The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Inside Yilan Palace, Shen Qingruo remained in that same posture, her slender back appearing particularly thin and helpless.

The palace doors were gently pushed open, and familiar footsteps could be heard.

Shen Wangxi waved to dismiss the palace servants and walked into the inner hall alone, where she immediately saw the petite figure by the window.

His heart tightened, and he quickly walked over.

"Aruo." He spoke in a very low voice, with utmost caution.

Shen Qingruo then slowly turned around.

She raised her small face, her watery eyes reddening, her snow-white face full of vulnerability, and she just looked at him quietly without saying a word.

This demeanor, so different from her spoiled and pampered nature in front of him recently, instantly pulled him back to the frail and helpless girl he saw again at the palace walls.

Shen Wangxi felt extremely distressed.

He stepped forward, reached out and pulled her into his arms, then held her fingertips in his hand and whispered soothingly:

"What's wrong? Is it because of what happened at the morning court that you're upset?"

He should have kept quiet, because the moment he did, Shen Qingruo's eyes reddened even more, tears welled up in her eyes, and she swayed as if about to fall.

She gently withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and spoke softly:

"Does Aruo already know? Aren't people outside saying that Aruo is a vixen from the previous dynasty, unworthy of His Majesty's favor?"

His voice was firm and resolute: "Nonsense!"

"Who dares to speak ill of my Imperial Concubine?"

Shen Wangxi hugged him tightly, gently rubbing his chin against the top of her head, and softly comforted her, "Aruo, don't worry."

"I have never doubted you."

"But Yi Nian is ultimately on his mother's side. He went too far in this matter. I will handle it properly and will never let you suffer any injustice."

Shen Qingruo buried her face in his chest and said in a muffled voice, "Will His Majesty harm General Wei? After all, he is Aruo's biological father."

"Actually, Aruo also wants to know what he wanted to tell me when he risked coming to the capital to find me..."

Her voice trailed off, tinged with confusion.

Shen Wangxi sighed, "Silly girl, if I wanted to kill him, I would have ordered the border troops to do so long ago."

"It's because I was afraid you'd be upset if you knew that I haven't taken drastic measures yet."

He paused, looked down at her tear-filled face, and said gently, "In that case, I will send someone to appease Wei Zheng."

"If he is willing to submit, I will allow him to enter the palace to speak with you, is that alright?"

Shen Qingruo raised her head, her watery eyes wide open: "Your Majesty, really?"

Seeing her happy expression again, Shen Wangxi said indulgently, "A king's word is his bond."

Shen Qingruo burst into tears, which landed on his hand.

Shen Wangxi felt a pang of heartache and quickly comforted her, "Why are you crying again? What did I do wrong? A'Ruo, tell me, I'll do whatever you say."

Shen Qingruo shook her head vigorously, but her tears fell even more fiercely. She took the initiative to reach out and wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Her voice was trembling with sobs, but full of affection: "No, Your Majesty is fine."

"It's Aruo's fault, always causing His Majesty worry."

Shen Wangxi lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, his voice solemn:

"Aruo, since you have followed me and are my woman, I naturally have the obligation to protect you."

He cupped her small face in his hands, looked into her clear eyes, and earnestly told her:

"Moreover, you are the one I love, and no amount of pampering is too much."

Shen Qingruo gently closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and offered her moist red lips.

Shen Wangxi's Adam's apple bobbed as he gladly accepted.

-

A few days later, at the border, the temporary encampment of the Wei family army.

Inside the tent, Wei Zheng's shoulder wound had been simply bandaged, but his face was still pale from blood loss and exhaustion.

Grand Tutor Yun sat beside him, his brows furrowed and his face filled with worry.

A guard entered and reported: "General, Grand Tutor, a man has arrived outside. He claims to be an envoy sent by the imperial court, surnamed Zhou, and requests an audience with you both."

Wei Zheng's eyes sharpened, and his hand instinctively reached for the sword at his waist.

Grand Tutor Yun pressed down on his arm and said in a deep voice, "Let's hear what he has to say first."

Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in scholar's robes was led in.

He was the envoy sent by Shen Wangxi, and the current Grand Secretary Zhou Mingxuan.

Zhou Mingxuan entered the tent, his gaze sweeping over the wary Wei Zheng and the composed Grand Tutor Yun. There was no arrogance on his face, but rather a hint of calm. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "General Wei, Grand Tutor Yun, how have you been?"

Grand Tutor Yun scrutinized him for a moment, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "You're Zhou Mingxuan? The editor Zhou who used to do some trivial paperwork in the Ministry of Rites?"

Zhou Mingxuan smiled slightly, with a hint of emotion: "It's kind of you that the Grand Tutor still remembers me. It is I."

Wei Zheng frowned slightly. He didn't have a deep impression of Zhou Mingxuan, only remembering him as a taciturn minor official.

Zhou Mingxuan did not immediately state his purpose. Instead, he looked around the simple tent and slowly said, "I am not in a hurry to convey His Majesty's decree today."

"I, Zhou, am passing through this area and seeing the gradual recovery of people's lives. I am deeply moved and have some old thoughts that I would like to share with you two. Is that alright?"

Grand Tutor Yun and Wei Zheng exchanged a glance and nodded: "Lord Zhou, please speak."

Zhou Mingxuan sat down on the low stool brought by his personal guards, his voice calm:

"Zhou was born into a poor family and studied diligently for twenty years. He believed that his essays and policy proposals were second to none. However, the imperial examinations of the previous dynasty, ostensibly for selecting officials, were in reality a game for powerful families to divide up official positions."

"Zhou took the exam three times. The first time, his essay was replaced by the son of a minister. The second time, his ranking was taken by the nephew of a marquis. The third time, perhaps because his essay was really bad, those noble families looked down on him and he barely got the rank of a ninth-grade editor, doing some trivial copying and organizing work in the Ministry of Rites."

His tone was calm, as if he were telling someone else's story, but the bitterness in his eyes was caught by Grand Tutor Yun.

Grand Tutor Yun sighed deeply, his face showing shame: "Regarding the imperial examination system, I myself have submitted numerous memorials in the past, forcefully pointing out its drawbacks and requesting the abolition of these long-standing malpractices, and the selection of officials based solely on their talents."

"Unfortunately, he also angered the powerful and influential, and was gradually sidelined, watching helplessly as the court became increasingly corrupt."

Zhou Mingxuan nodded, then turned his gaze to Wei Zheng, his tone becoming heavier: "It's not just the civil officials who are in this situation; the military officers are in an even worse predicament."

"General Wei, are you aware that the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, which was once as famous as the Wei family, suffered a defeat. Its widow and orphan should have received compensation from the imperial court, but they were forcibly taken into the mansion by several despicable officials from the Ministry of War, where they were subjected to all kinds of humiliation and ultimately committed suicide."

Wei Zheng clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white.

He was certainly aware of this matter. He had a close relationship with the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhenbei, but he could only watch helplessly as his sister-in-law and niece were humiliated, while he himself was unable to leave to return to the capital.

Seeing his tense expression, Zhou Mingxuan continued:

"Even a family as distinguished as the Wei family, once they suffer a defeat, faces constant condemnation from the court, delayed supplies, and no reinforcements."

"General, how many of your soldiers died from plots behind enemy lines, rather than from battle?"

Wei Zheng's throat bobbed, and he practically squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth: "A lot."

The Wei family army fought bloody battles on the front lines year after year, but even basic food supplies were often cut off in the rear. Many brothers did not die by enemy swords, but starved or froze to death.

Zhou Mingxuan changed the subject, his tone becoming clear and bright: "However, the Great Zhou of today is different."

He looked at Grand Tutor Yun: "Grand Tutor, do you know that the imperial examinations are now governed by a new system personally established by His Majesty, with anonymous grading, transcription, and multi-faceted supervision to prevent anyone from cheating?"

"Furthermore, multiple disciplines such as Classics, Law, and Mathematics were established to select talents without being bound by any single standard. Even students from poor families had the opportunity to rise above their circumstances."

"I am unworthy, but thanks to His Majesty's favor, I have been able to be appointed as a Grand Secretary and participate in confidential matters."

Grand Tutor Yun lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhou Mingxuan then looked at Wei Zheng: "As for military generals, His Majesty himself conquered the world on horseback, and his martial arts are unparalleled. No one in the army dares to disobey him."

"All military power is directly controlled by His Majesty, and the command is orderly, with clear rewards and punishments."

"The descendants of the old generals who followed the Shen family to the desert in the past, such as the Duke of Su and the Duke of Qi, were all given important positions and their titles were inherited. His Majesty never suspected them."

"Among the Six Ministries, there are many capable ministers who surrendered from the previous dynasty. Your Majesty should employ them according to their talents, only considering their abilities and loyalty, and not their backgrounds."

"You two might as well open your eyes and see. The Great Zhou Dynasty has been established for less than a year. His Majesty has reduced taxes and levies, encouraged farming and weaving, and rectified officialdom. Even in this border region, there are few displaced disaster victims. At least the people can have a stable meal."

"Compared to the devastation and widespread starvation at the end of the previous dynasty, isn't this a world of difference?"

Zhou Mingxuan looked at Wei Zheng and Grand Tutor Yun, his voice earnest: "General Wei, Grand Tutor Yun, the previous dynasty has perished, not because of the military might of the Great Zhou, but because of its own corruption."

"Your Majesty possesses great talent and ambition, and aspires to rule the world and create a prosperous era."

"Both of you are people who care for the common people and can distinguish right from wrong. Why not abandon darkness and embrace light, and together create a prosperous era?"

"Do we really want to continue living this precarious, wandering life with our soldiers, all for the sake of the empty reputation of that old dynasty that is no longer worth our loyalty?"

The tent was completely silent.

Wei Zheng's clenched fist trembled slightly, while Yun Taifu's expression shifted uncertainly.