Chapter 211 - Was really bold

The chief eunuch serving the emperor immediately went forward and took the paper from Shi Qingluo’s hand.

Then, he passed it to the emperor.

The emperor flipped through it, and his breathing suddenly became a little heavy.

He did not quite understand the improvement and process of ironmaking, but he could understand the final product.

As long as this ironmaking formula was successful, not only could it increase the amount of refined iron refined, but it could also greatly increase the hardness and strength of refined iron.

It was extremely suitable to be used as a weapon.

Because of the matter of cement and corn, the emperor believed that this ironmaking formula was real, and there was a high chance that it would succeed.

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and asked, “Do you know how to make iron?”

Shi Qingluo shook her head. “I don’t.”

“So the emperor still has to let people who specialise in this area try it out.”

She really didn’t know how to do this.

She had never even seen ironmaking in the modern era.

She had found a copy of it in the “time travel encyclopaedia” that was quite similar with the current era’s tools and productivity.

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Seeing that Shi Qingluo didn’t look like she was lying, the emperor wasn’t too disappointed.

He asked again, “What reward do you want for presenting this recipe for ironmaking today?”

Shi Qingluo answered truthfully, “I just want justice.”

In front of such a shrewd emperor, there was no need to hide anything.

The emperor had to deal with those sly old foxes and courtiers every day, so he probably had to go around in circles.

Therefore, she was prepared to do it straightforwardly in front of the emperor.

The emperor was not surprised and could not help but laugh. “If nothing had happened to you before, would you not have come to present this iron-making formula today?”

Shi Qingluo nodded without hesitation. “Your Majesty is really wise to be able to see through this.”

The emperor thought to himself, this was the first time he had seen someone so direct in front of him.

If she were anyone else, he would have immediately defended himself when he asked this question.

She was supposed to offer the formula to make iron in the first place, so how could she be so direct?

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More importantly, she even tried to raise the emperor to a higher status.

Seeing the little girl’s stubbornness and fear, she looked at him with a look of trust and worship.

The emperor didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You’re so honest.”

“You mean that without your request, you won’t offer this recipe?”

Shi Qingluo answered truthfully, “No, actually. I originally wanted to wait until I returned to Nanxi county, and after the spotlight for the corn passed, I would hand this recipe to Magistrate Mo and ask him to help me offer it to your Majesty.”

The emperor was stunned for a moment and asked in puzzlement, “Why? Then why didn’t you directly come and present it to me?”

Shi Qingluo replied, “The wind will definitely destroy the trees that stand out in the forest.

“I’m also afraid that after I’ve just offered the corn and come and offered the iron-smelting recipe again, people will begin to keep a watch out for me.

“So I thought of keeping a low profile as much as possible.

“After this news settles down, I’ll ask Magistrate Mo to present the iron-smelting recipe again. It won’t be so eye-catching anymore.”

A hint of a smile appeared in the emperor’s eyes. “Then why aren’t you prepared to keep a low profile now?”

He added, “Because of what happened today, it’s even more eye-catching for you to present this iron-making formula.”

Shi Qingluo had a helpless and aggrieved look on her face. “I can’t help it. It’s better to be eye-catching than to be bullied by others.”

I’m just that straightforward.

The emperor felt it strange to see such a straightforward Shi Qingluo.

She actually said everything she was thinking in front of him.

He asked half-jokingly, “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll ignore this matter and blame you instead?”

Shi Qingluo looked at the emperor with a serious and trusting gaze. “I don’t think your Majesty will.”

the emperor was instantly interested. “Why would you think so?”

Shi Qingluo immediately began to flatter the emperor and said matter-of-factly, “Because our emperor is a wise emperor!

“Before I came to the capital, I heard many people say that our emperor is very good.”

“Since our emperor ascended to the throne, he has reduced taxes, built water conservancy projects, and punished corrupt officials.

“The citizens are no longer in temporary shelters and leading a peaceful life.

“The people’s lives now are better than in the previous dynasty, and they have hope for the future.

“They all believe that under your Majesty’s rule, our people will continue to enjoy even better lives.”

“Later, when I offered my seed to meet you, I felt that you are very dignified, and at the same time, I also felt a sense of familiarity.

“Our Majesty began to get close to the myriad of opportunities, and he was diligent in managing them.

“In his eyes, not only is there Daliang, but also its citizens.

“The people here are blessed.

“It is precisely because you are a good emperor who loves the people as if they were your children.

“That is why I dare to enter the palace today to offer what I can.

“I hope that I can use this contribution to exchange for justice.”

As an emperor, he naturally liked to hear that the things he did were remembered and acknowledged by others.

Therefore, Shi Qingluo’s words were all spoken to the emperor’s heart.

Ever since he ascended to the throne, he did not dare to slack off.

Not only did he hope to stabilise the great Daliang empire, but he also hoped that his people could live in peace and work in peace.

The smile in his eyes deepened. “You sure know how to talk and coax me to be happy.”

Shi Qingluo’s eyes were filled with sincerity. “Your Majesty, I am speaking the truth.

“I am an honest person. I have never lied.” Look at my sincere gaze.

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She realised that not only was the emperor not angry, he was even very happy.

She thought that she had indeed made the right bet.

Hence, she continued in a straightforward manner, “If your Majesty does not win the hearts of the people, then there would not be heaven-bestowed high yield seeds. Your Majesty, the people all know of your meritorious service. You shan’t be modest.”

the emperor laughed out loud, “Little girl, you really have guts.”

He liked people who were honest and loved to tell the truth.

Shi Qingluo climbed up the podium, “This was also given by you. You are a good emperor, so the citizens would only say the truth.”

The emperor could not help but laugh, “Then if I am not a good emperor, you would not dare to say it?”

Shi Qingluo smiled and replied, “But his majesty is a good emperor!”

The emperor raised his hand and pointed at Shi Qingluo.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he said again, “This little girl is very clever.”

Shi Qingluo continued to climb up the podium. “Thank you for your praise, your Majesty.”

The emperor realised that not only was this little girl clever, she was also very brave.

However, he couldn’t hate her.

Instead, he liked Shi Qingluo’s straightforward personality.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. A moment later, he said, “I will get someone to thoroughly investigate today’s matter and bring you justice.”

The third imperial consort was indeed too outrageous.

Moreover, not only was Shi Qingluo likeable, she was also very valuable.

In the future, who knew if she would remember some of the things left behind by the old priest that could benefit the country and the people?

Shi Qingluo immediately bowed. “Thank You, your Majesty!”

She did not intentionally target the third prince’s consort in front of the emperor.

She might end up losing out if she did so.

The emperor might also be left with an impression that was too difficult to deal with that had little impact.

This emperor was a wise ruler.

Her young husband said that his informants were all over the place.

If the third prince’s consort ridiculed her in the embroidery shop today, even if she used her power to bully others and disdained good children, the emperor would also know about it.

If she directly shared this with the emperor, he would be embarrassed and unhappy.

After all, he valued the good seed so much, but his daughter-in-law spoke arrogantly and belittled him.

He would be embarrassed as well.

Shi Qingluo cleverly avoided these things and let the emperor be angry over this personally.

This would also cause some tensions between him and his daughter-in-law.

Anyway, she only wanted justice and did not say that his daughter-in-law did it.

Although everyone knew this in their hearts, they still tried their best to uphold the emperor’s reputation.

Shi Qingluo did not stay any longer.

After she finished speaking, she left with Xi Rong.

As soon as she left, the emperor ordered people to investigate this matter thoroughly.

This was entirely within Shi Qingluo’s expectation.

He wanted to know everything that happened after Shi Qingluo left home today.