I think everyone has their own aspirations. If there is an opportunity, who would not want to be a close minister of the emperor? Although serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, the bright future and power are there.

It is said that studying is to establish a life for the people, to carry on the lost knowledge of the sages, and to bring peace to the world for all generations. However, to become an official like Liu Yu, even though he once had the vigor and ambition to establish a life for the people and to realize his ambitions, with the ups and downs of officialdom, his vigor and ambition were all polished into moderation. The original intention of becoming an official had changed countless times, and only the power and wealth in officialdom remained in his eyes.

If the current emperor was a wise ruler who worked hard and loved the people, the court atmosphere should not be like this, and the court officials should not be all despicable. There would always be a few loyal and upright ministers who plead for the people. However, Emperor Mingzheng was really incompetent. He favored treacherous and flattering people, distanced himself from virtuous ministers, and killed those who advised him. The current emperor is like this, and the people below follow suit. The court is in a mess, and the court officials compete for profit and power. This is how it should be. We cannot blame others. It is the time and the situation.

Liu Yu had a turbid air in his heart. This turbid air had been suppressed for many years and had never dissipated until the beginning of the Mingzheng period. Moreover, this turbid air became heavier and heavier and could not be dissipated.

"When two families marry, outsiders cannot interfere. It all depends on what Wulang of the Yu family thinks." Old Madam Liu was insightful. "No matter how good the Xue family is, they are still relatives of the clan. Marrying into a clan member can only bring wealth and honor."

The royal family saw that they were surrounded by flowers and brocade, and they were noble, wealthy and respectable. However, since ancient times, the royal family was the most feared by the emperor. Now the emperor was loving the Xue family and letting them go. Who knows if the Jingyuan Marquis's Mansion will be the next Annan Marquis' Mansion? The Emperor Mingzheng let the Xue family go because the Jingyuan Marquis' Mansion was weak and had no military power, so it could not cause any trouble.

But if one day the Jingyuan Marquis's Mansion stretches its hands too far and makes the person on the throne feel threatened, the consequences of the foreign relatives interfering in politics will be no less than treason.

It all depends on how Yu Wulang chooses. He cannot easily get involved with a royal family girl. If he knows how to make compromises, he should give up this marriage.

Old Madam Liu sighed, and Liu Yu naturally knew why his mother sighed.

Yu Zhanxing was born in a poor family after all. He was not a child raised by a noble family with all the efforts of the whole family. The foundation of a large family cannot be made up by diligent study. Although Yu Zhanxing is talented, his vision and knowledge are still a little lacking. Moreover, he has no smart and insightful parents by his side to give him advice. I am afraid that the marriage with the Xue family will not be successful.

"He has great talent, so even if he doesn't get close to us, his future won't be affected." Everyone has their own destiny. Although Liu Yu admired Yu Qizhe's talent, he accepted him as his disciple mostly because of Yu Jiao.

“If he accepts the marriage proposal from the Xue family, he will have a headache about the betrothal gift. After all, the Jingyuan Marquis’ Mansion is not an ordinary family, so it will not be difficult for him to give the betrothal gift. It will also be considered as repaying the favor of their family for taking in the third girl, and they will have nothing to owe each other in the future.” Liu Yu originally wanted to pave a smooth path for Yu Qizhe to enter the cabinet, and he took it step by step, also for the sake of the Yu family’s favor of sheltering Yu Jiao.

That day, Liu Ziqi brought Yu Jiao back to Beijing. Liu Yu thought that Liu Ziqi had repaid the Yu family and had settled her down.

Later, it was discovered that Zi Qi had not given any money to the Yu family, nor had he mentioned anything about repaying the favor. Liu Yu was smart and after a moment's thought, he realized that there might be something dirty going on, as the Yu family had not treated Yu Jiao well over the years.

He had seen that Yu Qizhe had a passion for talent and had sincerely thought about cultivating and promoting him. However, if Yu Qizhe married into the Xue family, this connection would have to be completely severed.

Old Madam Liu nodded and said, "That's what we should do." Yu Jiao is of noble status. If Yu Qizhe marries into the Xue family, the Yu family's kindness in taking Yu Jiao in should be ended.

"If the third girl still wants to associate with him, you should not interfere." Old Lady Liu added.