Chapter 320 Three Years in a Flash

Emperor Xiao Wu readily agreed to Prime Minister Xu's request to resign.

There was no attempt to persuade them to stay, as everyone had hoped.

At the end of Prime Minister Xu's last court session, Emperor Xiao Wu did something that no one expected.

He stepped down from the throne, personally took Prime Minister Xu's hand, and half-supported him as they left the palace.

Along the way, Emperor Xiao Wu expressed his reluctance to part with Prime Minister Xu, but also his concern for Prime Minister Xu's health.

"The Prime Minister was loyal to Dayu and dedicated his entire life to Dayu."

I am very pleased! On behalf of the royal family, I thank Prime Minister Xu.

After speaking, Emperor Xiao Wu respectfully bowed to Prime Minister Xu as a disciple.

This simple disciple's ceremony brought tears to the eyes of Prime Minister Xu, who had been somewhat apprehensive...

Fortunately, the imperial family still remembers his contributions to Da Yu.

The ministers who had been following behind were also moved.

The emperor truly respected his teachers and valued the Way; he was indeed a good emperor worthy of their loyalty...

After Prime Minister Xu resigned, Emperor Xiao Wu quickly appointed Shangguan, who had only served as Minister of Personnel for less than half a year, to temporarily assume the position of Prime Minister.

Of course, the position of Minister of Personnel was still under the jurisdiction of Lord Shangguan.

Lord Shangguan complained bitterly.

It was agreed at the time that the position of Minister of Personnel was only temporary...

Now I will have to temporarily assume the position of prime minister.

At this point, everyone understood.

The Xu family is slowly withdrawing from the court, while the Shangguan family is rising!

A year ago, who could have imagined that the Shangguan family would replace the Xu family as the head of all officials in the imperial court...?

......

Three years passed in the blink of an eye; it was autumn of the third year of Emperor Wu's reign.

Two weddings were held consecutively in the palace.

The harem finally welcomed its new mistress, the new Empress Huangfu Ruoxi, and the new Consort Xu.

It is said that the two got along well, and Emperor Xiao Wu did not show any particular favoritism towards either of them...

However, the imperial kitchen knew that the emperor ate with the empress more often.

Similarly, many families in Beijing had happy events that year.

With the three-year mourning period over, close relatives and members of the imperial clan began to arrange their delayed weddings.

Jewelry shops, antique shops, and various silk shops in the capital were all bustling with activity.

Shangguan Jin was also among the lively crowd.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion also held a wedding.

Of course, it wasn't Miss Shen Qingyue's, but rather the heir of the Duke of Dingguo, Shen Qingjun.

Shen Qingjun inherited the title two years ago, becoming the youngest Duke of Dingguo in Dayu.

On the day of the succession, Madam Shangguan came to see Shangguan Jin, saying that at Shen Qingjun's request, Lord Shangguan had acted as a matchmaker for Shen Qingjun.

The other party was none other than Qian Qingqing, the granddaughter of Minister Qian of the Ministry of Rites...

The woman known as the most talented woman in the capital, Qian Qingqing, whom Emperor Xiao Jing had even considered betrothing to the seventh prince.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jin also felt a little regretful.

Yes! Qian Qingqing is so wonderful! She is well-educated, knows how to behave properly, and is clever and quick-witted. Isn't she perfect to be the mistress of the Duke's mansion?

Then they began to observe each other discreetly.

Shen Qingjun was also satisfied...

And so, Qian Qingqing became the new Duchess of Dingguo, envied by everyone in the capital...

After the marriage, Shangguan Jin observed the situation coldly for a while before finally feeling relieved.

Qian Qingqing handles everything, big or small, exceptionally well!

Both Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingming spoke highly of Qian Qingqing.

Qian Qingqing was extremely respectful to Shangguan Jin and Madam Shen, paying her respects morning and evening without ever making a mistake.

Shangguan Jin finally felt a bit more relaxed and could finally relinquish the affairs of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Of course, there were also many families who wanted to marry Shen Qingyue.

Speaking of Shen Qingyu, she's practically a force to be reckoned with in the capital.

She was granted the title of Princess Pingning by the late emperor, and two years ago, Emperor Xiao Wu further bestowed upon her the title of Princess Pingning. She is twenty-two years old and unmarried.

No, there was a marriage agreement, but later...

Everyone in the court knew that the man on the dragon throne held this cousin in the highest esteem.

Therefore, many people have set their sights on sinking Qingyue.

However, just as those people had an idea and sent someone to let them know, Shen Qingyue unilaterally announced something.

She once made a vow before Buddha: "I will never marry until the Northern Barbarians are destroyed!"

Everyone, including Shangguan Jin...

People in the capital were talking about it.

Fortunately, with the public opinion that "Spring Festival Gala is not late," most people praised it.

"She is, after all, the daughter of the old Duke of Dingguo. She will remember for the rest of her life that her father died at the hands of the Northern Barbarians."

"Yes! How valiant the old Duke Dingguo was back then!"

"Princess Pingning is reminding everyone to remember what the old Duke Dingguo did for Dayu!"

"Hey! I heard that the young princess of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is now spending all her time on horseback practicing swordsmanship, and she also says she's going to the Northern Barbarians to avenge the old Duke!"

Women are just as capable as men!

"that is......"

Oh, the young princess of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is Shen Qingyu.

When Shen Qingyue was granted the title of Princess Pingning, Shen Qingyu was also granted the title of Princess Anning by Emperor Xiaowu...

In the words of Dongmai and Aunt Xin.

They're all royalty! They have to bow deeply to everyone they meet...

This gave Shangguan Jin a terrible headache.

Of course, she also knew that Shen Qingyue looked down on everyone and had no intention of getting married.

She wrote to Shen Huaichen more than once, asking him if he had any plans to quell the Northern Hu.

If you do have one, remember to choose the right time and don't let it disappear too quickly!

She should at least wait until her eldest daughter has someone she likes before making a move.

To save his eldest daughter the trouble of coming up with other excuses...

Shen Huaichen is also having a headache!

Neither of his two daughters is easy to deal with, and his sons are no better either.

All he could do was manage the border town well and earn more money.

Although my eldest son is married, I still have two sons and two daughters, so there are many places to spend money...

......

Shen Qingyue was unpacking the brocade pouches that had been sent from various places in Chun Buwan's private room.

The messages inside were all sent from the branches of Chun Bu Wan Teahouse.

During these three years, many "Spring Never Ends" teahouses suddenly appeared all over Chongqing.

These teahouses were all opened at the behest of Emperor Xiaowu.

Emperor Xiao Wu always remembered Shangguan Jin's words.

The realm of Dayu was not contained in the memorials of its officials, but under the feet of the emperor.

But Emperor Xiao Wu only had two legs, so it was impossible for him to travel all over the Great Yu.

Therefore, he needs someone to travel all over Chongqing for him.

Soon, Emperor Xiao Wu thought of the Chunbuwan Teahouse.

"If there were Spring Festival Galas all over the country, wouldn't everyone know the news from all over the country?" Emperor Xiaowu said to Lian Qianli with a smile.

Having already boarded Emperor Xiao Wu's ship, Lian Qianli had no choice but to agree.

Next, a teahouse like this was opened in every prefectural city.

Everyone in Chongqing knows this.

The renowned Chunbuwan Teahouse was owned by Princess Pingning...

Almost every month, news gathered by teahouses in various places would be sent back to the capital.

Shen Qingyue's greatest skill was categorizing these messages...

"Suzhou couldn't hold back any longer!" Shen Qingyue said with a smile as she read the note.

"What? Have those wealthy gentry made a move?" Hua Wanli, heavily pregnant, asked with a smile.

Shen Qingyue nodded and handed over a slip of paper.