Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 400 Sweet Little Couple

The next day, Prince Yi requested to enter the palace under the pretext of taking care of Consort Zheng, and ordered his subordinates to conceal all their sharpness, keep a low profile, and adopt the lowest possible attitude.

Emperor Cheng was indeed swayed by this, after all, this was his favorite son, and Consort Zheng had fallen ill after the Zheng family's downfall. Emperor Cheng was also concerned about Consort Zheng, so he readily agreed.

Shen Li had no interest in the emperor's family affairs. She had already left the Hanlin Academy and gone to the Ministry of Rites, where she was working with other officials to prepare for this year's imperial examinations.

Although her official rank in the Ministry of Rites was only a minor fourth-rank official, even the Minister of Rites was willing to listen to some of her ideas, making her an absolute key figure.

Shen Li was very satisfied with this official position. She worked even harder than she had in the Hanlin Academy. She wanted to familiarize herself with everything as soon as possible so that she could take on a leading role in the next imperial examination.

She had not forgotten her grand vision: to make women eligible to take the imperial examinations. For this, she needed absolute authority.

It's not the right time yet.

Li Che was very happy to learn that Shen Li had been admitted to the Ministry of Rites. When he saw Shen Li arrive, he put away the mathematical knowledge on the table and stood up to greet her: "Greetings, Master. Congratulations on your promotion to the Ministry of Rites."

"Your Highness seems to be in a very good mood today." Shen Li rarely saw joy on the young man's face.

Although Li Che is young, he rarely shows his emotions.

“My master has entered the Ministry of Rites, and will be able to enter the Grand Secretariat in the future. I am naturally pleased that the court has such a talent as my master.” Li Che lowered his voice as he said this.

"Thank you for your high regard, Your Highness, but who can predict the future?" Shen Li then changed the subject: "Does Your Highness think that the imperial examinations for women are a viable option?"

"A woman?" Li Che had clearly not considered this question. After pondering for a moment, he finally shook his head: "I haven't thought about it. Let me think about it before answering Master."

Shen Li liked his thoughtful nature and his reluctance to make hasty decisions.

"What does Master think?" Li Che asked again, "I would like to hear Master's opinion."

"I believe that women's talents are in no way inferior to men's, and some are even exceptionally talented. Since our dynasty is actively seeking talented individuals, why can't we give them a chance?"

"Does Master mean to establish a separate imperial examination for women?"

"Your Highness misunderstands. I think we should lift the restrictions on the imperial examinations so that women can take them just like men. As long as it's fair, there shouldn't be any preferential treatment."

Li Che nodded: "Master's words make sense."

Before this, he would have thought it was unconventional, but since Shen Li and Lin Wan'er showed their talents, those in power could not help but think deeply about it.

Before this, how many talented people had the imperial court missed?

"Alright, Your Highness, it's time for class." Shen Li stopped talking, wanting to give Li Che time to think.

If Li Che agrees, that would be best; even if he doesn't, she has to make it happen.

After giving her lecture, Shen Li went straight from the inner palace to the Meridian Gate to continue working. Despite her usual leisure time, there were still many matters related to the imperial examinations, and she was often so busy that she couldn't go home even after her shift ended.

But the advantage of being promoted was that she and Gu Chang'an worked together inside the Meridian Gate, so they could not only go home together in the evening, but also have lunch together at noon.

This undoubtedly pleased the young couple greatly. They needed to be restrained during the day, but at night they could be unrestrained.

Moreover, without any external obstacles, the two of them lived a blissful life together during this period.

Emperor Cheng and Prince Yi saw this, but even though they were wary, the father and son tacitly refrained from mentioning the matter of arranging a concubine for Gu Chang'an.

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The controversy over establishing a crown prince has resurfaced, but this time it wasn't Prince Yi's people who submitted a memorial. Instead, it was brought up by a few idle censors, who naturally used the same old rhetoric that the court couldn't be without a crown prince.

Emperor Cheng has been unwell lately, coughing frequently. His poor health has softened his heart, and Prince Yi's wings have been almost completely stripped away. He should learn how to be a well-behaved crown prince.

He tentatively asked the court officials, and the first person to step forward and object was Shen Zizai.

"Your Majesty, according to the ancestral calendar, if there is a legitimate son, the eldest son should be established; if there is no legitimate son, the eldest son should be established. Now that the Empress has a legitimate son, I believe that we should follow the calendar and establish the Fourteenth Prince as the Crown Prince."

This was the first time Shen Zizai had spoken out of this opinion in court, which could be considered an open declaration.

As soon as he said this, veteran officials immediately echoed his sentiments.

Prince Yi had not made any prior arrangements, and this situation was within his expectations. He was in a similar predicament when he was fighting against the Crown Prince, except that Shen Zizai was only the Minister of Rites then, while now he was the Grand Secretary.

Emperor Cheng knew he could not openly defy ancestral laws, so he glossed over the matter with a few words.

After the court session, Prince Yi went to Consort Zheng's palace. Consort Zheng was still grieving the loss of her loved ones, and hearing this only made her angrier.

"I never imagined that our biggest threat wouldn't be Li Heng, but the Shen family! If I had known, I would never have agreed to let Shen Zizai into the cabinet!" Consort Zheng said angrily.

"Mother, please calm down." Xia Shiyin handed over a cup of tea: "So what if he is the Grand Secretary? Back then, even he and Zhou Zhen couldn't protect the Crown Prince together. Now that he's all alone, what can he possibly achieve?"

"The most important thing is that Father Emperor agreed."

Consort Zheng thought it made sense and nodded to Xia Shiyin: "You've become smarter. You'll have to share more of Chen'er's burdens in the future."

"Yes, Mother Consort, I understand." Xia Shiyin was very happy to receive praise from Consort Zheng and bowed.

The King of Chess, sitting at the lower seat, had an already gloomy face that darkened even more after hearing these conversations. Xia Shiyin's words were wrong from the beginning. Pushing down Li Heng was not done by their side. In fact, it could be said that Shen Li secretly played a big role.

He just couldn't understand how Gu Chang'an could marry the brilliant and resourceful Shen Li, while he had to marry a good-for-nothing. What made him even more upset was that his mother actually thought it made sense.

He rubbed his temples, a plan already taking shape in his mind. Since the power struggles in the court would arouse his father's suspicion, he would shift the struggles to the shadows where they could not be seen.

Who says the struggle for the crown prince position can only take place in the imperial court?

Shen Li has been very busy lately and is very happy. Although she gets home very late, being able to ride with her husband makes up for it.

The spacious carriage was moving forward, and Shen Li lay on the carriage's couch, resting her head on Gu Chang's legs.

Gu Chang'an would peel a lychee and feed it to her, then catch the pit with his handkerchief, his doting gaze never leaving her face, his movements gentle and meticulous.

Shen Li was content to be served; in her view, it was what she deserved, and this time she had worked hard step by step to get closer to him.

Who says spending more time with colleagues means neglecting official duties? Isn't it better to be colleagues?

"What are you thinking about, A-Li?" Gu Chang'an asked, noticing the smile on her face.

"It would be wonderful if we could always be like this in the future."

"Will do."

"Oh, right, Father wants you to come home for dinner." Shen Li remembered her father's invitation from a few days ago.

"Then let's hurry over there. We can't keep my parents-in-law waiting." Gu Chang'an became serious upon hearing this and told the driver to speed up the journey.

Shen Li was both amused and exasperated. Who exactly said Gu Chang'an was steady and reliable?