After Wen Heming sat down, Lai Xi cleared his throat and began to read the imperial edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Grand Tutor Wen Hemin is learned in classics and history, knowledgeable in worldly affairs, virtuous in speech and conduct, and of noble character... I truly admire him, and hereby appoint him as Minister of Personnel. So be it!"
Lai Xi's voice carried the effeminate quality typical of eunuchs, yet it was also full of emotion. He read the imperial edict with remarkable intonation, and his voice became somewhat hoarse after he finished reading it.
The people nearby quickly brought him water, and Qingyun also stepped forward and gave him a small brocade pouch.
Lai Xi weighed it in his hand and knew what was inside. He quickly lowered his head and said humbly, "Lord Wen, this is unacceptable..."
If His Majesty finds out they accepted gifts from Lord Wen, I wonder how he will hold them accountable.
Wen Hemian interrupted him: "If it's given to you, just keep it."
Some unspoken rules exist for a reason, and it's understandable that they went to the trouble of making this trip.
Lai Xi was taken aback at first, then, as if remembering something, carefully put the brocade pouch away: "Alright! This servant thanks Lord Wen!"
After saying that, he asked, seemingly casually, "Does Lord Wen still want to go to the palace today?"
Wen Hemian looked over with a half-smile: "Did you ask that question, or did His Majesty ask it?"
Now that Xie Lang has grown to this age, Wen Hemian has already taught him everything she needed to. As for the way of being a ruler, apart from assisting and guiding him, she can no longer play a significant role. Therefore, her lectures have long been changed to once a month, and she will enter the palace separately if she has other business to attend to.
However, under normal circumstances, either His Majesty the Emperor would sneak out, or he would try every means to keep her after the court assembly, being extremely clingy.
As the child grew older, and considering the differences between boys and girls, Wen Hemian intentionally kept her distance from him. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to rely on her for everything in the future, which would be a bad habit.
Lai Xi scratched his head, chuckled, and remained silent.
Wen Hemian said helplessly, "Alright, I understand. I'm going to the palace today."
Since you've asked, you must have come prepared.
Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, Lai Xi said, "A carriage has been prepared for Lord Wen outside the mansion. It is the emperor's carriage, and those people dare not stop him."
Once the imperial edict was issued, it was easy to imagine that it would cause a huge uproar. Xie Lang's decision not to let her go on stage today must be for this reason. Once she entered the palace, the ministers would not bother her.
It can be said that every aspect has been carefully considered.
Having been delayed for a while, and estimating that the court session was about to end, Wen Hemian stood up and said, "Let's go."
Lai Xi stepped forward to lead the way. Apart from the two bodyguards who always followed him, Wen Hemian did not bring any attendants.
The carriage was familiar to her; she had ridden in it many times over the years. The carriage rumbled along the road to the palace gate.
On the way, she encountered officials leaving court. Through the semi-transparent curtain, Wen Hemian could sense their gazes and hear their whispers.
"I really don't understand, does His Majesty trust her to this extent?"
"If it weren't for preconceived notions, in terms of seniority, how could she compare to the veteran officials in the court?"
"Exactly, exactly. The young emperor is truly naive and unaware of the wickedness of people's hearts. Doesn't he worry that she might become the next one..."
The words that followed grew softer and softer until they were almost inaudible, clearly indicating that they were wary of something. Wen Hemian, however, could only laugh.
Naïve? Who gave them the audacity to talk about the young emperor like that? Aren't they afraid Xie Lang will rip their skulls off?
As Wen Hemian was casually thinking, just as he was about to clear his mind, he heard a respectful but firm voice coming from outside: "What you gentlemen have said, I strongly disagree with."
It looks somewhat familiar.
Wen Hemian lifted the curtain and saw that it was Lu Zishen.
The male protagonist of the original book is also the top scholar in the first imperial examination after Xie Lang ascended the throne. He studied hard in the Hanlin Academy for three years and was finally promoted last year. Now he serves as a Grand Academician of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and has a lot of influence in the court.
As soon as he finished speaking, several old men became displeased, glaring at him and saying, "Then tell us what you have to say! We want to see what you have to say!"
Lu Zishen chuckled lightly: "From what you all have said, I have heard that the selection of officials is based on seniority. So-called seniority is nothing more than being linked to age. According to this logic, wouldn't the imperial examinations also prioritize the older generation, rather than selecting the virtuous and capable?"
"These two are different; how can they be confused!"
Lu Zishen: "But there are similarities. They both mean that the court selects talent. As you all know, His Majesty appoints people based on merit. How can one easily judge someone based solely on seniority? If that were truly the case, wouldn't you all be..."
His gaze swept over the old ministers, and he slowly added, "...Shouldn't they all be granted titles and positions?"
"Pfft—"
This commotion was quite loud, and some onlookers couldn't help but laugh.
The senior officials who had been subtly criticized were so angry that their faces changed color. They pointed at him tremblingly, unable to utter a single word for a long time: "You...you! You're just making excuses!"
Lu Zishen calmly put his hands in his pockets and said, "I am merely stating the facts."
"Lord Lu has excellent eloquence."
At some point, the carriage, which had been moving slowly, came to a stop. The person at the center of their discussion had been sitting inside the carriage, watching the whole scene from afar.
She even clapped her hands twice with great interest.
His gaze fell on the few clamoring old ministers, and he said tactfully, "If you gentlemen are unable to walk, please do not delay. Fortunately, there are imperial physicians in the palace, and they are not far away. I will send someone to have them come and examine you."
As the old saying goes, don't be afraid to seek medical help when you're sick.
Nothing is more embarrassing than being caught gossiping behind someone's back. Lu Zishen and Wen Hemian were both more infuriating than the other, and those old ministers were truly not to be trifled with. Provoked like this, they immediately quickened their pace.
"No need, we'll walk ourselves!"
With Wen Hemian watching, they all had to keep a low profile. In an instant, the palace road was cleared out at an unprecedented speed, and in a flash, there were hardly any people left.
Lu Zishen suppressed his smile, bowed to Wen Hemian, and left.
Wen Hemian pondered, "It's a real pity that Lord Lu isn't an imperial censor."
That's a sharp tongue.
It can no longer emit light or heat.
The events that occurred on the palace road reached Xie Lang's ears before he even met him.
One stroke of the pen lost control of its pressure, and a heavy ink blot fell onto the white paper, ruining the character that was about to be written.
His gaze was somber: "It seems that my methods were too lenient, which emboldened them to dare to act so brazenly in front of the Grand Tutor!"
The eunuch nodded and dared not reply.
Wen Heming stepped in from outside upon hearing the sound, unsurprised: "You found out so quickly?"
Xie Lang snorted coldly and put down his pen: "The commotion in the palace naturally cannot be hidden from me."
Xie Lang was confident that he would firmly grasp his own territory no matter what.
Wen Hemian hummed in agreement, picked up his handwriting and looked at it: "It's quite beautiful, what a waste."
Xie Lang's expression immediately softened: "If the Grand Tutor likes it, I'll write another one for you."
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