The midsummer sun shines on the golden bricks and red tiles of the Forbidden City. In the mottled light and shadow, a eunuch carefully holds an exquisite jade plate filled with brightly colored lychees.

With brisk steps, he walked through the winding corridors and reached the depths of the harem.

Pushing open a vermillion-lacquered door, a gust of cool wind accompanied by the faint fragrance of jasmine came to you.

He walked softly to a concubine who was sitting by the window, and said softly, "Your Majesty, your Majesty has sent fresh lychees. I know you like to eat them, so I specially ordered them to be delivered to you."

Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Shen Nianshu's eyes. She turned around, revealing a gentle and pleasant face.

She gently took the jade plate and saw that the lychees were plump and crystal clear, as if they could drip water. She gently peeled off the skin of a lychee to reveal the white, tender and juicy pulp, and gently put it into her mouth. Suddenly, a sweet juice spread in her mouth, which was refreshing.

Shen Nianshu savored the sweetness of the lychees and couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a satisfied and happy smile.

She opened her red lips lightly and said in a sweet and gentle voice, "It's delicious. Thank you, Your Majesty."

The sunlight shines through the exquisite window lattices and falls on her jade-like face, adding a touch of radiance to her gentle temperament.

Nanyu beside her , her eyes full of gentle light, "Try it too, this lychee is indeed delicious."

Bai Nanyu nodded slightly and took the litchi. His fingers were slender and powerful, and he gently peeled off the thin skin.

The aroma of lychees filled his nose, fresh and intoxicating. He looked down at the lychees in his hand, the crystal clear flesh looked particularly tempting in the sun.

He took a light bite, and the sweet juice flowed in his mouth. The refreshing taste made him close his eyes, as if he was enjoying this moment of tranquility and beauty.

Bai Nanyu put down the lychee in his hand and looked at Shen Nianshu with concern, his eyes full of tenderness. He walked up to Shen Nianshu, gently held her hand, and said in a low and gentle voice, " Shu'er , how have you been these days? Are you feeling well?"

Shen Nianshu raised her head, her eyes shining with happiness. She shook her head slightly and replied softly, "Everything is fine with me, my concubine. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Bai Nanyu 's worries subsided slightly. He gently stroked Shen Nianshu's long hair, his eyes full of endearment , "That's good, I will always be by your side."

Shen Nianshu's frown looked particularly solemn.

Shen Nianshu noticed something strange about him.

She stood up gently, walked to Bai Nanyu , and asked softly, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you? Your brows have been furrowed. Is there something that's bothering you?"

Bai Nanyu heard this, he raised his head slightly and looked at Shen Nianshu with a hint of exhaustion in his eyes. He gently held Shen Nianshu's hand, and his voice was low and heavy, " Shu'er , I do have something lingering in my heart."

During the meeting today.

The atmosphere in the court hall of the Forbidden City was extremely solemn.

On the dragon chair, Bai Nanyu frowned, holding the jade seal tightly in his hand, and his eyes were like torches as he scanned the ministers who were kneeling before His Highness .

In the corner of the hall, several old officials were whispering to each other, their faces full of worry. Their whispers were particularly clear in the empty hall, "Your Majesty, the prosperity of the country depends on talents, and the imperial examination is an important way to select talents. There may be many poor children this time. Should we reconsider?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, in recent years, our dynasty has lost its talent. If we don't resume the imperial examinations, I'm afraid the country will no longer exist!"

Bai Nanyu listened to these discussions, and his heart was filled with ripples. He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "I know what you all think, but the matter of the imperial examination cannot be decided overnight. I will consider it carefully and give you a satisfactory answer."

…

Bai Nanyu stood in front of the window, looking into the distance with deep eyes.

Outside the window, the palaces of the Forbidden City looked solemn and solemn in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if they were also silently carrying the rise and fall of the dynasty.

He sighed softly and turned to look at Shen Nianshu, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes, " Shu'er , at the court meeting today, the veterans jointly submitted a memorial requesting a re-examination."

Shen Nianshu nodded slightly and frowned , "This scientific examination has always been a major event in the court and is related to the rise and fall of the country."

Bai Nanyu walked to Shen Nianshu, put his hands behind his back, looked at the setting sun outside the window, and said in a deep voice, "I know the importance of scientific examinations, but the situation in the DPRK and China is complicated now, and it is not easy to resume scientific examinations. Those aristocratic families , they control the power and resources of the DPRK and China, and naturally do not want new forces to rise and threaten their status. "

Shen Nianshu walked gently behind Bai Nanyu , gently put her hands around his waist, put her head on his back, and said softly, "Your Majesty, I don't know anything else, but I only know one truth. Those who are capable will live there. Although those aristocratic families have their power, what the imperial court needs after all is those who are truly capable!"

Bai Nanyu heard this, he turned around and looked at Shen Nianshu's firm eyes, and couldn't help but feel something in his heart.

Before Shen Nianshu could finish her words, her expression suddenly changed, as if she realized that she had crossed a limit, and she knelt on the ground with a plop. She lowered her head suddenly and clasped her hands tightly together, as if trying to grasp the invisible fear.

Her knees touched the ground lightly, making a small sound.

Shen Nianshu's body trembled slightly, and her voice was trembling and remorseful, "I know my fault and should not discuss state affairs arbitrarily."

Bai Nanyu looked at her kneeling figure with mixed feelings in his heart. He hurriedly stepped forward to help Shen Nianshu up.

Bai Nanyu stretched out his hand, gently held Shen Nianshu's arms, and said warmly, "It's okay, I'm asking you."

Shen Nianshu raised her head, her eyes were slightly red, and there were tears in her eyes. She bit her lower lip gently, as if trying to suppress her emotions.

Bai Nanyu felt distressed in his heart when he looked at her appearance. He gently lifted Shen Nianshu up and let her lean into his arms. He lowered his head and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. His voice was gentle but firm, " Shu'er , it's great to have you."

Nanyu 's words, Shen Nianshu 's fear gradually dissipated.

She raised her head and looked into Bai Nanyu 's deep eyes, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Bai Nanyu gently stroked Shen Nianshu's hair, his eyes full of tenderness. He turned around to leave, but seemed to think of something, stopped and looked back at Shen Nianshu.

He smiled slightly, and his voice was low and magnetic, "You should take good care of yourself. I have to leave beforehand."

After saying that, he turned and left with firm and powerful steps. Shen Nianshu looked at his retreating figure, feeling an inexplicable emotion well up in her heart.