Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1095: Chapter 129: Miss Xiao (Part 2)

"Your idea is not bad, why don’t you write it all down together."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Minister of Revenue was not bothered by the workload, as long as it could make money for the national treasury, writing ten regulations was no problem for him.

"Your Majesty, are you not worried that if His Highness Prince Han does this in Lingnan, the people will stop farming and all go into business to make money?" Although Prime Minister He knew he didn’t have the authority to interfere in Lingnan’s affairs, he couldn’t help but worry about this, "Your Majesty, these years Lingnan’s grain has already surpassed Jiangnan, becoming the largest granary in Great Zhou. If the people of Lingnan all turn to business instead of farming, the consequences could be unimaginable."

"Don’t worry, Xiao Shi has ways to handle this, Lingnan’s fields won’t be left fallow."

Upon hearing the emperor’s assurance, Prime Minister He’s mind was put at ease.

The emperor continued to discuss some matters with Prime Minister He and others before letting them leave.

Sun Doudou, who was standing guard at the door of the Imperial Study, saw the Minister of Revenue smiling like a blooming flower and couldn’t help but wonder if once again His Highness Prince Han had devised some new money-making scheme, otherwise the Minister wouldn’t be smiling so broadly.

At that moment, a palace maid with gentle and beautiful features approached with tea.

Sun Doudou saw her and hurried forward to greet her.

"Miss Xiao."

Xiao Siyun responded politely, "Little Mr. Sun."

"Prime Minister He has just left, Miss Xiao, you may now bring the tea inside."

"Thank you, Little Mr. Sun."

"Miss Xiao, you can just call me Doudou."

Xiao Siyun smiled slightly, "Then I shall go inside first."

"Take care."

When Xiao Siyun walked into the Imperial Study, a guard at the door curiously asked Sun Doudou, "Sun Doudou, why are you being so polite to Miss Xiao?" That little fellow Sun Doudou practically treated Xiao Siyun like his master.

Sun Doudou glanced at the guard with disdain, saying with a proud look on his face, "What do you know." Miss Xiao is not an ordinary palace maid; she is the future Princess Han, the future Empress. She is also his future master, so he of course must show respect.

Upon hearing this, the guard immediately misunderstood, his expression turned to shock, and he lowered his voice to say, "Miss Xiao... becoming Empress..." Before he could finish, his leg was kicked harshly by Sun Doudou. Covering his leg, he complained, "Why did you kick me?"

"Who told you to speak nonsense?" Sun Doudou couldn’t help but kick the guard again, "With what you just said, you could end up losing your head."

The guard was scared stiff by Sun Doudou’s words, his face turned pale, and he stammered, "I..."

Sun Doudou poked the guard’s forehead, "What goes through that head of yours all day long, who do you think the emperor is?"

"Brother Dou, I was wrong..." The guard was so frightened, he trembled in fear.

"I didn’t hear anything just now, and you said nothing."

"I didn’t say anything." The guard looked at Sun Doudou gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Dou."

Sun Doudou used the tone his master often used on him to speak to the guard, "Be more careful with your words in the future."

"Yes, Brother Dou." The guard closed his mouth, not daring to speak further.

Inside the Imperial Study, Sun Kui took the teacup from Xiao Siyun’s hands and promptly placed it in front of the emperor.

The emperor glanced at his future daughter-in-law, recalling Zhao Yao’s reference to point tea in his letter, "Xiao Shi recently came up with a new way of drinking tea called point tea. There are quite a few techniques. Take a look." With that, he handed over the letter with the details about point tea to Sun Kui, who then passed it to Xiao Siyun.

Xiao Siyun took the letter with both hands and saw in front of her eyes the bold and flowing script. Though His Highness Prince Han’s writing was not the best she had seen, it was the most... liberating. Yes, liberating; through His Highness Prince Han’s handwriting, one could discern he was a free and unrestrained individual.

After reading the letter, she couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.

"Your Majesty, this..." Painting on the surface of the tea, is that possible?

"I wish to try Xiao Shi’s newly crafted point tea, can you make it?"

"I’ll do my best." How did His Highness Prince Han think up such a wonderful way of drinking tea?

"I will wait for your good news." The emperor said as he waved his hand to dismiss Xiao Siyun.

"I take my leave." Xiao Siyun withdrew.

"Your Majesty, why do you have Miss Xiao serve by your side?" Miss Xiao was chosen by the emperor as the future Princess Han. Over these years, Miss Xiao has been undertaking various tasks in the harem, well aware of palace etiquette and duties. Previously, the emperor had allowed Miss Xiao to leave the palace and prepare for her marriage, but unexpectedly, the emperor changed his mind, not only did he not allow Miss Xiao to leave the palace but also summoned her to serve by his side. Next year, His Highness Prince Han and Miss Xiao will wed, if she doesn’t return home to prepare now, it may be too late.

"She has yet to pass the final test. Once she passes, naturally, I will allow her to return home for her marriage preparations." Bringing Xiao Siyun to serve by his side is the final test for her. "Previously I instructed you to watch her every move, don’t forget."

Sun Kui felt a tightening in his chest and quickly replied respectfully, "I have not forgotten." So the emperor intentionally had Miss Xiao serve by his side. Indeed, there are many temptations and trials by his side, it’s uncertain whether Miss Xiao can resist them.

"I hope she won’t let me down." This daughter-in-law was carefully selected by him and specially allowed to enter the palace for training. So far, she has performed quite well.

"These days, many have approached Miss Xiao for help or tried to flatter her, all of which Miss Xiao has refused." Serving by his side means being able to see the emperor every day, which led many in the harem to hope to learn of the emperor’s whereabouts or certain matters through Miss Xiao.

"Continue to monitor."

"Yes." These years, Miss Xiao has built a good reputation within the palace. Both the ladies and eunuchs and maids think highly of her. Furthermore, Miss Xiao herself is very capable, completing her tasks exceptionally well. Many ladies in the harem have praised her, especially Lady Liang. Incidentally, Lady Liang is unaware that Miss Xiao is her future daughter-in-law. Similarly, His Highness Prince Han does not know.

Miss Xiao’s appearance is not particularly outstanding, her temperament is gentle and steady, even somewhat mature; it’s unknown whether the lively Prince Han will like her.

Moreover, Miss Xiao is just a commoner, it’s uncertain whether His Highness Prince Han will mind his future Princess coming from such a low status.

Miss Xiao was chosen among thousands, if Prince Han does not favor her, then the emperor’s years of nurturing Miss Xiao would be in vain.

"Your Majesty, are you not concerned that His Highness Prince Han might not like Miss Xiao?"

"That brat still lacks insight, he doesn’t understand what liking means." Thinking of this issue, the emperor was helplessly amused, "In selecting his bride, I’m not picking someone he likes, but someone suitable for him."

"Hopefully, His Highness Prince Han will understand your good intentions." The emperor had worked tirelessly in secret for His Highness Prince Han, hoping Prince Han wouldn’t squander the emperor’s efforts.

Thinking about how Zhao Yao’s temperament resembles the emperor’s, Sun Kui had a bad premonition in his heart. Somehow, he felt that His Highness Prince Han was indifferent to the emperor’s efforts and disdainful of everything planned for him.