Chapter 202
Suppression
Although Ying Jiuque was just a young woman, she was now a pillar of the state personally recognized by the Emperor. This time, she would surely receive great rewards.
By all logic, this should have been a joyful event. But for Assistant Minister Lin, it was anything but.
Before this County Princess Ying left the capital, she had publicly severed all ties with the Lin family.
Although people had secretly mocked Minister Lin in the past for rising through connections, seeing his expression turn green and black made them feel a bit of sympathy.
At least they had no relationship with County Princess Ying. Even if she was rising rapidly now, at most they only felt a bit sour. But for Minister Lin, it was a complete loss of wealth and honor.
Especially for someone like him, a grassroots official without any noble family backing—reaching the position of assistant minister in this lifetime was already like ancestral graves smoking. Normally, that would have been the end of his career peak.
But now, he could only watch helplessly as his own descendant achieved historical fame through the new salt-making method and was about to be heavily promoted by the Emperor.
Yet he could only stare from the sidelines.
Even worse than a stranger—because strangers had no deep hatred with Ying Jiuque. But Lin Wei had completely broken apart from his own biological daughter, losing all family ties and becoming even worse than strangers.
No one knew how much regret Minister Lin felt at this moment, but his expression alone showed deep, heartbreaking remorse.
However, when people are unlucky, seeing someone else even more unlucky strangely makes them feel better. That is probably the effect of comparison.
In short, the officials present no longer felt so uncomfortable. Looking at the piles of pure white salt, their minds were already turning.
If used properly, this salt could deal a heavy blow to the Northern Barbarians and the Southern Tribes.
Unfortunately, since the Emperor had brought them all to the city gate to welcome the return, he had also allowed envoys from the Northern Barbarians and Southern Tribes to come along.
If they hadn’t known in advance, they could have caught them completely off guard. What a pity!
The Crown Prince of the Left was not foolish. He could naturally sense the thoughts of the Great Jing officials and felt extremely angry.
But he was also somewhat relieved that he had come this time. Otherwise, he would never have believed that Ying Jiuque had actually developed a new salt-making method and brought back so much salt.
Since Great Jing was no longer short of salt, their original plan had to change. He needed to quickly send word back to the steppe. The world changes too fast—who would have thought salt, once so valuable, would lose its appeal so quickly?
In any case, Emperor Jingtai was visibly pleased and even allowed Jiuque and a few others to walk alongside him.
Such honor made the court officials’ eyes burn red with envy.
When would they ever receive such favor from His Majesty?
“Minister Ying, you must rest well after returning. You’ve worked hard this time. If you need anything, just tell me…”
Walking at the front with Jiuque and the others, the Emperor spoke warmly. Behind them were fully loaded carts of salt.
The people had already spread the news, and now stood lining both sides of the streets, eyes shining as they watched the salt carts pass.
They had heard that this snow-white salt would cost less than half the previous price. Of course they wanted to buy more.
However, the female official had just said this was only the first batch. More refined salt would continue to be transported into the empire. Those who already had salt at home did not need to rush—there would be enough for everyone.
In short, the people were extremely happy.
Only then did some finally realize that the person who brought back all this salt was actually a female official.
“What? I remember the Second Prince said women should stay in the inner household and not appear in public. So what about this female official?”
“Are you crazy? Without Lady Ying, where would we even get salt now?”
“But the Second Prince did say that. Do you think when Lady Ying returns, she’ll be punished?”
“What’s there to punish? Are you out of your mind? She didn’t commit any crime—she performed a great merit! If even someone who achieves such merit is punished, what’s the point of being an official?”
Not only the people were curious, but the Second Prince, who had been holding back all the way, kept glancing at his father walking ahead with Ying Jiuque.
Ying Jiuque didn’t even greet him.
Did she not realize he was a strong contender for the throne?
He had been restrained on the way, but once they returned to the imperial palace and officials gathered in the main hall, Emperor Jingtai smilingly discussed promotions, and the Second Prince finally couldn’t hold back.
“Father, Ying Jiuque is just a woman. How can she be promoted three ranks at once? Our Great Jing has countless talented men—must we let a woman take the position? Moreover, I see that Minister Ying is already of advanced age. If she does not marry soon, she will have no good match left. Why not take this opportunity to choose a young talented man for her, and fulfill a good marriage instead?”
“……”
Oh.
Jiuque turned to look at the Second Prince, someone she had never taken seriously before. She genuinely found him strange.
Was he really thinking this way?
Or was he simply trying to suppress her?
If it was the latter, fine. But if he truly believed this…
Then he was just a fool.
She had just achieved great merit—breaking the schemes of the Northern Barbarians and Southern Tribes, and bringing back the new salt-making method and an endless supply of salt.
Even if only to win her favor, no one should be so foolish as to suggest something like this.
If the Second Prince truly wanted the throne, shouldn’t he be trying to win her over instead of pushing her away?
But as soon as he spoke, other ministers also joined in.
They could not tolerate a woman standing above them.
One after another, they echoed the Second Prince’s words.
“Your Majesty, what the Second Prince said is correct. Although Minister Ying has achieved great merit, she still needs to marry and have children. Would she still attend court while pregnant in the future? That would be improper. If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward her, it would be better to select a talented young nobleman in the capital. That would also become a beautiful story.”
