After grading the papers and finalizing the rankings, Emperor Li received Shangguan Shi's report.
There was no denying that Jiang Meimei's fortune-reading ability was accurate. The candidates she identified as having strong auras all ranked in the top tier.
When Shangguan Shi mentioned Mingting's abnormality, Emperor Li roughly understood the source of that golden light.
Since the state-owned textile factory began paying female workers decent wages, with benefits and job security, the infant mortality rate for girls in the southeastern province had dropped drastically.
Especially after Mingting implemented measures like 'raising female workers' ideological awareness'.
With weekly literacy classes, moral education, and legal knowledge, more and more women chose to work in the factories.
For commoners, sending their daughters to work not only earned them money but also provided education. Where else could they find such a good deal?
After all, if a woman can read, the bride price will be high when she gets married, and she can be married into better families.
Moreover, they could continue working after marriage, with maternity leave provided. Earning a steady income also gave women far more confidence at home.
Once people tasted the benefits, combined with Emperor Li's vigorous promotion, attitudes toward baby girls in the southeastern province began to shift.
Giving birth to a daughter can also create value, so why not raise them?
After a few years, they can enter the factory!
This is what Mingting had written in his proposal, 'Appeal to their self-interest'.
People were motivated by profit. If there were benefits to be gained, advantages to seize, and money to be made, the public would gradually accept it, making change much easier.
"Merit…" Emperor Li picked up the pen and wrote the word on the paper.
'It turns out that saving a life is really better than building a seven-story pagoda. Mingting's actions saved the lives of many baby girls, which was actually a great merit!'
Emperor Li was intrigued and asked Jiang Meimei to examine his own fortune.
Hearing her say that the black line of bad luck on his luck had vanished, and there was now a light golden light surrounding him, Emperor Li thought, 'Just as I suspected.'
Master Xuanyi had said that Mingting was carrying the golden light of merit and was the reincarnation of a virtuous soul, and Emperor Li's thoughts stretched further.
'If reincarnation was real, then by working diligently, squeezing every drop of usefulness… cough, employing capable ministers, being a good emperor, and doing more for the people, especially improving women's status, would I, in my next life, also shine with golden merit like Mingting?'
Emperor Li decided to have Mingting explain in detail the relationship between the improvement of women's status and the stability of the state power.
Unbeknownst to Mingting, Jiang Meimei had inadvertently helped him again.
During the palace examination, he had guessed Emperor Li's intentions and deliberately refused to look up. He wondered if the emperor had been annoyed.
After the exam, Mingting felt great, but Wang Zhi felt a little weak in the legs.
For a commoner, seeing the magnificent palace and the awe-inspiring Emperor for the first time was naturally intimidating.
Ming Ting helped the trembling Wang Zhi into the carriage.
"Brother-in-law, how do you feel?" Mingting asked.
"I don't even remember what I wrote." Wang Zhi wiped the sweat from his forehead, "All I recall is the fruit on the table at noon… it tasted very refreshing."
Originally, Emperor Li had planned to observe Mingting's reaction upon learning his identity during the announcement ceremony.
Who knew that Li Sheng would sneak into Mingting's house the night before and confessed his identity.
"So you're the Crown Prince?" Mingting stared at Li Sheng.
"Yes, Brother Ting, I didn't mean to hide it from you. Don't let this come between us --"
Seeing Mingting's gloomy face, Li Sheng was a little flustered.
"Just because I am the Crown Prince doesn't affect our brotherhood! And my father is your foster father. With such a powerful backer, you can strut around like a boss from now on..."
After Li Sheng begged Mingting for an hour, Mingting generously forgave the Crown Prince for concealing his identity.
"Brother Ting, you're so magnanimous! Remember, you will always be my, Li Sheng's little brother!"
"Okay! Big brother will always be my dearest elder brother!"
Seeing the young Crown Prince hugging Mingting's arm with emotion and almost crying, Fengtian wished it could crack open his skull to see what was inside.
'Fortunately, Boss was here to repay kindness, otherwise, the Crown Prince would be finished.'
Emperor Li soon learned what Li Sheng had done. Though the Crown Prince had disrupted his plans, the Emperor was more amused than annoyed.
Now that Mingting had entered the court, he was another hardworking subject under his command.
'In the future, I'd have to make sure this kid gave his all, shining brightly for the court and the people!'
As expected, Mingting became the Zhuangyuan.
Not only was he the youngest Zhuangyuan in the history of the imperial examination, but he was also the only one to achieve the 'Six-Time Champion'.
What fascinated the public even more was that the Zhuangyuan was as handsome as the top scholar described in the storybook.
During the victory parade, countless young women threw flowers, sachets, and handkerchiefs at the newly minted Zhuangyuan. Some bold ones even shouted Mingting's name, declaring their love to him.
Mingting's family, along with Mrs. Su and Su Lingyi, waited in the private room that had been booked in advance.
Seeing Mingting coming over, Su Lingyi's cheeks flushed pink.
"Auntie, quick, throw the flowers!" When Mingting was about to pass by, Daya hurriedly pulled Su Lingyi to the window.
"Uncle, we are here!"
Daya waved vigorously.
When Mingting looked over, Su Lingyi tossed the pink peony she had prepared.
Mingting caught it and tucked the blooming flower beside his official hat, and then smiled at Su Lingyi. His dashing smile made Su Lingyi's heart race, her palms sweating.
The sight of the Zhuangyuan wearing a pink flower, smiling like the spring breeze, sent the crowd of women into a frenzy. Among them was Du Ruowei.
Du Ruowei had never seen such a handsome young man, radiant with vigor, tall and elegant.
When Mingting passed by, she hurled an entire basket of flowers at him. However, he didn't even glance at her, wearing only the pink peony.
"Mom, I want to marry the Zhuangyuan!"
Du Ruowei rushed back home angrily.
After hearing her daughter's words, Princess Dongyang dismissed it as her daughter's whimsy.
But when she found out that Du Ruowei not only ordered people to find out where Mingting lived, but also checked all his information, Princess Dongyang took it seriously.
When Song Yi returned home, Princess Dongyang told him about this matter with a worried look on her face.
She was planning to let Du Ruowei enter the East Palace as Crown Princess, so she looked down on a poor Zhuangyuan!
"No! Absolutely not!"
The moment Song Yi heard what Princess Dongyang said, he vehemently objected.
Ever since he saw Mingting, Song Yi had felt an odd familiarity. Colleagues had even remarked on their resemblance.
More importantly, the Zhuangyuan is also called Mingting, just like his eldest son who stayed in his hometown.
A bold suspicion took root in Song Yi's mind.