Chapter 0205: A Mouth Devoid of Humanity, An Opportunity for Abuse of Power

In the end, Hou Yuanzhen secured the divorce between Hou Wende and Qiu Ziqin at the cost of resigning from his official post. The Hou family was required to compensate Qiu Ziqin for the three years of suffering she had endured, publicly acknowledge that the fault lay with the husband, strip Hou Wende of his Jinshi status, and permanently bar him from any official appointment.

As for the Hou family’s private affairs, at Hou Yuanzhen’s earnest plea and in consideration of their years of working together, the ministers all promised not to spread rumors. However, whether they would recount the story in detail to their subordinates or family members remained unknown.

It was rumored that Hou Wende was later ambushed at night, beaten after a sack was thrown over his head. With no witnesses, even though everyone had a clear idea of who the perpetrator was, no one spoke up. The Hou family, aware of their own misconduct, dared not seek justice.

With Hou Yuanzhen stepping down, the position of Minister of Rites became vacant. The Vice Minister of Rites, Sheng Huai’en, lived up to expectations and assumed the role.

Upon taking office, he vigorously supported the implementation of the Technological Imperial Examination. Many ministers sensed the underlying currents, realizing that Qiu Wenqi’s earlier commotion had likely involved some maneuvering by the Prince Regent.

The head of the Hanlin Academy expressed support, but the faction led by the Su family remained noncommittal. It was only when Xie Chengze paid them a visit and explicitly stated that the Imperial Academy would be under Su Qinghe’s control that Su Zhongyue relented, agreeing to support the establishment of the Imperial Academy. However, he insisted that scholars from the Su family must study mathematics in advance to ensure they could become instructors at the Imperial Academy in the future.

Although the Su family was fond of fame and profit, it was undeniable that they were also pragmatic. Once they confirmed that the Imperial Academy was inevitable, they would mobilize their family’s resources to delve into the field of mathematics, providing robust knowledge support and guidance for scholars across the land.

This was precisely why Xie Chengze was determined to secure the Su family’s support.

After visiting several other ministers with gifts sent by Sheng Shihai, the national policy to implement the Technological Imperial Examination was finally settled. The Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Hanlin Academy were tasked with drafting the documents and confirming the relevant details.

With this major concern resolved, Xie Chengze breathed a sigh of relief.

“Father, when are you going to resume court sessions?” In the Imperial Study, Xie Chengze slumped over the desk, looking pitifully at Emperor Jian.

Attending court every day was a real headache for Xie Chengze. He simply wasn’t cut out to be an emperor. Watching the ministers report on trivial matters and argue over minor issues made him want to slap them awake.

Emperor Jian sipped his tea, wrapped in a silk quilt, looking utterly relaxed. “Aren’t you doing just fine? Keep it up~”

“This is highly improper!” Xie Chengze slapped the desk in disapproval. “If this is recorded in history, future generations will surely think I’m plotting to usurp the throne. Who knows how the unofficial histories will portray me!”

“How would the unofficial histories portray you?” Emperor Jian gave him a puzzled look, then suddenly seemed to understand. “Would they say you used your masculine charm to seduce talented ministers into supporting your usurpation? Or that you leveraged your power to seduce handsome ministers, forcing them to back your plot?”

Xie Chengze: ?

Is this even human language? How could a mouth at 36.5°C utter such inhuman words?

Furious, Xie Chengze threw a memorial onto the floor. “Don’t think I won’t go on strike too!”

Emperor Jian calmly took another sip of tea. “If you dare go on strike, I’ll immediately veto your Technological Imperial Examination at court.”

Xie Chengze: ???

Xie Chengze stared at Emperor Jian in shock. “Have you finally decided to abandon all decency?”

“Don’t be hasty.” Emperor Jian soothed. “With the Spring Examination approaching, you know the court is short-handed. Those officials will inevitably scheme to make the court miss out on talented candidates. If you successfully oversee the Spring Examination, I’ll attend court. How about that?”

With so many official positions vacant, those aristocratic families will scramble to install their own people. They’ll inevitably employ tricks during the Spring Examination, replacing the results of commoner scholars with those of their own candidates.

There will be no shortage of those engaging in fraud for personal gain.

“You’re using me as a shield!” Xie Chengze pressed his lips into a straight line, wearing the expression of a boy forcing a smile. “All to clear obstacles for the Crown Prince!”

This used to be Shen Yuan’s responsibility—why was he doing it now?

How had he ended up in this position?

Xie Chengze couldn’t figure it out.

Emperor Jian chuckled, admitting it. “Why put it so bluntly? You’re making your father feel embarrassed.”

“Besides, with you in charge of the Spring Examination, you can also install your own people.” Emperor Jian spread his hands. “What a perfect opportunity to abuse power for personal gain!”

Xie Chengze threw another memorial in anger. “Install people? Who the hell do I have to install?”

He only had Shen Yuan and Sheng Shihai!

Shen Yuan’s people were practically the same as the Crown Prince’s now, and as for Sheng Shihai’s people—dared he use them?!

Damn it!

Was there still time to go find some scholars on the street and recruit them as his own?

Watching Xie Chengze’s troubled expression, Emperor Jian stroked his chin, smiling without speaking.

This foolish child, did he really think he had no one?

…

As early spring approached, scholars from various regions flocked into Jingcheng.

The capital began hosting numerous tea gatherings for wealthy scholars to engage in literary exchanges, while the nobility started scouting “promising” scholars. For a time, Jingcheng became extraordinarily lively, with scholars reciting poetry and composing couplets on every street. Many unmarried women also appeared on the streets, casting shy, admiring glances their way.

At these tea gatherings, compared to discussions on policy, scholars were more concerned with the widely announced problem of flooding in Yi Province. Rumors were already circulating in the capital that the court intended to implement the Technological Imperial Examination and establish an Imperial Academy to recruit talented scholars for advanced studies—including knowledge of phenology and geography.

Perhaps this Yi Province flooding problem was the court’s preliminary move to promote technological talent. If successful, they would be the first to benefit.

They might even study at the Imperial Academy, connect with officials’ children, and pave an easy path for their future careers!

The scholars grew restless, eager to glean relevant answers from their peers. Amid this vibrant academic atmosphere, unaware to them, certain forces were secretly at work. In corners hidden from the light, shadows were gathering.

In a carriage passing through the streets, Xie Chengze lifted the window curtain, gazing curiously at the bustling scene and taking in the sights of the capital.

Come to think of it, although he had been here for quite some time, aside from visiting two tea houses for business, he had never properly explored Jingcheng.

Xie Chengze turned to the other person in the carriage. “I heard the peach blossoms at Hanshan Temple have bloomed, and someone is hosting a banquet there inviting scholars to admire the flowers. After we pick up Jing Ze, shall we go flower-viewing together?”

Sitting opposite him was Shen Yuan, dressed in white robes with a dark blue inner garment, who had been resting with his eyes closed. Upon hearing this, he opened his eyes and looked at Xie Chengze. “Why didn’t Your Highness mention this in the Imperial Study? Instead, you extend this flower-viewing invitation only now—is this a sudden whim?”

After court adjourned, Xie Chengze had summoned him to the Imperial Study under the pretext of discussing important matters. Important matters they were indeed—Emperor Jian and the Crown Prince were both present, and the four of them discussed some details regarding the Technological Imperial Examination. Once finished, Xie Chengze told him he wished to leave the palace to see Jing Ze.

Now it appeared that visiting Jing Ze was merely an excuse—flower-viewing was the real intention.

But why hadn’t he stated this clearly in the palace?

Xie Chengze coughed lightly and rubbed his nose. “It wasn’t convenient in the palace.”

Xie Jinyu had been watching him intently the entire time—how could he possibly tell Shen Yuan he wanted to go flower-viewing with him alone?

That child would surely grow jealous and might even attempt to disguise himself to follow along.

But he only wanted to invite Shen Yuan…