She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 1055 - 1053: Tomorrow’s Arrangements

Ye Yuan’s eyes immediately lit up, "Really, sir? Is it true?" He usually comes not because he can’t afford it, but because everyone fears he’ll eat too much and feel unwell, so they rarely let him eat to his heart’s content.

The Emperor naturally replied, "Of course, here, I call the shots."

Qi Sanshun and Qi Jiaer, being older, understood to behave modestly in front of strangers. Ah Xiu didn’t quite understand their words, but Ye Yuan understood and immediately beamed with a smile.

The Emperor looked pleased, whether they could eat that much was another matter. Today, they had to make Duke An’s heart ache with what they ate, and any leftovers wouldn’t be wasted either—they’d pack them up! This was Madam Yin’s business, and considering if they used a lot of Silver, Duke An would be embarrassed to take advantage of his former daughter-in-law’s business.

Duke An was already prepared to spend a lot today. Besides, let the Old Emperor taste everything, so he can see that although they don’t have great power, they still enjoy plenty of happiness.

Like leisurely wandering around, eating at Pastry Houses or restaurants, trying noodle soups or pancakes from street stalls, such ease and enjoyment are not something those high on the throne can experience.

The shopkeeper, extremely cautious, personally went to the kitchen to arrange the food. The selections were the best, most special, and rarest dishes they had.

He also called the most careful and steady hall attendant from the Pastry House, asking him to drop everything else and focus exclusively on handling the dishes for the large private room, ensuring no mistakes were made.

......

At first, the two little ones followed the rules, sitting at their own seats. But as more and more dishes and snacks arrived at the Emperor’s table, which clearly had far more than theirs, even adding two low stools just to place the overflow of snacks and soups.

Gradually, Ye Yuan and Ah Xiu couldn’t sit still and eat properly. Ah Xiu, especially, stood up and meandered around the tables, examining everything. When she spotted something she liked, she’d widen her clear eyes and smile pleasingly at the people behind the table.

In this way, who could bear not to give it to her?

The little girl even got permission from the Emperor, grabbing two greasy, soft-centered dough sticks and a small dry vegetable pastry from the plates, and sat playing on the Emperor’s knee for quite a while, almost grabbing his beard with her greasy hands.

Recently, the Emperor had gone on outings several times, but none were as enjoyable as this one. His Majesty came in high spirits and left satisfied. After trying out all the snacks, he packed a lot of the tastiest and most appealing ones. When leaving, he even walked a stretch with Duke An, under the pretext of aiding digestion.

At the intersection, the Emperor suddenly asked, "Old Duke, how have you arranged for tomorrow?"

Duke An felt an alarm go off in his heart; doesn’t the Emperor want to leave the palace again tomorrow? How could that be?

Before he could think of a good excuse, the Emperor looked at him and tentatively suggested, "How about we go and take a look at your granddaughter’s workshop tomorrow?"

"Er..." That was indeed what the Emperor meant!

Duke An’s head started to throb immediately; I’m an old man idling at home but you, His Majesty, you’re busy with the affairs of the state. Isn’t this kind of behavior unlike an enlightened ruler?

Any absurd ideas from the Emperor would need the die-hard admonition from the court officials to be quashed. It’s entirely beyond the capability of an idling old man like Duke An to dissuade him.

"Sure, that’s a good plan, let’s go to the Mechanical Workshop then, tomorrow during the Wei Hour, meet at Vermilion Bird Avenue." The Emperor gave no chance for Duke An to respond, assuming his consent.

Then he glanced at the carriage behind him, adding, "Bring the children along."

Duke An finally found a legitimate reason to refuse: "Brother Jia and Brother Shun have to attend school tomorrow."

"Oh, then in that case, it’s unfeasible," the Emperor pondered for a moment, compromising, "Then just bring Brother Yuan and Ah Xiu."

After making the decision, he even kindly persuaded Duke An, "Your Brother Yuan possesses an unusual status, already a duke at such a young age, so he should be cultivated from a young age, letting him experience more, which will be beneficial for the future revival of Duke An’s Mansion."

What the Emperor said made sense, except... Can’t my Brother Yuan gain experience following his sister? Does he have to follow the Emperor to visit a workshop?

Then, under Duke An’s watchful eyes, the Emperor leisurely boarded the carriage, escorted by four attendants and unknown numbers of hidden guards, leaving grandly along the smooth avenues of the capital.

Duke An looked at the time; he had to send Ah Xiu home anyway, might as well go to his granddaughter’s house first to give her a heads-up.

Duke An had spent a lifetime in military service and reached old age only to become a babysitter, one even envied by the Emperor.

Duke An, Qi Sanshun, and the servant, escorted by guards, took the three children from the three carriages into the Jiang Family courtyard.

The Jiang Family courtyard wasn’t big to begin with; and with the two little ones, plus Qi Jiaer, along with the maidservants and servants looking after them, it was instantly bustling with chaos.

When Duke An arrived, Jiang Yifan wasn’t back yet, so Ye Xinyan quickly ushered the old man inside and arranged to send messages to Duke An’s Mansion and the Qi family, keeping them there for dinner.

When Jiang Yifan returned, he arranged for the four children to dine separately. Meanwhile, while eating, Duke An recounted the day’s encounter with the Emperor to them both.

Finally, he solemnly informed Ye Xinyan: The Emperor plans to visit the Mechanical Workshop tomorrow afternoon.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xinyan got a headache; this was obviously an official inspection by the leaders, at the central level, with absolutely no time to prepare!

Moreover, of all places, why would the Emperor choose to visit the Mechanical Workshop, bringing along two little rascals? Isn’t this asking for trouble?

"Grandfather, can we refuse to receive him?" Ye Xinyan’s tone was, to say the least, unfriendly.

Jiang Yifan glared at her reproachfully, "What are you saying; others would dream of having the Emperor visit. They would burn incense and pray for it to happen."

Ye Xinyan jutted her chin out, giving Jiang Yifan a sidelong glance; as if she needed him to say that. The thing is, she’s already accomplished enough that she doesn’t need to rely on the Emperor anymore.

Lowering her voice, she asked Duke An, "Just a while ago there was such a major incident in the capital, surely the court and its departments must be very busy, does the Emperor have time to wander around?"

"That’s exactly it," Duke An shook his head and sighed, "I noticed that the Emperor seems less sharp in his demeanor. This recent palace coup, the actions of the Crown Prince and Prince Fu, must have really disappointed the Emperor."

Jiang Yifan matter-of-factly said, "After the case was closed, with Prince Fu and the Crown Prince dealt with, the Emperor offloaded much of the government affairs to the Cabinet and Prince Yu. There’s talk among officials that the Emperor has lost interest in state affairs."

Ye Xinyan remarked in surprise, "Wasn’t he meant to be a wise sovereign through the ages, doing great things? How did he become so discouraged?"

"Perhaps he just got weary and needs a break." Jiang Yifan replied.

......

At this time, the Mechanical Workshop had already started developing a new type of weaving machine. With Shi Yin having brought back craftsmen skilled in making weaving machines from the South, combined with the Mechanical Workshop craftsmen and Shi Yin’s coordination, the spindles on the spinning wheels of the spinning machines were gradually increasing.

The operation speed and structural adjustments of the steam engines equipped with the spinning machines were being handled by Wong Qiao and the craftsmen.

Ye Xinyan naturally couldn’t pretend not to know about the Emperor’s visit; she and Wong Qiao together hosted the Emperor. During the tour, Wong Qiao provided introductions and various explanations to the Emperor.

What wasn’t expected was the Emperor’s surprise upon seeing the manually-operated yet improved spinning machine.

The royal family has always encouraged agriculture, which not only includes farming but also spinning and weaving. As showpieces, the palace even has two spinning machines. However, they look nothing like this.