Chapter 1402 - 1316: Freedom and Joy (Part 2)

Zhao Erlang nodded repeatedly.

Mrs. Wang saw his lack of understanding and applied more force with her hand, inwardly furious. Fortunately, Third Lady became the emperor; otherwise, how could he find a wife? Who would want to marry such a fool?

Zhao Hanzhang also thought he was a fool. She neither joined the beatings nor tried to mediate but instead turned her attention to the uneasy Xie family trio.

Lai Qing, quick-witted, immediately brought the three in front of Zhao Hanzhang.

Actually, when Father Xie saw Prince Qin and Beigong Tuanyuan fighting evenly matched, he had already given up any hope.

Mrs. Xie’s heart also sank a little after she saw the Empress Dowager’s concern for Beigong Tuanyuan; their family had neither power nor influence, and they could only rely on Xie Shi. What could Xie Xiangrong use to compete with Beigong Tuanyuan?

Zhao Hanzhang exchanged a few polite words with Father Xie, then directly said, "I heard from Xie Shi that Xie Xiangrong has excellent literary talent. Now that the court is in need of talents, I would like to invite Miss Xie to enter the court as an official."

Before Xie Xiangrong could speak, Father Xie declined on her behalf, thinking that Xie Shi had exaggerated. He believed her talents and virtues were not yet sufficient for office.

Mrs. Xie nodded repeatedly, interjecting, "Her father has studied for many years and is much more capable than she is."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I want to hear Miss Xie’s opinion."

In the past, Xie Xiangrong would have chosen a gentler approach, not openly disrespecting her parents. But the unrestrained and free-spirited nature of Beigong Tuanyuan seemed to ignite a flame inside her that could no longer be suppressed.

She looked up at Zhao Hanzhang, then respectfully clasped her hands and bowed, "I am willing to serve Your Majesty."

Zhao Hanzhang, feeling pleased, said with a smile, "You should report to the Imperial College tomorrow."

Father Xie and Mrs. Xie were shocked and quickly wanted to refuse. However, Zhao Hanzhang’s glance swept over them, and they felt a chill, like a mountain pressing on their shoulders, too heavy to move. Naturally, they dared not refuse again.

Xie Xiangrong lowered her eyes. She knew this trouble had to be resolved by herself, and she could resolve it, even though it might damage her reputation. However, compared to freedom, the loss of such reputation was negligible.

In the past, if Father Xie and Mrs. Xie spread rumors of her being unfilial, her future would be ruined. But now, since the emperor had provided her a way out, she was no longer as fearful and anxious.

Zhao Hanzhang then went to see Beigong Tuanyuan.

Once the emperor left, Father Xie and Mrs. Xie pulled Xie Xiangrong aside and complained, "Why didn’t you refuse when His Majesty offered you an official position? You are a woman, and should value chastity above all..."

Before Xie Xiangrong could object, a bystander who was listening spoke up unhappily, "Sister-in-law, that statement isn’t right. Does holding an official position mean lacking chastity? The emperor himself holds the position of the emperor."

Mrs. Xie said, "How can she be compared with the emperor? His Majesty is a godlike man, and she’s just a girl who has read a few books, not even as good as her father’s two fingers. Even if someone should be an official, it should be her father..."

"I don’t like hearing that. There’s nothing in this world that can be hidden from His Majesty. Since His Majesty didn’t choose her father, it means her father doesn’t have the capability she does to be an official."

"Exactly, exactly."

The people present were all mindlessly supportive of Zhao Hanzhang and didn’t believe Zhao Hanzhang’s decision could be wrong.

This was a newly repaired official road, mainly leading to the watermill by the Luoshui.

The people of Luoyang and the surrounding areas mostly chose to come here to husk rice and grind flour because it was not only labor-saving but also cheaper.

Those who lived nearby would come in families, carrying loads or pushing carts. Those from afar would typically grind for an entire village or several households at once, borrowing ox carts and loading their grain onto it, marking it, and sending two people to grind and husk.

The next time, two different people would come, taking turns, thereby saving both labor and time.

So all the people on this road were coming and going from the watermill.

They were also the ones who saw Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan the most.

Everyone knew that not far from the watermill was a heavily guarded workshop; Mr. Fu was inside, and the emperor often came to visit.

They didn’t know Zhao Erlang and Beigong Tuanyuan, but the moment Zhao Hanzhang arrived, they recognized her, so they excitedly but quietly stayed to the side, eagerly listening to her conversation.

Upon hearing that Xie Xiangrong was personally bestowed an official position by the emperor, they couldn’t have been more excited and envious.

Yet this couple actually wanted to refuse!

In their envy and resentment, a woman carrying loads squeezed in from the side and sourly remarked, "Sister-in-law, what good luck you have. Do you have several children that you don’t value this young lady? If not, why not give her to me? If I had such a daughter to bring honor to my ancestors, I would laugh myself awake even in dreams."