After a long silence, Qi Rong suddenly stood up and was the first to applaud. With a smile in his dark eyes, he looked at Yun Xi admiringly and said,
"You truly live up to your title as the Princess of Yongning. Your mind is indeed as delicate and ingenious as ever!"
Qi Rong had never placed any demands or expectations on Yun Xi, for she was unique, one of a kind.
No matter how wonderful other women were, they were not his little bride, not the woman he truly wanted to cherish in the palm of his hand.
However, Yun Xi had surprised him time and time again, making him look at her with new respect!
Although he disliked the looks others cast on her and longed to hide her away,
to ensure her safety, he had to let her brilliance be seen by all. So that the Li family, the Lin family, and even Qi Hong, the emperor, would not dare to touch her easily!
"Since all the gentlemen here agree with the Princess of Yongning's proposal, I hereby announce that from today on, the Princess of Yongning shall replace Li An as the deputy supervisor of this dam - building and bridge - constructing project, and shall be fully involved in the implementation of the project."
"Is there anyone here who opposes?"
Although Li An was a court official, he had insulted Cheng Caijie in the prefect's mansion and was caught red - handed in public. Therefore, he was imprisoned. He would be sent back to the capital after the project was completed for the emperor to decide his fate.
So, the position of the deputy supervisor of the dam - building and bridge - constructing project was naturally vacant.
Qi Rong specifically appointed Yun Xi to replace Li An. Although everyone was shocked, they unanimously agreed, giving up their previous contempt and holding on to hope.
Yun Xi was greatly surprised. Her face changed, and she quickly declined,
"Wait a moment! I just happened to read a few books and came up with some humble suggestions. If all the gentlemen here had known about the sediment accumulation in the Ling River over the years in advance, you would surely have come up with strategies a hundred times better than mine!"
"Moreover, as a woman, although I am grateful for your kind support, I am afraid I am not capable of taking on such a great responsibility. I hope you all can understand!"
Yun Xi's words were extremely sincere, for if she really took over Li An's position, she would have an inescapable responsibility on her shoulders.
It would be like having her hands and feet tied, making it difficult for her to return to the capital at any time. In this way, wouldn't she have to stay with this fellow Qi Rong all the time?
Then it would be even harder for her to explain herself to her father!
Yun Xi's refusal, while also showing respect to the officials present, was seen by everyone as her being humble and not seeking credit, which won her unanimous praise.
They all told Qi Rong that they agreed to Yun Xi taking over Li An's position.
Yun Xi was caught in a dilemma. She felt a dull pain in her head and reluctantly declined,
"To be honest, I was able to come up with this proposal entirely thanks to the prince!"
Yun Xi glanced at Qi Rong and met his amused eyes. Although she was reluctant, she continued,
"If the Prince of Xian hadn't told me about the actual situation of the Ling River before, I wouldn't have known that the riverbed in the middle and lower reaches of the Ling River would rise year by year due to sediment accumulation."
It was because she knew the root cause that she was able to come up with the method of concentrating the water flow to flush away the sand. Moreover, the idea of using the Ling River waterway to build a trading wharf was also because Qi Rong had taken her to see the Yan Cave.
Although Lingchuan had beautiful scenery and rich products, many places had rugged mountain roads, making it difficult to transport goods out.
In this way, although the common people were surrounded by natural resources, their lives were still difficult because they couldn't make full use of them.
The Ling River spanned the north and south and flowed through many places. It was the best natural waterway. If it could be used by the people of Lingchuan, it would surely boost the local economy.
She had seen the business opportunities here standing on Qi Rong's "shoulders". If it were the officials present, they might have come up with better strategies than hers!
Yun Xi thought she had made herself very clear, but Qi Rong just slightly curled his lips and didn't allow her to escape.
"I did tell you something about the Ling River Dam, but the idea was yours. I didn't help you. So, this doesn't affect your taking over Li An's position as the deputy supervisor of this dam - building project."
Yun Xi didn't expect Qi Rong to be so persistent. She suddenly felt like she had been tricked.
Facing the hopeful looks of everyone, Yun Xi was in a dilemma.
"Your Highness, I'd like to borrow a place to talk to you alone. Is that okay?"
She was determined not to take on this task, so she could only try to persuade Qi Rong first.
Otherwise, this man would surely cling to her!
"Oh? Right now?"
Qi Rong asked knowingly. His dark eyes looked at Yun Xi playfully, and he deliberately put on an ambiguous expression.
"As long as it's your request, I will fulfill it."
Qi Rong showed their intimacy in public. The officials who were forced to watch this display of affection either looked embarrassed or pretended not to hear.
Facing Qi Rong's malicious smile, Yun Xi clenched her fists. She really wanted to punch him but finally managed to hold back. She forced a smile and said,
"Then I'll trouble Your Highness to move for a while."
Yun Xi couldn't bear the embarrassing atmosphere in the meeting hall any longer. After saying that, she walked straight to the door.
"I've only been away for a short while, and you already miss me?"
As soon as Qi Rong stepped out of the door, he automatically took Yun Xi's fair and delicate hand and played with it in his palm, with a bright smile on his face.
Yun Xi shook off Qi Rong's hand and immediately covered his mouth. She glared at him angrily,
"You clearly know I don't want to replace Li An. Why do you insist on making me the deputy supervisor of the dam - building project?"
"Besides, I still have things to deal with in the Yan Cave. Have you forgotten?"
She couldn't be in two places at once. This man was really making things difficult for her! Facing Yun Xi's interrogation, Qi Rong just smiled casually,
"That's just a minor matter. Even if you become the deputy supervisor, it won't have any impact."
Yun Xi was stunned. She was a bit dazed,
A minor matter? He had entrusted her with it so seriously at that time! Now he said it was a minor matter?
Yun Xi faintly felt that something was wrong but couldn't figure it out for a moment. Just as she was about to understand, Qi Rong held her hand again and interrupted,
"Alright, just agree for now. Those old guys are going crazy. They might rebel at any time. You don't want the common people to suffer, do you?"
Hearing Qi Rong's words, Yun Xi was momentarily speechless, caught in a tangle.
Compared with personal feelings, the dam - building and bridge - constructing project was a matter of great importance! Because it was related to the safety of hundreds of thousands of people in Lingchuan.
Yun Xi's heart wavered slightly, but she still hesitated,
"But I don't know anything about dam - building and bridge - constructing at all!"
The suggestions she had come up with were just because she had read a few more books in her spare time. It was far from enough for her to take on the position of the deputy supervisor...
Seeing Yun Xi wavering, a glint flashed in Qi Rong's eyes and then quickly disappeared. He gently promised,
"As long as you take on the task of the deputy supervisor and help me stabilize those old guys for the time being. As for the dam - building and bridge - constructing project, with me here, what do you have to be afraid of?"
Looking up at Qi Rong's confident look, Yun Xi felt a bit more at ease, but she also felt like she had been tricked.
"Isn't it more troublesome for you to do this? Wouldn't it be better for you to take all the credit?"
She believed that even without her, Qi Rong could still stabilize those officials. What good would it do to give her an empty title?
Could they still ask the emperor for rewards in the future?