The Empress traveled through time and space, and she fought for supremacy in the troubled times

When Zhu Ning heard what Zhao Jijiu said, his pupils widened slightly.

She looked at Yun Zhi in shock, feeling it was unbelievable for a moment, yet also reasonable.

After all, Yun Zhi's extraordinary temperament and calm demeanor seemed to indicate her extremely noble status.

But she had always thought that the emperor stayed in the palace, high and mighty.

I didn't expect that I would go shopping like ordinary people. Except that I looked a little more imposing and good-looking than others, I was just like an ordinary person.

Zhu Ning calmed himself down and bowed respectfully towards Yun Zhi, saying, "I was unaware of your Majesty's identity before, and I apologize for any offense. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Yun Zhi smiled slightly: "Ignorance is not a crime. Did you choose this name yourself?"

Listening to the conversation between the two, Zhao Jijiu on the side slowly reacted.

Your Majesty, did you know Zhu Ning before?

Zhao Jijiu did not ask rashly, but just stood quietly aside, ready to ask Zhu Ning later.

Zhu Ning nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I chose this name myself after I learned to read and write."

Yun Zhi was a little interested. "Why did you choose this name? Is there any deep meaning?"

"Because Zhu means blessing, and Ning means peace and prosperity, every time they call my name, it's like they're wishing me peace and prosperity in the future."

After experiencing so many years of displacement, peace and prosperity became her deepest hope.

"It's a very nice name, Zhu Ning. I hope that not only you, but everyone in the world can live in peace and prosperity." Yun Zhi's eyes were firm and gentle.

Zhu Ning was touched when he heard this. For people like them at the bottom of society, what they wanted was really very simple.

Safe and smooth, with enough food and warm clothes.

"Your Majesty, it will definitely happen. With you, everyone in the world will be at peace and prosperous."

She looked at Yun Zhi firmly. During the years of begging, the words she heard most often were the people's praise and blessings to His Majesty.

What they said most often was that Your Majesty was wise and benevolent, and they wished her peace and longevity.

And isn’t it all because of her that these beggars are where they are today?

For an emperor like this, naturally, countless people would pray for her to live a hundred years. With her around, their lives would get better and better.

Looking at the sincere and ardent light in Zhu Ning's eyes, Yun Zhi chuckled, "None of this can be achieved overnight. Besides relying on me, it also requires the help of countless pillars of society. Only in this way can the world be peaceful and prosperous, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment."

Because of Yun Zhi's words, Zhu Ning felt his heart beating faster and faster.

There was ambition in her eyes. She wanted to become a pillar of society. She wanted to stand in the court, where the emperor would make decisions and give orders, and she would serve the emperor from below, giving him advice and suggestions.

However, ambition must match ability. What she should do now is to study hard and at least get first or third place.

It seems she needs to work harder.

After coming here, she discovered that there were so many talented people. Not only were they talented, they also worked harder in their studies.

All she could do was redouble her efforts.

If I am not outstanding enough, how can I stand beside her?

Yun Zhi looked at the girl in front of her who was only as tall as her waist. She seemed to be lost in deep thought. After a while, she became visibly determined, as if she had made up her mind.

"Your Majesty, I am where I am today because of you. Otherwise, I would still be a beggar wandering the streets, and I don't know when I would die on the streets. Your Majesty, you have done me a favor. Please wait for me, and I will repay you." Zhu Ning's voice was crisp and firm.

Yun Zhi gently touched Zhu Ning's head and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you. I just hope you won't keep me waiting too long."

Feeling the warmth coming from above his head, Zhu Ning nodded, as if making a promise to Yun Zhi, and said word by word with great seriousness: "Yes, in ten years at most, I will definitely stand before you."

After saying that, "Your Majesty, class is about to start. I will go back to the classroom first."

After saying that, he bowed again and walked in.

Watching Zhu Ning's small figure disappear in the classroom, Yun Zhi raised the corner of her mouth slightly and included her as one of the candidates for the future crown prince.

"Zhao Jijiu, please spend more time and effort to teach this child."

Zhao Jijiu also liked her, so he quickly agreed, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best."

Yun Zhi nodded, turned and left the Imperial College.

Time flies. Five years have passed in the blink of an eye, and it is now the seventeenth year of Yongding.

Yun Zhi now has two more candidates for the crown prince.

One was the second daughter of a fifth-rank minister, Cao Jingshu, who was fourteen years old. She was very knowledgeable about state governance and had given an excellent answer to a policy essay question in the imperial examination, which won her endless praise.

The other is Lin Yue, the daughter of Lin’s eldest cousin, who is twelve years old this year.

Although he is young, he is very perceptive in politics.

Many times, based on the information I got from her father, I could roughly guess what Yun Zhi would do next.

Speaking of the Lin family, Yun Zhi was very satisfied with it.

Since the death of Lin Xuehai and Zhang Lanyu, the Lin family has become more low-key and has been very restrictive with family members.

As long as someone in the family did something wrong by taking advantage of Yun Zhi's maternal grandfather's identity, Yun Zhi would have the uncle bring that person to the palace to apologize shortly after he learned the news.

In recognition of their understanding, Yun Zhi was happy to continue maintaining this relationship with them, and would occasionally give the Lin family some rewards and special care.

This allows their Lin family to always hold an important position in Anguo.

As long as they know what's good for them, Yun Zhi can help them maintain their glory.

As for his brother Yun Jingxian's youngest daughter, she was indeed better than most people, and she successfully passed the Imperial College examination and entered the Imperial College, but compared with those outstanding students in the Imperial College, she was inevitably inferior.

However, Yun Jingxian and Hu Zhiyi did not have high expectations for their two children, as long as they did not grow up to be playboys.

In June, the imperial garden of the palace is full of flowers.

"Pa" is the sound of chess pieces being placed on the chessboard.

Yun Zhi is 42 years old this year. It seems that even God favors her, and time has not left too many traces on her face.

If it weren't for the not-so-obvious crow's feet at the corners of the eyes and the occasional vicissitudes of life in the eyes, it would be almost impossible to tell the effects of time.

She is still as beautiful as before, with a fairy-like appearance.

It's just because of his aura that people ignore his appearance.

"It's your turn." Yun Zhi picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Liu Anruo held the white piece and looked carefully at the chessboard in front of him.

However, after only walking for more than fifty steps, she was already completely defeated.

Since he couldn't win anyway, Liu Anruo just threw in the towel and admitted defeat.

"Your Majesty won. Anyway, I have never won a single game of chess against Your Majesty."

"Now you are the only one who can play a few games with me."

Yun Zhi put down her teacup and asked casually, "Lord Liu, what do you think of Zhu Ning, Lin Yue, and Cao Jingshu?"

Such plain words caused huge waves to rise in Liu Anruo's heart.

Your Majesty, are you going to decide on the crown prince?