She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 1033 - 1031: Unbelievable Back Then

Tan Weixian hurriedly stepped back, advising, "Your Highness, calm down. Since Prince Fu has been allowed to participate in political affairs, it seems that you’ll have opportunities in the future as well."

"What the hell is an opportunity!" The Crown Prince didn’t care for etiquette and directly erupted in curse, "During the sacrificial ceremony on the first day of the lunar year, I sincerely confessed to the Imperial Father and begged endlessly, and what was the result? Now, Jinrong and Jinyi are busy with affairs at the Imperial Court, while I’m left confined in the residence, never seeing daylight!"

Qiao Xiancheng, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, sat beside the Crown Prince, and seeing him angered, also voiced his persuasion, "Though Prince Fu appears to be engaged in tasks, it’s just a temporary measure from His Majesty, who hasn’t truly assigned Prince Fu any lasting duties. Your Highness knows this—the Imperial Workshops Bureau has always been working solely for His Majesty, without interference from outsiders. Prince Fu is merely appearing for the occasion."

"Even if it’s just going through the motions, Jinyi has that chance to go through them." The Crown Prince’s ire was unabated, and after a pause, recollecting what these people relayed about the court discussions tightened his teeth even more, "Jinrong spoke such blatant words, yet the Imperial Father didn’t rebuke him. Is the Imperial Father tacitly agreeing to transfer the throne to Jinrong? I’m not yet deposed!"

The Crown Prince slammed his hand heavily on the table beside him, causing his palm to ache.

Xing Bin, present at the scene, sighed silently and kept silent. The position of the Crown Prince, presently, is not precarious, but rather beyond hope?

The Crown Prince gritted his teeth and declared fiercely, "If the Imperial Father has no regard for father-son relationship and refuses to give me hope, then I can only risk everything."

"...!" Xing Bin and the others were shocked by the Crown Prince’s words, almost slipping off their chairs.

"Your Highness, mind your words..."

"Your Highness, you must not."

A few people lowered their voices, urgently advising.

The Crown Prince looked at the few panicking individuals in the room and spoke coldly, "Haven’t you all heard of seeking prosperity through danger? You don’t want to wake up either; if we don’t fight, when Jinrong or Jinyi ascends the throne, what kind of good outcome can you expect for yourselves?"

Perhaps it was the rare rational tone of the Crown Prince, or perhaps thinking of the current prosperity of their own family’s mansion compared to a future downfall, Xing Bin and the others slightly relaxed their expressions.

The Crown Prince continued, "I am the legitimate eldest son of the Imperial Father and the most rightful heir to the throne. It’s merely that I have been unjustly framed, and I temporarily lack the chance to defend myself. There are so many people endorsing the rightful succession; is there really a shortage of supporters for the legitimate eldest prince’s ascension?"

Though still suspicious in the room, amidst the suspicion, there was more contemplation.

Seeing them calm down, the Crown Prince’s tone turned gentle: "You all should go back first and deliberate. Even if you wish to gamble on extravagant prosperity, it isn’t a matter of one or two days; thorough planning is required."

Extravagant prosperity... Xing Bin and the others exchanged glances; indeed, this matter needed serious deliberation once back.

Despite much opposition from numerous ministers and scholars to assessing craftsmen’s technical grades, executing the particulars proved uncomplicated.

Assessing the craftsmen’s skills was straightforward: simply complete the specified task to the standards required.

The controversy lay in the technical results and contributions reported by craftsmen.

For technological achievements, in a grand era a millennium ahead, various technological results and inventions abound; evaluators liked this or that, making operationality robust.

But in this era, with patent development just starting, assessing results and contributions was relatively simple.

The first batch, approved by the court, consisted of ten craftsmen ranked.

Five from the Mechanical Workshop in the capital, two from the Agricultural Tool Workshop in Yuyuan Prefecture, one carpenter from Yuanzhou Construction Industry, one from the Imperial Workshops Bureau, and one from the Ministry of Works.

Shi Yin’s evaluation yielded the highest grade, level eight.

The rest were Wong Qiao at level six, Du Dazhong from Yuyuan Prefecture’s Mechanical Workshop at level four, one person from the Imperial Workshops Bureau at level two, and one craftsman from the Ministry of Works at level one. Others affiliated with the Qi family were all level three.

The craftsmen demonstrated their skills at the courtyard of the Imperial Workshops Bureau. In front of twenty judges present, using materials provided by the Imperial Workshops Bureau, they crafted items or shapes as required by the examiners.

Old man Shi Yin, feel entitled, initially refused to act to be rated by someone less skilled. Only after much coaxing, persuasion, threat, and inducement did he agree to come.

The work done by Shi Yin was indeed beyond reproach. Viewing Shi Yin’s work, no one had any grounds not to rate it level eight.

Next was Wong Qiao. Wong Qiao showed great ingenuity and imagination in the craftsmanship sector. However, lacking years of experience, he couldn’t surpass Shi Yin, nor even the craftsmen from the Imperial Workshops Bureau and the Ministry of Works.

Nonetheless, Wong Qiao’s theoretical level and technical achievements were extremely high. In certain aspects, Wong Qiao’s theoretical level and ingenuity could even surpass Shi Yin. Hence, the review committee rated him level six.

The level of craftsmen affiliated with the Qi family was generally high, due to the advantages of new products from the Mechanical Workshop in recent years. In terms of technical achievements, they were much stronger than court craftsmen who followed traditional protocols and orders from supervisors.

The results of the craftsman grading were also posted publicly.

On the day of the posting, even though the viewers weren’t a sea of people, they formed thick clusters around the board. Those on the outside tried to squeeze in for a closer look, and those who saw the results interiorly wished to withdraw and spread the good news. The commotion mimicked the exams posting atmosphere.

However, during the triannual general exams, there were far more participating scholars, resulting in more people viewing the postings.

On the day of posting, Ye Xinyan pulled Qi Younian, Yuan Shang, Shi Yin, and others to sit in a nearby restaurant to watch the bustling scene across the way.

Gazing at the crowded scene below, at the craftsmen continually excitedly discussing, Ye Xinyan genuinely felt this transmigration wasn’t in vain.

Qi Younian’s gaze extended from the window to the opposite side, sighing, "Back then, Ye Zi claimed she wanted to make Construction Industry one of the top industries nationwide and help craftsmen earn their rightful dignity and compensation. Never expected Ye Zi managed it.

I couldn’t believe it at that time. We could make our own Construction Industry earn some silver, treat our hired craftsmen well—that would already be quite remarkable. Nationwide? Truly couldn’t imagine that. Yet, I never thought I’d witness it during my lifetime."

"You’re blessed; the Grand Lady is formidable." Yuan Shang replied gleefully. Their own Construction Industry also had a craftsman rated at level three. Henceforth, their company’s brand would shine brilliantly, and being in charge of the Qi family’s business would be the pinnacle of management.

Wong Qiao also gazed at the opposite crowded throng, eyes moist.

At thirteen, he started working, and before going to Clear Water Village with Fourth Uncle Cheung, his highest aspiration was to become familiar with the craftsmanship sector, build some foundation, and hope to become a workshop head, leading seven or eight craftsmen.

If a workshop head did well, not only fetching enough for family’s sustenance and attire but also accumulating a few taels of silver yearly.

He never once imagined today’s circumstances, not even dreamt that as a craftsman’s son, he would one day arrive in the capital, enter the Imperial Palace, meet His Majesty, and have his name inscribed on the Honors List.

To even receive the court’s official salary, gaining the dignity of not needing to kneel when meeting officials.