Chapter 455: Employment

Translator: Henyee Translations       Editor: Henyee Translations

The emperor let out a sigh of relief after successfully resolving the complications arising from the fifth princess’s embarrassment.

His next task involved appointing official positions to the top ten candidates from the capital examination, in accordance with established tradition. These candidates were eligible to serve in the imperial court as officials, with official positions spanning from the sixth rank to the fourth rank. Some exceptionally fortunate individuals even earned direct entry to the third-grade positions.

The fifth princess’s actions had been influenced by Su Bin, leading the members of the Public House to view him as a troublemaker who was unsuitable for an official role in the capital. They recommended sending him to a remote area to serve as a county magistrate. Alternatively, if he were to stay in the capital as an official, they suggested assigning him to an idle department with a sixth-grade position. This aligns with the Crown Prince’s initial goal of suppressing Su Bin, stemming from the latter’s refusal to be manipulated by the Crown Prince and the Public House’s belief that Su Bin supported the Third Prince.

However, the emperor held a different perspective. Not only did he harbor no disapproval of Su Bin, but he also sought to place him in a prominent role. This decision conflicted with the Public House’s stance, but the emperor remained steadfast in his choice. He believed that Su Bin’s talents, as well as his connection to Qin Zhenzhen, warranted a significant position.

In the end, the emperor prevailed and appointed Su Bin to a pivotal role within the Court of Judicial Review, naming him the deputy minister. Su Bin’s official position was at the prestigious third-grade level.

The Public House seethed with anger over what they saw as a coveted position.

They were determined to ensure that their chosen candidates secured this role.

With the retirement of the seasoned generals from the Court of Judicial Review, Su Bin had stepped into the role of deputy. As anticipated, when the officials of the Court of Judicial Review retired, Su Bin seamlessly assumed their responsibilities.

The Emperor received a formal request from General Chen to meet with him at the palace.

Given his sense of obligation to the Third Prince, the Emperor acquiesced to Old General Chen’s plea. However, an unexpected turn of events occurred when Old General Chen presented the Emperor with a confidential letter.

“Somebody anonymously delivered this to the General Manor. I couldn’t keep it concealed, Your Majesty. Please examine its contents,” Old General Chen explained.

With a sense of trepidation, the Emperor accepted the secret missive. The letter disclosed startling revelations about the fifth princess’s tumultuous personal life, her complicity with the Crown Prince in framing Su Bin, and the injustices committed against the Third Prince by the Crown Prince and the Empress following the incident. The letter meticulously detailed all the facts and events surrounding the matter. It also mentioned that a duplicate had been provided to the Emperor.

Upon discovering that the Crown Prince and the Empress had conspired against the Third Prince, the Emperor refrained from punishing them, opting instead to fabricate a false story to deceive the Third Prince.

“Minister Chen, you must not lend credence to the claims in this letter!” the Emperor asserted, unwilling to acknowledge his actions. “They are attempting to sow discord!”

Simultaneously, the Emperor’s anger grew.

The General Manor’s audacity knew no bounds! How dare they present him with such an incriminating letter! He couldn’t help but wonder if it had been forged by the General Manor.

However, Old General Chen nodded in agreement and responded, “Your Majesty’s judgment is sound. Initially, I had my doubts as well. Now, I am even more skeptical.”

“The Third Prince is your own flesh and blood, and Your Majesty would never display such bias.”

“But what perplexes me is the identity of the letter’s author.”

“What’s the purpose of this letter?”

“Can we truly be certain that someone is deliberately sowing discord?” inquired Old General Chen.

“Should we readily embrace their provocations?” he continued, skeptical of the letter’s authenticity.

“I don’t intend to present this letter to the Emperor as a demand for an explanation. Instead, I hope the Emperor can dispatch someone to conduct an inquiry.”

“Who would be so idle as to draft such a letter?” he wondered aloud.

The Emperor’s countenance softened somewhat as he responded, “Leave this matter in my hands.”

“Minister Chen, please, take your leave.”

“Minister Chen, you’re in your twilight years. There’s no need to visit the palace without cause. My heart aches at the thought of you exerting yourself.”

The Emperor was cautioning Old General Chen against unnecessary visits to the palace. His burdens were already plentiful..