She only has one head, so how much jewelry can she wear? But it doesn't matter. Gifts bestowed by the Imperial Concubine are still very useful for winning over noble ladies.

Wang Yinian's heart was pounding. He didn't know why, but ever since he saved Sheng Pingning and Sui, he had found all other women boring.

Even if I were to go to brothels again, I wouldn't be interested; just seeing her makes me happy.

Sheng Ping raised his hand to tidy his sideburns, then vigorously stroked his cheeks with his palm. When he lowered his hand, his cheeks flushed red.

"A-Nian, is there something on my face?"

He was nervous, staring intently at her face.

Boring, so incredibly boring.

If he weren't still of great use, I wouldn't have bothered with him long ago.

Wang Yinian looked at her rosy cheeks and was secretly pleased. See, Ah Sui loves him.

She's always too busy and can't spend much time with him.

However, with the imperial decree of marriage already in effect, he will be able to be with her in the bridal chamber in the future, doing whatever he wants, unlike now when he can only stay in the palace.

There's nothing we can do.

"Ah Sui, you are so beautiful."

Sheng Ping glared at him, then turned away, her girlish shyness on full display. "A-Nian, don't joke around. I just went to see my aunt. Although there are three thousand beauties in the harem, who can my aunt truly trust? She's always all alone..."

She spoke with such heartache, entirely out of consideration for Consort Wang.

Wang Yinian thought about it and nodded, "That's right. Last year, when my aunt came home to visit her family, she cried so bitterly. She especially liked my younger sister Nuanli and held her hand tightly, unwilling to let go."

"Nuan Li must possess a beauty that could topple kingdoms; I'd love to see her, but unfortunately, I can't leave the palace..."

Wang Yinian had a sudden inspiration, "Then let Nuanli come to the palace to see you! Yes! That must be it. Nuanli is fifteen this year, and it's time for her to get married. If you ask me, marrying anyone is not as good as going to the palace like my aunt. That's an incredible wealth and honor! That way, my aunt will also have someone to keep her company!"

Sheng Ping smiled faintly and did not respond, only saying, "A-Nian should go back and discuss it with Father."

She wanted to stir up this matter, but she absolutely couldn't let Consort Wang know that she was the one who started it, and she also wanted Wang Yinian to think that it was his own idea.

Wang Yinian excitedly grasped Sheng Ping's hand, "Ah Sui, since I met you, I seem to have become exceptionally intelligent!"

Startled, Sheng Ping quickly withdrew his hand and looked around.

Wang Yinian quickly took a half step back, saying, "It's my fault, I got too excited."

Sheng Ping gave a gesture to Zhu Shu, the maid behind him.

Zhu Shu immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty is still waiting for you in the Imperial Study. If we delay any longer, His Majesty may become angry."

Wang Yinian quickly waved to her, "A-Sui, go quickly, don't worry about me."

Sheng Ping looked at him with lingering reluctance, but quickly walked away.

Wang Yinian watched her retreating figure, feeling disappointed. He really wanted to marry Asui as soon as possible.

He shook his head and headed towards the Prince's residence.

Although it was still before the court session ended, Wang Helu returned to his residence immediately after the morning court session.

The Ministry of Revenue was too small and had too many people, so he didn't like going there. Whenever there was something to discuss, officials from the Ministry of Revenue would come to the Prince's residence to find him.

As for His Majesty summoning him, there's no need to worry. He's over sixty this year, so what if he walks a little slower?

His Majesty has never blamed him, so who would dare to have any objections?

Wang Yinian knocked on his study door somewhat nervously. "Father, Yinian has something to discuss with you."

Wang Helu impatiently washed his hands in the golden basin held by the kneeling beauty, "Come in."

He coughed twice, and the beautiful woman, no more than twelve or thirteen years old, skillfully opened her mouth.

Wang Helu spat out a mouthful of phlegm.

Wang Yinian, who walked in, showed no surprise at the beauty of the basin, and even commented, "The one we serve today is not as good as the one we served yesterday."

Wang Helu waved his hand, and Meiren Yu trembled as she quickly crawled out on her knees.

"Those people in Yangzhou are getting lazier and lazier, and they can't be disciplined anymore," he lamented. Even the blankets that warmed his bed at night weren't as warm as they used to be.

They're all useless.

Wang Yinian said respectfully, "Father, I suddenly realized that my aunt is all alone in the palace and must be very lonely. Why not send Nuanli to the palace to keep her company?"

Wang Helu's eyes sharpened. "Who said something to you?"

Wang Yinian shook his head. "It was my son who suddenly remembered that when my aunt visited her relatives before the New Year, she cried so bitterly while holding onto Nuanli. She must be so reluctant to part with Nuanli!"

Wang Helu relaxed a bit. "Let me think about it. What you need to do now is spend more time with Shengping. Let her do whatever she wants, go along with her wishes. Once you two are married, let her stay in the Wang family properly."

“What my father said is true, and that’s what I think too.”

Wang Helu stroked his beard. "If there's nothing else, you may leave."

Wang Yinian left respectfully.

A person stepped out from behind the screen. It was Mr. Leng, Wang Helu's advisor. He looked very dignified and otherworldly. "In my opinion, it would be very appropriate to send Nuanli to the palace."

"After all, the Imperial Concubine is not the master's biological daughter, and she hasn't always listened to him. With Nuanli entering the palace, the Wang family has gained another layer of protection."

The more spies and informants in the palace, the better.

Wang Helu sighed softly, "My niece and my younger brother both have one flaw: they don't know how to keep a low profile in public. They've caused so much trouble because of it, and it's been a real hassle to clean up their messes. The Imperial Concubine is getting old; no man would abandon a young woman to pamper an old one."

However, there will never be a shortage of young women in the harem. Rather than letting others share the emperor's favor, it's better for the royal family to do so.

Mr. Leng nodded, "That's right. The Shen family also has suitable candidates. Empress Shen has never gotten along well with the Shen family, so the Shen family will probably also want to send someone to the palace."

"That would be even better, but we still need to find a good reason."

Mr. Leng added, "The Shen family will be found."

The next morning, after the court session ended, Wang Helu pulled Minister Shen aside and told him about the matter.

Minister Shen smiled and said, "Lord Wang and I have the same idea. Empress Shen has not served His Majesty in a long time, and His Majesty has few children. Sending our daughters into the palace is for the sake of the country!"

The two old ministers happily took hands and went to the imperial study.

Ning Xuan looked at the two of them with a smile. He was already over fifty years old, yet he still wanted to take in two fifteen-year-old girls, who were even younger than Sheng Ping!

He wanted to refuse, but he waved his hand and said, "I want to thank the two ministers for their concern for the country!"

Minister Shen sensed that the Emperor's gaze was somewhat strange, which made him feel cold.

He thought and thought, but couldn't figure out what he had done recently to displease His Majesty.

That very night, two new concubines were added to the harem.

Ning Xuan chose Wang Nuanli's nameplate and favored her at first sight. The next day, she bestowed upon her the title of Hui and promoted her two ranks to the rank of Consort Hui.

Changchun Palace was lit up all night, and Consort Wang smashed everything she could in the palace, without sleeping a wink.

Even more eunuchs and maids were beaten so badly that their screams echoed throughout the entire night.

At daybreak, several bloodied people were dragged out.

Finally, with a sinister look in her eyes, she picked up her pen and wrote a letter to her father, Wang Hezhi, who was in the Northwest.

She wants that bitch dead!

That uncle of Wang Helu dared to undermine her from the very beginning! She shouldn't blame him!