Xie Jingyan looked at the Emperor and asked, "Father, can you appoint virtuous and capable officials without considering your own likes and dislikes?"

To be an emperor based on one's own likes and dislikes is to be a foolish ruler.

"I'm not a foolish ruler!"

Xie Jingyan wanted to hear those words from the Emperor, so he said, "Your subject recommends Grand Secretary Han."

Swish.

Almost instantly.

The emperor's face darkened.

Eunuch Yuan gasped in shock.

Grand Secretary Han...

I haven't heard those three words in so many years.

When Consort Chen had an accident at the Yan residence, the Emperor received a secret report and rushed to the Yan residence. The first person he saw was Han Da Shao Ye, the eldest son of Grand Secretary Han, who had committed suicide by the rockery.

When Consort Chen got into trouble, the Yan family was implicated and executed along with the entire family. The eldest son of the Han family examined the body and found that it was unrelated to Consort Chen's case, so the fire did not spread to Grand Secretary Han's residence. However, the eldest son of the Han family did die at the Yan residence that day. In addition, he had once been engaged to Consort Chen, which made the Emperor even more resentful. Grand Secretary Han lost his beloved son and resigned from his post.

Although Grand Secretary Han did not move away from the capital, he lived in the suburbs, closed his doors to visitors, and almost completely cut off contact with civil and military officials.

Among the many ministers in the court, the one who is close to Prince Ling and suitable to be the chief examiner is the Right Chancellor. Prince Ling could recommend the Right Chancellor, so why did he mention Grand Secretary Han?

However, in terms of seniority, Grand Secretary Han is indeed more suitable than the Right Chancellor.

Furthermore, in terms of relationships, Grand Secretary Han was closer.

Because he was the tutor of the Prince of Ling.

When Prince Ling was beginning his education, the Emperor intended to have Grand Tutor Yan teach him. However, Grand Tutor Yan felt it inappropriate to be Prince Ling's tutor as he was Prince Ling's maternal grandfather. He felt that being too strict would affect the relationship between him and his grandson, but being too lenient would prevent him from properly disciplining Prince Ling. He suggested that Prince Ling could ask his maternal grandfather for help if he didn't understand something, but he recommended Grand Tutor Han to the Emperor as his tutor.

Eunuch Yuan cautiously glanced at the Emperor, only to find that the Emperor's face was ashen, even more so than when Prince Ling had asked to pay respects at Consort Chen's grave that day.

King Ling knew perfectly well that one shouldn't mess with a tiger's backside, so why did he still insist on doing so?

The Emperor, having endured it all, finally lost his temper and slammed his fist on the table, shouting, "There are so many ministers in the court, none of them are enough for you to recommend. Is Grand Secretary Han the only one you have in your eyes?!"

In his anger, the emperor forgot that the parrot was still in the imperial study.

When a parrot is startled, it will open its mouth and swear.

Before Xie Jingyan could even speak, the parrot flapped its wings and started cursing, "Why are you throwing a tantrum? You have such a big family business, but in the end, it will all be inherited by your son. If you're so capable, go back to your grave. If your son doesn't do things the way you want, just teach him. You have no patience at all, and you're always cursing people. You think you're the only one who can curse people?!"

Xie Jingyan, "..."

Eunuch Yuan, "..."

The emperor's face turned green with rage. "Guards! Drag this parrot away and stew it for me!"