In early November, the weather turned cooler.

The flowers that had once flourished in the Imperial Garden had withered, and the lake water was icy.

After Wen Yuesheng ascended the throne, Zhou Man Niang instructed her subordinates to place some fish in the lake for breeding.

During her leisure time, Wen Yuesheng would come here to pay respects to Buddha and feed the fish, which was somewhat calming.

However, today, the Imperial Garden was not as peaceful as usual.

Wen Yuesheng held fish food in her hand, her eyes gently lowered. The food slipped through her fingers, falling into the lake, attracting a swarm of fish to compete for it.

She had a serene side profile, her brows and eyes cold and indifferent, and from a distance, she looked like a painting.

Standing beside her, Yuan An Bo observed her, his eyes flickering as his gaze repeatedly fell on her face. Then he spoke:

“…This time, reopening the imperial exams is a major matter for the court. After the new year, there will first be the provincial exams, followed by the imperial exams. The Ministry of Rites is overwhelmed with work.”

“But under these circumstances, Qi Fang has been frequently meeting privately with the heads of several academies in the capital. He hosts banquets in the largest taverns, and every time, there are always students from those academies accompanying him.”

Yuan An Bo paused for a moment, then sneered, “The emperor is unaware, but the capital is now abuzz with the saying, ‘Whether one can pass the imperial exams next year depends entirely on whether Qi Fang is pleased.’”

“The emperor reopened the imperial exams to benefit the people, yet now such petty individuals are taking advantage of the situation.” He noticed that Wen Yuesheng did not respond, her face expressionless, making it hard to gauge her emotions from her expression alone.

Since Wen Yuesheng’s ascension, many new policies had been implemented, most affecting noble families like Yuan An Bo’s, who had no practical abilities but relied on their titles to survive.

The reduction of expenses had already caused considerable distress among these nobles, and it was rumored that the court intended to revoke titles.

Any noble whose family had not entered the government through the imperial exams or made contributions within three generations would lose their titles.

Upon hearing of this, these old aristocrats naturally became uneasy.

Since the new regulations were issued earlier in the month, these aristocrats had resorted to various means to retain their titles.

Some sought out relatives who could pass the imperial exams and become successful candidates, while others attempted to use connections within the Ministry of Personnel to gain an advantage.

Some even absurdly considered sending their handsome sons into the harem, hoping to secure favor with the emperor and ensure their family’s prosperity for generations.

These ridiculous actions had kept the Imperial Supervisory Court busy, and just recently, seven nobles were impeached for similar matters.

The most absurd case was that of Pingjiang Bo. At the age of 35, he tried to adopt a nearly 50-year-old scholar from a collateral branch of his family in an attempt to retain his title.

When this became public, it sparked endless ridicule across the capital.

Yesterday, Yuan An Bo had overheard people mocking Pingjiang Bo in a teahouse.

They said: “In all my years, it’s the first time I’ve seen a 35-year-old noble lord with a nearly 50-year-old son.”

“Indeed, such ridiculous things! It’s hard to believe they could come up with this.”

Pingjiang Bo’s title was revoked after the impeachment.

When this happened, many other nobles who had similar plans were greatly alarmed.

Yuan An Bo was one of them.

However, his thoughts were not on adopting someone, but on plotting for power.

Unlike the other nobles, Yuan An Bo had a somewhat elevated position due to his father’s influence, and he was given a small position in the Ministry of Rites under the late emperor.

While his position was not very high, it allowed him to be considered a high-ranking official in the court.

But now, if he wanted to retain his title, he knew that simply relying on his position in the Ministry of Rites would not be enough.

Most important positions in the Ministry had already been filled, and in order to rise, he would have to push others out.

Among the main officials, several were veteran ministers who had been in power for years. After thinking it over, Yuan An Bo figured the best target was Qi Fang.

Qi Fang had the lowest background and the shallowest foundation among all the officials.

Although Yuan An Bo knew that Qi Fang had once joined other court officials in petitioning for the empress dowager’s title during the late emperor’s indecision, Qi Fang’s position at the time was not significant.

Later, with the recommendation of Wang Jin Zhi, a cabinet scholar, Qi Fang moved from the Hanlin Academy to the Ministry of Rites.

Yuan An Bo dared not offend Wang Jin Zhi, but compared to other officials, Qi Fang was the easiest to handle.

Reluctantly, he decided to target Qi Fang.

To his surprise, he actually found something.

“Your Majesty may not know,” Yuan An Bo said as he followed Wen Yue Sheng, speaking in a lowered voice. “For someone like Qi Fang, who suddenly rose to power, it is hard for him to resist the temptation to accumulate wealth.”

“From what I know, in just this past month alone, Qi Fang’s household has received hundreds of gifts, both large and small.”

“The reopening of the imperial exams is a major matter. If someone like Qi Fang, with ulterior motives, were to spoil the process, it would be a disaster.”

Wen Yuesheng reached the lakeside pavilion, where Gu Yu handed her a damp silk handkerchief. She wiped her hands and then spoke calmly, “Who do you think should take Qi Fang’s position?”

Yuan An Bo froze for a moment, unable to respond immediately. As he raised his eyes, he met her cold, emotionless gaze. “You, perhaps?”

Under her gaze, Yuan An Bo’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately kneeled and said, “Your Majesty, I have no such intentions.”

“I only feel that someone like Qi Fang will only tarnish the reputation of the Ministry of Rites. I want to help the emperor and clean up the court!”

Wen Yue Sheng’s voice was calm. “When did you work for the Imperial Supervisory Court?”

Yuan An Bo broke out in a cold sweat.

Supervising the officials was the job of the Imperial Supervisory Court, and it wasn’t his place to interfere.

He could only say, “There is clear evidence of Qi Fang’s dealings with many academy heads and students. I thought I was serving the emperor and the court, with no intention of overstepping my bounds. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

Since Wen Yuesheng ascended the throne, many nobles had been dissatisfied with a female emperor.

In Yuan An Bo’s eyes, as long as he was willing to serve her, she should give him an opportunity.

Having just ascended the throne three months ago, Wen Yue Sheng’s thinking was still fresh and direct, unlike the prior emperor’s ways. Yuan An Bo, however, was still stuck in the old ways, thinking that loyalty alone would guarantee him a prominent role.

“Is that so?” Wen Yue Sheng’s voice was cold. “Was it not you who spread rumors that one could enter the court by following Qi Fang’s path?”

Yuan An Bo’s expression changed drastically. Before he could refute, Wen Yue Sheng continued, “You’ve been taking large sums of money from the nobles, framing court officials, and promising to help them retain their titles.”

“Yuan An Bo, you have quite the audacity.”

As soon as she spoke, Yuan An Bo’s legs gave way, and he fell to his knees in front of her. “Your Majesty, this is all a false accusation!”

Wen Yuesheng stood up, her eyes cold. “If it’s a false accusation, then you should clear your name.”

“Take Yuan An Bo to the Ministry of Justice.”

In the court, there were three judicial departments: the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Shuntian Prefecture. For cases involving officials, it was typically handled by the Supreme Court.

But this time was different. Wen Yuesheng spoke directly, sending Yuan An Bo to the Ministry of Justice.

Before he could react, Wen Yuesheng said coldly, “Let Qi Fang handle it personally.”

Yuan An Bo’s face turned pale. Before he could understand what was happening, he was dragged away.

After Yuan An Bo was taken, Qi Fang, who had been quietly standing in the Imperial Garden since the beginning, stepped forward. He bowed and said, “This humble official thanks the emperor for the grace.”

This entire sequence of events, from Yuan An Bo’s deliberate attempt to frame Qi Fang to his eventual actions, had all been anticipated by Qi Fang.

He had already collected evidence and informed Wen Yue Sheng before Yuan An Bo could act.

Yuan An Bo, in his attempts to bring down Qi Fang, had failed to notice that the evidence placed on the pavilion table before Wen Yuesheng was provided by Qi Fang himself.

Qi Fang’s handwriting was as elegant as his demeanor—smooth, clear, and meticulous. He had written a detailed account of Yuan An Bo’s actions, line by line.

Wen Yuesheng responded lightly and then said, “From today onward, go serve in the Ministry of Justice.”

“Your Majesty’s orders,” Qi Fang replied, his dark eyes hiding his emotions.

From the start, Wen Yuesheng had planned for him to work in the Ministry of Justice.

The reason he spent three months in the Ministry of Rites was due to a new policy set to be implemented.

After this year’s imperial exams, a decree would be issued.

Starting next year, women would be able to attend school normally.

Not the traditional women’s academies for learning the arts, but schools that focused on imperial exams, just like those for men.

In other words, after the next three years, women could participate in the imperial exams.

After four years, they would be able to serve in the court, join the military, and hold office.

This would be the first time in the history of the Great Hui Dynasty.

Not many knew about this decree, as it had not been issued yet.

Qi Fang was tasked with meeting with several academy heads and ironing out the details.

As for him personally, he would directly enter the Ministry of Justice as an official, wielding real power.

When this decree was finally issued, it would undoubtedly shock many.

Since Qi Fang first entered the court, or perhaps from the moment he appeared in public, he had been known for exposing the corruption in the imperial exams.

At that time, everyone saw him as a weak scholar.

He came from a poor family, had a straightforward character, and was overly rigid.

In many people’s minds, Qi Fang’s best chance was to work in the Ministry of Rites, then advance to the Imperial Supervisory Court. If he gained the new emperor’s favor, he might rise quickly.

Even Qi Fang himself had thought the same.

He was a scholar, and for scholars, the ultimate goal was to enter the inner cabinet.

When Wen Yuesheng summoned him and informed him that he would be entering the Ministry of Punishments for training, Qi Fang was also astonished.

The Ministry of Punishments administers penalties, and just hearing those two words seemed to have nothing to do with him.

However, when he returned home that evening, he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep for a long time.

Qi Fang, although talented, had spent most of his time in intense study. He hadn’t been in the court for long and was still too inexperienced in terms of being an official.

Thus, he had never considered the possibility of taking a different path.

But when he actually encountered punishment and the Da Hui laws, he felt an unprecedented sense of adaptation.

Even before entering the Ministry, he had already cleared his own unjust accusations.

This position was more suited to him than he had imagined.

He couldn’t help but glance up at Wen Yuesheng.

Under the autumn wind, the Empress wore thin clothing, only a dark-colored dress, standing alone in the chilly breeze.

He paused for a moment, his eyes flickering. Just as he was about to turn and call a female official to bring more clothes for Wen Yuesheng, he looked up to see Yan Ling walking slowly into the Imperial Garden.

This Lord Yan, just a few days ago, had been ordered not to enter the palace, yet now he appeared here again.

What was unusual, however, was that…