Autumn of the eleventh year of Minghui. Though the grain transport audit scandal had been quelled, its ripples continued to spread. For the first time, Emma's name was mentioned not merely as "the capable old servant by the Grand Princess's side," but in certain circles, it became associated with "astute competence" and "skill in managing affairs." This subtle shift in reputation felt like a brick laid beneath her feet—unassuming yet undeniably solid.
Yet Emma understood better than anyone that this carefully cultivated reputation remained fragile in the face of rigid hierarchy and deep-rooted prejudice. She needed an opportunity—one that could skillfully align her abilities, Gu Liang's needs, and the prevailing currents of the court—to break through the current impasse.
That opportunity arrived with an urgent dispatch from the frontier.
The northern tribes were stirring restlessly. Though no large-scale conflict had erupted, constant harassment by small cavalry raids had sharply increased the pressure on the border garrison's logistics—supplying provisions and military equipment. Documents poured into the capital like snowflakes, many involving complex data verification, route planning, and logistics coordination. Officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were overwhelmed, yet efficiency remained low. Mutual buck-passing and errors in paperwork occurred frequently, even disrupting supply movements to the front lines.
Emperor Minghui flew into a rage over this, sternly reprimanding the officials in question during court proceedings. Gu Liang, observing the proceedings from the sidelines, took it all in. Upon returning to Zhilan Pavilion, a layer of unshakable worry settled between her brows.
"Grandfather is deeply troubled by this matter," Gu Liang sighed softly, her gaze falling upon the pile of basic military supply documents on the desk—documents she herself was learning to process. The numbers seemed to her like tangled threads of chaos.
Standing by, Emma's heart skipped a beat. She realized the moment she had been waiting for might finally be at hand.
Stepping forward, her voice remained steady yet carried an unprecedented gravity: "Your Highness, while reviewing old records recently, this servant discovered discrepancies in the standards used by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue for material accounting. The formats of their documents also differ greatly. Compounded by the distance between their offices, the process of cross-checking and verifying takes an extremely long time. If... if a temporary central coordination office could be established to standardize document formats and designate a dedicated person to handle liaison, verification, and consolidation of data from both sides, it might save considerable time and reduce errors and omissions."
She did not explicitly suggest who this "designated person" should be, nor did she propose anything beyond her station. She merely presented a technical concept from the perspective of "improving efficiency" and "reducing errors and omissions."
Gu Liang's eyes flickered with a glimmer of interest upon hearing this, but it quickly dimmed. "The idea sounds sound, but how feasible is it? Officials from both ministries would hardly submit to coordination so readily. Who would preside over it?"
Emma lowered her eyelids, concealing the contemplation in her eyes, and spoke softly: "Naturally, it requires someone of sufficient standing who commands the trust of both departments. This servant merely suggests that Your Highness might advise His Majesty to treat this as... an opportunity for training. Your Highness could personally lead the effort, selecting several meticulous and reliable clerks or... palace scribes to establish a temporary 'Audit Office' dedicated to coordinating this military supply audit. Firstly, it would alleviate His Majesty's concerns. Secondly, Your Highness could gain deeper insight into military and state affairs, thereby establishing your authority."
She skillfully packaged the proposal to "establish an institution" as a "training project" for the Imperial Granddaughter, firmly placing the initiative in Gu Liang's hands. The implication of the so-called "palace clerks" was already self-evident.
Gu Liang froze, carefully weighing Emma's words. Taking the lead personally... alleviating the Emperor's burdens... establishing authority... each phrase struck a chord within her. This truly presented an opportunity to break free from her current passive learning role, engage in practical affairs, and demonstrate her capabilities. Moreover, with her leading and Emma assisting, it would be entirely legitimate—no one could find fault.
Her gaze fixed on Emma, intense: "Emma, are you confident? I mean, the data, the coordination..."
"This servant will spare no effort to ease Your Highness's burden," Emma pledged solemnly, without exaggeration. Years of observation, study, and private practice had given her a deep understanding of how such affairs operated.
Gu Liang made up her mind. She carefully crafted her words and presented this request for "imperial permission to gain experience" to Emperor Minghui the next day. She made no mention of Emma, stating only that she had witnessed the inefficiency of the court and wished to alleviate the Emperor's burdens. She elaborated in detail on the operational concept of the "Audit Office."
Emperor Minghui gazed at his resolute granddaughter, his heart filled with both satisfaction and deliberation. He knew this undertaking would be arduous, but if Gu Liang succeeded, it would undoubtedly elevate her standing among the court officials. After a long pause, he finally granted limited support: "Your request is granted. I shall issue an edict ordering the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to cooperate. But Liang'er, remember this: if you succeed, it is simply your duty fulfilled; if you fail..." The warning hung unspoken in the air.
"I understand, Grandfather. I shall not disappoint your expectations!" Gu Liang declared with unwavering confidence.
The decree sent shockwaves through the court. Many watched with schadenfreude, anticipating the young Imperial Granddaughter's downfall. Yet Gu Liang and Emma's efficiency surpassed all expectations.
The "Audit Office" was established in a secluded guardhouse near the palace gates. Gu Liang personally presided over it, leveraging her status as the Imperial Granddaughter to command authority. Yet the true driving force behind the operation was Emma.
She first forcibly standardized the formats of documents from both ministries, creating clear template forms and mandating all data be reported according to these specifications. Then, accompanied by two temporarily assigned clerks—meticulous yet low-ranking—she began working day and night to cross-check the records. Possessing an astonishing memory, exceptional mental arithmetic skills, and an extraordinary sensitivity to numbers, she could often spot contradictions and inconsistencies in the data at a glance.
Facing the initial indifference and obstruction from veteran clerks in the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue, Emma remained neither servile nor arrogant. She never argued, but simply compiled a clear list of questionable entries with supporting evidence, leaving it to Gu Liang to confront them. After several rounds, officials attempting to deceive her realized this quiet female clerk possessed piercing insight—they couldn't pull the wool over her eyes. Instead, they risked embarrassing themselves, gradually tempering their attitudes.
More crucially, Emma's streamlined process proved remarkably efficient. Data that once required days of back-and-forth paperwork between ministries could now be verified within a day or two at the Audit Office. Summarized into clear briefings, these reports reached the Emperor directly. The efficiency of frontline supply allocation visibly accelerated.
Emperor Minghui, reviewing the concise reports from the Verification Office alongside increasingly smooth supply feedback from the frontiers, finally wore a look of approval. During a minor court assembly, he publicly commended Gu Liang, praising her as "keen, capable, and empathetic to the concerns of her subordinates."
When news reached Zhilan Pavilion, Su Wan genuinely rejoiced for Gu Liang, yet couldn't hide her own disappointment. She realized her role remained limited to playing soothing melodies for Gu Liang when she returned weary from duty, or accompanying her in discussions of poetry and literature. Though their spiritual worlds remained intimately connected, she found no place for herself within the broader, more solid power structure Gu Liang was forging.
As for Emma, though she still held no formal title, the reputation of "Miss Ai of the Audit Office" had quietly spread among lower-ranking officials in the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue, as well as some central officials following the matter. Everyone knew the Imperial Granddaughter had an exceptionally capable young woman under her command—meticulous in thought, adept at administrative affairs, and impossible to deceive.
As the mission of the "Audit Office" neared completion and was about to be dissolved, Emma stood in the now-empty duty room, gazing out at the autumn leaves turning yellow.
On the desk lay the final copy of the "Simplified Diagram of Military Supply Verification Procedures," which she had personally drawn. This diagram had enabled officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to grasp the essentials of collaboration in the shortest possible time.
What she held now was no mere document, but a proven, effective methodology. She thought of the lowly clerks who excelled in the audit yet faced insurmountable barriers to advancement due to their humble origins; of the sense of alienation she felt when Su Wan entered the palace; and most vividly, of the overlooked female talents she had encountered while poring over historical texts these past days.
Gu Liang approached her, his voice brimming with excitement and a newfound recognition: "Emma, we did it! His Imperial Majesty is most pleased! You've proven yourself, and you've proven I didn't misjudge you." As he gazed at Emma's composed profile, his resolve hardened: "I will petition His Majesty to grant you a formal official position!"
"Your Highness," Emma turned, her gaze clear and resolute, "what this servant desires is not a specially granted official position."
Gu Liang froze. "Then...?"
"What this servant desires is a path," Emma's voice was not loud, but each word was clear, "a path that allows all learned women in the realm to establish themselves through their own abilities, just as the Qinghe Room has done."
She gently pushed the "Simplified Diagram of Military Supply Verification Procedures" toward Gu Liang.
"Qinghe Room succeeded because we broke free from the old bureaucratic mold and established new rules. Why can't we formalize these rules? Establish an official 'Imperial Academy' within the palace. It would not only handle urgent official business but also recruit intelligent women from lower-ranking officials and commoner families. They would be taught clerical skills, mathematics, and management. Upon passing examinations after graduation, they could serve as court ladies, with the most outstanding even assisting in managing state affairs."
Emma's gaze swept past the window lattice toward the depths of the imperial city.
"This would not only gather the nation's finest talents for His Highness's service, but also break the aristocratic families' monopoly on official careers, opening a side door for humble backgrounds. When the time comes..." She withdrew her gaze and looked deeply into Gu Liang's eyes, "When the time comes for His Highness to build his own inner circle, this will be the most reliable force."
Gu Liang was utterly stunned. Looking at the woman who had stood by him for years, he suddenly realized how profoundly Emma's vision had grown. This wasn't a passing whim, but a fully formed strategy, deeply considered and backed by successful practice.
"Female officials—a system for the underprivileged..." Gu Liang murmured, his eyes gradually igniting with the same light as Emma's. "You're right. Granting a minor official position is ultimately a favor. But if we could forge a new path..."
Autumn winds rustled the fallen yellow leaves. Within this duty room nearing the end of its purpose, a vision destined to alter countless destinies finally took root.
Gu Liang departed, filled with excitement and awe. Emma remained alone in the duty room. She slowly sat back at her desk, her fingertips brushing over the "Simplified Diagram of Military Supply Verification Procedures." Beneath the cold paper, she could almost feel the heat of her own racing heartbeat.
What she had told Gu Liang—about "paving the way for talented women from humble backgrounds" and "cultivating strength for His Highness"—was all true. Yet only she knew the hidden, secret ambition lurking beneath this grand vision.
She craved a stage—one where Emma's intellect could flourish freely, unshackled by the constraints of her "court lady" status. She sought a sense of security not rooted in the fickle favor of emperors or crown princes, but in her own indispensable worth. Above all, she yearned for respect—a respect transcending master-servant bonds and old ties, an equal respect grounded in ability and contribution.
"The Inner Academy..." she murmured to herself. This was not merely Gu Liang's achievement, nor just an avenue for women of humble origins. It was the most formidable armor and sharpest weapon she had forged for herself. Here, she would no longer be a dependent, but the rule-maker and the core.
The radiance of her ideals and the raw will to survive intertwined into an unstoppable torrent, propelling her forward.