Chapter 211: The Most Suitable Candidate

Even though Xiao Jingyun was an imposter and now dead, Xiao Li still let the Empress manage the affairs of the inner palace with the Phoenix Seal.

Xiao Li left the inner palace affairs in her hands and paid them no mind. A month passed in the blink of an eye.

It was rare for her to finally have time to visit.

"Her Majesty has arrived."

Xiao Li wasn’t fond of such loud announcements, but her station demanded it.

The Empress quickly emerged with her attendants. Upon seeing Xiao Li, she immediately curtsied. "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Xiao Li took two steps forward and helped her up. "You may rise."

Her gaze swept over the scrolls piled high in the room. "What are you busy with, Sister-in-law?"

The Empress replied, "These are the registers and records for all the Palace Attendants. I’ve nearly finished organizing them."

After replying, she tactfully reminded her, "My husband was not of the Imperial Family’s bloodline. It is improper for Your Majesty to still call me ’sister-in-law’."

Xiao Li sat down. "I am the Empress now. What’s improper about how I address someone? Or does the Empress not like the title? Then I’ll change it. How about ’Sister’?"

The Empress: "..."

’I really don’t know what to do with Xiao Li,’ she thought. ’She’s already the Empress, so why is she still as sly and roguish as when she was a Princess?’

’Sister-in-law, Empress, Sister... each one is more confusing than the last.’

’Does she even remember that she’s the sovereign?’

She personally served Xiao Li tea. "This servant has organized everything that needed organizing. The people in each palace have also been assigned. It is all written in the registers. Your Majesty may decide how to deal with me."

She already had an idea of her own fate and had regained her serene composure. "This servant cannot return to the Wang family, nor can I enter the Imperial Family’s ancestral hall. If Your Majesty permits, this servant would like to find a remote nunnery to devote myself to spiritual cultivation and pray for Your Majesty’s fortune."

Xiao Li toyed with the lid of her teacup. She thought for a moment before speaking. "This might be a bit forward, but I truly want to know... Sister, why have you completely lost your passion for life?"

She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as she spoke. "And don’t you dare tell me it’s because of a man."

The Empress shot her a light, reproachful glance. "Your Majesty’s words... While it is related to men, it’s not in the way Your Majesty means."

’Father, brother, husband... how could she ever escape men in her life?’

’It was their decisions that made her utterly weary, to see through the vanity of the mortal world.’

"Let me tell Your Majesty a story..."

The Empress slowly recounted the events of the past. Since she had long since found peace and seen through it all, her tone was devoid of emotion, as if she were telling someone else’s story.

She finished telling the story of how she came to marry Xiao Jingyun, then spoke of her years married to him. Xiao Jingyun was not a good Emperor, nor was he a good husband, but he had one good quality: he wasn’t a bully.

The Empress Dowager disliked her, and Lady Shufei and Consort Yun relied on the Emperor’s favor to try and replace her, but the Emperor never truly made things difficult for her.

But not making things difficult didn’t mean there were feelings. The Emperor was filial to the Empress Dowager and doted on his Concubines; her own stifling predicament was also caused by him.

Fortunately, she had never given him her heart, so she had been able to live peacefully until now.

Now, with the change of Emperors, Xiao Li was willing to grant her a dignified exit. For her to be able to leave of her own accord and live out the rest of her days in peace was already a blessing. She asked for nothing more.

Xiao Li flipped through the records. Reflecting her tranquil state of mind, the Empress’s calligraphy was neat and gentle, exuding a sense of quiet, peaceful years.

’The content is concise and clear at a glance, and the personnel arrangements are appropriate. She’s a natural talent for civil administration.’

"Things are chaotic outside. I can’t let you leave the Capital City for now. If you’re really set on leaving the palace, then move into my Princess Mansion. You can help me look after the place."

The Empress was surprised. "That’s improper..."

Xiao Li said, "I don’t remember you being so difficult. Why is everything ’improper’ this and ’improper’ that now?"

As Xiao Li spoke, her knuckles tapped lightly on the table. "I’m preparing to revive the imperial examinations. The edict will be issued tomorrow, and the exams will be held in one month."

"Although all the officials in this world are men, that’s only because women aren’t given a chance. Now that I am the Empress, I will certainly create an opportunity for the women of this world. Therefore, this examination will be open to both men and women. The most capable will be chosen."

The Empress was shocked once again. "Your Majesty... you want women to become officials?"

Not the female officials in the inner palace, who were little better than servants, but officials who could stand in the court—the kind who wielded real power.

Xiao Li slowly leaned back in her chair, her gaze tilted slightly upward to look at her. "I was thinking of having Wang Wanqing participate. Her scholarship is decent enough; she could probably earn a place. With my protection, she would certainly secure some official post and set a precedent for female officials."

"However, I now believe you are a far more suitable candidate than her."

"Age, experience, ability, temperament, status... you are simply the chosen one." Her eyes were filled with admiration, her tone certain.

"Of course, this is just my opinion, I’m not forcing you. Think it over carefully. If you have any inclination, you can register for the exam. I very much look forward to seeing a very special name on the roster of the first batch of officials... Empress Dowager, no, I should call you—Wang Yizhu."

The Empress froze. The two words "Wang Yizhu," so familiar yet so foreign. She hadn’t heard anyone call her that in many, many years.

Her maiden name had been buried away ever since she entered the palace.

She thought the next time it would be used would be upon her death, to be carved on her tombstone.

She never expected it to be spoken so calmly by the Empress.

She was no longer the Empress. She was Wang Yizhu.

When Wang Wanqing heard that Xiao Li had come, she rushed back but still missed her. Instead, she found her aunt sitting there dumbly, her eyes vacant and unmoving.

"Aunt, Aunt?"

Wang Wanqing waved her hand, and the Empress finally snapped out of her daze. Looking at the still somewhat naive Wang Wanqing before her, Xiao Li’s words echoed in her mind.

Wang Wanqing liked the Empress. She was full of admiration and gratitude, and had long wished for nothing more than to serve by Her Majesty’s side. If Her Majesty asked Wang Wanqing to take the exam and become an official, Wang Wanqing would agree without hesitation.

To be protected by the Empress and become the pioneer for female officials—what an honor that would be.

But Wang Wanqing was too green. She was only eighteen this year, a young, unmarried girl. Entering the male-dominated world of officialdom, she would have to face the judgment of society, the stares of men, and all manner of humiliating words and attitudes.

At first, Wang Wanqing might not mind, fueled by her devotion to the Empress, but over time, she would surely be unable to bear it.

Xiao Li was able to become the ruler because she herself was powerful and indestructible.

Wang Wanqing, however, clearly did not possess such a strong heart or conviction.

The Empress had said she was suitable. The more the Empress thought about it, the more she realized it was true.

She had been an Empress; even if those men wanted to speak ill of her, they would have to show some deference. She had been married, so she wouldn’t be flustered by the gazes of men. The disposition she had cultivated over many years would allow her to face many things with a calm demeanor.

She truly was the most suitable candidate.

’Become a court official...?’ The Empress thought for a long, long time. The dead light in her eyes slowly rekindled, then burst into a brilliant glow. Before her eyes was a different path in life—one filled with thorns, but one that would absolutely bloom with incomparably splendid and vibrant flowers.

Wang Wanqing: ’Hm? Aunt’s expression is so scary. It’s like she’s about to go crazy.’

’What did Her Majesty say to provoke her like this?’