"In this world, who is truly clean? The emperor himself is leading the way in abusing power and pursuing profit. You don't actually think that Jiang Liu alone would dare to control those businessmen, especially the imperial merchants, right? Minister of Revenue? Did he really take all of Xu Zheng's money?"

Inside the Prime Minister's residence in the capital, an elderly man over seventy years old with gray hair was painting at his desk.

His face, like an ancient mirror, was etched with the marks of time, weathered yet dignified. The white hair at his temples, like the frost of late autumn, contrasted with his thick beard. His eyes were deep and bright, as if they could see through all the illusions of the world.

Chen Yunsong is over seventy years old this year. The old man has accompanied the Great Yan through three generations of monarchs. Watching the country he loves go from prosperity to decline, he feels heartache but also seems particularly powerless.

"What else, Dad?"

The prime minister looked up and glanced at his son. He was indeed talented in literature, but not suited for officialdom. If he didn't have a prime minister as his father, he would have been killed long ago.

It would be better if he were sent down to do some practical work.

Chen Yunsong gestured to her son with her lips; the seventy-something-year-old still had some childlike qualities.

"Is it the one upstairs?"

"But... although His Majesty... he hasn't done anything too outrageous, Father."

The old man had served three generations of monarchs. Except for the current emperor, whom he hadn't personally trained, the other two could all address him as "Master." He had spent too much time in the palace and hadn't had much time to look at his simple-minded son. He put down his paintbrush, sat down in a chair, and began to speak.

"Do you know what it is most taboo for a ruler to do?"

The man shook his head, and the old man continued.

"The worst thing is mediocrity. It's fine if he's a leisurely prince, or even one with a bit of ambition. The worst thing is a monarch who is utterly mediocre and stubborn."

Although these elderly people were not named, Yuwen Xuanhong had almost everything they needed.

Chen Yunsong looked towards the border town, remembering what that bastard had said before he left: that Ziwei Star was over there. He wondered if he had found it or not.

—Biancheng, Pingyang County.

"Sister, these are so comfortable to use! I feel they're better than toilet sticks. You should buy some and try them!"

"Yes, Aunt Liu, buy a little bit, just a tiny bit will be enough."

No wonder others were envious of the Hou family's profits. In order to sell the soft paper well, He Qingzhu borrowed Hou Xiangxiang and Huo Xiaolong from Fengyue Tower and put them in the Biancheng store. One of them would call the lady "sister" and the other would call acquaintances "auntie".

Da Ni'er also came, but she was holding a fruit basket and munching on it. There was no other way; fruit was scarce on the grassland, so she ate with great reverence.

"Let me tell you, I was so stressed about the baby before, but after going to this brothel for half a year, look! I'm pregnant now! And another thing, there's a really smart girl in that brothel. She's at the Biancheng Bookstore today. Don't say I'm hiding her from you."

Madam Zhang happened to be in the border town for a banquet today. Her belly was slightly protruding, and she looked to be about five months pregnant.

Her periods were always irregular, and she hadn't paid much attention to it before. Presumably, she had been menstruating for two months during the Pingyang defense campaign, which was an unstable time. Fortunately, the child was obedient and sensible, and Madam Zhang carried him securely.

But the woman didn't think so. She believed that the brothel was a blessed place. She and her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and mother often ate food from the brothel, and their skin improved a lot, and their bodies became much lighter.

The two elderly people's hidden pains were gone. If it weren't for the fact that Fengyue Tower didn't use the guise of healing, she would have really wanted to brag about it to her sisters.

"Aunt Zhang?"

"Oh my, I saw my Long'er from far away! It's been half a month since I last saw him, and he's gotten even more handsome! Look at his little black eyes, let Auntie admire them."

Madam Zhang had her maid pick up Huo Xiaolong and place him in her arms. The little boy was a bit afraid to move, as his legs were touching the woman's protruding belly.

"Auntie, you're carrying my little brother and sister, don't hold me anymore, come sit with me!"

"Oh my, this little girl is so adorable, let me hold her for a while."

The other ladies were vying for her attention. Huo Xiaolong was handsome and had a sweet tongue. Everyone at Fengyue Tower, including He Yi, liked to dress her in festive colors and various animal costumes. Today, the little dumpling was dressed in cherry red and looked like a little lantern.

"Auntie will hold you for a while, and pray that Auntie will have a little sister, okay?"

Huo Xiaolong swallowed hard, staring at the woman holding him as he spoke.

"A younger brother...a younger brother is fine too, they're all precious!"

"Whose child is this? How come he's so adorable? Can we take him home?"

"I doubt it will work. This child is being raised at a brothel. If the child is lost in my hands, those pretty girls will probably tear the Zhang family mansion down."

The ladies went up to the second floor and sat down to drink tea.

The ancients were really clever; they opened teahouses and bookstores together so they could earn extra money from tea.

"Sister, when can you take us to the brothel again? I feel that the plum blossom ointment they sell there is better than the ones sold elsewhere."

"Yes, it's not just a little bit better."

Mrs. Zhang put down her teacup and said with a smile

"You can go if you want. You don't have to have me take you. Just send a servant to let me know before you go."

"Yes! Aunties, you can go if you want. Just mention my name and it will save you money."

The women felt their hearts melt. How could other people's children be so charming? The little girl was clean all over and didn't have the stiffness of girls from wealthy families. Her eyes blinked as if they could speak.

"Can't I really take you with me? Do you want to go home with your aunt? Your aunt has everything!"

Huo Xiaolong felt the woman in front of him resembled a witch, but he liked the old witch. The little dumpling twisted its body a couple of times and whimpered.

"If I'm not home, both of my mothers will cry."

"How come you have two mothers? Tell your auntie."

"Oh my, is the newly appointed young general of the border army your brother?"

"Yes! My brother is amazing! Both of my brothers are amazing!"

Hou Xiangxiang was busy downstairs, selling a whole box of soft paper in half a day. Upstairs, the women were laughing and joking. As they carried Huo Xiaolong down, they waved and took away half of the stock that had been delivered that day.

"I should have followed your path too. I'm so tired of talking." Hou Xiangxiang looked at Huo Xiaolong, whose face was covered in lipstick marks, feeling a mix of jealousy and pity.

She's so young and already selling her looks, hahaha.

"It's alright, you can wear this red lantern tomorrow, and you can be the lucky charm."

Hou Xiangxiang shook her head

"No way! I can't wear those clothes. Besides, I'm eight years old already. I need to be more mature, don't you think? You chuunibyou sister!"

Before Da Ni'er could swallow the peach in her mouth, she heard Xiang Xiang call out "Second Sister!" and Er Gou, who was flying around with a wooden stick, immediately came to mind. The little girl took two small peaches from the fruit basket and stuffed them into her sisters' mouths.

Let her have some peace and quiet. She's been talking all morning, doesn't she get tired?