She was born into a family of high-ranking officials, with one minister after another in her family. Her mother and grandmother were also prime ministers. Before the current empress came to power, her position as prime minister was always very stable.
But she knew very well that the position of prime minister in her family line would end with her, because she only had one son. But she didn't think it mattered. She felt that she might pass the position to her student, or she might follow the empress's arrangements.
However, before her son gets married, she needs to consider his current situation. If she has nothing left, even if she has some influence, what use is it? It won't be of much use to others, and it will also affect whether her son can choose a husband.
But if Wan Ge is certain that she only wants her child, and that they are in love and must be together, then what does it matter if she doesn't take the position of Prime Minister?
He had long since grown tired of the days that he couldn't sit still. If it weren't for the children, he probably would have retired to his hometown not long after becoming empress.
…
"If that's the case, then please wait patiently, Mother-in-law." Wan Ge bowed respectfully to her, knowing very well that Prime Minister Jiang truly loved Jiang Zixi.
Prime Minister Jiang sighed deeply: "His Majesty is not easy to deal with. Are you sure there's no problem?"
"Don't worry, Mother-in-law, I will protect Zixi for life and never let him suffer any injustice," Wan Ge said with absolute certainty.
Seeing her so certain, Prime Minister Jiang had a thought he didn't really want to admit: "You wouldn't be up to something, would you?"
Looking at her reaction, Wan Ge knew that the other party was overthinking it: "I know that my mother-in-law's family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. Mother-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely not tarnish the Jiang family's reputation."
Prime Minister Jiang sighed again: "Now the Jiang family is just me and Zixi left. I don't care so much about the stigma or the reputation. I'm just worried that if you do something foolish, it will implicate Zixi."
"Don't worry, Mother-in-law, I have no such thoughts and would never do such a thing, but there's definitely no problem with me being with Zixi. Just wait for news."
"Very well, then I will await good news." Prime Minister Jiang shook his head and left.
…
That afternoon, Prime Minister Jiang heard the news that Wan Ge had entered the palace.
I asked the person who reported the news: "You said that the prince went there on his own."
"Yes, sir."
Prime Minister Jiang breathed a sigh of relief. She was so frightened that she thought the Empress had found out about their meeting. But she had taken the initiative to go to the Empress. Could it be about their engagement?
It's impossible for her to just ask directly, but she should be confident about what Wan Ge told her today.
Prime Minister Jiang just couldn't shake off his unease. But on this very day, after Wan Ge finished speaking to her in the morning, Wan Ge went to the palace in the afternoon, and the imperial decree for the marriage arrived that evening.
Jiang Zixi looked at her mother with a blank expression, but still obediently knelt down with her to receive the imperial edict.
The female official announced the imperial decree in a loud voice: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The eldest son of the Prime Minister's household, possessing both talent and virtue, is a perfect match for the Prince of Wan. Therefore, this decree is hereby bestowed upon the two of them in marriage, to be carried out after the Prince of Wan's triumphant return. This is the imperial decree."
The female official looked at Jiang Zixi and said, "Young Master Jiang, please accept the imperial decree."
Jiang Zixi accepted the imperial edict with trembling fingertips, but her face showed a hint of shock.
Just as Jiang Zixi was about to speak, the Prime Minister grabbed his hand and shook his head at him.
…
After the female official left, Jiang Zixi looked at her mother anxiously: "What should we do? Why did the Empress suddenly send the Prince to the battlefield? Is she...?"
Was she doing it on purpose? Did she deliberately send her lover to the battlefield, hoping she would die there?
Prime Minister Jiang said, "This is very likely the condition that the Prince and His Majesty exchanged."
She inquired with the female official and learned that Wan Ge was going to the north, to the country of Jiang Rong, whose people were particularly warlike.
The location of the Jiangrong Kingdom is not very good. It suffers from severe droughts during droughts and floods during rainy seasons. Its conditions are more difficult than theirs, so they often invade their borders.
Empresses throughout history have been troubled by this matter. However, they were skilled in warfare, and simply fighting like this would likely result in mutual destruction, so the problem remained unresolved for many years.
I've heard that the Rong Kingdom has become increasingly arrogant lately, and the Empress is in a particularly bad mood. She has been trying to resolve this issue. If nothing unexpected happens, Wan Ge should have taken the initiative to stop trying to resolve this issue, which resulted in this imperial decree of marriage.
Jiang Zixi silently clenched her fist at her side: "It's my fault that the prince was harmed."
"Silly child, what nonsense are you talking about? It has nothing to do with you. This is all the Prince's will." Moreover, she knew very well that Wan Ge would not let her power be usurped this time, otherwise she would not be able to protect herself and the people she loved.
"If it weren't for me, Your Highness wouldn't have..." However, if the Empress wanted to harm his prince on the battlefield, it wouldn't be an easy thing. Jiang Zixi would never allow anyone to hurt his wife, not even the Empress.
"Okay, stop overthinking."
"Mother, I want to see the Prince." Jiang Zixi looked up at her mother.
Prime Minister Jiang nodded: "The Prince will be setting off tomorrow. You can go and see her off."
With the imperial decree granting them marriage, the two resumed their engagement, and it was perfectly reasonable for Jiang Zixi to want to see him off.
“No, I want to go now.” Jiang Zixi’s eyes were particularly serious.
"Go ahead, go ahead." Prime Minister Jiang knew that this was not an appropriate time to visit Wan Ge's residence, but she still agreed.
Perhaps her son really had something important to tell her, and she didn't want to stop him, but she knew that if she stopped him now, he would take the opportunity to go later.
It would be better to let him go openly and honestly: "Just come back soon."
Jiang Zixi obediently bowed, then first returned to her room, and finally put on a bamboo hat and went out with her servant.
…
Wan Ge had just finished showering when she heard about Jiang Zixi's affairs.
Wan Ge dismissed everyone else, looked at Jiang Zixi in front of her, and said with a kiss, "Zixi, why are you here so late?"
Jiang Zixi took out a token from her sleeve: "This is for you."
Looking at the token in her hand, Wan Ge realized that it belonged to a well-known money exchange. As the number one money exchange, the owner behind it must be the richest man in the world.
However, no one knows who the mastermind is. Even when the Empress wanted to find him to discuss cooperation, he only sent out the second-in-command.
At first, the Empress was somewhat annoyed, but later she discovered that they were not just a money exchange, but were infiltrating in all aspects.
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