Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1206 - 115 Title (Three More)

Chapter 1206: 115 Title (Three More)

Third Prince Zhao Hongde spoke with perceptiveness, "Yuanyuan, actually, the Emperor hopes that you could bear to part with your method and contribute it so that all scholars will have books to read and schools to attend. Yuanyuan, although you may earn less silver after this method is made public, this is ultimately beneficial for the nation and the people. I hope you will agree to this."

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, realizing that this must have been Xia Zheng’s reason for having her come to the palace in person. Since the method would eventually be taken by the Emperor, it would be better to benefit from it sooner rather than later and get some rewards if possible.

Lin Yuan looked at Xia Zheng and, seeing his silent nod, she understood.

"Big Brother, you are right." Lin Yuan smiled and nodded, not forgetting to share some of the credit with Zhao Hongde, "Previously, my sight was short-sighted, only thinking about how this method could reduce the cost of printing books and earn some silver, forgetting about those poor scholars who cannot afford to buy books. Big Brother has thought more far-sightedly and is more benevolent than I am."

Listening to Lin Yuan’s continuous praise, Zhao Hongde’s face turned red, feeling ashamed yet also comforted that his younger sister always considered his interests.

Zhao Hongsheng was naturally displeased. Initially, Zhao Hongde was in charge of this year’s civil examination and the scholars, especially those from humble backgrounds, subtly looked up to him. If this printing method’s credit were also attributed to him, wouldn’t his reputation greatly surpass his own?

Zhao Hongsheng’s face changed unpredictably, clearly displeased.

However, just then, Zhao Hongsheng’s eyes suddenly lit up. He noticed Ma Junying, standing opposite, unexpectedly let out a big sigh of relief for some reason.

Zhao Hongsheng’s eyes flickered as he remembered Ma Junying’s background and his inability to shift his gaze from Lin Yuan when he first saw her. Was there anything he couldn’t understand?

With a slight curl of his lips, Zhao Hongsheng decided on a plan.

Since Lin Yuan had already agreed to hand over her printing method, there was no need for her to be involved in what followed.

Originally, the Emperor planned to inscribe a calligraphy for Lin Yuan after the event, but Xia Zheng insisted on doing it now. Lin Yuan thought, indeed, the Emperor, overwhelmed with daily affairs, might forget about this later—would she have to enter the palace again to ask for it?

The Emperor, having no choice and unable to do anything about Xia Zheng, ordered the Grand Eunuch to bring ink, brush, paper, and inkstone, and inscribed the words "Lin Mansion" on the spot for Lin Yuan’s new residence. Xia Zheng, still unsatisfied, demanded another couplet. The Emperor frowned and, without hesitation, knocked his brush on Xia Zheng’s forehead.

"This matter shall be handed to..." The Emperor put down the brush and looked up at the line of officials standing before him, truly unsure whom to assign to manage the inscriptions for the placards.

Third Prince Zhao Hongde stepped forward, taking the task upon himself, "Father, allow your son to handle this trivial matter."

Seeing Zhao Hongde, the Emperor suddenly recalled, "Right, just now I heard Lin Yuan call you Big Brother, how so, you’ve already met?"

Zhao Hongde nodded and explained everything about how he and Lin Yuan became sworn siblings.

After hearing this, the Emperor laughed heartily, his face wrinkling together, "Good, good, since she is your sworn sister, naturally I cannot let her keep calling you Brother as if she were still a commoner."

Implicitly, he was considering bestowing a title on Lin Yuan.

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, not just Su Zhe and Yao Shijiang but also Zhao Hongsheng and Zhao Hongde perked up their ears, their minds racing with various objections.

However, the Emperor was not foolish; although he desired to grant Lin Yuan a rank, considering today’s merits and the fact that he had already presented her with an inscription, adding a title and rank might provoke these officials to submit a joint memorial in opposition.

Furthermore...

The Emperor looked at Xia Zheng, who was eagerly waiting for him to speak, with a mischievous smile and said, "I can add no greater honor, since today you asked for a bestowed word from me, let’s talk about other things another day."

Xia Zheng forcefully twitched the corners of his mouth and raised his hand, intending to tear up the character the Emperor had just finished writing, but how could the Emperor allow him to do so? He had already raised his arm to block him and quickly ordered the Grand Eunuch to take the character poster and give it to Zhao Hongde, infuriating Xia Zheng to the point where his teeth itched.

Lin Yuan, however, was not very concerned about these titles and ranks, and she also knew that having just arrived in the Capital city not long ago, obtaining a rank simply based on a live printing would indeed be hard to convince the public. Anyway, there was still a long time to go, and she believed that even without this rank, she could establish a foothold in the Capital city.

"The commoner thanks His Majesty for his deep affection, the commoner will take her leave now," Lin Yuan’s sensible and understanding behavior greatly pleased the Emperor, who couldn’t help but praise her in his heart.

Seeing Lin Yuan preparing to leave, Xia Zheng also hmphed and raised his hand to bow before preparing to leave as well.

However, as the upcoming matters still required his involvement, the Emperor naturally did not permit him to leave early.

Xia Zheng frowned, knowing that the Ma Family Manor had earlier agreed to be involved in the printing of books, but if the Imperial Court were to take control of this venture in the future, the Ma Family Manor’s business would no longer be the only one. Thus, he had called Ma Junying over today as well.

Seeing Zhao Hongsheng eager to get a share, Lin Yuan secretly signaled Xia Zheng with her eyes, asking him to stay and fight for a portion for Zhao Hongde.

Xia Zheng had no choice but to nod in agreement, but he still worried about her, "Don’t worry, when we entered the palace earlier, I had already sent someone to inform my mother, she must already be waiting in Consort Shu’s palace by now. I’m not sure how long it will take me to wrap things up here, and I’m not at ease with you waiting outside alone. Why don’t you go and sit in Consort Shu’s palace for a while? With mother and aunt there, no one dares to trouble you."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan was momentarily stunned, not expecting that Xia Zheng had already considered all these matters when they entered the palace, and even Princess Anle had come along.

She could not help but feel embarrassed, wondering if she was really so vulnerable that entering the palace required such a significant effort with everyone worrying for her.

Despite saying this, Lin Yuan still gratefully nodded her head, bowed to the Emperor, and respectfully withdrew.

As Lin Yuan left, Ma Junying’s gaze followed her every moment.

Xia Zheng frowned slightly and subtly moved his body, effectively blocking Ma Junying’s view.

Once out of the Imperial Study Room, Lin Yuan felt a pent-up stagnation in her chest finally being released. She took a deep breath and realized that two people had already been waiting outside the door of the Imperial Study Room early.

One was Dong Mei, a maid from Princess Anle’s side, and the other woman seemed unfamiliar, but judging by her attire, she should be a palace maid of not low status.

Seeing Lin Yuan emerge, Dong Mei’s face lit up, and she quickly approached, "Dong Mei pays respect to Miss Lin."

After speaking, Dong Mei also used her gaze to inquire whether she was all right.

Lin Yuan felt a warmth in her heart, smiled slightly, and asked, "Did the princess send you?"

Upon receiving Lin Yuan’s response, Dong Mei felt relieved, nodded, and said, "Indeed, this Aunt Qi here is from Consort Shu’s side, Consort Shu and the princess are already waiting for Miss Lin, please follow this servant."

Aunt Qi also smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with Lin Yuan before leading her towards Consort Shu’s palace.