CHAPTER 820: CHAPTER 818: CLEARING ONE’S NAME

The Emperor indeed recalled when he heard the name Wong Qiao. The year before last, Wong Qiao from the mechanical workshop in Yuyuan Prefecture brought craftsmen to the capital to instruct the Ministry officials and artisans on the use of the screw lathe.

Then, a few months ago in the Imperial Study Room, the Ye Family girl mentioned him while seeking justice. It was also at that time, when the protection of craftsmen’s patents and the encouragement for craftsmen to innovate in tools and handicrafts were brought up by the Ye Family girl, resulting in many subsequent events, as well as today’s melancholic visit to Chang Garden.

But Wong Qiao?

The Emperor frowned slightly. In the Emperor’s impression at the time, Wong Qiao had talent, diligence, and leadership skills but lacked integrity. Qi Younian, an elder acquaintance, recognized his talent, brought him out of a remote place, and then to the capital. But before he could establish himself, Wong Qiao sought a higher position and betrayed his benefactor.

The Emperor ruled the world; in his view, as long as one has talent and isn’t a tremendously evil person, he would use anyone. However, he’d only use their talents alone.

Wong Qiao... was merely talented in a specific area.

The Emperor looked at Ye Xinyan and asked, "After Wong Qiao betrayed the Qi family, you still have his fiancée working in the Construction Industry. Isn’t that inappropriate?"

If Ye Xinyan kept Zhou Biyao solely because she was useful, it could be considered reasonable. But what he saw earlier was that Ye Xinyan and Zhou Biyao were very close, which was entirely inconsistent with Ye Xinyan’s character, as she was known to be vengeful and unwilling to suffer losses.

Prince Fu’s manufacture and sale of construction tools had already been judged against her by law, yet she dared to kneel alone outside the Wu Gate to exert pressure for profit.

Moreover, Wong Qiao not only betrayed the Qi family and moved elsewhere but also leaked all the skills he mastered in the Qi family to his new employer. Logically speaking, shouldn’t Ye Xinyan and the Qi family sever ties with Wong Qiao? Zhou Biyao, being Wong Qiao’s fiancée, should naturally remain outside the conflict.

If Ye Xinyan could handle matters rationally and not hold grudges against Zhou Biyao, the Emperor didn’t quite believe it.

Faced with the Emperor’s suspicious glances from left to right, Ye Xinyan seemed a bit troubled and said, "Well, Your Majesty also knows the little woman..." She felt that this statement was inappropriate, paused, and meanwhile noticed Han Yanhui looking at her disdainfully, thinking, who are you? How could His Majesty know anything about you?

Jinrong also looked at her with a smirk, apparently waiting to see how she would proceed. He had long advised her to be thorough in her acts—Zhou Biyao couldn’t stay in the Qi family, but she just wouldn’t listen.

Ye Xinyan immediately became annoyed; if Wong Qiao hadn’t been arranged by him and Jiang Yifan to act as a spy, how would she have lost her valuable allies and faced such a dilemma, forced to keep Zhou Biyao as a major helper?

... Uh, the root cause of losing valuable allies doesn’t seem to be Jinrong and Jiang Yifan.

Damn, there’s Lady Zhao, just you wait!

"... Oh, Your Majesty, you aren’t aware that the little woman really doesn’t have many friends; in her life, she’s only gotten along very well with Zhou Biyao. And Zhou Biyao indeed excels in construction documentation; she cherishes the opportunity to work in the Qi family. Apart from the Qi family, no other family suits her to work for. In order to continue doing construction documentation, her originally planned spring marriage with Wong Qiao has been delayed till now without resolution."

The Emperor and Han Yanhui were both momentarily stunned—delaying marriage for the sake of work? This Second Miss of the Zhou family truly differs from other young ladies, no wonder she and Ye Xinyan get along so well.

"If Wong Qiao’s integrity is questionable, and he is a craftsman..." The Emperor didn’t finish the sentence. The saying goes: It’s better to destroy ten temples than a marriage; even as the Emperor, it’s hard to question someone else’s marriage plans.

But he truly didn’t favor this marriage. Wong Qiao, not just unable to match the status of a fourth-grade official’s daughter in this dynasty, had poor conduct. He had just praised Zhou Bingyi, yet how could he marry his daughter off to someone like this?

Ye Xinyan was just pondering how to pin Wong Qiao’s actions on Lady Zhao when the Emperor brought it up himself; His Majesty was indeed supportive.

Ye Xinyan appeared somewhat troubled and said, "Actually, these matters don’t blame Wong Qiao; he not only has good craftsmanship but also excellent character. It’s just..." Ye Xinyan appeared even more troubled.

The Emperor subconsciously interjected: "Just what?" Whether Wong Qiao is good or not, the facts are right there. You, an outsider, feeling troubled, what kind of situation is this?

"Well, Wong Qiao is a posthumous child, his mother widowed at a young age, has been solely raising this son for over twenty years..." Ye Xinyan seemed hesitant yet recounted without a hitch, telling the Emperor about the Wong family’s affairs, "... Wong Qiao is left with no choice, as he can’t possibly anger his mother to death."

Since Wong Qiao left, she hadn’t inquired about his family’s affairs, indeed unaware. It’s not that she didn’t care about Wong Qiao’s situation; many things simply couldn’t be changed, and outsiders meddling would only end in frustration.

She ignored it to protect herself, lest Lady Zhao lives well, but she ends up frustrated.

Yet that didn’t prevent Ye Xinyan from pinning negative things on Lady Zhao, including Wong Qiao crafting mechanical tools for Prince Fu. His widowed mother insisted he repay Prince Fu’s kindness, and Wong Qiao, as a filial son, couldn’t disobey his mother’s words.

The Emperor and Han Yanhui listened wide-eyed to Ye Xinyan’s explanation, after a long pause, the Emperor dryly stated, "So, Wong Qiao is, uh, justifiable."

Ye Xinyan immediately raised her chin; what’s justifiable supposed to mean? Saying such ambiguous things isn’t right, as if their filial situation is explainable, must she suffer losses?

Jinrong explained aside, "Imperial Father refers to Wong Qiao as justifiable." You indiscriminately tainted Lady Zhao’s reputation, yet feel resentment due to the Emperor’s vague statement; indeed remarkable.

Throughout history, filial piety has been a major human ethic, pivotal in one’s conduct. Lady Zhao’s actions were commendable in places, lacking too heinous deeds. If Wong Qiao ignored Lady Zhao’s words, resulting in her dying of anger, this... indeed couldn’t force Wong Qiao to defy his mother.

It’s just, Wong Qiao already had difficulties, if the good marriage further deteriorates, that’d be truly pitiable.

The Emperor remained silent for a while before saying, "The Zhou daughter’s marriage to Wong Qiao shouldn’t be endlessly delayed." That Zhou Biyao indeed didn’t seem young anymore; dragging this on might quickly ruin the match.

Ye Xinyan’s eyes glowed again, her face carrying a somewhat cunning expression, saying, "Perhaps, Your Majesty could grant Zhou Biyao a marriage. Allowing her to continue working at the Qi Family Construction Business post-marriage, and Wong Residence mustn’t question her affair with the Qi family. What do you think?"

Han Yanhui’s face immediately darkened; the Emperor instantly furrowed his brow.

Granting marriages can’t be treated lightly. Even though Zhou Biyao is distinct, she hasn’t done anything benefiting the nation or family, how could she be rashly granted marriage?

Jinrong gave Ye Xinyan a sideways glance, roughly understanding her intent; this was giving Wong Qiao a clean slate while securing a prestigious position for Zhou Biyao in the Wong Residence, guarding her from Lady Zhao’s harassment or restrictions.