After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Inside the council hall of Prince Xin's mansion, figures moved about.

The eunuchs and palace maids moved about the main hall and corridors like fish leaping.

Plates of exquisite pastries and freshly brewed hot tea were carried in by them, their backs bent, and then the empty plates and cold teacups were respectfully taken out and brought out.

His Highness Prince Xin has always been considerate of his subjects.

When the officials of the Eastern Palace held meetings, they did not need to stand. His Highness provided each official with a table, on which were placed writing brushes and ink, as well as snacks and hot tea, to satisfy their hunger. The table also made it convenient for the officials to pass around documents.

The hall was filled with chatter. Under the supervision of Sun Chengshan, the Grand Tutor of the Eastern Palace, matters of great importance and small matters were discussed in an orderly manner. Before long, they were transformed into memorials and sent to the Imperial Study to await His Highness's approval.

In the event of a major incident, His Highness would go to the main hall to discuss it with his ministers.

It was not long after nightfall.

After finishing something in the Imperial Study, Prince Xin arrived at the Council Hall, and the four eunuchs carrying lanterns withdrew from the hall.

The old eunuch sang a greeting.

Upon seeing His Highness's arrival, the assembled officials quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Highness." Their voices were clear and solemn, causing the lights in the hall to flicker.

Zhu Cuiwei raised her eyes slightly, said "Gentlemen, you may rise," and then slowly walked to the head seat amidst the respectful thanks of the officials.

Qin Yuanyao, who was originally sitting in the middle, saw that His Highness had finally arrived. Her wheat-colored cheeks sank slightly. She bit her cheek, took a few steps forward, and whispered some things to His Highness.

After listening, Zhu Cuiwei remained unmoved by the pearl and jade nine-phoenix crown on her head and said calmly, "Alright, Vice Minister Qin, you've worked hard."

The female commander of the Imperial Guard, dressed in a bright red robe, hurriedly said she dared not.

Sun Chengshan also stepped forward, speaking with maturity and composure:

"Your Highness, we have already selected a temporary Vice Minister of the Sacrificial Rites Department. Would Your Highness like to summon him to court for a brief examination?"

Zhu Cui smiled and nodded, saying that she was grateful for the invitation from Grand Tutor Sun.

Not long after.

A thin, upright official in green robes with a short mustache entered the hall and bowed to Zhu Cuiwei, saying:

"Your humble servant, Mu Ziying, clerk of the Sacrificial Rites Department, pays respects to Your Highness!"

Zhu Cuiwei's oval face glowed with a warm orange light as she said in a clear and soothing voice, "Please rise, Manager Mu."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Mu Ziying spoke solemnly, and rose slowly and meticulously according to etiquette.

Even when standing, he kept his back straight and his eyes lowered, not daring to look directly at the emperor.

Zhu Cuiwei nodded secretly. The clerk of the Sacrificial Rites Office was a ninth-rank official, while the director of the Sacrificial Rites Office was a fifth-rank official.

It was impossible for a ninth-rank official to leap to the fifth-rank official position, which is why Grand Master Sun said "temporarily".

Previously, Lü Xiang had informed her of some matters to be aware of during the coronation ceremony. Zhu Cuiwei thought about it and then tested him on these matters. He answered fluently, clearly demonstrating his strategic acumen.

As Zhu Cuiwei listened, she nodded repeatedly, quite satisfied and surprised. It was truly rare for an official to be so concerned about such an important matter as the sacrificial ceremony. She praised him several times, saying, "Officer Mu is thoughtful and considerate in every aspect. He is truly dedicated."

Mu Ziying bowed respectfully without a smile and said, "I am only serving the king and fulfilling my duty. Your Highness is too kind."

Seeing that this person was neither humble nor arrogant, Zhu Cuiwei was even more satisfied. A faint smile appeared on her oval face as she said, "Very well, I will trouble Physician Mu for the enthronement ceremony in nine days."

Changing "司务" to "郎中" signifies acceptance of the decision of the Crown Prince's officials, appointing this person to temporarily assume the position of Langzhong in the Sacrificial Rites Department.

Mu Ziying immediately knelt down, still showing no joy or sorrow, and said coldly, "Your Highness, I thank you for your trust. I will certainly not fail to live up to Your Highness's kindness."

Sun Chengshan nodded and said that this Mu Siwu was originally a person that Lü Langzhong relied on very much. All aspects of the enthronement ceremony, including the departure of Prince Xin from his residence, the worship of Xiaoling Mausoleum, the escort of His Mausoleum out of the palace, the return of His Mausoleum to the palace for the enthronement, the summoning of the imperial family, the summoning of the ministers, the summoning of the nobles and vassals, and the summoning of the envoys of various countries, were all entrusted to Mu Siwu by Lü Langzhong. Mu Siwu handled everything very well. Zhu Cuiwei nodded even more and encouraged him a few more times.

The officials of the Eastern Palace were also delighted to see this. The official they had chosen to temporarily replace the Director of the Sacrificial Rites Department had passed His Highness's test. His Highness praised the official, which naturally meant he was also praising their discerning eye. The officials couldn't help but look proud.

After Lü Xiang's death, the debate over who should preside over the enthronement ceremony lasted for two days. Now that the matter has been settled, he wiped the sweat from his brow and looked around. The people exchanged glances, and there was a sense of relief in their eyes.

The Director of the Sacrificial Rites Department passed away. The department still had one Assistant Director and two Principal Officers.

The position of Assistant Minister was rejected by the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard present at the scene. Even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not reject it, the Crown Prince would not dare to use it.

The reason, of course, is that Lü Xiang's death was too suspicious.

It's undeniable that the person who killed Lü Xiang was a groom, but they naturally didn't believe that someone would kill a high-ranking official for some concubine.

When this matter was first discussed yesterday, someone suggested that the position be filled by an Assistant Minister, but Chen Yuezhi, the Junior Chamberlain, simply said, "Assistant Minister of the Sacrificial Rites Department... surnamed Dou."

These words sent a chill down everyone's spines, and there was no need to say anything else.

Since his surname is Dou, it must be the Dou from the Dou family of the capital, the Dou from Dou Yuan.

This Assistant Minister should be a relative of Dou Yuan, who was the most trusted chief advisor of the King of Qi.

Regardless of how murky the situation was, or whether Lü Langzhong's death was related to the King of Qi, they dared not use him.

Therefore, two people remained in charge, one of whom was ill.

After inviting the Assistant Minister and another official over today, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately said that Assistant Minister Dou was temporarily unusable.

Dou Yuanwailang's face turned a deep purplish-red, yet he couldn't utter a sound, lest he be covered in mud and others would genuinely believe that this matter was related to the Prince of Qi, that Lü Langzhong died because the Prince of Qi wanted to promote him. Helpless, Dou Yuanwailang could only watch the opportunity for promotion slip away.

Thus, only one other person remained to take charge.

However, upon closer examination, the Crown Prince discovered that this person seemed to know very little, which angered many. But the man claimed that although he did not know, he could still handle the matter, saying that the matter was handled by the steward, and that Physician Lü had asked that steward. He said he could find out the answer by asking the steward.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuezhi didn't bother asking the steward; he simply summoned the steward directly.

When he called out, everyone was overjoyed.

This clerk, Mu, not only had a thorough understanding of these matters, but was also dignified and courteous. Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that before the death of Physician Lü, he had relied heavily on this man.

Chen Yuezhi then said, "In urgent situations, we should act expediently. Instead of having the chief clerk bring Mu Siwu over every time, why not just let the clerk temporarily take over the position of physician?" The officials immediately agreed.

Sun Zhanshi hesitated for a moment, but seeing that the person in charge looked like he was just occupying a position without doing any work, he agreed.

Let Mu Siwu take charge, and let Chen Yuezhi, the Junior Chamberlain of the Eastern Palace, control the overall situation.

The matter is settled.

Zhu Cuiwei then ordered the newly appointed Physician Mu to leave.

……

Dark as ink.

How deep is it?

Zhu Cuiwei changed out of her everyday clothes and returned to Ning Mansion from Prince Xin's Mansion.

When we arrived at the flower hall of the Ning Mansion.

They happened to see Ning Nan playing chess with Gongsun Heng.