"Regent, are you also going to interfere in the affairs of the harem?" the young girl asked Xue Wenjie, her gaze clear and cold.
Xue Wenjie sneered, "Your Majesty, how can this be called interference? As the Regent personally appointed by the late Emperor, I have the responsibility to screen the people for Your Majesty's harem."
The young girl bit her lower lip. Xue Wenjie sighed, "Your Majesty, you are still young and do not understand many things. You need me to guide you."
"Then... then alright!" The young girl released her teeth, which had been bitten pale, her eyes dewy like an infant's. "Since that is the case, then let's be more inclusive. Anyone of fourth rank and above can participate in the selection."
Xue Wenjie was taken aback. The young girl continued, "After all, we cannot show favoritism."
Selecting one or selecting several made no difference, Xue Wenjie thought, and nodded. "Your Majesty speaks wisely."
"Prime Minister, you handle this matter. Court is dismissed!" Xue Zining stood up and walked towards the exit.
Xue Wenjie watched the young girl's slightly cheerful retreating back and felt inexplicably that he had been played.
"Lord Lin, you are quite something today." Censor-in-Chief Li Shengming approached Grand Tutor Lin with a cold snort.
Grand Tutor Lin smiled awkwardly, "Lord Li, I don't quite understand what you mean."
"You don't understand? You will understand in the future." Li Shengming gave a cold laugh.
A cold gaze fell upon him and only left after a long while.
When Grand Tutor Lin looked up, the court was already empty. He stood up and realized his back was drenched in sweat.
He gave a bitter smile and spread his palm. The slip of paper within had blurred from the moisture, but he recognized the handwriting. It was Yan Zhi's handwriting.
"Silent and wordless, the Empress is not simple."
These few simple words made him feel as if he were facing a great enemy.
As an observer, he could see many things clearly now. For instance, today, it seemed the Regent had placed a formidable person in the Empress's harem.
Yan Zhao, a mysterious and intelligent person.
But, what of it? The Empress had opened the selection to all gentlemen of fourth rank and above. The scope was now vast. If she had placed a few people, it would not be impossible.
Before, when he was involved, he couldn't see clearly. Now, from the outside, he saw very clearly: the Empress was not simple.
He let out a long sigh. From now on, he had to be even more cautious.
Perhaps, a sesame seed could shake a great stone.
Zhaoyuan Palace
Xue Zining sat in her chair, her heart still pounding. She had not expected her plan to be half successful.
"Your Majesty, you were a bit too reckless just now. If the Regent detects your intentions, your situation will be even more perilous," Hua Yunjin said worriedly.
The young girl drank a large mouthful of tea and said, "If I'm always afraid, when will I achieve anything? That was an excellent opportunity. Do you have confidence in handling the rest, Yunjin?"
Seeing the expectation in the young girl's eyes, he nodded. "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely complete it."
The young girl sighed with relief, some pleasure evident. "When that time comes, we won't have to train these people in secret. Instead, they can appear in the harem openly..."
As she spoke, the young girl's gaze suddenly brightened, like the morning sun rising, radiant and beautiful. Her lips parted slightly, and she spoke word by word: "Wait for the opportune moment."
Hua Yunjin was also moved by this radiance. "We will, we definitely will."
The young girl smiled, her smile like a hundred flowers blooming, so brilliant and bright. Hua Yunjin's gaze paused; his heart began to beat again, soon, very soon.