However, none of these were major issues for Lu Xingjian.
We can adjust it back to normal gradually.
However.
The fact that rumors persist despite repeated crackdowns indicates that those with ulterior motives are spreading them.
Su Wanwan frowned: "This matter needs to be clarified by the royal elders."
Otherwise, if this rumor is not clarified, how will Yan Ge'er's identity be revealed to the world in the future?
Lu Xingjian also knew.
However, the relationship between the Empress Dowager Wang and them was extremely hostile.
How could I possibly agree to come out and clarify?
He touched her cheek. "Let's eat first, we'll take it slow."
Led by Su Wanwan, Yan Ge'er and Yan Ge'er both paid their respects to Lu Xingjian to wish him a happy birthday.
Su Wanwan's congratulatory gift was a set of hand-sewn Chinese-style clothing.
The gloom between Lu Xingjian's brows gradually dissipated, and he pulled Su Wanwan to sit down next to him.
"You have to make this for me every year from now on."
That's incredibly domineering.
Su Wanwan lowered her eyes in agreement and asked with a smile, "What gifts have Yan-ge'er and Yan-ge'er prepared?"
Yan Ge'er drew a picture himself; it was crooked and distorted, yet had a unique childlike charm.
"May Father enjoy boundless happiness and longevity."
Yan Ge'er wrote a birthday poem.
"May Your Majesty and Mother grow old together in harmony and be forever united in heart."
Lu Xingjian accepted the gift, praised the two children, his eyes crinkling with joy, and asked Wanwan, "Did you teach them all?"
Yan Ge'er's birthday greeting was taught by Wanwan, but Yan Ge'er's was not.
Yan Ge'er looked timidly at Yan Ge'er, a flash of grievance crossing his eyes.
Yan Ge'er can call the Emperor "Father".
But he cannot.
He was troubled by this for a long time and even asked Mr. Yang about it.
The gentleman gave a long explanation, the gist of which was that Yan Ge'er was born to his mother.
He wasn't; he was just someone his mother picked up and raised.
We should be grateful, not envious.
Yan Ge'er was completely bewildered.
But she also realized that she was just an outsider, not her mother's child.
Su Wanwan noticed that Yan Ge'er was in low spirits, so she specially served him some food several times during the meal to comfort the child.
His gentle and encouraging gaze greatly eased Yan Ge'er's anxiety.
So what if I'm not my mother's child?
My mother is so good to me.
Yan Ge blinked his big eyes, and a few tears rolled into his rice bowl. The rice soaked in tears tasted salty and bitter.
After the meal, Lu Xingjian asked the two children about their homework in detail.
Yan Ge'er has learned more, and his writing and recitation are already quite good.
Yan Ge'er has always been taught by Wanwan herself.
He is much behind Yan Ge in reading and writing.
Lu Xingjian frowned slightly.
If the child's identity is not announced to the world soon, things like hiring a teacher and providing education will fall far behind.
After going to bed that night, Su Wanwan discussed with Lu Xingjian, "Should we also give something to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager?"
Lu Xingjian refused directly: "If it weren't for the Wang family, you wouldn't have had to suffer so much."
Su Wanwan paused for a moment, "Things are different now. I'm fine now, aren't I?"
Lu Xingjian said somewhat reluctantly, "These court officials have gone too far."
“Now those nobles and hereditary military officers are all fat and bloated, only good for eating, drinking and having fun. Previously, it was stipulated that if the descendants of those who were to inherit the family name failed the civil service examination, they would be demoted one rank, and the descendants of dukes, marquises and earls would lose one-third of their stipends in rice.”
"The Ministry of War directly requested that this rule be stopped and the old practice be restored."
Su Wanwan paused, then remained silent.
After she forged an imperial edict to execute Liu Jin last time, she deliberately avoided discussing politics to avoid angering Lu Xingjian.
Seeing this, Lu Xingjian reached out and stroked her back. "You also think we should revert to the old practice?"
That would mean returning to the era of the late emperor overnight.
The government was corrupt, the national treasury was empty, and nobles and officials lived extremely comfortable lives.
This time, Su Wanwan didn't offer an opinion. "I can't say for sure either."
That sounds like a very perfunctory response.
Lu Xingjian, however, refused to let it go, saying, "Tell me."
Su Wanwan: "Only when the army is stable can the country be stable. Otherwise, if the army itself is in chaos, how can we quell rebellions and restore order?"
"Besides, you're good at training troops, and you have a promising future with high-ranking official positions and generous salaries bestowed by the Emperor. Why worry about those ambitious people not having a chance to rise to the top?"
Men naturally love to hear flattery.
Too.
He can train his troops using other methods.
The man was silent for a moment, then said, "Wanwan, I want you to help me with political affairs."
There was no one else available, so Liu Jin was chosen.
Now there's no one available.
Giving power to eunuchs could very well lead to another Liu Jin in a few years.
As for those civil officials, they are more cunning than lotus pods, and he will not trust any of them.
Su Wanwan's body stiffened.
His eyes were fixed on Lu Xingjian.
I wonder if the forged imperial edict last time aroused his suspicion and was deliberately testing him.
"I don't have that much energy."
"Help me handle part of it first, and I'll be able to talk to you about any problems that arise," Lu Xingjian insisted.
Su Wanwan spoke with difficulty, "Emperor Taizu said that the empress dowager must not interfere in politics."
Lu Xingjian raised an eyebrow. "Who said the harem interfered in politics? I didn't say anything; it was all my own decision."
Su Wanwan sighed and said, "Then, shall we first bestow honorific titles upon the two empresses?"
bestowing honorific titles is entirely a matter of prestige.
This way, the world can be told that the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager approve of their relationship, and with their support, the rumors will naturally be dispelled.
After all, they were two of the most honored old women in the royal family, and their attitudes were certainly more effective than those of Liu Jin, a criminal official who had been sentenced to death.
Lu Xingjian pursed his lips, "Do we really have to push them out?"
"I'm afraid that old hag Wang will take the opportunity to make demands."
Su Wanwan was also mentally prepared, "I'll go see her first tomorrow."
...
When Wang saw Su Wanwan coming over, she laughed heartily.
Unexpectedly, Liu Jin presented such a generous gift on his deathbed.
Otherwise, how could the emperor and empress possibly even notice her, this old woman?
The Wang family is being bullied to the point of having no descendants!
"The Empress doesn't visit the Three Treasures Hall unless she has a reason."
Su Wanwan: "The title of Imperial Grandmother was bestowed upon the Emperor when he first ascended the throne, which is now five or six years ago."
"His Majesty has been so busy that he has overlooked this point."
Wang sneered, "An old woman about to be buried, it's just an empty title, I don't care."
Su Wanwan said indifferently, "You don't care about the lives of those people in the Wang family either?"
A hint of hatred flashed in Wang's eyes.
Almost all the male members of the Wang family have died out.
The emperor was extremely ruthless.
Only her two younger brothers are still barely clinging to life.
In other words, the emperor ordered them to live longer and suffer more.
"I have medicine here that can save your life," Su Wanwan said softly.
"If Your Majesty doesn't care and wants to ensure that the three noble titles of the Wang family are cut off without an heir, then I have nothing to say."
Su Wanwan lazily stood up, intending to leave.
Wang's eyes showed hesitation.
Just as Su Wanwan was about to leave the palace, she shouted, "I also want the position of General Commander of Guangdong and Guangxi!"
Marquis Anyuan is still alive today.
If they could get the lucrative post of Commander-in-Chief of Guangdong and Guangxi, the Wang family and their in-laws could still survive.
Su Wanwan turned to look at Wang Shi, her gaze sharp and cold.
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