In the inner palace, only the ladies with a consort title and above can have their own palace, those below that ranking can only stay in the side court of any of the other consort’s palace, but this Tian Xiang Lou was a small independent court, not big like a palace, previously the empress dowager made the decision to place Xu Wei Rong to stay here alone.
Seeing Ji Wu Jiu, Xu Xuan Shi thought that she was dreaming, “cousin, cousin brother? Are you finally visiting me?” While saying her eyes has started to turn red, tears streaming down her face.
“Yes, cousin sister” Ji Wu Jiu walked towards her, and helped her wipe her tears.
Xu Xuan Shi immediately fell into Ji Wu Jiu’s arms, sobbing non stop.
Ji Wu Jiu held on to her shoulders and said “Wei Rong, you are my cousin sister, so seeing that we have that type of relationship, I will not take your life for making Su Jie Yu commit such a treason act against me” Using his most gentle voice tone, to say the most cruel words.
Xu Xuan Shi’s body turned stiff, looked up at him unbelievingly.
“There is no need to look at me that way, since you have done it previously, you should have known what type of sacrifice you would be facing. I can act foolish, but do not treat me as a fool.”
“Cousin brother..”
“Go stay at the cold palace for a while, when you decide you can finally throw away your “smartness”, then that is when you can come out”
After saying that Ji Wu Jiu pushed her away, turned and left.
Xu Xuan Shi wanted to chase him, but was held on by some people. Crying she shouted “Cousin brother, cousin brother, I am know I am wrong, do not make me go to the cold palace, I will change, I will change…”
Ji Wu Jiu’s steps has never decreased, he did not look back either.
Do not blame the cold hearted-ness of an emperor. In this entire inner palace, is there any woman who treats him with sincerity?
The crying voice slowly fades behind him. Ji Wu Jiu took a deep breath, feeling that the anger in his heart subsided a lot. Actually he does not mind woman acting cunning in front of him, but to be clever to this point really makes people detest them.
After that, Ji Wu Jiu went to Wu Ying Hall, there Ye Mu Fang was waiting to meet the emperor.
Earlier on, it was mentioned, Ye Mu Fang is Ye Zhen Zhen’s second brother, minister of works. This year, he was in charge of the water reservoir project, and was at Shan Dong all this time, he just returned yesterday, rested a bit at home, and then received orders from Ji Wu Jiu to enter the palace.
Ye Mu Fang, now appears to be thinner than when he left from the capital, much more tanned as well. On his face, although he is considered still young, his face is full of beard now, making him look more wise and mature. Although he has suffered but his eyes were still full of vigor, seems like he is still in a good condition.
Ji Wu Jiu cares about the water reservoir project very much, and has been overlooking it all along, there is someone at Shan Dong that will report to him solely. Therefore there was no need for Ye Mu Fang to report, also he will know what happened there, but he still wanted to hear it from Ye Mu Fang directly.
The heavens have really given face to this project this time. Last year during the winter, the northern lands would surely be frozed up for two to three months, so if they were to work during that time, it would be very strength consuming, and they would be forced to stop their work. But this year, it was a warm winter, the lands only froze up in December, and it was estimated that the flowers will bloom in early spring, so the project would only require to be halted for one month plus. The local government there also did a very good job in pleasing the citizens, so their work was progressing very well. Therefore the project speed was much faster than what Ye Mu Fang has estimated, and if all goes well, the water reservoir would be ready before the expected drought season next year.
Ji Wu Jiu was very happy after hearing this, and continuously said “good” three times.
Ye Mu Fang did spend a long time in the court, seeing that Ji Wu Jiu was happy, he took the chance to praise all the ministers involved, if there is any rewards, all of them will share them together, this way when he returns will they be fully loyal to him.
Ji Wu Jiu then sends down his orders, all the people that Ye Mu Fang mentioned, was rewarded. As for Ye Mu Fang, he still wanted to award him something personally. He awarded him a “Jue” title. (Jue can also mean ultimate in Chinese)
Da Qi’s “Jue” title is given only to those that contributed a lot to the country, and most of the time it is awarded to the generals. Now there are very little wars, that is why the generals that have the “Jue’ title is very little, not to mention to the court ministers. Even Ye Xiu Ming, who has many sorts of title, still did not manage to obtain the “Jue” title.
That is why when Ji Wu Jiu awarded this title to Ye Mu Fang, albeit a third rank Jue, it still made him very happy and shocked.
Ji Wu Jiu also personally added another title for him, called Noble He Qing. To be honest, this title is a little big, the term He Qing was used to describe those related by blood to the emperor, and he was just a river repairman, so how can he accept this title. That is why Ye Mu Fang tried to reject this offer.
“Minister Ye, you do not need to reject, although now we are at a peaceful era, so the citizens life is much more important. Since the Yellow River was so calm ever since you took on the project, it means that is also approves of your capabilities, if you are not worthy of this title, then who is?”
Ye Mu Fang was so touched that he nearly cried. He was doing his best in Shan Dong, at first it was so hectic that he did not even managed to sleep properly, and all he wanted was to properly complete this project, so that the citizens can live better. But if to say he does not have any personal intentions, that is not true, but his efforts really did benefit the lives of the common citizens. Ji Wu Jiu is currently praising him non-stop making him feel that he needs to take up full responsibility of the project.
Also the Jue title, not only gave Ye Mu Fang’s work commendation, there was also another usage. Few days ago the case of the assassin was creating lots of rumors, many people thought Ji Wu Jiu wants to act upon Ye Xiu Ming, there was also some that wanted to provoke Ji Wu Jiu to act upon Ye Family. Now, Ji Wu Jiu has awarded this title to Ye Mu Fang, it implies to those people: Ye Family’s position is still strong, you bunch of people should disperse”
After Ye Mu Fang bid his farewells, Ji Wu Jiu felt that his grudge has finally been released. Any person that likes to control others, hates to be influenced by others, Ji Wu Jiu is not any different. What he wants to do, is his decision, who ever that wants to interfere, that person should think twice.
Furthermore, Ye Family produces a lot of capable people, he will never end the entire family.
Ji Wu Jiu was in a good mood, and was taking a stroll in the imperial garden, passing by a fake mountain, he saw Ye Zhen Zhen.
She was playing the swing in the snow, wearing a red dress, sitting on the swing, with her legs swinging. The white surroundings made her look like a fire bond.
Ji Wu Jiu walked towards her, his hand gently pressed down on her shoulders. Ye Zhen Zhen turned and saw his slender fingers, and knew it was him, she stood up and wanted to greet him, but Ji Wu Jiu used some strength to push her back down “don’t move”.