I object

The Emperor was impressed to see the young faces who would join as the new officials in the various government ministries along with the new ministers, who would replace the positions of the retired ones.

Tang Xiangwei looked at the list of names as a wide smile appeared on his lips. "Jin Fengming has topped this year's civil services examination. I didn't expect anything lesser from Prime Minister Jin Liang's son," he said.

Lin Jiang felt delighted and proud because of his son.

Tang Xiangwei gazed at Lee Xianwu's name, whose appointment was special because of the Grand Empress Dowager's involvement in his appointment.

"Lee Shimin's son Lee Xianwu is appointed as the rank one official in the Ministry of Revenue," Tang Xiangwei raised his head to look at him. "Can Lee Xianwu take the responsibility well?" the Emperor asked. He was well aware of Lee Xianwu's failure in the government exam.

"The Grand Empress Dowager has shown faith in my son. I believe Xianwu will not disappoint anyone," Lee Shimin affirmed with his head low.

"I would like to hear from Lee Xianwu," Tang Xiangwei asserted.

Xianwu stepped up to speak. "Your Majesty, my appointment is based on my father's rank. I don't deny it. However, I will prove to His Majesty in this one-month period that I am no lesser than the other officials, who have done well in the examination," he said with assurance.

Tang Xiangwei was impressed with Lee Xianwu's answer. The confidence he carried was something unique about him.

"I would love to see how Lee Xianwu proves himself," Tang Xiangwei showed his faith in him. Lee Shimin felt relieved because his son didn't make any mistakes in the imperial court.

Jia Li was shocked to learn that the man whose identity she was desperate to know about was none other than Lee Shimin's eldest son. She could never let his son enter such an important ministry of the Empire.

"I object to this appointment," Jia Li pronounced.

Everyone glanced in her direction. Wangjie's jaw clenched because Jia Li did about which he was scared.

Lee Xianwu chuckled to hear her.

"What does the Crown Princess mean by this? Is she raising the question on the decision of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor?" Wangjie raised the first query.

"No, Prince Wangjie. I doubt how a person can be suitable to hold such a high rank who failed in the civil services thrice. Lee Xianwu isn't even qualified to have the lowest official rank. It would be wrong to those candidates, who work hard to get a good rank into the ministry," Jia Li pronounced.

The ministers, who were envious of Lee Shimin, agreed with the Crown Princess and asked the Emperor to think about this once.

Lee Xianwu was never interested in making his place in the government. However, to reach his ambition, he decided to speak up.

"Can the Crown Princess tell us how many officials do fraud in revenue? Can she answer us how many landlords benefitted with the wrong record put by land revenue officials in the capital and the villages surrounding it?" Xianwu asked several questions from Jia Li, who furrowed her brows together.

Seeing her silence, Xianwu smiled and continued, "Can Jin Fengming tell us about it? He topped this year's examination, so he must have this idea."

"What is Lee Xianwu talking about? How can I know about this unless I step into the revenue department?" Jin Fengming questioned with fury.

"So, you don't know. Just admit that," Lee Xianwu concluded.

"I can answer the Crown Princess and even give her the names. She can punish me if my answer goes wrong," Lee Xianwu replied. His gaze challenged her.

"How can you know when you–"

"Pardon me for interjecting. However, I must answer. I don't stay in my house all the time. I know what's going on in my surroundings, Your Royal Highness," Xianwu asserted with a tinge of mockery, which was evident to Jia Li.

Wangjie ended up smiling to hear that. This was the first time ever that someone shut Jia Li's mouth.

Tang Xiangwei asked Jia Li to stop and told Xianwu to stay calm. "She is the Crown Princess. You cannot speak that way with her," He reprimanded Xianwu.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Xianwu said.

"The appointment cannot be canceled. However, I would like to see Lee Xianwu's work. He himself has declared here he would show the result in a month, so we much wait for that. Doubting my mother and my decision isn't a good way to rebel," Tang Xiangwei pronounced. The ministers, who supported the Crown Princess's objection apologized.

Jia Li clenched her fists. Lee Xianwu used to get on her nerves since the day she encountered him. How could she forget that Xianwu was Lee Shimin's son?

The Emperor kept conversing with the other appointed officials while Lee Xianwu and Jia Li kept their gazes on each other.

An hour later, when the ceremony ended, the Emperor left first, followed by the others.

Lee Shimin patted Xianwu's back for handling everything well. Xianwu got annoyed and yanked his father's hand off his back. "I didn't do this for you," he muttered.

Jin Fengming noticed the cold attitude of Xianwu toward his own father, but he didn't pay much heed.

"Where were you last night?" Lee Shimin questioned him.

"Why does Father care? He should live happily with his family," Xianwu pronounced and walked out of the court.

Xianwu was excited to have tea with Jia Li. However, when he reached her manor, his entry was stopped.

"The Crown Princess has ordered not to allow Lee Xianwu in her manor," the two guards at the manor's entrance informed him.

"What?" Xianwu chuckled. He didn't imagine Jia Li would not take out her anger on him this way. He decided to go into the manor the other way. The guards gestured for Xianwu to leave, who turned around and walked away.