After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

Su Jinghui was already in prison for questioning, and the rest of the Su family, along with the rest of the suspects, were escorted to Chang'an and detained separately, ready to be brought to trial at any time. At the same time, the examination was also coming to an end. According to the system, officials of the fourth rank and below were to be examined externally, and the Ministry of Personnel's Examination Department, the Imperial Secretary, and the Secretary of the Central Secretariat were jointly responsible for this.

Therefore, since the beginning of the year, the Examination Office has been very busy. Originally, the examiners of each prefecture and county were required to submit the examination books to the Ministry of Shangshu before the end of the year. However, there were many trivial matters in the court this year, so they had to postpone it. Now that the New Year has just passed, they have to recruit people to serve as examiners, which is very busy.

Today was the day for officials of the fourth rank and below to take the examination. The front of the Suzaku Gate was crowded with people early in the morning, waiting for it to open.

Pei Jiaoran, who came on horseback, looked at the crowd at the door. He looked around and saw Fang Jianyue, Pang Xiyin, Zhao Mingluan and the two sisters Wang Shen'ai in the crowd. Fang Jianyue was the first to notice his sight, and she looked at him in surprise. She gently touched the others beside her, and in a blink of an eye, several people looked at her.

Pei Jiaoran got off his horse and let go of the reins. He smiled and waved to the people, signaling them to come over. "It's been a long time since we last met. How are you?"

"Thanks to you, we are all fine." Several people bowed together, "How about you?"

His eyes swept across the faces of several people, and Pei Jiaoran smiled, "I am naturally very proud of myself."

What she said was not false. After several people entered the officialdom, she had already accumulated great achievements. She was promoted from the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue to the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and at the same time was in charge of the transportation of salt and iron in Jianghuai. It can be said that she was in a very glorious position.

Hearing her words, Pang Xiyin said with a smile: "Then we, the subordinates, would like to congratulate you first."

Several people have also heard about Su Jinghui's dismissal. Although he has not yet been convicted, it seems that the outcome has been decided.

"It's just the emperor's grace, you don't have to do this." Pei Jiaoran stroked the floral pattern on his sleeve, "The time is approaching, go to Suzaku Gate and wait. Come to Chongyifang after the exam today, I'll host you and we can reminisce about the past."

Several people looked at each other and bowed to say goodbye.

After a few people left, Pei Jiaoran looked around, then walked forward slowly with his hands behind his back.

"Mr. Pei."

Hearing Jia Gonglu's voice coming from behind him, Pei Jiaoran turned around with a smile on his face, "Hello, Jia Gonglu?"

"Not bad. Did those girls leave? I wanted to see what kind of talent it was that could be treated differently by Mr. Pei." Jia Gonglu stroked his long beard and spoke in a gentle tone, "I seem to have seen the two girls from the Wang family?"

Pei Jiaoran narrowed his eyes and smiled at the people around Jia Gonglu, saying, "They are just new officials. They can't compare to your family, which is full of talented people and has no uneducated people."

She had taken in the Wang sisters because she felt sorry for them and because she had heard that they were talented. But she didn't want to have anything to do with the Wang family.

As he was speaking, the Suzaku Gate slowly opened, and after verifying their membership in the gate, all the ministers filed in. Those who were taking the exam went to the South Courtyard of the Ministry of Rites, while those who did not need to take the exam returned to their offices.

Pei Jiaoran watched the officials flow into the South Courtyard of the Ministry of Rites like water, and a smile appeared on her lips. She stood for a long time under the corridor of the Ministry of Central Secretariat before heading to the Political Affairs Hall.

The government hall now seemed a little deserted. There were eight seats, but only six people were sitting there. Jia Gonglu, the prime minister, was at the top. The Minister of the Central Secretariat was not there, so Pei Jiaoran, who was the prime minister as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, should have sat in Su Jinghui's original seat. But she still sat in her original seat, looking calm.

Not long after the remaining six people arrived, footsteps were heard at the door. Yuan Zhengze walked in with two privy envoys, their faces full of smiles.

"Hello, my Lords." Yuan Zhengze smiled and bowed. "I came here to tell you the good news. Your Highness the King of Wu's mission to the Uighurs went very smoothly. The Uighurs have agreed to send troops to harass Tubo. Secondly, the trial of Zhang Rang's case has come to a conclusion. Your Majesty, please read it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two privy councilors following him hurriedly put the jute paper in their hands on the table.

Seeing Jia Gonglu picking up the jute paper, Pei Jiaoran suddenly shifted his gaze and asked, "What does your majesty mean?"

"How would I know what your majesty meant?" Yuan Zhengze smiled. "I still have to go back to serve your majesty, so I won't bother you gentlemen to share your worries."

In the blink of an eye, the government hall returned to silence.

"Humph, he is now more arrogant than Zhang Rang." Yuwen Jie snorted coldly, "Mr. Jia, what does the Ministry of Justice say?"

Glancing at Pei Jiaoran, Jia Gonglu chuckled, "What kind of result do you think His Majesty wants?"

"The so-called thunder, lightning and rain are all grace from the emperor. Your Majesty has always valued friendship and loyalty, so I'm sure you won't make things too difficult for Zhang Rang." Pei Jiaoran said.

Pei Jiaoran lowered her eyes and hid the emotion in them. It was impossible for the emperor to send Yuan Zhengze to the government hall to ask the ministers how to deal with Zhang Rang for no reason. She thought that the emperor probably had an idea in his mind, but still lacked a reasonable reason.

"Haha, Zhang Rang once made those people in the Northern Department look down upon the Southern Court. Now here comes Yuan Zhengze." Yuwen Jie sneered and looked at Pei Jiaoran sarcastically, "How could I not know that Mr. Pei has a kind heart? He actually pleaded for Zhang Rang."

Hearing this sneer, Pei Jiaoran looked over and smiled silently. It is understandable that some people are not politically gifted, but it is more tragic to blindly draw conclusions about something without seeing the whole picture.

Seeing that Pei Jiaoran did not respond, Yuwen Jie said coldly: "In my opinion, Zhang Rang should be severely punished. Kill the eunuchs and purge the government and the country."

"Who are the eunuchs?" Cen Xi asked.

Yuwen Jie said: "Zhang Rang's adopted sons and daughters are all his followers. I'm afraid that many people in the Shen Ce Army have also received favors from Zhang Rang."

When the words fell into his ears, Pei Jiaoran raised his lips high, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. Suddenly, he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Since Your Majesty has come to ask you and me, I think he still has some feelings for the old times. In my opinion, it would be better to send him to Chongling to build a tomb for Your Majesty. It will not be in vain for him to be your master and servant." Cen Xi said in a deep voice.

"Repairing the mausoleum? Isn't that too easy for him? Your Majesty is furious about what he did. Why do you treat him like this?" Yuwen Jin's eyes moved to the jute paper, and his tone was unfriendly, "It would be better to send him to the county to do hard labor."

Just as he finished speaking, Jia Gonglu interrupted him by coughing lightly.

"You two gentlemen are right. I also think that Zhang Rang should be given a lighter sentence." Jia Gonglu looked at the others. "After all, we have been friends with Your Majesty for so many years. We should not be too harsh. What do you think, Minister Yuwen?"

Hearing Jia Gonglu's answer, Yuwen Jie was surprised, but could only nod.

The ministers in the Council of State were unanimous in their opinions, and the reply was quickly handed over to the clerk to be presented to the emperor.