LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 80 - Imperial Decree
When Yun Shuyao left, her back was already soaked with sweat.
Her response had been discussed with Lin Ruhai beforehand. If the emperor did not summon her, Lin Ruhai had a plan for how to respond. If the emperor wanted to meet Yun Shuyao, she also had a prepared response.
Their contributions, in fact, needed to be viewed with some reservation.
The reason Lin Ruhai was appointed as the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai was that the salt tax revenue collected by the court had been decreasing year by year, when it should have been increasing. Because of this, Kangxi was furious and demoted Lin Ruhai’s predecessor, appointing him to increase the national treasury’s income.
To ensure he did his job well and collected more taxes for the court, putting things in order, Kangxi also granted Lin Ruhai a favor: he betrothed Lin Ruhai’s second daughter to the Fourth Prince as a secondary consort (Side Concubine).
Given their status in the Han military banner and that Luoyu was born to a concubine, this was considered a promotion, and it was used as leverage to ensure Lin Ruhai worked diligently.
In Yun Shuyao’s simple and straightforward words, if Lin Ruhai did his job well, it was only to be expected since Kangxi had already given him part of the reward in advance.
If he didn’t do well, even though Luoyu had already become a secondary consort and that couldn’t be taken back, demotion or being sidelined would be inevitable.
However, some unexpected events occurred during this period. The unexpected part was Yun Shuyao’s proposal of the seawater salt-drying method.
Many of the salt mines were privately owned, and the court’s way of regulating them was through salt permits.
But having a salt mine meant nothing; without a salt permit, there was no authorization to sell, and thus no sales.
These salt permits had to be purchased by salt merchants, and in order to avoid this expense, the private salt trade thrived, which led to a decrease in salt taxes.
With the seawater salt-drying method, although there were limitations such as weather and terrain, there were still plenty of suitable conditions.
Salt could be continuously extracted from the sea, rendering many of the salt merchants’ mines almost unnecessary.
This was truly official salt, a “salt mine” controlled by the court, allowing better control of taxation right from the source.
That’s why the situation in Yangzhou had become so intense earlier.
Cutting off someone’s financial path is akin to killing their parents.
To those salt merchants, it might have seemed even more severe than Lin Ruhai actually killing their parents, which is why Kangxi later dispatched soldiers to suppress the unrest.
As a result, the credit for handling the situation was diminished.
Moreover, it must be mentioned that Lin Ruhai also made a mistake—his actions weren’t discreet enough, and news leaked halfway through, leading to this upheaval.
Although Kangxi had already concluded in his heart that the leak was caused by malicious interference, the fact remains that the information was leaked. A single misstep could have caused chaos in Jiangnan.
Fortunately, the merits and faults balanced each other out.
Kangxi had already selected someone he favored, someone he had in mind to replace Lin Ruhai.
It’s just unclear what position he would offer.
Lin Ruhai also had his guesses.
Because, as the saying goes, there’s a specific job for every person, and right now, there happens to be an available position.
Unless the Emperor reassigns someone else, Lin Ruhai wouldn’t have a position available.
Now that she was summoned, Yun Shuyao couldn’t speak recklessly when asked about her wishes.
Yun Shuyao said, “Your Majesty, this is what I should do. In my humble opinion, if it weren’t for your wise rule, the world wouldn’t be so peaceful…”
She flattered the Emperor for a while before tactfully mentioning her predicament.
She was born into an ordinary family, the daughter of a scholar when she entered the Lin family. Being able to marry into the Lin family and bear children was a stroke of luck, and her daughter’s marriage into the royal family was even luckier. But as a mother, she naturally missed her daughter and found it hard not being able to see her…
Kangxi understood.
He nodded and then turned his attention to Chenyu, asking him about the poetry gathering. He even proudly asked the Thirteenth Prince to compete with him.
It was clear that Kangxi was very fond of the Thirteenth Prince, and Yun Shuyao had heard more than once about how he was both scholarly and skilled in martial arts.
Chenyu, too, was inwardly tense, carefully responding.
When he and his aunt left, the breeze hit him, and he finally felt a chill down his back. His clothes stuck to him uncomfortably, and without realizing it, he had also sweat a great deal.
As they sat in the carriage on their way back, Chenyu wanted to say something but was cautious, knowing that walls have ears. They were still in the carriage with the coachman driving, so he avoided sensitive topics. Instead, he remarked, “The Thirteenth Prince is truly admirable, noble in both manner and appearance,” and this comment was sincere. “It’s a pity we didn’t get to see the Crown Prince today.”
It was said that the Crown Prince had other duties and wasn’t accompanying the Emperor that day.
Once they returned home and were alone, they finally spoke freely. Yun Shuyao said, “The Emperor didn’t say much, so I don’t know if he will grant my request.”
Yun Shuyao’s wish was to see her daughter.
If Kangxi didn’t grant any special favor, all it would take is a word to the Fourth Prince’s household to allow a visit.
If he did grant a favor, it would likely come in the form of an imperial decree, allowing her not only to visit the Fourth Prince’s residence but also other noble households, even without the presence of a matriarch.
This tense anticipation was far more nerve-wracking than waiting for a promotion or raise.
Fortunately, before Kangxi returned to the capital, he issued two decrees.
One was Lin Ruhai’s reassignment, which was the position he had speculated on earlier: a promotion to ‘Third-Rank Imperial Censor of the Right’.
When serving outside the capital, Lin Ruhai held a subordinate third-rank post, then upon returning to the capital, he was once an imperial envoy for the Emperor before being appointed as the Salt Commissioner, also a subordinate third-rank position.
Now that Lin Ruhai was returning to the capital, he was promoted to a full third-rank official. Moreover, being an official in the capital carries more prestige than the same rank outside the city—officials in the capital are considered half a rank higher.
Lin Ruhai didn’t have to assume his new position immediately, as he first needed to hand over duties to his successor.
The second decree was for Yun Shuyao.
Yun Shuyao had expressed her desire to see her daughter. Kangxi understood that her status was indeed low—being a concubine, she couldn’t visit her daughter, who was now a secondary consort, without someone to accompany her.
For example, if the old lady of the Lin family were still alive, she could bring Yun Shuyao to the Fourth Prince’s residence. But if the old lady had passed away, Yun Shuyao would no longer be able to visit on her own.
This was a simple matter for Kangxi to address.
Since Lin Ruhai was now a third-rank ‘Imperial Censor of the Right’, Yun Shuyao was granted the title of a fourth-rank ‘Lady of Honor’ through an imperial decree.
A ‘Lady of Honor’ granted by imperial decree could receive a stipend from the court, which was an honor rather than an official position.
Typically, such titles were requested by a husband or son, but the one Yun Shuyao received was due to her own merits.
Yun Shuyao felt it was well worth it. While it was insignificant to Kangxi, it was an incredibly advantageous deal for her.
With this title, when Yun Shuyao accompany Lin Ruhai in public, no one could treat her as just an ordinary concubine of the Lin family anymore.
She could also visit her daughter on her own now.
Yun Shuyao praised repeatedly, “The Emperor is wise.”
He had given her the outcome she wanted, which made him wise in her eyes. If he had only praised her with words and sent some money instead, then he would have been considered stingy and miserly.
However, perhaps in Kangxi’s view, the two things should have been reversed.
Giving Yun Shuyao the status of a fourth-rank ‘Lady of Honor’ along with a small annual stipend was simple. The stipend wasn’t much, but if he were to give a reward, it couldn’t be too little.
If the reward was too small, others might feel disheartened after seeing the contributions she made. But if it was too generous, even Kangxi would feel the pinch.
Chenyu was overjoyed and said, “Congratulations, Aunt!”
He had once harbored the wild notion that the Emperor might elevate his aunt’s status to that of a proper wife, but even as the thought crossed his mind, he realized how absurd it was. If his aunt had made such a request, who knows what the Emperor would have thought?
Besides, such matters are generally against the rules. Only the royal family has the privilege to break such conventions.
The Emperor’s concubines can be elevated to wives, but not so for officials. Officials still need to set an example for the common people. If the precedent of elevating a concubine to wife were set, wouldn’t all the concubines and illegitimate children across the land wish to change their status?
If such chaos were allowed, it would throw everything into disarray.
This reward was exactly what Lin Ruhai had envisioned as the best outcome for Yun Shuyao.
So, he suggested hosting a celebratory banquet at home, and Yun Shuyao immediately agreed.
She was very pleased.
The kitchen prepared a table full of dishes, and along with some wine, the family of three enjoyed a hearty meal together.
As soon as the two imperial decrees were issued, representatives began arriving at their door to offer congratulations. They also inquired about when the celebratory banquet would be held so they could come and enjoy a drink.
The title was ‘Imperial Censor of the Right’ in the Censorate.
From princes to minor clerks, the Censorate oversees all officials and departments, leaving no affairs unchecked.
The other imperial decree surprised many, as it acknowledged the merits of a Lin family concubine.
Yun Chang also received an official position.
His name, along with others who had made contributions, had been reported by Lin Ruhai. According to merit, Yun Chang was rewarded, rising from a commoner to an official. Those already holding positions were promoted and received salary increases.
Recently, joyous banquets had been frequent in Yangzhou.
When the Lin family hosted theirs, crowds gathered, and the surrounding roads were blocked.
The Xue family was among those who came to offer congratulations.
Seeing this grand scene, everyone in the Xue family had their own thoughts. Only Xue Pan, oblivious to everything, remarked, “Today is really lively!”
Xue’s father let out a long sigh.
At this banquet, Yun Shuyao clearly noticed a change in how the other women treated her.
Now, each one addressed her as ‘Lady of Honor’, and their gazes were filled with curiosity, admiration, and even some skepticism. Some doubted whether she truly earned her merits, suspecting instead that Lord Lin, swayed by her beauty, might have shared his accomplishments with her.
However, even if they harbored doubts, they wouldn’t dare voice them now. To question her achievements would imply doubting the Lin family, and on a larger scale, questioning the Emperor himself.
And, of course, they wouldn’t dare doubt the Emperor.
Some of the legitimate wives, who once looked down on her, now regarded her more respectfully. While they still didn’t treat her as Lin Ruhai’s main wife, they acknowledged her as if she were the secondary wife, something akin to a half-wife.
Yun Shuyao couldn’t help but reflect on how, in this feudal era, social status and rank were of utmost importance. Today marked the first time in her social interactions that she was truly regarded as an independent individual.
In the past, people would occasionally mention potential marriage prospects for her son, but the candidates they suggested were often unsuitable. Now, families with more appropriate matches were subtly probing her, asking what kind of bride Chenyu might want.
After the banquet, Yun Shuyao asked him again, “If you don’t speak up, your father might arrange a match you dislike, so don’t regret it later.”
Chenyu gave the same answer as before, “Someone intelligent, well-educated, and pleasant to look at. If she also enjoys food and reading, we’d have even more in common.”
By reading, he didn’t mean the classic Four Books and Five Classics or the traditional female teachings. Any kind of reading would be fine, as long as she had a passion for it and continued to enrich herself.
He didn’t have high requirements regarding family background; as long as the family wasn’t a burden and had a good reputation, he was fine with it.
He was using the Yun family as a benchmark. The Yun family’s background was obviously not prestigious, but he thought their family morals were excellent. Just look at his aunt and the two uncles who had both achieved the status of ‘jinshi’.
Lin Ruhai shook his head when he heard this. “A family with a good reputation, a daughter who has gained knowledge through her studies, and decent looks—do you think such qualities are common?”
Chenyu just smiled, “So I’ll need to trouble Father with this.”
Lin Ruhai replied, “It’s not a trouble.” He was actually quite enjoying it; however, it was indeed difficult to settle on a suitable candidate. He needed to think carefully; a poor choice in a wife could ruin three generations, and he could reference his mother-in-law for that.
Lin Ruhai was quick in handing over responsibilities. He had known from the start that he wouldn’t stay in this position for long, so he organized everything clearly. After completing the handover, they immediately took a boat north.
Upon returning to the capital, Lin Ruhai went to take up his post first and then sent out invitations to celebrate during the rest days, inviting friends and family to join the festivities.
The Xilin Jueluo family and the Fourth Prince’s residence also received invitations.
Dachun suddenly became nervous. He hadn’t seen his father-in-law since his status changed, but he knew he was not someone to be trifled with. After marrying his wife, he had received a thick stack of assignments—challenging and profound—which he still hadn’t finished.
Time was running out, and only a few days remained before the banquet!