kvmb Chapter 956 Extra: A Young Man's Journey 9
Chapter 956 Extra: A Young Man's Journey 9
Zong Lin eventually brought Yan Chengyue back to Liangzhou City. With Wenren Jing's prescription at hand, they also brought a royal physician with them on their way to Liangzhou. Under the physician's care, Yan Chengyue's fever finally subsided and she returned to normal after a few days.
But at this time, Liangzhou City was still in chaos.
Although the work-for-relief method was effective, the number of disaster victims pouring into Liangzhou was increasing every day, and it took a long time to persuade them. In addition, there were occasional outbreaks of epidemics. If it weren't for Wenren Jing's experimental and usable prescription, it would probably have caused another huge uproar.
Fortunately, after more than half a month of chaos, the situation finally began to stabilize.
Wenren Jing, together with Yan Chengyue who had recovered her health, negotiated with the merchants of Liangzhou City to establish a joint chamber of commerce and successfully persuaded them to donate money.
With these donations, along with the grain that was slowly being transported into Liangzhou, the riots of the Liangzhou refugees, which had not yet fully taken shape, were quickly and silently quelled.
For those ordinary people, even if they were asked to repair dikes in Qinghedao, as long as they could have food to eat and survive, they would not rebel.
Zong Huai and his men stayed in Liangzhou City for four or five months before they successfully quelled the disaster. The people were able to replant crops and gradually rebuild their homes.
When we returned to the capital, it was already the twelfth lunar month.
They handled the task exceptionally well, and Emperor Chengde was overjoyed.
Zong Huai did not claim credit for himself. He had already explained everything in the memorial sent to the capital. Wenren Jing had made an indispensable contribution to the successful resolution of the flood in Liangzhou.
Emperor Chengde hosted a banquet for his officials and specially invited Wenren Jing to the palace.
After listening to Wenren Jing's insights, Emperor Chengde greatly admired her and immediately had a plan: "Miss Wenren is truly a genius. You deserve the greatest credit for the Liangzhou flood. I will definitely reward you handsomely."
Wenren Jing hurriedly stood up to express her gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. If it weren't for the strong support of His Highness the Crown Prince, the flood in Liangzhou would not have been resolved smoothly. I dare not take credit for this."
Upon hearing this, Zong Huai hurriedly said, "If it weren't for... Miss Wenren's good idea and prescription, not only would the flood problem remain unresolved, but the epidemic would also cause great panic. Father, I implore you to reward Miss Wenren handsomely."
"Hahaha, the Crown Prince is right, Miss Wenren, don't be modest, you deserve a reward!" Emperor Chengde smiled as he looked at Wenren Jing. "I see that Miss Wenren has reached a certain age. Is she married? If any of the noble young men in the capital have taken a fancy to you, just tell me, and I will bestow a marriage upon you!"
Wenren Jing was slightly stunned. She never expected that the TV dramas she watched in her previous life were true. The emperor also loved to bestow marriages on people.
Hesitantly, Zong Huai spoke up nervously: "Father, you haven't said what the reward will be yet."
"You're in such a hurry," Emperor Chengde said with a smile, but his gaze fell on Wenren Jing.
Wenren Jing bowed solemnly: "I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I am a merchant and I am used to doing things my own way. I am afraid I cannot adapt to the rules of a high-class family. So I ask Your Majesty for a favor and permission to marry as I please. If fate allows, I will find a soulmate in the future."
Emperor Chengde looked at Wenren Jing with a smile, "Miss Wenren is also a person of great character. I was right about her! Issue my decree: Wenren Jing has rendered meritorious service in solving the flood in Liangzhou and providing a prescription for the epidemic. She is hereby conferred the title of Lady of Huaguo. When I summon her, she may enter the court to participate in government affairs!"
These words shocked everyone present. Even Wenren Jing herself hadn't expected the emperor to be so lenient towards her.
Although she had transmigrated here and wanted to make a name for herself, after several years she had come to understand the status of women under this feudal system. She never expected that the emperor would make such an exception for her, even if it was just to be summoned to court to listen to government affairs. This was already an unbelievable signal.
This means that she has the opportunity to enter the court, and even if there is only a one percent chance that her suggestions will be adopted, it might bring about some changes.
Such a promise is worth more than any reward.
Even though he hadn't fully grasped the meaning behind His Majesty's offer of marriage, Wenren Jing was now clearly more sincere and excited than before. "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Excellent!" Emperor Chengde clapped his hands and laughed.
Although some of the ministers present were puzzled, they had served Emperor Chengde for many years and were familiar with his personality and temperament. He was an emperor who dared to use people and boldly adopt ideas. Allowing women to enter the court to listen to government affairs was unprecedented. However, the title of Lady of Huaguo was just an honorary title, not a real official position. Moreover, entering the court to listen to government affairs was also a way of adopting good advice and could not be considered as disrupting the court. Therefore, although a few people raised some objections, Emperor Chengde ignored them, and they dared not say anything more.
The happiest person to hear of Wenren Jing's entry into the court was Yan Chengyue. As soon as the palace banquet ended, Yan Chengyue happily took Wenren Jing's arm and went to congratulate her. Zong Huai watched the two of them and followed them helplessly.
In a distant corner, Zong Lin watched the three of them, clenching his fists little by little.
Little did they know that all of this had fallen into the sight of Emperor Chengde.
Emperor Chengde left ahead of time, but did not leave. Instead, he went up to the second floor of the main hall and looked down at the scene he had just witnessed.
After everyone had left, Emperor Chengde left with the help of Eunuch Shun.
As the two walked in the Imperial Garden, Eunuch Shun pondered Emperor Chengde's thoughts and asked, "Just now, did Your Majesty intend to have Miss Wenren enter the Eastern Palace?"
“She cannot enter the Eastern Palace.” Emperor Chengde said calmly, “The Crown Prince is still too young and has never suffered. His thoughts are written all over his eyes. The way he looks at that Miss Wenren is as if he is afraid that others will not see it.”
Eunuch Shun flattered, "Nothing can escape Your Majesty's eyes. However, Miss Wenren is merely a merchant's daughter and is indeed unfit for the position of Crown Princess."
Emperor Chengde sighed: "It's not a matter of whether she's suitable or not. The Crown Prince likes her. If she enters the Eastern Palace, with her talent, she might even be subordinate to the Crown Prince in the future. The empire that I and the late Emperor fought for can't just be handed over to someone else like this."
The eunuch was startled by Emperor Chengde's words and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this Miss Wenren, perhaps..."
"It would be such a waste to kill such a talented person." Emperor Chengde laughed. "Everyone says that men love power, but little do they know that women are the same. She wants power, and I will give it to her. As long as she doesn't enter the palace, she is a good weapon, a good weapon that can bring surprises to the Great Zhao. But once she enters the palace, how long can the affection between husband and wife last under the power and interests? At that time, how will they end it? Ah Huai, she is good in every way, but she is too soft-hearted. Soft-hearted people are always easily manipulated."
Eunuch Shun chimed in, "His Highness is just like you."
Emperor Chengde smiled but remained silent.
"Alright, some paths I should pave for him." Emperor Chengde thought for a moment and said, "Summon Zong Lin to see me later. He's not young anymore. Let him go to the north for two years of training before he comes back."
...
When Zong Lin knelt in the imperial study, he hung his head in disbelief. He never expected that after returning from Liangzhou, he would not receive any reward, but rather an imperial decree ordering him to leave the capital and go to the border.
Emperor Chengde looked at Zong Lin kneeling on the ground and said earnestly, "Second son, you were chosen by me. Being able to stand here is already fortunate enough. So you should know what you should and shouldn't think. Go to the north and train hard. In the future, become the Crown Prince's right-hand man and protect the Great Zhao's land. Do you understand?"
Zong Lin clenched his fists so tightly that he almost crushed his curled-up knuckles.
He heard his own voice, "Your subject obeys the decree."
Emperor Chengde waved his hand, "Go down, everything is ready, let's set off immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."
Zong Lin didn't know how he stood up. When he reached the door, he heard the voices of Emperor Chengde and Eunuch Shun talking behind him.
"I have heard that Lady Yan's health has not been good since winter began, and the marriage between the Crown Prince and the young lady from the Yan family has been delayed for a long time. Please have the imperial physician go and take a look, and settle the marriage between the two as soon as possible," Emperor Chengde instructed.
"Yes, this servant will take care of it right away," replied Eunuch Shun.
As Zong Lin listened to the increasingly faint sound, he walked forward in a daze. When he reached the steps under the corridor, snow began to fall from the sky.
He reached out to catch it, and the snowflakes landed in his palm, but were stained red by the blood on his palm.