She Became A Downfall Noble Lady

Although the Emperor was very considerate of Duke An, he did not intend to recognize Ye Xinyan’s existence just like that. He said, "The messages sent to Us show that Qi Ye started working at the Railway Carriage workshop on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and the next day, the tracks on two adjacent sections of Changping Street began to rush work day and night. The day after, Prince Yu suggested restrictions on the construction sites for laying tracks, establishing the scope of work. How big a role did Qi Ye play in this?"

Duke An quickly bowed, "Xinyan dares not claim credit; being a woman, she cannot do much, she merely had some whimsical ideas that she mentioned to Prince Yu and the Steward. As for how to actually do the work, it still falls on the Steward of Prince Yu’s Mansion. According to my humble knowledge, His Highness Prince Yu’s Stewards are indeed formidable and very skilled in construction. The railway projects that His Highness Prince Yu took on and the ones that have been rushed these past few days were all led by the Stewards of Prince Yu’s Mansion, with Xinyan not involved in the work."

The old master indirectly acknowledged that his granddaughter was the one who provided ideas and suggestions, and such talent was of the utmost importance.

The Emperor smiled and said, "No matter who did it, it’s good that it was done. The capital’s railway has been delayed from completion, and surprisingly, not a single person in the Imperial Court had effective measures. Fortunately, Prince Yu has returned. If the Stewards from Prince Yu’s Mansion were to take charge of the other railway projects in the capital, presumably the track laying could be completed very quickly."

As Duke An listened, he nodded, his expression one of sincere admiration showing his utmost respect for His Majesty the Emperor’s sage discernment. However, His Majesty’s tone shifted as he said to him, "There must have been quite a reliance on Qi Ye; could Qi Ye conveniently offer them some guidance?"

Duke An looked frankly at the Emperor, "She, being a woman, can’t do much, can she? In the past, she would communicate her ideas to Prince Yu or Mr. Hu of Prince Yu’s Mansion, and let people like Mr. Hu make arrangements and decisions. Would it be appropriate to let her, a common woman, frequent the construction sites?"

All the workers at the construction site were men, and for his granddaughter, a young girl to walk amongst them, meant she would face enormous pressure. His Majesty, were You intending to remain silent, and by simply addressing her as Qi Ye, wanted His own granddaughter to work at the chaotic construction site?

"That’s not a problem," the Emperor said. "Your granddaughter has a noble status, and for her to instruct the Stewards and craftsmen in their work is an act of condescension on her part, for which they should be immensely grateful. We will also remember her service to the state. In the future, you should not let your granddaughter call herself Qi Ye; a woman of the Ye Family is a woman of the Ye Family, and that won’t change at any time." The Emperor looked calmly at Duke An. That was the sentence you were waiting for, wasn’t it?