CHAPTER 826: CHAPTER 824: SOUND VALUES

Ye Xinyan’s topic was quite heavy, causing Jiang Yifan to furrow his brows tightly, as if he couldn’t accept this outcome.

After a long silence, Jiang Yifan asked, "How long has this situation persisted?"

"The situation of being beaten because we’re backward?" She saw Jiang Yifan nod and continued, "About... a hundred years, I think. Even after driving out the foreign invaders a hundred years later, the gap from those years made it very difficult for us to catch up with advanced foreign tribes, always chasing after them."

Being oppressed and ruled for over a hundred years seems not long, but they were foreign with blond hair and blue eyes, just like our own compatriots on this land, unifying and separating. Moreover, the information records of later generations are complete; the iron-clad facts and the rumors passed down in this era give a different impact.

Jiang Yifan seemed infected by Ye Xinyan’s solemn tone, pondered for a while, and said, "In that case, it is imperative that His Highness ascends the throne. Currently, among the princes, the Crown Prince has served as heir for many years, long disdainful of hiding his nature, only indulging in luxurious debauchery; even if he ascends the throne, he will be muddled. Prince Fu is ambitious but lacks ability, only desires to command the world with the emperor’s decree, but never thinks of worrying for the country and helping the people. Over the years, only His Highness is willing to care for the people’s livelihood, with great ambition to pursue excellence in governance. We must do everything in our power to assist His Highness in ascending the throne."

Ye Xinyan was startled and asked, "Is it as serious as you say?"

Is Jiang Yifan really taking the rise and fall of the world as his personal duty? Although it might look more ideal for Jinrong to ascend as the next emperor, what is this about the revitalization of Huaxia and if not him, then who? Have you never heard of "later born better" saying? Even if Jinrong doesn’t become emperor, perhaps a future emperor might be more wise and enlightened.

Jiang Yifan gave her a look and said solemnly, "Such matters cannot be taken lightly. Opportunities must be seized when they arise. If we miss this chance, even if there is a wise emperor later, where will we find someone like you to assist?"

Me? Um, this... I might not be worthy.

Ye Xinyan immediately felt cowardly, "Well, Jiang Yifan, you know too, I’m not capable of such things. I only want to earn some silver and live a good life in this world. As for other things, I’m afraid I lack the strength even though my heart desires."

Ye Xinyan felt a sweat on her back. Don’t think I have any great talent; in fact, I’m just an ordinary person, among the billions in the later generations, the most insignificant kind.

Jiang Yifan looked at Ye Xinyan for a good while, then quite confidently said, "Ah Yan must think it’s troublesome, right?"

"No way!" Ye Xinyan immediately glared.

She couldn’t admit this explanation no matter what. It’s a matter of ability and attitude; her heart desires but her strength is lacking. She wishes to do things like ’set one’s heart for heaven and earth, establish the fate for the people, and bring peace for all generations,’ but she is limited in ability!

She wants to do it, she has a good attitude. But lacking ability is an unavoidable reality.

"Really?" Jiang Yifan not only doubted but also expressed it openly, "Why don’t I believe it?"

Damned, he promised so well not long ago, stating he would adhere to the two essential principles of being a husband, yet within days, he’s going back on his word.

But compared to Jiang Yifan’s sense of treating the rise and fall of the nation as his duty, Ye Xinyan felt somewhat guilty.

She straightened her face, sincerely explained, "Well... you have to know, this is not simply about ensuring craftsman interests. It involves changing inherent perceptions rooted over a thousand years, ingrained thinking and behavior patterns, which are very hard to change. It might possibly turn into a rebellious act defying the world’s norms, being despised by the masses."

What Ye Xinyan didn’t expect was Jiang Yifan seemed to understand the seriousness involved, "Isn’t it just reviving the situation of hundreds competing, allowing all industries and theories to flourish simultaneously? Back then, even in the sole supremacy, there were many difficulties faced. As long as the court’s support can continue, there is a day of realization. If His Majesty starts supporting this from now, and when His Highness administers, it will further stabilize, then select the next heir wisely, prosperity is foreseeable."

Hmm, not bad, Jiang Yifan’s worldview is very correct.

These words made Ye Xinyan sit up straight.

Then she looked intently at Jiang Yifan, reached a conclusion: his features aren’t bad either.

Ye Xinyan once again sighed her luck wasn’t too bad. Although this era compared to the one she grew up in is almost equivalent to a barren land, capturing a Perfect Gentleman is considered a pleasant surprise.

Originally, Jiang Yifan spoke with great righteousness, but suddenly noticed Ye Xinyan’s ambiguous gaze sizing him up, then couldn’t continue.

Ah Yan, what kind of gaze is this... right, he came here for important matters to discuss, although slightly less significant compared to the topic before, yet still crucial.

"Ah Yan, just now officials from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory went to the Duke’s Mansion and our family residence, delivering an auspicious marriage date."

Ye Xinyan gave Jiang Yifan a strange look first, just now such a posture striving for the nation and future, suddenly switched topic, also what’s with calling it our family residence? That’s your Jiang Family Residence, isn’t it?

No, that’s not the point here. Ye Xinyan jolted, have the officials from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory already decided on the wedding date?

"Ah? So soon? Which day did they choose?" She was genuinely surprised.

"The twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month," Jiang Yifan replied.

"Today... we’ve entered the eleventh lunar month, haven’t we?" Ye Xinyan felt a bit dazed.

Jiang Yifan: "Second day of the eleventh lunar month."

Bloody hell, the Old Emperor does things so ruthlessly, huh? This is a wedding, a major life event. She’s the legitimate granddaughter of Duke An; the wedding is supposed to be grand, preparing dowry and bridal attire and whatnot. You’re giving such a short time, how is that possible?

Looking down on those getting remarried like this isn’t quite right, is it?

Ye Xinyan angrily said, "Zhou Biyao and Wong Qiao are getting married for the first time..." Forget it, it’s not good to talk this way, as if implying Zhou Biyao would have a second or third marriage.

"What date did Zhou Biyao and Wong Qiao choose?" Ye Xinyan asked.

Jiang Yifan answered, "I asked, the official from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory said their wedding date is chosen for the twenty-second day of the twelfth lunar month."

Only ten days later, Ye Xinyan complained, "This is their lifelong event, and they are given just this little time, can they really prepare?"

Jiang Yifan laughed cheerfully and said, "How could this be an issue? Few people in the world would think like you, encountering such a good thing, most would be too happy, how would they even care about tight timing."

Seeing Ye Xinyan quite skeptical, he added, "Don’t doubt, Lord Zhou’s residence surely will send someone to invite the Second Miss Zhou back to discuss, just observe their expression and you’ll know."

After not long, Yuan Shang entered with Zhou Family’s head steward beaming with joy, not only floating lightly, the mouth wouldn’t close with laughter in the chilly winter, heading straight to the room where Zhou Biyao worked.

Ye Xinyan withdrew her gaze looking through the window slit, turned to Jiang Yifan, and asked, "Isn’t the Zhou family steward like a fool, really? Lord Zhou actually let him out looking like this."

Jiang Yifan felt speechless in response to this question, considering his knowledge and astuteness.