Le Jianghu de Feng Qingcheng et Mo Xibei

Chapitre 69

"That's what I thought too," Ying replied, shaking her head. "But if you saw how that family treated Xiaojie, you could be sure they wouldn't abandon their daughter." Ying looked up at the Emperor's expression, making sure it was normal, before continuing:

"Besides, daughters like the Empress, who are born with disabilities, are treasured like precious gems. How could they possibly abandon a peerless talent like Xiao Jie?"

Xuanyuan lowered his eyes and thought about it, and he also felt that Ying's words made sense. Leng Xiang's doting on the idiot was well-known.

He himself didn't realize that he, who used to get agitated and angry at the mere mention of "idiot," had somehow become able to calmly analyze and consider the issue of "idiot."

Just as Zi Ying and Xuan Yuan were both speculating about the relationship between Leng Jie and the Leng family, Leng Jie entered from outside carrying a pot of steaming porridge. Seeing Zi Ying there, she greeted her with a smile:

"Brother Ying is here too! Perfect timing, come and try my cooking. This vegetable and chicken broth porridge is my secret recipe! Even the chefs in the imperial kitchen couldn't make it taste like this!"

"Is there some for me? That's great! I haven't had breakfast yet!" Zi Ying asked Leng Jie, but her eyes were fixed on Xuan Yuan. Unsurprisingly, she immediately felt threatened by Xuan Yuan's gaze. Therefore, before Leng Jie could answer, she quickly changed her words:

"But I have important business to attend to right now. Xiaojie, could you save me a bowl so I can try it when I get back?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Leng Jie had already noticed the exchange of glances between the two of them. She put down the pot and pan, ladled a bowl of food, and handed it to Zi Ying, smiling as she said:

"Of all things under heaven, food is the most important. How can one accomplish anything on an empty stomach?" Saying this, he turned to Xuanyuan and asked, "Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"

“That makes sense! Ying, just listen to Xiao Jie and finish eating before you go!” Xuan Yuan immediately pretended to be weak and listless, replying against his will.

Zi Ying stared wide-eyed at the Emperor once more. At the same time, he silently mourned for the Emperor; it seemed the Emperor was truly poisoned by love, just like he had been years ago. He thought that for the sake of their years of relationship—ostensibly that of ruler and subject, but in reality, teacher and student—he should help him win Xiao Jie's heart.

"Thank you very much, Xiaojie." Ziying took the chicken porridge, thanked Xiaojie, and then disappeared from Longteng Palace in a flash.

"This guy is really something. I gave him porridge, but he ate the bowl too." Leng Jie shook her head and muttered to herself as she brought Xuan Yuan a bowl of porridge to him.

Xuanyuan lay half-reclined on the pillow, which was piled high with fatigue, his eyes blankly fixed on Leng Jie's. He didn't look at the porridge in her hand, nor did he make any attempt to reach for it.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Seeing that Xuan Yuan didn't take it, Leng Jie's face fell, and she asked in a deep voice. This porridge had taken her an hour and a half to cook. In her master's words, its aroma could be smelled from ten miles away. He actually didn't give her any face? So what if he's the emperor? Leng Jie withdrew her hand and was about to take the bowl away.

"How am I supposed to eat this if you keep taking it further and further away?" Xuanyuan asked in a weak voice.

"Uh!" Leng Jie looked at Xuan Yuan in astonishment and asked in surprise:

"You don't want me to feed you, do you?"

"I've suffered internal injuries and have no strength left. If you're unwilling, you can wait until Eunuch Fu brings the memorial before coming to help!" Xuanyuan said intermittently.

Leng Jie couldn't help but roll her eyes at the porridge. Then, quite bluntly, she exposed it:

"Please! What are you doing, a grown man acting like a bear! Besides, if word gets out that you, the emperor, are behaving like this, it'll be a laughing stock! Even if your internal injuries haven't healed, it shouldn't affect your hands!"

Alas! He still couldn't escape her eyes. Xuanyuan sighed in frustration.

Seeing his expression, Leng Jie mistakenly thought he was determined to keep up the bear-like act to the very end. Originally intending to save him some face, she immediately launched into a tirade against him:

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. I'm not as soft-hearted as Senior Brother Qingfeng, who let you keep me here for three years with just a few tricks. Let me tell you, you can't stop me like this if I want to leave. So, don't do such childish things next time. Besides, the self-inflicted injury trick is only suitable for the weak, and you are the ruler of a country. It's beneath your dignity to use this trick on anyone!"

"There are no good or bad plans, only good plans that are suitable and applicable. You wrote that in a letter you gave me three years ago." Caught red-handed, Xuanyuan stood up, took the porridge from Leng Jie's hand, and said with a nonchalant smile. He showed no trace of his sickly demeanor, nor the embarrassment of having his lie exposed. Seeing Leng Jie staring at him silently, Xuanyuan asked with a half-smile:

"How about it? This tactic of using one's own spear to attack one's own shield is befitting of my status, isn't it?"

Leng Jie remained silent. She finally understood the true meaning of the classic saying, "Teach your apprentice, and you'll starve yourself!" However, after calming down last night, she had already examined her uncontrollable emotions. Therefore, she was now constantly controlling her emotions when facing Xuan Yuan.

"Alright, have some porridge! After you're done, go do your business." With that, Leng Jie turned around and served herself a bowl of porridge. She ate it with relish.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, eating the delicious chicken porridge that Xiaojie had made with her own hands, Xuanyuan suddenly realized that happiness was so simple. He really wanted to freeze time at this moment.

Seeing that Xuanyuan had exaggeratedly licked the bowl clean, Leng Jie couldn't help but laugh and said:

"There's still more than half a pot of porridge over there! Don't swallow the bowl."

She then served him another bowl. She asked again:

"By the way, you asked me last night what my sworn brother really meant?" Seeing Xuan Yuan pause for a moment, Leng Jie explained:

"It's not that I doubt your intentions, it's just that we got carried away with the conversation. I just said it offhand. Of course, I believe you wouldn't do such a thing."

After hearing the explanation, Xuanyuan immediately understood. He quickly finished the porridge in his bowl before replying seriously:

"You know that the court urgently needs a group of insightful and capable pillars of society. I only thought his son must be quite good at educating the younger generation because you mentioned how well he educates them!"

“Of course! How could a tiger father produce a dog son? But my brother said he doesn’t want to become an official. So don’t even think about it,” Leng Jie replied crisply.

Just kidding! Yang Tian and Xing Yue are now the backbone of the Dark Division. How could Leng Jie let him steal her man?! Without Yang Tian's genius mind, like a computer, managing the astronomical accounts of the Dark Division and providing her with timely and accurate financial data and information, handling all kinds of emergencies for her, how could she have developed the Dark Division to its current state in just a few years and kept everything firmly in her grasp?

Three years ago, after discovering Yang Tian's exceptional sensitivity to numbers and ledgers at the Leng residence, she brought him into the Dark Division and handed him over to Xingyue. Xingyue then mentored him specifically in auditing and managing accounts. Of course, she didn't dare tell him at the time that the accounts he was auditing every day were those of the Dark Division, which she vehemently disliked. Back then, Leng Jie told him that those properties were all her younger sister Leng Jie's ancestral property. She had to use tears and snot to trick him into leaving the mountain to help.

Until two years ago, he and Xingyue developed feelings for each other. When it came time to discuss marriage, Leng Jie finally made Xingyue tell him everything. He was so angry he almost confronted Leng Jie. Fortunately, Xingyue's charm was strong enough to keep him completely under her control. Now, the young couple works together with unlimited potential. How could Leng Jie possibly let him go? Unless she's lost her mind.

"Can Xiaojie make the decision for him? You haven't seen him for three years, have you? How can you be sure he hasn't changed his mind?" Xuanyuan asked three questions in a row.

Of course, she could make the decision for him. However, she wouldn't be foolish enough to say it aloud. The reason she was so eager to probe Xuanyuan's intentions was that she was afraid he might suddenly issue an imperial edict, appointing Yangtian to some high-ranking official position. It would be even more difficult to get him to retract his decision then. Therefore, she directly identified the problem and resolved it for him first.

Leng Jie looked at Xuan Yuan and said with certainty:

"Let's put aside whether my brother has changed his mind or not. Let's talk about why you want to appoint him. There are more than just one or two officials missing in the court right now, right? And you don't dare to use those recommended by the ministers themselves, do you? I have a solution that will solve your immediate problem once and for all, and will also allow Jinghe to reach a new historical level."

Leng Jie easily changed the subject.

Xuanyuan had been troubled by this matter. Over the past three years, he had consolidated power in his own hands. The officials he had dismissed in court were all replaced by people recommended by his confidants. However, he dared not entrust them with important responsibilities. He truly had no one left to use. The vacancies left by the corrupt officials investigated by Leng Jie outside were ones he couldn't fill. But he couldn't possibly do everything himself. Even if he had three heads and six arms, he couldn't manage it all.

Therefore, upon hearing that Leng Jie had a good idea, his eyes immediately lit up, and he looked at her intently, excitedly confirming:

"Really? Xiaojie has a good idea?"

Leng Jie nodded affirmatively and replied:

"Yes! My solution is to break the current recommendation system for appointing officials and replace it with the imperial examination system. Talented individuals will be selected from the entire population through examinations at all levels. Regardless of social status, anyone with virtue and talent can become an official."

Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan was immediately drawn to the austere imperial examination system. He eagerly pressed for an answer:

What was the imperial examination system? How was it implemented?

Leng Jie explained to him earnestly: "The imperial examination system is a system for selecting officials based on the principles of free application by citizens, open examination by the government, equal competition, and selection of the best. The imperial examination is divided into four levels: the prefectural examination (also known as the preliminary examination), the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination. The content of the examinations varies depending on the circumstances and becomes more in-depth at each level... The final palace examination is conducted by the emperor in the palace on the spot."

Leng Jie explained the entire process of the imperial examination to Xuanyuan in one go. Xuanyuan listened attentively, nodding frequently, and once again looked at Leng Jie with a probing gaze for a long time. Finally, he couldn't help but ask:

"Xiaojie, can you tell me where you learned all this detailed knowledge about governing a country? Judging from how smoothly you described the whole process just now, this system seems to have developed quite perfectly, hasn't it?"

The implication is that this couldn't possibly have been something you created.

Since Leng Jie had already brought it up, she had obviously already thought of a solution. She replied without batting an eye:

"You're right. The imperial examination system provided a level playing field, opportunities, and conditions for the vast majority of small and medium-sized landowners and ordinary people to enter officialdom and ascend to the political stage. Therefore, the imperial examination system will become the most innovative and egalitarian system for selecting officials in world history. And the great founder of this system was not on this continent. He came from a place called China."

I learned it from all those strange books in Master's room. And those military strategies and tactics that he silently gave you before, they all came from that book. But because I was secretly reading Master's books, my senior brother didn't know. Now that I'm telling you, you have to keep it a secret! Otherwise, if Master finds out I've been reading his forbidden books, he'll definitely make things difficult for me.”

Although Xuanyuan was unaware that the Old Man of Worry possessed divine abilities, judging from Qingfeng and Xiaojie's skills, he naturally had no doubt that the Old Man might have such a book. Therefore, he assured him:

"Don't worry, only you and I know about this."

"That's good! But do you think this selection system is effective? Should we try it out? If you want to try it, I can help you write a detailed plan," Leng Jie asked enthusiastically. She then listed the potential difficulties:

"However, this reform will directly affect the sons of officials and nobles who have always enjoyed privileged conditions. Therefore, officials and nobles, represented by ministers, will inevitably come out to obstruct it. So you must be prepared and have measures to fight against them."

Xuanyuan replied solemnly, "It's not a trial, it's a necessity. I'll trouble Xiaojie to write out the detailed operating procedures as soon as possible. I'll immediately arrange for people to prepare for the affairs of the court. As for those ministers, you don't need to worry. The court is not what it was three years ago. I have plenty of ways to make them swallow their pride."

Leng Jie was very satisfied with Xuan Yuan's current performance. This was the kind of king he could trust. And as his subject, she was willing to offer him advice and strategies to make this shared world a better place!

Back in Wuyou Valley, her master told her that no one in this world could truly remain untouched by worldly affairs. Even someone as otherworldly as him was no exception. Therefore, her existence in this world could only lead to two outcomes: either the world changed her, or she changed the world. From that moment on, Leng Jie chose the second outcome. She would change the world!

"Okay! I'll go back and write now!" Leng Jie said, getting up to start clearing the dishes from the table.

Little did he know this was a good habit she had cultivated since childhood. To Xuanyuan, it was truly heartbreaking. He stood up, snatched the things from her hands, and called out towards the door:

"Someone come here!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! What are your orders?" A young eunuch rushed in immediately, asking tremblingly.

"Clean this place up," Xuanyuan instructed, pointing to the remnants on the table.

"Yes!" The little eunuch immediately began to act.

"Xiao Jie, don't do things like that again," Xuan Yuan said seriously to Leng Jie.

"My God! This is the generation gap." Leng Jie said, both amused and exasperated.

“Those are our own bowls and chopsticks, it’s just a small thing. Do you have to be so serious? It’s like I did something wicked. To be honest, even if it wasn’t my own bowl, you wouldn’t expect me to clear it for you.”

After Leng Jie pointed it out, Xuan Yuan realized he had overreacted. However, still wanting to save face, he said:

"I'm just worried about you getting tired."

"Don't you know that cooking porridge is much more tiring than this? Why didn't you tell me to stop earlier?" Leng Jie retorted rudely.

"Xiao Jie, you can write here! That way we can write and discuss together," Xuan Yuan immediately changed the subject.

Anyway, it doesn't matter where it's written, and besides, Xuanyuan is right. Although she remembered the relevant systems of the imperial examinations, moving them to Jinghe would require appropriate changes based on Jinghe's current situation. This would make their discussions easier. So, unusually, she didn't disagree with Xuanyuan and readily nodded in agreement.

Xuanyuan immediately pulled her to the small study next door. Then he personally ground the ink and laid out the paper for her.

Leng Jie accepted the brush he offered without ceremony. With fluid strokes, she wrote down her knowledge of the imperial examination system on the pristine white rice paper. As she wrote, she discussed with Xuan Yuan areas for reform. The two worked together seamlessly.

Chapter 103 A Shocking Experiment

Emperor Xuanyuan issued an imperial edict appointing Leng Xiang as Grand Tutor, entrusting him with the education of the eldest prince, Xuanyuan Chengyi. When Lin Yin'er received the news, the eldest prince was already on his way to Qizhou. She immediately broke down in tears, begging the Emperor to rescind the edict. However, the response she received was that the Emperor was seriously ill and refused to see anyone. In the end, she had no choice but to reluctantly return to her Yiyin Palace.

Undeniably, Xuanyuan's ruthless move accelerated the entire affair. Lin Yin'er, whose son had been sent away, was losing her composure. After returning to Yiyin Palace, she secretly sneaked into the Emperor's study that very night, searching high and low. Ultimately, she returned empty-handed.

The next day, following Xuanyuan's instructions, Ying placed a modified military deployment map of the area bordering Xiping together with some normally locked classified documents, deliberately replacing the lock with one that was easier to open. She then placed it in the most inconspicuous yet easily accessible spot, awaiting her second visit.

Sure enough, she sneaked into the imperial study again the following evening. She quickly found the locked box and expertly pried it open. When she saw the military defense map, her eyebrows arched in delight. She happily tucked it into her bosom. Then she leaped over the wall and left the palace, heading straight for the inn of the Xiping envoy outside the palace. Little did she know, her every move was being watched by those behind her.

For the past few days, Xuanyuan has been feigning illness and skipping morning court sessions. All the memorials have been collected and processed by Eunuch Fu, who then takes them back to reply the following day. He keeps Leng Jie in the Longteng Palace all day. Except for sleeping, the two are almost always together. They discuss the imperial examination reforms, review memorials, and discuss court affairs. They eat together, drink tea together, and when they're tired, they stroll and chat in the garden.

From a distance, they look like a sweet young couple. However, once you hear them discussing topics that have nothing to do with romance or poetry, but are instead filled with dry and tedious political discussions, you'll definitely change your mind.

After their passionate kiss, Leng Jie kept insisting to herself that it was just her body acting up. She vehemently denied her feelings. Therefore, when she was with Xuan Yuan, she tried her best to avoid close contact with him. She took the concept of propriety between men and women to the extreme.

Nevertheless, being able to spend every day with his beloved brought Xuanyuan an unprecedented happiness and fulfillment. However, happiness is always fleeting. Only three days passed before he could no longer feign his illness.

After Lin Yin'er stole the military defense map and gave it to the Xiping envoy, the envoy subsequently submitted a trade agreement between the two countries. The agreement was fundamentally unequal; not a single clause was acceptable to Jinghe. Therefore, without further discussion, Jinghe's ministers simply returned the agreement. Upon receiving the returned agreement, the Xiping envoy showed no intention of amending it. Instead, he directly requested to return home. At this point, the Xiping envoy's true purpose became clear.

With a major battle imminent, Xuanyuan dared not indulge in romantic sentiments any longer. He had no choice but to return to his court and study, to strategize and prepare for the upcoming challenges from the Western Ping Kingdom and the Crown Prince.

After Leng Jie prepared the plan for reforming the imperial examination system for Xuan Yuan, thus saving her beloved elder brother, she originally intended to leave the palace immediately. However, Xuan Yuan insisted that she wait until the reform was passed and implemented before allowing her to leave. Therefore, she took a few days off to relax and unwind at Qingfeng Residence.

In fact, is Leng Jie really able to stay idle? Without a doubt, the answer is definitely NO.

She discovered that in Jinghe, when it came to poison-making and medicine-making, nowhere else could compare to Qingfeng Pharmacy in terms of facilities and materials. Therefore, she wanted to take this opportunity to gather more necessary weapons and equipment for herself. Of course, she also wanted to make necessary preparations for the inevitable war that was about to break out. She firmly believed that victory always favored the prepared, and therefore Leng Jie never fought a battle unprepared.

Leng Jie entered Qingfeng Pharmacy early in the morning. She stayed inside and tinkered with things all day.