I did hear those words after all.
From the very first day the parrot entered the imperial study, Eunuch Yuan had been worried about this, and sure enough, the day came.
However, it arrived much later than expected.
This parrot insulted so many court officials, even the emperor, it must have lived a worthwhile life.
Eunuch Yuan was genuinely reluctant to kill the parrot and advised, "Your Majesty, once the parrot's head is cut off, it can't be put back on. Please don't hold a grudge against such a beast..."
Xie Jingyan glanced at the parrot. Just because it had just imitated Lady Wei's scolding of Master Wei and rebuked the Emperor, he considered the previous matter forgotten. Xie Jingyan said, "This parrot has scolded so many ministers, yet it has remained peacefully in the Imperial Study. Killing it now will surely cause controversy. People will guess that it scolded Father Emperor, and many will be curious about what the parrot said to Father Emperor. There will be much speculation, which will damage Father Emperor's reputation. If Father Emperor really doesn't want it anymore, then return it to your son."
After Xie Jingyan finished speaking, Eunuch Yuan quickly chimed in, "Prince Ling has considered everything carefully; Your Majesty should reconsider."
The emperor looked displeased. "Take this stupid bird away from me!"
Eunuch Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.
The parrot's life was saved.
Eunuch Yuan quickly picked up the parrot and took it a short distance away. He then tapped the parrot's little head and said, "You really have the guts to curse the Emperor. You're lucky this time because Prince Ling pleaded for you. If there's a next time, no one will be able to save your life."
After Eunuch Yuan withdrew, only Xie Jingyan and the Emperor remained in the Imperial Study.
The emperor's anger had not subsided, and he said, "I am your father! Do you really want to go against me?!"
Xie Jingyan looked at the Emperor and said, "Father wants me to be a target to lure out the snake from its hole and find out whether there is any injustice in my mother's case. So he will make Grand Secretary Han the chief examiner for this autumn examination."
The emperor's anger froze on his face.
After saying this, Xie Jingyan bowed and withdrew.
This was the first time Xie Jingyan had bowed respectfully to the Emperor after speaking with him since Consort Chen's incident; normally, he would just turn around and leave.
Watching Xie Jingyan's retreating figure, the Emperor didn't know whether to be angry or happy. His son being too clever wasn't necessarily a good thing.
In the past few months, the Emperor has promoted many people recommended by Xie Jingyan and those who are close to him. Even Shen Wan noticed something was amiss, let alone Xie Jingyan.
Shen Wan believed that the Emperor wanted to support Xie Jingyan, but Xie Jingyan felt that the Emperor's actions were not so simple. In particular, the Emperor had given him the Yan family mansion for the first time. In his father's heart, he still did not believe that his mother would betray him. Moreover, the struggle in the harem was always about the position of crown prince. Pushing him to the point of being one step away from that position might uncover the truth about his mother's murder.
Xie Jingyan's improved attitude towards the emperor was not because the emperor promoted several people he had recommended, but because he had figured out the emperor's intentions and was willing to cooperate.
Eunuch Yuan took the parrot to the side hall. When he returned, the Emperor said, "Have the Hanlin Academy draft an edict to reinstate Grand Secretary Han of the Wenyuan Pavilion and appoint him as the chief examiner for this autumn imperial examination."
A hint of surprise flashed in Eunuch Yuan's eyes.
The Emperor was furious just moments before because Prince Ling recommended Grand Secretary Han, but in the time it took him to take a parrot out, the Emperor's anger subsided and he agreed with Prince Ling's recommendation.
In such a short time, they couldn't have exchanged more than a few words, so how did Prince Ling manage to persuade the Emperor to change his mind?
Yuan Gonggong felt a tickle of curiosity in his heart.
Inside the room, Shen Wan sat on a small couch, watching Dong'er go to Doctor Tao to get the ointment. She couldn't help but worry that Xie Jingyan might really be beaten by the Emperor.
Even if the emperor disagreed with recommending someone to be the chief examiner, he wouldn't be so angry as to beat Xie Jingyan.
Shen Wan kept glancing at the water clock, her heart burning with anxiety. Just then, Chun'er came in and said, "Your Highness, the Prince has returned!"
Shen Wan quickly asked, "Was Your Highness beaten?"
Xie Jingyan entered the room just in time to hear this. Through the beaded curtain, he saw Shen Wan fiddling with the medicine in her hand, and he immediately felt extremely tired.
She actually prepared medicine for the injury...
Seeing Xie Jingyan enter, Shen Wan quickly got off the small couch and looked him over from head to toe. He didn't seem to have been beaten. She was about to look behind him when Xie Jingyan stopped her and said, "I wasn't beaten."
Shen Wan punched him, "You scared me to death!"
Xie Jingyan grabbed Shen Wan's hand and said helplessly, "How could I do this knowing I'd get beaten up?"
Shen Wan glanced at him sideways, "Don't you often do things like this?"
Xie Jingyan, "..."
Silver Frost and Begonia quietly withdrew from the side.
If you stay inside, you'll eventually burst out laughing and get kicked out. It's better to leave on your own.
Shen Wan looked at the small table and said, "I also got a lot of medicine from Doctor Tao."
Xie Jingyan looked down at the person in his arms, "Why do I feel like you're disappointed that you didn't get a beating in return?"
Shen Wan blinked innocently, "No way, I just see you always looking for a beating, but Father never hits you, so he hopes you can get what you want, right?"
Xie Jingyan, "..."
Xie Jingyan tightened his grip on Shen Wan's waist, causing her to press even closer to him. Xie Jingyan gritted his teeth and asked, "Are you on my side or Father's side?"
Shen Wan dared not admit that she was just standing by, eating sunflower seeds and watching the fun. She said, "Make room, the child is being squeezed."
Shen Wan took out the talisman. What could Xie Jingyan do? He had to let go of Shen Wan even if he had to grit his teeth.
Xie Jingyan sat down, and Shen Wan poured him a cup of tea. Then she asked, "Has the Emperor approved of the person you recommended?"
Xie Jingyan shook his head.
Although he had spoken up, he didn't know whether the emperor would use his words or not.
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