Chapter 387 I Can't Understand It

After returning from the palace, Shen Qingyu not only showed off the armor that Emperor Xiao Wu had bestowed upon her to Shangguan Jin, but also told Shangguan Jin about Xu Roujia.

"What's so great about being a concubine? Doesn't one still have to bow to others in the palace?"

People like us rarely get to enter the palace more than twice, so we can't perform the rites more than twice.

Unlike her, who has to pay her respects to the Empress every day and perform rituals daily.

Couldn't she have thought of that?

Each bow reminded her that she was not the empress; in terms of status, she was merely a concubine! Shen Qingyu expressed her opinion.

"Don't say that. She was still a Noble Consort, after all!"

"In the inner palace, he is second only to the Empress," Shangguan Jin advised.

Shen Qingyu still didn't quite understand.

"What good is the position of Imperial Concubine?"

Is the position of Imperial Concubine really what she needs?

Shangguan Jin rubbed Shen Qingyu's head and helped her put away the armor bestowed upon her by Emperor Xiaowu.

Then he pulled Shen Qingyu to sit down on a chair.

"Consort Xu is exceptionally talented; it's not that she lacks the position of consort."

The problem is that the Xu family lacks the position of Imperial Concubine.

Consort Xu... well, how should I put it! She lacks nothing.

She is dignified and elegant, with proper manners, a model of a well-bred lady.

However, she was taught from a young age to sacrifice herself for the Xu family's wealth and prosperity.

That's why the Xu family devoted all their resources to raising such a girl.

Consort Xu was simply not fully conscious.

"Maybe one day I'll suddenly wake up!" Shangguan Jin said.

The thought that Xu Roujia was actually just a pawn being manipulated made Shen Qingyu feel a little uncomfortable.

"What more could the Xu family possibly want?"

"Contentment? How can I be content?"

The most insatiable thing in the world is human greed.

Sister Yu, think about it, how glorious the Xu family was ten years ago?

Every woman in the Xu family is a perfect pawn for the Xu family to consolidate its power.

Especially during the reign of the late emperor.

The Empress, the Crown Princess, and the Duchess of Qi—aren't they all daughters of the Xu family?

Once the Xu family tastes the glory that a woman's marriage brings, they become obsessed with this method.

"Prime Minister Xu would rather withdraw from the court than not send Xu Roujia into the palace. Isn't that because he still wants to use the harem to ensure the Xu family's wealth and prosperity for another thirty years?" Shangguan Jin sneered.

Hearing Shangguan Jin say this, Shen Qingyu suddenly felt incredibly fortunate.

It seems that none of the children in their family have such worries.

In their mother's eyes, they could do whatever they wanted.

The eldest sister can go to Spring Festival Gala whenever she wants, and she can choose not to get married whenever she wants.

If this happened in someone else's house, they'd probably be furious!

And then there's the eldest brother, the youngest Duke of Dingguo in the Great Yu Kingdom, who spends all his time thinking about how to farm.

Everyone in the court knows that the eldest brother's ambition is to plant all the land of Dayu with grain.

My second brother, also because he enjoyed it, took up the business of being a merchant, a profession that others looked down upon...

Third brother is also causing trouble lately, spending all his time with the craftsmen...

It seems like I'm all alone at home...

Hmm, I don't think I'm that thoughtful either!

"Mother, you are so kind!" Shen Qingyu hurriedly fawned over Shangguan Jin, massaging her shoulders.

Shangguan Jin enjoyed her daughter's service and comfortably closed her eyes.

"It's enough that you know your mother is doing well. Just try not to upset me anymore."

"Look around the capital, which girl is like you? Which girl lives as freely as you?" Shangguan Jin said softly with her eyes closed.

Shen Qingyu pounded her little fist even harder.

"That's right! That's because they don't have a mother like you."

"My mother is the best mother in the capital! No one can compare to her!" Shen Qingyu was even more smug.

Shangguan Jin found these words pleasing.

See, the child still has some conscience; it seems my parenting methods were correct.

Let them roam freely; they can do whatever they want...

"Mother, you're so kind, you definitely won't refuse me, right?"

Once the women's personal guard unit is fully formed, I will lead the unit to the north.

That's our world...

Shen Qingyu fell silent because her mother suddenly turned to look at her.

"Um! Mother, I was just saying, I don't necessarily have to go!"

And... the women's elite guard is still training!

Shen Qingyu quickly tried to change the subject.

She realized what was happening too.

If all their children leave, how sad it will be for their mother to be alone at home!

"It's okay! Go if you want to."

"Just take me with you when you go," Shangguan Jin said.

"Huh?" Now it was Shen Qingyu's turn to be surprised.

For a moment, she couldn't quite understand whether her mother was telling the truth or lying.

......

Time flies.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon.

Not everyone was present at the Shen family's residence for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Shen Qingming and Shen Qingrui have not returned from the North.

However, Shen Qingyue took Lian Qianli home for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This flattered Lian Qianli, who felt he was one step closer to becoming Shen Qingyue's lover.

Once the Mid-Autumn Festival is over, the weather gradually gets cooler.

Several months passed in the blink of an eye, and the New Year was fast approaching.

This winter doesn't seem to be very cold.

This made Shen Qingjun, who was always busy with farm work, feel a little uneasy.

If winter isn't cold, a great disaster is sure to follow next year...

Before he could even figure it out, Qian Qingqing was about to give birth...

Qian Qingqing launched her attack on the fifth day of the first lunar month.

While all the other families in the capital were busy welcoming the God of Wealth, the Shen family was busy welcoming the birth of their first child.

The imperial physician, female physicians, midwives, and everything else that needed to be prepared were all ready.

Everyone says the first pregnancy is the hardest...

However, Qian Qingqing's delivery went exceptionally smoothly.

From the moment her water broke and she started bleeding, to the birth of the eldest daughter of the Shen family, less than two hours had passed...

Shen Qingjun, standing outside the delivery room, was so surprised he couldn't close his mouth.

An hour ago, Qian Qingqing was still eating chicken noodle soup.

My baby girl will be born in the next hour...

"Good, good, good! Everyone will be rewarded!"

"Everyone in the manor will receive three months' wages!" Shangguan Jin happily bestowed the rewards upon everyone.

Mrs. Qian, who rushed over upon hearing the news, breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Madam Shen seemed quite satisfied...