Upon hearing the voice, Xiao Yu quickly went to greet him.

Eunuch Wei loudly read the contents of the imperial edict: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

"Xiao Yu has the common people at heart and possesses extraordinary wisdom. He has specially presented the secret recipe for making chicken essence and MSG. Once these two ingredients are produced, they will surely enrich the national treasury, benefit all people, add color to people's dining tables, and make life more flavorful. Their merits will benefit the present and the future generations."

"I am very pleased. To commend his virtue and reward his merits, I hereby bestow upon Xiao Yu a thousand taels of gold as a token of my appreciation."

"Considering Xiao Yu's extraordinary talent and unique insights into craftsmanship, I have decided to entrust him with an important task: to participate in the forging of weapons for the court. I hope that Xiao Yu can use his wisdom to assist the craftsmen in creating extremely sharp weapons to enhance our military might, safeguard our borders, and protect the people's peaceful and prosperous lives."

"So be it."

"Your subject Xiao Yu receives the imperial decree. Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Yu accepted the imperial edict with both hands.

Then, he took out a few ingots of gold from the gold bestowed by the Empress and placed them in Eunuch Wei's hands.

"Father-in-law, you've worked hard. Here, take this gold for tea."

Xiao Yu said with a smile.

"Prince Xiao, this is unacceptable..."

Eunuch Wei refused to accept the gold.

"Last time, Father-in-law gave Xiao Yu special advice, and Xiao Yu has not yet expressed his gratitude. I hope Father-in-law will not refuse this little bit of gold."

As Xiao Yu spoke, he slipped the gold into Eunuch Wei's sleeve.

"Then this old servant will respectfully comply."

Eunuch Wei smiled and continued, "His Majesty has mentioned Prince Xiao several times, seemingly entrusting him with important responsibilities. I hope Prince Xiao will not disappoint His Majesty."

"I will do my best!"

Xiao Yu said firmly.

After seeing off Eunuch Wei.

Xiao Yu called Xiao Zhan over and said, "Select a few dozen reliable brothers, and we'll stay in the workshop for half a month."

"yes!"

Although Xiao Zhan was surprised and didn't know what Xiao Yu was going to do, he didn't ask any questions and went straight to carry out the order.

Then, Xiao Yu summoned Zhao Haining and Wang Chao.

"During Xiao Zhan's absence, the safety of the Prince's Mansion is entrusted to you."

Xiao Yu said solemnly.

Although few people dare to make things difficult for Xiao Yu now, he has after all brought Liu Guogong to the point of having his family property confiscated and being beheaded, and he has also turned Bai Can into a cripple. Furthermore, Chu Tianjiao's current situation is probably not good either... It's hard to guarantee that these people won't retaliate against their families.

"yes!"

Zhao Haining and Wang Chao said loudly, "Your Highness, rest assured, even if we are torn to pieces, we will protect Madam Xiao and the Princess Consort."

"Yes, I will come back to visit often."

Xiao Yu nodded and said.

There are two types of workshops for forging weapons. One type is the official workshops established by the imperial court, which are very large in scale but located in the outer city.

Although the official workshop is not far from the Prince Xiao's residence, it still takes more than half an hour to reach it by horseback.

Moreover, steel is not so easy to forge.

The envoy from the Kingdom of Japan will be arriving early next month. Given the short time available, Xiao Yu has no choice but to have Xiao Zhan and the others stay at the workshop.

After making arrangements at home, Xiao Yu decided to go and comfort his wife.

Just then, a soldier ran over and said, "Your Highness, Minister Wang of the Court of Judicial Review and his wife have arrived and wish to see you."

"Please invite them to the inner hall."

Xiao Yu knew why Wang Mingce had come, sighed softly, and then went to wait in the inner hall.

A few minutes later.

Wang Mingce and Madam Wang appeared before Xiao Yu.

Although Duke Liu has received his due punishment, the girls he murdered will never come back.

"Your Highness, please accept my bow!"

Upon entering the inner hall, Wang Mingce immediately knelt before Xiao Yu, as did Madam Wang beside him.

"Lord Wang, please get up, Madam... please get up."

Xiao Yu quickly went to help the two of them. He saw that Wang Mingce, whose hair was already gray, had even more white hair. His back was also hunched, and his face was tired and sad.

Madam Wang, standing beside him, had red and swollen eyes, indicating she had cried a lot these past few days. Upon seeing Xiao Yu, she burst into tears again.

"If it weren't for Your Highness, my poor daughter would still be buried in that haunted house, and I don't know when she would ever see the light of day again... Waaah, Your Highness's great kindness and virtue, I will never forget it in my life." Madam Wang burst into tears.

"Why."

Xiao Yu couldn't stand these things. He suddenly thought of a saying: "Don't kill me with the knife of kinship."

Seeing the heartbroken Madam Wang, Xiao Yu knew that no amount of words of comfort would be of any use, so he could only help Wang Mingce up and let him go and coax his wife.

A few minutes later.

Madam Wang's emotions finally stabilized somewhat.

"These are my and my wife's tokens of gratitude, and we hope Your Highness will not refuse them."

Wang Mingce spoke first.

Several servants had already placed the gifts they brought aside. Although he didn't know what they contained, Xiao Yu still shook his head.

"Lord Wang, I understand your feelings..."

Xiao Yu waved his hand and said, "But there's no need to send these things."

"We should always express our gratitude."

After speaking, Wang Mingce glanced around and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, may we speak further?"

"Um."

Xiao Yu raised his hand to dismiss the servants and maids, and Madam Wang also went outside on her own.

Then, Wang Mingce walked to Xiao Yu's side, lowered his voice, and said, "I've recently received some rumors that Prince Rong is going to deal with you... Actually, Duke Liu and Prince Rong are in cahoots. Also in this group are Chief Minister Zhao and Minister Sun..."

"Prince Rong".

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