The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1169

Chapter 1169: 566 Abuse the Scum (Second Update)

In general, the grand secretaries do not appoint a junior counsel, after the chief grand secretary resigns, one of the two associate grand secretaries will be selected as the new chief.

Only if both associate grand secretaries are deemed unsuitable would a junior counsel position be created.

The interests of the junior counsel conflict with those of the associate grand secretaries and the powerful interest chains behind them. Because it often faces strong opposition from grand secretaries, but it is indeed a new method of reform, thus it has gained the support of the Emperor.

Through a game of mutual checks and balances between ruler and ministers, a delicate equilibrium was finally reached—agreeing to the establishment of a junior counsel position, but with several restrictions. First, the age must not exceed twenty, second, one must have originated from the top ranks of the imperial examinations, and third, one must have made a significant contribution to the dynasty, or have at least two years of experience as a Hanlin Academy official.

These conditions were so harsh that no one has ever met them.

No, that’s not true.

Zhuang Yuheng of the Zhuang family was twenty, hailed from the top ranks of the imperial examinations, recently the runner-up laureate, and had even replaced the crown prince to be a hostage in the state of Chen, achieving monumental merit.

But first, he was from the Zhuang family; second, in fact, Grand Secretary Yuan had another candidate he favored more.

"It’s a pity the conditions haven’t been met." Grand Secretary Yuan sighed with regret.

...

Recently, the two things that troubled Empress Xiao the most were the emperor’s illness and the whereabouts of Empress Dowager Zhuang.

The emperor had suffered a head injury, and even the imperial physicians couldn’t say for certain when he might regain consciousness. As for the whereabouts of Empress Dowager Zhuang, there had been no progress at all.

With checkpoints set at the city gates and high walls of the Imperial City, how high could the walls of Renshou Palace be? Empress Xiao didn’t believe Empress Dowager Zhuang had flown out of the Imperial City, so she must still be within the city.

Empress Xiao ordered Chief Steward Fu to increase the efforts in the manhunt.

In the past few days, Princess Ning An had done nothing but stay by the emperor’s side in Huaqing Palace and pay respects to Empress Xiao in Kunning Palace.

Her behavior didn’t seem strange to others, since one of her two pillars of support in the Imperial Palace was gone, and the only remaining one—the emperor—was unconscious. If she didn’t make a good impression on Empress Xiao, how would she be able to maintain her position in the Imperial Palace in the future?

Furthermore, in recent days, her son, Huangfu Xian, hadn’t caused any more trouble.

Quite a discerning individual indeed.

In the afternoon, Princess Ning An visited Empress Xiao’s Kunning Palace once again.

Empress Xiao was in the Warm Pavilion checking Qin Chuyu’s homework. Qin Chuyu recited hesitantly and absent-mindedly, causing Empress Xiao a headache.