His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus has suffered the greatest setback since his "retirement."
He was speechless for a long time because of his son's accurate and ruthless "mind-reading" skills. His old face turned pale and then red, a truly fascinating sight.
Finally, amidst Lin Wanwan's unrestrained, almost choking laughter and her son's innocent gaze that seemed to say, "Your subject is only telling the truth," Xiao Che suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up!
"snort!"
He squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth, then turned and left!
Judging from that angry back view, it didn't seem like he was going for a walk or returning to his palace, but rather... he was going to the vegetable garden to have a life-or-death battle with those cucumbers from Old Zhang's house next door.
Clearly, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus was furious and went into seclusion.
Inside the restaurant, only Lin Wanwan, who was laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight, and Xiao Tuan, who seemed a little lost, remained.
"Mother..." Xiao Tuan looked at her father's departing figure and asked with some worry, "Is...father angry?"
Lin Wanwan finally managed to stop laughing, wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes, and waved her hand: "It's okay, don't worry about him, let him make trouble for the cucumber himself."
She knew Xiao Che too well; this guy was a classic example of someone who "suffers for the sake of saving face." Instead of comforting him, it was better to let him have a good chat with his "imperial dignity" in the vegetable garden.
They've laughed enough and made a scene enough.
Lin Wanwan then remembered that the trigger for the "family war" had not yet been resolved.
She looked at Xiao Tuan, the smile on her face gradually fading, replaced by a gentle seriousness.
"Tuanzi, come here." She beckoned to her son. "Let's go to the study and have a good talk."
...
The study in the villa is decorated in an elegant and cozy style.
Without the solemnity and grandeur of the imperial study, there was more of the comfort and ease of home.
Lin Wanwan personally poured a cup of tea for her son, and then sat down opposite him.
"Alright," she said softly, looking at her son's handsome face, which still bore a hint of worry. "Now, can you tell your mother what's troubling you?"
Why are you so resistant to talent shows?
She paused, then added with a hint of teasing, "You wouldn't be afraid of keeping you from researching new dishes at the Academy of Sciences, would you?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tuan's cheeks flushed slightly.
He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and seemed to be organizing his thoughts.
After a moment, he put down his teacup, looked up, and stared at Lin Wan.
That evening, a hint of youthful shyness and... determination flashed in those clear phoenix eyes.
“Mother,” he mustered his courage and confessed, “Your subject… Your subject has someone he loves.”
It's here!
Lin Wanwan immediately understood.
Sure enough, that was the crux of the problem.
Her face remained expressionless, but in her heart, the fire of gossip was burning fiercely.
Who could possibly capture the heart of this discerning "Gourmet Prince"? Is she a lady from a prestigious family? Is she a gentle and charming lady from a respectable household, or a valiant and spirited daughter of a military family?
However, what Xiao Tuan said next completely surprised her.
He said in a low voice, somewhat embarrassed:
“She…she is…a lady-in-waiting in the Royal Academy of Sciences.”
Female officer?
Lin Wanwan was taken aback.
Indeed, there were quite a few talented women in the Royal Academy of Sciences, selected according to the "female official system" she established.
"What's her name? Whose daughter is she?" Lin Wanwan pressed.
Xiao Tuan lowered his head even further, and his voice became even softer.
"Her name is Su Qin, and she is from a commoner background."
He paused, as if afraid his mother would disagree, and quickly added, "But she is extremely talented! Especially in agronomy! The most crucial 'grafting' technique in the 'Champa rice' that I improved was proposed by her! She..."
When he spoke of the girl named "Su Qin," his eyes seemed to sparkle like stars, and his whole being radiated a light called "admiration."
Seeing her son's budding romance, Lin Wanwan felt no dissatisfaction whatsoever. Instead, a deep sense of nostalgia and emotion welled up within her.
Born into a commoner family...
Too humble a family background...
These words reminded her of herself many, many years ago, when she had just transmigrated, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, trembling as she handed candied fruit to a sinister emperor.
At that time, wasn't she also of humble status and with a life as insignificant as grass?
It was Xiao Che, this man, who gave her the confidence to stand atop the empire with all his trust and love.
Now, her son has also met a girl who is so similar to her back then.
How could she possibly become the "wicked mother-in-law" who obstructs lovers?
"I like it..."
Lin Wanwan smiled.
Her smile was gentle and welcoming, like the warmest breeze in spring.
She looked at her son and, in an extremely certain tone, slowly uttered four words.
"If you like someone, go for it."
Xiao Tuan suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief and surprise: "Mother...you...you don't object?"
"Why should I object?" Lin Wanwan retorted, her eyes clear and firm. "Does the emperor of my Great Xiao not even have the right to choose the one he loves?"
“But…” A hint of hesitation flashed across Xiao Tuan’s face, “Those ministers in the court…they would never agree to a commoner woman becoming empress.”
This is what truly troubles him.
Political marriages have always been the most stable bond between imperial power and powerful families.
If he insists on marrying a commoner woman, the pressure he will face is unimaginable.
"Them?" Upon hearing this, Lin Wanwan's lips curled into a cold, sharp smile. "What are they?"
In that instant, the powerful aura emanating from her—the aura of the Empress Dowager, of this empire, of a true "goddess"—was fully revealed.
"Tuanzi, listen to me."
She looked at her son and said clearly, word by word:
"You don't need to pay attention to the pressure from those old fogies. Your mother has her own way of handling things."
"Weren't they clamoring for a 'talent show'?" A glint of cunning, exactly like Xiao Che's, flashed in her eyes.
"Okay, then let's choose."
“But,” she changed the subject, “we will not choose ‘concubines’.”
“We will follow the example set by our mother when she established the ‘female official system’.”
"This time, we choose—'Royal Scholar'!"
She stood up, walked to her desk, and spoke with a firm and resolute voice, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.
"Tomorrow, issue an edict announcing to the world that the Royal Academy of Sciences will select a group of the most outstanding young female scholars from across the country to join the Academy and participate in national-level research projects!"
"We don't care about background or social status; we only care about talent and learning!"
“As for…” She turned to her son, winking playfully, “in the end, who can rise from ‘scholar’ to ‘empress’ through their own abilities…”
"Well, that depends on your own abilities."
With a loud "boom!"
Xiao Tuan felt as if thousands of cannons were exploding in his mind at the same time!
Instead of choosing concubines, choose scholars!
This...this is simply a stroke of genius!
This move not only silenced the court officials who demanded a "talent selection," but also cleverly changed the selection criteria from "family background" to "talent and learning."
In this way, not only did his beloved Su Qin have a legitimate opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, but he also gained the right to do so.
Furthermore, it opened a door to the highest hall for all talented common women in the world!
At this moment, as Xiao Tuan looked at his mother, at her still stunning figure bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, a surge of overwhelming admiration and respect welled up in his heart!
What is a "goddess"?
This is the real "goddess"!
With a single decree from her, customs and traditions could be transformed, ushering in a completely new era!
This reform was later solemnly recorded in the annals of history by historians.
They called it—
"It's the goddess's last dream."
Because of it, not only was the most virtuous empress chosen for the Great Xiao Dynasty, but it also led to the selection of the most virtuous empress.
Furthermore, it completely broke the age-old rule that "the imperial harem must be of noble birth," pushing the "new court style" of the Great Xiao Dynasty to an unprecedented peak.
At this moment, Xiao Tuan, who was utterly shocked by this "stroke of genius," finally came back to his senses from his excitement.
He strode forward, looked at his mother, and his eyes sparkled with a light as bright as stars.
In a slightly trembling voice, filled with reverence and admiration, he sincerely said:
"Mother..."
"You are the true pillar of our Great Xiao Dynasty! You are the real... anchor of our nation!"
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