Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

A moment later, Su Jing'an walked in, and under everyone's gaze, he stepped forward and knelt down. "Your subject, Su Jing'an, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Regent! Long live the Regent!"

No need for formalities.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I've heard that Lord Su has a 'Ten Thousand People's Umbrella,' I wonder if that's true?"

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for the kindness of the people of Yangzhou. Upon my return, they presented me with a 'Ten Thousand People Umbrella,' which I am unworthy to accept."

"In other words, it's true."

"Yes".

"It seems that Lord Su is indeed a good official who serves the country and the people. In that case, I hereby appoint you as the Minister of Revenue and put you in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. Do you have confidence?"

Su Jing'an was stunned and looked at him in disbelief. Then he realized what he was doing and lowered his head. "Your subject will certainly live up to your trust."

"Very well, then I will entrust the Ministry of Revenue to you. I hope you will not disappoint me."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost."

No one except Song Mingxian expected this result. They thought he would at most become a vice minister, but he was unexpectedly appointed as the Minister of Revenue. Therefore, they were all shocked.

Hou Mansion

In Fuxi Courtyard, Su Qianrou sat there idly, listening to their incessant chatter, her thoughts wandering far away.

"My second uncle went to court today. I wonder what kind of position the Regent will assign him. I hope it won't be lower than that of a prefect," she said, covering her mouth and laughing.

"It's not impossible. Yangzhou is different from the capital. In the capital, it's not easy to get promoted."

“Who can argue with that? Although my second brother is the top scholar in the imperial examination, and is knowledgeable and talented, there are plenty of capable people in the capital. He has accomplished nothing.”

"In my opinion, he's at most a minor official of the seventh rank. He'd be better off staying in Yangzhou and becoming a prefect, at least that would be a higher rank," the old lady said with a disdainful look.

"How could this be decided by you, sir? Besides, regardless of rank, everyone serves His Majesty and the people, so it doesn't matter where they are."

"My second sister-in-law is really open-minded."

"There's nothing we can do even if we can't figure it out. After all, it's the Regent's will. Can we really disobey the imperial decree?"

“What my third sister-in-law said is true.”

Su Qianrou had just come to her senses when she heard them talking like this, and she couldn't hold back any longer, so she said, "I can see that Aunt and Third Aunt are not doing well in life."

"What do you mean by that?" Liu Meng looked at her with displeasure.

"Isn't it rare? Otherwise, why would your aunt and third aunt make themselves happy by mocking others?"

“We never mocked you; we were just telling the truth.”

"That's right... Second sister-in-law, you really should keep a close eye on Qianrou. She has no right to interrupt when her elders are speaking. It's one thing to interrupt, but to talk back to her elders is another. If this continues, she'll become completely lawless."

"Eldest sister-in-law is right. Second sister-in-law, you really should teach her a lesson. Otherwise, she might cause a disaster one day, and it will be too late to regret it."

"That's right."

Just as Lin Rong was about to say something, a maid came in and said, "Madam, Steward Xu requests an audience."

"Let him in."

"Yes".

A moment later, Butler Xu walked in, his face beaming with joy. "Greetings, Madam."

"What brings you here?"

"Reporting to Madam, I have come to deliver good news."

"Where does the joy come from?"

"Congratulations, Madam! Congratulations, Madam! The Second Master has become the Minister of Revenue."

"What did you say? Who will be the Minister of Revenue?"

"Second Master".

"How is this possible?" The old lady was shocked, her face full of disbelief.

"Butler Xu, who told you this news? You must have misheard it," Lin Xiaoran said, her face filled with disbelief.

"That's right, how could my second brother possibly become the Minister of Revenue?"

"There is no mistake. This was said by the Marquis himself. For this reason, the Marquis even specially ordered that each servant in the mansion be rewarded with one tael of silver."

Upon hearing this, apart from the second branch of the family, everyone else looked rather grim, especially the old lady.

Because of this news, Su Qianrou returned to Chaoxi Courtyard with a rare smile on her face.

Seeing this, Juxia asked curiously, "Why are you so happy today, Miss?"

Before Su Qianrou could answer, Chunzhu said with a smile, "Of course I'm happy, our master has become the Minister of Revenue."

"really".

"Absolutely true."

"That's wonderful! Now, let's see who dares to make fun of you, Miss."

"That's right, our young lady will be the daughter of a high-ranking official in the future."

Su Qianrou put down her teacup and said, "Since we're happy today, each person in Chaoxi Courtyard will receive one tael of silver."

"Miss Xie".

"Oh, by the way, Miss, the Duke of Ming's mansion has sent an invitation," he said, handing her the invitation.

“The Duke of Ming’s Mansion,” Su Qianrou said, taking the document and asking, “Is this for me?”

"Yes, Miss Qin sent it over."

Upon hearing this, Su Qianrou opened the invitation.

Chunzhu asked curiously, "Miss, why did Miss Qin invite you?"

"Attending a birthday party".

Whose birthday party?

"Qin Zhenzhen".

"Miss Qin invites you to her birthday party."

"Ok".

"when".

"tomorrow".

"Is it in such a hurry?"

"It must have been added at the last minute."

"It must be because the master became the Minister of Revenue that he was added at the last minute."

Su Qianrou looked at Juxia and asked, "When was it delivered?"

"At the exact time of Mao (5-7 AM)".

"At that time, the news of my father becoming the Minister of Revenue should not have spread yet, so she gave this to me on purpose."

"Then Miss can't go; Miss Qin is probably going to seek revenge for yesterday."

"It was just a victory in a match; there's no real grudge between us."

"Miss is magnanimous, so she doesn't feel anything is wrong, but Miss Qin may not think so."

“Chunlan is right. I’ve heard that Miss Qin is a famous talented woman in the capital, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy and painting. But she lost to you yesterday, so she must be upset. She might try to make things difficult for you. You should be careful.”

"Hmm, what you said makes sense. So, who of you will come with me tomorrow?"

Chunzhu and Juxia exchanged a glance, and then said in unison, "Qiulan."

Su Qianrou couldn't help but laugh, "Are you afraid she'll drug me?"

“It’s always good to be safe just in case,” Chunzhu said.

"Alright, then Qiulan, you tell her."

"Yes".

The following day, in the garden of the Duke of Ming's mansion, the young ladies gathered in groups, chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

To avoid stealing the spotlight, Su Qianrou dressed very modestly, wearing a beige Tangchun Sanyue Xishi Xiqiu top and a beige auspicious cloud embroidered horse face skirt, which was both lively and dignified.

When the young ladies saw her, they all greeted her, a stark contrast to how she had been in the palace that day.

"Miss Su".

"Hello, Miss Su."

"Miss Su has arrived."

……

Su Qianrou nodded in response to each one.