bayedsolid Chapter 515 Li Ruyi Complains
Chapter 515 Li Ruyi Complains
"Hahaha, you mischievous girl, how dare you speak to me like that? If I don't agree, you're no longer my subject!" Emperor Yuande laughed, but his tone turned serious again.
"Of course not. What I mean is that I consider myself a subject of the Emperor, so isn't it only right that I seek the Emperor's protection? If I don't seek the Emperor's protection when I encounter trouble, who else can I turn to?"
After listening, Emperor Yuande remained silent for a moment, then a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
What is most important for an emperor? Naturally, it is the hearts of the people. Xiao Wan's words expressed her support and trust in her as emperor. For a peasant girl like her to say such a thing shows that she had indeed done a good job during her reign.
"Alright, you're right. My people naturally need my protection. Considering that you've found new grain for the Great Yuan, the Imperial Concubine and I will accept your 20% share."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan immediately knelt down to express her gratitude, but inwardly she sighed, thinking to herself, "This damned feudal society! You have to kneel down and kowtow to thank someone for giving them money."
However, she didn't dwell on it for long. After all, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. As an ordinary person, she couldn't change the times. To put it in a brainwashing way, for a commoner like herself to be protected by the most powerful person in the entire dynasty in this feudal society was something many people envied.
Stop being so dramatic about kneeling.
Having quickly figured everything out, Xiao Wan looked up again with a calm and natural expression on her face.
Emperor Yuande then told her to get up and remain seated in the rose chair. Xiao Wan thanked him and sat down, but only occupied about a third of the chair.
To be honest, Emperor Yuande and Consort Gui were both quite curious. This Princess Huide's every move was unlike that of someone from a peasant family. She spoke and acted with order and manners, and was not vulgar, but rather showed a deep and sincere nature.
She exuded composure and ease, yet she did not fawn over superiors. Even after being granted the title of county princess, which greatly elevated her status, she remained steadfast and restrained her family, villagers, and clansmen from abusing her power to oppress the people.
Not only that, Xiao Wan also opened a workshop and hired many people to work, which reduced the tax revenue of Jiyun City. It can be said that she single-handedly promoted the development of Jiyun City. Of course, the village of Dahuaishu benefited the most.
From a dilapidated village where people couldn't get enough to eat or wear, to a place where everyone has a job, everyone is well-fed, and people know etiquette when their granaries are full, the entire village has undergone a complete transformation.
These were also things that the secret guards found out after Emperor Yuande moved into the Xiao family. In addition, the village head also came to the Xiao family at that time, and during the conversation, he praised Xiao Wan.
Emperor Yuande was not an emperor who was unaware of the hardships of the people. On the contrary, he liked to go deep into the city and visit people to understand the living conditions of the local people, so as not to be deceived by his subordinates.
Therefore, Emperor Yuande had a great appreciation for Xiao Wan. When the Consort casually mentioned that Xiao Wan had saved his second son and that his second son had feelings for her, Emperor Yuande's heart stirred.
Someone of Xiao Wan's background could not possibly become a prince's principal wife or even an empress, but she was more than qualified to be a concubine. After all, she was good at managing things and kind-hearted, and she could be a virtuous helpmate by the side of the second prince.
Unfortunately, the Imperial Concubine dissuaded her from her plans. It turned out that she had already fallen in love with the Zhao family's son, and Xiao Wan had no feelings for her own second son. Moreover, the Zhao family's son and the second son were good brothers, so it was impossible for her to steal someone else's wife.
Emperor Yuande couldn't use his power to oppress others, so he could only sigh for his second son.
"I heard you ran into Ruyi at the gate of Jicheng? And you even incited the people to attack Ruyi?" Emperor Yuande recalled that yesterday Li Ruyi had entered the palace to present a treasure to the Empress and had complained about Xiao Wan's insubordination.
Emperor Yuande was also present at the time, and he was somewhat skeptical.
I've heard about Ruyi before; she's a bit arrogant and willful, but thankfully she's quite filial to me and the Empress. Her father, Prince Li, is my cousin, and he's always been very respectful to me.
Emperor Yuande also valued this cousin highly, but he didn't talk much about brotherly affection, mainly to maintain the image of the royal family.
Furthermore, Prince Li had no real power and posed no threat to Emperor Yuande. He only had one daughter, so Emperor Yuande was happy to give Prince Li face and also took good care of Li Ruyi.
Yesterday, when Emperor Yuande heard Li Ruyi talking about Xiao Wan in a tone that sounded like she was complaining, he initially thought it was just a minor conflict between young girls, but as he listened, something seemed off.
As far as he knew, Princess Huide was not that kind of person. He did not listen to Li Ruyi's one-sided story, but just smiled and said a few words casually. Although Li Ruyi was somewhat indignant, she did not dare to talk back to Emperor Yuande.
He only grew to hate Xiao Wan more and more!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan exclaimed, "Oh, so Li Ruyi has complained to the Emperor?"