The eunuch of the imperial guards immediately received the decree and announced it to the world.
The matter caused a sensation in all the prefectures and counties. The common people of the world all approved of such a practice, and the scholars were even more eager to try. The stagnant state of Dong Qin began to flourish and prosper in the spring of this year.
After the morning court, in the study, the Emperor's complexion eased a little, but he was still very cold.
Standing below was Lan Qinglun, the Minister of War, and Shangguan Lin. Both of their faces were equally solemn. The Xishan Skeleton Blood Bandits dared to directly provoke the royal family, which was truly detestable.
"Your Majesty, what do you say about this matter?"
Shangguan Yin reached out and gently rubbed his forehead, then slowly spoke.
"The Ministry of War will immediately dispatch troops to the Xishan Mausoleum. Together with the soldiers guarding the tomb, they will secretly boil salt water with aconite in large pots and pour it down the tomb. If the Xishan Blood Bandits are not operating underground, they will have no escape even if they have wings."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lan Qinglun bowed in acknowledgment and retreated. Shangguan Yin narrowed his peach blossom eyes, a chilling glint flashing through them as he looked at Shangguan Lin standing below, his gaze deep. "Does Imperial Brother know who the escaped Xishan Blood Bandit is?"
"Imperial Brother, could it be Wen Jia Nian?"
Shangguan Lin asked hesitantly, not entirely sure.
Shangguan Yin nodded calmly. "Go and investigate Wen Jia Nian's past cases. He has been in the court for many years, and it would be easy to find one or two wicked deeds. Arrest him and take him to the Ministry of Justice dungeon for secret interrogation. See if there are any accomplices within Dong Qin."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Lin's face turned cold. If Wen Jia Nian was indeed the Xishan Skeleton Blood Bandit, it would be too terrifying. Then, it was possible that there were people from other countries among them.
Who would have thought that this small tomb-robbing organization had enlisted so many people within the court? It was truly terrifying if they were not eliminated.
No wonder Imperial Brother wanted to abolish the selection system of Haishi Academy. These people were selected through these Haishi Academies. If they came through the provincial and metropolitan examinations, the opportunities for people with ulterior motives to infiltrate would be much fewer.
"Your subject will immediately attend to this."
Shangguan Yin nodded and waved his hand, signaling Shangguan Lin to withdraw. He then stood up and walked out.
Outside the study door, Fu Hai had just seen off the prince. Seeing the Emperor come out, he quickly led his men to bow. "Your Majesty."
"Return to Qingxiao Palace for a meal."
Fu Hai's face was like a black line. Didn't the Emperor just want to see the Empress? In the past, meals were eaten in the study, but now they were returning to Qingxiao Palace for a meal. However, he quickly acknowledged the order, "Yes, Your Majesty."
A group of people quickly headed towards Qingxiao Palace.
The hall was quiet. It seemed the Empress had not yet woken up. Shangguan Yin strode towards the sleeping quarters. Fu Hai ordered people to prepare breakfast.
Inside the sleeping quarters, Yun Xiao had just finished dressing and was sitting by the bed, lost in thought. As she looked up, she saw the Emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, walking in. She quickly raised her eyebrows and smiled.
"Why has Your Majesty returned?"
The maids Wanwan, Qiaoer, and two other palace maids beside her quickly curtsied. "Your servant greets Your Majesty."
"Rise."
Shangguan Yin waved his hand, signaling the maids to rise. He walked to Yun Xiao's bedside and sat down, naturally taking her hand and asking with concern, "Did you sleep well?"
Yun Xiao nodded. She glanced at the people in the sleeping quarters and waved, signaling them to withdraw. "All of you, leave."
"Yes, Empress."
The crowd withdrew, leaving only Shangguan Yin and Yun Xiao in the sleeping quarters. Yun Xiao spoke softly, "What happened? Your expression is so grim?"
She had noticed upon a glance that Shangguan Yin had something on his mind, which was why she had asked everyone in the sleeping quarters to withdraw.
"I've found that every time there's a matter in court, there's no one to use. Those ministers only nod and agree like obedient dogs. So, this year, I decided to implement the examination system. I didn't expect that as soon as this suggestion was made, those people would become energetic and disagree with my approach. It's truly absurd. Should I let them have their way?"
Shangguan Yin's peerless face was tinged with cold frost, his eyes fierce, and a captivating dignity curved his lips.
Yun Xiao reached out and pulled him, speaking softly, "Don't rush. Although Dong Qin appears prosperous and powerful on the surface, it actually has many flaws. If you rush, you will harm yourself and achieve nothing. Haste makes waste. Take your time, and I will help you."
Listening to her gentle voice, like a gentle breeze, Shangguan Yin's irritable and violent heart settled down a lot. With his mind settled, he remembered that neither of them had eaten breakfast yet, so he quickly commanded outside the door, "Serve the meal."
Fu Hai was already waiting outside with the palace maids. Upon hearing the command, he quickly led a line of people in.
No one dared to speak much, only carefully and quietly placing the pastries and dishes on the white porcelain plates onto the table in the sleeping quarters. Then, Fu Hai waved, and they all retreated, leaving only two maids to serve the dishes.
However, Yun Xiao glanced at them and said softly, "From now on, let Wanwan and Qiaoer handle these matters."
"Yes, Empress."
Fu Hai quickly responded and then instructed those palace maids to leave and asked Wanwan and Qiaoer to come in to serve the dishes.
Wanwan's expression remained unchanged, calm and collected. However, Qiaoer didn't know where to put her hands or feet, her face was even paler, and beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead. Yun Xiao found it both amusing and exasperating. This girl was too timid.
"Qiaoer, it's alright, don't worry."
As she spoke, Qiaoer felt a little better, but she was still very afraid of the Emperor, and she kept her head bowed from beginning to end.
Shangguan Yin completely ignored the two girls, only focusing on eating and then taking care of Yun Xiao. The two of them chatted and laughed, looking very harmonious and intimate.
After breakfast, Shangguan Yin had to go to the study to handle affairs. He instructed Yun Xiao that if she felt bored here, she should go to the study to find him. Yun Xiao nodded. After the Emperor left, she called for Liuxing and Zhuiyue and others to come in.
"Liuxing, please go back to Yun Wangfu and check on my brother's injuries."
"Alright." Liuxing received the order and left to carry it out.
"Zhuiyue, from today onwards, you do not need to stay by my side. If there is anything, pay attention to the movements within Yanjing City and report to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zhuiyue also withdrew. Yun Xiao stood up and stretched. She only needed Zhuifeng and Jingyun by her side.
"Your Highness, shall we accompany you for a stroll in the imperial garden?"
Wanwan suggested. Yun Xiao pursed her lips and smiled. She was not interested in the imperial garden, but she was interested in another place. She wondered how Murong Yingxue was doing and whether she had truly reflected on her actions.
"Let's go and see Wanhua Palace."
As soon as Yun Xiao spoke, Wanwan became displeased and pouted, "Your Highness, why bother with that wicked woman? She always finds trouble for Your Highness. I heard from other palace maids that even though that woman can no longer walk, her temper is terrifyingly bad."
Wanwan did not know the specific details, nor did she know that Murong Yingxue's inability to walk was related to her mistress. Therefore, she was a thousand times unwilling to go see Murong Yingxue.