Chapter 314 Goal Achieved

Power usurped by maternal relatives?

Haha, when it comes to the power of maternal relatives, who can compare to the Xu and Zheng families?

One was the Empress Dowager's family, and the other was the Empress's family; the two families each formed their own faction in the court and among the people.

Didn't Emperor Xiao Jing exploit the fact that these two families were fighting to the death to find a loophole?

Do you really think that by taking a step back now, you can pretend that those things from the past never happened?

At this point, Shangguan Jin inexplicably began to look down on the Xu family.

If it weren't for her identity and public persona making it difficult to hurl insults, Shangguan Jin would have wanted to name names and accuse him of being hypocritical and hypocritical...

However, since the current emperor is her nephew, she still needs to maintain some self-restraint.

I can't let everyone down...

"Madam Xu, don't worry!"

Although we are women confined to our homes, we still know the things we need to know.

Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, hasn't Your Majesty promoted many children from noble families?

His Majesty told me that everyone should be given a chance, and whoever can rise to the top will have to rely on their own abilities.

As for the claim that maternal relatives wield power...

Relatives of the empress are indispensable; no emperor would ever appoint someone of unknown origin as a concubine.

Wherever there are empresses and concubines, there will be maternal relatives!

Noble families were related to the emperor through marriage, and so were commoner families.

But as for authoritarianism... well, that depends on how you think about it.

If you have the ability, the imperial family will naturally treat you differently.

If you lack ability, it's perfectly fine to go home and be a spoiled brat.

"Mrs. Xu, don't you agree?" Shangguan Jin said to Mrs. Xu with a smile.

Madam Xu was stunned for a moment, then had no choice but to nod.

Now that someone's nephew is in power, he can say whatever he wants...

"By the way! Madam Shen, is your daughter Yu'er ready for marriage? Would you like us to help take a look?"

"As you know, our master has many students, which means he has more opportunities to meet promising young people," Madam Xu suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jin immediately waved her hand.

"No need! She's still young, we won't consider that for now."

Regardless of whose child it is in the future, she has to give her approval first.

When the Duke of Dingguo was alive, he doted on her and spoiled her so much that she became unruly.

She herself said that when she grows up, she must find a great hero like her father.

However, children always have different ideas every day, so who knows what she's thinking!

Besides, my daughter Yao's situation is still unresolved!

It's a bit early to talk about Sister Yu now.

Are you kidding me? Shen Qingyue is only eleven years old!

These people are truly inhuman; they actually dared to target such young children. It seems I haven't been hosting enough banquets!

Madam Xu fell silent.

It seems the Shen family has no plans to add more women to their harem for the time being.

......

Shangguan Jin was quite full after this afternoon tea.

After seeing Madam Xu off, Shangguan Jin looked at Lian Qianli and Hua Wanli, the brother and sister, who were sitting in another private room and smiling at her.

"You two are really enjoying yourselves now!"

"The winter solstice is in a few days, let's celebrate it together at our residence!" Shangguan Jin said with a smile.

Lian Qianli quickly waved his hand.

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I plan to spend that day at the teahouse with the tea lady and the tea master."

Many people have nowhere to go, so I'll stay with everyone!

"Madam Shen, a batch of tea from a foreign land will arrive in a couple of days. I'll have someone send it to your residence."

Shangguan Jin thought about it and realized that made sense; there were still so many people in the teahouse! They were also celebrating the Winter Solstice.

She then looked at Hua Wanli, who was still smiling with her lips pursed.

"Where is Miss Wanli? Shouldn't Miss Wanli go? My little sister Yue'er..."

"Madam! No, I can't! I'm going back to Jiangnan in the next couple of days," Hua Wanli said with a smile, linking her arm with Shangguan Jin's.

"What? Why are you going back? Is something wrong at Wan Hua Lou?" Shangguan Jin asked hurriedly.

Hua Wanli nodded seriously.

Lian Qianli, standing to the side, looked somewhat embarrassed.

This made Shangguan Jin even more curious.

"What's the matter? Do you need the Shen family's help? I didn't dare to say it before, but now..."

“Go back and take care of the new mother!” Hua Wanli suddenly said.

Shangguan Jin, and Dongmai with its ears perked up...

"Serve the new mother? Serve whose new mother? Who has such a big shot that they need you to serve their new mother?" Shangguan Jin was really shocked!

“My mother!” Hua Wanli said with a grin.

Shangguan Jin...

"Who is the child's father...?" Dongmai asked softly.

"My heartless father!" Hua Wanli continued to laugh.

Shangguan Jin, winter wheat...

Okay! Actually, Hua Yue Niang, the owner of the Hua Pavilion, is only in her forties, okay?

With her looks and figure, it seems normal for her to have a child.

Wasn't Lady Huangfu in the capital also the youngest daughter born when she was nearly forty years old?

She's just an older mother at most.

"Then... please bring some tonics and gifts for your mother. She's worked so hard!" That was all Shangguan Jin could say.

Hua Wanli happily agreed.

The happiest person was none other than Hua Wanli, whose mother had unexpectedly become pregnant and was about to give birth.

If my mother had given birth to a younger sister, then I wouldn't have to be pressured by my mother to inherit the Wan Hua Lou...

That's great! She can roam the martial world freely again!

No more worrying about giving Wan Hua Lou an heir and constantly agonizing over whether or not to sleep with Huangfu Ruolang...

......

On the way back, Dongmai didn't say a word, but would occasionally glance at Shangguan Jin.

"Dongmai, is something on your mind?" Shangguan Jin asked.

Dongmai nodded without any attempt to hide his agreement.

"Yes, I have something on my mind, a lot on my mind."

"Want to get married? No problem. Whoever you fancy, I'll act as matchmaker and prepare a generous dowry for you."

Shangguan Jin thought that Dongmai had written this on a whim.

Dongmai's eyes widened...

"Miss! I've told you I'll follow you for the rest of my life, why are you trying to kick me out!"

"What's on your mind? Tell me!" Shangguan Jin was even more curious.

Dongmai thought for a moment, then suddenly sighed.

"Miss, people say that loving couples will stay loving forever."

Why is it that people like Lady Hua and Lady Huangfu can have children at this age, but you...?

"Oh, I remember now, you don't even sleep in the same bed with the Duke anymore!"

Shangguan Jin...

"Winter wheat?"

"ah?"

"Now we must be mindful of both national and family responsibilities!"

"Oh! I understand!"

"And another thing! In other people's eyes, your Duke's grave is already overgrown with weeds."

"If I get pregnant, whose child will it be?" Shangguan Jin asked.

Winter wheat immediately realized what was happening.

Oh, I see!

She said that her young lady and the Duke were so loving, there must be some unavoidable difficulties they had!

See, they'd rather keep it to themselves than cause trouble for the other party!