Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1205 - 114 Inscription (Second Revision)

Chapter 1205: 114 Inscription (Second Revision)

Even so, Lin Yuan still did not want any Silver.

She glanced at Xia Zheng, whose face was full of anticipation. The phrase "imperial marriage" was already on the tip of her tongue.

But before she could speak, an impatient voice already rang out. Zhao Hongsheng laughed and said, "Miss Lin, you must not waste such a great opportunity, I have always known about the affection between you and Xia Zheng. If you receive the Emperor’s decree for marriage today, from now on, everything will be smooth sailing for the two of you, and nobody will be able to separate you."

What was supposed to be a kind reminder immediately made Lin Yuan’s mind tense with a snap.

Seeing Lin Yuan’s hesitation, Su Zhe hurriedly spoke up, "How could granting a marriage be a trivial matter? It should also require the consent of the parents! Miss Lin must think thrice before acting."

Yao Shijiang, who had been silent all this while, also spoke up now. His voice was as calm as a deep ancient well, "Prime Minister Su’s words are very true. Second Young Master Xia is not just any wealthy young man in the Capital city. How many people are looking at him? The General Mansion is not an ordinary household either. I heard that the fiancée of Eldest Young Master Xia is the legitimate daughter from Sir Tian’s Family, Miss Tian, who is humble and virtuous, and also Consort Tian’s niece. Such a woman is truly suited to be the wife of the General Mansion’s son, silencing the mouths of everyone in the Capital city. In my opinion, Miss Lin is also an intelligent person. Although not quite on par with Miss Tian’s family status, as long as she and Second Young Master Xia have mutual affection, this marriage is surely worthy of being granted."

Listening to Yao Shijiang’s words, Lin Yuan’s eyebrows couldn’t help but raise up high. He really was The Grand Scholar, indeed the father of Yao Hanai. Although he didn’t mention Lin Yuan’s humble origins in every sentence, what he implied was that she was not worthy in status and could not match Xia Zheng.

Xia Zheng, of course, was also an intelligent person. He got the connotation behind Yao Shijiang’s words, but the man spoke with such tight logic that it left one with no room to refute. Xia Zheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, seeing that this usually silent Graduate Yao also knew more than just burying himself in scholarly pursuits!

Lin Yuan’s temperament had always been proud. You could call her arrogant or fierce, but she could not stand for others to speak ill of her, not to mention the implications about Xia Zheng.

Provoked by these people, Lin Yuan’s inherent indignation and unwillingness to admit defeat surged forth immediately. Since they all looked down on her, and their words were all aimed at squeezing her out, even if the Emperor were to grant the marriage, people in the Capital city might still think that she married Xia Zheng by pressuring him with her minor merits.

Lin Yuan shook her head. She did not allow for even a hint of impurity in her marriage, not even from rumors or gossip.

She arrogantly lifted her chin, her bright eyes sweeping over these people. She took note of the faces of those officials in the room who looked down on her, determined to make them never dare to underestimate her again, never to say she was not worthy of Xia Zheng.

"Your Majesty, I can earn my own Silver. There is absolutely no need for Your Majesty to bestow it on me. Please keep that Silver in the national treasury and award it to those who reach out their hands to you."

Lin Yuan’s words were blunt, aimed directly at the officials present who lacked the ability to earn their own Silver and could only extend their hands to ask for it from the Emperor.

Many faces turned pale, anger building up inside them with nowhere to vent.

Although the officials, who were chided by Lin Yuan for only reaching out for Silver, were somewhat displeased, the Emperor held back. After all, what she said was not wrong. The court was indeed not short of such officials.

"What do you want then?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, replying to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I have just moved into my new residence in the Capital city, and the main gate still lacks a placard. If Your Majesty could grace my humble abode by inscribing some words, my house will surely be most honored!"

Having said this, Lin Yuan knelt on both knees, gave a respectful kowtow, and raised her voice slightly, "I implore Your Majesty to grant this humble girl’s small request."

The request was indeed modest, but the thought behind it was profound. Although it involved only a simple pair of characters, there were very few residences in the Capital city that had the honor of receiving the Emperor’s personal calligraphy, not even the Prime Minister Mansion. If the Emperor agreed, Lin Yuan would surely become a sensation in the Capital!

Prime Minister Su and Yao Shijiang furrowed their brows tightly. However, as long as the Emperor did not grant a marriage today, it would count as their victory. As long as their daughters still had a chance to marry Xia Zheng, it didn’t matter how many inscriptions the young girl acquired.

Witnessing Lin Yuan kneeling on the ground, Xia Zheng felt somewhat disappointed, but he bore no resentment. After all, this was expected, and so he also pleaded with the Emperor to bestow the inscription.

The Emperor looked deeply at the two young people before him, understanding their situation. Today, those opposed included Prime Minister Su and Yao Shijiang, but there were surely many others who disapproved or doubted. Even if he granted a marriage today, with such a plethora of rumors and gossip, who could ensure that this couple wouldn’t develop a rift in their relationship?

Perhaps, allowing them to prove their feelings to everyone with their own strength was the most viable path.

Having realized this, the Emperor laughed heartily and gestured with his hand, "You are quite an amusing girl. While others can’t wait to grasp at the opportunity to beg for a great favor, you merely ask for an inscription. Very well, I shall write you a word."

Standing up hand in hand with Xia Zheng, Lin Yuan joyfully expressed her gratitude.

Xia Zheng never forgot to flatter the Old Emperor, "Your Majesty’s calligraphy is not something the average person can request. These two characters are indeed priceless. If someday the national treasury runs low on silver, simply have Your Majesty write a few more characters, and the treasury will surely be full in no time!"

Lin Yuan chuckled softly. If it weren’t for the inappropriate occasion, she would have likely burst into uproarious laughter; after all, if it came to the Emperor selling calligraphy to raise funds, what would be the point in keeping all these officials around?

The officials who had been metaphorically slapped in the face couldn’t show themselves, their complexions varying as if they were in a dye shop.

The Emperor glared fiercely at Xia Zheng, but perhaps he was used to such blunt remarks, and he didn’t seem angry in the least. Xia Zheng merely chuckled and the moment passed.

Observing the interaction between Xia Zheng and the Emperor, as well as the jealous yet reticent demeanor of the Second Prince, Lin Yuan found it all quite amusing. The rumors about the Emperor’s favor towards Xia Zheng seemed truly undeniable; even his own sons paled in comparison to Xia Zheng.

Having given Lin Yuan her reward, the Emperor naturally turned his thoughts to another matter and immediately said, "Lin Yuan, I summoned you today because there is another matter I want to discuss with you."

The sovereign of the nation speaking of a ’discussion’ with her left Lin Yuan somewhat flustered, and she hurriedly nodded in acquiescence.

The Emperor smiled and said, "Truth be told, I feel somewhat embarrassed. But today, I will speak frankly. It’s about the matter of movable-type printing. Initially, due to the high costs, the treasury found it challenging to bear the expense, so I handed over the task to Xia Zheng. Unexpectedly, you came up with such a brilliant solution. So... I was thinking if perhaps..."

His words trailing off, the Emperor seemed to find it difficult to continue.