Playing with people's lives!?
Clearly, everyone was shocked by Xu Ruyu's words.
After all, the word 'to play with'...
Xu Qian, in particular, frowned deeply, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.
Xu Ruyu glanced at Xu Qian before continuing, "There are rumors that Yu Yan was wronged by a man when she was young, and since then she has become disillusioned with men, devoting herself to doing good deeds and remaining unmarried to this day. But in reality, her feelings towards men are not disillusionment, but rather a twisted hatred..."
Xu Ruyu did not continue speaking, but everyone understood his meaning: Yu Yan was betrayed by a man and was playing with people's lives; she was playing with the lives of those innocent men.
As for the act of 'manipulation', everyone immediately thought of the kite incident, which involved many shady and dark acts. Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but feel a little heavy-hearted.
And what about the man who betrayed Yu Yan? Xu Ruyu's words... could it be that man...?!
Everyone's eyes turned to Xu Qian.
Faced with the suspicious and scrutinizing gazes of the young men, Xu Qian found himself speechless for some reason.
Chen Xiao knew that Xu Qian and Chu Yanxi might have a past relationship, but she didn't expect that Xu Qian and Yu Yan also had one.
However, she felt that Xu Qian was not that kind of person. Although she had not known him for long, she always felt very familiar with him. Moreover, Xu Qian had been influenced by Xi Xi since birth, and not only was he of good character, but he also respected women very much. He would never do such a thing.
The scene suddenly fell silent.
Clearly, Xu Ruyu's obvious glance made everyone suspicious of Xu Qian, but due to Xu Qian's usual behavior, even if they had some doubts, they did not voice their questions.
After a moment of silence, Xu Qian glared at Xu Ruyu before turning to face Xu Ruyan and the others. He then addressed Chen Xiao, explaining, "I have no past with Yu Yan, nor have I wronged her. I knew Yu Yao when I was still at Xiaoyuan. At the time, I only knew that she had an older sister, but I had never met her and was not very familiar with her. Later, after the late Emperor Yan ascended the throne, I met Yu Yan. She was very good at business and a good person who often did good deeds. We gradually became friends."
"However, a few years later, I heard that she had been abandoned by a man. I went to the Yu family to find her, but was turned away at the door. Yu Yao told me that Yu Yan did not want to see me at that time. I understood her feelings and gave up. I did not expect that she would not see me for more than ten years. Even now, I have not seen her and only occasionally hear about her."
Xu Qian's explanation was very simple, implying that his relationship with Yu Yan was merely one of friendship.
Furthermore, when Xu Qian met Yu Yan, Xu Qian already had wives and concubines, his eldest son was two years old, and his second son had just been born. Xu Qian had been focused on court affairs, so everyone believed his words.
Including Xu Ruyu, his deliberate glance just now was only to make Xu Qian explain himself, after all, His Majesty was here, Xu Qian dared not hide anything.
Now that the truth was out, Xu Ruyan quietly moved her chair back to Xu Qian's side. Xu Qian's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but rub his forehead in regret. Why did he agree to let Xu Ruyan become the Minister of Personnel? With such an unsteady nature, he seemed to see the court filled with memorials impeaching Xu Ruyan in the future.
Looking at Xu Ruyu again, Xu Qian pondered for a while and said to Chen Xiao, "Your Majesty, should we reconsider the matter of Ruyan's official position?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Ruyan did not react. Chen Xiao, on the other hand, thought for a moment and then said to Xu Qian, "What the Prime Minister said makes sense. Why don't we let Xu Ruyu serve as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, let Xu Ruyan take over the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and let Yuan Yin take over the position of Vice Minister of the Imperial Academy?"
Huh?! This?!
Chen Xiao's words shocked everyone.
Although Xu Qian was young at heart, he was still dumbfounded by Chen Xiao's casual arrangement and tried to dissuade him: "Your Majesty, they have no experience in court affairs, and their original identities...shouldn't we reconsider?"
Although Chen Xiao was unaware of some matters concerning the Night Dynasty, she was well-versed in and had memorized the laws of the Great Night Dynasty. "However, there is no provision in the law that the harem and imperial relatives are not allowed to interfere in politics. Moreover, I have heard that Aunt Qianyun served as the Censor-in-Chief in her early years and had a good reputation during her tenure. I trust Yuan Yin."
This is indeed true. During her tenure, Grand Princess Qianyun impeached no fewer than hundreds of officials. Regardless of rank, anyone who violated the law was either severely reprimanded by her or dismissed and punished. In addition, she was responsible for overseeing court etiquette. If any official spoke disrespectfully to Chu Yanxi or behaved improperly, that official would receive the "gift" of being scolded by the Grand Princess for a whole month. Because of her status as the Grand Princess, the court was unusually harmonious during that period.
Xu Qian, recalling Qian Yun's heroic figure, quickly said, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. I naturally believe that Princess Yuan Yin is capable of serving as the Assistant Director of the Imperial Academy. What I mean is that Your Majesty has appointed three consorts to these positions, two of whom are from the Xu family. I am afraid that this is inappropriate."
Chen Xiao understood Xu Qian's meaning: he was worried that the concubines would interfere in politics and that some ministers would advise against it, and he was also worried that the Xu family would become too prominent and it would be detrimental to the Xu family.
But she already had a plan, so she smiled and said, "I understand the Prime Minister's intention. Although there is no precedent for the empress's interference in politics, I don't think it's inappropriate. As long as they have talent and ambition, a desire to embark on an official career, and the belief to do a good job in this position, they are already much better than those who are incompetent and immoral and only rely on their family background to get by. Of course, my original intention is to give the three of them their freedom to serve. As for their abilities, if the Prime Minister feels that they are not doing well after a period of time, then we can make arrangements for them then."
Now, not only was Xu Qian stunned, but everyone present, including the two parties involved, were also taken aback.
Xu Qian's eyes widened slightly: "How long has it been since I sent my sons to the palace? And they're already being deposed? Does His Majesty dislike any of them? It seems my two sons are truly incompetent! Sigh!"
Xu Ruyan looked at Chen Xiao and couldn't help but smile slightly: Your Majesty is so kind, resolving his situation so quickly. As for his brother who was inexplicably implicated, hehe, that's none of my business. Judging from Your Majesty's attitude, his brother's road to winning back his wife is long and arduous!
As for Xu Ruyu, she only paused for a moment before regaining her composure and said to Chen Xiao, "His Majesty's appointment of Qi Yanshang as the Prefect of Guangling is an excellent move. Qi Yanshang grew up in Guangling and is highly regarded by the people of Guangling for his kindness and conduct. Moreover, with his mother and lover by his side, he will surely remember His Majesty's kindness and do his best for the country and its people. As for Ruyan, he is a straightforward person and has had many difficulties in the palace. It is not unreasonable to let him leave the harem and enter the court."
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