There is a god in the sky

Chapter 387 Entering the Palace

When Xiao Ji returned, he saw his father sitting in the flower hall with a gloomy expression.

Li Ge, on the other hand, was relaxed and at ease, as if he were at home.

"Father, your son is back." Xiao Ji knew about Li Ge's relationship with Shen Lan and believed from the bottom of his heart that Li Ge would not harm the Xiao family.

Master Xiao stood up. "Let's go to the palace. Don't keep Prince Zheng waiting."

Li Ge and Xiao Ji walked side by side.

The two exchanged a glance; some things didn't need to be said aloud, their tacit understanding stemmed from sharing the same goal.

Li Ge led the two into the palace, where Eunuch Zhang was the first to greet them and told Li Ge, "Prince Zheng just favored Consort Yu."

Yu Meiren was one of the most beautiful women in the late emperor's harem, but for some reason she was not favored.

Unexpectedly, King Zheng had his eye on the late emperor's woman.

Li Ge replied expressionlessly, "Understood."

Those concubines in the harem who had children were fortunate, but those without children had no choice but to move to a temporary palace to live out their days.

Yu Meiren is still young, and she may not necessarily want to stay in the palace.

It remains to be seen whether King Zheng is willing to fight against ethics for the sake of a beautiful woman.

"Your Highness, the two Lord Xiaos have arrived."

Xiao Zhengyang and Xiao Ji entered one after the other and saw Prince Zheng sitting on the emperor's dragon throne, intently reading the memorials.

Believe it or not, King Zheng really thought of himself as an emperor, and he didn't hide it at all.

The two bowed according to custom, but after a long silence from the King of Zheng, they knew that he was trying to intimidate them.

The two were not in a hurry and knelt there peacefully.

After a short while, Prince Zheng put down his memorial and exclaimed, "Oh dear, why are the two Lord Xiaos still kneeling? Someone, quickly bring them seats and tea!"

Xiao Zhengyang politely declined, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I will simply stand."

King Zheng did not insist, but instead reminisced with Xiao Ji.

He said that back in Tanzhou, it was thanks to Xiao Ji that the government solved a series of murders.

He also told Xiao Ji that his daughter-in-law had recently died from a cold.

Xiao Ji thought to himself: If she weren't the daughter-in-law of the Prince of Zheng, she would have been sentenced to be executed after the investigation.

"Speaking of which, I had a lot of fun with that kid Fu Qingyan back then. Tomorrow, I'd like to invite him to stay at the palace for a few days. What do you think?"

Xiao Ji replied, "Qingyan has been studying diligently lately, preparing for the next imperial examination. The palace is busy, and he can't concentrate on his studies here."

King Zheng nodded approvingly: "Then he has made progress. It just so happens that I plan to hold an additional special examination this year to select talents for the court. He can give it a try."

Xiao Ji didn't know how to respond to that.

Only emperors have the authority to change the triennial imperial examinations; King Zheng's words were clearly spoken in his imperial capacity.

And everyone knows that with so many officials dying in the court, it is indeed necessary to replace them with new people.

Only when new officials enter the court and serve the new ruler can some of the old and pedantic ministers be gradually eliminated.

Seeing that he didn't reveal the real purpose of summoning them for a long time, Xiao Zhengyang was happy to be an observer.

But wasting time like this isn't a solution.

"I wonder when Your Highness plans to ascend the throne? Has the Imperial Observatory calculated an auspicious day?" Xiao Ji asked without any hesitation.

King Zheng gave him an approving look.

“My title is illegitimate and my throne should rightfully be inherited by my elder brother’s son.”

Xiao Ji knew what he wanted to hear, and said, "When the late emperor passed away, he did not designate an heir. The crown prince has passed away. Your Highness has made meritorious contributions in suppressing the rebellion. In my heart, Your Highness is much better than the other princes."

However, I am of low rank and have little influence over such an important matter.

"The reason I invited you two to the palace today is to trouble Scholar Xiao to draft a decree of succession for the late emperor."

Scholar Xiao is a Privy Council Academician, erudite and of high moral character. If you were to write the document, the officials would certainly have no objections.

Xiao Zhengyang knelt down in fear and trepidation: "Your Highness overestimates me. I have the Grand Councilor above me and do not possess such great abilities."

"Lord Xiao refuses to write for me?" King Zheng asked with a stern face.

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I'm unworthy."

"I think you are worthy."

Before Xiao Zhengyang could say anything more, Xiao Ji quickly interjected, "It is truly an honor for my father that Your Highness values ​​him so highly, but my father is right."

In terms of official rank, my father was not a high-ranking official of the first rank; in terms of influence, he was not one of the late emperor's most trusted and trusted ministers. It was inappropriate for him to draft the edict.

The Privy Council was in charge of military affairs. Although Master Xiao was a civil official, he had never participated in writing imperial edicts.

"Then who in the court would be most suitable to take up the pen?"

The King of Zheng couldn't find a suitable candidate, so he turned his attention to Xiao Zhengyang.

Although his official rank was not the highest, his influence was great enough, his reputation was good enough, and he had been at odds with the Crown Prince before.

Just as Xiao Ji was about to push the matter away, his father said confidently, "I have someone to recommend."

"Oh? Who?"

"Compiler Yuan of the Hanlin Academy".

King Zheng's enthusiasm was extinguished in an instant.

"A mere junior editor..." He practically had his disdain written all over his face.

Xiao Zhengyang explained, "Your Highness, the reason why Compiler Yuan has not been promoted all these years is partly because he is engrossed in calligraphy, painting and ancient book restoration and never seeks a future for himself."

Secondly, it was also because the former headmaster disliked him and suppressed his promotion.

This kind of thing is all too common in officialdom.

King Zheng showed no sympathy whatsoever; he didn't care at all whether Yuan Shenxing was promoted or not.

“But Compiler Yuan has excellent handwriting. Whenever the Emperor has a good decree, he asks him to write it. He understands the Emperor’s preferences and temperament best, and his wording is definitely more appropriate than others.”

To put it bluntly, if the imperial edict was to be forged, then naturally they needed to find someone who knew the late emperor well.

King Zheng was tempted.

"I've heard that Lord Xiao and Compiler Yuan are good friends?" Prince Zheng asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, if Your Highness thinks this person is suitable, I can persuade him on your behalf."

Xiao Zhengyang's words greatly pleased the King of Zheng.

He had previously thought that Xiao Zhengyang was deliberately making excuses, but now he realized that perhaps Xiao Zhengyang genuinely felt he was not suitable.

"Very well! Then I'll leave it to Scholar Xiao."

Xiao Zhengyang accepted the mission and left the palace.

After leaving the palace, Xiao Ji wondered, "Why did Father ask Uncle Yuan to take this on? Even if the court officials don't say it, they'll definitely be cursing him out in their hearts."

Xiao Zhengyang glanced at him sideways, his expression very unpleasant.

"Ah, it's his own choice, I can't stop him as his father."

"Why?" Xiao Ji couldn't understand.

Did Yuan Shenxing want to gain favor with the new emperor?

At this critical juncture, siding with King Zheng is indeed something that some officials are planning to do.

Father Xiao sighed and said with emotion, "He has been suppressed by the headmaster for many years. He seems indifferent to fame and fortune, but in reality, he is proud and does not want to be looked down upon."

His desire to change his fate and seize this opportunity is understandable.

Silent and speechless.

Everyone has their own choice.

Perhaps he has been waiting for this opportunity for many years.