Only after the rebellion succeeded did they realize that this place was...

When I woke up, it was already bright outside.

There was no court assembly today, and Liu Honggang sat down casually in the Wende Hall.

The chief eunuch respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, the letter has been sent out. Also, it just so happens that today is the turn of Madam Sheng, the assistant wife, to leave the palace, so we can continue to replenish the manpower in the palace."

……

"Thank you so much, my two kind sisters, for taking such good care of me yesterday."

At the palace gate, Princess Pingning and the Dowager Lady of the Duke of Yingguo came to see them off.

Wang Ruofu was all smiles, and her demeanor was no longer as reserved as it used to be.

A mere day's time.

Their sisterly bond, coupled with their current social standing, naturally made their relationship extremely harmonious.

"Since this lovely girl called you 'sister,' I can't let you call her that for nothing."

The Duchess of England immediately recognized Wang Ruofu's character and knew she was kind. So, she added a few words of advice, saying, "As an outsider, I shouldn't say too much about matters concerning the inner quarters of your Sheng family. But for the sake of our sisterly bond, I'll disregard those rules."

"Remember, once you return home, do not continue to yield and give in as you have in the past, or you will be bullied. In this household, it is either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind prevails over the east wind."

"Older sister is right."

Princess Pingning was usually strict, but at this moment she showed Wang Ruofu the gentle side she would show to her own family, giving her many pointers, "Good sister, you must not take this lightly."

If your husband doesn't listen, you can bring up the Emperor's words. Even if the men outside don't care about our daughters' feelings, they should at least consider their own future careers.

On the first day of court, His Majesty promoted this great man to the position of Vice Minister of War, but also made a remark.

Let's see if this Lord Sheng can figure it out.

Hearing these words, Wang Ruofu's eyes reddened slightly. She looked at the old lady of the Duke of Yingguo and Princess Pingning, and couldn't help but grasp their soft hands, pressing them tightly together.

Wang Ruofu was kind-hearted by nature, and she was willing to repay those who treated her well tenfold.

"My two dear sisters, I've got it all, I've really got it all."

Wang Ruofu nodded emphatically, and this performance reassured the Duchess of Yingguo and Princess Pingning.

The girl I recently got to know is a kind-hearted person.

There are not many people of this age who can still be so sincere.

……

After bidding farewell to Princess Pingning and the Dowager Lady of the Duke of Yingguo, Wang Ruofu boarded the carriage sent by the Sheng family.

The wheels rolled gently over the stone path, and soon they returned to the Sheng family mansion.

Wang Ruofu has now entered the palace and wields considerable power.

Although not as strictly regulated as in the previous dynasty, the palace was still closely connected with the imperial court, and the Assistant Lady naturally had a rank.

Therefore, at this moment, Wang Ruofu was dressed in a blue robe with faint partridge and cloud patterns, the embroidery was exquisite, and the fabric of the clothes was of the finest quality.

Wearing a female official's robe, she walked along the Sheng family path, exuding an air of officialdom that only men could possess.

Suddenly, a robust man strode out from the side passage.

Wang Ruofu's previously refreshed expression faltered, his gaze lingering on the man, and he muttered to himself, "This person looks somewhat familiar."

But where exactly does it feel familiar?

Wang Ruofu couldn't remember for a long time, and then he put the matter out of his mind.

What's most important to her right now is to use her position as a female official and the title of assistant manager to rectify the Sheng family compound.

Now, within the Sheng family, Sheng Hong is no longer the only one working for the emperor.

She, Wang Ruofu, was exactly the same.

Who isn't an official at some point?

……

As soon as Wang Ruofu entered through the middle gate, news of her return to the Sheng family spread quickly.

By the time Sheng Hong arrived, Wang Ruofu had already returned to her residence, Wei Rui Xuan.

It's strange, really.

In the past, they thought that Wei Rui Xuan was perfect in every way: blue brick walls and tiles, vermilion doors and shops, as well as artificial hills, pavilions, and upturned eaves. Among their official families, it was a residence with a reputation for integrity.

That's quite good too.

He went to the palace and, along with the Duchess of Yingguo and Princess Pingning, toured the entire inner palace.

Besides the Chuigong Hall, where Emperor Liu Hong held court, there were also several other extremely important places such as the Wende Hall, Yangxin Hall, and Funing Hall.

The remaining main palace for the Empress, Kunning Palace, as well as the Rouyi Palace and Qiming Palace for other concubines, including the Longtu Pavilion and Tianzhang Pavilion used to store jade, chess, calligraphy and paintings, the palace gardens, the Imperial Kitchen, the Imperial Medical Academy, and the Six Departments of the Palace Administration, etc.

The bustling atmosphere, the meticulous attention to detail, the grand scale, and the profound cultural heritage of that place are far beyond what this small Wei Rui Xuan can compare to; the difference is immense.

"Is Madam back?"

Since he did not attend court today, Sheng Hong was staying at the Sheng family residence.

Although I am also busy with many things, I must proceed step by step and not rush things. I need to plan carefully.

"My lord."

Wang Ruofu nodded gently. When she looked at Sheng Hong again, although she still felt a little soft-hearted, she subconsciously began to imitate the manners of the old lady of the Duke of Yingguo and the Princess of Pingning in the palace.

Even if it's just an act, you have to put on a tough front.

The two sat down briefly. Wang Ruofu withdrew her gaze from looking around and then looked at Sheng Hong in front of her. She then remembered the teachings her two good older sisters had given her when she left the capital.

Everything should be done sooner rather than later; if you delay, you'll be dragging it out for most of your life.

She, Wang Ruofu, has been dragging this out for half her life.

I can't delay the rest of my life any longer.

Most importantly, her current position as assistant manager's wife, along with her eldest daughter Hua Lan, gives her ample confidence.

"My lord, now that you are here today, we should discuss the many matters within the Sheng family mansion properly. We must not let things fall into the same complete mess as they did in Yangzhou."

Wang Ruofu spoke seriously, though her eyes still held a hint of gentleness, her stiff tone effectively masked her current unease.

Even Sheng Hong was somewhat taken aback.

"What does Madam mean by this?"

Sheng Hong laughed, completely unconcerned.

Wang Ruofu sighed softly, then said, "In the officialdom of Yangzhou, everyone knows about the scandals within the Sheng family's residence."

Yesterday, my two dear elder sisters, the old lady of the Duke of Ying's mansion and the Princess Pingning of the Duke of Qi's family, both mentioned that His Majesty had mentioned a couple of officials during his court audience, saying that he had heard of unrest in the Sheng family while they were in Yangzhou.

Wang Ruofu stopped there.

Sheng Hong immediately remembered this matter.

He had been so immersed in the joy of being promoted to Vice Minister of War that he had almost forgotten the first half of that sentence.

Upon being mentioned by Wang Ruofu, his expression immediately turned extremely unpleasant.

He immediately took the matter to heart, and when he looked at Wang Ruofu again, his expression became serious: "Then what does Madam mean?"

"That little bitch Lin Qinshuang should be sold off right away."

Wang Ruofu's face remained calm, but inwardly he cursed viciously.

But she was also fully aware of the truth.

If I were to say this now, it would probably bring up that messy issue again, causing chaos and making things difficult to resolve.

So she changed the subject, suppressed her anger, softened her tone, and slowly began to speak.

"Since ancient times, wives have been valued for their virtue, while concubines have been valued for their beauty."

"It's one thing for my husband to dote on this young lady Lin, but he bears heavy responsibilities for the Sheng family, so I, a woman of the household, shouldn't say too much."

"But from now on, things must never be the same as before."

"What do you think, sir?"

As Wang Ruofu finished speaking, she once again placed the decision-making power in the household on Sheng Hong.

According to Wang Ruofu's mind.

She simply couldn't think of such a method.

It was naturally the idea that came from the Duchess of England and Princess Pingning.

"well……"

Sheng Hong sighed softly, a slight smile playing on his lips as he looked at Wang Ruofu. "My wife is kind by nature. Even now that she is the assistant manager, she still cares so much for the Sheng family."

"Now that even His Majesty knows about this disgraceful affair of the Sheng family, we absolutely cannot continue like this in the future."

Did the two kind older sisters' methods actually work?

Wang Ruofu was secretly delighted and couldn't help but feel smug.

What a brilliant strategy of retreating to advance!

I should continue to learn more about household management from my two wonderful older sisters.

What can that little bitch Lin Qinshuang do to me?

I, Wang Ruofu, the matriarch of the household, am not someone to be trifled with.

In the past, it was simply that I was unwilling to learn.

In the future!

Lin Qinshuang, you little bitch, I'll show you who the real matriarch of the Sheng family is.

……

It was during this time that Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu, a couple living in harmony, were able to enjoy each other's company.

In the Wei Rui Pavilion, Cui Chan, the maid who had grown up with Hua Lan since childhood and was her closest confidante, was filled with panic. She bit her lower lip, and her delicate face was covered with tears. She rushed straight into Hua Lan's boudoir: "Miss, Eldest Miss, something terrible has happened! The letter that the young master finally managed to send has been stolen. It was stolen by Third Brother."

Within the Sheng family, there is the eldest sister, Hua Lan, and the second brother, Chang Bai.

The third brother that Cui Chan mentioned was Sheng Changfeng, the son of Lin Qinshuang, a young lady from the Lin family.

In the past few days, Hua Lan's situation in the Sheng family has finally improved. Even the servants in the mansion who were unaware of the situation dared not gossip about her, the eldest daughter of the Sheng family, after being reprimanded by the elders.

They called her a jinx who couldn't get married, and used this to delay the marriages of other sons and daughters in the Sheng family.

But this good life hadn't lasted long when, upon suddenly hearing Cui Chan's words, Hua Lan felt a sudden emptiness in her chest, followed by a surge of anger from the eldest daughter of the Sheng family.

During the years Hua Lan spent at Shou'an Hall with the old lady of the Sheng family, she learned much more than just how to manage a household, how to be friendly and respectful to her brothers, and how to keep her home peaceful.

There are also methods for punishing these treacherous servants.

Unexpectedly, this method of punishment, which had not yet been used in her future husband's family, was now being used on her own younger brother.

"Sheng Changfeng!!!"

Hua Lan's face darkened, and then she spoke again in a cold voice, word by word.

Before long, all the people from Wei Rui Xuan were gathered together by Hua Lan and her trusted maid Cui Chan, and they headed straight for Lin Xiao Niangzi's courtyard. They also searched the entire Sheng family for Sheng Changfeng's whereabouts.

The power and influence of Hua Lan, the eldest daughter of the main wife, is evident.

Such a commotion quickly alerted Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong, who were already inside the Wei Rui Xuan.

"What's all this commotion outside? What happened?"

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu had just gotten along harmoniously, a rare instance of the old married couple not arguing, when suddenly a series of commotions outside ruined most of Sheng Hong's hard-won good mood.

Annoyed, he shouted loudly outside.

Dong Rong quickly approached, bowed his head and reported repeatedly: "My lord, it's the eldest young lady. She's summoned all the people from Wei Rui Xuan and wants to find Third Brother. Judging from the situation, it's probably not a small matter."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu exchanged a glance.

Both of them knew that Hua Lan had always been considerate of the overall situation and gentle and dignified within the Sheng family. She would never have caused such a huge commotion unless she was pushed to the limit.

So he hurried away.

……

When the two of them arrived, Lin Qinshuang's courtyard was in complete chaos, and it looked as if she was about to turn the entire Sheng family upside down.

"Where's my letter?!"

Hua Lan stared at Sheng Changfeng, her tone icy, as if she were looking at her enemy, not her younger brother.

Sheng Changfeng didn't take it seriously, pursed his lips, and continued to play dumb: "What letter? How would I know about your letter? You lost your own things, how could you be so careless as to come looking for me?"

"Big sister, there's no such logic in this world."

Seeing that Sheng Changfeng was still acting shamelessly and grinning, Hua Lan couldn't hold back any longer. Just as she was about to escalate the situation further, Sheng Hong appeared in time and called out to her, "Hua'er!"

"Father."

Hua Lan turned around, her eyes red-rimmed, tears welling up, her voice trembling with grievance, "Chang Feng stole my letter. I've been waiting for this letter for months..."

"What? The letter was stolen?"

"Is it...is it His Majesty? No...is it that young man outside who replied to the letter?"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong was shocked and immediately blurted out a question.

Seeing Hua Lan nod in grievance, Sheng Hong had no time to care about this small domestic dispute.

If this goes wrong, things could really get out of hand.

It wasn't just the small Sheng family, but the entire city of Tokyo.

With this in mind, Sheng Hong disregarded all right and wrong, strode up to Sheng Changfeng, extended his hand expressionlessly, and said in a deep voice, "Believe me!"

Seeing that Sheng Changfeng showed no reaction whatsoever, Sheng Hong's patience was running out. Suppressing his anger, he urged again, "Changfeng! Quickly take out the letter. This is no small matter; we absolutely cannot continue this nonsense."

"Believe...believe..."

Seeing his father's genuine anger, Sheng Changfeng panicked and stammered, unable to utter a coherent sentence. He instinctively looked to his younger sister, Mo Lan, for help.

After all, this matter...

Sheng Changfeng didn't have the guts; it was entirely his good sister Mo Lan who instigated it.

Now that something has happened, naturally, the first person I thought of asking for help was her.

Seeing this, Sheng Hong understood the thoughts of these children better than anyone else.

With a slight change of heart, she left Sheng Changfeng behind and came to Mo Lan's side, then silently extended her hand again.

Suddenly.

If Mo Lan doesn't produce the letter soon, what's being extended won't just be a hand, but a resounding slap.

After all, it involved the survival of the entire Sheng family, so this slap was considered lenient.

Mo Lan was quite clever and realized that this matter could not be allowed to continue, so she quickly replied, "Father, Mo'er was wrong! I shouldn't have let my brother steal my elder sister's letter."

"However, this letter was not given to Mo'er by my brother; it should still be with him at the moment."

Sheng Hong is currently on the verge of exploding at any moment.

Upon hearing this, he merely glanced at Dong Rong and the numerous servants of the Sheng family.

Immediately, the servants stepped forward and began searching Sheng Changfeng's body.

The force applied varied.

Sheng Changfeng's small frame couldn't take it, and he immediately winced in pain, shouting loudly, "Father, Father! I lost this letter a long time ago. It's really not on me right now."

"It really isn't with the child..."

"What? You lost this letter?"

Sheng Hong felt a surge of blood rush to his head, his voice changed, and he pointed at Sheng Changfeng, trembling with anger.