The wives of the concubines are empresses

The two lingered for a moment, and Hui Fei-Feng Jinghan was reluctant to leave those soft lips.

"Your Majesty, please don't make me wait too long." Otherwise, with such a charming emperor, he was afraid that he would not be able to control himself and overstep his bounds.

Shangguan Wanjun held the young man's face in her hands and said, "No, we still have a long time to go. There's no need to rush for a year or two. My beloved concubine, am I right?"

"Your Majesty is right. Let me accompany you to read poetry for a while."

Shangguan Wanjun nodded gently and leaned in his warm arms. Huifei-Fengjinghan took the book on her own initiative, and the two of them read it carefully.

The night always passes quickly. When the sky brightened, it was time for Shangguan Wanjun to go to court again.

Inside the Golden Palace, she looked down at the ministers below.

"Today is the third exam. How are everyone's reviews of the first two?"

Minister of Rites Gao Xinghua bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have already graded the first two examination papers overnight."

"How's it going?"

"A few candidates did exceptionally well, and most others were also pretty good."

Shangguan Wanjun nodded upon hearing this: "Okay, we must pay more attention to the health of the candidates."

Minister of Rites Gao Xinghua said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Shangguan Wanjun glanced around the room and asked, "My dear ministers, do you have anything else to report?"

……

"drive."

An ordinary-looking man rode his horse at full speed towards the capital.

A man received a secret tip and rushed to the imperial study.

Shangguan Wanjun came back from court and felt someone was around. She looked at Liu Cheng, who understood and dismissed the other palace maids, including Minglan.

"Come out."

A masked man dressed as a secret guard knelt on one knee and said, "Master, this is a secret report."

Shangguan Wanjun personally stepped forward to take it. After reading the contents of the letter, she walked to the candlestick, placed it on the candle, and let it burn out.

"I understand, please leave."

"Yes, master." In a split second, the man was gone. Liu Cheng looked calm and composed. He had been with the empress for more than half a year and had long been accustomed to it.

Thinking about the contents of the secret letter, Shangguan Wanjun wandered in the study in deep thought until Shi Qingxue reported that Master Yun had arrived outside the hall.

"Xuan."

Liu Cheng stood up straight and announced loudly: "Grand Tutor Xuan Yun is here to see you!"

Taifu Yun changed out of his court robes and put on a red official uniform, then walked in with square steps.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

Shangguan Wanjun performed the student's etiquette respectfully, which was higher than the emperor-subject etiquette of Master Yun.

The two looked up and the class officially began.

"Your Majesty, it's still early today, let's learn a little more."

"is teacher."

As the emperor's teacher, Taifu Yun's rank was the first rank. As a first rank official, his official uniform had larger patterns, embroidered with Qilin or Bai Ze patterns, symbolizing auspiciousness and nobility.

Looking at her teacher who was already getting old, Shangguan Wanjun sighed in her heart, hoping that her teacher could live longer, preferably so that he could teach future princes and princesses. After all, he was well-read, knowledgeable, and also a rare good teacher.

After spending more than half a year together as teacher and student, they had already developed a deep teacher-student relationship. Thinking of this imperial examination, Shangguan Wanjun smiled slightly.

"Teacher, after the candidates finish their exams, please take the time to look over their papers. You might be able to catch a few who slipped through the net."

Master Yun smiled gently, and upon closer inspection, there was a hint of doting in his smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best."

After the last exam, the examiners collected the test papers one by one under the supervision of the censors and guards.

Shangguan Wanjun in the palace couldn't wait to open and see the contents of the third exam. Usually 300 people were admitted in the spring exam.

However, as far as she knew, the highest number of students admitted in the previous life was during the Yongzheng period, with more than 400 people in one year. The least was during the later years of the Qianlong period, with just over 90 people, less than 100.

Thinking of the contents of the secret letter, Shangguan Wanjun made a decision in her heart. She would keep more candidates, especially those from poor families. As for where to put them, there were plenty of places to squeeze them in.

Candidates for the Spring Examination included those who had passed the provincial examination, those who had failed the previous joint examination, and students of the Imperial Academy. The examination primarily covered classics and literary works, including interpretations of classics, historical texts, poetry, and essays. The exam was a written test, and candidates were required to complete it within a specified timeframe. The grading process included sealing, transcription, and scoring to ensure fairness and accuracy.

Shangguan Wanjun was so engrossed in watching that she didn't even notice it was getting dark.

Minglan was busy running around, and when she looked up inadvertently, she found that it was dark outside.

"Your Majesty, it's already dark, but will you serve the meal?"

In response to Liu Cheng's question, Shangguan Wanjun raised her eyes.

"No need, just prepare some fermented glutinous rice wine syrup eggs and peach blossom cakes for me."

Liu Cheng said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

When he was about to give orders, Shangguan suddenly looked up again.

"Two servings, Minglan will have some too."

When Minglan heard this, she bowed respectfully.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You must be tired of standing. Sit aside for a while." Shangguan Wanjun said and then lowered her head to look at the test paper.

Within an hour, she finished reading eight test papers. Some had neat and standard handwriting, some had content that surprised her, and some were neither outstanding nor low-key. She had everything.

Concubine Wu - Propaganda Feng Cong returned to the palace and passed by the imperial study. He was led by some unknown force to the outside of the imperial study. Looking at the guards and eunuchs guarding the door, he understood and turned away.

Su Yude came to the door to take a breath, but saw a familiar figure.

Hey, is that Consort Wu's concubine? From behind, she looks quite similar, I wonder if I'm seeing things.

Shangguan Wanjun tried hard to find more strategies for governing the country on the test paper, and the red pen that Lianhua wrote was almost smoking.

In the early hours of the morning, Shangguan Wanjun suddenly felt hungry. Just as she was about to put down the test paper, Shi Qingxue came in to report.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Wu requests an audience!"

Shangguan Wanjun was stunned. Shouldn't everyone be resting at this hour? Why did he come to the imperial study to ask for a meeting?

"Declarate it."

Minglan picked up the test paper that Shangguan Wanjun put down, but thinking that the emperor wanted to meet Concubine Wu, she did not take out the next one for the time being.

Wu Guifei - publicity style, dressed in a dark black outfit, strong and powerful, walked steadily towards Shangguan Wanjun with parallel steps. Because of his military general and status, his pace has the feeling of a dragon and a tiger.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant."

Mu Xiuchang was carrying an exquisite food box, and Shangguan Wanjun saw it at a glance.

"No need to be polite, my beloved concubine, are you here to bring me some midnight snack?"

Concubine Wu smiled gently: "Yes, Slender, open the food box."

"Yes, concubine." His concubine was so kind to the emperor that she came in person to deliver midnight snacks so late.

Shangguan Wanjun expressed her curiosity about what kind of midnight snack the military commander, Xuanfan Feng, would bring her.

"I have had cornmeal prepared for you. It's not fattening and is very filling. Your Majesty can also have some warm red bean soup. If that's not enough, I have also prepared some peach blossom cakes and persimmon cakes."

Shangguan Wanjun smiled slightly at his attentiveness and consideration.

"Thank you, my dear. Thank you for the trip."