"Newspapers for sale! Don't miss today's Chiyan Morning News! For just two coins, you can read His Majesty the Emperor's quotes, the great achievements of his ministers, and appreciate the poems and articles of famous scholars. Two coins won't break the bank!"
As the children called out their wares, more and more people curiously bought a newspaper, only to be stunned by what they saw in all the different sections.
"His Majesty said: 'My empire does not belong to me alone, but to all the people of the world.' His Majesty truly values us, the common people!"
"The Minister of Justice has been working tirelessly for three days to apprehend the serial killer; he is truly a good official of the people!"
"Haha, this joke is hilarious! Who wrote it?"
"Look at the poems in the back, they are actually poems by the top scholar in the imperial examination. They are really well written, no wonder he is the top scholar."
"The poems in the 'Rising Stars' section are also quite good. I heard they were written by students who haven't taken the exams yet. Look at their poems, our Chiyan team has successors!"
Various discussions could be heard everywhere, and the newspaper was sold not only in the prefectural city but also in the capital.
When the ministers finished their morning court session, they happened to encounter children selling newspapers. Curious, they bought a copy and were immediately drawn to the newspapers.
"Old Jin, you've reported it! It says you've worked tirelessly for three days straight to solve the case, and that your spirit is something everyone should learn from!"
Minister of Revenue Zhou pointed to the section on ministers' achievements in the newspaper and showed it to Minister of Justice Jin Jin.
"I am truly unworthy of such praise. Although I have not slept for three days, I still have no clue," said Lord Jin, sporting dark circles under his eyes.
"How did His Majesty's words get out? Did someone overhear us talking about it at home?"
Some ministers looked at the Emperor's sayings with suspicion; these were the words the Emperor had spoken at the morning court session yesterday.
"Maybe so. We'd better keep our mouths shut to avoid being punished by the Emperor."
The ministers reminded themselves to be careful with their words and actions as they walked.
At this moment, the emperor was also holding a copy of the Chiyan Morning News. He was very satisfied to see his own quote enlarged in the very center of the newspaper, and felt a sense of vanity being satisfied.
"Your Majesty, the person who printed this newspaper is very thoughtful. She must have great respect for Your Majesty," a eunuch beside the emperor said at the opportune moment.
"Issue my decree that the person behind this newspaper be summoned to an audience." The Emperor wanted to meet this person behind the scenes.
While others were looking at sections about him, his ministers, and his students, he was looking at sections about scientific breeding and planting, and the more he looked, the more alarmed he became.
If it really works, the yield per mu will definitely increase, and the people of Chiyan will no longer have to go hungry.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The chief eunuch quickly sent someone to announce the imperial decree. The emperor had many spies, and soon they knew that the newspaper came from Ping'an Prefecture. After inquiring at the prefectural office, they arrived at Fang Xiyue's house accompanied by Prefect Su.
Upon hearing that she was to be summoned to the palace immediately, Fang Xiyue quickly changed her clothes and followed.
Fang Hui, Zhou Qing, Song Yifan, and Ye Ziming were extremely worried, but there was nothing they could do at the moment and they could only choose to trust Fang Xiyue.
Fang Xiyue brought a full-length mirror with her when she entered the palace; this gift was something she could never forget.
The emperor knew about the large dressing mirror, because it was currently in her mother's palace, and it was impossible for her to have it.
Not long after entering the palace, Fang Xiyue and the emperor grew closer and closer, and eventually the two sat down on the ground and chatted.
The emperor took an instant liking to Fang Xiyue. He not only appointed her as a new fourth-rank official and supervisor of the newspaper, but also insisted on recognizing her as his sworn sister or betrothing his younger brother, the third prince, to her.
Fang Xiyue would definitely choose to become the adopted sister. Just as she was about to make her choice, the Third Prince came to see the Emperor. "Royal sister, royal sister, why haven't you gone to see Yan'er yet?"
When the Third Prince Chu Xingyan entered, he discovered a very beautiful and unfamiliar female ruler. His face instantly turned bright red, as he had a particular fondness for beautiful people.
Fang Xiyue took a liking to this lively young man at first glance, and was glad that she hadn't made a choice yet.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to marry the Third Prince, but I already have three husbands. I promised them that there is no distinction between primary and secondary husbands. I just don't know if the Third Prince is willing to marry me." Fang Xiyue looked at Chu Xingyan expectantly.
Chu Xingyan blinked twice, somewhat confused. Fang Xiyue took out a small mirror from her bosom and handed it to Chu Xingyan, saying, "Third Prince, this is for you. It is a token of my appreciation. I hope you like it."
Chu Xingyan looked at herself in the small mirror and was overjoyed. "Thank you, I like it very much."
He had been in the palace for a long time and was completely unaware of the existence of the large mirror, but he knew of the existence of the small mirror because Fang Xiyue and the others had given away several of them at the auction, including one from Qingqiu's mother, a friend of Chu Xingyan.
Qingqiu's mother gave Qingqiu the mirror, and Qingqiu showed it to him. He wanted to buy it but was told that it was sold out, and he was sad about it for several days.
Fang Xiyue then pretended to take out an antique-style bag from her wide sleeves and handed it to Chu Xingyan.
The Emperor looked curiously at Fang Xiyue's sleeve pocket. Had something been stored there before?
"Wow! Where did you get this? I saw Qingqiu carrying one before and I was so envious. I heard it's worth ten thousand taels of silver." Chu Xingyan couldn't put down the bag in his hand.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Emperor told Chu Xingyan about Fang Xiyue and showed the huge dressing mirror only to Chu Xingyan.
Then Chu Xingyan hugged the dressing mirror and wouldn't let go. She had asked her mother for it, but her mother wouldn't give it to her, sob sob sob.
The Emperor truly intended to keep it for her, but now her younger brother also likes it, so she has no choice but to bear the pain...
"Third Prince, if you are willing to marry me, I am willing to offer you two hundred thousand taels of silver, a full-length mirror, a washbasin mirror, a dressing mirror, and a large plush toy..."
Every time Fang Xiyue said something, the Emperor and Chu Xingyan gasped. How much silver is that?
"I'll marry you, I'll marry you, okay? Stop talking, let's talk about it in private."
Chu Xingyan reached out and covered Fang Xiyue's mouth. He couldn't let Fang Xiyue continue talking, or he would faint from happiness. Although he didn't care much for money, these betrothal gifts represented a person's feelings, and he saw that they were valued.
The marriage was settled just like that. Fang Xiyue still found it quite unbelievable. Tomorrow she would have to go to the Prime Minister's residence to present the betrothal gifts. She asked Chu Xingyan for his opinion, and Chu Xingyan said that he did not mind if it was on the same day. So Fang Xiyue would have to present two sets of betrothal gifts tomorrow.
After staying a while longer, Fang Xiyue took her leave. She still had to go back to prepare the betrothal gifts. Tomorrow, it would probably cause a sensation in the capital. She was probably the only one who would marry both a prince and the young master of the Ministry of Rites at the same time.
After returning home, Fang Xiyue told her family that she had been granted an official position and that she would be betrothed the next day. Everyone was happy for her, including Ye Ziming.
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