Fortunately, neither of them were ambitious individuals with an insatiable thirst for power.

Wei Wangqing had been attending the morning court sessions many times these days and had gotten used to it. Especially when he stood above the Taiji Hall and looked down at everyone, it was hard not to feel that superior feeling.

Wei Wangqing also controls her desires; she doesn't want to become the kind of person who only cares about power one day.

As for Chen Zhiyan, he was even less likely to be interested in power. Power was nothing to him; from beginning to end, the only person he cared about was his wife.

It's because she is the Emperor, and he is the Empress.

It wasn't because he wanted to be queen; he only wanted to be her husband.

Everyone stood up and sat down.

Only then did someone dare to secretly observe the Empress and her consort.

The person seated at the head of the table exuded an air of nobility, and his imposing presence made it impossible for anyone to look him directly in the eye.

this……

This is different from what I heard!

Wasn't the Empress supposed to be very approachable and easy to get along with?

If Wei Wangqing heard this, he would only tell you that people change. Being a leader for a long time inevitably breeds an air of superiority. Besides, if an emperor were approachable, who could he possibly control?

It would be strange if they didn't rebel.

The Empress, standing beside him, appeared quite gentle, perhaps due to her pregnancy. She seemed like a refined young lady, completely unlike the bewitching tyrant of rumors that had ensnared His Majesty.

Yes, I don't know who started the rumor, but it's said that His Majesty only married one woman because he was infatuated with the Empress.

Fortunately, Wei Wangqing did not neglect court duties or disrupt the government because of Chen Zhiyan's one-night stand, so it was just a rumor and nothing more serious happened.

Some young men looked at the emperor with lustful eyes and affectionate glances, after all, who doesn't admire someone of high position and power, especially when that person is the supreme ruler of the world and possesses the aura of an empress?

Who doesn't fantasize?

In addition, the emperor is so young, and there is only one empress in the harem. If he enters the harem and gains favor, wouldn't he rise to the top in no time?

Or if His Majesty could treat them as he would treat the Empress, that would be the dream of every man in the world.

Then, Chen Zhiyan became unhappy again when he saw the men eyeing his wife so intently.

He turned to look at Wei Wangqing and was instantly delighted. His wife was carefully picking out the fish bones for him.

He's past the initial nausea stage and now has a great appetite, eating everything with gusto. After all, he has two babies waiting to be fed.

Wei Wangqing picked up the fish meat and said, "Be careful, I'm afraid there might be some small bones that I didn't remove."

"Mm." Chen Zhiyan responded with a smile. Although his wife said that, she was always extremely careful in her selections, and there was never a single flaw that slipped through her net.

So what if these people covet the wife? They will never get her. They can only be jealous of themselves.

Indeed, quite a few men were envious.

But most people directly perceived the empress's doting on her husband.

I initially thought the rumors were just rumors, but now it seems they are even more so than rumors.

Who has ever seen a wife personally serving food to her husband and picking out the thorns?

In every household, the husband serves the wife; in their case, it's completely reversed.

Even if she's pregnant, I've never seen anyone spoil their husband like this.

This was just a normal interaction between the two, but these people magnified it countless times to watch it.

But the genuine emotions that were unintentionally revealed were even more touching. Even Nan Xiangrong, who was in the audience, could see that the two of them had their own unique aura, an atmosphere that no one else could penetrate.

The officials felt that the meal was rather unpleasant. They had only heard about it but never seen it before, which was one thing, but seeing it with their own eyes was truly unbearable to look at.

They came here to eat, not to eat dog food!

After Wei Wangqing and his companion had eaten and drunk their fill, they were finally ready to get down to business.

First, I have to feed my husband. My husband's hunger is the most important thing, and we can't let the children suffer.

Wei Wangqing raised his wine cup.

When the ministers saw that the emperor was about to speak, they immediately put down their chopsticks.

"This cup is a toast to all the ministers for their hard work this year, to your dedication to the country and the people, and to your tireless work. We also wish our Great Wei a year of auspicious omens and abundant blessings." Official jargon still had to be used.

The ministers raised their cups.

Wei Wangqing put down his wine glass. "There's one more thing today."

Ministers: They've arrived.

I just don't know what the Empress plans to do.

Wei Wangqing pondered for a moment and said, "Many merchants, led by the Lin family of Jiangcheng, have done a great deal for the people and soldiers. To serve the country, the Lin family and others donated up to 500,000 taels of silver to provide food and clothing for the soldiers on the border."

Wei Wangqing had discussed this matter with them. It was impossible to raise their status without doing anything; they had to make some contributions and gain some recognition.

And almost everyone would be willing; who wouldn't want fame and fortune?

They received far more than they gave.

Moreover, donating military pay to soldiers is considered a good deed and can leave a good reputation. Back then, when their property was swallowed up, not only did they get nothing from giving gifts, but they were also considered to be doing it for granted.

Now, who will look down on them?

They don't ask to be superior to others; they just hope to be treated the same as ordinary people and not be looked down upon.

And the Empress was willing to give them this opportunity!

"Previously, when the plague broke out in Jiangcheng, the head of the Lin family stepped forward and tested the medicine on himself. I remember his kindness and bestowed upon him the title of 'benevolent merchant' and exempted all merchants from all high taxes and the biased measures of prohibiting them from holding official positions."

"The people of our great Wei are equal, regardless of rank or social status."

The room erupted in uproar.

Previously, some ministers knew that His Majesty's invitation to merchants to the banquet was intended to elevate their status, but they never expected it to go to such an extent.

This...this businessman is about to rise to prominence!

However, no one dared to refute it, since their own interests were not affected and no one would want to offend the Queen.

After all, every new emperor who ascends the throne must implement sweeping reforms to build his own power base.

The fact that the Empress took so long to make a move shows she has been extremely patient.

They didn't need to object to this first order; at most, it just meant a few more competitors.

Or, some people feel that calling them rivals is an insult to them, and they look down on these businessmen from the bottom of their hearts, and do not think they will achieve anything.

A merchant who has spent her whole life immersed in money, asking her to take the imperial examination? Ha, would she be able to?

a shame!

All the merchants present immediately prostrated themselves in gratitude.

They shouted "Long live!"

They've been waiting for this!

They've finally waited for this day!

A feeling of boundless gratitude rose in her heart towards His Majesty. In the past, no one cared about the feelings of merchants like them. They would only come to fleece them when they needed them, and trample them underfoot when they didn't.

Now, their descendants can also enter officialdom, rise above others, and no longer have to care about other people's opinions.

This is what they are most grateful for. It would be fine if it were just themselves, but their descendants also have to suffer discrimination and contempt.

All of this was given to them by the Queen.

At this moment, Wei Wangqing's reputation among merchants reached its peak.