Chapter 374 I Don't Want to Talk Anymore
"Sir, speak up! Weren't you talking so enthusiastically just now? Why have you stopped? The exam hasn't even started yet, and you already know you'll fail?"
Since Da Ya returned to the capital to serve as the dean, this wasn't the first time Ye Wan had acted as a critic in the court.
These people just can't stand seeing women stronger than them, or seeing women stand out. Ye Wan, the female official, is the first to be targeted.
Unfortunately, the adopted daughters they raised were also so unorthodox and unconventional. What was the point of running an academy? The emperor was just going along with their nonsense, even making these women take the imperial examinations. What kind of achievements could they possibly make?
Emperor Jing simply said: "Are you all so afraid of discovering that you are inferior to women when you try to stop women from speaking up?"
Well, the adults have stopped talking, but they still engage in verbal battles every morning at court.
"Lord Ye, what do you mean by this?"
The old man who was being rebuked looked at Ye Wan with a dark face and said, "I was just telling the truth. Why are you so angry, Lord Ye?"
"I'm just telling the truth. I know your son isn't good at studying and can't stand seeing others do well in school. Please don't get defensive!"
The official, who hadn't broken down yet, was truly enraged upon hearing these words, his beard trembling with anger. "Lord Ye, don't think that just because Lord Lin is protecting you, you can be so arrogant. You're just a woman..."
"So what if I'm a woman? Isn't your mother a woman? Don't you have sisters? Don't you have women in your family? Even if he doesn't protect me, I can still be this arrogant! Go ahead and hit me if you dare!"
"You, you..."
The person next to him pulled the old man aside and whispered, "Why did you provoke her? Don't you want to eat vegetables this winter? Don't you know that she is now known as Fairy Ye? Vegetable farmers treat her like a fairy. With just one word from her, your servants in the whole capital will be unable to buy vegetables."
Ye Wan led the Agricultural Department in experimenting with vegetable greenhouses, and surprisingly, she succeeded. Fresh, tender vegetables could even be found in ordinary people's homes during the winter. Based on this alone, she had enough right to make a fuss in the imperial court.
This statement hits a nerve with many people. They can tolerate less criticism, but not eating vegetables in the dead of winter is unacceptable.
"Nonsense, never mind. I won't stoop to the level of a woman. They're all all talk and no action."
The old man gave himself a way out.
Emperor Jing took the opportunity to issue cruel punishments, stipulating that anyone who abducted or trafficked children or women would have their entire family (up to three generations) punished.
The court officials: Good heavens, they've been waiting here for a while.
So Ye Wan was just using a deceptive tactic earlier? Why didn't she say that earlier? Why is the Emperor still such a scoundrel?
Emperor Jing: You're dumbfounded now, aren't you? That's exactly what I wanted to do – take them by surprise.
In any case, my imperial edict has already been issued; it is as good as gold and cannot be changed.
Ye Wan felt refreshed after arguing with someone, and she found Emperor Jing extremely pleasing to the eye. Upon returning home, she sent a lot more fruit to the palace.
As for Lin Anyuan, he didn't attend court today; he went to the human traffickers' hideout himself.
The couple had no liking for anyone who sold their children, let alone someone who dared to target their son.
"Mother, I'm back."
A slender figure entered the main hall, dressed in fine silks and satins, adorned with gold ornaments, exuding an air of nobility.
Ye Wan was munching on fruit when she looked up at the person who came in. She deliberately put on a stern face and said, "You brat, you've been gone for three years. You're really something, aren't you? You even know which way the front door opens!"
Watermelons, plums, and pears are all in season now, all natural and pollution-free, and they taste absolutely delicious.
The person who came was Er Ya. Three years ago, she suddenly went out to do business. In the three years since she left, she only occasionally sent a letter. She just returned from outside today.
Three years have passed and Er Ya has changed a lot. The only thing that hasn't changed is her exaggerated sense of style. She wears very flashy gold jewelry, which is so dazzling that it looks like a gold ingot that has come to life.
"Mom, I'm back now! I missed you so much! Mom, do you know how much I earned? At least this much!"
Er Ya threw herself into Ye Wan's arms and held up her fingers to count.
Ye Wan was almost blinded by the gold jewelry on her head. Before she could see how much it cost, she heard Er Ya say, "Mother, if you like anything, feel free to pick it. I'll give you half of my money."
"Second Miss is really rich and powerful, but please let me go first and speak properly, your gold hairpin is about to poke me." Ye Wan said helplessly.
Er Ya smiled and said, "Mother, I miss you so much."
Ye Wan patted her hair. "You must have suffered a lot out there. I don't want your money, keep it for yourself."
Er Ya burst into tears immediately, crying her heart out.
It took Ye Wan a lot of effort to coax him into submission.
Today, Daya also made a special trip over for lunch. She ate with Erya, Lin Mingqian, and Ye Wan. Sanya was not there.
Sanya went to attack an island in the east. She made great contributions in the battle of Nanzhao and is now a well-known female general.
Even more outstanding than Sanya is Wei Ye. Everyone praises the Wei family army for having a successor. General Wei is old, Wei Shitou is injured, and the Wei family has gone from old officials to new officials, and is already on the decline. But who would have thought that Wei Ye could emerge?
"You have no idea how clever those people outside are. I almost got scammed a few times, but luckily I reacted quickly, or I might have lost everything!"
Er Ya talked about the setbacks she had encountered at the dinner table.
Lin Mingqian praised earnestly, "Second sister, you're amazing."
Er Ya couldn't help but pinch her younger brother's cheek. "Of course, if you want to buy anything in the future, just ask your second sister."
Lin Mingqian's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Second Sister."
Er Ya: "Hahaha, Qian-ge, you were so tiny when I left, and now you've grown so much. Qian-ge, how can you talk when you're so short?"
Lin Mingqian: "..."
He's not mute, so it's normal for him to be able to speak.
Er Ya did all the talking during the meal, and her people arrived right after we finished eating.
"Second Miss, the Chamber of Commerce has prepared a banquet to welcome you back."
Er Ya paused for a moment and looked at Ye Wan.
Ye Wan laughed, "Go, go today. My son is amazing. Let those men see your charm."
Er Ya once made a bold statement that she would dominate the Chamber of Commerce. Now, after three years away, Er Ya has carved out her own path in the business world. The Chamber of Commerce no longer dares to neglect her, and Ye Wan is proud of her.
Er Ya smiled, her eyes still slanted upwards, carrying a hint of arrogance and haughtiness. "Mother, when I come back, I'll give you something nice."
No sooner had Er Ya left than Lu'er arrived.
"Madam, this is an invitation from the palace, sent by Her Majesty the Empress."
...
...
At the same time, prominent families all received invitations from the palace.
Madam Pei is planning to find a match for her youngest son.
She had initially taken a liking to Ye Wan's second daughter, Lin Qingdai, but before the matter was settled, she went to do business in another place. Madam Pei had no choice but to let it go. Fortunately, her son was still young, so she could take her time to choose.
"This eleventh young lady of the Cui family is quite beautiful. The Empress's lotus appreciation banquet is very timely. Xiao Si, you must take a look at her this time."
Lady Pei felt that the Empress was a timely help.
The invitation from the palace—the son can't possibly make excuses to refuse again, can he?
The Emperor is the kind of person who, if you don't give him face, fine, but if you don't give the Empress face, things could get really messy if they start investigating.
Pei Zhixuan sat to the side drinking tea, looking every bit the gentleman. "Mother, instead of wasting your time, why don't you go and urge my third brother? Other people's children are already as old as me, and my third brother is still not married."
"You...you're going to drive me crazy! I haven't been able to sleep at night all these years because of your marriages."
Madam Pei tapped her temples, looking extremely worried.
As for Pei Zhichuan, Madam Pei had already given up hope.
He used to have a princess who was in love with him, but now the princess has a husband, and he's still out there and hasn't come back.
Pei Zhixuan said, "Mother, I went to look for you last night. The old nanny who guards the house said you were sleeping soundly."
Madam Pei: ...
Suddenly I don't want to talk anymore.
...
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