HCB Chapter 111 The First Beauty Who Became a Substitute Bride (27)
Chapter 111 The First Beauty Who Became a Substitute Bride (27)
Madam Xu was stunned by the slap. She covered her face and cried out, "Master, how could you hit me? Huan'er is your daughter too! Are you just going to stand by and watch her be bullied?"
Shen Han's eyes widened in anger. "I think you've lost your mind and still don't know how to repent. Now I've been demoted, and Huan'er's reputation is ruined. Are you satisfied now?"
"I married a virtuous wife, how could I have married such a scourge! You are to move into the ancestral hall immediately and are not to leave without my permission."
Upon hearing that she was to be sent to the ancestral hall, Madam Xu panicked. She threw herself at Shen Han's feet, hugged his legs, and pleaded, "Master, Master, I was wrong. Please don't send me to the ancestral hall!"
It's cold and dark there, I can't stand it. I promise I'll never mention Huan'er again, please, sir.
Shen Han remained unmoved and forcefully broke free from Xu's hand. "You know you're wrong now? It's too late! If you hadn't spoiled Huan'er and indulged her in everything, how could she have become so audacious? It's all your fault. Go to the ancestral hall and reflect on your actions."
Seeing her mother so pitiful, Shen Huanyu knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Father, Mother knows she was wrong. Please forgive her this time. My mistake was my own fault and has nothing to do with Mother. If you want to punish someone, punish me instead."
Shen Han looked at the mother and daughter kneeling on the ground, but his anger did not diminish at all. "You don't need to beg anymore. This is the punishment she deserves. If it's not like this, she will never learn her lesson."
After saying this, Shen Han summoned his servants and instructed them to take Madam Xu to the ancestral hall.
Xu was forcibly dragged away, crying and screaming all the way, while Shen Huanyu could only watch helplessly as her mother was taken away, her heart filled with helplessness and regret.
The servants of the Shen family shook their heads inwardly at the sight.
They all knew that the Shen family was truly facing a major crisis. The master had been demoted, the second young lady's reputation was ruined, and the madam had been banished to the ancestral hall. The future of the Shen family looked bleak.
...
Inside the Imperial Study in the palace.
"Are these fireworks really from your hometown?" Xie Yanhuai asked, looking at An Nuannuan kneeling on the ground with an inscrutable expression.
Faced with Xie Yanhuai's question, An Nuannuan replied nervously, "Your Majesty, that's right."
An Nuannuan repeated what she had told Xie Siyuan to Xie Yanhuai. She lowered her head, not daring to look the emperor in the eye, and secretly prayed that the emperor would not discover any flaws.
Xie Yanhuai tapped the table lightly with his finger, staring silently at An Nuannuan. An Nuannuan felt that his gaze was so intense that it made her feel suffocated.
Xie Yanhuai slowly spoke: "Do you know what the consequences are for the crime of deceiving the emperor?"
An Nuannuan was startled and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true, and I would never dare to deceive Your Majesty."
In just a few breaths, An Nuannuan's back was already soaked with sweat.
Shen Chumo stepped in to smooth things over, "Alright, Ayan, Nuannuan is a hero, but you're interrogating her like a criminal."
She moved gracefully to Xie Yanhuai's side, gently took his arm, and looked at An Nuannuan, giving her a reassuring look.
"Nuan Nuan, you can go down now. A Yan and I have something to discuss."
An Nuannuan felt as if she had been granted a pardon and hurriedly bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Highness." After saying that, she quickly withdrew.
After An Nuannuan left, Shen Chumo gently shook Xie Yanhuai's arm and said reproachfully, "Ayan, you just scared Nuannuan so much."
She's simple-minded; she was just sharing something new and interesting. If you interrogate her so seriously, she might never dare to tell us about anything new or unusual again.
Xie Yanhuai smiled helplessly and pulled Shen Chumo into his arms. "Momo, I didn't mean to scare her. The craftsmanship of these fireworks is extremely exquisite."
If this object were modified and skilled craftsmen were commissioned to improve it, it would surely become a powerful weapon for our dynasty in defending against foreign enemies. That is why I have to be so cautious.”
Shen Chumo was surprised that Xie Yanhuai had such a sharp eye, able to spot the most valuable part of the fireworks at a glance.
Shen Chumo smiled brightly and said with delight, "Ayan, you really are on the same wavelength as me. When I saw these fireworks, I felt that they had great explosive power. If they could be used for military purposes, they would indeed be a great help."
"These barbarians are constantly harassing our borders, and we are constantly at war with them. If we had this, those foreign invaders would be nothing to fear."
Xie Yanhuai nodded slightly, "That's right. Those barbarians are good at surprise attacks, and our army is often attacked at night, making it difficult to quickly organize a defense."
If these fireworks can be improved and used for nighttime warning, they will surely allow our army to prepare in advance and reduce casualties.
Furthermore, if its power could be increased and it could be made into a throwable object, it could also inflict considerable casualties on the enemy.
Having spent five years on the border, Xie Yanhuai was acutely aware of the plight of border soldiers, which is why he paid so much attention to the origin of these fireworks.
Shen Chumo said, "That's why we should reward An Nuannuan now. Ayan, believe me, An Nuannuan is a rare talent."
Many skilled craftsmen are hidden among the common people. If we can discover these people and make good use of them, it will greatly benefit the development of the imperial court.
Xie Yanhuai pondered for a moment and nodded: "Mo Mo, you're right. I did only see the value of the fireworks themselves, but I overlooked the potential power of the people behind them."
An Nuannuan bringing these fireworks might be an opportunity for me to recruit more talented people from the community.
I immediately issued an edict to reward An Nuannuan handsomely, firstly to acknowledge her contributions, and secondly to convey to the people my eagerness to attract talented individuals.
Shen Chumo smiled gently, "Ayan is wise. I believe that once this decree is issued, the skilled craftsmen in the countryside will be moved."
After all, who wouldn't want to serve the imperial court, and who wouldn't want to have their talents put to good use?
Ah Yan, why not establish another research institute? The institute can be divided into four branches: commerce, agriculture, military, and weaponry. The people in the institute can focus on research and innovation without worrying about other matters, which will allow them to concentrate on honing their skills.
Moreover, talented individuals can be selected from the general public to enter various branches, allowing them to fully utilize their strengths.
For example, in the military branch, skilled craftsmen who are good at manufacturing weapons and improving military equipment can be gathered together in one place;
The Instrumentation Division can gather talents who are proficient in the manufacture of various types of instruments.
The imperial court provides these individuals with generous salaries and ample research resources, allowing them to focus on their work while simultaneously accelerating the advancement of various technological levels within the dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Xie Yanhuai's eyes lit up. "Mo Mo, this is an excellent idea. If we establish this research institute and gather talents of all kinds, it will greatly improve the efficiency of research."
Mo Mo, you are truly a treasure bestowed upon me by heaven. Promise me you'll always stay by my side, okay?
As he spoke, Xie Yanhuai hugged Shen Chumo tightly, as if afraid that she would suddenly disappear.
Shen Chumo leaned gently on Xie Yanhuai's shoulder, her eyes dark and unfathomable, and said softly, "Ayan, of course I will always be with you."