Chapter 23: Envy is insane! Shen Chu starts at the fifth rank!

Shen Chu's eyes brightened slightly.

What an unexpected gain!

She thought that since the emperor wasn't coming today, her carefully prepared plan would be useless.

Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, His Majesty overheard her words of concern for the emperor.

Heaven is on my side.

Marquis Changning's expression changed slightly, and he quickly winked at Shen Chu, signaling that he wanted to go to the Hanlin Academy.

Shen Chu noticed his gaze and smiled slightly at him.

A bad feeling suddenly arose in the heart of the Marquis of Changning.

He quickly stepped forward, about to say that Shen Chu wanted to go to the Hanlin Academy, when Shen Chu suddenly shouted:

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Since childhood, I have been fond of studying the laws and regulations of the Great Wei Dynasty and have vowed to do my best to eliminate all wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice in the world."

Therefore, this humble subject wishes to serve as an Inspector General in the Censorate.

Shen Chu's words sparked a lot of discussion.

In their view, a top scholar should naturally enter the Hanlin Academy as a Hanlin scholar, and after a few years of training, he might have the opportunity to enter the cabinet in the future.

Now I hear that Shen Chu is going to become an imperial censor in the Censorate.

Everyone looked at Shen Chu with great surprise.

Standing behind Emperor Longqing, Pei Yuan leisurely stroked the jade-bone fan in his hand, his interest growing stronger.

So this was the reason why Shen Chu had tried so hard to lure her father over.

This Chen Chu is becoming more and more interesting in his actions.

Emperor Longqing was only surprised for a moment after hearing Shen Chu's words. Suddenly, he remembered the case analysis notes that Li Chengxuan had shown him yesterday, and his gaze fell on Shen Chu's face.

He had a good impression of Shen Chu, a young man who was quick-witted and talented during the palace examination.

The original plan was to summon Shen Chu to the Hanlin Academy, but then I remembered that case analysis note. The analysis was logical, well-founded, and insightful, and it was clear at a glance that Shen Chu was a meticulous and cautious person.

He is also willing to give young people opportunities.

Emperor Longqing stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Since you have such ambition, I will grant your wish. I hereby appoint Shen Chu as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and he will officially take office in two days."

As soon as the Longqing Emperor finished speaking, everyone gasped.

Left Vice Censor-in-Chief—that's a fifth-rank official position.

Even if Shen Chu were to enter the Hanlin Academy and become a Hanlin Academician, he would only be a sixth or seventh-rank official.

Many officials in the capital have spent years in the sixth or seventh rank without ever being promoted to the fifth rank, yet Shen Chu started as a fifth-rank official.

It's so enviable!

The Marquis of Changning, whose face had been gloomy because of Shen Chu's words, softened his expression.

Marquis of Changning is just his title; in reality, his current position as the Director of the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War is only a fourth-rank official.

Shen Chu started at the fifth rank, and while he was happy, his feelings were also somewhat complicated.

Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He looked up at Chen Chu.

Shen Chu showed no sign of ecstasy, only her clear eyes shone brighter than usual.

Sunlight streamed down, bathing him in a pale golden hue. The young man in blue stood in the center, his eyes bright and his spirits high, as if he were a general eagerly awaiting to display his prowess.

Pei Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, having not seen such a vibrant young man in a long time.

He was curious about Shen Chu's true purpose in wanting to become an imperial censor in the Censorate.

As for Shen Chu's talk of eradicating wrongful convictions, ha, that's more likely to fool others.

Shen Chu noticed a sharp gaze fixed on her.

Following the gaze, they met Pei Yuan's peach blossom eyes, which held a hint of mockery.

It's Pei Yuan again!

Hmph, she probably didn't offend him this time, right?

She took a small step back, knelt down again, and said in a firm and resounding voice, "Your subject, Chen Chu, will never fail Your Majesty's expectations."

The Longqing Emperor was very satisfied. "Good, good, I'm looking forward to seeing how Minister Shen performs."

The conversation between the ruler and his minister caused the expressions of those around them to change.

The Earl of Changping had a short temper, and he turned around and kicked Wang Yao hard, "You scoundrel, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to Lord Shen!"

The kick landed on Wang Yao's broken leg, causing him so much pain that he almost broke his leg on the spot.

He endured the pain with a wronged expression and said, "Young Master Shen, I'm sorry."

Shen Chu maintained his usual gentle and refined smile, "It's fine. We'll be serving in the same court and working together for His Majesty in the future, so I won't fuss over such trivial matters."

Wang Yao was so angry that his eyes turned black.

You're setting up traps for them to fall into, and you call that not caring?

How are you when you're being calculating?

Marquis Changning secretly gave Shen Yan a meaningful look.

Although Shen Yan was unwilling, he did not dare to act rashly and apologized to Shen Chu in a sullen voice: "Big brother, I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to laugh at you."

Shen Chu curled her lips but didn't reply, then suddenly sighed helplessly.

The Longqing Emperor asked, "Why is Minister Shen sighing?"

Shen Chu blinked her big eyes and looked at Emperor Longqing with an honest expression.

"I'm thinking, since the fact that I grew up in a Taoist temple is unchangeable, will everyone be able to laugh at me as a country bumpkin at any banquet or such?"

The Longqing Emperor was amused by Shen Chu's troubled expression, and his affection for Shen Chu grew even stronger.

This kid always speaks with a cleverness that makes people feel happy.

"You are the top scholar personally selected by me. From now on, anyone who dares to laugh at you for being a country bumpkin will be punished by me."

Shen Chu immediately knelt down, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

The scene suddenly fell silent.

Everyone looked at Shen Chu with a hint of envy.

With the emperor personally backing him up, who in the entire capital would dare to mock Shen Chu from now on?

A sinister glint flashed in Shen Yan's eyes. He had intended to teach Shen Chu a lesson, but instead, Shen Chu had stolen the limelight. How hateful!

Shen Qingshuang, who was originally waiting to see Shen Chu make a fool of himself, was so angry that she almost tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds.

The Longqing Emperor gave you a sweet treat, then quickly followed up with a slap, "But you can't be arrogant. You must obediently serve me. If you make a mistake, I won't forgive you."

"I obey your command, Your Majesty. If I have made a mistake, Your Majesty, you have a heart that cherishes talent, so please spare my life," Shen Chu said with a smile.

The Longqing Emperor was amused, "This is the first time I've ever seen a top scholar who praises himself as a talented individual."

Shen Chu blinked. "If I were not a talented person, why would Your Majesty have chosen me as the top scholar?"

Since Your Majesty has appointed me, if I were to say that I am mediocre, wouldn't I be disgracing Your Majesty?

"I am merely praising myself in accordance with Your Majesty's decree, wouldn't you agree, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Longqing stroked his beard and, for some reason, found it to make sense.

"Young Minister Shen speaks quite interestingly. In the future, when you have free time, come to the palace more often to read books to me and tell me about your travels."

His words caused everyone's expression to change drastically.

Reading aloud to His Majesty is a privilege reserved for those whom His Majesty trusts implicitly, such as his sons.

His Majesty actually chose Chen Chu.

Everyone was filled with envy, wishing they were the ones chosen by the emperor.

A cold, mocking laugh suddenly came from behind the Longqing Emperor.

"Sixth Prince, what are you laughing at?" Emperor Longqing turned to look at Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan smiled slightly, "It's nothing. Your subject just feels that it's a pity that Lord Shen, with his eloquence, isn't on a diplomatic mission to various countries."

If there is ever war on the border, we should send Lord Shen. I'm sure his excellent eloquence will be enough to repel the enemy.”

Shen Chu froze; was this a mockery of her for only having one mouth?

She silently added another entry for Pei Yuan in her mental notebook.

Fortunately, Emperor Longqing knew about the feud between the two and didn't take Pei Yuan's words to heart. Instead, he changed the subject:

"Sixth Prince, you're eighteen this year, aren't you? I should choose a princess consort for you."

Pei Yuan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Princess Chengyang, standing to the side, said with a smile, "Today, almost all the noble ladies in the capital have come. In terms of talent and appearance, the daughter of the Marquis of Changning is quite good."

When Shen Qingshuang heard the Grand Princess of Chengyang call her name, her eyes lit up, and she stepped forward shyly, saying, "This humble woman, Shen Qingshuang, greets Your Majesty and pays respects to the Grand Princess."

The Longqing Emperor's gaze slowly fell on Shen Qingshuang, and he raised an eyebrow slightly, "You are the younger sister of Minister Shen?"

Shen Qingshuang's smile immediately cracked.