Harem Daily Life

He Linzhang looked at the intelligent queen and liked and loved her from the bottom of his heart. She was like a lamp in the dark night, illuminating his way and giving him the warmth of companionship in the dark night.

He held her in his arms and could hear his heart beating for her.

The clothes he was wearing were made of thin fabric. Tao Yanyan leaned on He Linzhang's chest and could hear his heartbeat. He frowned and said, "Your Majesty, please call the imperial physician to check again. Your heartbeat is so strong, I hope there is nothing wrong."

He Linzhang was stunned for a moment, then took a deep breath. "No problem, I'm in good health. Weren't you also very satisfied last night?"

Tao Yanyan blushed instantly when she thought of someone who had been pounced on food like a hungry wolf every night since he came back from the cliff. She looked up at him speechlessly and said, "Your Majesty, you think about those things all day long. Aren't there still memorials that you haven't finished reading? Go and read them quickly. I'm going to see the children." After that, she stepped out of his arms and hurried out the door.

Looking at her fleeing back, He Linzhang curled his lips and laughed. After so many years, the little queen was still as shy as ever.

Ever since they knew that the six ministries would have to give ratings, many people became interested and used their connections to visit the homes of the six ministers. Lord Tao's family had the most guests, but he never accepted gifts.

As a result, a few days later, news came out that there would be an on-the-job exam, and everyone felt like the sky was falling.

But this method was ordered by His Majesty himself and could not be refuted, so the minor officials of various departments have been very enthusiastic in studying these days. None of them wanted to get too low a score and make a fool of themselves.

However, learning is a technical job. Some people cannot grasp the mysteries no matter how hard they study, while some people do not need to learn much and are proficient in everything. Those who pass the imperial examination are fearless, while those officials from various families do not have such an easy life. They are covered in dust and are under tremendous pressure all day long.

Officials who had originally thought of flattering their subordinates by giving them extra points no longer dared to act rashly, because His Majesty had said that if favoritism or fraud was discovered, the superiors who gave the scores would be investigated and prosecuted as well. Everyone had worked hard to get a position; they couldn't afford to make a mistake and fall flat on their face!

The test papers were prepared by the chief minister of the cabinet and several ministers. After the exams were over, they were collected and sealed for unified correction, so there was no possibility of cheating.

On the day when the scores came out, He Linzhang summoned the elders of the families of the officials and held a banquet in the side hall of the Qinzheng Hall.

Every family went to the banquet with trepidation, knowing that even the royal meal would not be tasty. This was a blatant Hongmen Banquet.

The Empress Dowager and Tao Yanyan were both invited to attend. The Empress Dowager said her presence would inevitably hinder the Emperor's important work due to favors, so she opted out. Tao Yanyan went, as she had never met these relatives and members of the families of meritorious officials, so she decided to meet them all at once.

"Don't be polite. I'm hosting a banquet today because I haven't seen you in many years. Your sons and nephews have served as officials in the court, and I haven't met many of them in person. Today I want to meet them all and recognize them."

After the emperor finished speaking, everyone below fell silent. What he meant was that their nephews and nephews were incompetent and could not be summoned by His Majesty.

Zhao Guojiu, the most senior among them, stood up and said, "This old minister has not attended a banquet in over ten years. When I last met Your Majesty, it was not long after your wedding. I thank the late emperor and Your Majesty for their consideration in allowing us, the sons and nephews of these old ministers, to serve in the court and be loyal to Your Majesty."

This Zhao Guojiu was the younger brother of the Empress Dowager. He was over eighty years old this year, which was considered very long-lived. His son was a small sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, and his grandson was also a small official in the Ministry of Rites. The family never produced any decent talents afterwards.

He Linzhang said, "Originally, this was a favor bestowed upon us by the late emperor, but I do need to open up more avenues to select talents for the court. This year is the once-in-five-year selection again, and some families' nephews and nephews still want to join, but the court has limited positions and cannot accommodate so many people. So, I organized an in-service examination and did find some problems."

After saying this, he swept his cold gaze over everyone. Seeing their uneasy expressions, he said calmly, "Although you have been granted an official position by grace, you should still have some ambition. This muddleheaded way of muddling through life will not look good anywhere. Don't you agree?"

No one dared to speak, fearing that if they said one more word, His Majesty would pull them out and make an example of them.

"Fortunately, some families' nephews and nieces have shown considerable promise and have performed exceptionally well in this in-service examination. I am very pleased with these individuals and hope that you will continue to work hard and serve as good officials. One day, they will bring honor to your families."

Many people looked towards the emperor, trying to find out from his eyes which families' nephews and nieces were so successful. It was really enviable.

He Linzhang glanced at the few people with an appreciative smile. The mood of these people instantly returned to normal and relaxed a little.

"However, some families' nephews and nieces..." He Linzhang sighed: "They still need to work hard."

After saying that, He Linzhang raised his hand, and palace servants carried the boxes into the hall and placed them on the tables of each family.

"Here are the exam results for each of your sons and nephews. Take a look at them and think about them."

Each family hurriedly opened the box in front of them, took out the receipt and checked it carefully. Some people were grinning from ear to ear, while some people almost fainted and wished they could go home and beat their sons to death. It was so embarrassing!

He Linzhang smiled at Tao Yanyan. The two of them admired each other's expressions before He Linzhang said, "Logically, those who fail should not be employed anymore. However, considering that you have not had a easy time and have indeed made contributions in the past, I will give you one more chance. You will take a make-up exam next month. If you fail again, I will transfer you to a different position. We can't let them all have nowhere to go."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately expressed their gratitude and knelt down, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Each family breathed a sigh of relief. As long as there was still a chance, they could still turn the tables. Thinking of His Majesty's benevolence and righteousness, they became even more devoted to Him.

After the Hongmen Feast ended and everyone left the palace, He Linzhang couldn't help but smile and said, "Yan Yan really came up with a great idea this time. It's helped me solve a big problem. This measure not only reduces the resentment of various families towards the royal family, but also screens out a group of people. It's really a good thing."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't be too happy yet. What if they go back and work hard and all pass the exam next time? Wouldn't that mean all of them will fail?"

They can try their best in one or two exams, but human laziness cannot be changed. Who knows if they will slack off again after barely passing these two times?