Prince Rong said, "This is indeed a good idea, but we still need to appease those in the Wenyuange."
Since the Wenyuange was established, he had enjoyed the pleasure of being a hands - off manager these days.
Previously, it was just him and Shen Qing dealing with the memorials full of tiny characters all day long. By the end of the day, they would feel numb. With the Wenyuange, he had become much more relaxed. He only needed to summon some ministers regularly.
Shen Qing nodded. After pondering for a moment, she said, "I'll pick a suitable day to meet them."
After all, they were going to work together in the future. They couldn't be left thinking that they were merely Prince Rong's people. She also needed to give them reassurance, letting them know that they had someone to back them up.
"Go... Go!"
Just as Shen Qing was speaking, a childish voice suddenly interrupted. Both Shen Qing and Prince Rong couldn't help but smile.
Shen Qing pinched Baby Si's chubby little face and tried to pick her up. "Mother will go, but Baby Si can't."
Maybe Shen Qing's words that she couldn't go had upset Baby Si. Baby Si surprisingly refused her mother and kept burrowing into Prince Rong's arms.
Shen Qing was slightly stunned. This was the first time her own daughter had rejected her.
Prince Rong quickly said, "Baby Si probably wants to go out. I'll take her for a stroll in the garden."
"Go ahead," Shen Qing waved her hand.
After Prince Rong left with Baby Si in his arms, Shen Qing couldn't help but sigh. "It's only been such a short time, and she's already so smitten with her Uncle Six. I'm really afraid that one day, some human trafficker will give her something, and she'll just follow them."
When Baby Si was younger, she was picky about people. Even Ji Junye was occasionally rejected. But now that she was growing up, she was becoming more and more sociable.
Yingxiu couldn't help but chuckle. "Miss, why are you getting jealous of Prince Rong?"
Shen Qing sighed again. When her daughter was young, she only liked her mother. But now that she was older, she had been pushed back in her daughter's affection. How could she not be jealous?
Yingxiu said, "Maybe it's because Prince Rong looks a bit like His Majesty. Baby Si hasn't seen her father for a long time. Maybe she misses her father?"
Shen Qing suddenly realized.
Yes, thinking about it, Ji Junye had been gone for almost half a year. He left in midsummer, and now it was already winter.
She wondered how things were going in the south.
Although they exchanged letters every few days, the letters were mostly filled with good news. She didn't know how his health was. Without her around, did he take his medicine on time?
In a letter a few days ago, it was mentioned that the power of Prince Jin was constantly growing. The areas south of the Yangtze River were far from the imperial court, and the local customs were under - developed. The common people were easily deceived by them. Over time, there had emerged a phenomenon where the people in the south welcomed the Jiangnan Army with open arms but showed no respect to the imperial army.
"Forget it."
It wasn't just Baby Si who missed her father. She missed him too.
But now, they both had their own missions to fulfill, and they couldn't shirk their responsibilities.
When the eleven imperial scholars were summoned, they were all a bit confused. They knew some inside information about what they were going to do in the future. But when they saw Shen Qing, who was following Prince Rong, take off her black robe, they widened their eyes and looked at each other in surprise.
"What does this mean?"
"Prince Rong summoned us. Why did he bring a woman?"
Prince Rong cleared his throat. "It's not me who wants to see you today, but Lady Lingzhang."
"Yes, it's me who wants to see you all," Shen Qing said. "Please sit down. The existence of the Wenyuange has touched the interests of some people. I'm sure you've all felt it deeply. I'm here today just for this matter. Please feel free to speak your minds."
Everyone was confused, except for Yan Peiyu.
It was really Shen Qing's tone...
Everyone looked at Prince Rong and found that Prince Rong had been standing half a step behind Shen Qing ever since they entered the room, and he was extremely well - behaved.
Yan Peiyu looked at the dazed people and for the first time felt like the only sober one among the drunk.
At this moment, of course, it was his turn to speak up and give his superior a way out.
Yan Peiyu coughed lightly. "Fellow colleagues, Lady Lingzhang is the person behind the Wenyuange and also our benefactor."
"What a disgrace!"
"To be led by a woman is simply an insult to our scholarly dignity!"
In the face of the rising skeptical voices, Shen Qing calmly sat down. Imitating Ji Junye's expression and tone, she exuded the aura of a superior in every gesture. "I think you've all got one thing wrong. Do you think that once you're on my boat, you can get off unscathed?"
Qin Heng glanced at Yan Peiyu. Seeing that his good friend didn't say anything, he also kept silent.
Someone said angrily, "We're all imperial scholars, the disciples of the Son of Heaven. Do you want to detain us? It's outrageous!"
"Not so," Shen Qing raised her eyebrows and looked at the person who took the lead in speaking with a half - smile. "Those who don't want to stay can leave right now. But whether the aristocratic families will let you go after you leave this door has nothing to do with me."
Everyone's faces changed.
How could they not know this? They had been on tenterhooks during their shifts these days, afraid that the aristocratic families would take action against them.
As scholars from humble backgrounds, how could they compete with the aristocratic families without protection?
That person had no choice but to look at Prince Rong for help. "Prince Rong, say something!"
Prince Rong took a silent step back.
He had been the scapegoat from the very beginning. He couldn't and shouldn't interfere.
Prince Rong only said one sentence.
"Before His Majesty left, he left a secret edict for me to assist the imperial sister - in - law in overseeing the state."
The amount of information in Prince Rong's words simply stunned everyone present.
Assist? Imperial sister - in - law? Oversee the state?
They knew these words separately, but when combined, they couldn't understand.
Although they had heard about the relationship between His Majesty and Lady Lingzhang, it was a rule that the harem was not allowed to interfere in politics. Even a proper empress couldn't directly interfere in government affairs like this, could she?
If this got out, they would be attacked by everyone for working under a woman.
Looking at the changing expressions of everyone, Shen Qing knew what they were thinking.
She was here today to solve the problem.
"I know that you all have a passionate desire to serve the imperial court. You've studied the classics for many years and are unwilling to be under a mere woman. If you're not convinced today, I'll make you convinced."
After saying that, Shen Qing sat down directly in front of the desk and picked up the memorials to review.
Before everyone could stop her, they saw that her actions and expressions were extremely proficient. A bad premonition welled up in their hearts.
She must be just putting on a show!
Prince Rong calmly sat on one side. There was a time when he was just as unconvinced as them, but then he was completely convinced by the imperial sister - in - law.
Since the Wenyuange had just been established, most of the memorials sent there were about local affairs. Military affairs were sent directly to Shen Qing. So it was a piece of cake for Shen Qing to review these memorials.
In a short while, she had reviewed more than a dozen memorials.
When everyone opened them, they found that her insights were unique and concise. Her reviews were even better than what they had come up with after discussing together.
At this moment, they realized that she was not just a showy figure but truly capable.
"The purpose of the Wenyuange is to stabilize the country and be His Majesty's right - hand assistant. I think that since you've all joined the Wenyuange, every one of you has this goal in mind. And I, Shen Qing, standing here today, promise that I can relieve all of you from worries."
"Those who don't want to work with me just because I'm a woman can leave now. I'll never force you."