Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 676: Chapter 332: Empress Xie’s Trump Card

In the Imperial Study, the Emperor received a secret message delivered back to the capital by the Dragon Guards from Jinling, which mentioned that there were already news about Zhao Yao, who currently was not in any life-threatening danger.

After reading the secret message, the Emperor’s expression suddenly became grim, frightening Sun Kui to kneel immediately onto the ground.

"Good, very good indeed!" The Emperor, with a grim face, laughed in a very sinister way, "I truly underestimated them!"

Sun Kui, kneeling on the ground, felt the icy anger emanating from the Emperor, trembling with fear.

The Hidden Guard A stood aside, with his head bowed and did not speak.

"Kidnapping Xiao Shi to provoke me, indeed, they truly underestimate me!" The Emperor’s face was filled with gloom, his eyes icy and sharp, "By not moving against them for the time being, they actually think I am an incapable emperor."

Sun Kui’s forehead, face, and neck were covered with cold sweat, and the ground before him was speckled with his sweat drops.

Who had the audacity to challenge the Emperor and even kidnap the Tenth Prince? Did they not want to live anymore? Or do they feel their family is too large?

The Hidden Guard A hesitantly asked, "Your Majesty, should we proceed to rescue the Tenth Prince?"

"We will not rescue Xiao Shi for now, I want to see what exactly they intend to do." Although the Emperor was extremely furious, he did not completely lose his rationality, "I also want to see how Xiao Shi, that obnoxious child, saves himself." This is precisely a good opportunity to test Xiao Shi, that obnoxious child.

Sun Kui, kneeling on the ground: "..." Your Majesty, weren’t you very worried about the Tenth Prince’s safety, why are you not eager to rescue him?

The Emperor instructed the Hidden Guard A again: "Watch them closely and protect Xiao Shi in secret."

The Hidden Guard A respectfully replied: "Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor waved his hand towards the Hidden Guard A, signaling him to withdraw.

The Hidden Guard A obediently withdrew, and at this moment Sun Kui hurriedly stood up and went to the Imperial Tea Room to brew tea for the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, have a cup of tea to calm down."

The Emperor received the tea cup, not in a hurry to drink the tea. He gently caressed the surface of the water with the tea lid, his expression contemplative.

Seeing the Emperor’s contemplative expression, Sun Kui dared not speak again to disturb him; instead, he retreated to the side, standing quietly.

After pondering for a while, the Emperor closed the lid of the tea. He raised his eyes to Sun Kui and instructed him: "Go call the Seventh Prince."

Prince Jing?

Sun Kui was slightly taken aback, though he did not show it on his face.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Moments later, Prince Jing appeared in the Imperial Study.

"The Seventh Prince, the imperial examination is about to commence, I am dispatching you to Jinling to oversee the county examination there."

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Prince Jing’s eyes immediately lit up, and he became somewhat excited.

The Emperor looked at Prince Jing with fondness, gently asking, "Do you have confidence in handling this task well?"

Prince Jing, full of excitement, replied: "Father, I will certainly accomplish this task well."

Hearing Prince Jing speak so, a pleased smile appeared on the Emperor’s face: "I believe you will not let me down."

Feeling deeply moved by the Emperor’s trust in him, Prince Jing said: "I will not let Father down."

"You shall depart early tomorrow, go now and bid farewell to your Empress Mother, to avoid her worrying."

"Yes, Father." Having bowed to the Emperor, Prince Jing left the Imperial Study to proceed to Zhao Yang Palace.

As soon as he entered Zhao Yang Palace, he informed Empress Xie about his duty to oversee the county examination in Jinling. Hearing this, Empress Xie was naturally very pleased.

"The Emperor places great importance on the imperial examination. You managing the county examination in Jinling is a significant achievement."

"I think so too," Prince Jing couldn’t hide his excitement, "Father is giving me an opportunity."

"Recently, the Emperor has been increasingly dissatisfied with the Crown Prince in the court. By giving you this opportunity, he wishes to see your performance. If you manage the county examination in Jinling well, the Emperor will surely be more satisfied with you, and then you could replace the Crown Prince." Empress Xie seriously told Prince Jing, "You must handle the county examination in Jinling well. After you succeed in the county examination, the subsequent prefectural examination and academy examination will also be entrusted to you by the Emperor."

"Empress Mother, you mean Father assigned me to manage the county examination in Jinling to test whether I am capable of handling it?" Prince Jing’s mind quickly turned, "If I can manage the county examination in Jinling well, then the subsequent prefectural, academy, and even the provincial examinations will be entrusted to me to handle."

"Exactly." Empress Xie replied, "Do you know what it means to oversee and be responsible for the imperial examination?"

Hearing Empress Xie’s question, Prince Jing pondered for a moment and soon understood.

"The imperial examination selects talents for the court. By being responsible for Jinling’s imperial examination, I am essentially the benefactor of the scholars in Jinling."