Chapter 307 My Own Thoughts

Shangguan Jin was happy living at Bao'en Temple.

Although the weather was cold and the back mountain of Bao'en Temple was covered with bare branches and remnants of snow, Shangguan Jin was able to experience a different kind of scenery.

After the harsh winter, all things will eventually revive...

The new saplings will grow into towering trees...

Shangguan Jin deeply agreed. Whether it was the capital or the border city in the north, wasn't it all about starting all over again?

"Benefactor! Benefactor! Please go back quickly!"

Shangguan Jin was pointing to the maple trees on Bao'en Temple Mountain and said to Dongmai, "Don't miss the maple leaves at Bao'en Temple next year."

A young novice monk who had been serving them ran over.

"Little Master, don't be in a hurry, what's the matter?"

Seeing the little novice monk panting heavily, Shangguan Jin quickly helped him catch his breath.

The young novice monk, panting, pointed in the direction of the temple.

"Benefactor! The abbot sent me to invite you, saying that a distinguished guest has arrived, and you should hurry back to see him."

Shangguan Jin was taken aback at first, then quickly walked down the mountain.

Dongmai was also taken aback, but quickly realized who it was.

My young lady has quite a few titles now.

Even the powerful Prime Minister Xu, upon seeing his young mistress, would respectfully address her as Madam Shen... Madam Protector of the Nation? Or Madam of the State of Wei?

Whatever! They're all of higher rank than him anyway.

Therefore, in the entire capital, anyone who could be considered a distinguished guest in front of their young mistress...

Only the one sitting on the dragon throne.

But... isn't it said that after becoming emperor, he was busy reading memorials and dealing with so many things in Dayu every day? Where would he find the time to stroll around Bao'en Temple?

Although Dongmai was a little confused, she quickly followed Shangguan Jin's steps and helped her walk towards the temple...

As soon as they entered the side room of Bao'en Temple, Shangguan Jin and Dongmai sensed it.

The surroundings were much quieter; not only were there fewer people coming to offer incense, but there also seemed to be fewer birds in the trees.

In Shangguan Jin's room, besides the two ladies of the Shangguan family and Old Madam Shen, only the abbot stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides.

They were surrounding Emperor Xiao Wu, who had recently ascended the throne.

Shangguan Jin looked at Emperor Xiao Wu from afar and finally reconnected this person with the Seventh Prince in her memory who always liked to cling to her and act spoiled.

"Your Majesty, this humble woman pays her respects..."

Just as Shangguan Jin was about to bow, Emperor Xiao Wu helped her up.

It wasn't a perfunctory lift; he genuinely and forcefully helped Shangguan Jin up.

"Aunt is still so distant. I have already told Aunt that she is exempt from the kneeling ceremony from now on." Emperor Xiao Wu said as he helped Shangguan Jin sit down on a chair.

Shangguan Jin knew that it seemed the young emperor had been there for quite some time.

The two ladies of the Shangguan family and Old Madam Shen exchanged glances, knowing that Emperor Xiao Wu had something to say to Shangguan Jin.

The three of them got up and went to find the old monk to listen to his sermons.

Seeing that the room was empty, Dongmai hurriedly led the young novice monk to bring up the tea.

Shangguan Jin took a sip, and only spoke after watching Emperor Xiao Wu take a sip as well.

"Isn't Your Majesty busy today? You even have the time to burn incense?"

Emperor Xiao Wu smiled and quickly put down his teacup.

“Aunt! I’m still young and can’t read many memorials. My maternal grandfather and Prime Minister Xu picked out some for me to read.”

So I'm not busy.

"Stop with the 'I' and 'you' thing. You're the emperor now, this self-proclaimed title..." Shangguan Jin reminded him.

Emperor Xiao Wu chuckled and slapped his forehead, just like he did when he was a child.

"He forgets everything as soon as he sees his aunt, and in front of others he always refers to himself as 'I, the Emperor.'"

Aunt, I was so happy to see you that I forgot all about the rules.

By the way, Auntie, how's the Northland? Is it fun?

"Why didn't you rest for a few days after you just got back? Why did you come to Bao'en Temple as soon as you got back?" Emperor Xiao Wu asked with a smile.

Shangguan Jin sighed.

"I also want to rest! But His Majesty doesn't know what the situation is like in the capital?"

Will those people let me rest?

I might as well hide and make sure they can't find me.

Emperor Xiao Wu certainly knew why Shangguan Jin was hiding.

His stance here is clear: he doesn't want to decide on the concubines for the harem anytime soon.

When those people realized they couldn't reason with her, they obviously turned their attention to her.

"Aunt...it's all my fault! I couldn't even let you rest properly." Emperor Xiao Wu felt a little guilty.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jin quickly waved her hand.

"You're the emperor now, you can't just say whatever you want, it's all your fault!"

Also, your aunt supports you; you can choose to appoint an empress whenever you wish.

No one else can control you.

You are the emperor, the Son of Heaven of Dayu, and you must make the decisions on these matters yourself.

"So you just don't want to think about it right now? Then don't think about it." Shangguan Jin said seriously.

Emperor Xiao Wu looked somewhat embarrassed.

He's not saying he doesn't consider these issues.

Instead...

“Aunt! I… well, it’s not that I don’t consider these things.”

Rather, I believe that expanding the harem could achieve some kind of goal.

I can't just say, "They told me to make an empress, so I'll make one!"

You want me to establish empresses and concubines? Sure! Let's discuss the terms first!

If we can't even agree on the terms, and there's nothing good to eat, why should I establish empresses and concubines?

"Are you just bored out of your mind...?" Emperor Xiao Wu couldn't help but mutter.

He simply thought Emperor Xiao Wu was just an immature Shangguan Jin...

"Your Majesty...you don't want to establish an empress or concubines? Your Majesty has your own plans?" Shangguan Jin asked tentatively.

Emperor Xiao Wu nodded.

“Aunt, I am only fifteen. It is not appropriate for me to be made empress too early.”

When my father was still alive, he mentioned arranging a marriage for me.

But before I could make up my mind, my father left.

The reason those people are bringing this up again is simply because they want to secure their own interests as soon as possible.

Since they have something to ask for, and I have no choice but to establish my empress.

Then I must make them pay a price!

"I can't say that my empress and imperial concubine were established in vain!" Emperor Xiao Wu said solemnly.

Shangguan Jin looked at Emperor Xiao Wu with some surprise.

Is this still the same... Seventh Prince who would always act cute and say he missed his mother?

"So what...is your goal?" Shangguan Jin asked.

"This time, I only want to target Prime Minister Xu."

There were too many protégés and old friends of Prime Minister Xu in the imperial court. Whenever my grandfather wanted to do something that contradicted Prime Minister Xu's opinion, there would always be a lot of people opposing him.

"Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to let Prime Minister Xu withdraw on his own," Emperor Xiao Wu said calmly.

"Should we ask Prime Minister Xu to withdraw?"

"This is quite difficult! Is Your Majesty being a bit hasty in doing this?" Shangguan Jin asked with a smile.

Emperor Xiao pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and then spoke.

"Originally, I was thinking of waiting a few years until I was more powerful, or until things went more smoothly with my maternal grandfather."

Actually, it's not impossible for me to take it one step at a time and slowly place people in positions; it's just a bit slower.

But when Prime Minister Xu proposed establishing an empress, that was when the opportunity arose.

"Aunt, do you think I'm right?" Emperor Xiao Wu asked.

Shangguan Jin thought about it carefully.

It's normal for there to be many factions in the imperial court, but no single faction can dominate. Prime Minister Xu's power is a bit too great.

When women from such families enter the palace, it is inevitable that the situations that occurred in the court during the reign of the previous emperor will reappear.

so......

"Your Majesty! How would you like your aunt to help you?" Shangguan Jin asked with a smile.