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

"Shh..." The woman in the black cloak raised her index finger with a wicked smile, gently placing it to her lips, emitting a low hiss. Then, unhurriedly, she raised an eyebrow with a half-smile and said:

"I'm sure Uncle won't reveal this, right?"

Feng Rui seemed not to hear, but laughed to himself.

After everyone had left, he stared at the closed door and whispered:

"Ha... my dear elder sister, I'm afraid even you've been kept in the dark!"

……

Outside the side gate of Prince Rui's residence.

A woman who had been standing there for some time rushed forward when she saw the cloaked woman emerge, asking with a face full of doubt, "Master, why risk your life? If anything goes wrong, wouldn't all our years of careful planning be in vain..."

"It's alright. I know this uncle well. He will not only not report me, but will also cover for me."

After speaking, the woman gracefully boarded the carriage not far away, lifted the cloak on her head to reveal a beautiful and deep face, but the cynicism of the past was no longer on her face.

"Go to the pleasure boat," she whispered to the door, then closed her eyes.

"Yes." Then, the sounds of horses' hooves and cart wheels mingled together and faded into the distance.

……

At the same time, two people entered the back room of the inn under the Xu family's name, one after the other.

These two people are Xu Jingyun and her father, Nangong Jin.

With his back to Xu Jingyun, Nangong Jin was still wearing a red, open-front brocade robe. The mask on his face had been removed, revealing a handsome face, but the character "奸" (treacherous) was carved on his left cheek, ruining the beauty of the face.

"Father." As soon as Xu Jingyun entered the room, she bowed to the person whose back was to her.

"Jing'er is here." Upon hearing the voice, Nangong Jin turned around and scrutinized Xu Jingyun, who was dressed in golden women's clothing, for a long time before speaking: "It's been a long time since I've seen you. My Jing'er has become even more handsome!"

Then, as if remembering something, he frowned and said:

"The King will soon be returning home. I originally intended for you to disguise yourself as a woman and assist Feng Qing in ascending to the throne, so that she could help you control Nanli in the future. But now it seems that she is not a capable person... We must find someone else..."

"Father..." Before Nangong Jin could finish speaking, Xu Jingyun hesitated, as if she had something to say. Under the other party's questioning gaze, she finally stammered out:

"Father, may I not be Xu Jingyun anymore..."

"Could it be because of—Lin Shu?" Nangong Jin raised an eyebrow. His son's intention was to regain his male form and never return to Nanli!

Hui Ching-yun remained silent, seemingly acquiescing.

"No! I told you before that once you put on this women's clothing, you'll never be able to take it off."

Seeing Xu Jingyun's expectant eyes gradually dim, Nangong Jin felt a pang of pity. He then gently touched the brand on his face and said in a deep voice:

“Jing’er should know that back then, in order to save my own life, I almost killed all the princes and princesses of Nanli Kingdom. In recent years, I have also been trying my best to suppress the power of their father’s family, which is why they have become much more obedient.”

But do you really think they've just given up on their fate?

The reason Nanli is not in turmoil now is because I am still alive and hold the Tiger Tally of Nanli. But I am already past forty, how long can I protect you? If I pass away, who will protect you?

The tragic case of the Xue family in Jiangdong decades ago serves as a cautionary tale…

“She…she…” Xu Jingyun wanted to say that Lin Shu could protect her, but the words stuck in her throat, because Lin Shu was avoiding her like the plague.

"Jing'er, how did I teach you in the past? How can a woman's favor compare to the power in your hands? You have been determined to become the emperor of Nanli since you were a child, have you forgotten?" After all, he was her own son, how could Nangong Jin not understand his meaning, so he scolded him sternly.

"That was just my father's idea..."

"Slap!" Before he could finish speaking, Nangong Jin slapped him, then said, "You scoundrel! I think you've been too comfortable in Fengming Kingdom and have forgotten your mission!"

Xu Jingyun turned her head to one side, her lips tightly pressed together, and remained silent. Her usually frivolous and flippant eyes were now lowered, revealing a stubbornness.

Seeing his state, Nangong Jin felt a pang of pity. He closed his eyes for a moment, calmed himself, and steeled his heart, saying:

"In short, Lin Shu, you should stop thinking about it. Even if she is Ling Huanan's daughter, the Dingbei King's troops are all stationed in the Northern Wilderness, and there is absolutely no way they can become our help..."

Moreover, you should know what the consequences would be if she found out you were a spy from Nanli!

Think about what I've said today! I'll have my secret guards contact you later!

After saying that, he put on his mask, pushed open the door, and left, leaving Xu Jingyun alone in the room, stunned and in a daze...

……

Time flies, and a few days passed uneventfully.

The New Year had barely passed when it was time for envoys from various countries to return home.

The Empress specially dispatched several generals to lead the Imperial Guards to escort them, and even General Xiao Zhuqing, who had been guarding the capital for many years, was sent out.

However, the people were not concerned about the departure of these envoys. What they were more concerned about was that the Prince of Dingbei's mansion had sold off a large number of servants a few days ago, and then news spread that the head of the household had been divorced. Everyone was speculating about what heinous crime the Prince Rui had committed...

Later, an "insider" mysteriously revealed that eighteen years ago, Prince Rui had used cunning schemes to harm the husband of the Prince of Dingbei, causing the father and daughter to wander far from home and suffer the hardships of displacement...

These rumors spread like wildfire throughout Kyoto, and even many officials in the court heard about them.

At the same time, they also had doubts in their hearts. The Prince of Dingbei had not returned for several years. Even when he returned in the past, he would request to leave the capital early. Why did he claim to be ill and unwilling to leave this year?

The current General of the State is escorting the envoy from the Northern Wilderness back to his country amidst Naoribu's chaotic thoughts, and also handling the handover of "Snow Hoof City" between the King of Dingbei and the Northern Wilderness.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Dingbei, who was "claiming illness," had been lingering outside the Lin residence in an inconspicuous carriage for the past few days. Each time someone opened the gate, he would quietly lift the curtain with a solemn expression.

Unfortunately, perhaps because of the trauma of the assassination attempt, Xue Wen stopped going out and spent his days tending to the flowers and vegetables in the yard.

Therefore, for many days, Ling Huanan had not even seen Xue Wen's face.

"Knock knock..."

Ling Huanan lowered the carriage curtain with a rare hint of melancholy on his usually cold face, just as he heard a knock coming from outside the carriage.

She immediately regained her usual cold expression and asked in a somewhat displeased voice, "What is it?"

A silent yet familiar voice came from outside: "I should be asking the Prince that question! The Prince of Dingbei has been keeping watch here for several days. What is he doing here?"

Ling Huanan was speechless for a moment. How could it be Lin Shu? And how did she know that this broken-down car was his?

However, at this moment, all she could do was lift the carriage curtain again, glance coldly at Lin Shu, and reply with feigned composure, "I am here on official business, not to spy on you."

"Well, that's good!" Lin Shu nodded seriously, then looked up at the sky and said in a deep voice, "It's noon now. I wonder if His Highness has had his meal?"

Ling Huanan seemed surprised by Lin Shu's question. After a moment's hesitation, just when Lin Shu thought he wouldn't answer, he spoke with a cold expression: "Never."

"Oh! I presume my household has already prepared a meal." Lin Shu looked up at Ling Huanan, whose eyes seemed to hold some expectation, and said indifferently.

"If that's the case, then I'll reluctantly agree..."

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