She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 652 - 650: Isn’t That Too Polite?

Chapter 652: Chapter 650: Isn’t That Too Polite?

Jinrong had just nodded when he heard the Emperor continue, "But we cannot just take Qi family and the Ye family girl’s word as truth either. Have the Ministry of Works dispatch two officials to discuss the wages with the Qi family, and incidentally, let them work alongside the people from the Qi Family Construction Business."

The Emperor hadn’t given it much thought; he simply wanted the officials from the Ministry of Works to follow along and familiarize themselves with the railway project early, to facilitate future imperial initiations and oversight.

Upon hearing this, Jinrong’s face hinted at subtle complications, and he did not immediately respond.

To the Emperor’s surprise, he asked, "What’s the matter? Can’t the wages be negotiated? Or is it that they can’t oversee the details of their work?"

"Negotiating silver can be done, but as for the details of the work..."

Jinrong thought back to the two minor officials sent in the past to work with Wong Qiao and Ye Xinyan at the Qi family. At that time, Ye Xinyan was at an absolute disadvantage, and for various reasons, she herself was in a rush to complete the work and needed extra hands, which is why she allowed those two to work with them. If officials from the Ministry of Works were sent over now, for Ye Xinyan, it would purely mean taking on apprentices.

Ye Xinyan has never opposed taking on apprentices, but she did object to working without earning silver.

Based on his experience, such a lucrative opportunity to make money would not be missed by that woman. He was not capable of dealing with Ye Xinyan, so naturally, he dared not agree on her behalf. If he casually agreed to it, then the silver for teaching the apprentices would have to come out of his own pocket.

"Ye Xinyan has said that she charges for taking on apprentices," Jinrong tried to put it as matter-of-factly as possible.

Prince Fu and Wang Xian both wore constipated expressions. Were they questioning Jinrong’s intellect or that of the Ye family girl? Who asked her to take on apprentices? The task was to supervise, to supervise, understand?

The Emperor also looked sharply at Jinrong.

Meeting the Emperor’s gaze, Jinrong felt wronged. He didn’t want things to be this way either. He also wished Ye Xinyan would be more compliant and listen to whatever was asked of her. But she wasn’t like that, so what could he do?

At this moment, Jinrong suddenly felt how miserable it was to be acquainted with Ye Xinyan. What prince or lord would be so helpless, led around by the nose by a woman?

Jinrong spread his hands, "This prince is at a loss too. Ye Xinyan said, doesn’t every craftsman who takes on an apprentice require the apprentice to serve dutifully for ten or eight years like a filial son or grandson, attentively waiting on them, before they can learn a thing or two of the craft? Her only asking for an apprenticeship fee is already quite open-minded."

These words turned the expressions of the other three people in the Imperial Study Room quite colorful. Damn it! How could his words sound so bold?

"Otherwise, let’s not use her then. This prince has no pride and can only endure for the sake of money, but Lord Wang and my seventh brother have many years of experience dealing with craftsmen. We could find someone else," Jinrong added.

"Ahem," Wang Xian finally coughed out, "As the saying goes, it’s better to work with the known than the unknown. Let His Highness Prince Yu decide."

Wang Xian’s remark not only displeased the Emperor but even Zhang Cunhai, who was waiting on the side, couldn’t help but look up at him. If that was the case, why did Lord Wang speak so much?

The Emperor’s expression darkened as he looked over Jinrong, Prince Fu, and Wang Xian, cursing inwardly: not one had any backbone.

The Emperor withdrew his brooding gaze; that old fool Duke An was to blame as well. If not for his coddling protection, how could such a vexing situation have arisen?

"The price is always up for negotiation, Zhang Cunhai, you go and see how they discuss the price," the Emperor was annoyed and decided to see for himself just how formidable this woman could be.

He was very busy and not idle! These officials, who only knew how to enjoy the court’s official salary without the slightest ability to do the job, actually brought the greed of a woman to the Imperial Study Room, haggling over the cost of construction work for half a day.

Alright, Duke An’s granddaughter was not a craftsman. But she was harder to deal with than any craftsman.

Then, Zhang Cunhai went to see for himself whether Duke An’s granddaughter was as difficult as they said.

Prince Fu and Wang Xian felt that it would not be appropriate for them with their status to personally discuss the labor costs with craftsmen, let alone with a woman. Hence, they sent Director of the Ministry of Works Liu Ting, along with two minor officials, to handle the matter.

Seeing this arrangement, Jinrong of course felt that he could not lower himself to negotiate labor costs with a woman.

Alright, it wasn’t that he felt it was beneath him, quite the contrary, he was keen to see how the officials from the Ministry of Works would deal with hiring the Qi Family Construction Business based on Prince Fu’s psychological price point. He hoped they would come back frustrated. But he was the esteemed Prince Yu, and he couldn’t just offer his support to anyone, could he?

Therefore, Jinrong assigned Liu Qing, who managed construction affairs for his household, to accompany the three officials from the Ministry of Works to discuss the price and schedule for the construction with the Qi Family Construction Business.

Of course, since Wang Xian had sent a Fifth Rank court official, it was to accompany Zhang Cunhai, Eunuch Zhang, showing enough sincerity. To not embarrass Eunuch Zhang, Jinrong also sent Wan Yan, the Prince Household’s Butler, along with them.

Although Zhang Cunhai felt that this arrangement was not quite fitting with the discussion that had taken place in the Imperial Study Room, if the identity of Miss Ye was set aside, sending a Director of the Ministry of Works to discuss wages with a civilian construction business was already quite astonishing.

Despite being the chief eunuch most trusted by the Emperor, he always acted with extreme caution. Naturally, he would consult with Director Liu Ting from the Ministry of Works for this mission. Lord Liu, who wouldn’t dare to put on airs in front of the Grand Steward of the imperial palace, was certainly quick to defer, insisting that Eunuch Zhang make the arrangements.

Zhang Cunhai didn’t want to waste time, so he turned to discuss with Wan Yan. Both of them had to consider the sentiments of Duke An and decided to ignore that Miss Ye was Duke An’s granddaughter and go directly to the Qi family to speak with Qi Younian, the steward of the Qi Family Construction Business.

Qi Younian had been retrieved from a shop in North City by servants of the Qi family, and upon entering and hearing the introductions by Liu Qing, he felt overwhelmed. Every one of these people was a notable figure, especially Eunuch Zhang—he was someone who served close to the Emperor, and how could ordinary folks like them have such an honor to meet someone who served the Emperor so closely?

Qi Younian was earnestly frightened and quickly paid his respects to each of the visitors.

Once everyone was seated in the living room and the servants were still serving tea, Liu Ting explained their purpose and expressed hope that they could settle the matter while Miss Ye was away.

Qi Younian was initially stunned. The New Year was only a few days away; what was the court up to?

Liu Ting bowed slightly and said, "Do not worry, elder. The court frequently hires civilian construction businesses for tasks, and there is a set rate for labor. This time, things are urgent, and we would like to know how many people you have to do this job. We will pay double the usual wage."

Double the wage? Qi Younian was still not catching on. This was work for the court, planning a wooden railway construction, which didn’t need a large workforce, and his firm had done it once before. Double the wage? That seemed overly courteous, didn’t it?

Just as Qi Younian was about to respond, Wan Yan coughed and said, "Actually, if it were a regular construction project, there would be no need for Eunuch Zhang or Lord Liu to come personally. However, since Miss Ye is in charge of this matter, we naturally do not wish to slight her."

Qi Younian wasn’t foolish either; upon hearing this, he didn’t even glance at Wan Yan, and immediately turned to Liu Ting with a bow, "Please forgive me, my lord. I am but a mason by trade, responsible only for leading my people to earn a living. Matters of pen and paper have always been handled by my granddaughter. Please wait a moment, sir; I will bring Ye Zi right away."