Chapter 1229: Grace Examination

Yue Er’s desire to practice martial arts could not be stopped in the end.

Luckily, it was at the training grounds in the palace, so she didn’t have to leave the palace daily, which made Xia Ruqing a bit relieved.

Zi Yue also tried to persuade her.

"Consort, just treat the Princess as you would a Prince!"

"Anyway... whatever the Princes dare or dare not do, our Princess dares to do!"

Xia Ruqing chuckled as she drank her sweet white fungus porridge.

"It’s all because of you indulging her!"

"Though the Emperor indulges her, it’s ultimately limited!"

"Whenever I try to advise her slightly, you’re all so heartbroken!"

"This one says she’s still young, that one says not to be too strict!"

"And now, it’s impossible to reign her in, and you’re telling me to raise her like a Prince!"

"Where’s the reason in this? Where can I find justice for this?"

Zi Yue looked helpless.

"I just said two words, and you countered me with a whole basket of arguments!"

"If we’re talking about spoiling her, we servants are the least responsible!"

"In this palace, everyone’s watching the Emperor!"

Xia Ruqing waved her hand dismissively.

"Never mind, never mind!"

"I originally wanted to raise her like a small padded jacket, and the heavens did give me a small padded jacket, but now..."

It’s turned into a heavy military coat? Cough, cough!

Xia Ruqing continued drinking her sweet porridge spoon by spoon.

In truth, Yue Er’s carefree nature didn’t entirely worry her.

After all, in this harsh feudal society, Yue Er didn’t have to be constrained like most girls, which was a good thing.

But...

She looked worried.

This was not the free and easy twenty-first century!

Oh well, it won’t hurt to give more advice, at least so it doesn’t become too outrageous.

She wouldn’t want her daughter to be laughed at by the world.

...

In a blink of an eye, January had passed, and it was February, with the weather gradually warming up.

The Empress Dowager, who had been ill all winter, finally recovered a bit and could walk a little.

After the New Year, the palace was not busy, and there wasn’t much going on.

Xia Ruqing often attended to the Empress Dowager with three or five palace consorts.

She felt no emotional connection with the Empress Dowager.

It was just for Zhao Junyao’s sake.

Ever since he returned from the south last year.

Zhao Junyao seemed to not care at all for his mother.

The Empress Dowager had been ill for a year, and he hadn’t visited once, only saying he was too busy with national affairs.

Given his attitude.

Xia Ruqing had to tolerate more, frequently attending to the Empress Dowager.

Even if it was just to gain a good reputation, she didn’t need to do anything, just sit there and watch others work.

Even if she had no ambition and was carefree, not wanting to compete for favor or power, she still bore the title of Empress.

Having experienced so much with Zhao Junyao, how could she remain as carefree as before, only caring about eating?

As the saying goes, to wear the crown, one must bear the weight!

She could not,

put all this burden on Zhao Junyao’s shoulders.

She had to bear some of it for him.

After all... he had given his life for her!

...

In February, Zhao Junyao remained busy.

Last year, Jiangnan and Guangnan were in turmoil, with a large number of officials dismissed and families confiscated.

Every official, no matter their rank, who had relations with Prince Yan.

Were all gradually executed or exiled, leaving no excess.

After investigating for several months.

It was not until the end of February that all remnants were thoroughly cleared.

For an emperor, ruling is about the people.

What the people desire is stability!

If a kingdom is unstable, how can it seek development?!

If a kingdom is unstable, how can the people live prosperously?

Therefore.

Rebellion, which directly threatens the stability of the realm.

All emperors have zero tolerance.

Better to kill a thousand mistakenly than to let one go!

Among the countless officials, there are many wronged souls.

However... who has the attention for so many?

Even if it were another compassionate emperor, such events could not be forgiven.

This is the bottom line.

Being merciful to traitors is cruel to countless citizens; who could weigh which is more important?

Speaking of.

After dealing with the officials in Jiangnan and Guangnan.

Left hundreds of vacancies, the Imperial Court was in urgent need of people.

Civil examinations are held every three years.

Every year, only around a hundred graduates, of which only a few dozen are truly useful.

And they can’t be given high-ranking positions immediately, they must start at the bottom.

Evaluated annually, positions changed every three years, these are fixed rules that cannot be altered.

While these methods ensure competent officials.

Following these methods exclusively.

When will Jiangnan and Guangnan have all vacancies filled?

Even if we use all the reserve officials from previous years, they won’t suffice!

Zhao Junyao was utterly distressed over this matter.

Wishing heaven would immediately drop him a few hundred capable officials to relieve his urgent need!

...

That evening, it was already time to light the lamps.

After a whole day of busyness in the Imperial Study Room, Zhao Junyao, exhausted, went to Duanning Palace.

Xia Ruyi had just set the dinner table.

Knowing he had been feeling hot lately, all the dishes on the table were light and refreshing, even seasoned with less oil and salt.

There was also a bowl of rock sugar pear soup, which Xia Ruqing instructed the small kitchen to stew for two full Shi Chen!

Taking off his outer clothes and lying on the couch.

Xia Ruqing was about to engage in idle chatter.

But when she looked up, she saw blisters around his mouth.

"Oh dear!"

She was shocked.

"Emperor, what trouble have you run into, to have reached this state?"

She reached out to touch them.

Zhao Junyao squinted his eyes and suddenly grasped her hand.

"No need to fuss!"

"If you’re truly worried for me, why not agree to one thing?"

Xia Ruqing quickly asked.

"What thing?"

"Why get into such a state!"

"You’re the Emperor; if you issue an order, who dares not to obey?"

Zhao Junyao slightly raised himself, caressing her hair, glancing helplessly.

"You dare not obey!"

"It’s because I’m too indulgent with you!"

Xia Ruqing felt sweet inside and dodged away.

"What’s the matter, being so secretive!"

Zhao Junyao smiled lightly.

"It’s about your brother Xia Jingfeng’s official matter; after much thought, he cannot just remain a Fifth Rank prefect!"

"As to where I plan to assign him?"

"That’s courtly matters you need not inquire about!"

Xia Ruqing felt a bit helpless.

But things had reached this point; she knew it was best not to advise further.

She lowered her head in silence for a while and ultimately said nothing more.

...

"Emperor, do eat!"

"Mm!"

Zhao Junyao seemed very pleased.

He picked up his chopsticks, placing pieces of the soft, well-stewed venison into Xia Ruqing’s bowl.

"You love eating meat, have plenty!"

Xia Ruqing laughed teasingly.

"It’s because you have heartburn and can’t eat, isn’t it!"