The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

At Yang Tinghe's residence, Yang Shen looked at Yang Tinghe with a puzzled expression.

"Whatever their ideas are, they're just two little kids. Our young emperor is very sentimental, otherwise he wouldn't have wanted to posthumously honor Prince Xingxian as the Retired Emperor. This Zhou Chu is just a child who only took advantage of the Lu family. It seems that the emperor is grateful for what he did to Lu Song and his wife and is giving him special treatment."

Yang Tinghe sneered.

"If the position of commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were given to someone else, it would be a problem for us. Now, it's much better to have a mere child as commander."

"If the emperor brings up the matter of posthumously conferring the title of Prince Xingxian upon the emperor again at the morning court tomorrow, you must stop him."

Yang Tinghe looked at his son and said.

Upon hearing this, Yang Shen looked at his father with a complicated expression.

He couldn't possibly be completely unaware of what Yang Tinghe had done; it's just that Yang Tinghe had kept most of it from him, so even though Yang Shen had some guesses, he wasn't sure.

As a son, Yang Shen did not want to assume ill will towards his father.

But as a subject, Yang Shen felt he should do and say something.

Therefore, Yang Shen was very divided, and this division stemmed from the conflict between his social class and his ideals and long-held beliefs.

This makes Yang Shen subconsciously want to escape and avoid facing these problems.

This sense of disconnect caused Yang Shen great pain. He felt that the Ming Dynasty should not be like this, and the officials in the court should not be the way they are now.

Even though he was in great pain and torment, he couldn't show it. He could only pretend to be oblivious and obey his father.

“If Your Majesty were to do so, it would be against propriety, and I would certainly object.”

As a compiler and lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, Yang Shen's main responsibility was to advise the emperor.

If the emperor has indeed done something against propriety, whether for public or private reasons, the emperor should step forward to remonstrate with him.

At this time, Liao Feng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was also at Xia Yan's residence.

"My lord, what is the background of this Zhou Chu?"

Liao Feng said with a worried expression.

Unlike others, Liao Feng had heard of Zhou Chu. Not only had he heard of him, but he also knew that his own rebellious son had apparently had a conflict with Zhou Chu. Although they hadn't actually fought, no one knew whether Zhou Chu would hold a grudge.

Perhaps people like Yang Ting and Xia Yan wouldn't be afraid of the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but he was just a mere Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a third-rank official.

Although the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was also a third-rank official, the gap between third-rank officials was greater than the gap between fifth-rank officials and third-rank officials.

If the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was determined to kill him, there was nothing he could do.

The Northern Garrison Command has this authority; they can arrest people directly without evidence. Once someone is in the Imperial Prison, how many can withstand it?

Therefore, Liao Feng went to find Xia Yan immediately. No one knew better than him how ruthless this Minister of Rites was.

If anyone in the court could protect him, one would be this man, and the other would be Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe.

They're all in the same boat, some in the open and some in the shadows.

Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe is now the first to bear the brunt, operating openly while the Ministry of Rites remains in the shadows, ready to provide support at any time.

Moreover, Liao Feng was more afraid of Lord Xia than Yang Tinghe.

Grand Secretary Yang was somewhat indecisive, not decisive enough, and not ruthless enough.

Compared to the person in front of me, he's far inferior.

Liao Feng understood that it was only a matter of time before this Lord Xia became the Grand Secretary; he just needed to follow in Xia Yan's footsteps.

"He's just a child, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. Is this little emperor really playing house?"

Xia Yan sneered.

"If the emperor brings that matter up again tomorrow, do you know what to do?"

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will be the first to offer my advice tomorrow. This is what our Ministry of Rites does. I know all the rules and regulations by heart."

Liao Feng hurriedly assured him.

Xia Yan nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

"Hopefully, the young emperor will be sensible."