen.
They usually get up very early, either to attend court with their older brothers and sisters or to do their own homework.
Of all the imperial heirs, only one has ever been fond of sleeping with his concubines.
But the one who loves to sleep the most can't sleep at this moment. Where can you complain to them?
Xiao Jiu knelt on the edge of the phoenix couch, holding a soft brocade handkerchief in her hands, carefully wiping her mother's face.
Her movements were extremely light and slow, very careful, making her appear exceptionally filial.
Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba stood quietly to one side, one holding a golden basin filled with warm water, and the other waiting for instructions.
After serving their mother the emperor her washing up, the three of them obediently sat on the soft couch where their sixth sister was resting.
Suimo, Taoyao, and Yingnuo styled their hair.
Xiao Jiu quietly raised her eyes and looked at Qin Zhaoyue, whose gaze seemed slightly unfocused, and asked softly.
"Sixth Sister, aren't you worried about Third Sister?"
Bored, Qin Zhaoyue scratched her buttocks and asked lazily, "What are you worried about?"
"I'm worried that the ministers from the previous dynasty will cause trouble."
Qin Zhaoyue scoffed upon hearing this.
"What's there to worry about?"
Why do you think they discussed yesterday and specifically asked the Xuanji Guards to bring a chair into the palace?
With Prime Minister Pei overseeing the civil officials, having sat alone on the Phoenix Pavilion for fourteen years, this was no joke.
With the eldest sister in charge of the northern border, the second brother guarding the southern frontier, and the Meng family army providing stability in Fengjing, what kind of trouble can the local forces stir up?
Although the third sister could not match the ruthless methods of the Empress Mother when she first ascended the throne, she was by no means weak.
The most crucial move now rests on the Xuanji Guard.
Right now, they're probably hoping someone can't hold back and jumps out to cause trouble, so they can make an example of them and see who has such outrageous audacity.
I wonder if the Duke of Zheng is bold enough. Isn't his daughter-in-law from the Cui family? Perhaps we could set up a trap and see what happens?
Sui Mo, who was standing to the side, secretly rolled his eyes.
Your Highness is truly never forgetting to deal with the Duke of Zheng's mansion, although that man certainly deserved it.
Qin Zhaoyue still had unsaid words in her heart.
It sounds grand and dignified, but putting aside the external troubles, the most fatal hidden danger among the internal problems actually lies precisely in the Xuanji Guard itself.
She didn't know how her mother had wielded this power in the past.
It is no exaggeration to say that if anyone intends to overthrow the Great Rebellion, the fastest entry point will be the Xuanji Guard.
Their power and strength were so great that there were no corresponding checks and balances.
Why did the Empress Dowager entrust the position of Commander to me before she fell into a coma?
To be on the safe side, it should be the experienced Aunt Thirteen who is the right person, and at most, she should be the secondary person.
Qin Zhaoyue pondered this matter for a while, and realized that she was probably the one who had put shackles on Xuanji Guard.
As a member of the royal family, he possessed the Heavenly Disc and was protected by two second-rank experts.
He recently personally defeated a formidable opponent who was close to breaking through to the first rank, which can be considered a deterrent to the several commanders in the Xuanji Guard.
The Empress then revealed Yin Zhe's identity and appointed him as the deputy commander.
Although slightly weaker, he had a deep foundation in the Xuanji Guard, and this move could be seen as a way to check and balance himself.
Qin Zhaoyue couldn't help but click her tongue softly.
These thoughts mostly came to me randomly last night when I had nothing to do.
Such profound scheming and planning were accomplished under such a state of mental exhaustion.
Thinking ten steps ahead before taking one step has probably become an instinct for us.
Scary~
Sure enough, not long after, at about the same time as usual, the court session ended.
The three returned to the Imperial Study. As soon as they stepped through the palace gates, the Third Princess grabbed her fourth sister, her voice trembling slightly.
"I can't take it anymore, my legs are a bit weak."
Qin Zhaoyue clicked her tongue, her tone carrying her usual disdain.
"Useless things, hurry up, the little ones are waiting for you to eat."
Qin Zhaowan, still breathing heavily, rolled her eyes dramatically.
"You're really talking without any sense of the pain."
"Do you think it's such an easy task to face all the civil and military officials?"
If it weren't for the fact that she had reviewed a large number of memorials yesterday, with Prime Minister Pei's annotations already in place.
With her fourth sister assisting her, she was somewhat prepared for today's situation, but it remains to be seen how it will end.
"Whether it's easy or not is none of my business. Hurry up, I'm hungry."
Qin Zhaowan was furious.
Su Quan, however, had already strode forward from behind, saying repeatedly,
"Here it comes, here it comes. What would Your Highness like to use? This old servant will bring it to you right away."
"Bring something flavorful, not just those bland, watery dishes all the time."
"Okay."
By noon, the news had spread throughout Fengjing.
Not only did powerful families sabotage the imperial examinations, they also sent assassins into the palace to carry out assassinations.
It is said that His Majesty was injured as a result, and the Third Princess is now overseeing the country.
Under the emperor's nose, the common people's conversations during their leisure time invariably revolve around national affairs.
Within moments, the topic was already being discussed on the streets.
The Third Princess oversaw the country, yet she was not promoted to any princely rank, and this momentous news was circulated without any attempt to conceal it.
Many astute people, after a little thought, would realize that the situation should be fine.
Of course, the secret agents of Xuanji Guard also played a significant role in guiding public opinion.
That's why Qin Zhaoyue felt the terror of this power.
They can hold the power of life and death above, and influence the hearts and minds of the people below.
Within half a day, a large number of reports from spies had piled up beside Qin Zhaoyue's bed, all of which were surveillance records of the movements and remarks of officials of the fifth rank and above in the court.
The reason why supplies are continuously sent here is twofold: firstly, Qin Zhaoyue is the rightful commander, and secondly, it is to relieve her boredom and prevent her from becoming drowsy due to having nothing to do.
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