After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

Thinking of this, Xiao Ran slowly stood up.

She was elegant and unpretentious: "Your Majesty, I am not troubled. It is my honor to serve the Jing Kingdom."

Emperor Jingyang chuckled: "Excellent! In that case, they should all be rewarded! I'll grant them a fiefdom of three hundred households and one hundred taels of gold..."

The eldest prince, Rui Chen, reminded him from the side, "Father, they are all women. Why not reward them with the Yunchou satin that was presented as tribute this year?"

"Hmm." Emperor Jingyang pondered, "A total of ten bolts of cloud-patterned satin were presented as tribute. I gave two bolts to the Empress Dowager, two to the Empress, and one to each of the two concubines. In that case, the remaining four bolts can be divided equally between the two women."

Xiao Ran was startled.

She had never received such a reward in her previous life, and she had only heard of the concept of a fiefdom when Emperor Jingyang bestowed it upon He Wan.

Although she went to Huyang County, she was not the one who led the troops into battle, so this kind of thing should never have fallen on her shoulders.

Generally, equal value implies mutual benefit, meaning that Emperor Jingyang must have something big planned for her.

In her previous life, she had not experienced these things; now she could only take it one step at a time.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty." Xiao Ran bowed, knowing there were some things she couldn't ask.

"Minister Xiao, the more I look at your two daughters, the more I like them. I wish I could have them by my side to serve me every day." Emperor Jingyang looked at Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu broke out in a cold sweat. What about the servants beside him?

Only those within the palace could serve him. Could it be that Emperor Jingyang meant something like this...?

Xiao Mu hurriedly replied, "If Your Majesty is pleased, why not raise my daughter by the Empress Dowager's side? I have heard that the Empress Dowager is often unwell. My daughter knows some medicine and is good at making people happy. In this way, she can serve Your Majesty and make the most of her talents. Why not?"

The idea was to raise her alongside the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Jingyang pondered for a moment and said, "That is indeed a good idea..."

Just when Xiao Mu thought he could relax, Emperor Jingyang suddenly changed the subject.

"However, I have a better idea."

He said in a deep voice, "I have heard that your daughter is exceptionally brave, but she has not yet been betrothed. It just so happens—" Emperor Jingyang glanced at Rui Chen, "My eldest son recently performed meritorious service, and I remembered that he is still unmarried. A perfect match, a match made in heaven."

This is an offer of marriage.

Judging from this situation, there is little room for maneuver, and someone must be plotting something.

"Your Majesty, this..."

Xiao Mu was about to speak when he was stopped by the emperor's suddenly dark expression.

The emperor's command is difficult to disobey.

Emperor Jingyang suddenly turned to Xiao Ran: "Xiao family girl, what do you think?"

Xiao Ran stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "This subject believes this is inappropriate."

The hall fell silent instantly.

The air suddenly stagnated.

Emperor Jingyang's voice was as cold as iron: "Why?"

“Because—” Xiao Ran looked directly at the emperor’s face, “this subject already has someone she loves.”

Xiao Mu's pupils dilated, then he sighed sadly.

He Wan looked surprised.

Rui Chen's expression remained unchanged, but his knuckles were clenched so tightly they turned white.

The emperor slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"Are you saying that my decree is less important than your private dealings?!"

"Of course not. Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, but I am also a person of integrity. My teacher taught me that a person who is not trustworthy is no different from a liar. I also follow this principle in the army, so..."

Xiao Ran bowed her head: "Please, Your Majesty, do not make things difficult for me."

She used her teacher and the army as shields, and what she said made sense, making it difficult for Emperor Jingyang to back down.

Xiao Mu's palms were sweaty.

If he had known it would turn out like this, he should have agreed when Chu Ling discussed the marriage with him in the first place, and things wouldn't have turned out this way!