Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

"What? A pardon from death? The Empress Dowager actually bestowed such an item upon him?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhao's tone was full of surprise, but she quickly understood Feng Han's previous actions and said:

"Your subject understands now. No wonder you have always indulged your uncle."

Moreover, even if Uncle does not hand over the iron ore today, Ling Wanzhen's life can be guaranteed. Therefore, Mother Empress might as well take the iron ore.

As for the common people, you need to give them an explanation. In that case, strip them of their title as the Lady of the Palace and demote them. In this way, my uncles will inevitably resort to any means to obtain the title of Lady of the Palace in the future. At that time, they may become desperate and expose their weaknesses...

The Prefect of Jingzhao had already violated the law and should have had his entire family executed, but the Empress Dowager, considering that he was under someone else's control, spared the elderly, weak, and young children from the procession...

It may seem like a light touch, but in reality, it both severely punishes wrongdoing and wins over public support!

"Not bad! Zhao'er, you still need to study the art of imperial power more!" Feng Han nodded in satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your teachings!"

The imperial study was filled with the warmth of motherhood and the filial piety of daughters…

……

The next day was the day Lin Shu returned to the academy after her leave.

In the study room.

After Ziyi finished reporting.

Lin Shu frowned. Although she knew that Ling Wanzhen and her father would not be easily brought down, she did not expect the Empress's punishment to be so lenient.

However, after this incident, the name "Wushuang Pavilion" had already begun to gain prominence in the capital, and its profits could be described as making a fortune every day. (Although the newspaper was only updated twice a month, Wushuang Pavilion did not only operate for two days; it continued to operate as usual on weekdays.)

Especially Liu, the Supervising Secretary of the Six Ministries, although he was not promoted, received His Majesty's commendation and numerous rewards. As a result, many officials secretly peeked at the newspapers, hoping to get a share of the spoils as well.

"It's alright. I never intended to bring them down so easily with just this. However, we still need to send people to keep a close watch on them, no matter how small the matter! You may leave now!"

Presumably, after this incident, Ling Wanzhen and her father will have no time to target Xue Wen in the short term.

If they could enter the court as officials in just two or three months, they would not dare to be so blatant.

Just as he was pondering this, Li Yun'er and Li Huanzhi arrived together.

After a month apart, Li Yun'er had become even thinner and was no longer as cheerful as before. Instead, she had become much more proper and composed. Coupled with her silk and satin attire, she appeared somewhat unfamiliar with herself.

Whether it's because Li Yun'er truly has a talent for business, or for some other reason, her business in the capital has been booming lately, especially her teahouse, which seems to be frequented by high-ranking officials, nobles, and wealthy people...

For a time, Li Yun'er was incredibly popular, and even Lin Shu's "Peerless Pavilion" had heard of this "Boss Li".

"Sister, it's been a long time." After entering the room, Li Yun'er gave Lin Shu a proper scholar's bow.

After a brief pause, she looked up with a playful smile, took out a small and exquisite gold lock from her bosom, and said slowly:

“I’ve been busy lately. My brother told me that my brother-in-law had a beautiful baby girl. This is a peace buckle I gave to my niece.”

"Thank you." Lin Shu accepted the gift, and seeing that Li Yun'er seemed to be going on a long trip, she asked with some confusion:

"You're going to...?"

"Haha! I'm going to pick up my parents and take care of some other business along the way!" Li Yun'er replied with a smile.

She had just discussed with Li Huanzhi the idea of ​​bringing Li's parents to the capital, and Li Huanzhi naturally agreed.

"That's wonderful! Bringing my mother-in-law and the others here will allow them to look after each other!" Lin Shu nodded. As for the "business," Li Yun'er didn't want to say more, and Lin Shu didn't ask any further questions.

After the meal.

Lin Shu returned to the academy, while Li Yun'er boarded a ship in Nan Hong County.

……

Meanwhile, in the southern prefecture—Nanhong Prefecture.

The Third Princess Feng Qing is not in the capital recently. She was jealous of the Crown Princess's achievements and volunteered to go south to repair the dikes. Now it is time for her to return to the capital to claim credit.

"What? The dam has breached!"

Feng Qing suddenly stood up, her eyes wide open in disbelief.

"Your Highness... Fortunately, it was only a small section of the dam that breached, and the affected area is not large. If we report this now, His Majesty might be able to reduce the punishment..."

The construction of this dam was already a thankless and arduous task, especially with the Crown Princess's outstanding achievements preceding it. If it were completed successfully, it would only be considered a minor accomplishment, but if something went wrong, it would be a major blunder! I wonder what the Third Princess was thinking when she took on such a task!

Before her advisor could finish speaking, Feng Qing interrupted sharply: "No, no! I came here of my own volition. If the Empress Dowager finds out about this, she will be furious. Wouldn't that just prove that I am truly inferior to Feng Zhao?"

"But the Ministry of Revenue's funds have already been exhausted. How should we remedy this situation... Although this breach is only in one area, it has far-reaching consequences, and it will cost at least 300,000 taels of silver! This money..."

Another advisor also looked worried. This third princess was known for her extravagance, and now, let alone 300,000 taels, she probably couldn't even come up with 100,000 taels.

Feng Qing's face was grim. The grand court assembly was just around the corner, and this matter must not be allowed to reach the capital:

"I will write a letter back to the palace to ask Father to find a solution regarding the money!"

However, before she could even deliver the letter, the "money" came to her door on its own!

……

Time flies like water, and another half month has quietly passed.

Jize Academy will be closed on December 20th.

There are still a few days until the end of the year, but I have heard that the envoys of the three kingdoms have arrived in the capital, and King Dingbei Ling Huanan has also returned with the envoys from the Northern Wilderness. Her Majesty the Empress will host a banquet tomorrow night to welcome them back!

Furthermore, the annual grand court assembly of the four kingdoms has always been tacitly agreed to be held at noon three days after the envoys arrive in the capital.

Lin Shu already knew about the Four Kingdoms Competition, but so far only she and the Crown Princess were known to be among the three candidates. As for who the last one was, that remained a mystery!

……

Ling Huanan entered the city with the envoy from the Northern Wilderness, sitting upright on a warhorse clad in armor.

Her silver-black armor, matching the color of her warhorse, gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Her left hand gripped the reins tightly, while her right hand rested on the long sword at her waist. Her dark hair was half-tied up with a hair ornament, and she had peach blossom eyes and a beautiful face that would make anyone who saw her praise her good looks.

Her arrival in the city caused a stir, with men frequently casting shy yet bold glances at her.

"Wow! This is the Prince of Dingbei! He truly is an exceptional individual!"

"If I could marry her, I'd be willing to die for her..."

"Exactly! If I were twenty years younger, I'd throw myself at him..."

"..."

Seemingly annoyed by those words, Ling Huanan frowned, his thin lips pressed together, a chill emanating from him, his aura cold and stern, and his bright peach blossom eyes filled with an indifferent indifference devoid of any emotion...

The adjutant behind her knew her temperament well and was about to reprimand her, but when he turned around, the young men who had followed the prince closely were nowhere to be seen. They must have been intimidated by the prince's power!

After the envoy entered the post station, Ling Huanan led his men to spur their horses and head straight for the Dingbei Prince's Mansion.

Outside the palace.

Ji Yan and Lin Dafeng's family were already waiting at the door. Feng Rui, who had been carefully dressed since hearing that Ling Huanan was returning today, had also arrived at the door early to eagerly await his arrival!

However, Ji Yan looked slightly more haggard than he had been half a month ago, and he coughed occasionally.

"Da da da……"

With a crisp sound of horses' hooves, the person Feng Rui had been longing for finally appeared in the distance. Only when the figure gradually became clear did he come back to his senses!

Ling Huanan looked at the crowd at the door, her face still expressionless. She pulled on the reins, her horse's hooves lifted slightly, and then came to a steady stop. She nimbly dismounted, and the surroundings seemed to fall silent instantly, with only the clanging of Ling Huanan's armor clearly audible...

Feng Rui looked at the man before her; he was as handsome as when they first met. Otherwise, she wouldn't have fallen for him at first sight, and wouldn't have resorted to so many underhanded tricks to win him over...

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