Chapter 725: Chapter 725: Time for the Honey!

Zhaoming Palace.

Long Yue looked at the exceptionally handsome man before her and playfully chided, "You rascal, what are you doing here?"

She had been in the palace for over ten days, yet he hadn’t shown any sign of visiting her. Even though she knew he was protecting her, how could she not feel any resentment?

She had searched for him for so long, waited for him for so long, and her heart full of longing instantly transformed into tenderness as she stepped forward to embrace him...

After a night of intimacy.

Long Yue lay softly against Li Qingmu, tracing circles on his chest.

"Tell me, if I hadn’t come to find you, were you planning to mess around in this Da Liang Palace?"

Long Yue spoke angrily.

She was truly upset, especially seeing so many women around Li Qingmu, Nianxi, Zhi Jin, and the other miscellaneous women that Rong Si sent to him!

Li Qingmu couldn’t tolerate her having even friends who were men, wasn’t he the same? Although he had no contact with those women, they were nominally his concubines.

Long Yue was really heartbroken!

Seeing her look so depressed and sad, Li Qingmu felt guilty. He tightly hugged Long Yue and said, "Yue’er, just endure a little longer, maybe soon, we can leave here."

"Your Majesty, are you comforting me?"

Long Yue blinked her misty, watery eyes at him. To be honest, she really missed life over in Shengjing City and missed their child, Rui’er.

Although it had been only half a year of separation, Long Yue felt as if years had passed, as if a long life had gone by!

So, when Li Qingmu said soon, she felt both happy and worried. This man was a complete rascal; would he deceive her feelings?

Li Qingmu looked at his little wife’s resentful eyes and sighed, "I... will strive for it!"

"You... scoundrel!"

"Ah!"

Long Yue’s fist came pounding down, and Li Qingmu screamed.

Fortunately, when Li Qingmu came, he dismissed everyone around; otherwise, it really would have been bad if someone heard.

The young couple scarcely got to enjoy some warmth and fuss for one night. Early the next morning, Li Qingmu went to morning court as usual.

Today’s court session seemed exceptionally cold and sparse.

In fact, not many were arrested yesterday, only a dozen or so, but quite a few ministers were shocked by Li Qingmu’s slap, especially a few old ministers in their sixties or seventies in the Golden Hall.

These old ministers went home with their hearts pounding wildly, feeling uneasy, and surely needed to recuperate.

Plus, with others needing to visit them, people really became fewer.

Li Qingmu knew that his actions yesterday had left many people dissatisfied, but as the Emperor, should he be constrained by others?

Of course, throughout history, there have been many emperors constrained by others.

For example, some emperors of the Song Dynasty were manipulated daily by ministers, having no autonomy of their own, and even when they did, they were refuted by ministers.

This was truly shocking; how could the Emperor’s power be less than that of some ministers?

In any case, if you don’t believe it, just check some historical anecdotes.

Returning to the main topic, Li Qingmu looked at the half-empty Golden Hall and didn’t take it to heart. He smiled and said, "Could it be that I really scared you all yesterday?"

"We dare not, Your Majesty, tightening discipline is logical, and we are wholeheartedly convinced!"

It was a junior imperial censor who spoke, and it just so happened to be his turn to report to the palace today. This person actually had a somewhat favorable impression of Li Qingmu, as not long ago, Li Qingmu had issued some rough measures to strengthen the examination system, giving many poor students more opportunities.

Coincidentally, this censor himself came from a humble background and was eager to see better conditions for scholars.

Li Qingmu realized that Da Liang emphasized military force more than Dazhou. Due to excessive militarism, they would plunder for silver coins in every direction.

Especially by invading some small border countries.

These countries were in remote areas, already backward in civilization, unable to match in culture or military strength, so when faced with Da Liang’s cavalry, they could only submit.

Then, they’d present a large amount of gold and silver, only to ensure the peace of their land.

Seeing the imbalance in Da Liang’s government system, Li Qingmu felt there should be some adjustments, at least to ensure the balanced development of both civil and military aspects in Da Liang.

As the Emperor, making some amendments to the examination system was a minor affair; he could make some casual excuses to get by, but those humble students remembered it.

Remembering it had its benefits, as when Li Qingmu needed people in the future, these individuals would be the ones to choose from.

Listening to the junior imperial censor’s formal report, Li Qingmu smiled, placing the memorial he held slightly to the side.

"It’s often said a family cannot be without a master for a day, just as a country cannot be without a monarch. Doesn’t the court function similarly? Yesterday, those ministers spoke disrespectfully, and capturing them was quite justified! However..."

Li Qingmu slightly frowned, looking at the deserted Golden Hall, "It seems a bit empty, lacking vitality. Minister of Revenue!"

Li Qingmu suddenly turned towards the Minister of Revenue, who was still present. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Mr. He, the Minister of Revenue, quickly stepped forward and said, "What orders does Your Majesty have?"

"How did the imperial examination go this year? Were there any outstanding candidates?"

"To report to Your Majesty, yes, there were quite a few!"

Reporting the exam results was a responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue. Everyone still vividly remembered Li Qingmu’s terrifying scene from yesterday, so who dared to trip him up now? He quickly replied.

Li Qingmu nodded slightly, "Good, since there are outstanding candidates, bring these top scholars in to fill some vacant positions!"

Vacant positions...

Certainly not high-ranking positions eligible for court, but certainly at the lower levels!

With those few removed, didn’t that leave many official posts vacant? Beneath those posts, there were slightly lower positions, allowing for a shuffle upwards.

And eventually, the base level would naturally have some vacancies, perfect for those incoming scholars to fill.

Hearing these words, the ministers in the Golden Hall were overjoyed. Doesn’t this mean that many colleagues would have the chance to get promoted?

This is indeed the best news among good news!

Li Qingmu knew he had been a bit too harsh on the ministers previously, so now he needed to appease them.

Providing them with high-ranking positions was this appeasement.

A slap on the wrist, followed by a sweet treat.

This tactic, tried and true.

Even if the other party knows your strategy, it always works.

"Since the matter has been settled, Mr. He, get to work quickly, and try to arrange these scholars into positions soon."

"Your minister accepts the decree and thanks for the grace!"

With the arrangement of positions, he, the Minister of Revenue, would become popular again, so how could he not thank Li Qingmu?

After dealing with these ordinary matters and dismissing the ministers, Li Qingmu prepared to leave.

He wanted to go to Zhaoming Palace to see his little wife.

He truly longed to return with urgency.

However...

Just as he stepped out of the Golden Hall gates, Aunt Yin, Yin Li, appeared before him.

His expression changed slightly, and he frowned, "Is Aunt Yin here to find me?"

Aunt Yin bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty has great insight, I am indeed here for you, the Princess requests Your Majesty to visit!"

The Princess?

Li Qingmu squinted, what new scheme was this?

Ha, very well, let’s see what it is.

"Aunt Yin, please lead the way!"