Since the matter was settled, the young monk had nothing more to say and walked dejectedly back into the courtyard.
Tu Qingdong waited in the main hall for a long time. Seeing that the young county princess was reluctant to return, he went out to check.
He had decided that if the matter of the design drawings could not be negotiated, he would beg the young county princess every day until she agreed.
"Huh? Lord Tu, why are you out here?" Xiao Xitian walked to the entrance of the main hall and asked with a smile.
Tu Qingdong glanced at the dejected Xiao Jiekong and was very puzzled.
Was it this little brat who called the county princess and the Crown Prince out just now?
He had quite some influence.
"County... County Princess, have you considered what this subordinate just told you?" Tu Qingdong asked cautiously.
Xiao Xitian sighed after hearing this, "It's possible, but I can't do it alone. And designing a comprehensive and detailed warship blueprint won't be finished in a day or two. So, I'd like to ask Lord Tu to find a few people to assist me..."
She would be worked to death if she relied on herself.
On one hand, she had to take care of the wine business, and on the other, she had to work overtime to design blueprints.
She wasn't a robot.
Xiao Jinheng looked at Tu Qingdong upon hearing this, "Does Lord Tu understand the county princess's meaning?"
"Understood, understood!" Tu Qingdong nodded repeatedly.
As long as the young county princess helped him, he was willing to give his life.
Xiao Jinheng grunted and instructed him, "The county princess is helping you out of consideration for national interests. Since she has taken on this task, she will see it through. But this does not mean you can wash your hands of it. Before the warship blueprints are designed, Lord Tu must be available at all times and obey the county princess's arrangements. Can you do that?"
From a personal perspective, Xiao Jinheng thought highly of Tu Qingdong.
This official was incorruptible and handled matters with composure; he was a rare good official.
When Xiao Jinheng ascended the throne, he would still rely on him to clean up the mess in the water department.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please rest assured. This subordinate will strictly follow the county princess's instructions..." Tu Qingdong cupped his hands.
Xiao Xitian's eyes curved into crescents upon hearing this, "Then Lord Tu, please sit down and continue eating!"
She might have to dedicate herself to arduous work from now on. Just thinking about working overtime every day made Xiao Xitian want to go crazy.
If she had known this, she would have stayed in Dashui Village, living a carefree and unfettered life every day.
"This subordinate, this subordinate will not eat!" Tu Qingdong suppressed his inner excitement and grinned, "This subordinate will go and help the county princess recruit talented individuals to assist you with your work..."
After speaking, Tu Qingdong cupped his hands and bowed again, then left without looking back.
The main hall fell silent again. Xiao Jiekong ate his vegetarian buns listlessly, not even having the mood to argue with Xiao Jinheng.
He had worked hard all day and finally bought a carriage, but Xitian younger sister didn't like it.
Did Xitian younger sister only like gifts from someone surnamed Xiao?
Seeing Xiao Xitian looking tired, Xiao Jinheng pulled her to sit down, "There's no need to rush this. Although my father only gave Lord Tu a month, it was to instill a sense of urgency, so he wouldn't be too lazy or slack. Therefore..."
"So you're colluding to exploit Xitian younger sister?" Xiao Jiekong suddenly said.
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
That sounded too unpleasant.
What was exploitation?
"Hmph, you surnamed Xiao, I see it now. You cling to Xitian younger sister every day because you see her as having exploitable value. Otherwise, would you get close to a country girl like her?" Xiao Jiekong said righteously.
Don't think he couldn't see that the official named Tu just now came to find Xitian younger sister for business, and had nothing to do with someone surnamed Xiao.
If Xitian younger sister hadn't already become famous and praised by everyone, Tu Qingdong wouldn't have visited, nor would he have come to see someone surnamed Xiao alone.
So, in the end, someone surnamed Xiao had been riding on Xitian younger sister's coattails from beginning to end.
"Jiekong, don't talk nonsense!" Xiao Xitian said helplessly.
Why did this child blurt out everything? Was this also taught by his master?
Xiao Jinheng looked at Jiekong faintly, "Jiekong, what you said has some truth to it. Yes, I admire Xitian's strengths and charm, especially her intelligence and the courage to start from scratch. They are unparalleled..."
"So whether you call it fawning or showing solicitousness, I accept it all."
"But there's one thing I need to clarify. Xitian's design of the waterwheel and windmill were all created by her alone. These agricultural tools have invisibly saved a large amount of labor for the people of Liang Kingdom..."
"Her contributions and achievements can be recorded in history. Why wouldn't I admire her and cherish her?"
Xiao Jiekong snorted upon hearing this, "You've said all the nice things. What else can I say?"
This Xiao surnamed fellow was indeed the Crown Prince, with a glib tongue. He just knew how to say nice things.
The three little buns went to rest after dinner.
Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister's study.
Prime Minister Yang sat at his desk, clenched his fists, and looked angrily at Yang Jingrui in front of him, "Jingrui, what did you do at the Imperial College to make His Highness the Crown Prince so angry?"
Yang Jingrui, who was completely bewildered: "..."
What did he do?
"Father, can you explain it clearly? What exactly did I do wrong?" Yang Jingrui asked in surprise.
"Hmph, what did you do?"
Prime Minister Yang angrily slammed the desk and pointed a trembling finger at Yang Jingrui, "You should ask yourself! Tell me, what foolish things have you done? If you don't confess honestly today, I'll whip you with a leather whip dipped in cold water until your insides are beaten out!"
Yang Jingrui: "..."
Father, it's not appropriate for you to interrogate me without distinguishing right from wrong.
Besides, he had always been low-key at the Imperial College and never courted trouble. Except for that Yun Jinhe who was a bit annoying, he hadn't...
That's right.
Yang Jingrui suddenly raised his head, his expression froze. Yun Jinhe's detestable face flashed in his mind.
Did he complain to his father?
Last time he fought with Yun Jinhe, Dean Qian, under pressure, had Jinhe, Sun Tianxiu, and Yao Jinsheng suspended for a month.
But no matter how capable Jinhe was, he couldn't go to the Crown Prince to make the Crown Prince trouble his father.
What was his relationship with the Crown Prince?
"Still not saying?"
Prime Minister Yang was so angry he was sputtering. He got up and walked to Yang Jingrui, "Do you know how much this affects me? You unfilial son, I must beat you to death today..."
With that, Prime Minister Yang didn't say another word and slapped Yang Jingrui.