Chapter 18

Chapter 18

In the study room of Chonghua Palace.

The two Imperial Cabinet ministers, Minister of Rites, and Privy Council Academician who were summoned looked at each other in bewilderment.

Especially Lord Fucha of the Imperial Cabinet, who had just learned that his son-in-law was punished for presenting a Daoist priest, not knowing which nerve of the Emperor he had touched.

"Is there a Privy Academician named Pan Ji?" Xiao Yunzhou, seated in the principal seat, came straight to the point.

The Privy Council Academician twitched his eyelid, "To respond to Your Majesty, there is indeed such a person, a fifth-rank Editor."

Xiao Yunzhou immediately grabbed the chair arms, it was real!

The Little Princess was right again!

"What has Pan Ji's performance been like in recent years?"

The Minister of Rites was sweating profusely.

Officials were evaluated once every three years, why was the Emperor suddenly asking about a minor fifth-rank official?

There must be an issue.

The Privy Council Academician answered on behalf of the Minister of Rites, "To respond to Your Majesty, Editor Pan Ji comes from the same Metropolitan Examination intake, mainly tasked with collating and compiling ancient texts related to the dredging of the Gui River Basin. In recent years, he has been diligently editing books, rain or shine."

However, after a moment's thought, he added, "But he does not communicate much with his colleagues, his temperament is rather eccentric, and he often comes and goes alone."

Xiao Yunzhou's gaze flickered.

This aligned with what the Princess had said - that Pan Ji worked on collating ancient texts related to dredging.

With his eccentric temperament and solitary habits, it's no wonder no one recommended him during the recent flood control efforts.

Until this minor editor gave a bribe to the Imperial Cabinet, and then received a recommendation.

Thinking about this, Xiao Yunzhou looked disapprovingly at Lord Fucha of the Imperial Cabinet.

What a family the Fuchas are!

One trying to poison him in the palace, the other taking bribes in court!

A capable person like Pan Ji, who wished to apply for dredging the Yellow River Basin after three years, still had to bribe Lord Fucha!

This was simply unacceptable.

"Appoint Pan Ji to Yang Mountain as Director-General of River Dredging," Xiao Yunzhou ordered. "He shall take up the post immediately."

The officials in the study were all greatly astonished.

Especially the two elderly Imperial Cabinet ministers and the Minister of Rites, they could not help but look up and observe Xiao Yunzhou's expression.

The Emperor ascended the throne at fifteen and learned governance under the Grand Secretariat for three years.

He only started presiding over court sessions himself at eighteen, but even after personally taking charge, he had always greatly trusted the Imperial Cabinet, especially the elderly Lord Fucha who was related to him.

The Emperor rarely intervened directly in official appointments.

Usually, the Imperial Cabinet would recommend candidates, and Xiao Yunzhou would give his approval.

But today was different.

"Your Majesty, this cannot be done. This Pan Ji has no experience in river management. Where did Your Majesty hear about him? You should know that learning from texts is superficial - he is merely an editor and may not have even seen what a river looks like."

Lord Fucha of the Imperial Cabinet stood up to object.

Xiao Yunzhou closed his eyes, about to speak, when suddenly the cries of an infant came from the side room.

All the officials were startled.

Who was in the side chamber?

Why was there a newborn crying?

They were puzzled, but saw Xiao Yunzhou suddenly tense up and ask Wei Zheng with concern, "Is the Little Princess crying? What happened to her?"

The officials were dumbfounded.

The Third Princess?

The Third Princess had just given birth recently, but how could the Little Princess be in the Emperor's Chonghua Palace?

Last night, the Emperor hurt his leg from the Earth Dragon's upheaval, and today he summoned the newborn Little Princess...

The Emperor seemed different somehow.

The officials were perplexed, but Wei Zheng knew who was currently favored.

He immediately trotted over, as if attending to not the Little Princess, but the future Crown Prince.

In reality, Governor Zhu was directly suggested by Lord Fucha of the Imperial Cabinet for him to recommend!

Now that Zhu Ming had made a mistake, the Ministry of Rites that recommended him could not escape blame!

The Minister of Rites had sweat pouring down his back.

He was doomed...

"Summon the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Lu Tong, immediately arrest Governor Zhu Ming and River Management Minister Liu Xun, and bring them back to the capital!"

Xiao Yunzhou, holding the Little Princess to avoid frightening her, did not shout but spoke in a low, calm voice with a piercing gaze like a sword.

The Minister of Rites fell to his knees.

"The Minister of Rites is suspended for failing to properly oversee officials. Cooperate with the Imperial Guards' investigation."

"The Imperial Cabinet ministers who approved this appointment shall receive the same punishment, and have their salaries docked for five years!"

Lord Fucha's face turned ashen.

But Xiao Yunzhou could no longer be bothered to look at him.

[Woohoo, well done! Punish those greedy and corrupt officials severely!]

[The Emperor Father was so wise today~~~]

Xiao Chuchú was truly delighted to see the corrupt officials being punished.

And by extension, she even found the frugal Emperor Father who was devoted to Taoism a bit more likable.

For the first time, Xiao Yunzhou heard his daughter's flattery, and the corners of his mouth curved up into a smile.

Holding his daughter, he went into the inner chambers.

"Wei Zheng, call the Fifth Prince to join us for the evening meal."

*

At the Qianxi No.5 Residence.

The Fifth Prince, Cheng Qian, accompanied by a young eunuch, headed to the South Imperial Garden.

They met the on-duty Imperial Guard Pang Rusong along the way.

Pang Rusong was the guard who carried the Emperor out of the Qianqing Palace last night and was rewarded.

He was the future great general of the border regions who was mentioned by the gentle Chuchun.

Cheng Qian nodded at him from afar, "Pang the Imperial Guard, were you injured last night?"

Pang the Imperial Guard was touched and quickly paid respects, "Fifth Prince, this servant was not seriously harmed."

"Last night, thanks to the Fifth Prince's warning, this servant escaped through the west gate of the palace, avoiding being struck by the fallen beam."

His wife is now the wet nurse of the Third Princess.

Yesterday, she sent him a message saying that Liu had promised to take good care of her.

Pang the Imperial Guard did not expect that the Fifth Prince would be such a magnanimous person.

He was just an ordinary Imperial Guard.

Usually, when other princes saw their guards, they would look down upon them with disdain.

The Imperial Guards serving the Crown Prince had even been punished by him after being injured in a fight.

In comparison, the Fifth Prince was truly kind and benevolent toward others!

"This servant thanks the Prince for his concern."

"It is good that there is no serious harm," Cheng Qian breathed a sigh of relief.

He had heard from his sister and truly could not bear the thought of a future great general being plagued by illness and dying from it.

Cheng Qian knew that as a prince, he could not have too much contact with the Imperial Guards in front of the Emperor, lest it arouse suspicion.

So he had a eunuch deliver some golden wound medicine from the Imperial Physician's Office, "This time, thanks to Pang the Imperial Guard for rescuing our father the Emperor. In the future, you must take extra care. Minor injuries must be treated promptly, or they will develop into serious illnesses."

Pang was so moved that he was about to kneel, but Cheng Qian quickly went over and helped him up.

"There is no need for such ceremony. You saved our father, so it is only right that I do this for you."

As he spoke, Wei Zheng hurriedly arrived.

"Fifth Prince, so you were here. This servant has been searching all over for you."

"Please come with me to the Chonghua Palace quickly."

"The Emperor is waiting for you to join him for skewered meat and hotpot."