Chapter 819: Chapter 817: The Emperor’s Self-Awareness

The emperor’s cultural literacy is also quite high. In this happy mood, he began to comment one by one on the scenery in Chang Garden that he had seen along the way.

Although the emperor somewhat dismissed Chang Garden earlier for not being grand enough, his comments were objective and to the point. Adjectives poured out one after another, making Ye Xinyan’s teeth ache just listening to it.

Just a moment ago, she had mocked Zhou Biyao for her lack of vocabulary, but now she felt instantly defeated by Zhou Biyao. Yet when comparing Zhou Biyao with the emperor, well, there was simply no comparison—they weren’t even on the same level, as if her years of studies were in vain.

After the commentary, the emperor said contentedly, “I didn’t expect that I would see such beautiful scenery just by coming out for a casual stroll today. Indeed, Guangsha Construction’s work is extraordinary.”

Ye Xinyan, upon hearing this, realized this was an opportunity. Her eyes lit up instantly, her mind racing: Could she seize this chance to ask the emperor for a handwritten plaque or something similar? If they had such a plaque hanging, wouldn’t Guangsha Construction dominate the construction world of the Great Xia Dynasty?

However, at the moment she raised her head, she saw Jinrong and suddenly remembered the wooden track project their Guangsha Construction had invested heavily in this year.

It was a tofu-dreg project that could cause problems at any time. If she seized the opportunity to get a plaque from the emperor while he was pleased and hung it at the entrance of Guangsha Construction for the whole capital to admire, what would happen if a quality incident occurred with the track project? Wouldn’t that be a glaring slap in the emperor’s face? Is the emperor’s face so easily slapped?

Ye Xinyan withdrew her gaze mournfully, realizing that her good reputation was about to be tarnished by Jinrong and Jiang Yifan, even if it was dragooned under false circumstances; being dragged down was being dragged down. Even if it was later discovered that it was a spy planted by Prince Fu, Guangsha Construction would still have to bear the responsibility for inadequate supervision.

Ah, what was that classic saying again? The famous general rises over the bones of thousands; the emperor’s triumphs also require sacrifices. Fortunately, it’s just a reputation, not something that affects eating or drinking, which she can still accept.

What Ye Xinyan said today made the emperor very happy, and he naturally thought about how to reward the Ye girl.

However, it was evident that the emperor didn’t think his handwriting should hang at the entrance of Guangsha Construction, but instead he asked, “Ye girl, I heard that you and Jiang Yifan have set your marriage once again this past year.”

“Ah?” Ye Xinyan was instantly dumbfounded. What kind of situation was this? And besides, Your Majesty, you’ve changed how you address me, haven’t you…?

She looked at Jinrong in confusion; Jinrong seemed quite pleased. The imperial father changing his address for Ye Zi was undoubtedly a good thing, an undeniably good thing.

The emperor continued to concern himself with Ye Xinyan’s lifelong matter: “Since you two have been through so much and can still be mutually affectionate, don’t waste the good youthful time. Get the marriage done early.”

Mutually affectionate? The emperor’s romantic phrasing hadn’t gone out of style—could this be the result of a full harem?!

Ye Xinyan instantly felt her entire being was not well; was the urge to marry off someone a contagious thing? Besides, does Your Majesty have any self-awareness? Do you think anyone can force someone into marriage? It should be qualified family elders who have such a privilege, no?

As the emperor, stating something that meddlesome aunts would bother with, so formally, doesn’t it seem too unworthy of your grand status?

How could such a gossip-loving emperor be considered the wise and restorative ruler?

Ye Xinyan thought she should retract her previous evaluation of the emperor and re-examine the emperor’s actions.

“But is there any difficulty?” The emperor saw Ye Xinyan hadn’t responded for a while and sincerely expressed his concern.

How could there be any difficulty! Ye Xinyan was suddenly startled, and quickly replied: “No, no, Your Majesty, there’s no difficulty.”

Right, kidding aside, if the emperor truly thought she had difficulties and insisted on intervening to make a decision for her, where could she voice reason?

The emperor looked at her skeptically several times, not understanding why experiencing just asking casually if the Ye girl had any difficulties, she reacted… with such urgency.

The emperor nodded, “That’s good.”

Ye Xinyan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking at least the topic somehow passed, but then heard the emperor continue: “Since that’s the case, then pick a day and get the marriage done early.”

After speaking, he wasn’t satisfied and turned to instruct Han Yanhui: “Beloved Minister Han, inquire and let the Imperial Astronomical Observatory pick a good day before the end of the year, send it to their two families, and have the young couple marry before the year ends. By the New Year, everyone can celebrate together.”

Ye Xinyan was directly dumbfounded. What kind of situation is this? No wonder people are rushing to be the emperor; it seems that as long as it’s within the Great Xia Dynasty’s territory, you can decide on anything, huh?

Despite everything, my family’s grandpa was a high-ranking noble of the current dynasty, with considerable military achievements—shouldn’t you ask his thoughts first before making a decision?

Although it’s possible that the old Duke An will wholeheartedly support it, but what if the emperor, busy with age matters, turns around and forgets later?

At least there’s still hope for that, isn’t there?

Ye Xinyan gave a very resentful glance at Jinrong. The matter between her and Jiang Yifan must have been revealed by this guy. How could you not know that your dad loves to meddle? And yet you speak to him about everything!

Jinrong looked utterly innocent under her gaze; it really wasn’t related to him, was it?

The issue that had weighed on the emperor’s mind in recent days was resolved, so the emperor felt at ease. Not only did he meddle with Ye Xinyan, but he also thought of Zhou Bingyi’s daughter’s situation.

He turned and asked Zhang Cunhai: “Is it the second daughter of Zhou Bingyi’s family? Where is she now?”

Zhang Cunhai, who had long been serving, bowed and replied: “Your Majesty, Second Miss Zhou is resting in the side hall. Does Your Majesty have any instructions?”

“Hmm,” the emperor neither confirmed nor denied, and turned to Ye Xinyan: “This Second Miss of the Zhou family doesn’t look that young either, yet she hasn’t set her hair in a married woman’s style. Do you know if she’s been promised to someone?”

Ye Xinyan instantly felt more balanced; the emperor was not only meddling in her marriage but also caught even Zhou Biyao. Haha, this is great. Didn’t Wong Qiao’s mother dislike Zhou Biyao marrying in? If the emperor could grant Zhou Biyao a marriage…

Thinking of this, Ye Xinyan immediately became interested: “Your Majesty, Second Miss Zhou was betrothed the year before last to Wong Qiao, who comes from an artisan background.”

“Hmm? Wong Qiao? Why does this name sound somewhat familiar?”

The emperor turned to Jinrong; Jinrong had been doing business with Ye girl for years and should know about people working in the Qi family. Since he was familiar with Zhou Biyao’s circumstances during the introduction, it seemed like he knew her situation. This Wong Qiao, Jinrong should know him.

Sure enough, Jinrong replied smoothly: “Reporting to the imperial father, Wong Qiao previously served as the chief manager of the Qi Family Construction Business and moved to the Iron Workshop after the new year.” Saying this, Jinrong stopped.

His imperial father had many affairs on his plate and might not immediately recall Wong Qiao, but a small prompt and his father was sure to remember matters linked to Wong Qiao.