Chapter 215: Future Formidable Rival

Xiao Li had purged most of the officials throughout the court, but there was one place she hadn’t touched.

Du Lin Garden.

Du Lin Garden was the government office dedicated to compiling and editing all manner of books.

Xiao Li’s main goal right now was to consolidate her power; she had no time to bother with some royal library.

Feng Yin was an official at Du Lin Garden. Since Xiao Li had neither dismissed him nor held the Feng Family accountable for any crimes, he could still report for duty as usual.

Though many others were too afraid to show up, he persisted in coming to work every day. Moreover, he was able to visit his grandfather every few days to bring him medicine and food.

The place was guarded by the Silver Armor Army, and he was the only family member permitted to enter. Everyone knew this was with the Empress’s tacit approval.

It was precisely this special treatment that made Feng Yuan believe the Empress viewed his grandson differently. He wanted to use his status as Feng Yin’s grandfather to put on airs and make demands.

To put it bluntly, he didn’t want Feng Yin to be with Xiao Li. Before, he looked down on her for her vicious reputation for killing her husband. Now, he despised her for becoming a female emperor, an act that defied the world and would surely earn her the condemnation of all.

Yet, while he arrogantly looked down on Xiao Li, he also believed she was deeply in love with his grandson and sought to use this as leverage to control and threaten her.

Honestly, this little trick of his was both grating and disgusting.

It was like a prostitute trying to sell her body while demanding a virtuous reputation.

Xiao Li couldn’t be bothered to argue with a stubborn old man, so she simply pulled out Feng Yin, who had been hiding to the side.

"You must have heard your grandfather. What do you have to say?"

Feng Yin looked up at Xiao Li, his gaze filled with the unwavering resolve of a decision long made. In a solemn tone, he declared, "I, Feng Yin, have already taken over the Feng Family and become its new Family Head. At this moment, on behalf of the Feng Family, I kowtow before the Empress."

"All the scholars of the Feng Family await Your Majesty’s command."

"The Feng Family wishes to present one million taels of Gold to congratulate Your Majesty on your ascension."

Feng Yuan was stunned. "Since when is it your place to make decisions for the Feng Family? I’m not dead yet!"

Feng Yin lowered his eyes. "Grandfather is of advanced age and is not of sound mind. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and allow this subject to take him back to our ancestral home to recuperate."

Not a single word was about love, yet every word was steeped in it.

With his grandfather on one side and the woman he loved—who was also the Empress—on the other, Feng Yin was caught in the most difficult position.

He didn’t dare plead for leniency, for he didn’t want to wear away the affection Xiao Li held for him.

That affection was so fragile, yet so precious. He was even certain that if he begged, Xiao Li would definitely spare the Feng Family.

But from that moment on, he would surely lose all right to be near her. He had long known that Xiao Li was a cold person—more rational and ruthless than anyone.

’I want to preserve this special connection, but I have to save my grandfather.’

’So I have to set aside that affection and speak with her on formal, legitimate terms.’

If he hadn’t run into Xiao Li here today, he was already prepared to see her tomorrow.

He would have worn his official robes, brought with him all the sincerity of the Feng Family, and formally paid his respects to the Empress.

In recent days, he had persuaded his uncles, used the Feng Family Head’s token to suppress dissenting voices, and had even drawn a blade against his own kin. The pampered young master of the Feng Family had forced himself to grow up at a breakneck pace.

He wanted to save his grandfather through legitimate means, and he also wanted to strive to follow in the Empress’s footsteps, to earn the right to stand by her side.

’Grandfather is old, his thinking is rigid. It’s better for him to go home and live out his retirement. The Empress’s young and vibrant empire has no need for his commentary.’

Song Junzhan watched the young master kneeling on the ground. He was younger than him, his face still boyish, but his expression was firm and his gaze focused. With just a single glance, one could feel the wildly growing determination radiating from him.

’The young master of the Feng family... Even if he hasn’t been formally recognized, just based on this attitude alone, I can be certain this person will be a formidable rival in the future.’

’Not just in court, but in matters of the heart as well.’

Xiao Li’s faint smile made her emotions unreadable, but she gave Feng Yin her answer. "Within ten days, everyone from the Feng Family is to withdraw. All officials are to be dismissed and await reassignment. If I, Zhen, discover anyone from the Feng Family supporting another’s rebellion, I will execute your entire clan, down to the ninth degree."

It sounded merciless and cold-blooded, but had Xiao Li treated any other aristocratic family differently? Only for the Feng Family did she deliver the sentence herself.

Feng Yin paused for a moment, then bowed low. "Feng Yin will respectfully obey the imperial decree."

Feng Yin had agreed. Feng Yuan nearly went mad with rage.

"How can you be so spineless! Why must you grovel and curry favor? Look at her, is she moved in the slightest? You’ve thrown away all the dignity of the Feng Family!"

He pounded furiously on the iron bars, extremely agitated. "One million taels of Gold! Have you sold off the entire Feng Family?"

"And now we’re being driven from our home and threatened! How can the Feng Family ever hold its head high again?"

Feng Yin listened quietly as he raged. Only when Feng Yuan had exhausted his tirade did he slowly speak. "Grandfather, do you know what day it is today?"

Without a thought, Feng Yuan retorted, "It’s the day I’m disowning you! What a misfortune for our family to have produced someone as spineless as you!"

Feng Yuan seemed to be genuinely on the verge of madness, completely devoid of his former calm and steady composure.

Feng Yin said, "It is the day the Empress ordered the revival of the imperial examinations."

"I don’t care what she’s reviving—" Feng Yuan’s expression froze. He looked up, stunned and suspicious. "What did you just say?"

Feng Yin looked at him, enunciating each word with calm force. "Her Majesty has ordered the revival of the imperial examinations. The first round of exams will be held in one month. They will be judged not on birth, but on talent and character alone. From now on, all capable and virtuous people in the realm will have a chance to display their skills and realize their ambitions. The gentlemen who were selected at the Princess Mansion’s banquet of scholars are now all serving in the court, each demonstrating their abilities."

"Grandfather, what does it matter that the late Emperor you loyally followed was a man? His skill, his courage, his sense of duty—not a single one was commendable. But the Emperor we follow is a woman. She is a miracle for this country, and she will also be the strongest, most outstanding Emperor. She will never fail anyone who follows her."

"All the Princes have been defeated by her. The entire court of civil and military officials has been purged. The great aristocratic families have all been dismantled."

"She is a golden dragon soaring through the nine heavens, bringing both bloody storms and vibrant new life. Others cannot even hope to touch her, yet you, to this day, still narrowly see her as just a woman."

"Grandfather, you are old. You should go home and live out your remaining years in peace."

Feng Yuan was led away. Wang Changwen stared blankly at the cell door, Feng Yin’s words echoing in his mind.

They were very inspiring, but he wasn’t inspired. He could only glean one thing from them: the Wang family was finished.

The Feng Family had given up more than half its fortune. Could the Wang family hope to hold on to theirs by giving nothing?

The Wang family’s wealth was gone, and its members had all been kicked out of the court. Most of the younger generation of the Wang family had relied on their ancestors’ influence to enter the court. When it came to true talent and learning, they certainly couldn’t compare to the Feng Family, or even to the many scholars from poor families who had studied tirelessly for years.

Now that they had been kicked out, it would be extremely difficult for them to re-enter officialdom by retaking the exams.

The Wang family... was likely headed for ruin.