Chapter 732 This humble woman is willing to die to prove her innocence
The weather is getting colder and colder, and the end of the year is approaching.
Before the court officials took their leave, Cheng Wanwan went to the Court of State Ceremonies.
Over the past two years, she has been corresponding with Lord Zhang very frequently, translating letters almost every month and two or three books every six months. At the same time, she also writes some Assab language learning materials and sends them to these diligent and studious people in the capital.
The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial were all selected through the imperial examinations, making them the academic elites of their time. Two years was enough time for them to mature.
Of course, language learning requires long-term accumulation and environmental influence. Although these officials have improved a lot, they are still far behind Cheng Wanwan, a modern person.
As soon as she entered the Court of State Ceremonial, some minor officials of the sixth or seventh rank surrounded her with booklets filled with difficult and questionable points they had noted down.
Cheng Wanwan was very patient and answered each question one by one.
However, she wasn't an expert in everything; some of the more archaic usages required discussion and deliberation with Lord Zhang before a conclusion could be reached...
"Looking back two years ago, that old codger, the Minister of Personnel, said he wanted to reduce the number of officials in our Court of State Ceremonies." Lord Zhang stroked his beard and snorted coldly. "Who would have thought that two years later, the number of officials in the Court of State Ceremonies would increase by more than ten? This is all thanks to Lady Sui."
Cheng Wanwan said modestly, "I am only a sixth-rank official in charge of official duties, and I am far away in Huzhou. I can't play such a big role for the Court of State Ceremonies."
"Not so, not so." Lord Zhang took out a stack of account books. "After the Great Yu Dynasty and Asab officially began their exchanges, they started trading. Large quantities of precious treasures, spices, and livestock were transported from there to our country, while large quantities of our silk, porcelain, salt, and iron were sent to Asab. As a result, the Ministry of Revenue's foreign trade tax revenue skyrocketed, and the Court of State Ceremonial Affairs was thus given more importance..."
Several junior officials nearby also began to speak about the situation over the past two years.
"Our Court of State Ceremonies used to only have a chance to shine during state banquets. Now that the national treasury is getting fuller, thanks to the efforts of the Court of State Ceremonies, no one in the court dares to look down on our Lord Zhang anymore."
"And the ladies in the palace all particularly love Assab's rubies. In order to be the first to receive the goods sent by Assab, those ladies are vying to win over Madam Zhang."
"After the list of newly appointed Jinshi is released next year, our Court of State Ceremonies can select three to five people to enter, which was unthinkable in the past."
"..."
Cheng Wanwan was also deeply moved.
It is often said that the economic base determines the superstructure, and this was true even in ancient times.
No matter how low the status of merchants was, the imperial court did indeed make money after trade between the two countries was opened, and the national treasury became increasingly full. Therefore, the status of the Court of State Ceremonial, which facilitated this economic and trade activity, naturally rose accordingly.
Nowadays, the Court of State Ceremonial is recruiting newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). If someone from the Great River Academy passes the Jinshi exam, even if they are at the bottom of the list, they have a high chance of being admitted to the Court of State Ceremonial.
Because the Dahe Academy had foreign language classes, and the students were interested in Asab, they begged Headmaster Yu to invite her to give a few lessons. The Dahe Reading Room also had many foreign language books, and some students who inexplicably admired her would hold those foreign language books and read them with great interest. When they didn't understand something, they would come to her to ask for help...
It is said that opportunity favors the prepared mind, and we hope that the children of Dahe Academy will have such an opportunity.
After spending most of the day at the Honglu Temple, Cheng Wanwan finally got up to say goodbye.
As soon as I stepped outside, I ran into Eunuch Ming.
"I have met Consort Sui." Eunuch Ming said with a smile, "When His Majesty heard that Consort Sui had entered the palace, he ordered me to wait for her at the Court of State Ceremonial."
Cheng Wanwan hurriedly said, "How long have you been waiting, Father-in-law? Why didn't you send someone in to tell him?"
“Since Consort Sui has come to the Court of State Ceremonial, it must be for something important. It’s not too late to wait until Consort Sui has finished her business.” Eunuch Ming said with a smile, “His Majesty wants to say a few words to Consort Sui, just for a casual chat. I wonder if Consort Sui has the time?”
When the Emperor summons her, Cheng Wanwan has to make time, even if she doesn't have it.
She nodded and followed Eunuch Ming toward the Imperial Study.
The weather was getting colder, and the vast palace was even colder. However, once you entered the Imperial Study, it gradually warmed up. Once inside, the warmth was so refreshing that you could take off your cloak.
"Your Majesty, I greet you! Long live the Emperor!"
Because it was the first time in two years that Cheng Wanwan had met the emperor, she knelt down and performed the full kowtow.
The emperor said that no formalities were necessary, and even offered him a seat. He then had Eunuch Ming serve tea and dismissed everyone from the imperial study.
She knew that something important was about to be said.
With a little guessing, she could figure out that it was related to the weapons in the secret chamber in Linxi West Mountain.
Sure enough, after asking about recent events, the emperor got straight to the point: "What is Lady Sui's opinion on the He family's possession of weapons?"
"Your Majesty should know that my relationship with the He family is rather tense," Cheng Wanwan said truthfully. "Three years ago, the eldest son of the He family went to Dahe Village. In order to protect my family and the villagers, I had a falling out with the eldest son of the He family. Later, the Yangzhou shrimp poisoning incident was also found to be related to the He family... I avoid the He family like the plague. If I express any opinion on anything concerning the He family, it may be unfair. I dare not comment rashly."
"Lady Sui, there's no need for such caution," the Emperor said. "I invited you here because I wanted to hear your honest opinion. If you were in my position, what would you do if you knew the He family might be plotting a rebellion?"
Cheng Wanwan immediately knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, please see the truth. I never wished to sit in your position. I am willing to die to prove my innocence..."
Could it be that she has performed too many merits and won too much popular support, thus arousing the emperor's suspicion?
Everyone says that emperors are suspicious, but to suspect even a woman with no real power, that suspicion is a bit too much.
The emperor immediately rose from his dragon throne, walked down the steps, and helped Cheng Wanwan up: "You are the Consort Sui, personally appointed by me. If it weren't for those old fogies in the court who were obstructing you, you would already be a second-rank official. Do you think I would be wary of a court lady whom I personally promoted? Although you were born into a peasant family, you are intelligent, quick-witted, and insightful. Everything seems to have a different appearance in your eyes. Therefore, I want to hear your opinion."
Cheng Wanwan looked up and met the emperor's eyes.
She saw sincerity in those eyes; the Emperor wasn't testing her, he genuinely wanted to know her thoughts.
She glanced at it once and then looked away, lowering her head as she said, "The moment I saw the weapon, I felt that the He family was plotting a rebellion. However, the He family is only a second-rank civil official. Although the He family has a daughter who is a concubine in the palace, she has not given birth to any princes or princesses. The He family's rebellion has no legitimate reason... I think I must be overthinking it."
"No, you haven't thought much of it." A cold smile appeared on the emperor's face. "The person the He family has supported is the former crown prince."
Cheng Wanwan was utterly astonished: "Wasn't the former crown prince dead a long time ago?"
She had heard many people mention the previous succession struggle and had also researched the relevant historical facts. The official historical records clearly state that the former crown prince had died more than ten years ago.
"He is not dead." The emperor said, emphasizing each word. "He has been plotting in secret for more than ten years. Even if he cannot seize the throne, he will certainly severely damage the Great Yu Dynasty. Do you have any ideas?"
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