The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 112

"Alas, there is nothing we can do about it. The benefits that Your Highness will gain from handing it over like this will certainly not be as much as what the family can gain from handing it over."

"It's fine. I'm not concerned about anything else, only my sons." Indeed, if the emperor's rewards do not meet her expectations, she will not take further action. This can just be considered a test for her.

Previously, the outbreak of smallpox had happened too quickly for her to react. The world is full of clever people, not just her alone.

"Have you thought about what you want, Your Highness?" Wang Momo asked softly.

What does Bai Jingxian want? Naturally, she desires a high position, but with the empress present, she cannot surpass her. Therefore, it would be better to ask for something tangible. "The crown prince has been bestowed a title; I believe Yuanxu and the others should have their own status as well."

Wang Momo was taken aback; so this was the idea her lady had in mind. "This matter might not be easy." Although she was a momo, she knew some things that ordinary people did not, such as matters surrounding the emperor.

The lady had previously stated that she didn't need to know everything about the emperor, which is why she was speaking to her now.

"Though the Tan family has fallen, the civil officials are still a united front. To break them will take several years, and the emperor certainly won't expose you to this any time soon."

Wang Momo's words were grounded in reality, especially after the incident involving the emperor's illness; Bai Jingxian's standing in the emperor's heart had grown stronger.

Bai Jingxian understood that her achievements would not be recognized immediately; it seemed she had lost out again.

Sigh. She could only hope this emperor would show a bit of conscience.

Seeing the displeased expression on her lady's face, Wang Momo was unsure how to comfort her.

Fortunately, Bai Jingxian was someone who could pull herself together; otherwise, she might have been driven mad.

"Forget it, forget it. It depends on fate." She said this, but she was never someone who believed in fate. It seems she still needed to plan a bit more.

In contrast to Bai Jingxian's turmoil and worries, Zhao Jinrui was feeling quite carefree. He immediately summoned the Minister of the Works to study the items he had brought back from the Lanyue Pavilion and then proceeded to print out one article after another according to his wishes.

He looked at those words as if he had found a treasure and was overjoyed.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The workers from the Ministry of Works hadn't expected the emperor to bring out such an important item. With this, there would be no need to copy books in the future, allowing more students to have the opportunity to access literature.

"Good, good, good!"

The next day during the morning court, Zhao Jinrui had the workers move everything to the main hall and printed books in front of all the officials.

Many students from poor backgrounds were delighted, while the faces of the civil officials led by Wen Daren turned grim.

Zhao Jinrui paid no mind to this; he had long held a dislike for the civil officials' power over literature. Now that he had a chance to suppress them, he was quite pleased.

"Your Majesty, may I ask which great person researched this item?" Wen Daren was pushed forward by the civil officials to inquire.

Zhao Jinrui glanced at them, a sarcastic smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "What? Are you hoping to thank her?"