Chapter 132: I’m Not Upset, I’m Worried About You
The demands of these scholars not only paled Consort Rou’s face but also stunned the numerous court officials behind her.
Making the imperial examination the sole method for selecting officials…
How could these people even come up with such an idea!
It was utterly fanciful and unrealistic.
The court officials glared sharply at the scholars kneeling on the ground. Yet, the scholars remained unfazed and said, “Since Your Highness has come out, you must be prepared to plead on behalf of us, the students from humble backgrounds. We, the impoverished scholars, have studied diligently for decades, carrying the hopes of our entire families, only seeking to earn recognition through the examinations. My elderly father, to support my studies, dared not seek medical treatment when ill and often went without food. When he finally received news that I had become a provincial candidate, he was overjoyed and stayed awake all night. Little did he know that decades of hope would be shattered in a single night.”
“This matter will be investigated thoroughly by me,” Consort Rou responded, frowning. “However, how officials are selected has nothing to do with this.”
“How can it be unrelated?” the scholar retorted emphatically. “The court established the imperial examinations to widely recruit talent. But dare I ask Your Highness, in the nearly ten years since the examinations were implemented, has even one scholar from a humble background risen to a fifth-rank official or higher through the exams?”
As he spoke, the scholar pulled a scroll from his sleeve and unrolled it on the ground. “These are the officials from non-noble backgrounds who passed the examinations in the past decade. Your Highness, please see what they are doing now. The court is currently controlled by powerful families, riddled with deep-rooted malpractices, and as precarious as a pile of eggs…”
“Outrageous!” an official suddenly shouted. “How dare you spout such nonsense outside the palace gates? Guards, drag him away!”
The soldiers moved forward, but several tall students immediately stood up and exclaimed, “What are you doing? Are you trying to silence us and cover up the truth? Dare to act but not dare to face the consequences? Consort Rou, is this the justice you promised us?”
At the students’ challenge, the soldiers hesitated and looked to Consort Rou for guidance. She cleared her throat lightly and said, “This matter is of great importance. Please, all of you, rise. We will address each issue one by one.”
“When does Your Highness plan to address it?” the leading scholar pressed relentlessly.
Consort Rou hesitated for a moment, and the scholar continued, “Is Your Highness planning to coax us into the palace first, pacify us, and then decide what to do later?”
That was indeed Consort Rou’s intention, but with the scholar exposing her so directly, she was at a loss for words.
After a moment of contemplation, she finally said, “I understand your distrust of me. But such a significant matter is beyond my authority to decide. However, I myself come from a humble background. In my youth, my father sold me into the palace for a mere two taels of silver. I have endured the hardships you speak of, and as a woman, I have suffered even more.”
Her words moved the crowd slightly, and the scholars fell silent. Consort Rou took a deep breath and personally stepped forward to help the leading scholar to his feet. “Rest assured, I will spare no effort to ensure justice is served. All of you, please rise. In a moment, I will accompany Prince Su to the Supervision Bureau. You may come along, and we will address each of your grievances one by one, with no perfunctory treatment.”
Consort Rou’s background was her greatest weapon. Her words, combined with her tearful eyes, made it seem as though doubting her would be a sin. Although the leading scholar seemed to want to say more, his companions readily agreed. Seeing this, the scholar hesitated for a moment before finally allowing Consort Rou to help him up. After reassuring the scholars, Consort Rou had them escorted to the Supervision Bureau in a grand procession.
Once the students were pacified, Consort Rou returned to the court with Prince Su and the officials. She ordered Li Cheng to recount what had just happened. Under her guidance, Li Cheng stammered through the account. After he finished, Li Ming remained silent.
Everyone waited for Li Ming’s response.
The crux of the matter had long shifted beyond the issue of the substituted scholars to the students’ demand for reforming the official selection system.
The sudden appearance of these students clearly indicated they were acting under someone’s direction. If earlier people had speculated that this was an internal power struggle among court officials, they now had to suspect that these students were orchestrated by Li Ming himself.
For over a decade, Li Ming had intended to suppress the influential families. From the moment he began relying on Pei Lizhi, he initiated the imperial examinations, vigorously promoted individuals from humble backgrounds, and even later showed favor to Consort Rou and conferred titles on Prince Su—all moves aimed at curbing the power of the great families.
The proposal put forth by the scholars today, while seemingly seeking justice for themselves, would ultimately benefit none other than Li Ming, who sat upon the golden throne.
Everyone was speculating about Li Ming’s intentions, but Li Ming merely took a sip of tea, said nothing, and concluded the court session.
After the court was dismissed, Pei Wenxuan quickly looked toward Li Rong, but she ignored him entirely and walked straight out of the hall.
Pei Wenxuan felt a surge of urgency. He turned and hurried out, trying to catch up with Li Rong, but before he could leave the hall, a eunuch stopped him and said quietly, “Lord, His Majesty requests your presence.”
Pei Wenxuan halted, took a deep breath to calm himself, and nodded. “I will go at once.”
In that brief exchange, Li Rong had already moved far ahead.
Pei Wenxuan watched her retreating figure for a moment, then stepped out the door and saw Su Rongqing standing at the entrance.
Pei Wenxuan had no intention of engaging with him, but as he brushed past, Su Rongqing suddenly spoke: “That Wen Xingzhi is your man.”
Wen Xingzhi was the scholar who had lodged the complaint that day. Hearing Su Rongqing’s question, Pei Wenxuan merely smiled. “I don’t understand what you’re referring to, Lord Su.”
With that, he walked away.
Pei Wenxuan went to see Li Ming, while Li Rong, upon exiting the palace gates, was stopped by Li Ming’s men.
They demanded the official seal of the Supervision Bureau from her. Without hesitation, she tossed them the prepared seal, withdrew into her carriage, and said coldly, “Let’s go.”
As the carriage left the palace grounds, Li Rong felt the surroundings grow quiet. She sat in a daze for a while before slowly gathering her thoughts.
Leaning back in her seat, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her.
When she had previously asked Pei Wenxuan about these scholars, he had deliberately changed the subject. At that time, she knew he did not want her involved in this matter—he must have been planning something she would disapprove of.
Though she still did not fully understand his specific intentions, she had a general idea of what he was aiming for.
He intended to reform the official selection system at this very moment.
Reforming the official selection system was something they had argued about for years in their previous life.
She preferred the recommendation system used by influential families because being an official was not solely about academic excellence but about the ability to get things done. The imperial examinations produced a large number of scholars every year, but most of these bookish individuals knew nothing beyond studying. Even the occasional clever ones were often unscrupulous.
“Mastering both literary and martial skills, only to sell them to the imperial house.” For those from humble backgrounds, becoming an official was the ultimate goal from the moment they began their studies. This meant that, for them, holding office was essentially a transaction. Consequently, once in power, corruption and bribery became rampant and impossible to eradicate.
But Pei Wenxuan favored the imperial examinations. Even if those selected through the exams were often ill-suited for the officialdom, he didn’t mind.
Because what he cared about more was fairness.
Even if this method wasn’t perfect, it was the best way to ensure justice.
Now, if Pei Wenxuan intended to reform the official selection system at this moment, it certainly wasn’t for the sake of fairness.
He had his reasons, yet he chose not to share them with her.
What’s more, he deliberately kept her in the dark. No matter how many times she had urged him to trust her more, deep down, he never truly did.
Li Rong let out a mocking laugh and closed her eyes, pondering Pei Wenxuan’s next move. What exactly was he planning…
After a moment of contemplation, she finally decided she would go and ask him directly.
With this thought, she lifted the carriage curtain and turned to the person outside. “Head to the new residence. Have Cui Yulang meet me there.”
The estate she had purchased near Pei Wenxuan’s residence was finally settled. It was registered under another person’s name and was now almost ready for her to move in.
After arriving at the new residence, she found a rocking chair indoors and lay down.
She dozed off briefly before hearing an announcement that Cui Yulang had hurried over.
Seeing his flustered arrival, Li Rong looked up at him. “Well?”
“Your Highness,” Cui Yulang said anxiously, “those scholars actually want to reform the official selection system. Did you know about this?”
Li Rong nodded calmly. “I know.”
“Then why didn’t you inform me earlier?” Cui Yulang adjusted his tone, trying to sound as patient as possible. “Today, Consort Rou took on the case and reprimanded me upon her return. If this isn’t handled properly, all my efforts to gain her trust will be wasted.”
“What exactly did you say to her?” Li Rong asked casually, sipping her tea, her expression unmoved despite Cui Yulang’s anxiety.
“Just as we discussed earlier,” Cui Yulang replied, calming down slightly at her composure. “I told her about the scholars’ grievances and suggested she use this case to establish the authority of the Supervision Bureau. I also analyzed His Majesty’s intentions for her, convincing her that the Emperor wanted her to take on this case. That’s how I persuaded her.”
“And then?”
As Li Rong drank her tea, Cui Yulang frowned. “After she accepted the case at court, she took Prince Su to the Supervision Bureau. Before leaving, she whispered to me that I had doomed her. Your Highness,” he said, visibly uneasy, “what should we do now?”
It was one thing for Consort Rou to investigate the case of imperial examination fraud, but touching the official selection system was another matter entirely. The scholars’ overreach was bound to anger her, and it was natural for her to blame Cui Yulang, who had proposed the idea.
Li Rong held her teacup, deep in thought. After a long silence, she slowly said, “As long as she has tasted the sweetness of it, that’s enough.”
Cui Yulang was taken aback. Li Rong continued, “This play was orchestrated by His Majesty. Since Consort Rou agreed to take part, His Majesty will reassure her.”
“Consort Rou places far too much importance on His Majesty,” Li Rong said with a light laugh. “If His Majesty is willing to reassure her, then there’s no harm done.”
Cui Yulang pondered her words for a moment and finally nodded in agreement.
Li Rong discussed the next steps with him for a while longer before having him escorted out.
Afterward, she had a meal at the residence and waited until evening. She then sent Zhao Chongjiu to fetch the steward of the Pei residence.
The steward was one of Pei Wenxuan’s most trusted aides. Upon learning that Li Rong wished to come over, he immediately had a ladder placed against the wall, cleared the area of people, and welcomed her in.
He understood exactly what Li Rong meant to Pei Wenxuan, so he asked no questions and directly escorted her to the bedroom.
Feeling weary, Li Rong lay down on the rocking chair in the bedroom and closed her eyes for a brief rest. She instructed the steward, “When he returns, bring him directly to the bedroom.”
The steward acknowledged her order respectfully. Li Rong waved her hand. “You may withdraw for now. I’m tired.”
The steward led the others out, leaving Li Rong alone in the unlit room.
She waited for Pei Wenxuan late into the night before he finally returned from the palace.
Li Ming had detained him for lengthy discussions. The day’s events had unfolded somewhat beyond both his and Li Ming’s expectations, necessitating adjustments to their plans.
Burdened with matters that demanded his attention, Pei Wenxuan had been unable to break away. Yet, his thoughts remained with Li Rong. He hurried back to his residence without even notifying the gatekeeper to inform the steward and headed straight for his bedroom.
The gatekeeper, seeing his rushed return, quickly sent word to the steward. However, before the steward could reach him, Pei Wenxuan had already entered the bedroom.
Standing at the door, he instructed Tong Ye to prepare the carriage, saying in a low voice, “I’ll change clothes and then head to the princess’s residence.”
Tong Ye nodded. Pei Wenxuan pushed the door open and entered the room.
The bedroom was unlit, but Pei Wenxuan couldn’t be bothered to light a lamp. By the moonlight, he felt his way to the screen, grabbed a set of his usual clothes, and began undressing to change before leaving.
Just as he loosened his belt, a cool, clear woman’s voice rang out in the room: “And where did you plan on going?”
Pei Wenxuan froze mid-action. He quickly looked up toward the source of the voice and saw a woman reclining on the rocking chair like an enchanting spirit from a folktale, her eyes closed as she spoke calmly: “I’ve been waiting for you all day.”
As she spoke, Tong Ye stood at the doorway and said softly, “Young Master, the carriage is ready. We can leave whenever you wish.”
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan immediately turned around. “We’re not going.”
Tong Ye was bewildered. “Huh?”
Just as he spoke, the steward arrived at the door. Seeing Tong Ye standing there, the steward whispered, “Has the Young Master gone inside?”
Tong Ye nodded. Before the steward could explain, they heard Pei Wenxuan’s calm voice from inside: “Everyone, withdraw. I’m going to sleep.”
Tong Ye and the steward exchanged puzzled glances, but ultimately, Tong Ye collected himself and replied, “Yes.”
The sound of servants retreating footsteps echoed outside. Pei Wenxuan stood frozen, clutching his outer robe. After a moment, he finally stirred.
He slowly set down the robe, searching for words. “You… why are you here?”
“I have many questions and was hoping Lord Pei could provide some answers.”
Li Rong’s voice was soft, but each word felt like a blade slicing through Pei Wenxuan’s heart.
“I hope Lord Pei will not withhold his guidance.”
As she spoke, Li Rong raised her eyes. Their brightness in the moonlight held a sharp, piercing quality.
She watched the man standing before her—so similar to the politician in her memories: aloof, steady, appearing as harmless as a rabbit yet always revealing his fangs when least expected.
She had prepared herself for every possible response from Pei Wenxuan, but after a brief silence, he suddenly moved.
He walked to the bedside and crouched down, rummaging under the bed.
Li Rong frowned. “What are you doing?”
Pei Wenxuan ignored her. After a series of clattering noises, he pulled out a somewhat ancient-looking washboard from beneath the bed.
Then he carried it over, dusted it off, and placed it squarely in front of Li Rong. With a composed and utterly serious expression, he lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down right before her.
Li Rong was stunned. Before she could react, Pei Wenxuan spoke with unwavering calm. “Punish me. Just don’t speak to me like that.”
“I admit what I did. Yes, I want to reform the official selection system.”
“I knew Su Rongqing would use this case to trouble the Crown Prince. Given the Crown Prince’s temperament, he would eventually take on the case. But once he does, he’ll lose no matter how he handles it. So I went to His Majesty beforehand, informed him of the case, and suggested we use it as an opportunity to reform the selection system.”
Li Rong’s frown deepened. Pei Wenxuan, with a look of resigned determination, laid out the entire plan clearly: “The scholar who spoke today is one of my men. This was all arranged. His Majesty and I agreed that I would step forward to take on the case today. During the court session, it would be decided that I would handle the matter entirely. Then, using the scholars’ grievances to demand reform, His Majesty would pressure the Crown Prince to take the case. If the Crown Prince refused, I would step in. The Crown Prince’s supporters would then fully back me, and I would seize the moment to secure the court’s commitment to let me handle the case entirely. Once I had that commitment, I would leave the palace to take on the case and, with His Majesty’s support, push through the reforms.”
“You’re being reckless!” Li Rong slammed her hand on the armrest. “With the demands you had them make today, it would take you centuries to achieve anything!”
“I know,” Pei Wenxuan replied immediately. “So His Majesty and I aren’t actually aiming to abolish the recommendation system entirely. We just want to ensure that the scholars who pass this year’s examinations have decent placements. By starting with an outrageous demand and then negotiating, our real goal will seem more acceptable by comparison.”
“This way, His Majesty won’t focus on the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince won’t be caught in the dilemma of whether to take the case or not.”
“Secondly, if His Majesty promotes the imperial examination system, it will inevitably create conflict with the powerful families. ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ If His Majesty becomes the enemy of the great families, their tolerance toward the Crown Prince will increase significantly. His Majesty has at most two years left. The rise of humble scholars won’t happen overnight. Su Rongqing’s plan is to gradually strip the Crown Prince of the great families’ support. What we need to do is ensure the Crown Prince maintains their support without being controlled by them. The simplest way is to create a common enemy for the Crown Prince and the great families.”
“Thirdly, I hope to resolve the conflict between the great families and the imperial authority as much as possible while His Majesty is still alive, so that when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will inherit a stable court. I know you want the Crown Prince to be a wise and virtuous ruler, leaving a glorious legacy in the history books. But someone must wield the blade—if not the Crown Prince, then His Majesty.”
Li Rong listened quietly, her head bowed without a word.
Pei Wenxuan, seeing her silence, felt a weight in his chest. Yet his expression remained calm as he continued, “I knew you wouldn’t agree. You’ve never believed the imperial examinations could truly select capable individuals. That’s why I didn’t tell you—I was afraid you would stop me.”
“I know you’re upset that I kept this from you, but even if I had to do it again, I would still keep it secret. If you want to punish me, then punish me.” Pei Wenxuan’s voice faltered slightly before softening. “After you’re done, stay tonight… alright?”
Li Rong remained silent, her gaze fixed steadily on him.
Her quietude felt like a slow, torturous execution to him. Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but regret his actions—why had he chosen to confront her like this?
But what was done was done. There was nothing left for him to do but kneel upright on the floor, back straight, locked in a stalemate with her.
After a long silence, Li Rong spoke, her voice weary. “Pei Wenxuan.”
“It’s not that I’m displeased with you promoting the imperial examination system,” she said, lifting her eyes to meet his, her tone low and gentle. “I’m worried about you.”
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