"If you can't even be filial to your own family, how can you talk about being filial to the greater family! You can see the big picture from small things, does Minister Di understand?" Sheng Ping refused to back down an inch.
Di Yushu could no longer argue, and fearing that Ning Xuanzhen would think he was unfilial, he knelt down and kept silent.
Ning Xuan stood up. "Shengping, I have approved this matter. The imperial edict can be issued, and you will be in charge of this matter."
A genuine smile finally appeared on Sheng Ping's face. "Your subject obeys the decree!"
Shengping was in a hurry. After the morning court session, she took the imperial edict she had obtained in the Imperial Garden the day before and went to Changchun Palace.
This imperial edict was the one that bestowed marriage upon her and Wang Yinian.
However, the wedding date was not set, and the normal process of receiving a decree from an angel was not followed.
In Changchun Palace, Consort Wang had just returned from Yikun Palace, surrounded by a group of talented ladies and concubines.
"The Imperial Concubine was truly magnificent just now. If you ask me, Empress Shen should know better than to hand over the Phoenix Seal!"
Consort Wang was very powerful. Apart from not wearing a full red dress, her food, clothing and daily necessities far surpassed those of Empress Shen. Not to mention, she had a higher reputation among the beauties in the harem.
Few dared to defy Consort Wang, and many sycophants followed her lead.
"Empress Shen is truly pitiful. She has no favor from His Majesty. His Majesty only visits Yikun Palace on the first and fifteenth of each month according to the rules."
"You forgot? On the first day of this month, His Majesty went to Yikun Palace, and halfway through his meal, he came straight to the Imperial Concubine's place!"
Sheng Ping, without looking to the side, bowed to Consort Wang and said, "Your Highness, I have something to discuss with you."
Consort Wang glanced indifferently at Sheng Ping's lowered head, then looked at the concubines sitting below. Intentionally, she used the act of belittling Sheng Ping to elevate herself, so she picked up the covered bowl, slowly took a sip of tea, and then put the covered bowl back down.
Only then did he say, "Get up, all of you step back."
The concubines exchanged glances, bowed respectfully, and filed out.
After everyone had left, Sheng Ping raised his head and glanced at Xingyan, who was beside Consort Wang.
Consort Wang waved her hand, "You may also go and inquire at the Imperial Household Department why this year's Shu brocade has not yet been delivered."
Xingyan also left.
Sheng Ping then stepped forward and handed the imperial edict to Consort Wang with both hands, saying, "Consort, please take a look."
After taking it, Consort Wang burst into laughter. "I knew we would become a family. I don't know what good luck Yinian had. Come here and let me take a good look at him."
Consort Wang reached out and took Shengping's hand, inviting her to sit beside her.
Sheng Ping sat obediently, his head slightly lowered, looking naive and easily manipulated.
"Oh my, you're at the prime of your life, and your skin is so beautiful. We'll be family now, what do you want?" Consort Wang used a gold-engraved coin-patterned nail guard to lift Shengping's chin, making her look up at her.
Sheng Ping's eyes darted away, somewhat afraid. "Sheng Ping doesn't want anything. I'll do whatever my aunt tells me."
Consort Wang thought disdainfully, "How can someone like this attend court?" She said, "You just took on a job at the girls' academy today, so you must be short of money to bribe people. Your aunt will give you some to make things easier for you."
Sheng Ping was secretly overjoyed; she had come to Consort Wang to make money.
He quickly shook his head, saying in a low voice, "How can I let my aunt spend so much money..."
Consort Wang poked her forehead with her finger. "Silly child, what do you mean by spending money? This is just a drop in the ocean. Our Wang family has nothing to do with gold and silver. They're just an eyesore!"
Sheng Ping rolled his eyes inwardly. All that money was embezzled, exploited by the people, and yet he said such things, showing his disdain.
But his eyes revealed envy perfectly.
The fact that a princess of the country couldn't hide her envy greatly satisfied Consort Wang's vanity. She had only intended to give her one box, but in her happiness, she put the box back and pointed to it, saying, "This was a tribute from Yangzhou. Have the guards help you carry it back."
Sheng Ping didn't ask what it was, and prepared to walk out to call the eunuch.
Consort Wang pulled her back again, saying, "Our two palaces are so close, you should come visit your aunt more often in the future."
Sheng Ping smiled shyly, "If Father is not here, I will come to keep Aunt company."
Consort Wang was overjoyed. His Majesty loved to seek out Sheng Ping and dine with her. If Sheng Ping came to her often in the future, His Majesty would naturally come more often as well.
This would further enhance her favor, and the position of empress would be within reach!
She didn't care about the small amount of salary she received as empress; she just felt that bright red looked best on her.
The character "王" (Wang) implies that one should be a model of virtue for the entire nation.
Consort Wang smiled as she watched Sheng Ping have the eunuchs carry the box away.
Heaven is helping her!
After walking for five minutes, they arrived at their own Zichen Palace. The eunuch looked around the palace, feeling uneasy.
Compared to Changchun Palace, this hall looks more and more like a cold palace.
"That's fine, you can go back now," Sheng Ping said.
The two eunuchs responded, "Yes, sir."
He then left.
Gao Hongyu and Zhang Dingcai only came out after the eunuchs had left the gates of the Zichen Palace.
Gao Hongyu opened the box, which was full of gold bars. He quickly counted them; each box contained a hundred bars. "Your Highness, this box contains five hundred taels of gold."
Sheng Ping nodded, took a sip of tea, and said, "Use these for now. If you need more, I'll go to the Wang family to get some more."
It's just a matter of using her to put on a show and please the Wang family, and they can get so much money out of her. It's a good deal.
Zhang Ding handed her a piece of paper. "Your Highness, this is the academy plan that we have discussed."
Sheng Ping looked up. "Has Butterfly Girl seen it?"
Zhang Ding was stunned for a moment, "Not yet, Die Niang has disguised herself and gone out."
He thought that Die Niang was just in disguise.
Sheng Ping didn't take the paper. "From now on, show all the new policies to Die Niang. Men can never fully empathize with women. The more perspectives a woman has, the more comprehensive the new policies will be."
It was no easy feat for her to secure the first step of this new policy, so she must do it well. Although there's no rush to see immediate results, she must get more people on board with this new policy.
Zhang Ding bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I have noted it down. Wang Yinian has come to the Zichen Palace five times today."
Sheng Ping frowned, stood up, and said, "I'll go see him."
Is she really that busy? The Imperial Guards are being far too negligent in their duties; they need to be reprimanded.
She's always so free; she doesn't have that much time to deal with him.
Gao Hongyu was initially pleased with the gold, but upon hearing this, his expression turned somewhat sour.
As Sheng Ping walked, he was still thinking about the famous talented women in the capital. The first one that came to mind was Di Yushu's granddaughter, who was known for her talent as a third-place scholar.
She was a little overwhelmed, but decided to try talking to the female scholar anyway.
"Ah Sui!"
Sheng Ping turned his head and saw Wang Yinian looking excited.
She smiled and said, "A-Nian, so you're here. I just came back from my aunt's. She gave me a box of gold as a reward."
Wang Yinian was not happy. "My aunt is really something, sending such a money-grubbing gift. Her jewelry is excellent. If you see one you like, just say a compliment and she'll give it to you."
Sheng Ping smiled and said, "Alright, I'll do as Anian says."
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