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

Inside the main hall of Shuixuan Residence, Jiang Mengxuan sat comfortably in the main seat, smiling as she looked out from behind the gauze screen at the relatives who had come to offer their congratulations.

Compared to the abstract nature of the marquisate, these princes and dukes were more human-like, and the gifts they presented were all in accordance with their respective standards.

Her cool gaze swept around the main table, and finally lingered for a moment when it met another pair of eyes at the women's table.

The woman who dared to meet his gaze was none other than Princess Changsun Ying, the wife of King Xiang, Jiang Lan.

"So this is the woman who tried to take Ah Lang away from me. She doesn't seem like much."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled enigmatically, her delicate hand unconsciously covering her slightly protruding belly.

This unintentional action, however, fueled Changsun Ying's intense jealousy.

"No wonder Shen Lang doesn't want me. It turns out the Empress is so beautiful. Her eyes are so big and watery, they're absolutely captivating. You can tell at a glance that she's a seductive vixen."

"But I'm not bad either. Why should he be carrying Shen Lang's child? That child should belong to me."

Jealousy distorted her beyond recognition, and her mind began to become increasingly twisted.

"Empress, be proud for now, your man will soon be back by my side!"

“Shen Lang belongs to me. Such a hero must be very depressed being bound in this cage called the Imperial City. Only I can lead him out of this sea of ​​suffering.”

Just as Changsun Ying was lost in thought, Jiang Mengxuan's clear, cold voice rang out in the hall: "It is rare for all of you to take time out of your busy schedules to accompany me."

I am overjoyed. Tonight, I will host a family banquet for everyone in the Hall of Reception, so we can have a good get-together.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The nobles and relatives at the four banquet tables inside the hall all rose to greet the Empress.

"No need for formalities. I am pregnant and unable to move around easily. The banquet will be attended by Prince Jing and the Regent. I hope you can understand."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan was the first to stand up and say, "Your Majesty is too kind. Your Majesty is currently pregnant and should be resting more."

As soon as he finished speaking, King Jiang Lian of Lingnan also stood up: "What the Prince of Xiang said is correct. His Majesty's pregnancy should be a joyous occasion for the whole country."

But there are always some members of our royal family who want to trouble His Majesty at this time; I wonder what their intentions are.”

Jiang Lian was naturally referring to those poor nobles. He looked down on these relatives who couldn't even afford their monthly stipends.

His words resonated with the other princes, who, in any case, felt deeply ashamed of their wealthy relatives who held titles but couldn't even support themselves in their mansions.

Jiang Mengxuan took the nourishing lotus seed soup from Amber, scooped a few spoonfuls, and replied, "You can't say that. After all, they also share the same bloodline as you all."

Although they are down on their luck now, if we have the ability, we should still lend a hand. We can't just watch them starve to death; otherwise, people will think our royal family is too cold-blooded and heartless.

After saying that, he slowly put a mouthful of warm lotus seed soup into his mouth.

"Your Majesty is right, but I still have a few words to say that I really have to get out of my mind."

Prince Liu, Jiang Zheng, suddenly stood up and said.

"Although they are all of the same clan, their current impoverished state is ultimately due to their own extravagant spending."

In February, the Marquis of Annan came to my residence to borrow money, in order to pay off his son's gambling debt of five thousand taels at the gambling den.

Out of consideration for our shared blood ties, I helped him pay off his gambling debts. However, less than half a month later, he came knocking again, this time borrowing another thousand taels to pay off his other son's gambling debts.

Your Majesty, it is not that I look down on these relatives, but they are utterly hopeless.

If they are starving, even if I am destitute, I will take a bite from my own bowl to keep them alive.

But their current situation is entirely of their own making. And then there's Marquis Anqing, Jiang Gui; his household is practically starving.

He pawned his own belongings to rent a restaurant, claiming he wanted to hold a poetry gathering for his concubine's son.

After the poetry gathering, the whole family's livelihood was in jeopardy. I heard that he recently sold off his entire manor to pay off debts, and his family is now living on an estate.

"Your Majesty, what can such a person do to help them? They can only help once, not forever, Your Majesty."

Jiang Zheng's words immediately drew a chorus of agreement from the other members of the royal family at the table.

"While it's true that relatives should help each other, what can be done if they themselves are so incompetent? Your Majesty, you have no idea how extravagant these relatives live on a daily basis."

Their food, clothing, and daily necessities are even better than those of our royal palace. When they are rich, they have no restraint; when they are poor and destitute, they do not restrain themselves either. They would rather borrow money and mortgage their land rent than lower their standards.

When the household was completely destitute, they began borrowing money from all sides to maintain the so-called imperial facade. I also advised several of my relatives against this.

Tell them to use their annual stipends to cultivate a few acres of wasteland, or to buy some houses or property, or to open a few restaurants, so they won't just sit around and do nothing.

Unfortunately, nothing we did could change their minds. If they had any money, they'd spend it all on lavish meals and entertainment. They're hopeless.

"Exactly, to be honest, the trouble these guys have caused is truly shameful. I heard that Marquis Ningyuan took a fancy to one of the top courtesans at a brothel a while ago..."

To win her favor, he flaunted his wealth in the street, eventually spending a staggering 30,000 taels of silver to have the entire street covered in beeswax.

Anyone unaware of the situation would assume the Marquis of Ning'an's mansion possessed immense wealth, but in reality, his residence was already an empty shell.

Even the money he used to flaunt his wealth was borrowed from loan sharks in the city at exorbitant interest rates. Now that he can't repay the money, he plans to use his daughter to pay off the debt.

"For a member of the royal family to be reduced to selling her children, Jiang has utterly lost face..."

Jiang Mengxuan sipped her lotus seed soup and listened quietly as her relatives recounted their shared experiences, finding it quite pleasant and carefree.

She, who was always busy with national affairs, rarely had this opportunity to listen to gossip within her own clan.

It must be said that those noble families and relatives have brought this upon themselves, no wonder they are looked down upon.

But as the head of the family and the emperor of the Great Chu, she could not remain uninvolved.

It's time for the Jiang family to make a change; this extravagant and ostentatious style is unacceptable.

"I have taken your opinions to heart, and new decrees will be issued in the future to prevent this from happening again."

Since we're all gathered here today, let's not dwell on these unpleasant things.

Hearing Jiang Mengxuan say this, everyone immediately shut up.

At this moment, Shen Lang strolled into the main hall.

He glanced around briefly, then walked straight behind the screen without saying a word.

"Shen Lang..."

Upon seeing Shen Lang's familiar face, Changsun Ying was so excited that she almost cried out.

After many years, the young man of yesteryear is now even more radiant, and the composure and sharpness in his demeanor are even more captivating than when we first met.

"My man, this is the man I, Changsun Ying, swore to marry!"

From the moment Shen Lang entered the hall, Changsun Ying's eyes remained fixed on him, her heart screaming incessantly.

However, Shen Lang didn't notice anything at all. The moment he entered the gauze screen, his sharp expression disappeared, and he gently took Jiang Mengxuan's hand.

"Are you tired?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly and touched her lower abdomen: "It's alright."