Chapter 1172: Chapter 1172: Truly Seasoned and Ruthlessly Decisive

Zhao Junyao gave a mischievous grin and picked her up.

"You have to accompany me!"

"Ah!"

Xia Ruqing exclaimed in surprise, her body suddenly feeling light, and in the next instant, she was lifted by him and carried over to the bed.

...

Zhao Junyao truly deserved to be an emperor for so many years.

His wrist was indeed skilled and ruthless.

After the Great Chu Dynasty successfully developed cement, he sent the king of Portland Country packing with his seven ugly and fat daughters.

Though it felt somewhat like he was burning bridges after crossing them.

But who told them to push him too far? He despised being threatened most of all.

The most pitiful thing was.

The king of Portland Country never knew until the end:

Why did the cherished gray mud suddenly become unwanted?

The reason?

Of course, Zhao Junyao wouldn’t tell them the reason.

After all, it wouldn’t sound nice to mention such a mercenary act, right?!

Ahem!

Let’s just leave it at that.

...

April swiftly passed, and May gradually arrived.

The ensuing heat blanketed the entire Capital City under the blazing sun.

Since the Portland Country envoy departed.

Zhao Junyao ordered the Ministry of Works to improve the cement formula, aiming for perfection.

Upon receiving the command, the Ministry of Works immediately embarked on day-and-night research.

The Great Chu Dynasty had an abundance of skilled craftsmen, quickly understanding the function of each raw material.

Not only that.

They also knew how to design the mixture ratio to make the cement more solid and durable.

Zhao Junyao looked at the impressive research results from the Ministry of Works.

He immediately praised them, delighted with joy.

"Reward!"

"Everyone in the Ministry of Works will be heavily rewarded!"

"Yes!"

Li Shengan passed down the orders.

Soon, one commendation decree after another was sent from Zhaochen Palace to the Cabinet, and then from the Cabinet to the residences of the various ministers.

The entire Capital City was filled with thunderous applause.

The residences of the rewarded officials were dignified and glorious, with unlimited prestige.

Even those who weren’t rewarded felt a deep sense of excitement and joy.

Even the most ordinary citizens were overjoyed.

After all, if the floods in Jiangnan were truly managed well.

The grain and rice prices would first decrease substantially, directly benefiting the citizens.

Secondly, officials would no longer have to worry about their black gauze caps being implicated due to floods and disasters affecting the people.

Previously, many officials assigned to Jiangnan had been demoted because of this, some severely affected for life.

If such matters no longer happened, wouldn’t career success be within reach?

Lastly, and most importantly: the Emperor was delighted!

The emperor, usually as cold and intimidating as an iceberg, had never been so happy in all these years.

How rare was this?!

If the Emperor was happy, their lives were a thousand times better!

Officials were all very excited.

Whether attending court or leaving, their work was more diligent, making sure not to cause the Emperor any stress.

Thus.

Whether in the Capital or the court, there was a scene of harmony, vitality, and flourishing prosperity.

The harem was the same.

Because recently the Emperor was delighted and bestowed many items.

Everyone received their share according to rank, with a variety of items.

Fabrics, spices, treasures, antiques, gold, and silver all were available.

The consorts who had been ’out of favor’ for so long finally received some attention from the Emperor, naturally excited.

As the saying goes, it’s not poverty that’s feared, but inequality.

If you have and I don’t, there would definitely be jealousy.

But when everyone has, it becomes a harmonious family, and for a while the harem was peaceful and joyful.

Early this day.

Zhao Junyao returned from morning court early, after reviewing the memorials, he hummed a little tune and went to Duanning Palace.

At that moment, Yue Er was playfully acting spoiled towards Xia Ruqing.

As he entered, he saw the mother and daughter, one with a helpless expression, the other pouting as if her act of spoiling had failed.

"What’s going on?"

Zhao Junyao asked.

Xia Ruqing heard and quickly stood up to greet him.

"Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao helped her up, then looked seriously at Yue Er.

"Did you upset your mother again?"

Yue Er pouted and acted spoiled.

"No! I didn’t!"

She said, not waiting for Xia Ruqing to speak, she frowned and began to complain.

"Father, Yue Er wants to learn horseback riding, but mother won’t agree!"

She spoke confidently.

She sneaked a glance at her mother and then looked expectantly at her father.

"Horseback riding?"

Zhao Junyao, who usually spoiled his daughter, frowned at this moment.

"How old are you? What horseback riding?"

"You’re so young, probably can’t even climb onto a horse’s back!"

"Don’t turn around, unable to learn horseback riding, and then fall off!"

Yue Er was very temperamental.

Hearing her father ’undervalue’ her, the little girl instantly teared up.

"I won’t!"

"I’m not that silly!"

"Father is underestimating me!"

She angrily glared at Zhao Junyao.

Her face flushed with anger, tears swirling in her eyes, but she forced them not to fall.

Zhao Junyao was heartbroken, secretly praised;

’Indeed worthy of being my legitimate princess, so bold at such a young age, truly inherits my traits!’

But... too headstrong, can’t spoil her in everything.

So he kept a serious expression, his gaze sternly softening.

"Don’t make trouble!"

He finished then gently coaxed.

"Once you’re a bit older, how about letting your big brother teach you?"

Yue Er pouted in grievance.

"Brother says the same!"

"But father, look at me, I’m so young?! Who knows when I’ll grow up?!"

"Can’t I go to the drill ground before I grow up?"

Zhao Junyao was very troubled by his daughter’s temper.

He had to reluctantly comfort.

"Doesn’t your brother take you to play whenever he has time? Also accompanies you on horseback?"

Yue Er felt even more wronged.

"Brother is so busy, where does he have the time!"

"Father, please find a small horse for your daughter!"

"One with a gentle temperament, let someone help your daughter learn, father..."

Zhao Junyao looked stern.

"No!"

"Anything else is fine, but this won’t work!"

Yue Er: "..."

Her tears, held back for a while, suddenly gushed out, her large eyes filled with tears, like broken pearls, falling uncontrollably.

She extended her little fist and punched her father’s leg, angrily saying.

"Father is bad!"

Then she stomped away.

Zhao Junyao: "..."

Xia Ruqing: "..."

After Yue Er’s figure vanished,

Xia Ruqing raised an eyebrow and helplessly spread her hands: "You indulged her like this?"

Saying that, she entered the inner chamber.

Zhao Junyao wiped his nose, sighed helplessly, and followed her inside.

Xia Ruqing sat on the bed.

Zhao Junyao repeatedly leaned closer, wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Qingqing, you’ve worked hard!"

Xia Ruqing took a sip of tea, her demeanor calm and serene.

"I’ve gotten used to it!"

"Yue Er’s little girl is so stubborn! Once she decides on something, she won’t easily change! I think..."

"No!"

Zhao Junyao hurried to stop.

"A horse, no matter how gentle, is still a beast!"

"If someone gets hurt, that’s a big deal!"