The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

By the time the banquet ended, it was already dusk.

The red silk in front of the Xie residence was still swaying, but Qi Yunli only felt depressed.

While the guests were saying goodbye, she slipped away in the chaos, not taking the main road, but instead turning into a quiet alley.

She walked quickly, her ears twitching, always feeling the faint sound of footsteps following behind her.

At first, she thought she was just imagining things out of guilt, but when she turned the third corner, the footsteps stopped.

Qi Yunli didn't dare to turn around, only glancing quickly at the wall with the dappled light reflecting off it in the twilight.

She saw the shadows of two men behind her, waiting at the corner of the alley.

Suddenly, a sound came from the other side of the alley.

"I told you we needed to send someone to accompany them, but you said it wasn't necessary. People are so treacherous!"

"I really didn't expect so many people to be here. The Duke of Qi's mansion even dared to send people. But it's good, let's make an example of them."

Qi Yunli not only heard the sound, but also amplified the panic she felt from being followed, and immediately ran away.

But after walking for a short while, they heard a noise behind them.

She turned around and saw that the man from the alley was being held down by two other people, one of them holding the other's arm.

And there were echoing howls.

Qi Yunli mustered her courage and walked back, only able to see the two people clearly when she got closer.

It turned out to be Fu Chong and Xie Dongpo.

"Why are you back?"

Xie Dongpo kicked the man at his feet, all traces of his fierce fighting spirit gone, replaced by a beaming smile.

"Why aren't you properly entertaining your guests at your residence? Why are you out here?"

Qi Yunli was shocked. How could the groom have managed to sneak out in front of so many people?

"As an official of the Ministry of Personnel, I naturally have to uphold the law impartially and follow the Embroidered Uniform Guard to carry out the mission."

Xie Dongpo raised an eyebrow.

Fu Chong tied the two men's hands and feet with hemp rope, then patted the dust off his clothes:

"Is Miss Qi alright? Were you frightened?"

"It's nothing, thank you all."

Fu Chong nodded and said, "Don't worry, we were just worried about not being able to find out what wrong the Duke of Qi's family did. Taking them down today is like sending a warning shot to the tiger, and we'll catch all those who have ulterior motives."

Qi Yunli could only express her gratitude again and bow to the two of them.

She walked further and further away from them, until only the four of them remained at the alley entrance.

Xie Dongpo summoned the hidden Imperial Guards to escort the man to the Imperial Guard headquarters. When he turned around, he saw Fu Chong still standing there, staring in the direction Qi Yunli had left, frozen in place.

"Hey, what are you spacing out for? They're gone."

Xie Dongpo walked over and nudged his arm.

"I have to hurry back. My bride is waiting for me at the mansion. Not everyone is like you, only concerned with solving cases every day."

The display of affection was too obvious, and Fu Chong glared at him.

Fu Chong snapped out of his daze, looked away, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, and suddenly uttered a wistful remark in a low voice.

"She hasn't found anyone new yet."

As soon as he finished speaking, the alleyway fell into a deathly silence.

Xie Dongpo's smile vanished completely.

"If you want to die, repeat those words to the Emperor again."

Fu Chong's hands hung at his sides: "But in terms of status, I'm better able to protect her."

"If two people never marry and one never marries, this can't go on. I'd be more than happy to break this balance."

He was from a prominent family and had the power to investigate cases, unlike an emperor who was not free to act as he pleased.

He wouldn't have to get involved in the court's machinations; by any measure, he's a very good candidate.

"Brother, if you want fair competition, the Emperor may be calm, but he is still a tiger."

Qi Yunli concealed her panic and continued living her life as usual.

Not long after, people in the alley and among the neighbors began to talk about the news that the Duke of Qi's mansion had been raided.

Qi Yunli paused suddenly as she used the brush to draw jewelry patterns.

It would have been impossible for the dignified Duke of Qi to fall so suddenly in just a few days without the emperor's authorization.

Qi Yunsi listened to others talking about the base of the wall at the edge of the alley:

"Sister, is the Duke of Qi they're talking about the one who's targeting you...?"

He finally got a break, and he overheard some gossip.

"I haven't even settled the score with you for what happened last time, and now you're not studying properly, your mind is wandering!" Qi Yunli put down her brush, her brows furrowed with anger.

"I know what I'm doing when it comes to my studies, but it's my sister's lifelong happiness that I really can't wait any longer."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I'm telling the truth. My sister has always worried about me, so I should worry about her in return."

Qi Yunli couldn't understand why her younger brother was becoming increasingly stubborn.

"Besides, I can tell at a glance who you like, sister. Sister, I don't want you to always worry about me. You should also think about your own marriage. No matter who you like, no matter how many obstacles lie ahead, you must believe that your brother is willing to face them with you."

Every word of these words came from the heart, and Qi Yunli felt a sudden pang of sadness, her nose also stinging.

How do you know that person is sincere towards me?

"People always have to look forward. As Confucius said, once people have money and power, they can see a person's true nature more clearly. He has not married any more concubines to this day, and I believe him."

Qi Yunsi spoke with conviction.

"Once you graduate from high school, I can stay by his side without any worries. With you serving as a key minister in the court, I will be more secure in the harem."

Qi Yunsi didn't know how to refute it for a moment. He just wanted his sister to cherish the person in front of her as soon as possible and find happiness.

In the imperial study, Wei Jun gazed at the moonlight in the sky.

"After the incident at the Duke of Qi's mansion, have any other people made any moves?"

The little eunuch quietly walked over and said:

"Everyone avoids the Duke of Qi like the plague, and no one dares to get involved with him. I also leaked the news to the ministers in private, letting them know that the biggest mistake the Duke of Qi made was coveting the Empress's position."

That's good.

Wei Jun suddenly calculated the days: "The imperial examinations are held every three years. When is the next one?"

"Your Majesty, it's one year from now."

"I have just ascended the throne and there are still many things to settle down. Therefore, the imperial examination will be postponed for one year and will be held again in two years."

The eunuch hesitated.

"In addition, some exceptionally talented individuals can be exceptionally allowed to participate in the preliminary examinations for children and scholars. If they pass the examination for scholars, they will then be eligible to advance to the provincial examinations, metropolitan examinations, and palace examinations."

The eunuch understood now; the emperor's appreciation for talent was evident.

With a change of emperors this year and the imperial examinations to be held the following year, many people may have been affected by political events and did not prepare properly.

It would be better to postpone it for a year, making it two years later, giving those talented individuals time to prepare.

After this news spread, the court and the public praised the new emperor for his benevolence and love of talent.