The news outside the palace soon became clear.
Ye Jun looked at the letter handed to him by his mother and understood the general idea.
"If someone is being too nice to you for no reason, he is either a traitor or a thief." Ye Jun sneered.
Nan Zhi was confused, "What's in the letter? Why would the beauty say such a thing?"
"At the Lantern Festival family dinner a few days ago, the Empress Dowager was exceptionally kind, which made people feel strange. I asked my mother to investigate outside the palace, and it turned out that there was something going on."
As Ye Jun spoke, he tore the note into pieces. Nan Zhi quickly gathered the scraps together and threw them into the charcoal basin to burn.
"The Spring Examination is approaching, but the examiner for this year has not yet been decided. I guess the Chen family wants to try their luck."
Being the chief examiner is a very lucrative job.
Once the chief examiner is decided, there will inevitably be many candidates who come to meet him/her. Not to mention how many gifts he/she will receive, overtly or covertly, one thing is certain: if someone is admitted, they will thank the chief examiner.
After a few visits, they will inevitably become close. If you give them some support, you can easily win over a group of new young officials.
"But didn't the Emperor mention Lord Xu, the Minister of Personnel? The Ministry of Personnel has always been in charge of these things. I guess they are going to decide on Lord Xu." Huiyue asked doubtfully.
Nowadays, Ye Jun often tries to understand the situation of the previous dynasty, mostly relying on a few maids to contact the outside world and inquire. Now Huiyue and Nanzhi know a lot.
Ye Jun smiled, "Lord Xu was the emperor's companion in the past, and he is only 26 years old this year. Although he is really talented, he is still young. The imperial examination is a big event, and using him will not convince the public. If the previous Minister of Personnel had not been involved in a rebellion and had his official hat taken away, and the emperor had promoted Lord Xu after ascending the throne, how could Nanqi have such a young minister."
Just looking at the other few, Minister Xu is old enough to be the son of the ministers of the other five ministries.
When Xu Jiangbai was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, many people in the court opposed it. However, Ning Chen had just ascended the throne and was very energetic, so he single-handedly made the matter happen.
If it were today, and Ning Chen was no longer so impulsive and stubborn, I'm afraid this wouldn't have happened.
However, if Ning Chen had not gone against the majority and taken control of the Ministry of Personnel, he would have been constrained by a few aristocratic families and would not have been able to display his power.
Although Xu Jiangbai is still weak at the moment, he is indeed talented and will be of great use in the future.
“So, the Duke of Yingguo is also highly respected and has many supporters in the court. The Queen Mother is also trying to curry favor with her in the palace. I’m afraid the position of chief examiner will be taken by the Chen family again.” Nan Zhi was disappointed.
At first, everyone was hesitant about the idea that the harem could not interfere in government affairs. But later, as Ye Jun paid more and more attention to the previous dynasty, the two girls got used to it and talked about it calmly.
"The Chen family is indeed suitable. It is possible that the Chen family is not the only one doing this. It all depends on what the emperor thinks."
Ye Jun slowly walked to the window and sat down, then picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Nanqi has never lacked capable people, it just depends on who will be most beneficial to Ning Chen now.
If the Grand Tutor was in good health, he wouldn't be so confused. But the Grand Tutor is old and had fallen ill last winter. He hasn't recovered yet and I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left.
Ning Chen’s biggest problem right now is that he has no one to use. Even though there are many talented people in Nanqi, few of them are royalists.
The aristocratic families are powerful and can get promoted and make money by currying favor with the powerful. Who would want to work hard to achieve good political achievements so that the emperor would see them and then promote them
After drinking a cup of tea, Ye Jun stood up and said, "Change my clothes. I haven't been to Jiuchen Palace for a long time. Ask the kitchen to make a bowl of soup to replenish my energy. I will bring it to see the emperor."
What a great opportunity it is to be a timely help now.
Even if the emperor has already thought of this method, he can still go and try to show off his connections, but he can't always wait for the sponsor to come to him.
So half an hour later, Ye Jun stood outside the Jiuchen Palace.
Yuan Jiu went in to pass the message and soon called her in.
"Your Majesty, I'm here to see you. I've asked someone to make some soup for you. Your Majesty has lost a lot of weight recently, so he needs some nourishment." Ye Jun said as she walked forward carrying the food box.
Ning Chen took a look at her. She was wearing a goose yellow cross-collared long dress with embroidered clouds and snow-white edges. Her hair was in a bun with a Yuanbao shape. On her head she wore a set of tassel butterfly hairpins that she had just gotten a year ago. There were two pearls on her ears. She smiled and looked very pretty and charming.
Although spring has not yet arrived, just looking at Ye Jun's outfit makes people feel warm and comfortable.
He reached out and pulled the person over, his movements already very skillful.
"I gave you this material last year, so it's not wasted if you wear it."
Ye Jun pouted and snorted, "Your Majesty just won't praise me for my beautiful clothes."
"Isn't it the same idea?" Ning Chen touched his nose. "I still have a lot of good materials in my warehouse. There is a batch of new tribute Shu brocade with good colors. You can pick a few pieces to take back later."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. At least my trip was not in vain." Ye Jun smiled.
He pulled his hand free and served the soup himself.
Ning Chen took it and drank two sips. The weather was still cold, so it was indeed comfortable to drink something hot.
"The Emperor is still reading memorials? He has no time to rest all day."
Ye Jun glanced at the table. Of course, there was nothing that she couldn't see. Things that shouldn't be known to her had already been put away.
"The Spring Examination is approaching, and the Emperor is about to go on a tour to the north. He will be gone for two months, and when he comes back, there will be a lot of government affairs to deal with. It really makes me sad."
After drinking a bowl of soup, Ning Chen felt a little less tired. He raised his eyebrows and said, "You feel sorry for me? I think you only think about sleeping and eating every day."
"Your Majesty, you are talking nonsense!" Ye Jun refused to listen, and threw her handkerchief away, saying coquettishly, "I am concerned about Your Majesty!"
Ning Chen found it funny and held her hand. Ye Jun simply turned around and sat on his lap.
"When will the emperor set off for his northern tour? If a date is set, I can ask the needlework bureau to make a few more clothes. I must not embarrass the emperor when I leave the palace."
"There are still some things that have not been dealt with. The date has not been set yet. The Imperial Observatory is watching." Ning Chen was hugging the woman and felt itchy, so he pinched the girl's soft hands.
Ye Jun leaned on the man's shoulder bonelessly, half-closed her eyes, and looked casual, "I guess it's about the Spring Examination? Your Majesty works so hard every day, you must eat well, otherwise how can your body bear it? If I were a man, I would like to give advice to your Majesty."
Having said that, Ning Chen paused, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, he lowered his eyes slightly and spoke in a low voice.
"Even if you are not a man, you can still share my worries. I have something to ask, and I want to hear what you have to say."
"What's the matter?" Ye Jun sat up and stared at Ning Chen warily like a rabbit. "The harem cannot interfere in politics. The emperor cannot cheat me!"
Ning Chen raised his lips slightly, and pulled the person back into his arms. He spoke like a seducer, "You can tell me today. I will consider you innocent. The position of chief examiner for the Spring Examination has not yet been decided. Who do you think is the most suitable person for me to do it?"
The two looked at each other, and there was some expectation in Ning Chen's eyes.
He also knew something about Ye Jun's intelligence. Today, he became interested and really wanted to hear what the woman in his arms could say.