Disguised as a man, Xu Jiao entered the Eastern Palace at a young age to serve as a companion reader. After the Son of Heaven ascended the throne, Xu Jiao rose step by step through the ranks, starting from a Compiler in the Hanlin Academy to the highest rank among officials and serving as the Prime Minister in the court.

Everyone in court knew Emperor Yuan openly favoured Zai Xiang. It was also well known that Xu Xiang had a few hundred terrible tempers each month and a notoriously petty nature. Yet, there always seemed to be some foolishly fearless officials who even dared to submit memorials of impeachment against the Xiang Ye.

Emperor Yuan stated, “If she is so capable, then let her roll back here and manage Our imperial harem for Zhen.”

Whenever a new official enters the court, even the Minister of Personnel will personally offer guidance:

-“The first rule of being an official: don’t provoke Prime Minister Xu!”

-“Back in the Eastern Palace, Minister Xu served as His Majesty’s study companion and the assistant instructor and secretary. The two of them… Well, they ate and slept together. Every month, there’d always be a few days when his temper got especially nasty—he even dared to argue with His Majesty.”

-“He’s also incredibly petty, like a needle, no matter how trivial the matter, no matter how long ago it happened, he’ll remember it…”

-“So don’t be fooled into thinking that just because His Majesty occasionally strips Minister Xu of his title, he’s really fallen out of favour. That’s just the two of them sulking. Honestly, Xu Xiang being out of court is even scarier than him being in it…”

Years later, the civil and military officials sighed in regret: “Minister Xu was truly dedicated; he exhausted his mind and body, handled everything personally, and in the end, died from overwork. We all misunderstood him before! Fortunately, His Majesty is someone who cherishes old bonds. Though Minister Xu is gone, his younger sister remains. That, at least, is some form of comfort…”

Xu Jiao: “Comfort your damn uncle! May your whole family die from overwork! This Prime Minister will never die!”