Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Your Majesty's words are somewhat biased. What do you mean that I am trying to squeeze out Your Majesty's family? In the business world, isn't it all about strength?"

Over the years, my mother's family has relied on my father's power to engage in many shady business dealings. Do you really think I don't know?

I only turned a blind eye for the sake of my father, but I never expected my mother to openly propose that I close the textile factory.

If I were to do as Your Majesty says, what would happen to the weavers in those factories? What would become of the textile equipment?

Furthermore, what should be done about the supply contract for 2 million and 40 mu of cotton fields that I just signed with Luzhou? Who will bear this loss?

Are we going to follow the example of the corrupt officials in the imperial court, talking about making the common people suffer?

Jiang Mengxuan showed no mercy to Ji Yuxi. She had absolutely no sense of identification with this in-law who was not related by blood.

Moreover, the Ji family's behavior was disgusting, and Jiang Mengxuan had no good feelings towards them from beginning to end.

Ji Yuxi's face immediately turned frosty as she looked at the girl sitting calmly on the imperial chair, swiping the tea lid, as if she were seeing her for the first time.

"My son, are you really unwilling to make an exception?"

"Your Majesty should understand that I am the ruler of Great Chu, and my concern is for the well-being of the nation and its people."

Besides, to give up benefits that have already been gained for no reason—tell me, would the Empress Dowager agree to that?

As she spoke, Jiang Mengxuan placed the teacup in her hand directly on the imperial desk, which was tantamount to a warning.

"Okay, okay, that's great!"

After saying "good" several times, Ji Yuxi sneered.

"Does Your Majesty truly believe that you have secured your throne?"

"Empress Dowager, what do you mean by that? Do you think I am unworthy to sit on this dragon throne?"

"Hmph, I can tell Your Majesty that this dragon throne is not as comfortable as you think."

"Your Majesty has only been on the throne for two short years, yet you dare to disregard family ties so blatantly? Aren't you afraid of facing backlash from all sides?"

Jiang Mengxuan gave a cold smile: "Empress Dowager, are you threatening me? Trying to force me to abdicate? You're welcome to try!"

Inside the Imperial Study of Weiyang Palace, a grand drama of maternal love and filial piety was unfolding.

The intense smell of gunpowder was almost unbearable even for Qingwen, who was standing guard nearby.

After a long while, Ji Yuxi suddenly smiled.

"My son, why be so tense? After all, we are family."

I know you have a lot of prejudice against my family. To be honest, I'm actually quite annoyed by this family too.

But there's nothing I can do. The Ji family is where it is today thanks to the late Emperor, isn't it?

"Alright then, even if I have to beg you, just give my family a way out, don't drive them to their doom, okay?"

Seeing the other party's tone soften, Jiang Meng also toned down her imposing manner: "Of course, I also do not want to see the Empress Dowager's family impoverished."

"Alright, let me think about it carefully. Once I come up with a suitable solution, everyone can make money."

Ji Yuxi: "My son, how about this? Let your uncle invest in your royal textile factory. After all, you are the ruler of a country and are busy with state affairs."

I don't have the energy to manage both things. How about having your uncle help out with the management? That way, you can relax a bit more. What do you think?

She was actually very envious of the textile factory's huge profits and wanted to get a share of them so she could build a palace for herself.

But Jiang Mengxuan would not grant his wish: "Mother Empress is joking. This royal textile factory does not belong to me alone."

The distribution of shares must be decided jointly by all of us shareholders.

Whether my maternal uncle can invest is not up to me alone.

This matter must be discussed after Shen Lang returns from Nanzhao.

"Shen Lang? What does this have to do with him?"

"I forgot to tell Mother that the textile factory was founded by Shen Lang, and the equipment was also personally developed and produced by him. I was just taking advantage of his position to reap the benefits."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi immediately stood up and said, "Shen Lang is merely your subject. Doesn't everything he created rightfully belong to you?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Mother, Shen Lang is not only my subject, but also the husband I have chosen. I must respect his choice and cannot make a decision on my own behind his back!"

Ji Yuxi: "My son, I will absolutely not agree to this marriage. Your husband can only be Shu Yingwen. He is the one who can best please you!"

Jiang Mengxuan immediately smiled, leaned back slightly, crossed her arms, and gave Ji Yuxi a meaningful smile.

Ji Yuxi felt very uncomfortable being stared at: "My son, why are you looking at me like that?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Mother, if we put some things out in the open, we'll lose face."

I know that with Father Emperor's passing, it's understandable that Mother Emperor must feel lonely in the palace.

But isn't it a bit excessive for Mother to interfere in my choice of a son-in-law?

Ji Yuxi panicked immediately: "You, who are you listening to? My son, don't believe the rumors. How could I be as bad as you think?"

"A rumor?"

Jiang Mengxuan slowly stood up.

"The protective cinnabar on Shu Yingwen's hand has long since disappeared. To cover her tracks, she used Song Dynasty cinnabar instead. Did she really think I didn't know?"

"Mother, aren't you afraid that Father will be unable to rest in peace if he finds out that you've placed such an unclean person as the Emperor's son-in-law?"

Ji Yuxi: "Even so, what does this have to do with me?"

"Mother, do you really want me to personally reorganize the harem? I already know about your affair with Shu Yingwen."

On the very first night after you returned to the palace, Shu Yingwen was summoned to Ganquan Palace by the Empress Dowager and stayed with her until dawn.

I don't want to investigate or go into details about what happened during this time; I just want my mother to understand that it's not that I don't want to care.

Instead, it's giving each other a way out: I allow you and Shu Yingwen to act recklessly, and I don't care whether you're innocent or not.

Then Mother should no longer interfere in my marriage. Don't you really understand the implications of this?

Are we really going to bring all those shameful, unspeakable secrets of the imperial harem into the open?

Ji Yuxi fell silent. She had to admit that she had seriously underestimated Jiang Mengxuan's insightful abilities, which led to Jiang Mengxuan gaining control of her weaknesses and putting her in a difficult position.

"Mother, is there anything else you wish to say?"

Ji Yuxi took a deep breath: "Fine, I won't interfere in your marriage, but you must keep this a secret for me."

"As long as Mother Empress doesn't interfere in my affairs, even if there's revelry every night in Ganquan Palace, I'll pretend I don't see it unless others say anything. Since Mother Empress likes Shu Yingwen so much..."

Then let Mother keep it as a plaything to play with as she pleases. But Mother, I don't want to see you causing trouble for Shen Lang again.

If I were to witness my mother inducing Shen Lang to commit a crime in order to achieve her goals, then I feel there's no point in preserving any semblance of dignity.

Ji Yuxi laughed: "It seems you really care about Shen Lang. I'm very curious, what exactly is it about Shen Lang that attracts you? Is it just because of that factory he set up?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Mother, you don't need to worry about these things. I will handle my own affairs with Shen Lang."

Just take care of yourself. We can discuss the matter of your maternal uncle when Shen Lang returns.

"Very well, then I shall take my leave. Oh, and by the way, I'd like to remind Your Majesty that my family isn't the only one eyeing the textile factory."

It seems that all the prominent families involved in the cloth trade now disapprove of Your Majesty's gluttonous eating habits. Your Majesty should be mindful of this."

"Farewell, Mother."

After speaking, Ji Yuxi stood up and, with the help of Rong Mama, stepped out of the Imperial Study.

Jiang Mengxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief after she left.

This was the first time she had ever confronted the Empress Dowager so directly, and she felt incredibly satisfied.

She knew perfectly well that Ji Yuxi was able to compromise so easily entirely because she had a personal guard that could slaughter martial artists.

Monarchical power equals military power.

As long as she has troops at her disposal, Jiang Mengxuan doesn't need to worry about her power being usurped or her becoming a puppet of those in power.

Is this what Shen Lang calls "momentum"?

She has begun to grasp the profound meaning of this word!

"Shen Lang, it's been months since I last saw you. I wonder how you've been?"

Thinking of Shen Lang, Jiang Mengxuan's cheeks flushed slightly. She walked to the windowsill and looked at the snowflakes dancing in the sky.

……

That night, Ji Yuxi, who had been mistreated by Jiang Mengxuan, immediately summoned Shu Yingwen and gave him a severe beating until he was exhausted before letting him rest by the bedside.

Looking at Shu Yingwen, who was fast asleep and almost completely exhausted from the ordeal, Ji Yuxi couldn't help but sigh that this dog's energy had become more and more vigorous after she had trained him, and she considered whether she should just take advantage of him completely.

But in the end, reason prevailed. He got up, put on his pajamas, went to the window, picked up a glass of wine, and looked at the snow-covered night scene through the crystal glass window, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a burst of boisterous laughter rang in my ears.

"Hehe, the Empress Dowager is truly blessed to have such a strong and capable man by her side, and to be trained so well. It is truly enviable."

Ji Yuxi suddenly looked up and saw Wu Li's graceful figure sitting on the palace wall not far away.

"Empress Wu? What brings you to my Ganquan Palace?"

"Naturally, I'm here to help the Empress Dowager solve her troubles, and incidentally, to make a deal..."

Wu Li leaped and landed lightly in front of Ji Yuxi.