Chapter 137 Do you have any objections to my decision?
Zhao Shuning was massaging Concubine Li's waist and abdomen to relieve the pain.
Hearing this, she stopped what she was doing and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."
Concubine Li said in an angry tone, "If you have something to say, just say it directly. Why are you hesitating?"
Zhao Shuning finally spoke, "I think that instead of trying to sabotage this matter, it would be better to find a way to intervene and take all the credit from them."
If they could take the credit for this, that would be great, but how could it be so easy? Xiao Yanci and Lu Zhiran were not easy to deal with.
Concubine Li looked at her and asked, "Do you have a solution?"
Zhao Shuning pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "This workshop is a joint venture between the government and businessmen, so the emperor must appoint someone to be in charge. However, the workshop employs only women, and if a court official is assigned, there will be differences between men and women. I believe that appointing a princess is the most appropriate way to handle this matter."
"The Fourth Princess has been married for many years. I heard that she has been in charge of the palace's affairs. She has a calm temperament, is thorough in her work, manages her subordinates well, and has a high prestige. She is truly the perfect choice to be in charge of the workshop."
When Concubine Li heard this, her eyes suddenly lit up.
The fourth princess was her eldest daughter, Xiao Wanzhen.
Five years ago, she married Lu Ziyang, the youngest son of a cabinet university student. In recent years, the Lu family has also provided a lot of help to Xiao Yanqing.
Concubine Li never thought that her daughter could also help.
She looked at Zhao Shuning with a hint of admiration in her eyes, "You have a very clever mind. You always come up with some unexpected ideas."
Zhao Shuning immediately said, "It is my honor to share your Majesty's worries. I can only offer a suggestion, and this matter still needs the Emperor's approval."
Concubine Li was very confident. "Your proposal is reasonable. The workshop is indeed not suitable for a man to be in charge. Wanzhen has been extremely intelligent since childhood and is very much loved by the emperor. Apart from her, the other princesses have married far away from the capital. Who can take charge of this matter? If she comes to the palace in person and offers to share the emperor's worries, the emperor will definitely agree."
"There is also a Ninth Princess..."
Concubine Li sneered, "Her? A good-for-nothing who only knows how to eat, how could she take on such an important responsibility? If the Emperor handed the workshop over to her, he would be crazy."
This was quite disrespectful, but Concubine Li always spoke like this in her own palace.
Zhao Shuning also felt that Xiao Baozhu was not capable of taking on important tasks, but when she saw Concubine Li was so confident, she dispelled her worries.
As long as the emperor gives the workshop to the fourth princess, all the merits of the workshop can be taken away.
By then, Lu Zhiran will be a sucker who only pays money but doesn't get any benefits.
The next day, Xiao Wanzhen received a summons from Concubine Li and entered the palace early.
She looks like Concubine Li, dressed in a dignified and elegant manner, and exudes an air of superiority.
"Mother, you summoned me in such a hurry, what's the matter?"
Concubine Li pulled her to sit down and said, "There is indeed an important matter."
She told him the whole story in detail.
"Mother has already sent someone to invite your father to dine with you. You should show your filial piety to him and bring up this matter to share his worries. He will definitely agree."
A hint of ambition flashed in Xiao Wanzhen's eyes.
"Don't worry, mother. Leave this matter to me. I will definitely handle it!"
Emperor Defeng didn't know that Concubine Li and her daughter had prepared a Hongmen Banquet for him.
Concubine Li sent someone to invite him, saying that Xiao Wanzhen would enter the palace today, and he would go to Yuxiu Palace after finishing his government affairs.
As soon as Emperor Defeng arrived, Xiao Wanzhen smiled brightly, revealing the admiring attitude of a little girl.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. It has been a long time since I last saw you. You look even more graceful now."
Emperor Defeng chuckled, "You also know it's been a while since we last met? Do you still think of me, your father, in your eyes?"
Xiao Wanzhen said coquettishly, "I have a lot of tedious work to do at home, so I just can't spare the time. I will come to the palace regularly from now on. Please don't find me annoying when the time comes."
Emperor Defeng smiled kindly, and the atmosphere was very harmonious for a while.
The palace maids brought the dishes one after another, and they sat down to eat.
The table was filled with delicious food, but Xiao Wanzhen and Concubine Li put down their chopsticks after eating very little. Emperor Defeng frowned, "Why are you eating so little?"
Concubine Li said, "I have no appetite these days."
Xiao Wanzhen said, "My son has always had a small appetite. If I eat too much, I'll gain a lot of fat, which will be really ugly."
This statement seemed unintentional, but it was actually a subtle criticism of Xiao Baozhu.
Wouldn't it be ugly if she was as fat and bloated as she is?
The dinner companion was so disappointing that Emperor Defeng's appetite, which was originally quite good, was inexplicably ruined, and his mood was not as happy as before.
Xiao Wanzhen served him the food obediently, but he put down his chopsticks without eating much.
The mother and daughter exchanged glances, and it was time to get down to business.
Xiao Wanzhen personally served a cup of tea to Emperor Defeng, and then casually mentioned the matter of the joint workshop outside the city.
"Princess Pingle has repeatedly come up with surprising strategies to help relieve the worries of her father. She is truly an extraordinary woman."
Emperor Defeng smiled sincerely, "Indeed, her talent is no less than those of my ministers."
Hearing him praising Lu Zhiran so tirelessly, a hint of disdain flashed across Xiao Wanzhen's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
"Father, I, your son, also want to do my best to share your worries."
Concubine Li pretended to rebuke, "Wanzhen, what nonsense are you talking about? How can you share your father's worries?"
"Mother, I'm not talking nonsense. I'm serious. This joint workshop was built specifically for women and holds extraordinary significance. However, the officials in the court are all men, so it's not convenient for them to be responsible for this matter. I'm willing to share your worries and help manage the workshop. Father, please give me this opportunity."
Xiao Wanzhen looked at Emperor Defeng sincerely, her eyes full of expectation.
Emperor Defeng smiled and shook his head. "You are already married, so your husband's family is your priority. You don't need to worry about the affairs of the court."
Xiao Wanzhen didn't care. "No matter how important my husband's family affairs are, they are not as important as my father's. Besides, my daughter has already taken care of the Lu family's affairs. I just need to hand them over to the stewards step by step. There will be no problems."
Concubine Li chimed in, "I didn't expect you to be so filial. It's truly rare. Your Majesty, Wanzhen is both virtuous and talented, and she's measured in her actions. Why not hand this matter over to her? She and the Princess Pingle are both women, and with the cooperation of the two, they'll definitely be able to manage the workshop well."
The expression on Emperor Defeng's face faded a little.
"Don't worry about the workshop. I have already made arrangements."
A look of surprise flashed across Xiao Wanzhen's face, and then she couldn't believe it.
She opened her mouth to question, but was quickly stopped by Concubine Li.
She smiled and asked, "Your Majesty, I wonder who you have entrusted this matter to? Anyone who can be entrusted with this matter with such confidence must be extremely capable and trustworthy."
Emperor Defeng said leisurely, "I gave it to Xiaojiu."
After hearing this, Concubine Li and Xiao Wanzhen changed color at the same time.
Xiao Wanzhen could no longer hold back and blurted out, "Father, how could you entrust such an important matter to her?"
"What's wrong with handing it over to her? Do you have any objections to my decision?"
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