After the One-Click Triple Action was completed, the Jade Fish Lotus Pendant and the small paper slip vanished.
A line of text appeared on the light screen.
【Open comments section?】
Zhu Xuanyi selected “Yes.”
【Currently able to view 3 comments. Comments are sorted by popularity. Viewing secondary comments is temporarily unavailable.】
Following this prompt, the light screen officially displayed the comments.
【Was really looking forward to this drama – wanted to see Your Majesty Xuanyi, Lu Fengqiu, Cai Tian and other famous ministers, wanted to see Meng Wenruo rebel against her father and family, wanted to see Tu Nanzi and others risking everything for gunpowder development, wanted to see the magnificent scene of gunpowder dominating the battlefield after its invention. But this terrible drama shows what shouldn’t be shown and doesn’t show what should… Watching Qing Ju’s videos is much more comfortable.】
【That Yin-Yang Ring was gifted by Your Majesty Xuanyi, how thoughtful of Qing Ju!】
【Speaking of which, Yuling Museum has opened. Is Qing Ju considering visiting Yuling to pay respects to Your Majesty Xuanyi? (munching melon seeds)】
The comments display had a time limit. By the time Zhu Xuanyi finished reading them once, the time was up and the light screen disappeared.
Fortunately, Zhong Lingyun who served at her side and the Hanlin academicians had exceptional memories and fast writing speed. These mere three comments posed no challenge – they had recorded everything including punctuation marks and even the “munching melon seeds” emoji.
With Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Revenue Sheng Mian suddenly falling ill and not attending court, Xue Zeruo naturally became the head of officials. Furthermore, the Sky Screen had mentioned he was the chancellor during the Zhaowen period. Therefore, Xue Zeruo unhesitatingly claimed the privilege of standing beside Zhu Xuanyi to view the comments.
He said with lingering interest: “Only three comments!”
Three was already quite good – there were none before.
Zhu Xuanyi said: “Minister Xue, rest assured. The Sky Screen said ‘currently able to view three comments.’ The implication is that we can view more in the future.”
Xue Zeruo smiled slightly and bowed his head: “Your Highness is right.” He added, “The ‘3’ shown on the light screen is completely different from how we write three in our dynasty. It must be a numerical notation from later times – quite concise indeed.”
Zhu Xuanyi had also noticed this. She instructed Zhong Lingyun: “In future viewings, pay close attention to numbers.”
Zhong Lingyun acknowledged the order and presented her transcribed copy of the comments.
Zhu Xuanyi had just finished reading them and remembered every word of the comments, so she didn’t need the transcript. She had Zhong Lingyun and the Hanlin academicians take the transcribed comments for the ministers to circulate and read.
The first comment.
Lu Fengqiu, Cai Tian, Tu Nanzi, rebelling against father and family – Qing Ju had mentioned all these. The people were either already in Changding Hall, or in prison, or being searched for. Nothing particularly problematic.
“Gunpowder dominating the battlefield after its invention!”
Such power!
With such a weapon, why worry about instability in the northern borders!
The Minister of Works and Vice Minister of War stared intently at this sentence and spoke simultaneously.
“Your Highness, the Ministry of Works and Ministry of War need Meng Wenruo and Tu Nanzi!”
After speaking, the two officials glanced at each other, instantly engaging in thousands of invisible confrontations!
“Two esteemed ministers need not argue. I have decided to convert the Celestial Master Palace into Purity Palace, specifically responsible for gunpowder and firearms production. Given the importance of this matter, Purity Palace will be under my direct supervision.”
Zhu Xuanyi sat firmly like an angler – regardless of Ministry of Works or War, both gunpowder and Meng Wenruo would be under her direct control!
“However, I request Minister Xue to nominate officials for various positions within it.” Zhu Xuanyi looked at the Minister of Works and Vice Minister of War. “Priority consideration will be given to the Ministry of Works and Ministry of War.”
Minister of Works and Vice Minister of War: Not only did we fail to get the people we wanted, we even lost some of our own people.
However, Purity Palace is truly an excellent place. Those who go there, as long as they don’t court death and work diligently, can clearly see a bright future ahead.
“Your Highness, may I be permitted to join Purity Palace?” Yue Guantang said.
All the officials turned to look at him.
Join Purity Palace to become a Taoist priest?
Of course not!
Marquis Jingting was clearly coveting the gunpowder and firearms, wanting to take advantage of his proximity to gain early access.
“Granted.”
Zhu Xuanyi approved. Gunpowder and firearms were meant for the battlefield, and having a general in Purity Palace would be beneficial. Moreover, this person was Yue Guantang, whom she trusted.
The officials thought: Such favoritism? Your Highness, you cannot spoil Marquis Jingting too much! What if he grows into a demonic marquis who brings disaster to the country?
Also, that Meng Wenruo is definitely going to Purity Palace. Marquis Jingting, shouldn’t you avoid the appearance of impropriety?
What kind of rumors has “The Legend of Meng Wenruo” been spreading about you two!
While the officials were inwardly complaining, Liu Feiran—who had gained special access to Changding Hall due to being mentioned by the Sky screen—finally had the opportunity to speak!
“What is this ‘drama’? And ‘performance’? Performing drama?” he asked, confused and bewildered. “Drama carries the meaning of playacting. Performing drama, could it mean acting out playacting? Like… like…”
He paused, his mind clouded by a fog that seemed to disperse yet not disperse.
A voice came: “Like dance and music.”
The fog in his mind cleared, and light dawned.
“Yes, yes, exactly!”
Liu Feiran looked toward the voice and saw that it was the Minister of Rites who had enlightened him.
The Minister of Rites said, “Your Highness, previously ‘The Blood-Stained Full Moon Night’ used animation to depict historical stories. Now ‘The Legend of Meng Wenruo’ is likely not a book, but rather a format similar to that animation, or perhaps performed by real people.”
Performed by real people?!
Everyone considered this. Since future generations had these videos, they could presumably record scenes performed by real people and add music. That sounded quite interesting!
Some civil officials, who besides writing poetry also wrote stories about worldly affairs, couldn’t help but imagine: What would it be like to see their own stories performed?
Even without videos now, setting up a large stage in teahouses or taverns to perform would be quite nice too.
Zhu Xuanyi also found it interesting and made a note of the matter. She said, “Enriching our dynasty’s entertainment options for the people is also important. Moreover, literature can convey principles—this… drama? Drama can also convey principles. Let the Ministry of Rites carefully study this matter and present a proposal and examples for myself and all ministers to review.”
The Minister of Justice quietly approached the Minister of Rites: “Minister Guo, over the past few years I’ve drafted a book called ‘Detective Di Huaiying’ based on cases I’ve adjudicated. Might I have the honor of requesting Minister Guo’s guidance?”
“Hah, hahaha!” Just as everyone was preparing to enthusiastically and wholeheartedly study the comments, Wang Zhan suddenly laughed.
Yes, Wang Zhan laughed again at a gathering of important ministers!
The last time was during court assembly, right in front of His Majesty.
This time it was in Changding Hall, right in front of Her Highness Shunyang.
Last time he was joining in mocking Sheng Mian, the Crown Prince, and even His Majesty. This time, since Her Highness Shunyang was his granddaughter, he definitely wouldn’t be sarcastic again.
Wang Zhan bowed with cupped hands: “I have been impolite, Your Highness. Please forgive my offense.”
Zhu Xuanyi was curious: “What is the Chancellor laughing about? Share it to make everyone happy.”
“Replying to Your Highness, this old minister suddenly remembered that Minister Zhao is skilled at playing the flute.”
The Minister of Justice blushed slightly.
Those standing nearby had overheard the conversation between the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Rites. Some of the older, more knowledgeable officials couldn’t help but smile.
Those standing farther away who hadn’t heard clearly were still bewildered.
Zhu Xuanyi didn’t understand either and humbly asked: “I’ve also heard that Minister Zhao is skilled at playing the flute. What’s the issue with that?”
The Minister of Rites added: “Minister Zhao just recommended the book ‘Detective Di Huaiying’ for adaptation. Coincidentally, Minister Zhao’s study is named Huaiying Hall.”
Suppressed laughter spread through the hall.
It really was said to amuse everyone.
The Minister of Justice flushed red: … See through but don’t expose it!
“Could it be adapted from Minister Zhao’s personal experiences? How interesting.” Zhu Xuanyi also laughed. “Very good, very good. But you must remember – adaptation shouldn’t mean reckless fabrication, and dramatic interpretation shouldn’t become nonsensical talk.”
Both the Minister of Justice and Minister of Rites acknowledged this.