Chapter 987: 464 Promotion (Third Watch) Chapter 987: 464 Promotion (Third Watch) Xiao Hen went to the Hanlin Academy, and Ning Zhiyuan had been waiting for him in his office early on.

Seeing him approach, Ning Zhiyuan sprang to his feet and hurried toward him. Seizing Xiao Hen’s arms, he looked him over and said, “Are you alright? I heard you were kidnapped by assassins! Who could be so vile?!”

The emperor had originally planned to announce the crime of Prince Ning abducting Xiao Liulang, but it was stopped by the Empress and Princess Xinyang.

Although Princess Xinyang did not reveal the entire truth to the Empress, the Empress also understood that once the news of Prince Ning’s attempt to assassinate Xiao Liulang leaked out, Xiao Hen’s identity could no longer be concealed.

After all, from any perspective, Prince Ning truly had no reason to kill Xiao Liulang, unless Xiao Liulang’s identity had some hidden aspect.

Xiao Hen said, “I’m fine. It was a sect from the Jianghu. They kidnapped me hoping to extort some silver, but they’ve been dealt with.”

The Twin Saber Sect was not innocent, as they had been completely wiped out by the imperial guards.

“Are you really okay?” Ning Zhiyuan looked at him skeptically, “I also heard that your hand was injured, let me see it.”

Two grown men looking at this… to be honest, it was somewhat…

Insistent, Ning Zhiyuan persisted, and Xiao Hen unwillingly extended his hand.

His wounds were mainly on the back of his hand and wrist. The palm had already healed without a trace, but Ning Zhiyuan, seeing the intertwining fierce scars on that pristine hand, couldn’t help but click his tongue and shake his head, “What a shame for this hand. Can you still write?”

“I can.” Xiao Hen said.

Only upon hearing this did Ning Zhiyuan finally feel relieved, “Ah, I was scared to death those days you were abducted. I thought maybe you, kid, got promoted too fast and got in the way of some people’s interests. I even suspected Zhuang Yuheng! But I met him several times, and he didn’t seem guilty at all, so I dismissed my suspicions. What Jianghu Sect doesn’t have any brains? What silver could a poor country boy like you have? Oh! Did your sister-in-law strike it rich? I’ve heard that Miaoshou Hall’s business is booming lately. You should be careful with more silver attracting attention. It’s best to hire a few bodyguards with martial arts skills.”

“Hmm.” Xiao Hen responded perfunctorily.

The two sat down on opposite sides of the desk.

Ning Zhiyuan suddenly laughed and said, “Though, kid, you also had a stroke of luck this time, not having to participate in the end-of-the-month assessment. Wang Xiuzhuan really messed up in this exam and got a severe scolding from Director Han, and was nearly demoted to Compiler.”

“And you?” Xiao Hen asked.

Ning Zhiyuan said with considerable pride, “Me? Just average, third place, with Zhuang Yuheng first.”

It wasn’t just the newly appointed Hanlin officials being assessed, but the veteran officials as well, except for Director Han and the lecturers, who were in charge of setting and grading the papers.

It was no surprise that Ning Zhiyuan and Zhuang Yuheng ranked at the top; they had just gone through the autumn provincial and spring court Imperial examinations, with their test-taking skills at their peak.

Those Hanlin officials ranked after them were not necessarily lesser in actual knowledge and capability; they simply were not as proficient at taking exams.

“It’s a pity though,” Ning Zhiyuan suddenly furrowed his brows.

“What happened?” Xiao Hen asked.

Ning Zhiyuan replied, “Didn’t Director Yang leave? His position is now open, and there’s talk of promoting someone to fill it. Now, Zhuang Yuheng is receiving high praise for the role.”

Zhuang Yuheng, the legitimate grandson of Grand Tutor Zhuang, was the second-highest ranked examinee this session and also took first place in the assessment. His only shortcoming was his lack of experience, but apart from that, he was nearly flawless.

He had even once taken the place of the crown prince to stay as a hostage in Chen Country, making him a hero to the state of Zhan Country.

In the afternoon, the Hanlin Academy indeed announced the good news of someone being promoted to Reader.

It wasn’t Zhuang Yuheng, but Xiao Liulang.

“Look at you!” Ning Zhiyuan excitedly patted Xiao Hen on the shoulder.

Xiao Hen, too, did not understand how the position of Reader had ended up falling to him. Though he had indeed intended to vie for it, he had feigned disappearance for half a month due to his injuries, and then recuperated at home for ten days, even missing one assessment.

He had guessed then that the position of Reader would not fall to him this time.

“Liulang, congratulations!” Ning Zhiyuan said sincerely.

Xiao Hen replied, “Congratulations to you, too.”

Ning Zhiyuan had also been promoted, from Edited of the Sixth-rank to Compiler of the proper Sixth-rank, coincidentally taking Xiao Liulang’s job.

Ning Zhiyuan cleared his throat, “Ahem, I’ve taken over your official post, but as for your office, well, I won’t be accepting that.”

It was too close to the latrine, and come warm weather, he would be suffocated!

He’d rather stay in his own office!

Xiao Hen moved to the Reader’s office, where Director Yang had previously stayed. However, his tenure had been short, and due to his unbearable and hasty departure, anything worth cleaning up had been taken away.

It was a clean, unoccupied room.

After becoming a Reader, besides the change in office, the salary increased from five to eight taels a month, which was the official salary. On top of that, there were yearly gifts of ten bolts of cloth, ten stones of grain, and once in the summer, an ice allowance, and once in the winter, a coal allowance. These could be taken as goods or converted into silver.

On the whole, the Hanlin Academy was considered a clean yamen without the rich income of the Six Ministries. However, having experience in the Hanlin Academy was highly regarded elsewhere.

Ministers of the inner cabinet were all from the Hanlin background, including the Chief Director Yuan, Grand Tutor Zhuang, and even the old Sacrificial Wine Master, Zhuang Xianzhi, and Director Li, without any exception.

Among them, Prime Minister Yuan started as an editor and eventually achieved the position of Grand Scholar of the Fifth-rank at the Hanlin Academy. Later, he got entangled in a scandal and was demoted to a place with tough terrain and poor water. Five years after returning to the capital, he entered the Cabinet as a Seventh-rank Secretary and climbed his way up to become the foremost Prime Minister of Zhan Country.

The others chose different government offices upon leaving the Hanlin Academy.

Ning Zhiyuan came over to help him move.

Outside the door, several Hanlin officials passed by, their conversation drifting in.

“Did you hear? Prince An is being transferred to the Cabinet?”

“Who told you that?”

“He overheard Lord Han’s conversation with Prince An.”

“You eavesdropped on Lord Han at the corner of the wall!”

“No, I was just passing by! I happened to overhear! Lord Han said, ‘Even if you go to the Cabinet, don’t neglect your own studies. The fundamentals for governing the country are all in these books.'”
Of course, that wasn’t exactly what was said, but since he seemed intent on covering it up, it didn’t seem right to inquire further, considering that knowing too much about some things isn’t necessarily a good thing.

The officials quickly walked away, and their voices gradually faded.

Ning Zhiyuan had an epiphany, “That’s why he isn’t competing with you anymore. He’s found a better place.”

Isn’t the purpose of entering the Cabinet precisely to become a key minister of the current court in the future? If nothing else, going to one of the Six Ministries would also be excellent.

Those who really want to spend their entire lives at the Hanlin Academy are rare.

Xiao Hen didn’t speak.

It must have been Grand Tutor Zhuang’s idea. With Zhuang Yuheng’s qualifications, his entry into the Cabinet was a bit of a stretch. It seemed Grand Tutor Zhuang was unsettled by the Grand Empress Dowager’s stance on Prince Ning’s matter.

He no longer put his full trust in the Grand Empress Dowager; he wanted to grasp more power in the hands of the Zhuang family.

Now in the Cabinet, two of the deputy prime ministers were his men, and half of the six Grand Scholars were also his men. If Prince An were added, the Cabinet would be completely dominated by the Zhuang family once Prime Minister Yuan retired.

Seeing Xiao Liulang deep in thought, Ning Zhiyuan thought he was feeling down and patted his shoulder to console him, “Liulang, don’t lose heart. You’ll enter the Cabinet one day!”

Xiao Hen wasn’t contemplating on entering the Cabinet; he was wondering if that old coot, Grand Tutor Zhuang, was poking at his grandmother’s soft spot again.

Imperial Palace.

The Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager left court, heading in the direction of the Renshou Palace.

The Grand Empress Dowager sat in her phoenix carriage, casting an odd glance at the imperial carriage beside her, and asked in confusion, “Your Huaqing Palace is over there.”

The Emperor shamelessly said, “I’m going to have a meal at Mother’s palace.”

After a moment of contemplation, the Grand Empress Dowager hummed in response.

Emperor: Mother actually didn’t refuse!

After the meal, the Grand Empress Dowager said to the Emperor, “Come to the study room.”

“Does Mother have something to discuss with her son?” Once inside the study room, the Emperor asked.

The Grand Empress Dowager solemnly said, “I have thought it over. Having ruled on your own for many years, it is time for me to return the state affairs to the Emperor.”

The Empress was startled, “Why would Mother say this?”

The Grand Empress Dowager sighed, “From tomorrow on, I will no longer meddle in the state affairs.”

A phrase flashed through the Emperor’s mind — no more fun of going to court with Mother!!!

“Mother!”

The Grand Empress Dowager looked at him indifferently, “Haven’t you always wished that I would not go to Jinluan Hall anymore? Your wish has come true. Not happy now?”

“That was in the past.” The Emperor muttered.

After the truth about Consort Jing came to light, he realized that he had misunderstood his mother all these years. His mother had numerous opportunities to kill him, but she never did.

Instead, it was he who repeatedly framed his mother and even caused her to contract leprosy. If it had not been for the young genius doctor, he would have lived the rest of his life in regret.

Besides, setting aside the emotional aspect, Mother truly had more decisiveness and skill.

The Grand Empress Dowager sighed wistfully, “I am old. It’s time for me to enjoy some quiet days.”

The Emperor frowned, “Mother, you just want to go play cards in Bishui Alley, don’t you?”

That’s excluding him!

The Grand Empress Dowager: “…Ahem, is it that obvious?”