The mistress was reborn and broke off the engagement, the regent cried and begged to marry into the

Li Zongyun and Li Shihang looked at each other and became more and more proud.

As long as the emperor doesn't want to move, no one can touch them.

The next day.

Shangguan Haitong went to the teahouse after breakfast.

Xiao Fenghe arrived on time and entered the private room.

The maid retreated and stood guard at the door.

Shangguan Haitong poured tea herself: "Miss Xiao, how are you these days?"

Xiao Fenghe smiled and replied, "Very good. Father has agreed to break off the engagement with Master Nie. Since it has not been made public, it is not a burden. Miss Shangguan came to me today. Is there anything to discuss? If I can help, please tell me."

The aroma of tea is everywhere and the steam is thick.

Shangguan Haitong asked sincerely: "How much does Miss Xiao know about the current situation?"

Xiao Fenghe looked puzzled: "Several major cases have been concluded. No matter what, it should have nothing to do with our Xiao Mansion."

"If two of the three are gone, the only one left will be the target of public criticism. Miss Xiao is too indifferent to this matter." Shangguan Haitong advised.

Shocked upon hearing this, Xiao Fenghe asked anxiously: "Please tell me clearly, Miss Shangguan. Is there a crisis in my house?"

Shangguan Haitong nodded: "Two important positions are vacant, and various forces will definitely compete for them. The emperor is undecided, and there is a high probability that he will ask your father what he thinks. His answer will affect the life and death of your entire family. One wrong word will cost you your life. One wrong word will end your career path."

"It's so serious." Xiao Fenghe couldn't believe it, "Please Miss Shangguan save my family."

Shangguan Haitong stood up and walked over slowly: "You must know that serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Sir Xiao should be very careful in answering. You cannot be biased towards any one faction, you cannot be perfunctory, and you cannot avoid it. In my opinion, the best answer is for the lower level to make up for it."

Xiao Fenghe raised his head: "The lower-ranking ones will be replaced? Do you mean that all the vacant positions below this one will be promoted to the next rank?"

Patting the other person's shoulder gently, Shangguan Haitong smiled and said, "This is the safest answer. It will not anger the emperor, and will not offend anyone. If it succeeds, the officials who are promoted will be grateful to Lord Xiao. Even if it fails in the end, they will still be grateful for Lord Xiao's kindness."

"Officials are assessed every three years, and the assessment period comes after the imperial examination. They should have been promoted, but just one year earlier. The emperor may agree to this if he considers it. Even if he doesn't agree, what loss will it have for Lord Xiao?"

Xiao Fenghe thought about it carefully and realized that it was just as Miss Shangguan said.

This is the best answer.

Random recommendations and blind excuses are not acceptable.

If the emperor gets angry, the Xiao family will be in danger.

Only in this way can the whole family be saved.

She stood up gratefully: "Thank you Miss Shangguan for the reminder. I will remind my father when I get back and ask him to pay more attention."

Shangguan Haitong smiled and said, "We are sisters, why should we be so polite? Go ahead, don't delay."

Xiao Fenghe nodded and left.

Shangguan Haitong sat down and drank his tea calmly.

Sir Xiao had better do as he is told and take responsibility for the disaster that is about to happen.

Xiao Mansion. Xiao Fenghe hurried back and told his mother about this matter.

Madam Xiao frowned and thought carefully: "What Miss Shangguan said makes sense. When people with similar positions get into trouble, the one who is not in trouble is in danger. There are so many eyes watching, and they are eager to find the slightest mistake. This matter must be told to the master."

She ordered her servants to look for Lord Xiao and return home as soon as they had time.

Xiao Yue rushed home after receiving the news, and paced back and forth in thought as he listened to these remarks.

It seems to make sense, but it feels wrong.

What's the problem?

At this moment, the doorman came to report: "Master, someone has come from the palace, and the emperor has summoned you."

The family of three was shocked and their hearts were in their throats.

Xiao Yue tried his best to remain calm: "I'll go to the palace first, you guys wait for news at home. I'll adapt to the situation."

"Master, please be careful." Mrs. Xiao was very worried.

Xiao Fenghe's eyes were full of worry.

Xiao Yue strode out of the house and went to the palace to meet the emperor.

royal palace. Royal study room.

The emperor asked while reviewing the memorials: "What do you think of the candidates discussed in the morning court, Xiao Aiqing?"

As expected, I asked this.

Xiao Yue broke out in a cold sweat and bowed his head to answer: "Your Majesty has made up his mind. I dare not..."

Before he could speak, he saw the emperor frowning slightly. Obviously, he was not satisfied with this answer.

Yao Buwei smiled and said, "Master Xiao, don't be nervous. Just answer whatever the emperor asks you."

As sudden as the beating of a drum, Xiao Yue felt like he had walked through the gates of hell: "I, I think it would be most reasonable for someone of a lower rank to take up the position."

The emperor raised his eyes upon hearing this: "Oh? The lower-ranking person will take over? That's a good idea. Who is the next one?"

Xiao Yue was about to say that he was not familiar with them. Yao Buwei replied calmly: "I remember one surname is Tao and the other surname is Yang. I am old and can't remember their names. I only remember that Mr. Tao had a good handwriting and Mr. Yang had a brilliant literary talent. The emperor even praised them both."

"Really?" The emperor was not impressed. "Let the Ministry of Personnel assess them in advance and see what happens."

"Oh." Yao Buwei stepped back.

Xiao Yue stood there nervously, not knowing whether to leave or stay.

Yao Buwei shook his head and gestured to go out.

Xiao Yue suddenly woke up as if from a dream and hurriedly followed out of the imperial study.

Yao Buwei asked with a smile: "Master Xiao, this is not your first time meeting the Emperor, why are you so nervous?"

Xiao Yue laughed dryly twice: "Thank you for your advice, eunuch. Otherwise, today I..."

Seeing that Lord Xiao's hands were trembling slightly, Yao Buwei tapped them twice with his whisk: "Go back. There's nothing to do today."

"Yes. Thank you, father-in-law." Xiao Yue's legs were a little weak, and he seemed to have trouble stepping on solid ground as he walked out.

Yao Buwei looked at the figure's back, shook his head, and turned around to do his work.

Xiao Mansion.

Xiao Yue returned home in a daze and sat down.

Madam Xiao quickly asked, "How is it?"

Looking at his daughter, Xiao Yue was extremely relieved: "Miss Shangguan was right about everything. It was a close call."

Fortunately, he returned home directly after receiving the news, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

The emperor's question this time was not just a casual one, it was also a test.

Everyone else has problems, but he doesn't.

How can I not be suspicious? I need to be more careful in the future.

Xiao Fenghe felt a little scared.

The timing was just right. If the emperor summoned my father right after leaving the court, then...

Mrs. Xiao comforted her husband and then comforted her daughter: "It's okay, it's okay."

Teahouse. Huanshuang entered the private room and closed the door: "Master Xiao has returned home. Judging from his expression, he must be frightened."

Shangguan Haitong leaned against the window and drank tea: "There is no such thing as getting by in the officialdom. Do you think you can just abide by the rules? You should know that disasters can come from the sky. The two colleagues are also competitors. When they got into trouble, Lord Xiao must have been very happy at first. Are you afraid now?"

Covering her lips and laughing softly, Huanshuang joked: "I guess you won't dare to do that again in the future."

"If you don't learn your lesson, you will bring about your own destruction." Shangguan Haitong poured out the cold tea in the cup and poured a new one.

Huan Shuang looked at the sky and said, "It will take some time for the prince to arrive."

Shangguan Haitong glanced downstairs and said, "Who said that? Look, he's here."

So fast? Huanshuang looked out the window and saw Xie Qiuguang and his companions walking into the teahouse.

She pursed her lips and smiled: "Your Majesty is so anxious that he came earlier than the agreed time. How much do you miss me?"