Chapter 902: Reforming the Bureaucracy

Pan Xiaohei bounced and skipped behind Pan Yun, occasionally running ahead to turn and look at her: "Why look for Yu Qian instead of going straight to the Emperor?"

Pan Yun tucked her hands into her sleeves to ward off the cold: "Reforming the bureaucracy—officials' words carry more weight than the Emperor's."

And their Emperor was not the type to initiate topics himself; someone always had to speak first.

Who could be more suitable than Yu Qian?

True enough, Yu Qian didn't even wait for the New Year to pass—after two days of deliberation, he submitted a memorial urging the Emperor to reform the bureaucracy, exposing recent court corruption in issues like county officials neglecting duties and gentry monopolizing power, blaming it all on the Emperor's laxity and the Censorate's failure to supervise.

Superiors set the example; if officials are to truly serve the people, the Emperor must lead by example first.

The Emperor readily agreed.

Thus, the palace's meals were cut: the Emperor led by example, reducing not only the quantity of food but also eliminating expensive dishes one by one, and the Empress followed suit.

The Empress Dowager Sun, relocated to the Xigong, and Empress Qian also followed closely.

The Emperor seized the opportunity to propose releasing a group of palace maids, allowing them to return home and reunite with their families while reducing palace expenditures.

So when Deng Maoqi arrived in Jingcheng with Xue Shao and Yang Shan, it was the busiest time in the capital.

Many people gathered outside the palace gates, watching the palace maids leave.

They had all come to propose marriage to the maids.

Deng Maoqi and his brothers stood at the palace gate, tiptoeing curiously to look.

Seeing several men in patched clothes among the queue, he couldn't help saying: "These guys can really propose to palace maids?"

Xue Shao, standing beside him waiting to hear the announcement, glanced over and turned to ask a gate guard: "How long can palace servants remain inside?"

The guard replied: "Forty-five days. Today is the twelfth day since the imperial decree was issued. The beautiful, young, and talented maids left long ago; what's left are women around thirty, with no family to come for them."

Xue Shao frowned slightly, watching the maids gather in small groups, occasionally stepping forward to speak with the men.

Xue Shao's gaze swept over the men; after taking Deng Maoqi into the palace to meet the Emperor, he would hurry to the Court of Judicial Review.

"Little Lord Xue is back?"

"Little Lord Xue achieved merit; Lord Xue is deeply pleased, though he says nothing aloud, his face now shows more smiles."

Xue Shao thanked them all, standing respectfully outside his uncle's office, waiting for him to finish work.

Xue Xuan quickly finished his documents, stepped out, and walked with him: "After such a long journey, why not go home to rest? What brings you here?"

Xue Shao: "Uncle, when I returned, I saw palace maids gathered at the palace gate, said to be released by the palace."

Xue Xuan: "That area is specially designated for palace maids to meet relatives or potential suitors. So, are you thinking of proposing to one?"

"No," Xue Shao said, "I noticed the men coming in are of mixed character. The maids left home young and spent decades inside the palace—they likely know nothing of the world's dangers. What if they're deceived?"

Xue Xuan: "Do you think the palace hasn't thought of this? Don't worry—the two Empress Dowagers and the Empress have stationed the Northern Capital Security Bureau at the palace gates. Any man wishing to propose must report his household registration and assets. Empress Qian and Empress Wang have even set aside funds to provide dowries for each maid. Those who reach the palace gate may not be wealthy, but at least their families have been commoners for three generations."

Xue Shao finally sighed in relief.

Xue Xuan paused, turned to look at him: "This idea was actually suggested to the two Empresses by your State Advisor friend—you two are worrying about the same thing."

Xue Shao lowered his head: "Uncle, I wish to be posted as an inspector."

Xue Xuan fell silent for a long while: "Have you thought this through? As a Censorial Inspector, it's not only grueling—it could cost you your life."

Xue Shao: "The Emperor is now cutting his own clothes and meals and releasing palace maids—he clearly intends to reform the bureaucracy. The Emperor leads by example; all officials across the land must follow. I wish to inspect the realm on the Emperor's behalf."

Xue Xuan asked, expressionless: "Where do you want to go?"

Xue Shao: "Jiangnan."

"Last time you served as Jiangnan Inspector, you nearly died and were dismissed. Do you still dare go?"

Xue Shao lowered his head, yet his back remained straight, offering no retreat.

Xue Xuan knew he couldn't be talked out of it—he didn't want to try.

He only patted his shoulder and sighed: "If you face an unresolvable matter, write and tell me."

Xue Shao agreed.

Pan Yun is the State Advisor; court officials can easily meet her—just visit the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

And Pan Yun can leave the palace with ease.

Xue Shao wasn't in any hurry to see her.

True enough, after the morning court session the next day, he turned his steps toward the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and found Pan Yun seated on the Star-Observing Platform, meditating in the sunlight.

Xue Shao climbed the steps and stood quietly beside her, watching.

Pan Xiaohei was delighted to see Xue Shao, meowed, leapt onto him, and exclaimed excitedly: "Finally, a familiar face! You don't know—I've been so bored in this palace I'm starting to hallucinate."

Xue Shao hugged it and laughed: "Don't you cultivate? Aren't Master Yin and his disciples also familiar to you?"

Pan Xiaohei: "They're even more boring than Pan Yun—always paperwork or stargazing and cultivation. Nothing fun. I miss Miaohe."

Pan Yun opened her eyes and placed a cushion opposite her.

Xue Shao sat cross-legged and said: "When we reached near Quanzhou Prefecture, we parted ways. On my return, I inquired—I heard they took a ride on a merchant ship to Japan, escorted out by Daoist Priests from the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion."

Pan Yun smiled: "I'll remember this favor from the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion."

Xue Shao: "The Jiangxi Provincial Administration wants to cast golden statues for the ancestral masters of Mount Sanqing, but when they arrived, they found the Sanqing Temple empty—your eldest brother is gone, and the temple is being managed by villagers below the mountain."

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly: "See? Now I'm truly alone."

Xue Shao: "... I think Master Wang shares your spirit—I heard that the day after the new Emperor ascended, he left to wander."

He had clearly anticipated Pan Yun becoming State Advisor and fled to avoid duties.

But Pan Yun knew Wang Feiyin hadn't left—he was surely hiding in some cave on Mount Sanqing, cultivating in seclusion.

A cunning rabbit has three dens; in the mountains, his dens were the most numerous.

Xue Shao opened his mouth, then hesitated: "Next year, I'll be posted outside the capital..."

Pan Yun replied bluntly: "See you next year."

Xue Shao immediately felt at ease—this meant she too would leave Jingcheng?

Of course Pan Yun would leave Jingcheng—how could she stay in the capital forever? The world was vast. The New Emperor officially changed the era name to Jingtai—this was Jingtai's first year.

The regional princes all sent New Year greetings and gifts, and several influential princes, by imperial decree, came to the capital to offer congratulations and pay respects to Empress Dowager Sun.

After Empress Dowager Sun moved to the Xigong, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Dao, accompanied by Empress Qian and the late emperor's concubines, rarely stepping beyond the palace gates.

Empress Wu was an indecisive, invisible figure; she was granted the title of Virtuous Consort only because she bore Zhu Qiyu.

Her son's ascension was unexpected, and her becoming Empress Dowager was unexpected, so she deferred to her son in all matters.

Zhu Qiyu had a gentle disposition, but Empress Wang was upright and strong-willed, so Empress Wang managed all affairs of the inner palace.