The influence of childhood on a person is deeply rooted and lasting, and will accompany a person throughout his life. Ever since Jane Ning could remember, her parents had been extremely rude to her. She also hated her parents for not considering her feelings, so she subconsciously sought Dabao's opinion.

But for a moment I forgot that this is ancient times, and parents’ orders are more important than anything else!

When Ding Youtian and his six brothers were young, who dared to argue with their parents? When their parents wanted to scold or spank them, they would just yell and hit them, never bothering to ask for their opinions.

He thought that as parents, they should just say whatever they wanted to say to their son. He stepped inside and turned his head to look at Jian Ning, lowering his chin. "Why don't you just come in? What are you doing standing there? Are you trying to stand like a pine tree?"

In front of Baoer not arguing with you, Jian Ning rolled her eyes in her heart.

"Mom." Dabao made a gesture to invite her in, and Jian Ning stepped in.

"Bao'er, Man'er..." Jian Ning didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly, "Don't blame her. Man'er is a good child, but she may be different from us. Her mother is a saint, you know that."

"Mother!" Dabao bowed to her and also to Ding Youtian. His face showed no change of emotion. "My son has always treated Miss A'man as his own sister. If she wants to become a saint, it's her own business. As long as she is happy, my son wishes her the best."

This kid was killing the conversation. Jane Ning had barely started talking when he blocked her out. She glanced at Ding Youtian, and he happened to look back at her with a slight curl of his lips. His meaning was obvious: See, I told you not to come, but you came anyway, worrying about nothing!

Jian Ning's eyes darkened, and she glared at him viciously. Then she turned to look at Dabao and smiled again, "Don't read too late at night, and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Studying is to understand reason and distinguish right from wrong. No matter how much you learn, knowledge will always be your lifelong wealth, and no one else can take it away from you. I'm not counting on you to be the top scorer in the high school entrance examination. I just want all of you to be safe and live upright and honest lives, understand?"

"My son must become the top scorer in the imperial examination!" Dabao suddenly said in a deep and fierce voice.

Was he going to show Ah Man what he had won? To make Ah Man regret it? From his tone, Jian Ning knew he was going to argue with Ah Man. She sighed inwardly. She really couldn't figure out the minds of young boys and girls.

But it's good to think about it. At least he can turn his grief and anger into motivation for studying. He is trying hard to turn his mind to studying. It seems to be a good thing. This is the only way.

"Madam, how come you have such a two-faced attitude now?" Ding Youtian glanced at Jian Ning after coming out of Dabao's study. "You put on a smiling face when you're with Bao'er. You always say that people should be consistent in their words and deeds and be open and honest. Aren't you just contradicting yourself?"

He sneered as he spoke.

Jian Ning paused, "Boys of this age are in their rebellious phase. You yourself have been through this phase too. Children in their rebellious phase have very strong self-esteem, and a single glance can hurt them. I haven't even said anything to you yet, but you're already sneering at me. You need to learn to respect Bao'er's wishes and stop acting like a patriarch all the time."

"Ridiculous!" Ding Youtian brushed off his sleeves. "Don't use the modern behavior of your past life to apply to our children. Having only one child is a rarity in your place. If parents keep pampering their child, he or she will be unable to withstand any hardship when he or she grows up. You have to know that other people who are not related to you will not always consider your child's dignity, or what you call self-esteem. What will you do then? Maybe you will commit suicide?"

Jane Ning was stunned for a moment, but after thinking about it carefully, she realized that what he said made sense. It was a rare time that she didn't argue with him.

"You are right. I won't argue with you this time."

Jian Ning said angrily.

The next day, in the middle of the night, Tong Bajin harnessed a carriage to take Ding Youtian to court, and also took along the bacon and other items that the villagers of Dingxian Village had brought to the emperor.

At daybreak, the carriage arrived outside the palace, and General Shang and others also arrived. In the past two days, there were many court officials who came to Ding Youtian's house to seek an audience, which made him very annoyed. On the contrary, General Shang and General of the Cavalry had not gone, but they were extremely enthusiastic when they met each other this time.

Lord Yang of Yancheng arrived later than Ding Youtian. Judging from Ding Zhu's point of view, he is Ding Youtian's junior. Of course, Ding Zhu is just a concubine in his house. He is also a self-disciplined and somewhat proud person. Ding Youtian is now one of the Three Dukes. Seeing that he was chatting enthusiastically with several generals who were granted titles and appointed as prime ministers, he just bowed to Ding Youtian and did not go forward to get close to him.

Ding Youtian might be a newcomer to the court, but who would dare to disdain Nan Xiang's talented disciple? Even Emperor Yongkang revered Nan Xiang as his father. Furthermore, during the pacification of the Three Kingdoms coalition, he had broken the Five Poison Formation and orchestrated the extermination of the King of Yue, earning the unwavering obedience of all the soldiers. Furthermore, after the court session, he stood before a group of civil officials at such a young age that none of them showed any sign of discontent.

On that day, in the main hall, Ding Youtian had the villagers carry up the gifts presented to Emperor Yongkang, and explained that the villagers had the emperor in their hearts, and that their families were able to give out surplus items, all because of the emperor's benevolent rule and the peace and prosperity of the country and the people.

Emperor Yongkang was delighted as Jian Ning had said, but he was more concerned about Jian Ning's modern weapons. He still believed that the firearms were provided by the spiritual Yang Dali. He asked Ding Youtian if he could make those huge flying and running creatures?

Bingdao said that if Yanchao did not invade and annex other countries, it could not do without those super powerful firearms to protect the country.

If Ding Youtian had been more acquisitive, he could have taken on this task, requiring Jian Ning to remove the weapons from the armory each day. However, he chose not to do so. He and Jian Ning had previously discussed that if they were to possess heavy weaponry, the Emperor would be disturbed. Therefore, he informed the Emperor that those were the possessions of the spirit race, and Yang Dali had already been reclaimed. Furthermore, Yang Dali had disappeared since his conferment, and they could no longer contact him. They assumed that, having been crowned the Human Emperor, he had ascended to immortality and had long since departed for the celestial realm.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongkang showed a moment of disappointment. Ding Youtian later realized that his worries about Emperor Yongkang were unnecessary. As the legitimate prince, Emperor Yongkang had learned the art of ruling since childhood, but he was also well-read in history books and had his own far-sighted views.

He was not like other emperors in history who were afraid of important ministers. The world belonged to the emperor. The monarch valued virtuous ministers and kept away from villains. Even if there were some rebellious ministers, they could not cause a huge wave!

After the court was dismissed, Ding Youtian returned to his mansion not long after, Wei Dong brought eunuchs to announce the imperial decree.

Ginkgo paste and Yunshan Cuijiu were officially named, and Jian Ning and Tian were conferred the title of Guanglu Dafu of the first rank, in charge of the operation of Ginkgo paste and Yunshan Cuijiu in various places in Yanchao. The two of them had fiefs accounting for 20% of the total income, including the winery in Dingxian Village. Chang and Ding Jian also became imperial merchants.

The news spread quickly to various prefectures and counties by carrier pigeon. When it reached Dingxian Village, Chang and Ding Jian were overjoyed. Ding Jian called Chang for the first time, "Mother, is this true? From now on, we are also officials' family members?"