The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 1)

Chapter 72 - The He Family

Ye Yun also looked at him and, after a moment, said cautiously, "If I speak incorrectly, Your Majesty mustn't hold it against me."

As expected, Ning Chen understood that the woman before him was not overly rigid about rules. He genuinely wanted to hear her opinion. While others might hesitate to speak, Ye Yun's willingness to do so intrigued him even more, making him eager to hear her thoughts.

"Currently, among the civil officials in the court, the most prestigious families are the Chen, Yao, Xie, and Wu families. However, the latter two have members who are the Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works respectively. It wouldn't be appropriate for them to interfere in the Ministry of Personnel. That leaves only the Chen and Wu families. Your Majesty certainly wouldn't want to use the Chen family. However, Mr. Wu is only a third-rank Censor, and it would be inappropriate to have him overshadow a number of first-rank officials. In the end, Your Majesty seems to have no suitable candidates."

"The Duke is my maternal uncle. How could you say I wouldn't use him?" Ning Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, growing more interested. His intuition told him that this woman before him might truly offer some useful insights.

"Your Majesty is being mischievous; I dare not speak such things. You know best in your own heart!" Ye Yun reached out and poked Ning Chen's chest, turning her little face away with a touch of arrogance.

Ning Chen found her response amusing and adjusted her position in his embrace. "Alright, alright, continue. I want to hear what you have to say."

Ye Yun gave a hum and continued, "Minister Xu of the Ministry of Personnel is too young and lacks authority. But who is his mentor? It's Grand Scholar He. Although Grand Scholar He is currently only in charge of the compilation of books at the Hongwen Hall and does not handle government affairs, he was a first-rank scholar from the previous emperor's reign. His status is sufficient to qualify him for the role of chief examiner in the imperial examinations."

She paused before adding, "Grand Scholar He's daughter-in-law is Your Majesty's own elder sister. I've heard that the prince consort of Princess Jiahe is also quite talented. With this father-and-son duo, plus Minister Xu, I believe it would be sufficient."

"Princess Jiahe is married off and relies solely on Your Majesty. Princess Jiahe is wise and will surely ensure that the prince consort serves Your Majesty diligently."

Ye Yun left her remarks at that, having made her point about various interests clear.

Ning Chen had never considered Grand Scholar He before. Over the years, Grand Scholar He had been busy with book compilation and rarely appeared in court. His eldest son, the prince consort He Xinyan, was also quite low-key, almost making Ning Chen forget about this father-and-son pair.

Certainly, the He family had real talent and learning; otherwise, the late emperor wouldn't have married his eldest daughter into the He family.

"Your Majesty is not responding to me. Wasn't it agreed beforehand that even if I make a mistake, Your Majesty would not hold it against me?"

Seeing Ning Chen silent, Ye Yun struggled to rise.

Ning Chen held her down and embraced her tighter, his phoenix eyes gleaming with light. "If not for your reminder, I would have suffered quite a loss. Whatever reward you wish for, just ask. I will give it to you!"

Originally, Ning Chen had intended to appoint the Duke of Britain as the chief examiner and have Xu Jiangbai assist him to at least counterbalance some of the influence.

But now, with Grand Scholar He, both emotionally and logically, everyone would be convinced, and the Chen family wouldn't get the benefit.

Ye Yun smiled and wrapped her arms around Ning Chen's neck. "I don't have any particular wishes. I only have one request."

"What is it?"

"This trip north will certainly require traveling by carriage. I hope Your Majesty can make my carriage a bit more spacious so that the journey will be more comfortable."

This was a minor matter, and Ning Chen agreed immediately, arranging it on the spot. Moreover, he thought it wasn't enough and immediately rewarded her with a variety of ornaments, jewelry, and fabrics.

That night, Ye Yun naturally stayed in Ning Chen's quarters. This caused no small amount of envy and resentment among the women in the palace.

Calculating carefully, since the beginning of the year, Ning Chen had rarely visited the inner palace, and up until now, Ye Yun had served him the most, already three times.

As expected, she had become a target.

The next day in Fengxi Palace, Yan Xiuyi, who relished stirring up trouble, deliberately compared Ye Yun with a few others. "According to the norms, Yi Meiren should have been the most favored. Now, she's been overshadowed by Ming Meiren? It seems that Fang Cairen and Chen Wanrong haven't seen the emperor for quite a while. Tsk tsk, Ming Meiren came into the palace with them, and should at least help each other. How could it be that they don't even see the emperor's face?"

"That's a one-sided view. Although Ming Meiren came into the palace with the newcomers, it's not all the same. The favor she enjoys today was hard-earned," Shu Fei said.

The implication was clear without needing to be stated directly.

The Empress frowned. "Since you're in the palace, everyone is the same. Stop speaking nonsense."

Although she made a comment, the Empress had no intention of stopping it. After all, Ye Yun's favor had become apparent, which made her uncomfortable.

"Your Majesty and Shu Fei, why are you speaking in such a roundabout way? It's true that I was appointed as the side consort by the late emperor, but I've done nothing for the heir or for the country. Serving the emperor in the palace is nothing special. I am content with the late emperor's favor and being named Meiren. After all, I am not very ambitious. I don't desire what I shouldn't and never worry about what I can't have. Being content brings happiness, and happiness brings longevity. Shu Fei and Yan Xiuyi should worry less and be more content."

Ye Yun said calmly, her demeanor so nonchalant that it was clear she did not care about the matter. They were trying to mock her for being a side consort with a low rank, but Ye Yun wasn't concerned.

Instead of repeatedly bringing up the same issue, she decided to lay it all out and make it clear that she wasn't bothered by it. This made further criticism meaningless.

Indeed, Shu Fei and Yan Xiuyi were left without any ground to stand on and were left displeased and embarrassed.

Yao Xiang chuckled lightly. "Ming Meiren is straightforward. If it were me, I'd be a bit embarrassed. But then again, entering the palace is the same for everyone."

"Does that mean you're thin-skinned, and I'm thick-skinned?" Ye Yun shot her a sharp glance. "If you do things properly and sit upright, why should you be embarrassed? I don't want to be like you, hiding and scheming. If people didn't know better, they might think you've done something shameful."

She was always blunt with her words, but this was the first time she had confronted Yao Xiang in front of everyone. Previously, they had appeared to have a good relationship.

"Ming Meiren has misunderstood me. I have always adhered to the rules and would never do anything improper," Yao Xiang said through gritted teeth.

The timing was not right for retaliation, and she had to endure.

Ye Yun's straightforward remarks left the remaining people hesitant to speak up. Seeing that the atmosphere had soured, the Empress finally dismissed everyone.