Transmigrated into a farmer's lucky charm, all the villains in the family panicked.

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, all shops related to Yun Shengsheng closed down. The signs on the doors read: "Open for business on the 16th day of the first lunar month after the New Year."

Every employee in each store received a generous bonus, and they were all beaming with joy, saying that they had found the right employer this year.

Gan Yuwan and Yun Huaikang had already discussed it and decided not to return to their hometown this year.

Yun Huaikang still had some matters to attend to in the capital. In particular, he had been granted an official position, albeit a nominal one, and many people came to associate with him, so he couldn't refuse them all.

Fan Sibo had just arrived in the capital from Taijing County and still needed to prepare for the exam, so he couldn't waste time on the road.

The Duke of Anguo's mansion was also looking forward to Yun Shengsheng visiting their residence during the New Year.

Actually, the one who least wanted to go back was Gan Yuwan.

She really didn't want to see her in-laws.

When Fan Sibo returned from Taijing County, he said that the old couple would tell everyone in the village that they were unfilial, that even though they had become successful, they didn't take them to the capital to enjoy their wealth, and that they were ungrateful and heartless.

Gan Yuwan sneered upon hearing this.

Okay, she'll go back and pay respects at their graves whenever they're buried.

But Gan Yuwan's nephews and nieces still had to go back. Gan Yuwan prepared two carriages for them, one of which was filled with New Year's gifts, all for her parents and several brothers.

There's been another news story, not too big, in Beijing these days.

The delegation from Shuo Kingdom finally left.

They stayed at the inn for several months, but the Eighth Princess seemed to have vanished into thin air. They searched the entire city but couldn't find a single hair on her head. If they stayed any longer, they wouldn't even be able to afford the room at the embassy, ​​so they had no choice but to leave in disgrace.

The officials of Da Xuan didn't even bother to look at them properly, and only sent a minor official to escort them out of the city.

They arrived with some semblance of prestige and dignity, but left in utter humiliation.

On New Year's Eve, the emperor held a grand banquet in the palace.

Anyone of the fifth rank or above could go, and they could bring their families. Perfect, the Yun family just didn't qualify.

Yun Shengsheng followed the entire Anguo Duke's family into the palace in a grand procession. They enjoyed a lively yet formal imperial meal and watched a dazzling song and dance performance.

She also saw her third sister in the distance, but unfortunately she didn't get to speak to her.

The palace banquet was originally in a very pleasant atmosphere, but a few short-sighted censors and officials insisted on causing trouble on this joyous occasion.

They knelt before the palace, tears streaming down their faces, pleading with the Empress to persuade the Emperor to quickly fill the harem, saying that it was outrageous for such a large harem to have only one woman, the Empress.

They also said that if the emperor only had one son, the country would be in grave danger.

The emperor's face immediately darkened. He put his wine cup down on the table, stood up, and issued an imperial edict.

"Come, proclaim to me the decree: I will only have one empress in my life. If I break this vow, may I be struck by lightning."

All the ministers in the hall knelt down in unison, their faces pale with shock, and they all cried out for the emperor to rescind his decree.

But the emperor remained unfazed and coldly retorted, "If you try to persuade me any further, you're just trying to make me look unrighteous and get struck by lightning."

The ministers stood with their mouths agape, unable to utter a single word.

There was no way around it; this emperor was different from the previous ones. He was rich and powerful, completely unrestrained by anyone, so he dared to act arbitrarily.

Moreover, if we were to offer advice at this point, wouldn't that be putting the emperor in an unjust position?

The ministers were all so angry that their faces turned red, and then they all looked at Prince Yong.

Prince Yong was the emperor's younger brother, and at this time, he was the only one who could speak up.

As a result, Prince Yong slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and began to berate the leading civil officials.

"Isn't it good that my royal brother and sister-in-law love each other? Why do you have to go and cause them trouble!"

"What are you plotting? Do you intend to turn the Emperor and Empress against each other?"

"Do you realize that this will shake the very foundation of the nation?! You want my royal brother to be unjust and wicked..."

This scathing rebuke left the civil officials feeling utterly humiliated and disgraced.

The emperor's eyes flickered, and a smile played on his lips as he looked at the Prince of Yong with admiration: "My own brother understands me best."

Yun Shengsheng watched from below: [They're all seasoned foxes, each one a master actor.]

The Empress remained expressionless throughout.

She didn't object when ministers advised the emperor to take concubines, and she wasn't moved much when the emperor made a solemn oath. She was like a deep, still pool, where nothing you threw in could stir up any ripples.

In fact, she knew very well that she had injured her body when she gave birth to Yan Shijin, and the imperial physician said that it would be difficult for her to conceive again. So she took the initiative to suggest that her husband take a concubine.

But every time she brought it up, the emperor would get angry, and once he even got so angry that his eyes turned red and he yelled at her.

"Are you really that eager to push me onto someone else?"

She never mentioned it again after that.

Today, he made such a vicious oath in front of the entire court. Others thought he was doing it for the ministers' benefit, but only she knew that he was doing it for her benefit.

Sigh, she really doesn't care...

This disturbance disrupted the atmosphere of the palace banquet, and the banquet ended early.

Lady Rong Xianya, wife of the Duke of Anguo, took Yun Shengsheng and the other two girls to the Empress's palace. She had been the Empress's close friend for decades, and while others would avoid her at such a time, she had to come and see for herself.

Upon arriving at the Empress's palace, Rong Xianya accompanied the Empress in the inner hall, while the three young girls were seated in a side hall to have tea.

As soon as Shang Jingjing sat down, she grabbed Yun Shengsheng's hand and praised, "Shengsheng, the bath medicine pack you made is so effective! My skin used to be a bit rough, but since I used your pack, it's now smooth and supple."

Yu Meishu covered her mouth and laughed, "Yes, yes, it's incredibly slippery."

"You didn't see it, but the son of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue couldn't even walk past him."

Shang Jingjing's face flushed red instantly, and she rushed over to cover Yu Meishu's mouth.

Upon hearing there was juicy gossip, Yun Shengsheng immediately perked up: "The son of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"

"Who is it? Could it be someone discussing marriage with Sister Jingjing?"

Yu Meishu dodged Shang Jingjing's hand while nodding with a smile: "That young master is called Pei Yuheng, and he's very handsome."

Yun Shengsheng smiled and asked in return, "Is he as handsome as our brother?"

Now it was Yu Meishu's turn to blush.

Shang Jingjing chuckled and said, "That's right, that's right, isn't he as handsome as our brother? Meishu, tell me quickly, and I'll tell our brother!"

Yu Meishu's face turned even redder, and she turned her head away, saying, "Hmph, I'm ignoring you all!"

Seeing her so shy, Yun Shengsheng and Shang Jingjing both had mischievous smiles on their faces.

Shang Jingjing whispered to Yun Shengsheng, "Now I know why Meishu doesn't have the surname Shang. It turns out she's the one our mother was planning to marry!"

Yun Shengsheng was surprised: "Did my godmother say that?"

Shang Jingjing shook her head: "Although they didn't say it directly, I sensed it..."