CapĂtulo 2211: Chapter 2208: Sympathy, My Foot
âEunuch Li, do you have time to stay for a meal at the residence?â Ye Muyu offered as was customary.
Eunuch Li congratulated her with a smile but politely refused, âEunuch Ren is here to congratulate Madam Chu. The Emperor indeed appreciates Madamâs contributions to Great Chu, and perhaps, in the future, Eunuch Ren might even learn some arithmetic.â
Those in the palace are not always able to learn to read, especially the attendants serving Emperor Xuanming closely.
Eunuch Li naturally wouldnât admit he wanted to learn characters, but along with pinyin came Arabic numerals.
The origin of these numbers is quite straightforward; they came directly from the mouths of overseas foreigners.
âEunuch, you jest! Your arithmetic skills are decent originally; this new method is merely for convenient writing.â
âRecently, the manorâs greenhouse at the residence produced some watermelons. Although itâs cold, there are still some fresh fruits. I hope you wonât mind, Eunuch.â Ye Muyu, understanding the significance of minor figures, aimed to treat them well and avoid any offense.
Eunuch Li indeed left satisfied.
Watermelons are quite rare.
Even if he doesnât eat them himself, he can take them into the palace to pay respects to the masters.
Ye Muyu gave plenty, a whole cartful, making her intentions clear, which they both understood, smiling knowingly.
With small gestures of kindness, they managed to get along quite well.
After sending off the palace attendants.
Ye Muyu instructed the housekeeper to display the Imperial Decree and store the granted items, choosing not to use them.
After all, the Chu family residence is quite modest.
The granted items included expensive gold and jade objects.
If broken, it could be a matter of losing oneâs head.
In Ye Muyuâs view, such rewards were impractical, but as they signify honor, she wouldnât refuse them.
As for her own official title.
When Chu Heng returned in the evening.
Ye Muyu directly asked, âWhat do you make of the Emperorâs intentions?â
âProbably just teasing me deliberately.â Chu Heng shrugged but seemed satisfied; he didnât feel disgraced by his low rank. After all, his goal after promotion was to secure an official title for Madam.
Now that Madam received the Second Rank title before him, one of his aims was achieved, which was indeed worth celebrating.
As for the Emperorâs quirky humor, he could let it be.
âHm?â Ye Muyu was somewhat puzzled, clutching his arm as she pressed for more details, âWhat exactly is going on?â
Chu Heng started telling her about his discussions with Emperor Xuanming regarding cooperation in opening the bookstore.
âMaybe itâs because the Emperor thought I was too pleased at the time. Moreover, as a ruler, he contributed effort while gaining less silver than I did, yet had more expenses, so he mightâve felt uncomfortable.â Chu Heng wasnât angry; rather, he was quite pleased.
Emperor Xuanmingâs reaction.
Actually affirmed that he regarded him as one of his own.
Otherwise, if truly displeased.
He could have directly acted against him.
Instead, he took such trivial steps that didnât truly hurt him. Ultimately, the Chu family benefited.
After all, Emperor Xuanming knew long ago that he didnât mind outsiders commenting on his being ruled by his wife.
This punishment was hardly felt.
âNow that you mention it, the Emperor indeed spends a lot.â Ye Muyu clicked her tongue twice, âJust maintaining the Imperial Palace requires so much silver. Although the Ministry of Revenue allocates funds, if they are insufficient, doesnât the Emperor have to dip into his own treasury?â
âHowever, their lifestyle is far more luxurious than ours; spending more silver is indeed expected.â
Considering the Emperor enjoys the finest treatment in the world, she no longer felt any sympathy.