His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

"A new system is needed for the selection of officials."

Mo Sangyu helped Feng Xingyu sit up, his expression turning serious: "This new system must be fair and just, shifting everyone's attention from nepotism to genuine talent and skills, and to... the rules we've established."

Seeing that she had successfully diverted his attention, she smiled silently and continued, "For example, the imperial examination."

Feng Xingyu's gaze sharpened slightly: "The Imperial Examination?"

"Yes. Abolish the old abuses of recommendation and hereditary privilege, and establish the imperial examination system, which selects candidates based solely on their talent and writing skills, regardless of family background or social status."

"Passing the provincial and county examinations, the metropolitan examinations, the palace examinations... one level after another."

"If children from poor families have a way to rise in rank, then if aristocratic families want to continue their glory, they must also make their children study hard and compete based on their own abilities."

Mo Sangyu finished in one breath: "That way, how will those old guys have the mind to keep an eye on your harem every day?"

"They're busy urging their own children to prepare for the exams, busy establishing themselves under the new rules, and even... busy currying favor with potential examiners. Who has time to pressure you into choosing a concubine?"

Feng Xingyu stared at her blankly.

A thoughtful look gradually appeared in his eyes.

He suddenly pulled her back into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, and sighed, "Ayu, how did you get such a brilliant mind? Jinzhi spent so much time and effort trying to come up with a good solution, and you solved it so easily?"

"…Well."

Mo Sangyu felt a little guilty after being praised.

"I'll discuss this with Mr. Gu later. He's familiar with the drawbacks of the old system and knows what kind of people we need. I'll give him some direction and have him come up with a detailed proposal, which I'll then consider and revise."

"it is good."

Feng Xingyu nodded, then picked her up and carried her out of the imperial study.

Mo Sangyu wrapped her arms around his neck, puzzled, and asked, "Where are we going?"

"You're tired. I'll take you to the newly built heated pool to relax."

"..."

No, it's not even dark yet, why would I need a bath?

"Feng Xingyu, I'm not tired. Let's go find Mr. Gu first..."

"No, you're tired, take a bath first."

Mo Sangyu glared at him.

He spoke in a grand and dignified manner, but the meaning in his eyes was all too clear.

After a month apart, Mo Sangyu actually missed him quite a bit, so she let him be.

Feng Xingyu walked steadily, carrying her through the long corridor. The palace servants they encountered along the way all lowered their heads, their postures respectful, and dared not look at her for long.

Warm room.

The pool, made of white jade, was spacious and filled with warm water, rising with a light mist.

Feng Xingyu put her down and began to undress her.

Mo Sangyu pressed his hand down: "I can do it myself."

Feng Xingyu readily loosened his grip, took a step back, and stood there with his arms crossed, looking at her with a deep gaze.

Under his gaze, Mo Sangyu undressed, and even though they had been intimate so many times before, she still felt very uncomfortable.

She turned her back, took off her outer garment, leaving only her undergarments, and quickly walked into the pool, sinking herself into the warm water.

The rippling water can indeed relieve the fatigue of a long journey.

She let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes.

Not long after, the sound of water could be heard softly beside me.

Mo Sangyu opened her eyes alertly and saw that Feng Xingyu had also gone into the water, wearing only a thin undergarment, the wet fabric clinging to his well-defined chest.

"you……"

"I'm tired too."

Feng Xingyu interrupted her, leaned against the edge of the pool, reached out and pulled her into his arms, letting her lean against him: "Let's soak together."

His arms were around her waist, and his chin rested on the top of her wet hair.

This posture is intimate but doesn't cross any boundaries; it's just a simple hug.

Mo Sangyu slowly relaxed, leaning against his strong chest.

The warmth seeped through my skin and into my limbs, dispelling the winter chill. It really felt... quite comfortable.

"Ayu." Feng Xingyu's voice sounded somewhat muffled in the misty steam.

"Um?"

Mo Sangyu was a little surprised. He really did come to accompany her in the bath and did nothing at all.

She became more and more relaxed.

The pool water rippled gently, and the fragrance of ambergris lingered in the air.

Feng Xingyu called her name, but didn't speak. The two of them quietly enjoyed this rare moment of peace and tranquility.

After an unknown amount of time, Feng Xingyu felt the person in his arms gradually breathing evenly and deeply.

He tilted his head slightly and saw that Mo Sangyu had her eyes closed, her long eyelashes fluttering gently in the misty steam; she had fallen asleep.

It seems she's really exhausted after this past month.

A hint of heartache flashed in Feng Xingyu's eyes. He gently picked her up, wrapped her in a large, soft cotton towel, and carried her out of the warm pool and into the adjacent bedroom.

They settled her on a bed covered with thick brocade mattresses and carefully covered her with a quilt.

Mo Sangyu just mumbled something, turned over, and fell into a deep sleep again.

Feng Xingyu sat on the edge of the bed, looked at her for a long time, and reached out to tuck a strand of wet hair behind her ear.

Outside the window, night was deepening, and snowflakes began to fall again.

He had the accumulated folded paper brought to his bedchamber, where he could sit where he could see Mo Sangyu just by looking up.

He kept reviewing papers until midnight before quietly getting into bed and pulling the soft, fragrant person into his arms.

He hadn't been sleeping well lately, but now that Mo Sangyu was back by his side, his heart was at peace, and he fell asleep soon after lying down.

This was the best sleep he had had since he ascended the throne.

Unfortunately, the king still had to get up early to attend court.

Feng Xingyu regretted mentioning the matter of making Mo Sangyu the empress yesterday afternoon.

How can we let her get up so early every day to deal with those cunning and treacherous officials, and to have endless memorials to read and worries to keep her from getting up...

It's too hard.

She is free.

He couldn't bear to be confined to this deep palace, even though... he was reluctant to leave.

When Mo Sangyu woke up, Feng Xingyu was no longer in the palace.

Were you so well-behaved last night?

That's truly rare.

She got up, dressed, and washed up. Then, a maid brought her breakfast.

After the morning court session, Feng Xing immediately went to the Imperial Study to discuss the imperial examination with Gu Jinzhi and Wen Zhixia. Both of them were quite surprised after listening to the discussion.

Feng Xingyu did not return to his palace until lunchtime.

Mo Sangyu was sitting at a small table by the window, holding a book in her hand, flipping through it idly.

Seeing him come in, she put down her book and asked, "How was it?"

"Jin Zhi and Wen Zhixia both think this method is feasible."

Feng Xingyu sat down opposite her, a hint of relaxation in his expression: "They are drafting detailed rules, which should take a few days."

"Um."

Mo Sangyu nodded: "There is a huge shortage of officials right now. Relying solely on the imperial examination is not a long-term solution. We can first hold special examinations or special examinations to select urgently needed practical talents. You can personally conduct the assessments and appoint them quickly."

"That's what we meant too." Feng Xingyu looked at her. "But what you think is always the most comprehensive."

Mo Sangyu smiled but didn't reply.

These are methods that were proven by history in her previous life, and they don't count as her abilities.

The palace maids served lunch, consisting of four dishes and a soup. It wasn't extravagant, but it was very refined.

The two ate their meal quietly.

"Oh, right."

Feng Xingyu suddenly spoke up: "Ya Zi is your man. I haven't decided on his reward yet. What position do you think would be suitable for him?"

"Um."

Mo Sangyu nodded: "Understood."

"I plan to bring Granny Yu and the others over here, along with Feng Mian, once the weather gets a bit warmer," Feng Xingyu added.

"OK."

Mo Sangyu naturally agreed.

However, she seemed to have forgotten something.

Even after finishing her meal, Mo Sangyu couldn't remember what she had forgotten.

"What do you want to do this afternoon?"

After finishing his meal, Feng Xingyu asked her.

"It's nothing," Mo Sangyu replied without hesitation. "Maybe I'm catching up on sleep."

"Catch up on sleep?"

Feng Xingyu's eyes darkened: "Oh, catching up on sleep is good, sleep a little longer."

His tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.

After saying that, he went back to his work.

Mo Sangyu didn't realize it at the time, still preoccupied with the thing she had forgotten.

By evening, she finally understood what he meant.

I'll sleep a little longer this afternoon because I won't be able to sleep tonight.

I didn't touch her last night because I wanted to give her time and let her rest.

late at night.

The candlelight flickered inside the bedchamber, with only one candle remaining in a corner, casting a dim and ambiguous glow.

Mo Sangyu was pinned to the bed by Feng Xingyu, her breathing already erratic.

"etc……"

She nudged his shoulder, her voice slightly breathless, "I have something to ask you."

"Hmm?" Feng Xingyu didn't stop his actions, kissing her neck as she gave a muffled response.

"You mentioned this afternoon regarding the reward for Ya Zi... how do you plan to arrange it?"

Asking this question at a time like this is absurd, even to Mo Sangyu herself.

Feng Xingyu paused, looked up at her, his eyes unfathomable in the dim light, carrying a hint of displeasure at being interrupted, and a touch of amusement.

"Your Majesty the Empress."

He stroked her slightly flushed cheek with his fingers: "At a time like this, you're discussing rewards with me?"

Mo Sangyu turned her face away: "...I've thought about it, and I really don't know what position to give him, so I'd like to ask for your opinion."

Feng Xingyu chuckled softly, propped himself up, and, from this superior position, slowly said, "Yazi is your bodyguard, and his achievements are considerable, but he doesn't hold a military rank. Giving him a high position would be inappropriate, and giving him a low one would be unfair. I was originally planning to give him a powerful position in the Imperial Guard or the Imperial Bodyguard. What do you think?"

He spoke seriously, but his hand gestures were anything but.

Mo Sangyu gritted his teeth and endured it, trying to concentrate: "The Imperial Guard... that's fine, or, let him go to the newly established Surveillance Bureau. He's unconventional in his actions and also very good at gathering information."

"The Inspection Department?"

Feng Xingyu raised an eyebrow slightly: "Sure, I have no objection."

It would be better to go to the Inspectorate.

That way, I won't have to hang around in front of her so often.

"Um……"

Mo Sangyu wanted to say something, but he lowered his head and sealed her lips with his.

This time it wasn't a half-hearted attempt; it came with a clear intention and an undeniable force.

Mo Sangyu quickly lost her voice, her mind a jumbled mess of thoughts.

"Focus," he whispered in her ear, his breath hot.

Mo Sangyu wanted to glare at him, but her eyes were already misty, so they weren't very intimidating.

The bed curtains were pulled down, obscuring the intertwined figures inside.

The cold wind howled outside the window, but the hall was warm and cozy.

Temperatures are rising steadily.

Mo Sangyu's consciousness became somewhat blurred in the end. She only remembered him kissing her again and again, whispering her name in her ear, and holding her tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to make up for the intimacy he had missed in the past month.

It is unclear how much time passed before things gradually calmed down.

Mo Sangyu was so tired that she didn't even want to move her fingers. She curled up in his arms and dozed off.

Feng Xingyu seemed to be in good spirits, lying on his side with one hand supporting his head and the other hand idly stroking her hair.

"Oh no!"

In a daze, Mo Sangyu suddenly remembered something she had forgotten, and her mind instantly cleared.