Fuhai retreated outside the screen, staring blankly at the marble grain.
Before the wedding, the Emperor had specially ordered a new partition in the sleeping chambers, the jade screen. Eunuchs were to serve from outside the screen from then on, showing how jealous the Emperor truly was.
In the chambers, Shangguan Yin sat by Yun Xiao's bed, reaching out to stroke her dark hair. Seeing her drowsy state, clearly not fully awake, he gently murmured, "Sleep a little longer."
"Alright, I'll sleep then."
Yun Xiao didn't stand on ceremony. She knew Shangguan Yin had to attend morning court, so she might as well sleep. Who would want to leave this warm quilt on a winter morning? However, closing her eyes, she seemed to remember something and opened them again, saying with a smile.
"Why not add highly poisonous substances like aconite to that salt water? If the Xishan Blood Bandits force their way in, they'll have a hard time."
Shangguan Yin's pupils were filled with a deep smile. This girl. He ruffled her dark hair. "Good, I'll handle it. You sleep."
Yun Xiao said no more, lying down as advised. Today's morning court would be handled by the Emperor in the hall, so she should just get some more sleep.
Shangguan Yin walked out of the chambers, and Fuhai quickly attended to his master.
Outside the palace doors, the Emperor's cold, heartless voice rang out, "Serve the Empress well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Led by Wanwan, everyone respectfully received the order. After the Emperor left with a group of eunuchs, they quickly slipped into the chambers. Inside, their mistress was sleeping soundly.
At the morning court in the Golden Phoenix Hall, the atmosphere was肅殺 and cold. All the officials bowed their heads, enduring the Emperor's wrath from above, not daring to say a word.
They hadn't expected the Xishan Skull Blood Bandits to be so audacious, not only attacking during the Emperor's wedding but also destroying the imperial mausoleum overnight.
Shangguan Yin scanned the hall, noticing two empty seats. One was for Yun Mo, who had requested leave in advance. With his daughter's wedding, there were many family affairs, making it impossible for him to attend morning court. The other was for Wen Jianian, the Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
The Emperor's expression grew colder. The person who appeared yesterday during the attack, he knew at a glance, was still their weakness, Yun Zhen. This indicated he was someone they were very familiar with. Later, being struck by his palm, he must have been injured. Today, Wen Jianian's absence from morning court – what did this signify? That he was injured?
"Why is the Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Lord Wen, absent?"
As the Emperor's icy words resounded, Sima Qingyun immediately stepped forward and reported calmly, "Replying to Your Majesty, Lord Wen has sent a servant to deliver a sick note. Last night, while attending a banquet at Prince Yun's residence, Lord Wen drank too much and fell from his horse, sustaining injuries."
"Oh."
Shangguan Yin let out a cold "Oh" and said nothing more. He raised an eyebrow and scanned the assembled officials. The hall was silent, no one willing to speak, fearing they might bring trouble upon themselves. He couldn't help but coldly reflect.
It seemed he needed to adjust the court quickly. These people only knew how to protect themselves, likely engaging in all sorts of shady dealings behind the scenes. Yet, standing in this hall, they were timid and hesitant, not uttering a word or a sentence.
"What do my ministers think about dealing with the Xishan Skull Blood Bandits?"
As soon as this question was posed, a murmur erupted below. The Minister of War, Lan Qinglun, was the first to step forward, his expression solemn and stern.
"Your Majesty, this minister believes we must dispatch more troops and ensure these individuals are caught. They will surely reappear, as this is a clear act of defiance against the court."
As Lan Qinglun finished speaking, a portion of the officials behind him agreed, nodding repeatedly in affirmation.
Another portion pondered with furrowed brows, shaking their heads, seemingly deep in thought. Shangguan Yin's face grew darker and darker. His clear, bright countenance was devoid of its usual radiance, shrouded in ominous clouds of impending anger, his entire being suffused with a fierce aura.
It seemed he had to reinstate the special imperial examinations this year to select capable talents.
The so-called special imperial examinations were temporary examinations initiated by the Emperor. How many years had it been since Dong Qin had held such examinations?
Generally, court officials were directly selected from the Hai Shi Academy. These individuals, having been influenced from a young age, often only cared about protecting themselves once in office, not offering advice.
Shangguan Yin swept his gaze across the hall and said in a deep voice, "Summon the imperial decree."
The ministers respectfully bowed their heads. The Emperor's chief eunuch immediately stepped forward to receive the decree, "Proclaim to all the land that starting this year, examinations will be held in all prefectures, counties, and states. The first special imperial examination will be held in April, and candidates from all regions may proceed directly to the capital to take the test."
The announcement stunned the entire hall. Everyone's minds spun. It took them a while to process. Wasn't the discussion just moments ago about how to deal with the Xishan Skull Blood Bandits?
How did the Emperor suddenly make such a pronouncement? When they finally reacted, they exchanged glances. One looked at another, who looked back. Finally, someone stepped forward – the Grand Scholar from the Academy of Scholarly Pursuits.
"Your Majesty, this matter absolutely cannot be."
As Grand Scholar Xu spoke, others behind him echoed his sentiment, nodding repeatedly, their hearts filled with dread. The Emperor's intention in doing this was clear to anyone with eyes. The Emperor was angered and preparing to make changes.
Moreover, the imperial examination system in Dong Qin had been neglected for so many years. Officials were directly selected from the Hai Shi Academy. Those individuals were all part of their factions, their roots intertwined, forming a unified entity.
The students of the Hai Shi Academy were still selected annually from local regions. Among them were not a few intelligent and sharp individuals who sought to attach themselves to powerful figures, turning the Hai Shi Academy into a product of corruption and malfeasance for these high-ranking court officials. Hearing that the Emperor intended to select talents from the grassroots through special examinations, they were instantly thrown into a panic.
Even Prime Minister Sima did not approve of the Emperor's actions. After all, having been in court for many years, he had connections and dealings everywhere. However, the wise ones remained silent, observing the unfolding situation.
But as Grand Scholar Xu spoke, the Emperor's brows on his high seat lightly lifted, his gaze sharp, and he smiled without anger.
"Why not?"
The Emperor's counter-question left Grand Scholar Xu speechless. The ancestral rules stipulated that scholarly examinations were originally conducted from the grassroots and there was no requirement to select solely from the Hai Shi Academy. Although it had been neglected for many years, it did not mean it no longer existed.
Shangguan Yin's words fell, and the hall fell silent. No one dared to say more, fearing that speaking further would lead to trouble. Those who charged forward were always the first to perish.
Grand Scholar Xu's face began to sweat. At this moment, he also realized his rashness. Did others not want to speak? But since others remained silent, and he chose to court death, his heart was filled with fear.
However, at this moment, Prince Shangguan from the side stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, this minister believes this matter is feasible. The students of the Hai Shi Academy truly have few useful talents. Although Dong Qin is outwardly peaceful, natural and man-made disasters are constant. If we wish to stabilize the empire, we will inevitably need a large number of talented individuals. Relying on the students of the Hai Shi Academy is truly futile."
As Prince Shangguan spoke, those in the hall inwardly cursed this prince, but they dared not show any expression on their faces.
Prime Minister Sima Qingyun stepped forward and respectfully said.
"This minister agrees with Your Majesty's approach."
"This minister too."
The intelligent ones quickly declared their stance, aligning themselves with the Emperor.
In the end, a unanimous decision was reached, leaving only Grand Scholar Xu as an anomaly. He glared resentfully at everyone and finally stood uneasily to the side. Fortunately, the Emperor did not immediately trouble him but instructed the eunuchs, "Quickly draft the imperial decree."
"Yes, Your Majesty."