However, Grand Secretary Han had been staying in the capital, and coincidentally left before Xie Jingyan's rebellion. He must have known about Xie Jingyan's scheme in advance. He was Xie Jingyan's mentor, and with Xie Jingyan's rebellion, it was hard to guarantee that Xie Jingyin wouldn't vent his anger towards Xie Jingyan on Grand Secretary Han.

Eunuch Yuan came to deliver the imperial edict, and since the trip had already taken up a lot of time, he did not stay any longer and took his leave to return to the palace.

Phoenix Palace.

Empress Song sat there, watching Princess Shouchun practice her dance.

The more he looked at Empress Song, the more her brows furrowed.

How can such a lazy dance compare to the Princess of Xiliang?

She really spoiled her daughter rotten.

Princess Shouchun jumped for less than a quarter of an hour before she was too tired to move anymore and said, "Mother, can I stop practicing?"

Empress Song said, "Do you want to be humiliated in public?"

Princess Shouchun pouted and said, "Father has more than just one princess."

“But you are the only legitimate princess,” Empress Song said.

Princess Xiliang either doesn't compare herself to others, or she only compares herself to princesses born of the principal wife; she would never lower herself to such a status.

"Keep practicing."

Empress Song had an expression that left no room for negotiation, and Princess Shouchun felt extremely wronged. She had no goodwill towards the Princess of Xiliang, who was on her way to the capital at that moment.

Empress Song was taking a sip of tea when a palace maid hurried forward and whispered a few words in her ear. Empress Song's expression changed drastically. "Say it again! Who has the Emperor appointed as the chief examiner for this autumn imperial examination?!"

The palace maid said, "His Majesty has appointed Grand Secretary Han as the chief examiner for this autumn imperial examination..."

Empress Song's face was as cold as frost, with a hint of barely perceptible panic and unease in her eyes.

Since the execution of the entire Yan family, Grand Tutor Han has resigned from his post. All the officials in the court know that Grand Tutor Han resigned because of his involvement in the Consort Chen case. No one dares to offend the Emperor. For so many years, probably no one has dared to mention Grand Tutor Han in front of the Emperor. The Emperor would never take the initiative to let Grand Tutor Han return to the court.

A suspicion flashed through Empress Song's mind, but she desperately suppressed it and said, "Why would His Majesty think of having Grand Secretary Han preside over this autumn examination?"

The palace maid said, "Both the Left Prime Minister and the Duke of Maoguo recommended candidates, but the Emperor was not very satisfied with either of them. The memorial that the Eighth Prince wrote about cheating in the imperial examinations was written with the help of Prince Ling. The Eighth Prince couldn't answer the Emperor's questions, so he went out of the palace and brought Prince Ling back. It was Prince Ling who recommended Grand Secretary Han..."

It's Prince Ling again!

In the entire Great Chu, only Prince Ling dared to mention Consort Chen and those related to her case so openly in front of the Emperor.

Even the Empress Dowager dared not reopen the Emperor's wounds.

Empress Song sat on the phoenix chair, feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

The Emperor has promoted too many people recommended by Prince Ling and those close to him. In just a few months, Prince Ling has become a powerful prince who can rival Prince Jin, and even surpass them.

If Grand Secretary Han were to truly return to the court and preside over the autumn imperial examinations, the First Prince and Prince Jin would likely have to join forces to contend with Prince Ling.

Empress Song's face was as gloomy as a cold pool, and her neatly trimmed nails dug into her flesh.

What exactly does the Emperor want to do?!

Consort Chen betrayed him and trampled on his sincere heart. Does the Emperor still intend to hand over the position of Crown Prince to Prince Ling?!

If she hadn't been confined to her quarters, and if the empress's rule against interfering in politics hadn't been in place, Empress Song would have gone to the imperial study to see the emperor.

For now, she could only endure it. If she was anxious, the Empress Dowager would surely be anxious too, and she refused to believe that the Empress Dowager would sit idly by.

Shou Kang Palace.

The Empress Dowager was feeling sleepy and was about to take a nap on the small couch when a palace maid came in and said, "Empress Dowager, the First Prince has arrived."

Before the palace maid could finish her report, the eldest prince had already entered the hall. He was walking very hurriedly, and the Empress Dowager saw him and asked, "Why do you look so anxious? What happened?"

The eldest prince said, "Father has entrusted Grand Secretary Han with the examination this autumn."

"Grand Secretary Han?"

The Empress Dowager was caught off guard.

The eldest prince said, "It's Grand Secretary Han, who was implicated in the Consort Chen case..."

The Empress Dowager frowned deeply. "Why would the Emperor allow Grand Secretary Han to preside over the autumn imperial examination?"

The eldest prince said, "It was recommended by Prince Ling."

The Empress Dowager's brows were already furrowed, but this time they were furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

The eldest prince said, "Prince Ling's power in the court is already on par with mine. If another Grand Secretary Han joins the fray, I'm afraid..."

What the eldest prince fears is obvious to the Empress Dowager, even without being explicitly stated.

The eldest prince and Prince Jin have been fighting for so many years, and Prince Jin has never made the eldest prince so anxious. This time he is really scared. His father’s love for Prince Ling makes him feel like he has returned to the time before Consort Chen’s accident. His father used to dote on Prince Ling unconditionally.

The Empress Dowager remained silent, but the eldest prince said, "We absolutely cannot allow Grand Secretary Han to return to court..."

The Empress Dowager didn't want to either, but she didn't have the final say in this matter. Although Young Master Han died in the Yan residence back then, there was no proof that Young Master Han was related to Consort Chen's case. Otherwise, Grand Secretary Han would not have simply resigned. Since the Emperor was persuaded by Prince Ling to entrust the autumn examination to Grand Secretary Han, her pressuring the Emperor to change his mind would be considered interference in politics by the harem.

She wanted the Emperor to make the eldest prince the crown prince, since the eldest prince was the Emperor's eldest son by his principal wife, and this request was not excessive.

Even the Empress Dowager couldn't figure out what the Emperor was going to do.

Seeing that the eldest prince was anxious and uneasy, and that he already regarded Prince Ling as his greatest rival, the Empress Dowager said, "You must not interfere in Grand Secretary Han's affairs."

The eldest prince looked at the Empress Dowager in astonishment, "Are we just going to let Prince Ling grow so powerful?"

The Empress Dowager said, "Do you intend to fight with Prince Ling and let Prince Jin reap the benefits?"

The eldest prince remained silent.

He didn't want Prince Ling to be crowned, but he didn't want Prince Jin to ascend the throne even more.

He was unwilling to do anything that would give the Prince of Jin an advantage.

The Empress Dowager said, "No matter how powerful Prince Ling is, if he cannot overturn the case against Consort Chen, the position of Crown Prince will never be his."

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!