"Without her, Ye Kingdom wouldn't have received this invitation at all. Have you forgotten how many years it's been since Ye Kingdom was invited to participate in the Jichun Craftsmen's Guild? In the past few decades, we did, but who succeeded in winning the top prize? There were very few even who made it to the preliminary rounds." The Minister of Revenue smiled mockingly.
After mocking the man, he felt it wasn't enough, and continued, "Everyone knows how the other five countries humiliated our country during this six-nation military trial. But who dared to stand up and fight back? I didn't dare, you didn't dare. Only His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Zheng stepped forward without hesitation and risked their lives to achieve this current balance for us."
"Have you not considered that if Ye loses in the very first match, in the eyes of the world, Ye will be like a defenseless child, vulnerable to humiliation and slaughter? Haven't we had enough of bowing and scraping before other nations all these years?"
Yuwen Gui then spoke up: "She deserves to be rewarded for her merits, but I cannot agree with her being granted an official position. Since ancient times, the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, etiquette and ethics have been the teachings that our ancestors have followed to this day. If all women in the world were like her, wouldn't the Ye Kingdom be in chaos in the future?"
The Minister of Revenue said clearly, word by word: "If all the women of Ye were as capable, talented, intelligent, brave, resourceful, benevolent, and righteous as Lord Zheng, then I would be glad for Ye."
Zheng Quchi couldn't help but look at the Minister of Revenue with a completely new perspective.
His eloquence and clever arguments completely outshone the Yuwen family.
However, his praise for her was too much, and she blushed a little when she heard it. She felt that she might not be worthy of his description of her as capable, talented, intelligent, brave, resourceful, benevolent, and righteous, let alone as great as he said. She had only done what she thought she should do, so how come in his mouth, her image suddenly became as great and lofty as Buddha, saving all sentient beings?
Having said that, no matter how angry or annoyed they were, the Yuwen family knew that their wishful thinking was doomed, and their scheme to plot at the General's Mansion had been thwarted.
They deeply understood that Zheng Quchi was no longer the helpless peasant woman in Fuxian County who had no background or support and could be manipulated at will.
Yuwen Gui's face was extremely pale, and his fingers, which were on his cane, trembled uncontrollably. He glanced at everyone, and finally his gaze fell on the marriage contract in Zheng Quchi's hand, his eyes looking like he wanted to devour someone.
Since the marriage contract was personally delivered by the Minister of Revenue, it could not possibly be fake. Regardless of how it was obtained, they could no longer touch Zheng Quchi.
"Alright, now that the worship is over, we should take our leave. Madam Yuwen, Sheng'er is a descendant of the Yuwen family, and you are also a daughter-in-law of the Yuwen family. We are all relatives, sharing the same fate and prosperity. You must never become an unfilial descendant who betrays your ancestors and abandons your lineage."
After leaving behind a warning about being arrogant and weak despite his age, Yuwen Gui gathered everyone and, feeling extremely unwilling and defeated, slunk away.
Seeing that the farce was finally over, Zheng Quchi felt relieved after the uproar, having been quite distressed in the middle. She apologized to the guests who came to pay their respects and then spoke privately with the Minister of Revenue.
"Was this also arranged by the Crown Prince?"
"Yes, the young master said that it was inconvenient for him to appear in person, so he asked me to clear Lord Zheng's name in front of everyone."
"What is he trying to do? Deliberately elevate me in front of everyone, publicize my deeds and reputation. Is he really not afraid of what people will say, that everyone will say he is a foolish ruler who chose a woman to be an official?"
"Lord Zheng need not worry about this matter. Although the people may not be used to it at first, they are more concerned about whether Ye Kingdom can improve in the future. There is plenty of time. As for the people in the court, who would dare to oppose His Highness now? His Highness's authority as a ruler has already deeply penetrated the hearts of the people, and as for the benevolence of a ruler..."
But it's you.
Hmm, what does that mean?
Zheng Quchi looked completely bewildered.
The Minister of Revenue lifted his robe and knelt before her: "Ran Rongting is here. Thank you, Lord Zheng, for stopping His Highness's massacre in the Yixiu Hall that day and saving the lives of many important officials. One of them was my close friend. He has now been exonerated and released. Not only him, but many other officials have also returned home safely. They all say that if it weren't for Lord Zheng's strong intervention that day, His Highness would not have let anyone go, given his temperament."
"His Highness would rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free."
"Therefore, I believe that only Lord Zheng can evoke a trace of compassion in His Highness. Lord Zheng is the benevolent heart of His Highness, and the Emperor's grace is boundless."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
