Report to the Empress and the Eldest Princess: They're using the system to poach your men.

The system's task notification sounded in Shen Sangwan's mind, pulling her back to reality.

Did the young emperor manage to win over the court officials at this morning's court session?

Upon opening the panel, I found that the task that had previously stalled on the progress bar had been marked as completed.

[I didn't expect this young emperor to have some tricks up his sleeve!]

"Hey, the provincial examination next spring? Does that mean they'll choose a date this year to re-establish it?"

[My master's mind is getting smarter and smarter.]

Xiaotong grinned, showing off her big teeth, when she finally got a chance to join the conversation.

How can you still laugh?

[Master, am I no longer even allowed to laugh?]

Xiaotong poked her index fingers together, looking quite aggrieved.

Have you ever considered that everyone who participated in the imperial examinations in the past was a son of an official? What's the point of me guaranteeing that there would be no cheating in this meaningless exam?

[To attract talent, we must start with the provincial examination!]

This task... isn't it clearly designed to make things difficult for her?!

In places with inconvenient transportation, information cannot be guaranteed to be delivered at the same time.

Even if each state government sends an inspector, it cannot guarantee that no one will engage in favoritism or corruption.

We've given the enemy too much room to maneuver; we need to come up with a better plan.

"My lord, perhaps we could discuss this with the Empress."

[Yeah, maybe she has a good idea.]

Shen Sangwan's furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, and she got up from the bed.

"Your Highness, hot water is ready."

Sweat clung tightly to her back, sticky and uncomfortable, so Shen Sangwan took a shower as quickly as possible.

Because it was drizzling outside and the weather was getting cooler, she didn't take a long bath. If she caught a cold, she would suffer.

Then breakfast was served. I had gotten up quite early, and after eating only a little, I found I had no appetite and asked them to take it away.

"Shuyun, according to this blueprint, find a few people to move the entrance and exit of the secret passage to the main courtyard, and at the same time seal off the secret passage in the east courtyard."

"In addition, have someone repair that secret passage properly, place an oil lamp every four zhang along the passage, and also open two more ventilation openings."

"My subordinates will make arrangements now."

Seeing that the people were leaving in a hurry, he quickly waved to Shuyun and called her back, "Find the right spot and start digging from the study in the main courtyard. Be careful and don't disturb the people in the manor."

"Yes."

My gaze flickered; outside the window, the clouds stretched endlessly, making the scene somewhat dim.

Shen Sangwan hesitated about whether or not to enter the palace.

Firstly, she didn't want to go out in the rain, and secondly, she didn't want to walk through the dark passage again.

Oh well, what can I do? I'm destined to be a busybody.

After the rain subsided slightly, Shen Sangwan had a carriage prepared and went to the palace.

"Xiaotong, it's only mid-August, why is it so cold after the rain?"

When she went out, Shen Sangwan thought it wasn't too cold, so she dressed rather lightly.

Who knew that after entering the palace, his body became increasingly cold, and eventually his teeth even started chattering.

He had no choice but to return to Weiyang Palace to retrieve a fox fur cloak before heading to Chonghua Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

"Didn't Awan take a fancy to any of the talented young men at Prince Sheng's residence yesterday?"

Do all mothers have the duty to pressure their children to get married?

I should have gone to Xingde Hall to see the young emperor first.

"Mother, my affairs are not urgent. Moreover, I am not fond of men. In the future, please do not make things difficult for my aunt. She is getting old, and organizing banquets is both mentally and physically exhausting for her."

"Does Ah Wan really dislike men?"

Shen Sangwan nodded vigorously, and after confirming it several times, the Empress Dowager finally felt relieved.

She, as a mother, truly worried herself sick over her two children.

"How about your mother finds you a caring person to take care of you?"

Shen Sangwan inwardly groaned, "Mother, you can peacefully manage palace affairs in the palace. If you are bored, you can chat with your daughter-in-law, Ah Chen's Empress. Mother, please don't worry about my private matters."

"Or you could urge Ah Chen more. There are quite a few concubines in the harem. Let him quickly give you a few more grandchildren. With children to keep you company, Chonghua Palace will definitely be more lively."

They started spouting nonsense, completely shutting down the Empress Dowager's words.

In the end, all I could do was sigh helplessly.

"Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress has come to pay her respects."

"What a coincidence! Speak of the devil and he appears. It seems you can't talk about others behind your back."

Shen Sangwan realized that her words were inappropriate after she finished speaking. There was no Cao Cao in the history books of Nanjing. Her words were illogical and unfounded.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager did not take it to heart.

"Mother, I need to go to Xingde Palace to discuss some matters with Achen, so I will not disturb your conversation with the Empress."

"It's cold. You're not feeling well, so wear more clothes and don't catch a cold."

"Your subject has remembered."

After kneeling and paying his respects, he met Wen Yuening at the entrance of the palace. She curtsied and the two passed each other.

Xingde Hall

"A bunch of old scoundrels, they've really infuriated me."

Shen Yuchen's face turned red with anger, and his mouth twitched as he paced back and forth in the hall.

If it weren't for remembering Shen Sangwan's words, the memorials on the desk would all be lying on the floor right now.

"Today the sleeping dragon finally gets the rain, tomorrow the crane will soar to the sky. Ah Chen, you're impatient again."

A soothing female voice reached Shen Yucheng's ears, forcibly suppressing his anger.

"Sister."

He barely managed to maintain a gentle demeanor, so as not to worry Shen Sangwan.

"But those courtiers upset you again?"

"Today, during the morning court session, I used the censors from the Right Chancellor's faction to impeach Vice Minister Lin, who was under the Left Chancellor. This caused them to fight amongst themselves, and finally, a breach was made, leading the two to agree to hold the provincial examination next month. Who would have thought that the two of them were just putting on an act?"

Shen Sangwan felt that she had missed out on a good show by not attending court today.

“Ah Chen, why don’t you explain in detail?”

"Although they agreed and put forward new proposals, I have reviewed them carefully and found that they are basically still following the old practice. What is the point of holding additional provincial examinations? It only gives some parasites the opportunity to enter officialdom ahead of time."

"Do they think I'm a three-year-old child, that I won't understand if they just change the meaning? Sister, they've gone too far."

Shen Yuchen grew angrier as he spoke, feeling as if the blood in his internal organs was churning.

"Fu'an, brew a pot of tea."

Compared to Shen Yucheng's restrained rage, Shen Sangwan appeared quite calm.

"Sit down and play chess with your older sister."

"Sister—!"

Shen Sangwan ignored the other party's refusal and sat down on the low couch, opening the lids of the two chess boxes.

"Come here and play chess with your older sister. Your mind is too restless."

Shen Yucheng was unwilling to disobey Shen Sangwan's words, and although he was resentful, he still restrained himself and sat down opposite her.

[My lord, if you could act so calmly, composed, and thoughtfully in front of the Empress, you'd probably be captured long ago.]

Shut up, don't ruin my mood. If you do, I'll twist you to death.

Waaah, now I can't even speak the truth.

Xiao Tong, feeling somewhat hurt, hid in a corner and secretly drew circles.