The Hanlin Academy.
As the most prestigious and refined office at court, its buildings, inside and out, exuded a rich scholarly air, right down to the plaques and pillars.
The rank of palace graduate was something countless scholars sought but never attained. In each imperial examination's palace round, only the most outstanding few could enter the Hanlin Academy to devote themselves to scholarly pursuits.
Without serving in the Hanlin Academy, one could not enter the Grand Secretariat. Any unassuming scholar-official here might become its future chief grand secretary, commonly known as the prime minister.
Bang!
Several Hanlin scholars flung their Wolf-Hair Brushes onto their desks and shoved aside the golden scrolls, seething with righteous indignation.
"We cannot draft this Mandate Scroll. It violates ritual propriety!"
A eunuch bowed with his hands clasped.
"This is the Imperial Clan Court's wish. Hundred-Household Commander Jia captured rebels who endangered the realm and excised a malignant growth from the imperial clan. He deserves a generous reward."
"We will not draft the Mandate Scroll!" the Hanlin scholars declared firmly.
A seventh-rank title warranted only an imperial appointment, yet now they were being asked to confer a fifth-rank Imperial Mandate?
Utterly absurd!
The eunuch shook his head with a bitter smile.
First, the Embroidered Uniform Guard Office occupied a unique position. It accepted neither honorary court ranks nor nominal posts, conducted its own internal promotion and demotion assessments, and was not subject to interference from the Grand Secretariat or the Ministry of Personnel.
As a result, whenever the Embroidered Uniform Guard earned merit, the court traditionally bestowed titles upon the men's mothers or wives, with the rank determined by their achievements.
Normally, the procedure was simple, but Hundred-Household Commander Jia's circumstances were far too complicated.
At only seventeen, it was perfectly normal for him to be