Chapter202

"Minister Old Pei, from now on you will serve as the Director of the Hanlin Academy, with the rank of second-grade official. You will oversee the establishment, operation, and faculty of all national academies in Plumera City. How does that sound?"

He had raised someone like Mathias, a true talent. He had also remained principled under the pressure of people like Lord Gregory, even at the cost of his family's decline, refusing to associate with them.

Elara held a deep respect for Minister Old Pei.

He had always been a scholar at heart. His talents were no less than those of his children.

So even though the title of Minister no longer existed, she still addressed him as Minister Old Pei and gave him a status equal to his former peak.

Maurice, who had been hanging his head, suddenly looked up at his father. He quickly glanced at Elara on the high platform, eyes full of shock, surprise, disbelief, and... relief and joy.

His Pei Family... after enduring so many difficult years, was it finally over?

Minister Old Pei was clearly surprised as well. He looked up at Elara with aged eyes but said nothing and simply bowed deeply.

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

Elara then looked at Maurice.

"Maurice."

Maurice, nearly unable to contain the smile on his lips, quickly straightened and stepped forward. "Your servant is here!"

"You'll also work in the Ministry of Education as a Honghu Deputy Minister. You'll be a fourth-grade official, assisting your father in managing all of Plumera's academic institutions."

Maurice froze, then quickly knelt and bowed in gratitude. At that moment, all the fear he once had from being taken and threatened by Elara had vanished from his mind.

Elara smiled and nodded, then glanced at Minister Old Pei, who gave Maurice a subtle sharp look.

"Minister Old Pei."

He withdrew his gaze and stood firm. "Your servant is here."

"The head position of the Ministry of Education is still vacant, so for now, you're the highest-ranking official there. You've seen the current situation in court. Too many corrupt officials have been removed, leaving all departments in desperate need of fresh talent."

"So, Minister Old Pei, after today's court session, I need you to immediately prepare for a nationwide imperial examination."

"The format will completely follow the new system used in Marigold. As for the details..."

Elara paused and looked toward a refined young man quietly hiding among the Ministry of Works group.

"Virono, weren't you in the Ministry of Education when you were in Marigold? I remember you ranked first in the civil exam there. I even personally removed your slave status. So why are you mixed in with the Ministry of Works now?"

The young man trembled when he heard his name. He stepped out of the group with shaky legs, barely daring to breathe.

"Your servant... your servant was indeed in the Ministry of Education, but this is my first court session and... I stood in the wrong place..."

Because he was extremely nervous, Virono, who was born a slave, was standing in this grand and magnificent hall for the first time. All around him were powerful officials he had never even dared to look up at before. He was instinctively afraid.

So as soon as he entered the hall, he didn't think much and just clung tightly to his familiar colleagues from Marigold City. But without realizing it... he had clung all the way to the area where the Ministry of Works stood.

Virono was so nervous that he couldn't even speak properly, making the colleagues beside him sweat with worry.

Just as he was about to cry, a soft laugh came from the high platform.

Elara couldn't hold it in. This thin, small young man reacted in such an amusing way.

But she only laughed for a moment before coughing lightly and speaking calmly.

"All right, don't be so nervous. Just act as you did back in Marigold City. I'm not going to punish you for no reason."

Virono's face turned red. After Elara spoke, he responded while raising his hand to wipe the tears that had almost come out from being scared.

Elara said, "From now on, stay in Plumera City's Ministry of Examinations. You'll be a junior assistant in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of senior fourth class, and help with the national imperial examination each year."

Virono froze. The two tears he had just held back started to fall again at the words "senior fourth class."

Elara continued, "After court ends today, leave with Minister Old Pei. Explain to him how Marigold City held its exams. This year's exam will cover a much broader area with more people. Since the court is short on talent, I can only give you one month. The exam will be held one month from now."

"In this one month, I want to see talents from all across Plumera joining in. You must ensure every region receives the notice properly."

"Y-Yes... hic," Virono, eyes red and choking up, knelt deeply. "I accept your command, Your Majesty. Please rest assured. Even if I have to give my life, I will hold this examination successfully one month from now!"

Elara looked at his tear-streaked face and the determination in his eyes and smiled again.

Virono, though born a slave, answered more sincerely than anyone else.

Elara smiled and gently helped him up. "Enough, go back now. Don't be so tense. Just treat this place like Marigold City. Do your job well and no one will dare bully you."

As soon as she said this, the way everyone looked at Virono completely changed.

Especially the group of old officials who had quietly looked down on him earlier for being a former slave. Now, their gazes were trembling, filled with envy and flattery.

He was the first official the Empress had openly defended in front of everyone.

Such great favor!

Who would dare look down on him now?

Virono, once again in tears, stepped back. This time he stood in the correct spot next to Minister Old Pei and Maurice. But because his face was still covered in tears, it looked very undignified, and Minister Old Pei shot him several cold glances. Virono could only lower his head and shrink his neck, not daring to speak.

With the Ministry of Examinations done, next came the Ministry of Medicine.

Unfortunately, the appointed head of the Ministry of Medicine was still on the road. Elara had to announce Oswyn's appointment ahead of time, just like she did with Kristof.

"The head of the Ministry of Medicine will be Oswyn, the young master of the Valley of Miracle Healers. Does anyone object to this appointment?"

She looked over at the spot where the imperial physicians stood.

All of them lowered their heads and shrank their necks. What objections could they possibly have? Would they even dare?

Elara nodded with satisfaction. "Good. From now on, Oswyn will take charge of the Ministry of Medicine. All former staff of the Imperial Medical Academy will now be under this ministry. As for your new roles, Oswyn will assign them when he arrives. The duties of the ministry will also be clarified then."

After saying this, Elara shifted in her seat slightly.

She had finally completed all the appointments for the nine main departments.

Letting out a small breath, she looked down at everyone now assigned their posts and felt like the once broken Plumera was finally beginning to recover.

"That's the end of the first appointment agenda today. If anyone has objections, come to the palace and speak to me after court."

"Next, we move to the second agenda."

Elara didn't pause and continued directly. "The biggest threat to Plumera, the rebel force led by Aragorn, has been wiped out. Most areas have been cleared of rebels, but some regions still face issues. General Qi."

General Qi stepped out. "I'm here."

"You have one month to handle this completely."

"Yes!"

"Also, regarding Plumera's future development in industry, agriculture, commerce, and education..."

The grand hall continued to echo with the girl's calm voice, and ministers responded with acceptance and thanks.

By the time the next morning's court session ended, it was already dark outside.

After stepping down from court, Elara planned to return to her chambers to enjoy a hot bath and ease the soreness from sitting on a hard seat all day.

That throne might look grand, but it really made her backside hurt.

Just as she walked out of the Tianyan Hall, the palace attendant who had visited her yesterday suddenly rushed over again.

This time, he looked like he was being chased by wild dogs. Seeing Elara, he quickly bowed and said anxiously,

"Y-Your Majesty! Something's wrong! Half an hour ago, a man claiming to be from your princess estate's back courtyard showed up! He brought a lot of things and said... said he wants to force his way into the inner palace!"