However, Lu Xingjian had a dark spot under his eyes.
Su Wanwan paused for a moment, then decided to bring the topic up: "I disagree with appointing Ma Ang."
Lu Xingjian seemed a little distracted. "What?"
Su Wanwan: "Everyone knows about Ma Ji's provocation of me back then. Using Ma Ang now will only make people think that I have lost power."
Lu Xingjian was unwilling to discuss this topic further. "Now that you're in charge, isn't it up to you to decide who to appoint?"
He paused, then touched her face. "But don't overwork yourself. Taking good care of your health is the most important thing."
...
Wen Shuyi ladled a bowl of black glutinous rice porridge and placed it in front of Gu Ziyu. "Is there any progress on General Ma's reinstatement?"
Gu Ziyu frowned, looking at the steamed bun in front of her, without looking up, "You can worry about things in the inner quarters, why bother with so many other things?"
Wen Shuyi sighed deeply.
“Grandfather doesn’t have many days left, and Father hasn’t been given an important position. I’m afraid our family’s good days are coming to an end.”
"Supporting more in-law families so that they can help each other is the right thing to do."
After her father, Wen Gong, was reinstated, Ma Ang frequently visited the Wen family, offering them land, silver, and even houses.
The Wen family, whose wealth had been depleted, began to become rich again.
Her father didn't send anyone over, so she had to find a way to give the Ma family some benefits.
Gu Ziyu slammed her chopsticks down.
Wen Shuyi was startled and placed her hand on her lower abdomen.
Gu Ziyu's eyes dimmed slightly.
After securing a position for her father-in-law last time, Wen Shuyi became much more proactive.
Wen Shuyi is pregnant again.
Her grandparents were very happy and gave her many gifts.
Perhaps this pregnancy gave her more confidence, and she often bossed him around and taught him how to do things.
For some reason, Gu Ziyu felt a bit disgusted.
However, the thought that even the emperor had been stripped of his power by the empress made him feel somewhat conflicted.
Wanwan went far too far than Wen Shuyi.
Gu Ziyu barely suppressed his displeasure and tried to speak in a gentle tone.
"The Ma family's affairs are quite sensitive, so you should stay out of it."
Wen Shuyi pursed her lips, her face looking rather unpleasant. "You said the same thing last time, so I went to Commander Qian's house to beg for help."
"As a result, they took Miss Ma to Xiaoyuan to perform a dance."
"You've wasted a chance to increase your standing in the Emperor's eyes."
Why insist on going down this path to the bitter end, so stubbornly refusing to see the truth?
Gu Ziyu's temper flared up instantly. "So it was you who was stirring up trouble behind my back. No wonder the Emperor asked me to go drinking."
"The affairs of the imperial court are far-reaching and have far-reaching consequences. You women don't understand the intricacies involved, so can you please refrain from interfering?!"
"What do you mean I don't understand?" Wen Shuyi's voice rose considerably. "Isn't it just that Empress Su is petty and can't tolerate Ma Ji?"
"Throughout the millennia, which emperor didn't have a palace full of concubines?"
"But Su Wanwan is just so jealous, she won't even give anyone else a chance!"
Gu Ziyu stood up to leave, giving her a cold glance: "Incomprehensible!"
Wen Shuyi, however, wouldn't let go, clutching his sleeve tightly, her eyes reddening.
"You still have feelings for her, don't you?"
“Every time I come back from the palace, you look down on me, you don’t like me at all.”
"You just think I'm inferior to others in every way."
"She, Su Wanwan, controls the government, yet you don't speak ill of her."
"I was just doing something for my family and wanted to help you in your career, but you've squeezed me out of my place!"
Gu Ziyu felt even more irritated when she saw that she was bringing up old grievances again.
He just didn't want to argue with a pregnant woman, so he tried to be patient. "Are you raising your voice so loudly because you're afraid our grandparents won't hear you and worry about us?"
Wen Shu noticed that his attitude had softened and he seemed more confident.
"You are not allowed to see her again!"
"Isn't it a wonder that people gossip about a man from outside the family who frequently visits the Empress?"
Gu Ziyu felt a chill run through her heart.
These days, he tries his best to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband.
When he comes home from work, he often brings her various snacks to cheer her up.
In return, she became increasingly arrogant and overbearing.
"If I hear another disrespectful word from you, I won't hesitate to divorce you!"
This warning statement froze Wen Shuyi in place.
Over the years, their relationship as husband and wife has not been very good.
Today, however, was the first time he had brought up divorce.
He went too far!
...
While the canal transport was unreliable, the maritime transport, which Su Wanwan relied heavily on, made considerable progress.
Many grain ships docked at Tianjin, transporting the grain to the capital.
Rice prices in Beijing quickly returned to normal levels, and people gradually calmed down.
Many unscrupulous merchants who hoarded goods and speculated on prices have lost everything.
Su Wanwan launched her first attack against Li Dongqian.
It's just the beginning of November.
The six ministries and thirteen circuits of Nanjing submitted memorials impeaching Li Han, Minister of Revenue in Nanjing; Chen Quan, Grand Censor-in-Chief of Jiangxi; Zhang Zilin, Vice Minister of Justice; Li Tang, Vice Minister of Works; Zhou Hong, Vice Minister of Works in Nanjing; Gu Yuan, Governor-General and Censor-in-Chief; Shu Minshan, and other close associates of the Li family, requesting their dismissal in order to quell the banditry and military disasters that had lasted for more than a year.
The reason is that in recent years, when Liu Jin was in power, bribery was rampant, vying for power was commonplace, and people's sense of shame and morality was lost. Although the new policies have been implemented to reform the situation, the old habits have not been eradicated.
Su Wanwan sent the memorial to the Ministry of Personnel, asking them to provide their opinions.
Li Han was a staunch follower of Li Dongqian, and now he holds a sinecure in Nanjing and is being impeached.
It's obvious that someone is deliberately trying to suppress the Li family.
Li Dongqian was so angry that he smashed his teacup.
"If a hen crows at dawn, it signifies poverty for the family. Is that acceptable?"
Soon news came from Bazhou that despite the severe cold of November, the peach and plum trees in Bazhou were blooming in profusion.
The strange phenomena in the sky are clearly an ominous sign!
Soon, a folk rhyme circulated among the people: "When the Su family prospers, the Lu family perishes."
This matter is inevitably discussed when literary figures gather:
"This Empress Su certainly has some clever methods!"
"For a widow to rise to the position of empress is truly a disgrace to the royal family!"
"This is probably a sign that the country is truly doomed!"
Su Wanwan heard many slanderous words about her, but she didn't take them to heart. Instead, she rewarded Li Dongqian with various gifts and flattery.
On the winter solstice, Li Dongqian hosted a banquet for distinguished guest Zhang Yong at his home.
Li Dongqian poured wine for Zhang Yong with a smile, his words full of regret, "With Zhang Dutang's merits, he should have been granted a noble title. I also asked someone to help, but I didn't expect it to fall short."
Zhang Yong's expression was somewhat cold.
He remained humble, saying, "Even the Three Treasures Eunuch failed to be granted the title of Earl, so what merit or ability do I have?"
"If there is another opportunity, I will definitely instruct my retainers and relatives to vigorously promote this matter."
Although eunuchs could not have sons, they could adopt sons.
Just like Qian Ning, who is the adopted son of Qian Neng, a eunuch from the previous dynasty, and now holds the official position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, wielding immense power.
The eunuch Liu Yongcheng raised his nephew as if he were his own son, and eventually earned his nephew the title of earl.
Zhang Yong was somewhat moved and raised his glass to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. I am deeply grateful."
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