She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 436 - 434 His Majesty’s Assignment

Chapter 436: Chapter 434 His Majesty’s Assignment

Although the Emperor was very considerate of Duke An, he did not intend to recognize Ye Xinyan’s existence just like that. He said, "The messages sent to Us show that Qi Ye started working at the Railway Carriage workshop on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and the next day, the tracks on two adjacent sections of Changping Street began to rush work day and night. The day after, Prince Yu suggested restrictions on the construction sites for laying tracks, establishing the scope of work. How big a role did Qi Ye play in this?"

Duke An quickly bowed, "Xinyan dares not claim credit; being a woman, she cannot do much, she merely had some whimsical ideas that she mentioned to Prince Yu and the Steward. As for how to actually do the work, it still falls on the Steward of Prince Yu’s Mansion. According to my humble knowledge, His Highness Prince Yu’s Stewards are indeed formidable and very skilled in construction. The railway projects that His Highness Prince Yu took on and the ones that have been rushed these past few days were all led by the Stewards of Prince Yu’s Mansion, with Xinyan not involved in the work."

The old master indirectly acknowledged that his granddaughter was the one who provided ideas and suggestions, and such talent was of the utmost importance.

The Emperor smiled and said, "No matter who did it, it’s good that it was done. The capital’s railway has been delayed from completion, and surprisingly, not a single person in the Imperial Court had effective measures. Fortunately, Prince Yu has returned. If the Stewards from Prince Yu’s Mansion were to take charge of the other railway projects in the capital, presumably the track laying could be completed very quickly."

As Duke An listened, he nodded, his expression one of sincere admiration showing his utmost respect for His Majesty the Emperor’s sage discernment. However, His Majesty’s tone shifted as he said to him, "There must have been quite a reliance on Qi Ye; could Qi Ye conveniently offer them some guidance?"

Duke An looked frankly at the Emperor, "She, being a woman, can’t do much, can she? In the past, she would communicate her ideas to Prince Yu or Mr. Hu of Prince Yu’s Mansion, and let people like Mr. Hu make arrangements and decisions. Would it be appropriate to let her, a common woman, frequent the construction sites?"

All the workers at the construction site were men, and for his granddaughter, a young girl to walk amongst them, meant she would face enormous pressure. His Majesty, were You intending to remain silent, and by simply addressing her as Qi Ye, wanted His own granddaughter to work at the chaotic construction site?

"That’s not a problem," the Emperor said. "Your granddaughter has a noble status, and for her to instruct the Stewards and craftsmen in their work is an act of condescension on her part, for which they should be immensely grateful. We will also remember her service to the state. In the future, you should not let your granddaughter call herself Qi Ye; a woman of the Ye Family is a woman of the Ye Family, and that won’t change at any time." The Emperor looked calmly at Duke An. That was the sentence you were waiting for, wasn’t it?

Indeed, Duke An immediately stood up, and before the Emperor could speak to stop him, had already knelt down and thanked him repeatedly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for forgiving my foolish actions and for giving my granddaughter a chance to reform."

The Emperor waved him off, "My dear subject, stand up and speak. Come to think of it, had your granddaughter not run away from home, she would not have had the opportunity to display her talents, and who knows how long the capital’s Railway Carriage would have been delayed. It is the will of Heaven, beyond human control. You needn’t dwell too much on this matter."

Ye Xinyan did not hear the phrase "beyond human control"; had she heard it, she might have marveled at how the Son of Heaven and the Heavens were in harmony, and she would also be startled by the realization that the Old Emperor was indeed worthy of the title of the Son of Heaven, for His words also subtly conformed to the will of Heaven.

As Duke An stood up and heard the Emperor’s words, he bowed again in thanks. Deep down, he felt immensely gratified; this audience with the Emperor had been extremely effective, simply perfect.

Then, Duke An heard His Majesty the Emperor continue, "Since Heaven has bestowed upon your granddaughter such spiritual intelligence, it must not be wasted lightly. In the future, on matters concerning the Ministry of Works or other engineering issues, we will inevitably need to trouble your granddaughter occasionally. Duke An should understand and accommodate this request."

Duke An looked at the Emperor in astonishment. What was He implying? Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor intended to keep utilizing his granddaughter for tasks?

Meeting Duke An’s gaze, the Emperor said, "Of course, men and women are different, and your granddaughter, after all, is a woman, so she will not be troubled with ordinary matters. However, if the court encounters difficulties with engineering projects, the Empire is not only My empire but also the empire of all its subjects. If Miss Ye can offer a suggestion or two, that would be her contribution to the people of the Great Xia Dynasty."

"Alright, you are the Emperor, you have the final say." Duke An bowed and assented.

Watching Duke An leave, His Majesty the Emperor was in an exceptionally good mood. Who would have thought that the domestic affairs of Duke An’s Mansion could benefit the court as well? Could there be anything better?

Similarly, on the way back to the mansion, Duke An was also very pleased. From now on, his granddaughter would no longer be merely Qi Ye but the dignified and proper Ye Xinyan.

As for the actual work... Duke An had a clear understanding of it. The rules for the Capital’s Noble Ladies were strict, indeed. With the scandal that his granddaughter had caused the year before, it would be extremely difficult for her to move about among the Capital’s Noble Ladies with just the background of Duke An’s Mansion.

But if she were to take on an assignment from His Majesty, or even gain favor with His Majesty the Emperor, then it would be a different story. There would be no shortage of people eager to make her acquaintance.

Duke An returned to the mansion and, before dinner, informed Ye Xinyan of the identity he and the Emperor had reinstated for her. Looking at the old man’s proud and happy face, Ye Xinyan suddenly felt a little sad, and her previously indifferent feelings towards Duke An seemed to be changing.

Ye Xinyan stood up from her chair, thanked Duke An with a bow, "Thank you, Grandfather, for running about on behalf of your unworthy granddaughter."

Duke An, smiling, reached out to support Ye Xinyan lightly and said, "We are family; there is no need for such formalities. Please, sit and talk." Watching Ye Xinyan get up and sit back down, Duke An continued, "However, if in the future the court’s projects encounter any difficulties, they might ask you to take a look."

Ye Xinyan was indifferent to this matter, "If my granddaughter can spot anything that might help and give them some advice, it’s not a problem. However, I fear my knowledge is limited and I might not have any useful ideas. Besides, I am currently serving Prince Yu as Steward, and any employment must receive His Highness Prince Yu’s approval."

Duke An immediately laughed, "That’s exactly what I was thinking. While Xinyan is serving as Steward to Prince Yu, naturally it will be Prince Yu who assigns her tasks. Once your employment period ends, the matter of your departure will gradually be forgotten, and by the time you marry into another family, the promise I made will naturally no longer apply."

"Marry, marry into another family?" Ye Xinyan almost slid off her chair. Why were Duke An’s tone and words like this? Instead of having her remarry, why bother bringing her back at all?

"Yes, you are still young and naturally should marry. Don’t worry, with the family background of Duke An’s Mansion and the regard of His Majesty the Emperor, there is no shortage of families willing to take you in..." It turns out that Duke An could also be quite talkative when it came to such matters.

"That, um, Grandfather," Ye Xinyan took advantage of a pause to interrupt Duke An, "Working for Prince Yu is well and good, but is there a salary for advising on the court’s affairs?"

Duke An was taken aback, "Are you in urgent need of silver? Tell your Grandfather, and if it’s important, you can withdraw it from the mansion first."

"Really?" Ye Xinyan automatically ignored the offer of withdrawing from the mansion, frowning as she asked, "Does working for the court really come without a salary? Wouldn’t that mean your granddaughter would be at a great loss?" Her contribution was knowledge, valuable knowledge.