Empress Dowager Shen was in the Imperial Study, discussing matters with three regents.

The three regents were Chief Minister Lin, Grand Tutor Gao, and Grand Preceptor Zhang.

The little emperor tried his best to keep a straight face and sat to the side.

Empress Dowager Shen said, "My son will be five years old after the New Year. It is time to start his education. Gentlemen, my idea is to let Zhiyan be my son's tutor."

The young emperor naturally began his studies early, but he learned the common Thousand Character Classic and the Four Books and Five Classics. He only formally began his formal education at the age of five, where he learned the art of emperorship and the way to govern the world.

Prime Minister Lin and others frowned slightly.

They naturally knew that Shen Zhiyan was the most suitable candidate, but the Shen family...

Their existence was originally intended to restrain the Empress Dowager and her relatives.

The late emperor died with his eyes wide open in dismay!

The late emperor's preferred candidate was the third prince, but unfortunately, the third prince failed. The late emperor was also seriously ill at the time, and all of his previous princes had died, leaving only the youngest legitimate son.

The late emperor had no choice but to establish this legitimate son as his successor.

Before his death, he appointed three regents for the young emperor, but fearing they might usurp his power, he refrained from doing anything to the Empress Dowager and allowed her to rule from behind the curtain.

The two sides are mutually restraining each other.

The Shen family is already quite prominent; if Shen Zhiyan were to become the Grand Tutor, the Shen family would be even more powerful.

Grand Tutor Gao said, "This matter is inappropriate."

Empress Dowager Shen raised an eyebrow: "What's wrong with it? Grand Tutor, take a look, who in the entire capital is more qualified than Zhiyan?"

Grand Tutor Gao struggled for a long time, but couldn't utter a word.

Whether it's background, experience, or ability, he really couldn't find any faults in Shen Zhiyan.

Chief Minister Lin and Grand Secretary Zhang are more conciliatory. Over the years, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Shen family have acted improperly despite their high positions.

They were regents, not the Empress Dowager's enemies.

While keeping the emperor in check, they were also considering the future of the young emperor.

Chief Minister Lin said, "Your Majesty, let us consider this matter!"

Empress Dowager Shen nodded: "Alright, we'll discuss this matter after the New Year."

For her, this was no big deal. If she wanted to, she could simply mention it in court, and most of the officials would dare not object.

Asking one more question is a sign of respect and a way to avoid conflict.

If she were a bit more domineering, she might even be able to join forces with the court officials to depose them in a few years.

What constraints? She is the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor is her own son.

Which minister in the court doesn't consider their own interests or those of their family? If they want to last, they have to serve their only master.

These three old guys are doing alright for now. She's very magnanimous; as long as they stay well-behaved, she'll still give them the respect they deserve.

Chief Minister Lin and the others left.

Empress Dowager Shen rubbed her temples. At that moment, Eunuch Yu walked in and said, "Your Majesty."

Empress Dowager Shen raised her head: "Have the gifts been delivered?"

"Yes. Besides that, I also saw something interesting at Ye Yiren's house. Ye Yiren made a special well; the wellhead is sealed, but water can still be pumped out."

Empress Dowager Shen asked with great interest, "Really? What kind of well is it?"

Grandpa Yu explained the details of the hand pump well: "There are blueprints here."

As he spoke, he presented the blueprints.

Empress Dowager Shen, who only half understood what she was seeing, said: "Summon the Minister of Works and the Vice Minister of Works to the palace."

Eunuch Yu responded and withdrew.

Empress Dowager Shen continued to look at the blueprints.

If what Grandpa Yu said is true, it can not only prevent some safety accidents, but also reduce some diseases.

It's not just people who can accidentally fall into wells; many animals do too. If the rotten parts rot inside, they can easily cause disease outbreaks.

If the well can be sealed, it can effectively protect the water source.

Thinking about it, Empress Dowager Shen felt even more gratified for Ye Caiping.

She knew everything about Ye Caiping.

I heard she even built a modern outhouse that doesn't smell at all. She passed on the outhouse-making technique to her second brother, Ye Erquan, which became one of Ye Erquan's means of making a living.

If Ye Caiping were to use this hand pump well for profit, she would surely make a fortune.

However, Ye Caiping presented the blueprints to the imperial court, asking them to promote them for the benefit of the people.

She was right about him.

A short while later, the Minister of Works and two Vice Ministers arrived.

Upon seeing the blueprints, the Minister of Works' eyes widened, and he gave a thumbs up: "Wonderful! May I go and take a look now?"

The Minister of Works wished he could fly there immediately.

To be honest, Empress Dowager Shen also wanted to see it, but she couldn't go, so she nodded and said, "You go."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble subject takes his leave."

After saying this, he led the two vice ministers to Ye Caiping's house.

Ye Mansion —

Ye Caiping sat to the side, staring in disbelief for a full hour!

The Princess and Madam Shen have been playing for an hour! After dinner, they'll continue playing!

They filled all the basins and jars in her house with water and had a great time playing with them, just like children.

Chang Xi strode over: "Madam Ye, the Minister of Works has arrived with his men."

Ye Caiping stood up: "Okay, please come in."

Before long, the Minister of Works and others arrived. When they saw the hand pump well, their eyes lit up, and they quickly went over to study it.

After studying it, he stepped forward and said, "Ye Yiren, I wonder... could you take it apart and take a look?"

Ye Caiping: "Uh... let's not dismantle it! By the way, there's another well to the east of my house, and we're planning to install one. We still have a lot of parts and materials for the hand pump. If you're interested, shall we go and install it now?"

The Minister of Works exclaimed excitedly, "That would be even better! Please lead the way!"

Ye Caiping personally led the Minister of Works to the other end of the well.

Then Chang Xi was asked to call Ye Daquan and the others over, since they were the ones who installed the well.

The princess and others were also very curious. A group of them walked to the well on the east side and watched them install a hand pump.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!