In the Golden Phoenix Dynasty, nepotism among noble families and severe military corruption were rampant. The bureaucratic system had shown its flaws since the previous dynasty, with officials deeply interconnected, and the children of noble families and gentry almost monopolizing all official positions.

This led to serious corruption and bribery, with the upper echelons setting a bad example for those below.

After the death of the previous Empress Yongtai, Chang Diqing assisted in governing and greatly promoted the imperial examination system, selecting scholars from humble backgrounds in an attempt to counterbalance the bureaucratic nobility. The initial series of reform measures did have some effect in rectifying discipline, but they failed to eradicate military corruption and the phenomena of nepotism and buying official positions.

Later, when Chang Diqing was demoted to commoner status, bureaucratic reforms stagnated, and corruption became even more rampant.

Now, although Auxiliary State Official Chang Diqing had returned to court to assist in governance, chaos had already taken root, with noble factions led by the Southern Marquis opposing her in court. Reforms of the bureaucratic system were repeatedly delayed.

Corruption was frequent in various states and prefectures. During her year of travel, Liu Changning had seen too many joys and sorrows, witnessed countless false and unjust cases.

This dynasty, due to the control of corrupt military officials and noble families, was already infested with vermin. If left unchecked, not to mention the potential collapse of the court, it would be the common people who would suffer the most.

Liu Changning had always acted according to her heart. During her year of travel, personally witnessing the devastating effects of official corruption on the people, she developed a sense of compassion.

Years ago, when she was cultivating the Path of Emotionlessness, she gradually lost control, almost allowing the technique to dominate her consciousness. But it was only almost – she had an epiphany before death, just in time.

As the leader of the righteous path, if her mind was not righteous, it would be a great disaster for the entire Spiritual Realm.

Later, experiencing a second life, living for over twenty years in a society bound by laws, she retained her usual aloofness but also gained some basic principles of how to be a person.

The boundaries between good and evil became clear and distinct.

Now that she had developed a sense of compassion, her entry into officialdom was aimed at shaking up the entire entrenched bureaucratic system of the Golden Phoenix Dynasty, for the sake of the innocent who had been wronged.

In an era of such strict hierarchy, if officials protected each other and engaged in corruption, the common people had only one path: death.

—

The imperial examination would be held at the foot of the Emperor’s throne in February of the following year.

After the results of the provincial examination were announced in October, Liu Changning hurriedly packed her belongings and, together with Jia Ziyun, boarded a carriage heading for the capital.

Traveling north, the journey was long and tiring. By the time they entered the capital, it was just past the Minor Snow solar term.

As the carriage passed through the city gate and slowly moved along the main street of Jinling City, one could see through the curtains the bustling crowds and shops lining both sides of the street.

Jinling City, being at the foot of the Emperor’s throne, was even more lively than Tongzhou City. Most of the passing vehicles were luxurious carriages adorned with precious stones and pearls.

If one looked closely, one could see various insignia of officials and nobles on the front of the carriages.

After entering the main city street, the rented carriage carrying Liu Changning and Jia Ziyun gradually slowed down.

Avoiding several luxurious carriages along the way, it took nearly half an hour to reach the Jia residence on Vermilion Bird Street.

Jia Ziyun propped open the curtain with one hand and turned back to ask the woman behind her: “Changning, are you sure you don’t want to stay with me?”

Liu Changning, with her chin resting on her hands, had her gaze fixed on the bustling street at the entrance of the alley. She gave a faint “Mm” in response.

This residence was the official home allocated to Grand Tutor Jia in the capital. Although she had resigned and returned to her hometown two years ago, due to her status as an elder who had served three empresses, the court had not reclaimed the mansion.

Now that the Grand Tutor had moved away from the capital, this residence had been given to Jia Ziyun’s aunt’s family to live in. It would not be appropriate for her to impose at this time.

Seeing her nod, Jia Ziyun did not press further. She shrugged and said, “Then your elder sister will get off first. We’ll meet tomorrow at the Guiyun Teahouse opposite Pipa Alley.”

Liu Changning kept her eyes fixed outside the carriage window and softly responded with an “Mm.”

Having received her assent, Jia Ziyun turned and jumped out of the carriage.

If Grand Tutor Jia were to see her behaving so improperly, she would likely face another round of scolding.

After pausing briefly at the Jia residence and seeing her friend enter the compound, Liu Changning then said to the carriage woman outside, “Please trouble you to drop me off at the entrance of Saijin Street.”

“Certainly!” the middle-aged woman outside the curtain responded loudly. She pulled the reins to turn around, and the wheels left a long track on the alley paved with blue stones.

With the triennial imperial examination about to begin, there were particularly many students who had come to the capital early to prepare.

Over the past two years, Liu Changning had written many articles criticizing current affairs. Later, through her connection with the Grand Tutor, she had used her network to sell the articles to the Bodu Bookstore, earning a large sum of money. If she wanted to, she could easily afford to buy a four-courtyard residence in Jinling City.

However, such a large residence would be cumbersome for her to live in alone.

Therefore, when Jia Ziyun asked if she wanted to buy a residence, she flatly refused. Staying at an inn would save her a lot of trouble.

—

The carriage stopped at the intersection of Saijin Street.

The woman inside lifted the curtain and leisurely jumped out of the carriage.

The usually bustling street corner fell silent for a moment.

The woman standing in front of the carriage was wearing a silver-white small chrysanthemum-patterned cotton shirt with a green collar and buttons, covered with a white cloak with green calyxes. Her black hair was half-tied at the back with a white jade hairpin, half loose. As the cool breeze blew, it lifted the falling strands of hair, exposing her entire face to the air.

The passersby on both sides of the street couldn’t help but gasp.