Chapter 116: Give equality to the equals and inequality to the unequals
"Where did your niece-in-law find this talented person? Even Hanchen Academy is better than her!" the emperor laughed.
"Ah? I've never heard of this child before! Every time she comes to the palace, she just entertains me. She seems like a filial child..."
"Your Majesty has a good eye. He has granted this child numerous imperial decrees. He truly has a keen eye for talent!" Nangong Han said, praising the emperor. "I read the poems praising Your Majesty from Ruilou to my unborn child every day. I want him to know his father's great reputation, right?"
At this age, the emperor should have already become a spirit, but people still like to hear compliments.
"That's not all. The memorial from Wanning Prefecture highly praises your third nephew, saying he led his team of craftsmen to build houses! The people there can finally spend the winter in peace."
"Qiongzhi paid the money and Xue'er worked hard. This is what they should do!" Nangong Han reminded him at the right time.
The emperor nodded. "In that case, the Gongning Marquis's Mansion has indeed made an indelible contribution."
"However, in the current situation... If my beloved concubine gives birth to a prince in the future, I will definitely reward your mother's family handsomely! This time..."
"Your Majesty loves me deeply, and I understand it in my heart. I am already satisfied to be able to accompany Your Majesty and give you a healthy child. But Your Majesty, why don't you just reward Qiongzhi with something? Good deeds should always be rewarded. There are only a few people left in my family, and this child is really busy running around, and I, as an elder, really haven't saved up any good things to reward her..." Nangong Han skillfully used a tactic of retreating to advance.
The emperor thought for a while and felt that the affairs of scholars and students were also a big deal. Moreover, Pu Shi did a good job. "I'll do as you say!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity!" Nangong Han beamed. "Xue'er, you've been hiding the fact that she built pavilions and terraces from me for so long!"
"In the past, my brother was extremely disgusted with him for not doing his job properly! I never thought that he could do something for the people. It is also the good fortune of this child."
"My dear, you are really underestimating your nephew! I heard that the houses he builds are very good. He is efficient and quick, and the houses are also exceptionally sturdy. Even the craftsmen sent by the Ministry of Works have to seek his advice!"
"Come to think of it, I actually have a job for him to do! When he comes back after completing it, I'll give him a job!"
"Your Majesty is truly good at employing talented people. I am short-sighted." Nangong Han achieved her goal, asked for a reward for Nangong Xue, and immediately flattered her.
The emperor was very pleased and said, "Your family has many talented people, who are good at literature, martial arts, engineering, and business. The child you give birth to will definitely be a smart one!"
"That's right! I gave birth to your majesty's royal heir, so naturally I am a dragon among men!" Nangong Han said this in a particularly arrogant manner, making faces and making the emperor laugh so hard that he couldn't stop.
"You! Naughty!" The emperor pinched her nose.
Ding Quan, who was standing by, dispatched the people in the palace with great foresight.
When I went out, I ran into Pei Wanqing who came to pay her respects.
"Eunuch Ding, is His Majesty busy right now?" Pei Wanqing glanced at the people and glanced inside. "I'm here to pay my respects to His Majesty."
Ding Quan took two steps in front of her and said, "Mrs. Jia, the Imperial Concubine Ru is inside now, so it's inconvenient for you to go in."
"Oh..." Pei Wanqing felt a little disappointed. She nodded and looked inside again. "Then please tell the eunuch that I have been here."
Pu Qiongzhi is really capable. Even not entering the palace can affect her favor!
…
As Pu Qiongzhi's reputation improved, the dirty water in the tabloids and Fang Miaozhu's notebooks disappeared overnight.
Whenever I go out for a walk, all I hear about her are praises.
It was as if everyone had agreed to put those things behind them and not talk about them anymore.
The tabloid was even criticized by students for not publishing this matter, forcing Fang Miaozhu to add it in.
Pu Qiongzhi thought that during the Spring Examination, Ruilou’s reputation had become completely well-known!
At this time, Fang Miaozhu came to visit.
This was her first time entering Ruilou.
It has to be said that she was indeed shocked by the aesthetic taste of the ancient indigenous people.
She couldn't help but exclaim, what a magnificent building!
But when she thought that this was her competitor, she suppressed her surprise and replaced it with jealousy.
It’s great to have money, you can get everything.
If she were that rich...
"Miss Fang? Miss Fang?" Pu Qiongzhi brought her thoughts back to reality.
"Ah?" Fang Miaozhu was stunned.
Pu Qiongzhi held the menu and asked, "Miss, do you have any dietary restrictions?"
"No..." Fang Miaozhu shook his head and pointed at the entrances. "What is this...?"
Pu Qiongzhi had no obligation to explain it to her, nor did she even have to receive her personally, but she still said, "This is a specialty of Ruilou. It's divided according to the needs of the guests, so the prices and dishes are different."
She was a little curious about what this girl was up to by suddenly coming to her house.
But as soon as she finished speaking, Fang Miaozhu's face was full of disapproval. She even accused her face, "Why do you divide the restaurant into different classes? You are dividing people into different classes! You are treating people differently!"
"That's true. Why not? Open your eyes and look, young lady. When did the Daliang Dynasty not divide people into different classes? Scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, young lady knows very well that we are the most looked down upon." Pu Qiongzhi was a little surprised that she could say such a thing.
However, she didn't care and didn't think there was anything wrong.
“…” Fang Miaozhu was speechless.
For a moment, she forgot that she was living in the backward ancient times and that this was the dynasty of the feudal class.
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"What I yearn for in my heart is a world where everyone is equal! When the great way is followed, the world will be shared by all." Fang Miaozhu replied with his neck stiff.
Pu Qiongzhi shook her head. "Equality is too difficult. I can only maintain a small balance relatively."
"You'll be happy to trample on others. That's human nature. And I'm just building on that to make everyone's life a little better."
"Isn't this just treating people differently?" Fang Miaozhu glared.
Pu Qiongzhi laughed, "Miss, that's what you said. It's normal for restaurants to serve dishes based on the guests. Otherwise, why don't you eat at home?"
"You...you are making excuses!"
"Miss Fang, what is the important matter that brought you to my Ruilou?" Pu Qiongzhi no longer had the patience to explain to her.
She was kind enough to entertain him, not to listen to her grand speeches and accusations.
Just as he finished speaking, a voice came from downstairs——
"The imperial edict has arrived!"
Pu Qiongzhi quickly got up and went downstairs.
Fang Miaozhu was embarrassed that she had forgotten her original intention and instead started arguing with Pu Qiongzhi. She felt relieved when she was interrupted.
She followed closely behind, curious about how the imperial edict had arrived at Ruilou. Could it be that a student had been selected for direct promotion and appointment? How extraordinary would that be!
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims... I, in gratitude for Pu's contributions to the cultural heritage of our dynasty and for his numerous meritorious services, hereby appoint him as a Fifth Rank Envoy as a token of my appreciation!"
"I accept your command and thank you!"
Fang Miaozhu knelt at the end, listening to Pu Qiongzhi's voice, and a wave of jealousy rose uncontrollably in her heart.
Fifth rank...imperial decree! She's just a merchant, a mere countess, is she worthy of it?
But so what?
When she marries the Ninth Prince in the future, she will still have to kneel to her! By then... even a fifth-rank rank wouldn't be enough!
However, Fang Miaozhu had never expected that her theory of equality would be completely shattered by herself...
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