Chapter 534 - 532: The Convenience of Marrying at Will
Lord Wang Xian thought of the machinery that was seven or eight squares in size and couldn’t help but ask further, "Your Majesty, this humble official will immediately summon my subordinates and Ministry of Works officials to discuss. However, we still have many questions about that device called a lathe, and I wonder if there is someone at His Highness Prince Yu’s residence who could resolve our doubts?"
The emperor looked towards Jinrong, who wasn’t inclined to keep secrets and replied, "Among the people who delivered letters and goods to the capital, there are two who have worked in the Mechanical Workshop. Lord Wang, if you have any questions, just send someone to Prince Yu’s residence to inquire. I will let Uncle Wan know when I return."
Lord Wang Xian hurriedly clasped his hands in thanks. He hadn’t expected His Highness Prince Yu to agree so readily. As for whether they should purchase the machinery, that still needed to be discussed with his subordinates, to determine if this kind of device would indeed be used in engineering. Once a conclusion was reached and His Highness Prince Fu made a decision, they would proceed accordingly.
After sending Lord Wang Xian and the others away, the emperor stood up and said to Jinrong, "Let’s talk in the inner room."
In the inner room there was a heated brick bed, which was warm and cozy in this winter day. The emperor sat down directly on the bed, and a eunuch came forward to help him remove his shoes. As he lifted up his robe to sit on the bed, the emperor called to Jinrong, "You come and sit on the bed too. It’s been a while since we father and son have had a talk."
Although Jinrong verbally agreed, he didn’t actually sit on the bed. Born into the imperial family, in addition to the father-son relationship, there was a more important relation of sovereign and subject to consider, and many rules could not be transgressed.
He had a eunuch move a brocade stool over and sat down on the edge of the bed, close to the emperor, waiting for his questioning.
After the tea was brought, the emperor took a couple of sips before asking Jinrong, "You’ve added another business venture, also in partnership with that woman from the Ye Family?"