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

Chapter 276

Since it was an act, it had to be a full performance. Ever since Jiajing learned that the Empress was pregnant, he sent people to inquire about her every day, only to find that the Empress had been depressed for the past two days.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so unhappy? The imperial physician said that your mood affects the baby in your womb."

When Jiajing arrived at the Empress's palace, Chen was prepared and appeared to be in a pitiful state.

"Your Majesty, I deserve to die, but I have heard that my father is being humiliated in court. I am worried about him every day, and the more I think about it, the sadder I become. I can't be happy at all."

Chen said with a cool and aloof expression.

If other matters were not involved, Chen's behavior of seeking credit by taking advantage of the emperor's favor and trying to interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty would have been enough for Jiajing to ignore her. However, since Jiajing was now preparing to depose the empress, the more arrogant Zhang was, the better it would be for Jiajing.

"There's nothing we can do about it. Minister Chen is the Assistant Commander of the Central Military Commission, in charge of military officers. If he insists on recommending civil officials, the other officials will certainly not agree. Even if I wanted to agree, with so many people opposing, wouldn't it be disheartening for all the officials if I went my own way?"

Jiajing looked troubled.

Upon hearing this, tears, as large as beans, streamed down Chen's face uncontrollably.

Seeing her like this, Jiajing sneered inwardly, but his face showed panic.

"Zitong, why are you doing this?"

"Zitong" was the emperor's title for his empress, much like how men in later generations called their wives "wife."

"Your Majesty, I only have one father. He has been very good to me since I was a child. Now that I have become Empress, my father still has to suffer such humiliation. He is extremely proud, and I am afraid..."

Chen stopped halfway through her sentence, but the implication was quite clear: she was implying that Jiajing should take care of Chen Wanyan's matter.

Only a woman from a humble family like Chen, with no knowledge whatsoever, could utter such words. Anyone with even a little knowledge should know that what the Ming emperors feared most was the interference of the harem in politics.

However, this Lady Chen was truly ignorant. In the original history, she was too arrogant and attempted to interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty. She even caused a huge scene because Jiajing had a few extra words with other concubines during her pregnancy.

Emperor Jiajing did not tolerate her. Even though she was pregnant with his child, he immediately began to give her the cold shoulder and even started to settle scores with the Chen family.

But at this time, Jiajing still wanted to use Chen Shi and Chen Wanyan as targets. The bigger and more serious the trouble Chen Wanyan caused, the more the officials would miss Zhou Hengqi.

Jiajing wanted Yang Yiqing and others to realize that people like Chen Wanyan posed a greater threat to them.

"Zitong, don't be too sad. Here's what we'll do: have Minister Chen submit a few places privately later, and I'll arrange it for him."

Jiajing gritted his teeth, as if he had made a momentous decision, and said.

Upon hearing this, Chen burst into laughter through her tears.

"Your Majesty knows that you cherish me."

News spread through the palace that Empress Zhang had caused a scene in the inner palace, leaving the emperor with no choice but to directly promote several officials recommended by Chen Wanyan.

Upon hearing this news, the civil and military officials reacted in different ways. Bigwigs like Yang Yiqing immediately realized that this matter was unusual. If things continued this way, a civil official group centered around Chen Wanyan would gradually take shape.

Even if Chen Wanyan is incompetent, his officials are not all useless. Moreover, if these officials want to seize greater benefits, they will inevitably squeeze out the living space of his subordinates.

Both the civil officials on Yang Yiqing's side and the civil officials of the Jiangnan Group led by Xia Yan began to write memorials, preparing to impeach Chen Wanyan.

Yang Shen and Han Jie were gloating, ready to watch the show. The remaining officials, whose stances were wavering, were all tempted and sent visiting cards to the Chen family, preparing to cling to Chen Wanyan as their powerful patron.