Su Wanwan raised an eyebrow, pondering the words "we used to be on good terms".
In other words, it's better not to pay now.
She vaguely remembered that Yang Yiqing, her uncle, had been the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of Shaanxi and the Governor of Shaanxi.
Su Wanwan just smiled lightly: "My uncle was implicated by my grandfather, and his direct relatives by marriage were dismissed from their posts. It's normal for people to be forgotten once they're gone."
The position of Minister of War is too important to be influenced by just a few words.
Madam Qiu still wanted to try: "My husband's original intention is to serve as Minister of War for a few more years."
His gaze fell on Su Wanwan's abdomen, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Su Wanwan understood her intention to surrender and, knowing her limits, didn't say anything more.
"I'm afraid His Majesty has also considered this matter; we women are just here for the spectacle."
When Heaven wishes to destroy someone, it first makes them mad.
Lu Xingjian is already relinquishing imperial power.
She could add fuel to the fire.
As for whether Zhang Yong of the Imperial Household Department can remain in office, that depends on Liu Jin's abilities.
As the "Eight Tigers" grow increasingly powerful, the possibility of them becoming a threat to their masters and turning against them is a problem that must be carefully considered.
If Lu Xingjian insists on weakening their power, they might instead band together and turn against the emperor.
It would be better to let them fight amongst themselves.
Only she, as the empress, and even Lu Xingjian, as the emperor, could remain unscathed.
Madam Qiu frowned, unwilling to give up, and continued to offer her advice:
"Your Majesty, the position of Minister of War is extremely important; how can we simply hand it over to someone else?"
Liu Yu himself was actually unwilling to be transferred.
When Liu Yuping was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel, he had no people of his own, so he was bound to receive all sorts of requests for favors.
If Liu Jin instructs him to do something and the emperor doesn't interfere, should he agree or disagree?
Life was far less comfortable than it had been in the Ministry of War.
At least the Emperor took the Ministry of War very seriously and did not delegate power to Liu Jin.
Moreover, the experience of the left and right vice ministers of the Ministry of War was less than his, and the internal strife was not as intense.
Su Wanwan's words were meaningful:
"This position is likely to become extremely sought-after lately, and it's easy for trouble to happen if you sit in it."
Madam Qiu's pupils contracted, and she nodded hesitantly, "Your Majesty, I understand."
...
As darkness fell, the cranes turned back, clapping excitedly in delight.
"Your Majesty, that Madam Ye was incredibly brave! She left Madam Wen speechless and forced her to flee in disarray!"
Su Wanwan simply smiled faintly.
Lady Wen's trouble-making is simply an attempt to use her moral high ground to smear the Empress.
If Su Wanwan were to personally intervene, she would be lowering her status and giving others ammunition to criticize her.
Supporting Madam Ye to challenge Madam Wen would solve the problem without causing any trouble.
Madam Ye, being the wife of the deputy commander-in-chief, must not be a foolish person.
Going to war with Lady Wen would not only vent my anger but also curry favor with the Empress. I know exactly what to do.
Lu Xingjian returned late at night.
His face was expressionless.
Seeing that Su Wanwan had been waiting for him, he frowned:
"The coroner of Shuntian Prefecture examined the body and said that Ma Shiniang was strangled and then the suicide was staged."
Su Wanwan said somewhat warily, "I didn't kill her."
Lu Xingjian stopped and stayed.
He raised his hand and ruffled her hair, his eyes dimming slightly, and shrugged helplessly.
"Wanwan, you really don't believe me."
When have I ever doubted you?
Su Wanwan's eyelashes trembled, and a strange soreness welled up in her nose.
Lu Xingjian didn't say anything more, and placed his large hand on her lower abdomen:
Has the child grown any bigger lately?
"No, it's the same as always."
Su Wanwan paused slightly, looked down at his large, well-defined hands, placed her small hands over them, and asked absentmindedly:
"Has the murderer been identified?"
Lu Xingjian's tone was a little low as he squatted down and put his ear close to her lower abdomen.
"The murderer was highly skilled and left no trace."
"If the deceased had not been lying with his toes pointing upwards, which is the usual downward-pointing posture of someone who has committed suicide, it would have been difficult to detect."
Su Wanwan didn't know what to say, so she simply replied in a flat tone, "Oh."
Lu Xingjian looked up at her face, his forehead gently rubbing against her chin:
"You suspect that I have an affair with Ma Shiniang?"
Su Wanwan paused slightly, then turned her gaze away: "No."
Lu Xingjian gently sniffed her scent, like a spoiled puppy.
"Just say so if you have it, I won't mind."
"I love it when my wife is jealous of me, the more the merrier."
Su Wanwan snorted, "So, do you have any dealings with Ma Shiniang?"
Lu Xingjian picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, repeatedly pecking at her lips as his mood gradually improved.
“I’m sick, so I’m seeing her.”
"Wouldn't it be better to spend this time with your wife?"
Su Wanwan didn't say anything more.
Lu Xingjian urged her, "If there's anything else you want to ask, just say it."
"It's gone."
"Really gone?" Lu Xingjian looked at her with a hint of doting affection.
"Don't hold a grudge and make the child suffer, okay?"
Su Wanwan's expression was somewhat complicated. After a moment of silence, she said:
"The baby may not be able to be born."
Lu Xingjian's face instantly tightened, his brows furrowed, his eyes deepened, and his tone became much lower.
After a long silence, he said gently:
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you and the child again."
“I’ve asked Li Rong to follow up on this matter. People inside and outside the palace are all keeping an eye on it. You can just focus on your pregnancy.”
Su Wanwan looked at his angular face, slightly dazed, and spoke softly.
"You're being so good to me now, what if I get used to it?"
Falling in love with him is a one-way street.
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