Chapter 168 You shall inherit the title of Duke of Chu.
Fearing that she might have misled Prince Rui, Jiang Yu explained to him again, "Humans and animals have life, which is the result of the combined functioning of many organs in the human body, not just the heart. Of course, I believe that the beating of the heart is the most important."
Prince Rui listened attentively to her explanation, and then said, "I naturally understand that. It's not just about people and animals; machines also need their various components to work together to function."
Jiang Yu smiled and nodded. Talking to smart people was easy; they understood immediately. At this moment, Li Zhengze brought over a basin of water and asked Jiang Yu where to put it. Jiang Yu told him to put it on the table to the side, then got up and walked over. Prince Rui also got up.
Jiang Yu walked to the basin, rolled up his sleeves, put his hand in, moved it up and down a couple of times, and turned to Prince Rui, saying, "When I stir the water with my hand, ripples appear. Why?"
Prince Rui: "Because your hand made the water flow."
After a moment of contemplation, he added, "When your hand moves, it generates power, propelling the water to flow."
Jiang Yu nodded and took his hand out of the water. Prince Rui also rolled up his sleeves and put his well-defined knuckles into the water, moving them up and down a few times. His expression became more and more excited.
As Jiang Yu watched his movements, a thought flashed through her mind: "These hands are so beautiful."
“Lord Jiang,” Prince Rui bowed to Jiang Yu, “thank you. I have been greatly inspired. I must return to my residence to think it over. Farewell.”
He turned and left, disappearing from the study in a short while. Jiang Yu picked up the basin of water, went outside to empty it, and when she returned, she heard Li Zhengze say, "I never imagined Prince Rui was this kind of person."
Jiang Yu put down the basin of water, walked to her seat, and asked, "What kind of person?"
Li Zheng leaned against her desk. "He was humble and polite, without a trace of arrogance. You don't know, but all the playboys in the capital know one thing: never mess with Prince Rui. Because Prince Rui is the Emperor and Empress Dowager's precious darling."
Jiang Yu laughed, "I thought you spoiled brats were fearless."
Li Zheng shook his head, "We're not Prince Rui. Even if we act recklessly, we know where the limits are. Those who don't know the limits have long since disappeared."
Jiang Yu picked up a book and opened it, saying to Li Zhengze, "His Majesty just ordered me to start investigating cases of tax evasion and river management corruption. You need to quickly find out about Tang Boyang so you can work with me on the new case."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhengze quickly replied, "I'll go back and urge my father to hurry up. However, even if Tang Boyang hasn't figured it out yet, I can still assist you."
Jiang Yu sighed again, saying how great it is to have a good father. She took out the clues about tax embezzlement that she had compiled and explained them to Li Zhengze in detail, then instructed him on what to do.
After hearing this, Li Zheng clenched his fist and assured her, "Jiang Yu, don't worry, I will definitely handle things clearly and thoroughly."
Jiang Yu nodded trustingly, "Go for it!"
Li Zhengze suddenly felt a surge of energy and strode away with his head held high. Jiang Yu looked down at the dossier and said that it was more accurate to say she trusted the Marquis of Jinyang than to say she trusted Li Zhengze.
After finishing her shift, she returned to her residence and met with the Duke of Chu, telling him about the Emperor's visit to her. The Duke of Chu replied, "I thought that once the case of Prince Kang was over, you could be promoted. But it's alright; you've now established yourself firmly in the officialdom, and there are some things I can do."
Jiang Yu looked at him with suspicion, wondering what he was going to do next. The Duke of Chu took out a folded document and handed it to her. Jiang Yu took it, opened it, and then looked shocked, her eyes filled with tears. "Grandfather, there's no need for this."
The Duke of Chu patted her arm and said, “I know I’m dying, and I have to make sure my affairs are settled. I know your father best. If he inherits the title after I’m gone, it will be difficult for you to take care of him. So, you should inherit the title of Duke of Chu.”
“Grandfather, please don’t do this. Let’s find another renowned doctor.”
Tears streamed down Jiang Yu's face. She had spent nearly a year with the Duke of Chu. Although they had initially used each other, they had treated each other with genuine sincerity over the long term. The Duke, in particular, had devoted himself entirely to her future, and now he was even offering her the title of Duke. How could Jiang Yu not be moved?
The Duke of Chu smiled and said, "It's no use. I know my own body. I've lived to be over seventy, kept the Duke of Chu's mansion from collapsing, and have such an excellent heir as you. I'm content."
Hearing him say this, Jiang Yu's tears flowed even more fiercely. Then the Duke of Chu said again, "You have done a great service by investigating the case of Prince Kang. I will submit a memorial to depose your father as the heir apparent and let you inherit the title. I think the emperor will not refuse."
"grandfather...."
The Duke of Chu raised his hand to interrupt her, "You and I both know that with your title, your future career will be much smoother. Your well-being will be the well-being of the Duke of Chu's mansion. But I have one request of you."
He looked at Jiang Yu and said seriously, "If you get married again, I don't care whether you marry into the family or are adopted, but the descendants who inherit the title of Duke of Chu must be surnamed Jiang."
With tears streaming down her face, Jiang Yu knelt before the Duke of Chu and said, "Just as my grandfather said, my career will be much smoother after I have a title, so I will no longer refuse the title. However, after I inherit the title, I will request that Yun Kang be named the heir apparent. Yun Kang will be the successor of my Duke of Chu's mansion, and I will raise him to be a capable man."
Upon hearing her words, the Duke of Chu patted her head with a trembling hand and said, "Alright."
In fact, this was the outcome that the Duke of Chu most hoped for. However, he couldn't bring this up with Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu had worked tirelessly for the Duke of Chu's mansion, and if she remarried and had children, but those children couldn't inherit the title, even the Duke of Chu himself felt that it wouldn't be fair.
Therefore, he proposed that if Jiang Yu remarried and had children, the heir to the Duke of Chu's mansion must bear the surname Jiang. However, he did not expect that Jiang Yu herself would propose that Yun Kang be the heir.
Duke Chu bent down to help Jiang Yu up. "Once the case of Prince Kang is over, I will submit the memorial. I will also have your maternal grandmother mention it to the Empress Dowager. There shouldn't be any problem with this matter."
Jiang Yu nodded. The Duke of Chu spoke to her about other things and then told her to go back and rest. As she approached the courtyard gate, she saw Jiang Chengye pacing back and forth outside her courtyard.
“Father,” she called out.
Jiang Chengye turned around, looking embarrassed. Jiang Yu walked over and bowed to him, "Father, what is it?"
Seeing that her eyes were red, Jiang Chengye opened his mouth and asked, "Did your grandfather tell you everything?"
Jiang Yu nodded, "Father, there is no room for maneuver."
.........
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
