Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Inside the warm, heated bathroom, the air was filled with the fragrance of roses.

Passing through the curtain and through the silk screen, one can see the projection of a beautiful woman bathing.

Upon closer inspection, one sees a beautiful woman with flowing hair, delicate shoulders, and a jade-like neck.

She raised one arm and scooped some water onto her forearm with the other hand. Then, she pinched her five fingers into a shape similar to orchid fingers and gently stroked her fair and smooth skin with the water.

Such scenes are already breathtakingly beautiful.

Moreover, the slight glimpse of her profile when she tilts her head reveals her phoenix eyes, red lips, and exquisite features, making her seem like a fairy descended to earth.

Jia Lian stood there, quietly admiring his beautiful wife.

His wife seemed to sense something, turned around and glanced back, then greeted him with a mixture of joy and shyness, "You...you're back..."

Jia Lian smiled inwardly upon hearing this.

Even if he didn't mention that he was invited back by her, the woman couldn't possibly have missed the sound of the maids outside greeting him.

So, she was deliberately seducing him?

Nodding, Jia Lian silently approached.

Ignoring his wife's instinctive gesture of crossing her arms, he bent down and picked up a petal from the wooden tub, only to find it surprisingly tender and fresh.

It's not easy to find such a pond full of fresh rose petals at this time of year.

However, Jia Lian didn't pay much attention to it.

As the future empress, what's wrong with enjoying some things?

As long as she doesn't harm the country and its people like Empress Dowager Cixi, Jia Lian won't restrict her pursuit of material things.

Feng Jie naturally wouldn't think that Jia Lian was criticizing her for being wasteful.

She deliberately shrank back, feigning annoyance, and said, "I was taking a bath, and you came in without even saying anything, you startled me."

Jia Lian finally spoke: "Didn't you call me back?"

Sister Feng retorted, "Why didn't you wait for me in the bedroom for a while? Why did you have to come here and make a fool of yourself in front of the maids!"

Jia Lian, too lazy to argue with her, said indifferently, "Speak, what do you want?"

Upon seeing this, Sister Feng's feigned shyness faded somewhat.

She knew in her heart that Jia Lian was indeed angry with her.

Otherwise, in the past, given his condition, he would have already hurriedly stripped naked and jumped in.

Although she felt a little guilty, she still glared at Jia Lian and said in a coquettish voice, "It's nothing important, I just wanted to ask..."

Before noon, my second uncle proposed establishing an empress during the grand court assembly. Why did you disagree?

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian became furious and sneered, "I have only been on the throne for one day, and you are already instigating your uncle to force me to establish an empress."

Grandma Feng acted far too hastily.

"Even if I was a little impatient, you shouldn't have embarrassed him in front of the entire court."

She's my own uncle!

Jia Lian's face darkened completely: "Oh, I didn't know that Prince Teng had such a great deal of influence in front of me."

Sister Feng sensed the coldness in Jia Lian's words and was startled.

She suddenly realized that her husband was no longer just her husband.

He is the ruler of the world, the sovereign and father of all civil and military officials!

If, because of a momentary slip of the tongue, Jia Lian were to develop a dissatisfaction with his second uncle, who was a first-rank cabinet minister, he might...

That would be a very bad situation.

She had originally planned to make Jia Lian happy tonight, and never intended to make him angry again.

Just now, it was merely a subconscious display of a woman's coquettishness when facing her husband, with whom she had been by her side day and night.

Having figured this out, she quickly changed her mindset, reached out and tugged at Jia Lian's sleeve, and said with an embarrassed smile, "Alright, I admit I misspoke."

Don't be angry, at worst... they'll apologize to you.

Jia Lian was about to storm off.

This woman always needs to be disciplined to behave.

Hearing this, he barely managed to stand up and casually asked, "Oh, how do you plan to apologize?"

Sister Feng laughed and said, "Don't you always complain that other women aren't as charming as Xiao Qinshi?"

She's come up with a new way to serve people; I wonder if my lord would be interested in trying it out?

Jia Lian raised an eyebrow and said blankly, "It's worth a try."

Sister Feng gave Jia Lian a rather charmingly disdainful look.

She changed her position in the bathtub, kneeling in front of Jia Lian with her knees pressed against the edge of the tub, and then reached into Jia Lian's robe to untie his belt.

Jia Lian was somewhat disappointed. He had thought it would be some new trick, but it was just this?

But then I thought about it again, and realized that Sister Feng was entirely enlightened by him in this regard.

It was really asking too much of her to come up with something new and exciting in bed.

So he relaxed and let his wife do as she pleased, in order to relieve the anger that had been building up since he had flirted with Yuan Chun in the palace.

Two quarters of an hour later, Feng Jie finally released her hands from Jia Lian's thighs.

She covered her mouth with one hand, pursed her lips, and looked up at Jia Lian, seemingly hesitant. After a long while, she slowly removed her hand and smiled at Jia Lian.

Then he quickly bent down to take the tea that had been prepared on the wooden shelf next to him to rinse his mouth.

When Jia Lian saw that Feng Jie had even prepared tea and water for rinsing, how could he not guess that this was something Feng Jie had planned in advance?

Despite this, once Sister Feng's expression calmed down, he still bent down and gently stroked her bright red face, comforting her, "You've worked hard, my wife."

Sister Feng looked up and asked, "Is Your Majesty still angry with me?"

Jia Lian shook his head, finally unable to resist asking, "How did you come up with the idea of ​​doing this?"

Feng Jie's face flushed slightly. She glanced at the bathroom subconsciously before whispering, "It's all your fault. You always bully Ping'er and the others like this... I made a huge decision to do this, so you're not allowed to complain if it's not done right!"

Sister Feng's voice was unusually low, almost like a mosquito's buzz.

He thought to himself that if others saw what he had just done, he might as well give up being a human being.

However, at the same time, I couldn't help but ponder.

Ping'er is alright; she can tell that Jia Lian had only half-tricked and half-coaxed her into doing these things before.

But Qin Keqing, that wretched girl, is different.

He really likes it.

She cursed him countless times!

She originally thought that she would rather die than do such a shameful thing.

Looking back now, it doesn't seem so bad...

"It's rare for my wife to be so romantic, I'm overjoyed, how could I possibly complain?"

Jia Lian smiled and bent down to hug Feng Jie.

Sister Feng quickly deflected, "What are you doing? Taking a bath..."

Ignoring everything else, Jia Lian forcibly pulled the naked Feng Jie out of the bathtub.

Faced with her struggles and resistance, Jia Lian smiled and said, "My wife has worked hard just now. Now it's my turn to pamper you."

Sister Feng punched Jia Lian twice, and noticing his resolute attitude, she turned and asked with a smile, "I heard that as soon as you came back, you went to the West Courtyard to see those foreign beauties."

"What, you're not upset that I ruined your fun?"

Jia Lian knew that Feng Jie was shy and didn't want others to see her body. So he casually grabbed a silk robe from the rack next to him and draped it over Feng Jie's body with a flick of his wrist.

He laughed as he walked back, saying, "It's not my fault."

"The charm of my Empress is incomparable to that of any foreign beauty."

Sister Feng was taken aback when she heard this, and then she was secretly delighted.

She had completely given up the will to resist.

Because she heard how Jia Lian addressed her.

Your Majesty the Empress!

It seems that Ping'er really didn't lie to me; my efforts have indeed paid off.

It is not only effective, but also produces immediate results.

The heartless man not only stopped being angry, but also acknowledged her status as empress!

Sensing Jia Lian striding away, she quickly shrank under her robes, hoping to conceal all her allure.

……

The grand funeral for Emperor Ningkang lasted for two months before it finally came to an end.

Jia Lian thus officially began his imperial career.

On this day, Jia Lianfang had just finished dealing with the accumulated state affairs since the mourning period began when he remembered that there were still some old matters that needed to be settled.

So they set off from the palace.

Outside Chengtianmen, that is, south of the Imperial City.

Most of the government offices in the capital were located here.

Near the east side of the imperial city gate, there was a newly established government office called the Commerce Department.

Although the government office occupies a small area and its rank is not comparable to some central government offices, it has attracted the attention of many powerful forces since its establishment.

Especially the wealthy merchants and tycoons in the eastern part of the city.

Almost every day, people from various factions come to visit and inquire about information.

However, since the government's business involved dealing with merchants from all over the country, this was naturally looked down upon by the civil and military officials who had always looked down on merchants.

However, because the two highest-ranking officials were women, one of whom was Princess Zhaoyang, the officials refrained from attacking them out of consideration for appearances.

As noon approached, the officials left their offices to prepare for lunch and a rest.

Suddenly, the imperial guards cleared the way, and the imperial carriage set off.

The officials were taken aback and immediately knelt down on both sides to welcome them.

But the imperial carriage ignored them completely and only stopped at the entrance of the Department of Commerce.

Then Dai Quan rode over on horseback and delivered the imperial decree: "His Majesty is going out on private business today. Officials need not disturb him. Just go about your business."

The officials were filled with doubt and uncertainty, but they heard the imperial decree very clearly.

It means letting them each do their own thing and not disturbing them.

So they all got up, hesitated and looked back for a long time before finally going their separate ways.

I had some idea in my mind. Judging from His Majesty's expression, he was probably going to pick up Consort Xue.

Rumor has it that Consort Xue, who oversees the Ministry of Commerce every day, is deeply favored by His Majesty, and now it seems that this is indeed true.

Inside the Commerce Department, in a central office surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids in the backyard, Baochai was intently copying records at her desk.

Suddenly, a eunuch ran to the door and announced: "Your Highness, His Majesty requests that you accompany him to the Marquis of Linzi's residence to visit your elders. The imperial carriage has now arrived at the entrance of the Commerce Department. Please leave as soon as possible."

Baochai was startled upon hearing this and asked, "His Majesty has come in person?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Baochai dared not delay, and quickly put down her pen and book, about to get up.

Suddenly she remembered that the eunuch had just said that Jia Lian had invited her to visit the elders at the Marquis of Linzi's mansion. She realized that Jia Lian had specifically told her the purpose so that she could make all the necessary preparations.

So he turned around and beckoned Baoqin over, went back to the inner room to change into casual clothes, and then came out.

Inside the main courtyard, almost all the mid- to low-ranking officials from the Commerce Department had come out.

Upon seeing Baochai, he quickly bowed and greeted her, saying, "Greetings, Consort Xue."

Baochai nodded casually, then led Baoqin and the others out the gate.

As Baochai boarded the imperial carriage and departed with it, the officials gathered at the entrance of the Commerce Bureau couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

It's amazing enough that His Majesty himself came to pick them up.

Not to mention, they witnessed His Majesty's imperial carriage stop here for a full quarter of an hour!

Tell me, how many people in the world would dare to make His Majesty the Emperor wait at the door?

Officials who initially thought being transferred to the Commerce Department was a demotion have begun to reconsider their views.

I originally thought that the only person in the entire government office who was worth mentioning was Princess Zhaoyang.

However, Her Highness is busy with military affairs and rarely comes to the Department of Commerce.

Now it seems that this Consort Xue is not to be underestimated.

Then, if anyone mocks them for working under women, they'll have something to say back.

What's wrong with working under a woman?

Thinking of the fleeting glimpse of His Majesty the Emperor when the imperial carriage was lifted, they felt an immense sense of honor.

Who else, besides our Department of Commerce, holds a rank of sixth, seventh, or eighth grade and has the power to see His Majesty's golden face?

……

On the imperial carriage, Baochai, who had been led in by Jia Lian, was still somewhat flattered and remarked, "Your Majesty could have just sent a eunuch to see me; why did you come in person?"

Jia Lian sat down and patted his leg: "Today we're going to visit Grandpa, and since it's on the way, I thought I'd pick you up."

Baochai felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this, and sat on Jia Lian's lap, offering her advice:

"Even so, Your Majesty should not do this again in the future."

"Your Majesty is of noble birth; it is not only improper for you to wait there in public, but others will also say that I am a favored concubine who has bewitched the emperor."

Jia Lian held the fragrant, beautiful body comfortably in his arms and laughed, "She's certainly a favored concubine, but what makes you say she bewitched the emperor?"

Upon hearing this, Baochai sighed inwardly.

As an imperial concubine, she was in charge of an outer government office, which put her under considerable pressure.

After all, it was the first of its kind in the country.

Many people inevitably feel that Jia Lian was treating state affairs as a joke in order to please her.

Despite the pressure, one can realize their self-worth in the Department of Commerce, instead of spending every day in the harem waiting for the emperor's favor.

Therefore, she is very grateful to Jia Lian and cherishes her current job. She is determined to help Jia Lian do a good job in the Department of Commerce and help him solve more financial problems.

Seeing that she could not change Jia Lian's attitude, Baochai stopped trying to persuade him and took out her work records from her bosom to show Jia Lian.

"My lord, look, this is a new batch of merchants registered in the Department of Commerce since the late emperor passed away."

These are all family businesses valued at over five thousand taels of silver, with the first two pages listing businesses valued at over thirty thousand taels.

Jia Lian, who had been groping Baochai, had to stop and take the booklet upon hearing this.

After casually flipping through the pages, Jia Lian nodded and smiled, "Not bad, it seems the Commerce Department has done a good job. I knew I hadn't misjudged her. My Chai'er is very capable."

"This is all thanks to my husband. I was just following his orders."

Baochai offered a compliment and then said, "Actually, many merchants have come to the Commerce Department recently to inquire about information. These include not only those from the capital region, but also many large merchants from other provinces who have heard the news."

However, many people still had concerns, worrying that this was just another pretext used by the imperial court to extort money from them.

Jia Lian was taken aback and asked in return, "Didn't I ask you to promise that they could wear silk, and that their children could even participate in the imperial examinations as usual?"

Baochai said, "Regarding wearing silk, in the past, merchants from various places also wore it privately because the imperial court did not strictly control it."

Therefore, they don't pay much attention to this.

As for scientific expeditions...

The Commerce Department was established relatively recently, and there are still two years before the next department is established, so…”

Jia Lian understood.

Merchants were forbidden from wearing silk during the reign of Emperor Taizu, but this rule is no longer so strict.

As for the imperial examinations... the merchants would only truly believe it after the next examination was held, when the sons of merchants who paid taxes regularly in the Ministry of Commerce participated, and even after someone passed the examination with flying colors.

Otherwise, it's possible that the imperial court is short of money and is trying to scam people out of it.

Merchants have suffered this kind of loss many times.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "As the saying goes, 'Once bitten by a snake, twice shy,' it's normal for merchants to have concerns."

Since I assumed the regency, I have implemented many new policies, and there is a need for personnel everywhere.

Some of the officials on the court's register were in dire need of funds.

Therefore, I plan to hold an additional special imperial examination next year, which will be the first year of my reign.

Those truly talented sons of merchants can then take the special imperial examination next year after qualifying this year.

If someone wins, their doubts will be dispelled.

"Is my husband going to hold a special imperial examination?"

Baochai asked a question, then nodded: "This is a good thing. All the scholars in the world will be grateful to their husbands."

The imperial examination system was extremely competitive.

There are so many scholars in the world, but the imperial court only selects two or three hundred candidates each year.

If a special examination were added, the probability of passing would greatly increase, which would naturally arouse the gratitude of scholars throughout the land and make all candidates even more motivated.

And this did indeed help the Commerce Department immediately.

Originally, those businessmen didn't feel any urgency, thinking that there were still two years until the next exam.

But if news of the addition of Enko spreads, they will immediately become anxious.

After all, to qualify for the provincial examination next spring, one must first obtain the qualification of a tribute student this year and pass the provincial examination to become a successful candidate.

Merchants who wish to consult this document must be registered with the Ministry of Commerce.

One can easily imagine the scene that followed, with merchants from all over the country flocking to the Department of Commerce to report. (End of Chapter)