At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

There is indeed injustice in this world, such as the division of people into different classes. Some people enjoy all the things they are born with, which are things that countless people can never achieve no matter how hard they try in their entire lives.

This is what class brings.

Below the class level, there are numerous other social strata.

This creates layers of invisible constraints, and breaking through these constraints to move upward is often not something that can be achieved through hard work alone; it requires a bit of luck and the right choices.

It is fair when it comes to choices.

If it succeeds, then it will move upwards.

If you lose, you move downwards.

The Great Yu Dynasty, under the Zhengtong era, is undergoing a reshuffling of power. Amidst one upheaval and change after another, choices will be placed before everyone, and it remains to be seen whether anyone is willing to seize them.

The next day, the sky was clear and the clouds were light.

The Daxing Hall remained calm.

"Your Majesty, I have made some pastries."

Empress Xu Yun, carrying a food box, walked to the daybed and said to Chu Ling, who was busy at his desk, "These days, His Majesty has been busy with state affairs and rarely returns to the palace to rest. Your Majesty, I..."

Chu Ling, having put down his imperial brush, looked at Xu Yun, who was now busy with his work, and a sense of emotion welled up within him.

Since the wedding, Chu Ling has been quite satisfied with Xu Yun's performance. She managed the inner palace in an orderly manner and never interfered in matters of the outer court. This sense of propriety is rare and valuable.

Especially after the Kogong leak case, in order to better coordinate the overall situation and promote the implementation of all plans, Chu Ling often slept in the Daxing Palace. Every few days, Xu Yun would send someone to deliver some things she had carefully prepared. This seemed like a very small matter, but the hidden meaning was self-evident.

"These things can be done by the subordinates."

Chu Ling composed himself and smiled slightly at Xu Yun, saying, "I'm not particularly hungry yet. Come and sit down. How has Grandmother's health been lately?"

"Grandmother's health is better than before."

Xu Yun first bowed, then sat on the daybed and bowed slightly to Chu Ling, saying, "I have been serving my grandmother and I can see that her spirits have improved."

Chu Ling nodded.

He was aware of these things.

No matter how busy he was, Chu Ling would go to Chang Le Palace to see Sun Li every few days to talk about what had happened and chat with her. So, Chu Ling could tell how Sun Li was doing.

My perception of Xu Yun has changed, not only because his personality and character are completely different from the one in Fengluan Palace, but also because of Xu Yun's attitude towards my grandmother and mother. No matter how good a person is at disguising themselves, subtle details will reveal their true nature.

Putting aside her complicated relationship with Xu Chu and Xu Zhen, based on our time together and understanding, Xu Yun, as the Empress of Dayu, is quite a good person.

People come from different backgrounds and live in different environments, so it's impossible for them to have completely compatible perceptions and values. It's already quite difficult to have a relatively tacit understanding when faced with major issues of right and wrong.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

As Chu Ling was reflecting on this, Xu Yun suddenly stood up, bowed to Chu Ling, and said, "In truth, it was I who overstepped the bounds. If Your Majesty is displeased, I am willing to accept the punishment."

Seeing Xu Yun's reaction, Chu Ling frowned slightly.

"What is it, Your Majesty? Please speak freely."

Chu Ling leaned forward and took Xu Yun's hand in his.

"Your Majesty, my elder brother presented his nameplate to me yesterday." Xu Yun sat down next to Chu Ling and bowed her head to tell Chu Ling the truth.

According to the Yu system, concubines of the rank of ordinary concubines and above were allowed to summon their relatives to the palace.

Some things are unavoidable.

Entering the harem comes with many rules and constraints, but things that go against human nature cannot be completely eliminated. If that were the case, even more situations and problems would arise.

Chu Ling did not react negatively to his past experiences, which would have been cowardly. In Chu Ling's view, since some things are unavoidable, it is better to follow the rules.

After all, if Empress Xu Yun had no power whatsoever, what would she be if she left the palace? Would she become nothing more than a figurehead? How could she then shoulder the responsibility of being the mother of the nation?

"While we were discussing some matters, my brother seemed quite hesitant about something." Under Chu Ling's gaze, Xu Yun took out an item, and her tone changed slightly.

"This matter involves my grandmother's relatives. My brother also discovered it by chance. Someone from the Cui family secretly went to Yudu, which seems to be related to the recent high-profile case of leaked secrets regarding the imperial examinations..."

This is a pledge of allegiance.

Chu Ling stared at what Xu Yun was holding. To be honest, when Xu Chu made the move to divorce his wife on the eve of the wedding preparations, Chu Ling could tell that he was trying to sever ties.

This severing of ties not only meant cutting off Xu Yun's connection with the person in Fengluan Palace, but also drawing a certain line between him and the Duke of Qing's mansion. The key point is that this matter also has a certain impact on Xu Yun himself.

Besides Xu Yun, there are also the brothers Xu Bin and Xu Sheng. To this day, the two brothers are still living in the place where Cui Shi, who was divorced by Xu, lived. Although the events that happened in the Qingguo Duke's Mansion have burdened the brothers Xu Bin and Xu Sheng with a lot, the two brothers have not said anything about it.

However, some things cannot be changed simply by doing something.

People have to bear the corresponding consequences for the choices they make; it's impossible to have all the benefits without any drawbacks.

This is neither possible nor realistic.

"If that's the case, why doesn't he come to see me?" Chu Ling said calmly, looking at Xu Yun. "If he's hesitant, he shouldn't let the Empress know. What is this now? He's handing this hot potato to the Empress. Is this what an elder brother should do?"

Chu Ling did not accept the list.

“Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with my brother. It was I who requested this list.”

Xu Yun hurriedly stood up and said, "Your Majesty may not know, but before I entered the palace, I disapproved of some of the ways of the Cui family. However, as a junior, there are some things I cannot say outright."

"But things are different now. This involves state affairs. The emergence of the Ke Gong leak case is not only a transgression of our dynasty's laws, but also a trampling on the authority of the central government."

"My brother's hesitation is not because he wants to favor the Cui family or anything related to them, but because my grandmother is seriously ill, and my brother..."

As Xu Yun spoke, her eyes reddened slightly.

"The Empress did nothing wrong in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ling reached out and took the list. He then pulled Xu Yun aside and comforted her, saying, "Your Majesty need not concern yourself with this matter. I will make the decision myself."

"Yes."

Xu Yun choked up and said, "Your Majesty, I acted without authorization in this matter..."

"No more."

Chu Ling waved his hand and said.

Chu Ling could see through Xu Yun and Xu Bin's thoughts. As far as he knew, it was already quite remarkable that Xu Bin had managed to do this much.

After all, with Xu Yun being crowned Empress, Xu Bin, as her elder brother, would inevitably see an increase in both status and treatment. However, because of what Xu Chu did, Xu Bin found himself in an extremely awkward situation, yet he didn't say anything during this time.

On one side was her grandfather, and on the other side was her grandmother.

As a grandchild, Xu Bin's choice is wrong no matter what.

The key point is that after this incident, Xu Bin's father, Xu Hui, simply moved into the Southern Army's office, and rumors about this never stopped circulating inside and outside Yudu.

People only see the glamorous side of royalty, but they don't know that in many situations, the circumstances and choices they face are extremely difficult.

Once they make the wrong choice in something, only they themselves know the consequences.

Despite being in this class, they are isolated as if they were invisible. Even if they enjoy some treatment and privileges, compared with others, it is more painful than killing them.

Sometimes, living is more painful than dying.

Xu Yun left, unaware of the consequences of her actions or how the emperor would perceive them, but she did not regret her decision.

After all, the Xu family was already torn apart. If she wanted to secure her position as empress, she had to help her brother win the emperor's trust.

Although it was difficult, she was still going to try.

"My brother-in-law has really given me some pleasant surprises."

Inside the Daxing Hall at that time.

Sitting cross-legged on the daybed, Chu Ling glanced at the list he held, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Xu Bin's list involved prominent aristocratic families.

This is another force active both inside and outside Yudu, following the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) targeting the Imperial Academy and Liu Chen and Huang Long targeting the Southern Army, closely revolving around the operation of the imperial examination leak case.

As he said this, Chu Ling picked up another memorial.

The signature reads: Rongguo Gongsun He.

This memorial also involves the Ke Gong leak case, but it involves a variety of people, including central government officials, local officials, and some powerful families and academies.

It seems that because of the wedding, the daughter of Marquis Chenyang, Sun Bin, was chosen to enter the harem, which reduced Sun He's influence in the court. However, this is not actually the case.

Sun He is a man who can be entrusted with important responsibilities.

After all, he made outstanding contributions.

However, to gain Chu Ling's trust, one must have the right attitude.

In the past, Sun He did not have this attitude, so Chu Ling did not react to him.

After experiencing some things, Sun He seemed to understand something.

So the moment of choice has arrived.

This memorial was secretly submitted to the emperor by Sun He amidst escalating criticism of Xiao Jing from both the court and the public, because Sun He had discerned the emperor's favor towards Xiao Jing!

There's a proper way to make a choice.

If the timing is wrong, the results will be greatly reduced.

Upon seeing this memorial, Chu Ling knew that Sun He had been waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity that he felt would inevitably lead to change after seeing his performance.

"Li Zhong."

"The servant is here."

Li Zhong, who was waiting outside the palace, heard the emperor's call and immediately bowed his head and entered the main hall. He walked quickly toward the emperor and bowed respectfully.

"Take down the names from this list." Chu Ling placed the list and memorial on the imperial desk, his expression indifferent. "Burn the original file. Take the list to the Imperial Guard and the Merit Guard, and order them to make arrests according to the list!"

"This servant obeys the decree!!"

Li Zhong immediately bowed and said.

But Li Zhong didn't rush to take it.

"Once all the aforementioned individuals have been arrested, have the Imperial Guards and Merit Guards hand them over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Chu Ling gestured and said, "Furthermore, send the Plum Blossom Inner Guards to closely monitor them and observe their behavior. Also, if any escape during this period, after verification, order the Forest Army to dispatch elite cavalry to apprehend them!"

"Yes!"

Li Zhong bowed his head in agreement, but a sense of unease arose in his heart.

He knew this was a test from the emperor.

If any member of the Imperial Guard or the Merit Guard fails this test, they will disappear from the Emperor's presence from now on.

Loyalty that is not absolute is the same as disloyalty.

The emergence of the Kogon leak case seems to be closely related to the investigation, but in reality, it is not like that. In Chu Ling's eyes, the case is not important; the choice is more important.

Because of this incident, everyone involved will face choices, and whether those choices are right or wrong is entirely up to them.

Correspondingly, one must bear the corresponding consequences.

"Brother Royal!!"

"Brother Royal!!"

No sooner had Li Zhong left than Chu Hui's voice rang out from outside the hall. Before long, Chu Hui rushed into the hall in a hurry.

"What happened? Why are you so panicked?"

Seeing Chu Hui's reaction, Chu Ling laughed and scolded, "This is not how a royal brother should behave."

"Brother, something's happened!!"

Chu Hui frowned and said, "Huang Long led the military officers to the Southern Army to summon some people related to the leak of the imperial examination secrets. After this was learned by some officers of the Southern Army, they directly led their troops to the Southern Army headquarters."

"Has this led to a standoff?"

Chu Ling smiled slightly.

"Yes."

Chu Hui nodded and said, "It's quite a coincidence that Xu Hui wasn't at the Southern Army headquarters. I would never believe there's nothing fishy about this."

"Many of the officers and soldiers gathered at the Southern Army Headquarters are now very agitated, clamoring to come to Chengtian Gate with Huang Long to meet the Emperor. This matter has already spread throughout Yudu!"

As he spoke, Chu Hui clenched his fists tightly.

He had previously wanted to advise Huang Long not to get too involved in this matter, which was because of this concern, since Huang Long's influence in the court and the military was too shallow.

What's suitable for others to do may not be suitable for Huang Long to do.

Just as Han Qing took over the Northern Army, he arrested and executed many Northern Army officers and soldiers before and after that. He had the confidence to do so. Not to mention his military achievements, the deterrent effect of his brave and skilled elite troops was different.

"So, what does my brother want me to do?"

Seeing Chu Hui's reaction, Chu Ling calmly said, "Should we send troops to suppress this? If that's the case, then this matter goes beyond the scope of the Ke Gong leak case."

Chu Hui fell silent.

Chu Ling's words immediately brought Chu Hui to his senses.

He's just too worried to think straight.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty."

Thinking of all this, Chu Hui raised his hand and bowed, saying, "Please, Your Majesty..."

"Let's not talk about that now."

Chu Ling waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "Since you're here, why don't you play a few rounds with me? Sometimes, what seems like a perilous situation is the best time to see through everything. What do you think, Your Highness?"

“Your Majesty is right.”

Chu Hui quickly spoke up.

Chu Hui said this, but his worries did not diminish. After all, because of the turmoil caused by Huang Long, at least on the surface, Liu Chen, that old fox, was too shrewd. If it was not handled properly, it would cause great chaos in the order inside and outside Yudu.

Chu Hui didn't dare to think any further. If such a thing really happened, what would Yu Du go through, what would happen to the central government, and as for Huang Long, he would be in a situation where he had no chance of survival.

Still too young.

Seeing Chu Hui like this, Chu Ling felt a pang of emotion, but he was satisfied with Chu Hui's performance. After all, his younger brother was humane and had feelings, which was very precious.