Empress in her second playthrough: Something's not right with this plot!

But this government unit was different; it occupied an entire alley—Ben Si Hutong.

The sons of noble families and newly appointed scholars of the Chu state were fond of frivolous pleasure-seeking.

Therefore, the area around Bensi Hutong was a red-light district, encompassing official courtesans, family courtesans, street courtesans, and private courtesans who extended from the Jiaofang (a type of entertainment venue) to various parts of society.

The courtesans and musicians in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) were different from the women in ordinary brothels.

Those sent there were mainly two types of people.

Some of them were wives and daughters of defeated soldiers captured during the war, including concubines and princesses of fallen kings.

Among them, Empress Dowager Hu, the empress dowager of the fallen kingdom, held the highest position and her business was booming.

The other group consisted of the families of officials whose homes were raided.

Many people in high positions of power also have wives and daughters who are pampered and wealthy.

They are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, each possessing unique talents.

The courtesans in the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) may be beautifully dressed, but they entertain officials from high society.

Few upright gentlemen frequented the brothels, and the women became playthings for officials and gentry.

Even courtesans who claimed to sell their art but not their bodies could not guarantee their innocence.

Officials who came here saw the wives and daughters of their former colleagues, and even the empress, who was of a much higher status than themselves.

This kind of spiritual enjoyment is something that ordinary brothels cannot provide.

Since he couldn't get any useful information out of him, Li Yunsheng decided not to stay any longer.

"Tell your superiors that I will send them a gift first as a sign of sincerity."

Su Wanwan hurriedly pressed for more information.

What gift?

Li Yunsheng did not turn around at the door.

He will find out.

Su Wanwan took two quick steps, wanting to ask for more details.

But then, a woman with long gray hair appeared out of the sky.

Su Wanwan was startled by the sudden appearance of the figure and hurriedly took a step back.

Who are you?

Oh--

Wei Xiang let out a cold laugh and threw a punch.

boom.

Su Wanwan was sent flying backwards like a cannonball.

He crashed into the wall of the bedroom, finally coming to a stop.

puff--

Su Wanwan coughed up a mouthful of blood, her head drooping as if she were barely breathing.

Wei Xiang appeared before her in an instant, like a ghost.

"If he dies, I will kill the Emperor of Wei to be buried with him."

Chapter 24 I second that proposal!

The sky is bright.

Inside the carriage, Li Yunsheng rubbed his aching arms and yawned.

These past few days, Wei Xiang has been having him practice wielding a sword for two hours each day.

Learning martial arts is truly arduous; other people's systems can add points, but his system can only increase lifespan.

Fortunately, his physique is much stronger than before, otherwise he wouldn't even be able to lift his arms.

I have to get up so early to go to the morning court session.

In fact, there weren't many major events in the court; everyone had to report to the Empress every day.

Most minor matters were handled by the ministers below, so the empress didn't need to make any decisions.

Unless there is border military conflict or major disasters in various regions, requiring the current government to discuss politics.

Li Yunsheng understood the Empress's thoughts; she feared that if she relaxed her guard even slightly, it would become even more difficult to control the court.

Therefore, even when there was nothing to do each day, he still had to sit in court and listen to government affairs.

Li Yunsheng always thought that it was easy to become an official, and even easier to become a corrupt official.

He only realized how difficult it was to be a corrupt official when he actually sat in that position.

The Ministry of Personnel has many matters, both big and small, waiting for him to handle every day, and now he also has to practice martial arts.

Going to the morning court every day, like the company leader's morning meeting, is a complete waste of time.

Li Yunsheng stepped down from the carriage, and all the officials greeted him with smiles, addressing him as Prime Minister Li.

Upon entering the palace, all the officials walked behind him.

Li Yunsheng walked at the front and suddenly remembered what his father had said.

"When the morning court session begins, the officials are like a stampede of ten thousand horses."

When a high-ranking official takes the lead, he looks back and sees only smiling faces.

When the minor official looked ahead, all he saw was flattery.

As he walked, he suddenly turned around.

The officials behind him were stunned for a moment, then they all put on smiling faces.

Li Yunsheng smiled and continued walking forward, just as he had expected.

Taiji Palace, Zichen Hall.

On the dragon throne, the Empress rubbed her temples.

She drank a bit too much yesterday and got up very early this morning, so she still has a bit of a headache.

"My esteemed ministers, do you have anything to report?"

Inside the main hall, everyone remained silent.

Li Yunsheng stood up and said.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Upon hearing Li Yunsheng's voice, Jiang Qingying felt a surge of anger.

I wonder what rebellious thing this guy is up to now.

"What is it that Minister Li has reported?"

"Your Majesty appears weary. For the sake of Your Majesty's health, I request that the daily morning court session be cancelled."

These words caused an uproar among the officials.

Is Prime Minister Li about to make a move against the Empress?

He abolished the morning court session and seized sole control of the government!

Jiang Qingying questioned in a cold voice.

"Does Minister Li want me to sit in the palace all day without having to worry about anything and be oblivious to what's happening outside?"

"Your Majesty, I have not finished speaking."

Your subject proposes abolishing the daily morning court session and instead holding it once every five days.

Civil and military officials of the sixth to fifth rank were required to enter the court on the first or fifteenth day of the lunar month.

At the same time, the time for the morning court session was changed from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM.

In this way, Your Majesty will not have to work so hard, and our ministers can present their matters directly to Your Majesty.

At this moment, before Jiang Qingying could speak, someone stood up and shouted.

"I second that proposal!"

After saying this, he knelt on the ground, looking somewhat sorrowful.

If Li Yunsheng had said something else, he probably wouldn't have reacted so strongly.

However, what I just said really touched a nerve with him.

Throughout the year, he was basically not involved in the morning court sessions.

That would have been fine, but the morning court session started so early that he literally got up earlier than the chickens every day.

High-ranking officials in the imperial court all owned property in the capital city center, so they didn't need to get up too early.

However, he was always poor and could only afford a humble house in the northwest corner of the capital, far away from the imperial palace.

He would get up at 3 AM every morning for the imperial court.

When it rains or snows, the roads become slippery and difficult to travel, so he sometimes has to get up as early as 1:00 AM.

For so many years, who could he tell about his suffering as an official without real power?

Today, the prime minister spoke about this matter, focusing on the issue rather than the person. He didn't care about whether someone belonged to the Li faction or not, and he seconded the motion himself!

Jiang Qingying frowned slightly and looked at the person who had agreed with her.

This person held a low official position, but had a reputation for integrity, yet he still joined the Li faction!

On the contrary, Li Yunsheng could understand this person, who lived far from the palace and had to get up at three o'clock.

Therefore, many people actually have their own thoughts.

However, most of these people held low-ranking official positions and never dared to speak out.