TFSRITA Chapter 75

He had a tense expression, and his already hard features became even more rigid as his dark eyes looked at her. “So what should we do?”

Yan Qing replied, “The matter we discussed yesterday hasn’t been executed yet, right? Add one more point: the memorials should only include three main points: what needs to be done, why it should be done, and any remarks. There’s no need for unnecessary embellishments. If anyone dares to waste ink, they should be made to write a few essays on the people’s livelihoods for scholars to review instead.”

Ji Yecheng nodded obediently, taking out the paper he had written yesterday and adding notes as she instructed.

Fu Rong whispered, “Your Highness, some officials display their literary skills through memorials because they want to gain the Emperor’s attention and seek promotion.”

Yan Qing countered, “As a public official, is it necessary to have literary skills or practical experience?”

Fu Rong responded, “… Practical experience.”

“Then that’s settled. If someone wants to showcase their literary skills, they should become a scholar. As an official, what’s needed is the ability to get things done; literary skills are just a bonus, enough to meet the requirements will do.” After saying this, Yan Qing continued to focus on her reading.

She genuinely believed that while literary skills could be considered an art, officials should possess a sincere commitment to serving the people and sufficient tactics to navigate the political arena.

Fu Rong’s gaze flickered with contemplation as he stared at Yan Qing in a daze.

Until a chilly gaze fell upon him, and he suddenly snapped back to reality, noticing that His Majesty was looking at him coldly, a warning evident in his eyes. He quickly lowered his head to continue reviewing the tedious memorials: [Your Majesty, how are you?]

Fu Rong wrote back: [I am well.]

It was truly boring. What the lady said was right; sending such memorials was useless, and flaunting literary skills in memorials was also a waste of time.

…

Just as the study fell silent again, Yan Qing suddenly asked, “Has the imperial examination been completed?”

She hadn’t paid attention to these matters before, but now that she saw the decree in hand, instructing Ji Yecheng to grant titles to this year’s successful candidates, she remembered.

In her previous life, the top scholar, Jia Heng, who was used by Yan Zhi to frame her, happened to be among this batch.

Jia Heng was a student of Prime Minister Yan, but no one knew this. He wasn’t from a poor background either; his family had once been a scholarly lineage, but later fell into decline. By chance, he caught the attention of Prime Minister Yan, who took him as a disciple, but to avoid gossip, Prime Minister Yan planned to reveal his identity after he succeeded.

It wasn’t time to announce it yet.

However, the original owner had met him a few times. The man likely admired her but felt insecure about his status and was aware of Song Yu’s presence, so he never expressed his feelings.

“He’s here,” Yan Qing asked casually. Ji Yecheng immediately retrieved the list of top candidates from a shelf nearby and handed it to her.

Yan Qing glanced over it, and sure enough, Jia Heng’s name was at the top. She thought for a moment and casually remarked, “Isn’t it said that Northern Wilderness lacks a public official? He’s the one; to issue the decree.”

Fu Rong lowered his head, his writing faltering as he wished he could bury his head to hide.

This was too bold.

The noble consort was truly ruthless, speaking directly to a ruler about appointing a public official.

Ji Yecheng was uncertain about her sudden confidence but, seeing how resolute she was, felt a little annoyed and replied in a restrained tone, “He isn’t qualified yet! He just graduated; it would be best for him to stay in the Hanlin Academy for a year or two to gain experience.”

Ji Yecheng thought he could now teach her what he knew about the court, as he felt she was a capricious woman who believed officials could be appointed so casually.

Though he technically could do it, considering the practicalities, it would cause a lot of trouble.

But Yan Qing was different; she slammed the table, startling everyone around her. Furrowing her brows and biting back the pain from striking the solid wood surface, she gritted her teeth and said in a hoarse voice, “If I say he’s qualified, then he is. Are you going to issue the decree or not?”

Fu Rong paled, inwardly wincing at the impending disaster. Everyone knew Ji Yecheng hated being bossed around, especially by someone so presumptuous.

Unexpectedly, the next second, Ji Yecheng softened his tone first. “Fine, issue the decree.”

Fu Rong: “???”

Had the Emperor been swapped out?

Ji Yecheng was also angry, but upon seeing her slap the table, her small hand turned red quickly. A woman who had never felt this kind of pain suddenly had tears welling in her large eyes, and with a blink, a tear fell, dampening her long eyelashes, making her look so pitiful against her flushed lips.

Ji Yecheng’s anger evaporated in an instant.

Forget it; he didn’t care about the country anyway. He had planned to take this seriously for her benefit, but if she wanted to make a fuss, then let her be.

Ji Yecheng genuinely felt he had no anger left for Yan Qing.

He handed her a handkerchief, his deep voice unusually gentle, making Fu Rong feel uneasy: “Don’t cry; I’ll grant whatever you wish!”

Yan Qing, wiping away her tears with the handkerchief, indignantly replied, “I’m not crying!”

“Mm-hmm, not crying. Alright, let’s continue. What else do you want? Just say it, and I’ll issue the decree.” Ji Yecheng nodded agreeably, surprisingly accommodating. His demeanor was different from the previous bouts of annoyance or anger, and there was a softness and fondness in his gaze toward her.

Yan Qing blinked, and when her eyes met his, she felt a sudden warmth and instinctively looked away, grabbing a memorial at random and slapping it against his face, saying sternly, “What are you staring at? Hurry up and get to work!”

If it were any other time, Ji Yecheng would have been irritated even if he didn’t respond to Yan Qing. However, after being slapped with a memorial, he felt no anger and simply obediently turned away.

The commotion between the Emperor and the noble consort was quite loud, and even without looking up, Fu Rong could guess what had happened. He sat there in a daze until it ended, hearing Yan Qing’s coarse and unrefined voice say, “This name is good; let’s arrange it…”