Chapter 202.3: Uncovering
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.] [Esther D.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[J Jean] [K.Rom] [Smurfinbatik] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Nicole]
G O L D S T A R
[Cindy] [Nanashi D. Y.]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Book W.] [Britnae M] [Caroline] [Christigale M.] [DetectiveGeek421] [Haruka N.]
[Hlau V.] [Ine O.] [Kiiayame] [kuroneko_chan] [Liznel M.] [onepiece] [Oushna]
[Ray] [Samanta V.] [Scorpion Princess] [Sweetlove] [Victoria]
"Heavens, it’s this much faster?" Imperial Concubine Shu was shocked.
"En!" Gu Jinyu nodded with certainty. "It's like the water wheel system used by the court previously. Because the wind is not strong enough, the effect is not high enough.”
Imperial Concubine Shu didn’t know much about these things, but hearing that it was even more efficient than the current one, she understood that it was naturally another great contribution.
Imperial Concubine Shu, without saying another word, led Gu Jinyu to the imperial study to meet His Majesty.
The border had been restless recently, and His Majesty was discussing important matters with the military officials. If ordinary people arrived, eunuchs wouldn’t let them pass rashly, but who let this Commandery Princess Hui be favored by His Majesty nowadays?
Eunuch Wei said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, Princess Hui, this old servant will go and pass the message."
Old servant?
Eunuch Wei used to call himself ‘this sage’ in front of Gu Jinyu.
"Please, Eunuch." Imperial Concubine Shu replied.
Gu Jinyu also nodded her head.
Eunuch Wei walked into the imperial study with small steps and whispered a few words to His Majesty.
Discussing problems of the border, His Majesty was long bored to death, and it happened that he needed some exciting news. Thereupon, he asked the military officials to step down first and summoned Gu Jinyu and Imperial Concubine Shu in.
And Gu Jinyu really didn't disappoint him.
Actually, His Majesty was also a layman when it came to this thing, but he trusted Gu Jinyu and immediately had the blueprints sent to the Ministry of Works.
The manufacturing department supervisor of the Ministry of Works looked at Gu Jinyu's blueprints, revealing a doubtful look, "So many bellows, is it really all right?"
One of his colleagues said, "It's Young Miss Gu's blueprints. What problem can there be? His Majesty personally sent it too. Let’s hurry up!”
His Majesty gave the order, so there was nothing they could do anyways.
The supervisor immediately instructed his men to improve the bellows to furnace ratio according to Gu Jinyu's blueprints..
As a result, the efficiency had indeed been increased, and the amount they could produce in almost two days could now be done in just a day.
His Majesty was delighted and rewarded Gu Jinyu, as well as Marquis Gu and the Ministry of Works.
Gu Jinyu was in the limelight in the capital for a time.
Everyone praised her as another extraordinary woman after the Crown Princess, and even vaguely put her on a par with the Crown Princess.
In the East Palace, a little palace maid felt upset on the Crown Princess’s behalf, "Your Highness, does a wild girl from the countryside deserve to be compared with you?"
Gu Jinyu's origins couldn’t be hidden from the East Palace. But now that she was the Commandery Princess, there was really no need to hide it from the world.
The common people not only didn’t discriminate against her, but instead valued her even more, thinking that as a princess of common background, not only was she without airs, but she also showed the world a truth, that was, pheasants could also fly up the branches and become a Phoenix.
The Crown Princess was kneeling on the mat, quietly practicing her calligraphy, as though no matter how many storms passed, she would always be as cool as a chrysanthemum.
"A fleeting glory is nothing; only if she could keep this glory for the rest of her life can it be counted as her ability."
Apart from these words, she didn’t display the slightest dissatisfaction with Gu Jinyu's current fame.
The Crown Princess had seen too many people who gained momentary fame, all as fleeting as shooting stars. People favored by His Majesty came and went. How many of them were really able to stay favored for a long time?
She would never be jealous of a woman who stole her thunder, because she knew that it was all temporary.
……
On a sunny afternoon, after more than a month's long journey, the old blacksmith and carpenter finally arrived in the capital.
Being escorted by the yamen officers, there wasn’t any problem in the whole journey, except that the old blacksmith was already advanced in age and it made it somehow difficult for him to manage the journey.
Because of His Majesty's summons, the yamen officers dared not delay. After entering the capital, they took the two men to the posthouse to bathe and change attire, and immediately entered the palace to face the Emperor.
The two people had never been to the capital, let alone the imperial palace.
Walking on the gleaming white marble floor, both of them dared not walk anywhere else in this grand atmosphere.
They, as lowly craftsmen, never dreamed of meeting the current Emperor. They really brought honor to their ancestors!
The old blacksmith was nervous and excited, and his old legs were shaking as he took his steps, "Being able to see His Majesty, it, it, it’s worth it even if I die here right now!"
It was Eunuch Wei beside His Majesty who received them.
Eunuch Wei smiled and said, "You can't say such words within the imperial audience hall. It's taboo."
The old blacksmith quickly covered his mouth.
Of course, he didn't forget to glance sideways at Eunuch Wei. He was obviously a man. Why did he sound so strange?
The carpenter was still rather young, just in his early thirties. Young people, such as him, could adapt quickly, but he was too excited to look after himself. After two steps, he stumbled and nearly fell.
The little eunuchs on the side chuckled.
Eunuch Wei swept them a glance, and the little eunuchs uniformly wore back the solemn look on their faces.
Eunuch Wei led people to the side palace hall.
He respectfully reported outside the door, "Your Majesty, the craftsmen from the county town have arrived."
"Come in." His Majesty was in a good mood.
The two people's attire were changed in the posthouse, and the proper kowtowing ceremony was also taught to them by the yamen officers on the way, but whether they could learn it or not was another matter.
The two people had yet to see the Emperor, but just listening to his powerful and resounding imperial voice, they already felt a burst of weakness in their legs and stomach.
"Please." Eunuch Wei reminded with a smile.
The two people gingerly stepped across the threshold, trembling.
The imperial palace was magnificent and spotless, so much so that the two people felt they didn’t enter the imperial palace, but rather a celestial palace.
"Kneel——" Eunuch Wei chanted.
The two people plopped down on their knees.
All the etiquette they learned earlier had been forgotten as the two of them made use of the strength and enthusiasm they usually had when kowtowing to their ancestor’s grave at this time. They kowtowed with their head hitting the ground in front of the Emperor three times.
When they were done, they still wished to light some incense stick, unfortunately they didn’t have any with them.
Seeing his people’s reverence for him, His Majesty also had a lenient attitude. He wouldn’t display in front of them his usual imperial and dignified air around his courtiers.
"You may rise," said His Majesty. [T/N: This can also be understood as ‘level your body to the floor.’ or ‘Lie flat on the floor’ XD]
The two people: There’s also something like this? The officers didn't say anything about it!
The two people looked at each other before suddenly lying their body flat on the ground.
His Majesty: "..."
Eunuch Wei：“…”
His Majesty almost laughed out loud, saying, "...Get people up quickly!"
"Yes!" Eunuch Wei also struggled to hold back his laughter as he personally helped the old blacksmith and carpenter up.
The two men were both honest people, otherwise they wouldn't unselfishly impart the bellows technology to the imperial court and local craftsmen.
That was why His Majesty decided to reward them.
However, to His Majesty's surprise, they turned down the rewards.
The old blacksmith sincerely said, "It’s not our invention either. It belongs to that girl. May Your Majesty grant that girl the rewards instead. We've got enough benefits! My iron shop is now famous, and Ah Cheng’s shop has endless business. We have never earned so much money in our lives before! Now, we are even able to meet His Majesty; we can both die without regret!"
When they get back to the county town, they would be individuals who had seen the Emperor. This was truly a matter they could boast about for eighteen generations!
The mention of death had always been a taboo in front of the Emperor. However, His Majesty only felt happy hearing such a sincere emotion from the mouth of the common people.
And His Majesty being happy meant more rewards.
His Majesty smilingly said, “If you have any more requests, feel free to mention them."
The two men already discussed it on the way here.
The old blacksmith spoke, "We… Want to meet that girl and express our thanks to her in person."
That girl was the precious benefactor in their life, and this gratitude must be said no matter what.
His Majesty, who was in a good mood today, quickly granted their request.
Gu Jinyu was taken into the palace.
Eunuch Wei wanted to surprise her so he didn't say the identities of the other party, only that they were old friends from the county.
Gu Jinyu was still wondering what old friends she had in the county. Could they be servant girls in the countryside villa? Was Yuru back?
As a result, she saw two unfamiliar men.
The two unfamiliar men also looked at her.
Gu Jinyu's heart welled up with an ominous premonition. She frowned, gathered her thoughts, and saluted, "Your Majesty."
His Majesty raised his hand to signal her to rise, then looked at the carpenter and old blacksmith on the side, "Do you remember them?"
"Hm?" Gu Jinyu was stunned.
These two people… Did she know them?
The old blacksmith and carpenter had the same doubts in their hearts. That’s right. Did they know this girl?
His Majesty teased them, "What's the matter? After only half a year, you don't recognize your little benefactor anymore? You still want to thank her personally just now."
Gu Jinyu's heart thumped!
The old blacksmith frowned and said, "Your Majesty, you are mistaken. She’s not that girl!"
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