The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1169 - 1169 566 Abuse the Scum (Second Update)

Chapter 1169: 566 Abuse the Scum (Second Update) Chapter 1169: 566 Abuse the Scum (Second Update) In general, the grand secretaries do not appoint a junior counsel, after the chief grand secretary resigns, one of the two associate grand secretaries will be selected as the new chief.

Only if both associate grand secretaries are deemed unsuitable would a junior counsel position be created.

The interests of the junior counsel conflict with those of the associate grand secretaries and the powerful interest chains behind them. Because it often faces strong opposition from grand secretaries, but it is indeed a new method of reform, thus it has gained the support of the Emperor.

Through a game of mutual checks and balances between ruler and ministers, a delicate equilibrium was finally reached—agreeing to the establishment of a junior counsel position, but with several restrictions. First, the age must not exceed twenty, second, one must have originated from the top ranks of the imperial examinations, and third, one must have made a significant contribution to the dynasty, or have at least two years of experience as a Hanlin Academy official.

These conditions were so harsh that no one has ever met them.

No, that’s not true.

Zhuang Yuheng of the Zhuang family was twenty, hailed from the top ranks of the imperial examinations, recently the runner-up laureate, and had even replaced the crown prince to be a hostage in the state of Chen, achieving monumental merit.

But first, he was from the Zhuang family; second, in fact, Grand Secretary Yuan had another candidate he favored more.

“It’s a pity the conditions haven’t been met.” Grand Secretary Yuan sighed with regret.

…

Recently, the two things that troubled Empress Xiao the most were the emperor’s illness and the whereabouts of Empress Dowager Zhuang.

The emperor had suffered a head injury, and even the imperial physicians couldn’t say for certain when he might regain consciousness. As for the whereabouts of Empress Dowager Zhuang, there had been no progress at all.

With checkpoints set at the city gates and high walls of the Imperial City, how high could the walls of Renshou Palace be? Empress Xiao didn’t believe Empress Dowager Zhuang had flown out of the Imperial City, so she must still be within the city.

Empress Xiao ordered Chief Steward Fu to increase the efforts in the manhunt.

In the past few days, Princess Ning An had done nothing but stay by the emperor’s side in Huaqing Palace and pay respects to Empress Xiao in Kunning Palace.

Her behavior didn’t seem strange to others, since one of her two pillars of support in the Imperial Palace was gone, and the only remaining one—the emperor—was unconscious. If she didn’t make a good impression on Empress Xiao, how would she be able to maintain her position in the Imperial Palace in the future?

Furthermore, in recent days, her son, Huangfu Xian, hadn’t caused any more trouble.

Quite a discerning individual indeed.

In the afternoon, Princess Ning An visited Empress Xiao’s Kunning Palace once again.

Empress Xiao was in the Warm Pavilion checking Qin Chuyu’s homework. Qin Chuyu recited hesitantly and absent-mindedly, causing Empress Xiao a headache.

“Can’t you concentrate a little?” Empress Xiao asked.

“I want to see Father…” Qin Chuyu said in a pitiful tone.

“Haven’t I already taken you to see him?” Empress Xiao asked.

Qin Chuyu was the emperor’s biological son; how could Empress Xiao not take him to visit the emperor? The crown prince had been taken there too; as an adult, he might sorrowfully wipe away tears in private, but when Qin Chuyu threw himself over, he wailed like a banshee. If one didn’t know any better, they might think his father had already passed away and he was wailing in mourning.

Empress Xiao didn’t dare take him there anymore.

A young eunuch was peaking around at the entrance; Grand Eunuch Su approached him, inquired briefly, and returned to report, “Empress, Princess Ning An has arrived.”

Empress Xiao knitted her brows, “Take His Highness the Seventh Prince to the Study Room, tell him to recite well, and I will come to check later.”

“Yes,” Grand Eunuch Su took Qin Chuyu’s hand and headed to the Study Room.

Princess Ning An stepped inside.

Having returned to the Imperial Palace for recuperation, dressed in silk and jewels and no longer living as harshly as on the frontier, Princess Ning An’s complexion had brightened, and her hands had grown much softer.

“How is your injury?” Empress Xiao asked, giving a palace maid a meaningful glance. The maid brought a stool over and placed it beside and slightly below Empress Xiao.

Princess Ning An glanced at her right arm and said with a smile, “It’s not serious anymore, thank you for your concern, sister-in-law.”

“Please sit,” Empress Xiao said.

Princess Ning An slowly took a seat.

The palace maid served hot tea.

Princess Ning An took the teacup with her left hand, sipped gently, and in a seemingly casual manner asked, “Sister-in-law, is there any news about Mother?”

The relationship between Princess Ning An and Empress Xiao had not been bad, it had merely become estranged over the years not seen each other, and it worsened as Huangfu Xian constantly bullied Qin Chuyu.

Now that Princess Ning An had acted valiantly to save the emperor and showed respectful and obedient behavior towards her, plus Princess Ning An stood by the emperor’s side, the displeasure between Empress Xiao and Princess Ning An had significantly dissipated.

Empress Xiao shook her head, “There is still no news.”

Princess Ning An paused for a moment, then said, “Sister-in-law, there’s something I’m not sure if I should speak of.”

Empress Xiao replied, “Speak.”

Princess Ning An spoke softly, “A few days before the incident, I saw Minister Xiao in Mother’s Study Room; he came about the matter of Xianle Inn.”

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