Chen Wufu didn't keep Xu Di waiting for too long. Two or three days later, a eunuch came to the Zheng residence and said that the Emperor invited the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zheng family and the young lady of the Shen family to the palace.
Women entering the palace usually go to the inner palace, but this time they went directly to the Imperial Study. Even though Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan had received Xu Di's instructions, they were still very flustered.
Shen Mingwan held Xu Zhi's hand and said in a trembling voice, "Ninth Sister, do you think the Emperor will discover my identity? Will I be charged with deceiving the Emperor?"
Xu Di held Shen Mingwan's trembling hand and comforted her, "Sister Mingwan, don't be afraid. Didn't the eunuch who came just now say that you are a girl from the Shen family? His Majesty's word is law. Since he said you are a girl from the Shen family, then you are a girl from the Shen family. Sister Mingwan, listen to me. No matter what happens, just pretend it didn't happen. As long as we stay calm, there won't be any problems."
Shen Mingwan's heart gradually calmed down. The two of them were dressed up by Wang Mama and several maids and went to the Imperial Study to meet the Emperor. They couldn't dress too poorly, as that would be disrespectful to the Emperor, but they also couldn't dress too brightly, because the palace, especially the imperial court, had to be solemn and dignified.
After a long time of tidying up, they finally got their clothes and jewelry ready. Once dressed, they took a carriage to the palace.
Chen Wufu had arranged for his apprentice to wait at the palace gate. When he saw the two of them arrive, he quickly came over. Xu Zhi recognized this young but clever eunuch. After she paid her respects, Granny Wang secretly slipped him a small purse and said, "Eunuch, we entrust our mistress and the Shen family's daughter to your care."
The young eunuch nodded, offered a few words of comfort to Granny Wang, and then led Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan into the palace.
It wasn't uncommon for women to enter the palace, but instead of going to the inner palace, they were taken directly to the Imperial Study. The Imperial Study was where the emperor received his ministers, a place many people longed for. Anyone who saw the two of them being led there would be quite surprised.
Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan were both young ladies who had been carefully trained by their families, and their manners were impeccable. They were holding their heads high and following behind the young eunuch until they reached the door of the Imperial Study.
Chen Wufu was already waiting. When he saw Xu Zhi coming over, he quickly came over and said, "Madam Zheng, His Majesty is already waiting. Please come in with me, Madam Zheng and Miss Shen."
Xu Zhi glanced at Shen Mingwan and found that Shen Mingwan was also looking at her. Both of them saw disbelief in each other's eyes. Chen Wufu smiled and said, "Please come in, both of you."
Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan naturally knew what etiquette to perform when they were received. After they performed the etiquette, they heard the person sitting above say, "Please rise and come closer to speak."
Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan took a few steps closer, keeping their eyes down and their hearts at ease. They were very nervous and dared not look at the person sitting above them. This person was the highest authority in the Great Liang Dynasty, someone who could hold the power of life and death over everyone.
Emperor Liang Cheng naturally knew that the two young ladies were very nervous to come here. He said with a smile, "What you two have done is beneficial to the Great Liang and its people. As the emperor, I should thank you properly."
The two quickly said they dared not, but Emperor Liang Cheng was actually very concerned about what they were going to do next. He asked, "I only heard Xu Di briefly mention what you need to do. He didn't say how to do it specifically. Do you two have any plans?"
After Shen Mingwan went to the Zheng family, she naturally didn't sit idle. Together with Xu Zhi, she reorganized the clauses that Xu Zhi had dictated and recorded. Not only that, she also compiled the management system and regulations for the cake shop. When she heard Emperor Liang Cheng say that he wanted to know about it, Shen Mingwan quickly took out a small booklet from her sleeve, bowed, raised her hands above her head, and said, "Your Majesty, these are the rules and regulations that I and Madam Zheng formulated. They are used to regulate the orphanage that will be built."
Emperor Liang Cheng was very interested when he heard this. A young eunuch took the booklet from him and presented it to Emperor Liang Cheng.
Emperor Liang Cheng flipped through it, initially paying little attention, but the more he read, the more he felt that what was written in the booklet made a lot of sense. After reading a few pages, he asked, "How did you come up with the idea to write these things?"
Shen Mingwan looked at Xu Zhi, who quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, when I was with my father in Hexi, he rebuilt the orphanage to ensure the stability of Hexi. To support the orphans and elderly people in the orphanage, he taught them some handicrafts. At that time, I helped my father with some things. In order for the orphanage to run well, my father established these rules."
Emperor Liang Cheng nodded and exclaimed, "Your father is indeed a great talent. The small Hexi region earns more silver every year than some prefectures do."
Xu Zhi said, "It was His Majesty who gave my father this opportunity; His Majesty has a discerning eye."
Emperor Liang Cheng smiled and accepted Xu Zhi's flattery, saying, "I once told your brother Xu Di that your affairs would also be my affairs in the future. Since they are our affairs, I can't just do nothing. I have written two plaques for you two. Take them back with you. In the future, whenever you open a cake shop or an orphanage in Daliang, you must hang up the plaques written by me. What do you think?"
What do you mean, that's great! With Emperor Liang Cheng protecting us, who would dare to have any wicked ideas?
Actually, it was after Emperor Liang Cheng learned of the attack on Shen Family Manor that Chen Wufu relayed Xu Di's thoughts. Emperor Liang Cheng had a change of heart and felt that if the two girls continued to cause trouble, they might end up being bullied. Xu Zhi's cake shop was indeed a quick way to make money, but that money was meant to benefit the people. Even if some people were envious, they shouldn't covet that money. After thinking it over, Emperor Liang Cheng inscribed two plaques to serve as a warning to those with ill intentions, so that they would not have any improper thoughts.
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