"Thirteen, you're all alone now, it's time to think about settling down. A house is empty, it needs a woman to be a proper home, don't you think?"
Faced with Xiao Lingchen's earnest advice, Xiao Shisan could only try his best to maintain an awkward yet polite smile.
His mind was filled with a cacophony of thoughts, like a thousand horses galloping and a thousand words wanting to be uttered, but in the end, they could only be summed up into a single word, held on the tip of his tongue and expressed through his eyes.
Pooh!
He said dryly, "Sir, everyone says 'settling down and starting a career,' but I haven't yet achieved anything and brought honor to my ancestors, so I don't want to settle down for the time being."
"How can you not get married! Look at your attitude! This is the consequence of not getting married! You're such a grown man, and you have no sense of responsibility at all!"
Xiao Lingchen saw Xiao Shisan's awkward smile, but he didn't take it to heart. Adopting the attitude of a successful person who had come first, he gave Xiao Shisan a long and earnest lecture.
He only stopped talking when Xiao Shisan could no longer control the twitching on his face.
"Fine, I see you can't take it anymore. Fine, you'll regret this sooner or later. Now, step down. Oh, and go and contact a few ministers in the Ministry of Rites. I need to discuss some serious matters with them tomorrow."
Xiao Shisan reluctantly agreed, secretly harboring a great deal of resentment towards the adults.
At the same time, he was also a little gloating. Starting tomorrow, it would definitely be the other ministers who would be bothered, and he could finally rest for two days!
Xiao Shisan's gloating soon became a reality. The next day, after Xiao Lingchen finished discussing business with someone, he casually said, "Lord Wang, I heard that you came to the winter hunt without your wife, but you did bring two beautiful concubines with you?"
Lord Wang, suddenly called out by name, looked up at a loss and stammered, "Yes, yes, if you are interested, my lord, I will have someone send it to you immediately—"
The practice of exchanging concubines among the powerful and wealthy was quite popular in the previous dynasty. However, with Grand Tutor Xiao now in power, he has promoted beneficial policies and eliminated abuses, bringing an abrupt end to the extravagant lifestyle. People are envious but dare not speak up.
This Lord Wang is quite capable in his official duties, but he has a philandering habit of indulging in beautiful women. He brought his beautiful maid with him on this winter hunt, also for the sake of indulging in pleasure.
Upon hearing Xiao Lingchen's words, he thought Xiao Lingchen was asking him for it, and hurriedly replied, though he was actually reluctant and ashamed.
He was reluctant to part with them, naturally because these concubines were all his favorites; he was also embarrassed because Xiao Lingchen had brought up private matters in front of everyone, and he was still a little ashamed.
However, Lord Wang never expected this.
He clearly agreed and agreed, but Xiao Lingchen's expression suddenly changed!
"Lord Wang, your words are outrageous! How could I, Xiao, be such a dissolute person? I explicitly forbade such extravagant practices years ago. What are your intentions in bringing it up again now!"
Lord Wang was terrified, and everyone else was dumbfounded.
Xiao Lingchen gave him a cold scolding, which made Lord Wang kneel down and beg for mercy, sweating profusely.
Even at the very end, Xiao Lingchen said, "Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things. His Majesty ordered that relatives be brought on the winter hunt, but you didn't bring your wife, instead you brought your maid. Isn't that favoring your concubine over your wife? I really can't stand such a lecherous and dissolute behavior!"
Lord Wang was completely bewildered as he apologized, repeatedly saying, "This humble official would never dare to do it again!"
Xiao Lingchen didn't just criticize him; he turned around with a calm and aloof expression, but gave everyone a long lecture.
"As husbands, you should not treat your wives like this. To be able to marry a wife is a blessing earned through countless lifetimes, and you should cherish and love her even more. If conflicts arise, it must be because you have made a mistake first, and you should sincerely repent..."
The ministers: "..."
Xiao Shisan, is your master having an attack of his illness because he forgot to take his medicine?
He's not even married himself, yet he's giving us, a bunch of people whose sons are all about to get married and have kids, advice on how to get along as a couple?!
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