The playboy county magistrate

The room was filled with complaints and people were filled with anxiety.

Everyone knew that if the situation were allowed to continue, within a few years, all the old forces and old order would be completely wiped out and crushed into dust by Li Xuanzhi.

In the dead silence, a cold female voice slowly broke the noise of the room.

"Survival is never something you wait for, nor something you negotiate; it's something you fight for."

Behind the screen in the shadows, Consort Shu's personal maid slowly emerged, her tone chillingly cold.

"Her Majesty has decreed that since we have lost openly, we must resort to covert tactics and take a risky approach."

The crowd fell silent instantly upon hearing the sound, turning their heads in unison, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of hope and madness.

"Although I do not know what has happened in the palace, His Majesty has not set foot in any palace other than the Empress's bedroom for a long time, nor has he summoned any concubines to his bedchamber for a long time."

"Something major must have happened in the palace, and it might even be related to His Majesty. The last time something like this happened was when the late Emperor was on the throne and his days were numbered. If that's the case, this will be our only chance to turn things around."

The maid spoke in a deep voice, repeating Consort Shu's words, each one laced with venom.

"No matter how powerful Li Xuan was or how strict his protection was, he still had a weakness."

Everyone thought Consort Shu was truly naive and brainless, possessing only beauty. But did they not consider that a woman who could survive in the palace as innocent as a white flower could really live that long?

What kind of place is the imperial harem? It's a cage that devours people without spitting out their bones.

The Empress Dowager was once the most favored concubine in the harem, second only to the emperor, yet she still fell into a trap and died young.

Only a fool would mistake Consort Shu for a harmless little thing, given that she has enjoyed the emperor's favor in the palace and ensured that all her princes live peacefully and healthily.

Someone pressed on urgently, "What's the weakness?"

Li Xuanzhi's family members are not so easy to approach. If they were so easily manipulated, Li Xuanzhi wouldn't have climbed to such an unexpected height so quickly.

The maid raised her eyes, a ruthless glint flashing in them. "His weakness is the Crown Prince."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room suddenly understood.

The Crown Prince's residence in the Li household was Li Xuanzhi's greatest support. Conversely, it was also his greatest crisis!

"If something happens to the Crown Prince, everything can be turned around!"

Someone stood up excitedly, their voice trembling.

"If the crown prince dies, it will be because Li Xuanzhi failed to protect the emperor and will be guilty of a grave crime! At that time, he will lose all imperial favor, and the new policies will collapse. When the court and the public hold him accountable, he will surely die a horrible death!"

"Even if His Majesty trusts him, if the foundation of the nation is damaged as a result, and the position of heir apparent remains vacant, the people of the land and the officials of the court will never tolerate him!"

"If something happens to the Crown Prince, it's secondary that Li Xuanzhi will be deposed. What's more important is if the position of heir apparent is given to a prince born to Consort Shu..."

It's unimaginable how comfortable and successful they will be as the new emperor's confidants!

The maidservant coldly swept her gaze across the crowd. "Her Highness has already planted spies to monitor the Li residence, inside and out. Within three days, she will find a weakness, seize the opportunity, and strike with deadly precision!"

"Success or failure hinges on this one move. If all goes well, you will all be meritorious contributors to the success of the project."

……

At the same time, at the Li residence.

Bamboo shadows sway gently in the Zhixue Garden, and the evening breeze drifts through the windows, carrying the faint scent of ink and the fresh fragrance of grass and trees.

Pei Qingyuan accompanied the Crown Prince as he studied at his desk. The flickering candlelight illuminated two elegant figures, one tall and one short.

Pei Qingyuan sat to one side, quietly flipping through the notes on officialdom in her hands. Every now and then, she would glance at the child beside her, her eyes filled with a gentle tenderness and admiration.

After finishing copying a page of characters, the Crown Prince put down his brush and let out a soft breath. He turned to look at Pei Qingyuan, his voice soft yet clear.

"Madam, I heard that quite a few officials have been dismissed and their property confiscated today?"

Pei Qingyuan paused slightly, then looked up and smiled faintly.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is in his residence, yet he is well-informed."

"The guards in the mansion rotated shifts, and the servants chatted idly. I happened to overhear a few words."

The prince lowered his eyes slightly, his small hands gently stroking the words on the paper, his tone revealing a wisdom far beyond his years.

"Are they those old ministers who jointly framed the teacher yesterday, and those powerful families who are secretly obstructing the new policies?"

Pei Qingyuan nodded, her tone gentle, deliberately slowing her speech, and patiently and meticulously replied:

"That's right. Your father was wise and impartial, showing no favoritism or favoritism. Anyone who abused his power or obstructed national policies was held accountable according to the rules."

"The new policies are not aimed at eliminating any particular person, but at the accumulated problems in the court, the bad habits of aristocratic families, and the root causes of the chaos in the government."

The crown prince listened attentively, a thoughtful look flashing in his clear eyes, before softly asking a question.

"Madam, everyone says that Master wields too much power. Now he holds the reins of power and is raising the heir apparent; he is a powerful minister unlike any other in history. But why do I never see Master acting with the slightest arrogance or abusive attitude?"

This question, though seemingly naive, strikes a chord deep within.

Pei Qingyuan put down her book, leaned forward slightly, and looked intently into his eyes.

"Your Highness, the difference between a powerful minister and a wise minister lies not in the size of his power, but in his character and mindset."

"Holding great power without seeking personal gain, holding a high position yet concerned for the nation and its people. Establishing new policies to bring peace to the people, wielding power to protect the land. This is a virtuous minister."

"Your father dared to entrust the entire nation to you, and your teacher dared to take responsibility, thus becoming a powerful minister. The emperor and his ministers are in harmony, working together to save the world. This is a blessing for the Great Yong Dynasty, and certainly not a disaster for the court and the people."

The prince seemed to understand, but nodded emphatically, his small face full of determination.

"I understand. The teacher's power is for protecting the country, the people, and me, not for personal gain. When I ascend the throne, I will also be such a ruler. I will trust virtuous ministers and employ good ministers. I will be a wise ruler like my father, who knew how to recognize and utilize talent, not an incompetent and foolish one."

Pei Qingyuan felt a warmth in her heart, reached out and gently rubbed the top of his head, her smile tender.

"Your Highness's kindness is a blessing for the Great Yong Dynasty for generations to come."

The two were chatting idly when they heard soft footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.

After finishing his evening business, Li Xuanzhi, exhausted, slowly stepped into the courtyard.

The night fell on his shoulders, washing away the harshness of the court and leaving only gentleness and peace.

"teacher."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince immediately stood up, stood properly, and maintained a respectful yet aloof demeanor.

Li Xuanzhi approached, his gaze sweeping over the neat handwriting on the table, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and he asked softly:

"Is there anything you don't understand in today's homework?"

"Teacher, I have understood all the interpretations of the classic texts. There is only one point that I have a question about."

The Crown Prince looked up and stared directly at him. "The book says that a monarch should exercise checks and balances over his ministers, preventing problems before they arise. But Father, you have given your teacher absolutely no checks and balances, delegating power to the extreme. I don't understand, why is Father so certain that your teacher will never cause trouble?"

This is the crown prince's instinctive consideration, a warning etched into the bloodline of imperial power.

Li Xuanzhi felt both helpless and touched. This wasn't an inquiry at all; it was clearly a question deliberately asked for his own benefit, expressing his current attitude.

The fact that they chose to ask Li Xuanzhi himself about such matters is enough to demonstrate their trust in him.

At such a young age, he already understands the art of checks and balances between ruler and subject; his future is truly promising.