Above the hall
Leng Yu issued an edict announcing that Liu Dechang was promoted to the Grand Marshal of the Army of Daning State, concurrently holding the position of Grand Tutor, and holding the first-rank official position. This also meant that his power was second only to the emperor and above everyone else.
Leng Ming was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel, a second-rank official.
Xiao Lingzi and Zhang Yuan were promoted to generals defending the country, and their official positions were the first rank.
He was promoted to Xiaotanzi, and Empress A was promoted to General Fuguo, both of whom held the second rank.
A Yu was promoted to the title of A Yu, and Xiao Ningzi was appointed as a sword-bearing guard in front of the emperor, holding the rank of second grade.
Ahong was promoted to the position of imperial attendant, and Acai was promoted to the position of female official in the inner court, both of them were of the fourth rank.
Qin Shun was granted the title of eunuch in front of the palace, holding the second rank.
Feng Bai Xiao was made the chief eunuch, holding the second rank.
The reason why these two eunuchs were so valued was that they were Liu Xi's favorites and were also the ones recommended to Leng Yu by Liu Xi.
Yu Shiming and several other officials were demoted to the position of Director of the Ministry of Rites, a sixth-rank official, as they claimed to be ill and stayed at home during the turmoil in the court, and had no determination to share the honor and disgrace with the Daning Kingdom. This was equivalent to a direct demotion of three levels.
The positions of other officials in the court remain unchanged for the time being.
After Qin Shun finished reading the news, he looked at everyone and said seriously again:
"Pass on my decree. This year's spring palace examination will be held in early April, as in previous years. I will personally supervise the examinations and recruit talented individuals for the prosperity of the Great Ning Kingdom."
After hearing this, everyone knelt down and shouted in unison,
"Your Majesty is wise. The Daning Kingdom will surely enjoy peace and prosperity."
Among these people, only Yu Shiming had an ugly expression.
From today on, he was demoted from a third-rank official to a sixth-rank official, which means that from now on, he will no longer have the right to attend court meetings.
The most important thing is that Leng Xi was not on the list of people conferred titles by the emperor.
Although Leng Xi was at fault, he also made contributions on the battlefield. Thinking of this, Yu Shiming stepped forward unwillingly.
"Your Majesty, when the Daning Kingdom was in danger, I was bedridden due to illness and did not contribute to the Daning Kingdom. I feel guilty about this, but there is one thing I do not understand."
The emperor knows Yu Shiming's heart best. Although he gives people the impression of being honest and upright on the surface, he is actually a fence-sitter who changes with the wind.
He nodded coldly.
"Master Yu, what is unclear?"
"The Emperor has promoted everyone he could think of, but why not Prince Xi? He made great contributions in repelling the Beihai people on the battlefield this time."
Seeing Yu Shiming mention his uncle, Leng Yu looked at him with a raised corner of his mouth.
"I have other arrangements for Prince Xi, so please don't worry about it."
After that, he said to Qin Shun:
"Dismiss the court!"
After Qin Shun received the order, he shouted to the ministers in the court,
"Dismiss the court."
Although Yu Shiming was quite dissatisfied with the emperor's answer, he did not dare to ask any more questions in the hall.
All the officials who were demoted with him were Leng Xi's men. Now it seems that Leng Yu was deliberately targeting Leng Xi.
Right now, he can hardly protect himself, so how can he dare to say anything more to the emperor for Leng Xi?
After leaving the palace, Yu Shiming went straight to Prince Xi's Mansion.
He wanted to tell Leng Xi the news so that he could make plans early.
…
Xiwangfu
Concubine Li came to Prince Xi's Mansion yesterday and began to set rules for the servants in the mansion today.
At this time, all the servants in the Prince Xi's Mansion, including the maids and servants she brought back with her, stood in front of her with their hands hanging down, waiting for her lecture.
She looked at these people with blazing eyes and spoke sternly,
"I've only been here for a day, and I've noticed that you guys are so sloppy in your work. You all look so listless. Is it because Prince Xi's Mansion didn't feed you enough, or because they owe you salary?"
The servants hurriedly replied in unison:
"None."
"None? Then you're like a pile of loose sand, what's the point? In my opinion, Princess Xi's control over you is too lenient."
After saying this, she looked at Yu Qiaoqiao,
"Look at how you've spoiled these servants. They're big and strong, eating plenty of good food, but they don't do much work. How do you manage to be Princess Xi?"
Yu Qiaoqiao pursed her lips and pondered for a while, then replied in a low voice:
"My mother is telling you that I haven't been in Prince Xi's Mansion for a while, and I haven't been able to discipline them enough. Now that you're here, please take good care of them on my behalf."
Yu Qiaoqiao's words were very helpful to Concubine Li.
She was used to controlling others in the harem, and if she was suddenly left here idle, she would feel suffocated.
So, she rolled her eyes at the servants and ordered in a cold voice:
"All of you, stand here and reflect on how you can accept this salary with peace of mind in the future. No one is allowed to leave without my permission."
Hearing this, everyone lowered their heads and dared not speak, except Xiaoying who asked in a low voice:
"Concubine Li, Miss Xiao Cui hasn't eaten lunch yet."
"Miss Xiao Cui?"
Concubine Li, who knew nothing about this, suddenly frowned.
"Who is Miss Xiao Cui?"
Yu Qiaoqiao hurried forward, leaned over to Concubine Li's ear, and whispered softly,
"Xiao Cui is the prince's bed-warmer, and now she is pregnant."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Li was stunned for a moment, then asked in a cold voice:
"Everyone in the Xiwang Mansion has come out, why isn't she coming out?"
After saying this, she pointed at Xiaoying,
"You, go and call her over."
"Replying to Concubine Li, Miss Xiao Cui was complaining about a stomachache last night. She also said that if I dared to open the door, she would kill me, so... I didn't dare to call her."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
