The wives of the concubines are empresses

"I have husbands who love and care for me, and female officials and eunuchs who care and serve me. But some women may not even receive the love of their husbands or their in-laws, and even worse, they may not receive the care and understanding of their children. Tell me, do these women think that being alive is a good thing or a bad thing?"

Su Kangqiao, the concubine of Qiao, who walked in, was silent.

"Your Majesty, nothing in this world is perfect. Everyone has their own destiny."

When Shangguan Wanjun heard what he said about fate, she smiled bitterly.

"You're right. Both men and women have their own destiny. However, some people can make good choices from the beginning, especially those women from poor families.

For women from well-off families, their parents' families might be a source of support and a retreat, but for women from impoverished families, life is often much more difficult. If neither their husband's family nor their own can be relied upon, one can imagine how difficult their lives will be."

Gently holding her in his arms, Emperor Wen's noble husband, Bai Xuanyi, asked, "Your Majesty, is there any solution?"

Shangguan Wanjun smiled gently and was about to speak when she found that Concubine Qiao's husband, Su Kangqiao, was still standing there, looking at him with a reproachful look.

"Princess Qiao, don't you remind me? Don't you feel tired standing?"

Seeing that she cared about him, Concubine Qiao Su Kangqiao was so happy that he acted like a fool.

"Your Majesty, I will sit down immediately."

He sat down in the original seat of Emperor Wen's noble husband, Bai Xuanyi, and the not-so-bright but loyal Kang Hua began to grind ink for him.

Bai Xuanyi, the noble husband of Emperor Wen, suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, what were you going to say just now?"

Shangguan Wanjun pursed her lips and thought seriously, "Of course, it's to increase the sense of responsibility of men and women, especially their sense of responsibility towards their families. They say that a country is the foundation of a family, but without thousands and thousands of families, how can a country be formed? Husband, don't you agree?"

Hearing her calling him husband in public, Emperor Wen's noble husband - Bai Xuanyi showed a look of joy.

"Madam is right."

Shangguan Wanjun suddenly sat up, and the sudden emptiness in her arms made Emperor Wen's husband, Bai Xuanyi, feel a little lost.

"Men farm and women weave, supporting the family. In fact, both men and women work together for survival and shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family. Women can also hold up half the sky..."

Shangguan Wanjun was about to speak when she was interrupted by Ran's concubine, Wang Ran.

"Your Majesty is right, but the Emperor holds up the sky above all else."

"It's different. I'm the empress, so I can't generalize."

"It was my husband who said the wrong thing."

"You are not guilty of anger."

Ran's side husband - Wang Ran said with a serious and gentle smile: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

The concubines all looked up at the empress who suddenly looked full of energy.

"As the imperial court, the most central people in a country, we should cultivate the sense of responsibility and commitment of all men, women, young and old, as well as their tolerance and understanding, so that everyone can unite and love each other and work together towards a better life."

Bai Xuanyi, the noble husband of Emperor Wen, looked up in surprise: "Running in both directions?"

"Yes, two-way running doesn't just refer to the relationship between men and women. It can also be the relationship between ruler and subject, colleagues, family, friends, or even neighbors."

Bai Xuanyi, the noble husband of Emperor Wen, suddenly came to his senses: "I think I have understood something."

"For example, between me and you gentlemen, besides being a ruler and subject, are we also husband and wife?"

All the side officials nodded in unison: "Your Majesty is right."

"In a relationship between a ruler and his subjects, loyalty should be given to the ruler. But what about between a husband and wife?"

Facing the empress's question, Emperor Wu's noble husband - Chuanpai Feng pursed his lips in thought.

“Mutual understanding and tolerance?”

Shangguan Wanjun snapped her fingers. "My beloved husband is right. This applies to relationships between rulers and ministers, family, and friends, and to many other relationships as well. If we want others to understand and tolerate us, we must first do so ourselves. Otherwise, why should we demand that of others?"

Concubine Fan's husband, Zhao Yunfan, nodded seriously. "Your Majesty is right, but let's be realistic. While words may sound nice, it's very difficult to actually put them into practice. After all, imagination is beautiful, but reality is harsh."

Concubine Qiao, Su Kangqiao, nodded in agreement: "Indeed."

Shangguan Wanjun continued, "So, someone is needed to lead. In many previous dynasties, favoring concubines over wives was not allowed. From the emperor to the civil and military officials, including high-ranking officials and nobles, all men with multiple wives were not allowed to do so.

Although I am the empress of this dynasty, and to continue the imperial line, I have chosen concubines according to the ancient and modern imperial system, and later I have various husbands. However, no matter how things change, the essence remains the same. All husbands are my imperial husbands, and I have always treated them equally. However, if we want the common people to have more harmonious relationships between husbands and wives, and between families, we all need to work together.

Several of the attendants seemed to understand what was said, and were even a little confused.

Looking at their confused eyes, Shangguan Wanjun continued to talk.

"As for us, we will first compile books on male and female virtues, and then personally demonstrate them on fixed days each month."

Bai Xuanyi, the noble husband of Emperor Wen, became interested: "Personal demonstration? How do you say it?"

"Think about it, did the emperor and empress of previous dynasties go to the fields to plow and weave? They only did it once a year, but I think if we want harmony among the people, we should do it once or twice a month."

Zhao Yunfan, the concubine of the emperor, suddenly understood and said, "Your Majesty, I understand. What the emperor means is, for example, if we need a demonstration this month, you will choose to demonstrate marital love with the emperor's noble husband, the concubine, in the first half of the month, and then choose to demonstrate marital love with me or other concubines in the second half of the month?"

Shangguan Wanjun nodded in appreciation: "The one who is smart and understands me is my husband Yunfan."

Concubine Fan's husband - Zhao Yunfan smiled shyly when he was praised. The emperor's praise always makes people feel comfortable and not artificial.

Concubine Qiao's husband, Su Kangqiao, frowned slightly. "Even if we demonstrate this, it won't be of much use to other areas except the capital and the surrounding counties."

Wu Huang Guifu - Chuanpai Feng disagreed with his words: "If it is the prefect or county magistrate, then the local prefect or county magistrate and his wife should demonstrate together."

Concubine Qiao's husband, Su Kangqiao, said, "But what if the prefect or county magistrate never gets married, or his wife is not around, or has passed away?"

Bai Xuanyi, the noble husband of Emperor Wen, said, "It's not that there is no solution. If a prefect or county magistrate doesn't have a wife, or if their wife is not around or has passed away, there will always be a co-magistrate or county magistrate. It can't be the same situation for everyone."

Emperor Wu's noble husband, the propaganda wind, asked again, "What if all of the above situations occur? What should we do then?"

Bai Xuanyi and Shangguan Wanjun looked at each other in bewilderment, and Minglan suddenly interrupted.

“It’s not like there’s no solution.”

Everyone looked at her.

"Why?"

Minglan looked at everyone in the room and spoke thoughtfully.

"Your Majesty has ordered Lord Murong and Duke Anguo, as well as Lord Jiahe and General Xuan, and Lord Liuli and Lord Liu to work together to manage the county magistrate. I believe this is a very good complement."