Did the eldest daughter ascend the throne today?

Wu An never imagined that this was the empress's sister-in-law. The empress herself was extraordinary and calm, so how could her sister-in-law be like this?

But think about it, a dragon has nine sons, and each son is different, let alone her being my sister-in-law.

"Thank you for your kindness, but marriage is a matter that should be decided by my parents. I'm sorry that I cannot obey your orders." He had no intention of becoming an in-law.

He bowed, turned and left.

He was so disrespectful that it made the Seventh Young Master's wife very embarrassed. It was a slap in her face.

"Stop him."

The servants blocked Wu An's way, and Wu An's eyes turned cold. "Even if you are choosing a son-in-law from the list, it is a matter of mutual consent. There is absolutely no reason to force it. People who don't know would think that your daughter can't get married."

These words were so harsh that Miss Zhou's eyes turned red and tears as big as beans rolled down.

The Seventh Young Master's wife was furious. "How dare you speak like that? Do you know the consequences of offending me?"

Wu An had met the empress before and knew her character well. "If a prince breaks the law, he will be punished just like a commoner. I believe the empress is a fair and strict person."

The Seventh Young Lady was furious. Empress? Humph, she didn't even give her the title of Madam of Imperial Concubine. She totally ignored her.

This time when she came back, she had planned to make a big scene and force Ning Zhiwei to give her an explanation.

"Well, if you dare to leave, you will be in trouble."

Wu An left without looking back.

Looking at his back, the Seventh Young Master's wife had a dark look in her eyes.

Miss Zhou cried with tears in her eyes, "Sister, forget it. How can someone of my status be worthy of these upstarts?"

This further provoked the Seventh Young Master's wife's anger, "He looks down on you, which means he looks down on me. Don't worry, I will make him bow his head obediently, take the initiative to ask for marriage, and hold you in my hands for the rest of my life."

Miss Zhou then turned from sadness to joy, "Thank you, sister."

The Seventh Young Master's wife was inspired and said, "Some dignity must be earned by oneself. People must have power in their hands."

The reason why Ning Zhiwei looked down on her was because she had no power and no one under her control!

She felt aggrieved about it, but Ning Zhiwei didn't care at all as she had too many things to do.

Moreover, the imperial examination is just around the corner. This is the first imperial examination after the founding of the country. It has attracted worldwide attention and students from all over the world are watching it.

So, there is no room for error.

As the person in charge of this matter, Rong Jing was naturally very busy and kept an eye on the whole process.

Ning Zhiwei rubbed his eyebrows and said, "Alas, war is too expensive."

Zhou Hongye also frowned, "Your Majesty, we only have two months' worth of food left. We have to find a way to stockpile more."

In fact, we have reserve grain, but we dare not take it out easily unless it is absolutely necessary.

"Where's Bai Zhanyang?"

Zhou Hongye sneered, "That guy is too cunning. He talks very nicely, but he never does anything. He always makes excuses, and we can't find any evidence against him."

He always said that it was not the harvest season yet and that we had to wait until next autumn.

When he was urged to do so, he adopted a preaching attitude, showing his concern for the country and the people, saying that this would force the people of Jiangnan to death.

What Ning Zhiwei wanted was the grain stored by several major families in Jiangnan. She let Bai Zhanyang be the grain manager just to test the attitude of the Bai family.

Now that we know the Bai family doesn't want to cooperate, there's no need to deal with them.

"Summon the heads of the Jiang, Bai, Wang, Li, and Cui families to the capital for an audience."

In fact, the heads of the Cui and Wang families were already in the capital, and they issued the decree with such fanfare just to show it to the world.

Ning Liu was a little worried, "What if they don't obey the edict?"

Ning Zhiwei waved his hand, "No, the greatest ability of aristocratic families to survive for a thousand years is to play both sides and bet on several sides. This is their way of survival."

I see, it means that when multiple parties place bets, one party will always win, and then the family can continue.

Therefore, even if the head of the family does not come, they will send out someone of importance.

Ning Zhiwei gave the order, "The New Year is approaching and the weather is getting colder. Build a few more shelters outside the city for the homeless and refugees to live in. Don't let them freeze to death, but keep them under strict control and don't let them cause trouble."

"Yes."

Ning Zhiwei continued, "Let someone repair the roofs of the poor people in the city, so that the heavy snow won't crush their houses."

Zhou Hongye was stunned. "Repair the roof?"

Why do you bother with such trivial matters?

Ning Zhiwei explained, "We in the Ning Family Army have this tradition. For us, it's just a small matter of lending a hand, but for these poor people, it's a timely help."

This is also one of the reasons why the people in the border areas support the Ning family army.

If you treat the people well, they will see it and be grateful in their hearts. They will fight to the death to protect you at the critical moment.

Zhou Hongye suddenly realized, "Your Majesty is righteous."

Ning Zhiwei glanced at him and asked, "When will you and elder sister get married?"

Zhou Hongye subconsciously looked at Ning Wenyin, whose face was flushed with shame.

"I plan to propose marriage to Madam Ning after she returns to Beijing, and try to get married within a year."

He and Ning Wenyin are not young anymore, it's time for them to start a family.

Ning Zhiwei was happy to see it happen, "Once the first lady agrees, I will grant you marriage."

Arranged marriage is the most honorable and glorious.

Zhou Hongye couldn't help but laugh, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

This lord is merciless when he is ruthless, but he is very considerate when he is caring for others.

At this moment, the Royal Guard came in and said, "Your Majesty, the wife of Young Master Ning wants to see you."

Ning Zhiwei didn't react, "Who?"

"Ning Zhou's family."

Ning Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, "Why did she come to Beijing so soon? Where are the others?"

Jinyiwei said, "Ning Zhou is traveling day and night to catch up with her mother's birthday. The others are still on their way."

Ning Zhiwei was somewhat speechless. "She left her elders behind and rushed back alone? Where does she live?"

The rules are a mess. How did Madam Ning agree to let her come back alone?

The Royal Guard replied truthfully, "Yes, I just arrived yesterday and now I live in Ning Mansion."

Ning Wenyin and her sisters looked at each other in bewilderment. My goodness, Young Master Ning's two wives both moved into the Ning Mansion. Without any elders to keep them in check, they wouldn't fight, right?

Ning Zhiwei hesitated for a moment and said, "Take her to the side hall and wait."

"Yes."

Ning Zhiwei didn't take it to heart and continued to discuss business, "After the palace examination, there will be 200 new recruits, you can choose one then."

"Okay, my Ministry of Revenue is short-staffed and I'm going crazy from exhaustion."

"Hold on for a few more days."

The seven young ladies and their sisters stood at the gate of the imperial palace, their eyes full of longing. This was the center of power.

Miss Zhou was excited and thrilled. She never thought that she would be able to enter this palace in her lifetime.

"Sister, I heard that the children of the Ning family all live in the palace and receive the education of princes and princesses. Is that true?"

The Seventh Young Master's wife's eyes flickered slightly, "I don't know."

Miss Zhou urged excitedly, "Hurry up and give birth to a child, and then send it to the palace. Let the empress help you train an excellent heir."

Maybe she could even become the crown prince, and then she would be the crown prince's aunt, enjoying unlimited glory and numerous benefits.

The Seventh Young Master's wife stroked her belly, her eyes full of gloom. It was hateful that she was pregnant by that woman before she was pregnant.

It’s all grandmother’s fault. She insisted on letting that woman accompany the Seventh Young Master back to Beijing, otherwise, she would be the one who got pregnant.

"Of course my children will have the best of everything in the world."

Miss Zhou flattered her for a while and finally made her happy.

The weather was getting colder and colder. The two men stood outside shivering, looking left and right, but still didn't see anything.

After an unknown amount of time, someone finally arrived. "In compliance with the Emperor's order, Xuanning Zhou is here to see you."

She was a palace maid with clean eyes and well-behaved manners.

The Seventh Young Master's wife was unhappy that she had been made to wait for so long and had been frozen to death. Who was responsible?

She dragged her sister towards the palace, but was stopped. "No one outside is allowed to enter."

The palace maid was looking at Miss Zhou, and Miss Zhou's face turned pale.

The Seventh Young Master's wife was even more unhappy, "Move aside, this is my biological sister, from the same mother as mine."