Chapter 149: The Empress (2 / 2)
Her father’s hand paused mid-reach for a dish, startled. “Trust? What do you mean trust?”
Her mother replied, “Merchants prioritize profit. If they’re allowed access to administrative channels, they might openly amass wealth, potentially creating colossal entities that could destabilize the nation. Besides, in the end, they’re not one of our own…”
The Princess of Xiangyang was filled with admiration.
Her mother was amazing! She had hit the emperor’s weak spot precisely—her father trusted family above all!
Just as she thought this, she noticed her father’s expression sour, his brow furrowing. “True. But within our own family, we don’t have anyone skilled in business. It’s too late to cultivate someone now.”
Her mother didn’t respond further and simply picked up her chopsticks to continue eating, leaving the emperor murmuring to himself. “Family… family…” Suddenly, he slapped his thigh. “Come to think of it, the wife of the Minister of Works is actually the perfect choice!”
The Princess of Xiangyang blurted, “Huh?” Startled by her outburst, her father turned to her, prompting her to ask directly, “Father, why is she the perfect choice?”
The old emperor smiled slightly, pleased with the opportunity to educate his daughter. “Although she’s not exactly ‘family’ to us, she is to the Minister of Works. If she takes on the role of zhuoqian lingshi—hmm, the name will probably change since the functions differ, but let’s call it that for now—if she assumes that role, she’ll have to constantly consider her husband’s position as Minister of Works. Any misstep on her part would implicate him and her son…”
As he spoke, Empress Dou placed a piece of his favorite braised pork into his bowl—a truly virtuous wife.