Mo Yuxi, wrapped in a thick cloak, appeared even more petite. Yu Mingyue reached out and tightened the ties for her, "I will. Take good care of yourself."
Only after Mo Yuxi's retreating figure vanished did Yu Mingyue turn around and see Luo Lingyi standing not far behind her.
Yu Mingyue stepped forward, and Luo Lingyi took her hand, leading her into the room. Luo Lingyi now exuded even greater authority, yet towards Yu Mingyue, she was as warm as ever.
"Sixth sister, I've sought you out today because I have a favor to ask," Luo Lingyi said, dismissing the servants.
"I wouldn't dare presume to ask for a favor from sister, but if Sixth sister can manage it, I will spare no effort," Yu Mingyue replied, a flicker of surprise crossing her mind before she quickly regained her composure.
Luo Lingyi's expression was melancholic, "Though I am the Crown Princess and seem to be in a position of glory, my life is precarious. It's only a matter of time before I am deposed."
"Sister worries too much. You are the future mother of the nation. Your position concerns the stability of the empire, and it's not something that can be overturned with a single word," Yu Mingyue said with a smile, trying to comfort her.
Luo Lingyi shook her head, "After returning from Qinghe, do you still not know who the true master behind the Wuji Sect is?"
Yu Mingyue fell silent. Yao Zhinian was merely a pawn of the Sage. She feared he wouldn't know until his death that the Wuji Sect served the Sage.
This meant that Luo Lingyi's poisoning back then wasn't directly ordered by the Sage, but he was aware of it, or perhaps even tacitly approved.
"My appointment as Crown Princess was merely a temporary measure. Even though my mother is the Grand Princess of Wei, in the Sage's heart, I am still the daughter of a convicted official. My surname, Luo, remains a thorn in the Sage's side. For my mother's sake, there was a moment of mercy, but when someone seeks my demise, that mercy becomes an opportunity to push me into the abyss. My mother died for Da Wei, and I am also a descendant of the Xiao family. Why must I be so suspected by the Sage? Sixth sister, I am unwilling and I am not convinced," the fire in Luo Lingyi's eyes worried Yu Mingyue.
"Although the Sage is suspicious, the Crown Prince is benevolent. Sister, do not overthink," Yu Mingyue comforted her.
"I know the Crown Prince is benevolent. Even when Mo Liangdi became pregnant, he did not make me, the Crown Princess, feel embarrassed. My request for your help is actually related to the Crown Prince. The Empress and the Crown Prince are discussing the selection of female officials after the spring examinations. Daughters of officials ranked fourth and above in the court are eligible. The Empress has already recommended Wang Siniang to the Ministry of Revenue. I hope you can participate in the selection for the Ministry of Works." Luo Lingyi said.
"Why the Ministry of Works?" Yu Mingyue asked, puzzled. "If female officials are truly to be selected, I would prefer to enter the Dali Temple."
"Dali Temple is not suitable," Luo Lingyi shook her head. "The cases in Dali Temple are all serious and major ones. You'd constantly be dealing with corpses, which is not suitable for a young lady like you. Although the Ministry of Works is weak now, it may not be so in the future." Luo Lingyi's words held a deeper meaning.
"The Li family of Longxi is renowned for their weaponry. Of the noble clans, only the Lu and Li families remain. The Sage intends to enfeoff the Lu family head as Marquis Xiaoyao, and their clan members will also enter the capital to serve as officials. This is both a reward and a means of control."
"The next target is the Li family. What the Sage fears most about the Li family is their weaponry. Although weapon manufacturing falls under the Directorate of Armaments, the Directorate of Armaments is managed by the Ministry of Works. Thus, the Ministry of Works will inevitably become a coveted position among the Six Ministries, and it will be difficult to enter then."
Luo Lingyi looked up at Yu Mingyue, "I recall you were quite interested in Qimen Dunjia for a time and made many peculiar items. Entering the Ministry of Works would allow you to showcase your talents."
"Sister still hasn't answered my question, why the Ministry of Works?" Yu Mingyue felt that Luo Lingyi was not telling her the whole truth. Using the Li and Lu families as an excuse was clearly a diversion.
While the Directorate of Armaments and the Ministry of Works do have some overlapping responsibilities, they are not subordinate to each other. Especially after the Sage's reign, the Directorate of Armaments is entirely independent of the Six Ministries, directly overseen by the Sage.
If the Li family were to offer their weapon-making techniques to the court, the Directorate of Armaments would inevitably expand. Among the Six Ministries, only personnel from the Ministry of Works would be most suitable for transfer to the Directorate of Armaments. Therefore, Luo Lingyi wanted her to enter the Directorate of Armaments.