Du Gu Luan Yue's fragrant shoulders were half - hidden. She was wrapped in a light purple sheer veil. Several chains twined with red gemstones hung from her snow - white and plump chest, shining brightly and making crisp sounds.
As the chains swayed, the alluring scenery of her chest was fully revealed.
She sauntered over lazily. Her outer robe casually slipped to the ground, and her inner shirt hung askew on her shoulder. Her fair and delicate feet, painted with red nail polish, stepped sensuously on the cashmere carpet.
She raised her eyes slightly, and Su Rou led the others away.
Du Gu Luan Yue leaned her enchanting body against Mu Rong Min and said with a smile,
"Your Majesty, I'm thinking about you. Recently in the harem, I've heard about the spring imperial examination.
Your Majesty has been busy getting cozy with Su Rou and the others these days. You were even late for the court session yesterday. Why have some of your officials suddenly stopped causing trouble and giving advice?"
Mu Rong Min hugged her and sat her on his lap. After all, Du Gu Luan Yue was extremely beautiful. Su Rou and the others were no match for her.
Especially recently, he found the queen to be extremely considerate. She had even sent Su Rou and her group to relieve his stress.
Gradually, Mu Rong Min felt that the queen understood his mind very well, so he was more inclined to listen to what she said.
His eyes narrowed. "Indeed. Those censors have been extremely quiet recently."
Du Gu Luan Yue said, "I don't understand state affairs. I'm just a woman. I've heard the concubines in the harem discussing about which family members they want to send into the court as officials.
Your Majesty, there are many nobles in the Northern Yan. Is your court a court of the nobles or your own court?"
Mu Rong Min's eyes turned cold, and the fine lines at the corners of his eyes deepened.
"These sycophantic officials always try to stuff people into the court during every imperial examination. Not once has the chief examiner's hands been clean."
Du Gu Luan Yue leaned her head on Mu Rong Min's chest and said softly,
"I'm so angry. I feel aggrieved for Your Majesty too.
How about this? Let that idle Huo Wei go.
Huo Wei is not a noble. He has no connections with other powerful families. He is a military general who came back from the west. He has a cold and straightforward personality and is not close to these nobles.
If Your Majesty appoints him as the chief examiner, he will surely be the most just and will be able to select the most talented people for Your Majesty.
If someone has to offend people, it should be Huo Wei. Your Majesty won't be in a difficult position then."
Mu Rong Min lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. "Huo Wei is indeed the most suitable candidate. Queen, you're actually quite smart, yet you always say you don't understand state affairs."
Du Gu Luan Yue giggled in his arms.
"I've been by Your Majesty's side for a long time, so I can understand a bit. But I have my own selfish motives. I just want to find something for Huo Wei to do. I don't want to see him annoying me."
Mu Rong Min knew that it was because he had sent Huo Wei to monitor her, and she was unhappy. That's why she wanted to make Huo Wei the chief examiner and let him offend more nobles of the Northern Yan.
However, Du Gu Luan Yue's suggestion was right. The court of the Northern Yan was not a court for noble children, but his own court. How could there be no new blood flowing in?
Mu Rong Min kissed her earlobe, pinched her soft waist, and said with a smile, "You just love to act coquettishly."
Seeing Du Gu Luan Yue's charming and delicate appearance in his arms, her red lips looked especially enchanting today.
The emperor's throat rolled slightly. His indecent thoughts during the day came up, and he pressed her down on the couch again.
Du Gu Luan Yue said nervously, "Your Majesty, wait a moment."
Mu Rong Min frowned. "What's wrong again?"
She smiled. "I've asked my aunt to bring the 'Tong Shi'. It's a rule in the palace."
Du Gu Luan Yue planned that after she got up and went out, she would immediately let Su Rou and the others come in. She didn't even have time to put on her jade hairpin before appearing beside Mu Rong Min.
Mu Rong Min didn't want his mood to be disturbed. "It doesn't matter. Just this once. There's no need to record it."
Du Gu Luan Yue became nervous again. Why did Mu Rong Min always like to do such things during the day? She hadn't even finished reading the memorials, and he started in the side hall. She was really annoyed with this man.
Aunt Mei Jiang heard the noise inside and quickly took out the 'Tong Shi' from the box on the phoenix carriage and gave it to the little eunuch in charge of the record.
She said to the little eunuch, "Tell Your Majesty outside the hall that you're already recording. Speak louder!"
The little eunuch shouted stupidly, "Your Majesty, the 'Tong Shi' has arrived. Your servant will wait outside. Please let your servant know when you're done."
Inside the hall, Mu Rong Min stopped in his tracks and said impatiently, "Get out of here! Why is there someone guarding everywhere!"
Du Gu Luan Yue took the opportunity to get up and pour a cup of cold tea for him from the table. "Your Majesty, don't be angry. These are all rules in the palace. Have some tea to calm down. I'll let Su Rou and the others come in. Didn't they not finish the dance just now?"
After drinking the cold tea, Mu Rong Min's mood was completely disturbed. He said calmly, "No need."
Du Gu Luan Yue began to remind him,
"Your Majesty, you might as well summon Huo Wei to the Zichen Palace. Let's take care of the important matters first.
As for your other interests, Your Majesty can come at night." She smiled coyly, and Mu Rong Min understood.
When Huo Wei received the news, he was in the imperial guards. He wasn't completely idle.
It's just that for a military genius like him, the imperial guards were nothing. They were well - trained without him having to inquire about them every day.
On the way, he asked Father Ying Xi a few questions. Father Ying Xi simply told him about the spring imperial examination.
Huo Wei raised his long eyebrows slightly. Did Du Gu Luan Yue really manage to do it?
She was somewhat capable. She had even managed to replace the chief examiner of the spring imperial examination.
He strode into the Zichen Palace and found a little eunuch kneeling outside the side hall of the Zichen Palace, holding the 'Tong Shi'.
Huo Wei's dark and deep eyes turned completely gloomy.
The door of the hall opened. Only Mu Rong Min was sitting on the seat. His languid appearance showed that he was weak. As a man, Huo Wei could tell at a glance what had just happened.
Huo Wei scanned the surroundings and didn't see that person. Could it be that it wasn't Du Gu Luan Yue who was serving the emperor?
Just as his depression was fading, he noticed a purple silk robe embroidered with a golden phoenix pattern and a pair of jade shoes on the carpet. His eyebrows suddenly frowned, and he tightened his jaw. His outline became sharp for a moment.
In the whole Northern Yan, only the empress dowager and the queen were allowed to use the long dress embroidered with phoenixes.
Mu Rong Min said, "Prince Yuzhang, since you've been idle recently, I plan to give you some training.
I'll leave the matter of the spring imperial examination entirely to you. Remember, you must be fair and just and select the pillars of the country for the Northern Yan."
Huo Wei came back to his senses. "Your subject will surely follow your imperial order and live up to your expectations."
The hand behind his back was already clenched into a fist. His cold and sharp black eyes were half - lowered, hiding glints of cold light.
Father Ying Xi suddenly entered the hall. "Your Majesty, something bad has happened! Concubine Zhao's chest pain has flared up again. She wants you to go and see her for the last time!"
Mu Rong Min shook his head. "This old trick again. Fine, I'll go and take a look."
Without waiting any longer, the emperor got up and left the Zichen Palace. As he was leaving, he said, "Prince Yuzhang, take your time. Finish your tea and rest for a while before leaving on your own."
Du Gu Luan Yue was shivering behind the screen because she had taken off her outer robe. She sneezed several times in a row.
Huo Wei had actually noticed that there was someone behind the screen embroidered with golden peonies. His black eyes stared straight at the screen without saying a word.
He bent down and picked up the purple silk outer robe embroidered with a golden phoenix pattern and the pair of jade shoes from the ground. Then he walked up to the outside of the screen and stared at the delicate figure inside with his black eyes.