Chapter 28 Why Not Step On It?

"In response to Your Majesty, it wasn't entirely for this reason that the conflict with the Lady of Wuding Marquis arose."

After all, the Marquis of Wuding's family was also a family of military generals, so they could understand to some extent the hardships of soldiers on the frontier.

"That day, something else happened, and two things happened at the same time, which led to the conflict with Lady Wuding," Shangguan Jin said respectfully.

Although Empress Xu was somewhat disappointed, she also knew that if Shangguan Jin completely agreed with her at this moment, Emperor Xiao Jing would probably be disgusted.

This lukewarm approach is what will pique Emperor Xiao Jing's interest more.

As expected, Emperor Xiao Jing spoke.

"What happened? What could possibly happen at the old lady's birthday banquet? Tell me about it."

Shangguan Jin then explained how she discovered that the congratulatory gifts sent by the Marquis of Wuding's residence did not match the gift list.

She also emphasized that she genuinely meant well at the time.

After all, the Marquis of Wuding's mansion was a prominent family, so such a mishap must have been caused by servants.

If this goes on for too long, what if those servants start doing bad things under the name of the Marquis of Wuding's mansion? Wouldn't that be even worse?

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I am truly not angry because I sent gifts to the Marquis of Wuding's residence five times in a year, only to receive such a result."

I am not so easily fooled.

In many noble families, the head of the household is very good, but the evil deeds are committed by the wicked servants below.

But in the end, the people's anger ultimately falls on the nobles, doesn't it? Shangguan Jin reiterated her stance once again.

Emperor Xiao Jing remained noncommittal.

However, he thought of himself.

When he first ascended the throne, he was full of enthusiasm, thinking about how to expand the territory of Dayu and enable the people to live a prosperous life.

And then...

Once government orders are issued, all sorts of problems will inevitably arise.

No matter how perfect a government order may seem, officials will always find loopholes to line their own pockets.

And wasn't the suspension of the Duke of Dingguo's salary also something done by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?

Wicked servant... Heh!

Yes, every household has its share of wicked servants, but the imperial court is even worse...

Seeing the look of disgust on Emperor Xiao Jing's face, Empress Xu smiled gently and then continued to ask Shangguan Jin.

"You just mentioned two things, so what is the other thing?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jin hurriedly wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, causing her eyes to redden once again.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the Marquis of Wuding's mansion is bullying us too much."

That day was my grandmother's birthday, which was supposed to be a joyous occasion, and everyone was quite happy.

But the Marquis of Wuding's mansion just couldn't stand to see us happy.

Just as they were about to begin the banquet, the second son of the Marquis of Wuding arrived with a young lady.

Alright, since they are guests, I will greet them with a smile.

But that girl...

My grandmother was having her birthday, and she came to our house dressed all in white, with a small white flower on her arm.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, is this how things are done?

Even a three-year-old knows that when visiting someone's home, you should wear colorful clothes.

If you are in mourning, you should avoid going forward.

But the second young master Song brought this girl dressed in mourning clothes to our door, and said he wanted to kowtow to me and the old lady.

Is this a birthday celebration?

This is practically a death warrant coming to our door!

My grandmother was so angry that she fainted on the spot, and it took two life-saving pills for her to recover.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, if anything were to happen to the old lady because of this, how could I possibly explain it to the Duke?

"It was because of this that I, in a fit of anger, had a conflict with the Lady of Wuding Marquis."

As Shangguan Jin spoke, her eyes grew redder and redder, and tears streamed down her face.

Such a scene had already appeared in Emperor Xiao Jing's mind.

The haughty Lady of Wuding, accompanied by her son and a woman dressed entirely in white, looked at the Duke of Dingguo's family with disdain.

Isn't this just bullying a widow and her orphan?

"The Marquis of Wuding's mansion has gone too far these past few years!"

"Alas, when I saw Lady Wuding last time, I reminded her of that, but..." Empress Xu added at the opportune moment.

Emperor Xiao Jing snorted coldly and said without thinking, "Since she doesn't listen to the Empress's reminders."

Then let me remind you again!

Alright, I've learned of this matter, and I will certainly give the Duke of Dingguo's mansion an explanation.

"I have another question for you. I heard that your household hasn't gone to look for Huaichen this year? What happened?"

Shangguan Jin clutched the handkerchief in her hand, trying to calm herself down.

"In reply to Your Majesty, it's not that we've given up the search, but that we don't intend to make a big fuss about it."

In fact, I know that it's definitely not just one group of people looking for the Duke.

But there has been no news from the Duke.

I don't believe anything has happened to the Duke. Since he can't be found, it's probably because the Duke doesn't want to be found.

"Since that's the case, let's stop looking. When the Duke wants to come back, he will naturally return," Shangguan Jin said unhurriedly.

Emperor Xiao Jing observed Shangguan Jin's expression, and it seemed to make some sense.

"What you said makes sense."

Since that's the case, then let's do as your household requests!

Huai Chen... he's probably just a lucky man who's always blessed!

Empress Xu was taken aback at first, but then quickly echoed Emperor Xiao Jing's words, "Yes, Sister Jin, the Duke is very lucky and will surely be blessed by the heavens."

Shangguan Jin quickly put on a grateful expression.

Having said his piece, Emperor Xiao Jing got up and prepared to return to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Empress Xu and Shangguan Jin both stood up.

Emperor Xiao Jing had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped again.

"Your Majesty, please prepare five thousand taels of silver from your private treasury for the Duchess of Dingguo."

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion owes three years' worth of salary; you can make up for it here first.

I will have the Ministry of Revenue send this silver over later.

"Furthermore, it's Madam Shen's birthday, and I haven't made any preparations. Please help prepare a few gifts and take them back to the Duchess of Dingguo," Emperor Xiao Jing said.

Shangguan Jin was secretly delighted.

Empress Xu also knew that Emperor Xiao Jing was going to support the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will have someone prepare it immediately." Empress Xu hurriedly agreed.

Emperor Xiao Jing nodded, then looked at Shangguan Jin.

"If you have any problems in the future, come to the palace and talk to the Empress."

Don't be like before, saying nothing. If you don't say anything, the palace won't know either.

Alright, everything should be fine now! If not, I'll go first...

"Your Majesty, I have another matter to discuss." Shangguan Jin knelt down again.

Emperor Xiao Jing, who had originally planned to leave, saw that he had no choice but to sit back down.

"If there's anything else, just say it. I'll take care of anything that can be resolved."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you issue an edict to cancel the marriage agreement between the Duke of Dingguo's family and the Marquis of Wuding's family." Shangguan Jin did not rise; she remained kneeling on the ground.

Emperor Xiao Jing and Empress Xu never expected this.

Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is now making it clear that it wants to draw a line between itself and the Marquis of Wuding's mansion.

If the eldest daughter of the Shen family were to marry into that family again...

Emperor Xiao Jing also wanted to nullify the marriage agreement.

When the Empress Dowager arranged the marriage, she did so partly to win over the Duke of Dingguo's family, and partly to plant a thorn in Emperor Xiao Jing's heart.

"This marriage was bestowed by the Empress Dowager, I..." Emperor Xiao Jing sighed.

"Sister Jin, His Majesty is very filial, but he also has his reasons for some things," Empress Xu advised from the side.

This is the outcome for Shangguan Jin, of course.

If it were a good match, then canceling it would have been possible for the Duke of Dingguo to break off the engagement when it was first bestowed upon him.

By bringing this up, she was actually making her stance clear to Emperor Xiao Jing.

The Duke of Dingguo's family is unwilling to agree to this marriage!