Chapter 587 How about a Fourth-Rank Lady?
Dusk gradually descended.
The state banquet ended amidst the astonishment of the emperor, empress, and everyone else.
Foreign envoys stayed in the palace and were escorted back to rest by eunuchs. First and second-rank officials took their leave and left the palace one after another. Cheng Wanwan deliberately lingered for a while.
After most of the people had left, Cheng Wanwan walked forward and stood before the Emperor and Empress: "Your Majesty, I have important matters to report."
The emperor stopped in his tracks. He thought Cheng Wanwan had figured out what reward she wanted. He wasn't a stingy person and would never be stingy with rewards that were due.
“Since birth, I have been working in the fields, so I am quite familiar with farming. Today, I only glanced at those novel species that the Kingdom of Laji presented as tribute, and I immediately sensed something was wrong,” Cheng Wanwan said slowly, bowing her head. “To verify my suspicions, I suggested taking them back to Huzhou for cultivation.”
The emperor's expression immediately turned serious: "Tell me in detail, what's the problem?"
Cheng Wanwan pursed her lips: "I can't say for sure, but I have a bad feeling. I feel that after these new species spread in the Great Yu Kingdom, they will affect the growth of crops. If they cause a reduction in grain production, the consequences will be unimaginable."
The emperor was too clever; she dared not say too much, for saying too much would lead to many mistakes. Once the truth was revealed, she would naturally understand everything.
"Although the Kingdom of Laji is a vassal state of our Great Yu Dynasty, it has always liked to play tricks." The Empress said coldly, "The things they send as tribute every year don't look like precious items. Their country is small, while our Great Yu Dynasty is vast and rich in resources. We have never cared about such things. I never expected that these petty people would dare to play such tricks."
The Emperor's gaze sharpened slightly: "Before this matter has a clear outcome, we must not alert the enemy. I want to see what tricks the Laqi Kingdom is up to. Guards!"
Eunuch Ming immediately stepped forward: "Your servant is here!"
"Arrange for a few people to secretly keep an eye on those people from Laki Kingdom. Report any movements to me immediately."
"yes!"
Cheng Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief.
Her purpose in reporting this matter was to warn the Great Yu Dynasty to be wary of the Laki Kingdom, lest they be secretly plotting against them without even realizing it.
The emperor's gaze fell on Cheng Wanwan. He could sense that this woman was truly concerned about the affairs of the country.
He spoke slowly, "Sui'an people, are you sure you don't want any reward?"
Cheng Wanwan is bald.
If you want to reward her, can't you just give her a reward like you did before? If you ask her so directly, how will she answer?
To maintain her pristine image, she could only say with a heavy heart, "Your Majesty, I only hope that the Great Yu Kingdom will become stronger and stronger. As for the rewards, Your Majesty has already given more than enough. I am extremely grateful."
The emperor nodded: "Alright, then you may leave."
Cheng Wanwan cupped her hands in greeting, took three steps back, and then turned around and walked out of the palace.
Watching her figure recede into the distance, the Empress sighed: "The people of Sui'an have made two great contributions this time. First, they facilitated trade with Asab, and second, they developed agricultural machinery. Perhaps they will even have a third contribution. No matter which one it is, they deserve to be promoted to the fifth rank of Yiren. Your Majesty must not discourage people's hearts."
"A fifth-rank concubine is not enough," the emperor smiled. "How about a fourth-rank concubine?"
Zhao Cheng is a representative of a poor family. She was promoted to a fourth-rank court lady within two or three years. Those poor people will know that no matter how humble your origin is, no matter how disgraceful your life experience is, as long as you have the ability and as long as you can contribute a little to the Dayu Dynasty, then you will be rewarded generously.
Allowing Zhao Cheng to be promoted twice in a row is not only a reward, but also an encouragement to the world.
"I heard that the successful promotion of cotton was largely due to the contributions of Zhao Cheng's eldest son. If so..." The emperor pondered for a moment before speaking, "Appoint Zhao Cheng's eldest son as a seventh-rank cotton official, and transfer two ninth-rank agriculture officials from the Ministry of Revenue to Dahe Village to serve under him."
The Queen laughed.
Because the Great Yu Dynasty did not have cotton, there was no position of "Cotton Keeper" before this. Now, a new official position has been created for the son of Sui'an people, which is a great honor.
She smiled and asked, "When will the imperial decree be announced?"
"If I announce the decree in the capital, those old men will inevitably chatter away all sorts of nonsense. My ears will be callused from listening to them." The emperor tilted his head slightly. "Eunuch Ming, you go and draft the decree. Leave early tomorrow and rush to Dahe Village in Huzhou. You can announce the decree when Zhao Cheng returns home."
Ming Gonggong understood; this was to create momentum for Sui'an people.
The Emperor and Empress value Sui'an people so much; it seems they will be promoted again in the future.
He immediately replied, "This servant obeys!"
Cheng Wanwan had no idea what was happening in the palace.
She was led by a young eunuch to the palace gate. There were palace lanterns along the way, making it very bright.
When she arrived at the palace gate, she saw Granny Qi and Cheng Jia standing by the carriage waiting for her. They both breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her come out.
Cheng Wanwan turned to the young eunuch and said, "Thank you for your hard work, sir."
As he spoke, he took out a tael of silver from his sleeve and handed it over.
"Thank you for the reward, Lady Sui'an." The little eunuch happily accepted the silver. "It's getting dark, Lady Sui'an, please be careful on the road."
Cheng Wanwan walked towards the carriage and was about to get in when a voice suddenly sounded behind her: "Sui'an resident, please wait."
She turned around and saw a young man, about thirty years old, wearing a violet brocade robe and a jade crown on his head. He looked like a nobleman.
The man's facial features looked extremely familiar. After a quick glance, she guessed that this was probably He Ling, the eldest son of the He family and He Xiao's older brother.
However, she couldn't show that she recognized him, and asked with slight doubt, "May I ask who you are?"
"My name is He Ling of the He family." He Ling adopted a humble and polite demeanor. "The palace banquet has ended, but my father has not yet left the palace. I wonder if Sui'an saw my father when she left the palace?"
"So it's Lord He." Cheng Wanwan said with a smile, "Lord He left the palace a quarter of an hour ago, so you two must have missed each other."
She finished speaking and prepared to leave, not wanting to deal with the He family.
He Ling stopped her again and said, "I heard that Sui'an is from Dahe Village in Huzhou. Over a year ago, a friend of mine went to Dahe Village on business, but I haven't heard from him since. I'd like to ask Sui'an about his whereabouts. Is it convenient for you?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Wanwan's fingers tightened.
Her expression remained unchanged as she turned and asked, "Whom does Lord He wish to inquire about?"
He Ling took out a scroll from his sleeve and slowly unfurled it in front of Cheng Wanwan.
The painting depicts a young man dressed in brocade robes, with a jade crown on his head and a long sword at his waist instead of a jade pendant.
This is He Xiao!
Cheng Wanwan narrowed her eyes slightly. So, He Ling knew He Xiao's whereabouts and was deliberately testing her?
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