Chapter 38 038 I'm getting anxious.
Mingde Academy was not an official government office, and no imperial edict was required to select its members.
After Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzao finalized their choice, Zhao Jialing immediately sent a eunuch with her imperial edict to the princess's residence to deliver the message.
[Congratulations, host, on completing the first task of becoming a Jinxianren (a high-ranking official), triggering the achievement "Finding it after a long search". Would you like to issue the achievement reward "Essentials of Horseshoe Forging" now?] The system's cheerful voice rang out after the eunuch delivered the message.
Zhao Jialing hadn't been expecting to trigger a new achievement, but upon hearing the system's message, a slight, unexpected joy welled up inside her. She blinked and quickly responded mentally: [Issue it, but avoid Xie Lanzhao; don't frighten her.]
Wise Ruler System: [。]
If the host knew the truth, wouldn't the host be the one who would be frightened?
"I have something else to show you," Zhao Jialing said, clearing his throat after confirming that the reward had been placed somewhere.
Xie Lanzhao: "Hmm?"
Upon hearing the words "horseshoe," Xie Lanzhao pondered to herself. The name was easy to understand; it must be related to horses, but she wondered what it looked like.
Since it would eventually be shown to someone, Zhao Jialing decided to have Xie Lanzhao deliver it to the Ministry of Works. With this in mind, he personally went to retrieve the "Essentials of Horseshoe Forging".
"What is this?" Xie Lanzhao asked, knowing the answer already.
Zhao Jialing choked, she hadn't even asked what the system was for yet. Meeting Xie Lanzhao's deep and secluded eyes, her breath hitched, she hesitated for a moment, then handed the book to Xie Lanzhao: "Read it yourself."
This wasn't the first time Xie Lanzhao had seen the "heavenly book" sent by the system.
Unlike the books commonly used in the Great Yong Dynasty, the "Heavenly Book" was always richly illustrated, achieving a level of simplification that was truly masterful. Even if the book contained little content, its very form was enough to guide one, not to mention that it genuinely contained a vast amount of unfamiliar knowledge, as if it were divinely bestowed words. Xie Lanzhao flipped through a few pages and immediately understood.
Horseshoes were used to protect the hooves of horses. The examples cited in books are mostly from wartime, but horses are needed for everyday travel to carry goods, so their application extends far beyond just one occasion. Moreover, horseshoes weren't only used on horses; they were also used on other pack animals. With horseshoes, load-bearing capacity was increased, reducing wear and tear on the pack animals.
The book contains many lifelike illustrations, disassembling and annotating not only horseshoes, but also bridles, saddles, mudguards, and other parts. However, as you turn the pages further, the main focus is on the method of horseshoe forging.
"How was it?" Zhao Jialing suppressed his inner excitement and forced himself to remain composed.
“It should be built!” Xie Lanzhao said, bowing to Zhao Jialing. “I will urge the Ministry of Works to carry it out.”
Zhao Jialing nodded.
Ministry of Works (Shangshu Gongbu Si)
The Ministry of Works oversees the imperial court and the Six Ministries, but while the Ministry of Works handles political affairs, the Directorate of Works is the one that truly dedicates itself to practical matters.
But "telescope research" was no small matter. The Minister of Works was both anxious and excited. One moment he was thinking about how glorious it would be if they made a breakthrough, and the next he was worried that the craftsmen in the Imperial Workshop would break the telescope and be unable to make a new one. If that happened, even if His Majesty didn't punish them for dereliction of duty, he would want to find a rock to smash his head against.
Harboring the grand ambition of "telescopes," the Minister of Works initially showed little interest in "horseshoes." However, a divine gift couldn't be taken lightly; what if he incurred divine punishment? His own death was insignificant, but the feng shui of his family couldn't be ruined. The Minister of Works took the book, flipped through a few pages, and his face instantly turned red with embarrassment; he nearly snapped his beard in frustration!
Why should we refrain from doing something just because it's a small matter?
"I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"
In the palace.
With one worry finally resolved, Zhao Jialing sat cross-legged contentedly, cradling a cat that had slipped in through the window in his arms.
At dusk, a piece of good news arrived from the Duke of Qin's residence: Li Zhaoci's research on gunpowder had made progress, and he wished to invite His Majesty and all civil and military officials to attend the ceremony.
Zhao Jialing was eager to know what the amazing treasure described by the system would actually do, but after a moment's thought, he suppressed the urge to head to the countryside immediately.
[Don't you want to see it, host? Thunder roars, echoing endlessly. You can see fire dragons rising from the ground, and gas clouds spiraling into the sky.] The Wise Ruler System's tone was excited. Gunpowder appearing ahead of schedule is a devastating blow to external enemies! Great Yong will surely win!
"I just feel it's not the right time." Zhao Jialing frowned, a thought flashing through his mind, but he didn't grasp it.
"When would be a good time?" The system paused, stunned.
Zhao Jialing pondered for a long time before blinking and saying, "Such a powerful thing must have a strong deterrent effect, right? Wouldn't it be more effective than that broken 'ruler's authority'?"
The Wise Ruler System was stung by the word "broken," but out of guilt, it didn't utter a word of rebuttal. It paused for a moment, then seemed to suddenly realize: [I understand. The host plans to use this when court officials disobey—to scare them to death! Let's see who dares to object. This is a blatant threat, hehehe, very villainous.]
Zhao Jialing: "..." She ignored the system's occasional erratic behavior. Perhaps even the "god" wasn't having a good time, hence its inexplicable actions. Her gaze lingered on the letter, finally settling on the byproduct, the "fireworks." "Fireworks can be sold for money, hmm, make more."
·
Although she had placed Gao Shao in a suitable position and received an unexpected and useful reward, Zhao Jialing hadn't forgotten that the Qi family's task wasn't yet complete. She hadn't been able to learn the reason for the discord in her elder sister's family from Xie Lanzhao, and she still needed to ask her elder sister.
Three days later, Zhao Jialing learned that Princess Jinxian was in a good mood, so he set off discreetly with a few attendants.
Inside the carriage, she muttered to the Wise Ruler System: "[San San, you said there's no such thing as useless things, only misplaced trash—talented individuals. Does that mean I need to be patient with everyone? Even if they're useless, the rewards they generate are useful, right? Like my uncle.]"
Wise Ruler System: [Oh no, there are still pure scum in the world.]
In the princess's residence, Princess Zhao Xianju, who had received advance notice, was somewhat surprised.
His Majesty is not one to travel extensively; he has visited the residences of the imperial family only a handful of times.
She glanced at Gao Shao, wanting her to put away those "treasures," and said coolly, "It's fine if they bite me, but if they hurt His Majesty, it might implicate the entire Gao family."
Gao Shao met Zhao Xianju's gaze and said lazily, "No." She had originally thought that the princess's awakening would lead to her pets being thrown out of the mansion again; if that were the case, she would have to borrow the Xie residence to raise a whole bunch of them. However, the princess's reaction surprised her greatly; she didn't continue to glare at her, at most making a few sarcastic remarks.
Zhao Xianju then asked, "Why did His Majesty decide to come? What did you say when you entered the palace that day? Why did His Majesty send you to the still-non-existent Mingde Academy?"
Gao Shao shook his head: "I don't know."
Zhao Xianju: "..." Would it kill her to say a few more words to her? She had heard that her husband was very talkative and eloquent when traveling with others, showing the flair of his youth. He was nothing like this listless and lazy person in the princess's mansion.
Gao Shao still harbors resentment towards her.
If she hadn't insisted on making Gao Shao her husband, perhaps she would already be on the path to high office like Xie Lanzhao.
Zhao Xianju began to sulk.
Gao Shao frowned slightly, completely bewildered by her glare.
When Zhao Jialing arrived, a strange atmosphere permeated the mansion.
Zhao Jialing: "?"
Are they not welcoming her?
Her heart sank slightly. She had clearly chosen an auspicious day, but judging from her fourth sister's expression, it seemed she wasn't planning to be human today.
"Your Highness, go read a book. I have something to discuss with my sister," Zhao Jialing said.
Zhao Xianju pursed her lips. She and the prince consort were one; what could he not hear? She glanced at Zhao Jialing suspiciously, suppressed her surging thoughts, and said, "Yes."
Zhao Jialing followed Zhao Xianju into the house. She didn't really know how to express her sisterly affection and felt slightly awkward. After a moment of silence, she asked, "How are you injured, sister?"
Zhao Xianju: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm much better now." She thought to herself, "If Your Majesty had come any later, even the teeth marks wouldn't have been visible." She then added, "It was my own fault; it has nothing to do with the Prince Consort."
Zhao Jialing truly couldn't understand whether her elder sister loved or hated the imperial consort.
She blinked and said, "My sister is afraid of snakes, so it's wrong for the prince consort to insist on keeping snakes."
Whether it is a crime or not is entirely up to the Emperor's will. Zhao Xianju cannot allow the blame to fall on Gao Shao, nor can she allow it to become a knife falling on the Gao family. She firmly said, "I am not afraid." Seeing Zhao Jialing's surprised expression, she said, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, I can order someone to bring 'Banlan' to play with."
Zhao Jialing gave an embarrassed smile and advised, "...No need, I trust my sister."
She doesn't want to play with snakes! Unless Xie Lanzhao caught them.
But is Fourth Sister really not afraid? If she's just pretending to be strong, then she's sacrificed too much for the Prince Consort, hasn't she? Zhao Jialing pondered for a while and decided to get straight to the point: "Since you cherish the Prince Consort so much, why are you arguing with him?"
"Did you quarrel? When did I quarrel with the Prince Consort?" Zhao Xianju asked innocently.
Zhao Jialing reminded her, "Sister has both the original and a copy of her petition to become a Daoist."
Zhao Xianju choked for a moment. How had His Majesty become so clever? She continued, "You'll know the reason after His Majesty gets married."
Zhao Jialing's ears twitched at the mention of "getting married." She had no intention of becoming empress! Fearing Zhao Xianju would continue on this topic, she cleared her throat and said, "It's good that my elder sister and her husband have a harmonious relationship, but this constant commotion is ultimately not good. It damages the royal family's reputation and embarrasses Duke Gao. Lately, Duke Gao has repeatedly mentioned her husband, which has caused him considerable distress. I believe it would be better for my elder sister to divorce her husband."
The "Gao Gong" she mentioned was Gao Changwang, the Minister of War and Vice Chancellor, and Gao Shao was his daughter.
In the silence of Zhao Xianju, Zhao Jialing sensed that a storm was about to break, but she pretended not to understand and continued to coax her, "Who doesn't Your Majesty want? After divorcing Gao Shao, find someone more considerate and charming, someone who understands Your Majesty's heart. If Gao Shao is not good, then let her cool off somewhere else."
Zhao Xianju truly couldn't bear anyone advising her to divorce Gao Shao. A blush crept onto her cheeks, but she forcefully suppressed the surging emotions within her. Disregarding formalities, she turned to Zhao Jialing and said, "How about Xie Lanzhao instead?"
Zhao Jialing was taken aback, first stunned, then angry. Her face flushed red, and she glared at Zhao Xianju, saying, "You're despicable!"
Zhao Xianju shrugged: "Didn't Your Majesty often provoke Prime Minister Xie before? Does that mean Your Majesty and Prime Minister Xie don't get along?" When they were young, they studied together. She clung to Gao Shao, while Your Majesty chased after Xie Lanzhao. Neither of them could say anything about the other. She dared to force him, but Your Majesty would only stomp his foot angrily and shrink into a corner, looking wronged.
Enraged, Zhao Jialing's face fell: "If my elder sister doesn't speak up, I will issue an edict to break up this loving couple!"
"There's nothing wrong with my relationship with the Imperial Son-in-Law." Seeing that His Majesty had come specifically to ask about this matter, as if determined to get to the bottom of it, Zhao Xianju didn't try to evade the question. She said with a half-smile, "So what if she hates me? Whether she's heartbroken or disappointed, it's all my own doing. We'll share the same bed in life and the same grave in death. No matter how history records our relationship, her name will only be linked to mine on her epitaph!"
Zhao Jialing: "..." She remained silent for a long time before asking in confusion, "With so much hatred, all that's left is sadness and loss, can you still share a bed?"
Zhao Xianju froze for a moment, his ears turning red.
Zhao Jialing sighed, "I granted the princess a favor, allowing her to divorce you, but she still refused. You two are truly baffling."
After a long while, Zhao Xianju said leisurely, "Perhaps they are afraid that I will bring my sword and storm the Gao residence."
Zhao Jialing was surprised: "You're threatening the imperial son-in-law?"
Zhao Xianju shook her head: "No, but the Prince Consort understands my character." After a pause, she murmured in a strange tone, "Gao Shao is my bedmate."
Zhao Jialing had nothing to say.
Does the royal sisters need her to work hard for their "growing old together"?
She took a deep breath: "I don't care about your feelings for each other. If you cause trouble again, I will order you to divorce!"
[If it weren't for the reward, I wouldn't bother with it! How infuriating, utterly infuriating!]
In the courtyard of the princess's residence.
Gao Shao did not read the book.
She had originally planned to go to the An family's cosmetics shop to buy things herself, but since His Majesty had come, even if she didn't need to accompany him, she could only stay in the mansion, so she had no choice but to send someone to buy them.
"Your Highness, Anjia cosmetics shop has launched a new product."
"Did you buy it?" Gao Shao asked hurriedly.
"I bought it, but that new soap is very expensive. There are cheaper, coarser ones, but we can't let the princess use them. The money you gave me—"
"Did you buy on credit?"
"No, Xie Zhongshu happened to be there and sent someone to deliver some money."
"I'll have someone pay me back later—uh, I'll pay her back next month."
The princess had previously forbidden her from keeping pets, so she spent most of her money on gifts and food for the princess, and the rest on the pets, leaving her with very little.
Gao Shao's mind raced, and he wondered, "Why would Xie Lanzhao go to a cosmetics shop by herself? Does she have a confidant?" His gossipy nature was piqued, and Gao Shao couldn't wait to ask Xie Lanzhao, but then the princess's attendant came to deliver a message, saying that His Majesty wanted to see her.
Zhao Jialing had become numb from listening to Zhao Xianju "talk about hatred."
Fourth Sister was determined not to let go of the Prince Consort, but the mission was still not completed.
What's the problem? Is it with the prince consort? She originally wanted to summon Gao Shao alone, but her fourth sister looked at her like she was guarding against a thief, afraid that she might really urge the prince consort to divorce.
Zhao Jialing had no choice but to keep his fourth sister behind and asked her in front of her, "If you have any complaints about your elder sister, just say it. I will forgive you."
Gao Shao was greatly alarmed: "I have no complaints."
Even if it were true, it wouldn't be appropriate to say it in this setting, would it?
Zhao Jialing: "My sister said you hate her."
Gao Shao: "?" With such a huge pot dumped on top of her, her face showed undisguised astonishment. She abruptly turned to Zhao Xianju, "Why does the princess miss me so much?!"
Zhao Jialing rested his chin on his hand, observing her expression, and silently asked himself: [She wasn't lying, was she?]
Wise Ruler System: [Not yet.]
Zhao Jialing: [I am truly a master of reconciliation.]
The wise ruler system hesitated to speak.
Zhao Xianju's ever-changing expression perfectly conveyed the feelings of the Wise Ruler System. She never expected His Majesty to blurt out these words so directly. But she couldn't care less about blaming His Majesty; her gaze fell on Gao Shao, who was trembling with anger—before this, no matter how much she argued with Gao Shao, she had never seen her show such an angry and aggrieved expression.
"I did not!" Gao Shao did not look at Zhao Xianju, but knelt down before Zhao Jialing and swore an oath to the heavens.
Zhao Jialing: "Then what were you all arguing about before?"
Gao Shao: "I have no idea!"
Zhao Xianju's thoughts raced. After being rudely exposed by His Majesty, her best option was to be honest with her husband. She quickly regained her composure and asked Gao Shao, "Don't you hate me for ruining your future?"
"I don't hate it."
"Don't you resent me for forcing you?"
“My father is the Minister of War. If I am unwilling, I have the right to refuse. Xie Lanzhao refused back then—” Gao Shao stopped himself from speaking in time.
Zhao Jialing, caught in the crossfire: "?"
They're a perfect match, equally annoying!
"If you don't resent me, why did you raise something that makes me afraid? Aren't you just deliberately trying to annoy me?"
“But when I asked her before, the princess said it was up to her.”
"Can't you understand what I'm saying in anger?"
"Can't understand."
...
The Wise Ruler System watched with a smug grin: [Hey, if you don't ask, I won't tell. I'll be a mute for life.]
Zhao Jialing thought to himself, "I don't think I should be here."
The key to the mission was to "eliminate hatred," but those two people didn't feel any hatred at all.
She also had a premonition that, given her elder sister's temperament, the two of them would likely have many more arguments in the future.
However, the task was completed quickly, and an achievement called "Forced Melon is Surprisingly Sweet" was obtained. As for the reward, it was called "Sugar Recipe".
"I have lost my composure." By the time Zhao Xianju realized that Zhao Jialing was there, Zhao Jialing had already finished a cup of tea.
Zhao Jialing remained calm.
This is nothing compared to what happened before.
She couldn't sit still and stood up, saying, "The Xie residence is in Wubenfang. I have important matters to discuss with the Prime Minister."
Gao Shao: "Lan Zao is not at home today. She is at Anjia Cosmetics Shop, picking out rouge and face powder but not knowing who to give them to."
Zhao Jialing: "!"
Is something wrong here, Xie Lanzhao?
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