The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

In the private room, the air is filled with the scent of sandalwood and the screen is embroidered with plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, giving it an antique charm.

Li Chengfeng leisurely savored Biluochun tea, waiting for Miss Ruxue's arrival.

Not long after, a clear sound of bells was heard, and Miss Ruxue came slowly. She was wearing a light blue dress today, like a fairy from the ninth heaven descending to the mortal world. Her every move exuded a unique charm.

"Mr. Li, long time no see. Ruxue is so polite."

Miss Ruxue bowed to Li Chengfeng, her voice as clear and sweet as an oriole.

Li Chengfeng stood up and returned the greeting, smiling, "Miss Ruxue is even more charming than before. The capital is bustling with activity today. What are your thoughts?"

Miss Ruxue chuckled softly and sat down opposite Li Chengfeng. She picked up the teacup with her delicate fingers and took a sip. Then she said, "Young Master, are you talking about Prime Minister Song's daughter? This is all over the city, and Ruxue has naturally heard a little bit about it."

"Oh? Then in your opinion, is Song Yuwei qualified to serve as an official in the imperial court?"

Li Chengfeng asked with interest.

Ruxue put down her teacup, blinked, and a cunning look flashed across her eyes. "In my humble opinion, it's not right for this woman to be an official after all."

Li Chengfeng raised his eyebrows slightly, which was completely opposite to the answer he expected.

The last time we met, Miss Ruxue's lyrics clearly revealed her profound insights into the current situation. Why is she so conservative today?

"Oh? Why is that? Could it be that Miss Ruxue also thinks women are inferior to men?"

"Young Master misunderstood."

Ruxue covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "It's not that Ruxue despises women, it's just that since ancient times, the court has been a man's world."

"This woman's sudden arrival in the court will probably be difficult to convince the people. The people's outdated ideas are deeply rooted, and I'm afraid they will find it difficult to accept."

Li Chengfeng sneered in his heart. This Miss Ruxue was indeed not a simple person. On the surface, she was catering to worldly prejudices, but she didn't know that she was testing him.

He put down his teacup and said casually, "Miss Ruxue, you're wrong. Everything in this world is constantly changing. Why can't women serve in the court? Are women inherently inferior?"

"My lord, you don't know that the common people are ignorant and most of them follow the tradition of male superiority and female inferiority. Even if Your Majesty sets a precedent, it is hard to guarantee that it will not cause controversy and even shake the foundation of the country."

Ruxue shook her head and sighed.

Li Chengfeng thought to himself that Ruxue had pushed the problem onto him, the "emperor", and her words seemed to hint that he should not act on his own.

He decided to test the waters again, so he feigned dissatisfaction and said, "From what you said, young lady, wouldn't this reform be impossible to implement?"

"Are we going to stick to the old ways forever and never adapt?"

Ruxue smiled slightly, her eyes flickering. "Reform is naturally good, but it must be done gradually. If you rush into it, it will backfire."

"It's like plowing in spring and harvesting in autumn. If you go against the season, won't you get nothing?"

Li Chengfeng secretly admired in his heart that Miss Ruxue was really thoughtful and meticulous, and her words were flawless.

He smiled and said, "Young lady, you are absolutely right. It seems that this reform really requires long-term consideration."

Ruxue smiled sweetly, raised her teacup, and gestured to Li Chengfeng, "I'm very pleased that you understand this principle, young master. Here, I'll offer you a cup of tea instead of wine."

Li Chengfeng raised his glass, clinked it with hers, and drank it all in one gulp.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and then Li Chengfeng stood up and said goodbye.

After leaving Zuixianlou, Li Chengfeng had a clearer understanding of this courtesan.

This Miss Ruxue is indeed a discerning person. Her analysis of the current situation is to the point, but she cleverly hides her true thoughts.

Well, he's a smart guy.

On the other side, in the study of the Qi Mansion, Qi Daokun sat upright.

Standing below was a thin man with sinister eyes - Xu Zeyou.

"You must make sure this poetry gathering goes well for me."

Qi Daokun said in a low voice, "How can a little girl like Song Yuwei be qualified to serve as an official in the imperial court?"

"It's nothing more than the little emperor protecting the Song family."

"I'm going to humiliate her at this poetry gathering, and bring shame upon the Song family and Song Zelin as well."

Xu Zeyou bowed and replied, "Don't worry, sir. I will do my best."

"Remember, you must exploit this issue to incite public opinion."

Qi Daokun's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, "It's best to let her make a fool of herself at the poetry gathering, so that everyone in the world can see how ridiculous it is for this woman to be an official!"

Xu Zeyou took the order and left. Qi Daokun looked at his back with a sinister smile on his face.

Inside Prince Gong's mansion, a man in a blue shirt, with a feather fan and a scarf was playing chess with Prince Gong.

This person was none other than Prince Gong’s military advisor—Mei Chengshan.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid this poetry gathering won't be peaceful."

Mei Chengshan dropped a move and said calmly, "Those big families are all eyeing the opportunity and want to take this opportunity to attack the Song family."

Prince Gong twisted the chess piece with a frown on his face. Qi Daokun was probably the one supporting the aristocratic families.

Now that everyone is attacking him, it seems that this is what Qi Daokun is doing.

"Then according to the military advisor, how should we respond?"

Mei Chengshan gently waved his feather fan and said with a smile: "Wait and see what happens, and reap the benefits while you sit back and wait."

At the Chen Mansion, the head of the family, Chen Qiyuan, was holding two tickets for the poetry reading with an excited look on his face.

"Ling'er, let's go to this poetry gathering together, father and son!"

Chen Qiyuan handed a ticket to Chen Ling, with the momentum of father and son joining forces.

Chen Ling took the ticket and curled his lips. "Dad, what's so good about this poetry fair? It's better to go to Zuixianlou and listen to music."

"You little brat, you only know those useless things."

Chen Qiyuan glared at him. "This poetry gathering is going to be quite a spectacle! I'm afraid the little emperor and Song Yuwei are going to fall flat on their faces!"

Chen Ling was immediately interested when he heard there was something exciting to watch. "Oh? Dad, tell me quickly, what's going on?"

Chen Qiyuan told Chen Ling in detail about the situation in the court and his own plan. Chen Ling's eyes lit up and he was very excited.

"Great! Dad, I want to go see it too!"

At the Ouyang Mansion, the head of the family, Ouyang Zhengzheng, was discussing with several elders.

"We must seize the opportunity of this poetry gathering to force His Majesty to depose Song Yuwei." Ouyang Xiu said in a firm tone.

"The master is right."

An elder echoed, "Although Li Chengfeng is the emperor, he is arrogant and willful, disregarding the ancestral rules!"

"Such a traitorous son is unfit to be emperor!"

At the Su Mansion, the head of the family, Su Dezheng, was also conspiring with Su Yuan.

"We must join forces with other families to completely bring down the Song family!"

Su Yuan still resented Song Yuwei and Li Chengfeng for ruining his career.

"Dad, I want to see Song Yuwei fall down with my own eyes!"

At the Lu Mansion, the head of the family, Lu Qingming, is also ready to show his talents at the poetry meeting.

Only the Song Mansion was filled with a strong smell of medicine and worry.

Song Zelin was lying on the sickbed, his face as pale as paper, but his eyes were bright and sparkling with shrewdness.

Song Yuwei sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking the back of her father's hand with her slender fingers.

"Wei'er, you must be careful and cautious at this poetry gathering."

Song Zelin said earnestly, "In the court, people's hearts are treacherous. Those people flatter you on the surface, but in reality they harbor evil intentions. You must not take it lightly!"

"That old fox Qi Daokun will definitely make trouble in secret."

"As for the major families in the capital, your majesty's reforms will inevitably harm their direct interests, and they will not accept it."

Song Yuwei's eyes were slightly red, and she held her father's hand tightly, "Dad, I understand. I will pay attention."

"Wei Er, Dad knows you have outstanding abilities, but this poetry gathering is of great importance. You must remain calm and collected, and must not act impulsively."

Song Zelin coughed a few times and his face became even paler.

His voice was weak, but every word was clear as he repeated, "The poetry gathering, remember this."

Song Yuwei nodded and said softly, "Don't worry, Daddy, I know."