Chapter 5385 Family Harmony

Chapter 5385 Family Harmony
Changes originating from the highest levels of the empire's power naturally affect the hearts and minds of all officials, merchants, and even ordinary people.

Regardless of the new Grand Chancellor's stance, his own political views, ideas, and style are enough to influence the court, and even the formulation and implementation of national policies are closely related to the Prime Minister's personal will.

People who reach that level, which one doesn't have strong self-confidence and unwavering beliefs?
Even if we follow the old rules, it is absolutely impossible to simply copy them verbatim and remain unchanged from the past, or to just muddle through.

When the news from the Council of State Affairs spread that the new Chancellor was Ma Zhou, countless officials, merchants, and common people celebrated their new appointment.

Admittedly, Ma Zhou's style was calm, capable, and diligent, and he was mostly categorized as a "conservative." However, he was bold, meticulous, and courageous in implementing new policies, daring to be a pioneer. He publicly criticized the "radicals" for being too conservative on several occasions.

Since the "Renhe" policy, people all over the world have realized the benefits of the new policies and tasted the sweetness of encouraging commerce, increasing commercial taxes, and building water conservancy projects. People from all walks of life have given great support to the new policies. Many insightful people have realized that the current situation is a once-in-a-century change. As long as we seize this opportunity and forge ahead with perseverance, we can create a glorious era that is unprecedented in history, and we can also bring blessings to our families and leave a lasting name in history.

With Liu Ji stepping down and Ma Zhou taking office, Pei Huaijie replaced the Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Ren Yaxiang took over as Prefect of the Capital... The changes in the power structure were significant. However, Li Chengqian chose an excellent time to announce the personnel appointments. Although the reaction was intense and the various government offices in the central government were bound to be unsettled, the fact that there were many things to do near the end of the year, and that all officials of the sealed-off government office would be allowed to take a break and go home for the New Year, minimized the impact.

*****
As the year draws to a close, everyone is busy. Besides various ceremonies such as ancestor worship, social interactions are of paramount importance. The Fang family, in particular, is increasingly burdened with preparations for their younger sister's wedding after the New Year.

Inside the main hall, Princess Gaoyang had just drafted a gift list. Putting down her brush and rubbing her wrist, she saw a large stack of gift lists for social obligations on the tea table beside her. Her head immediately throbbed, and she grumbled, "Why are there so many messy things? Meiniang is so cunning, she managed to get away unscathed, why hasn't she returned yet!"

Fang Xuanling and his wife had long since completely "relinquished power," no longer concerning themselves with any household affairs, big or small. Their eldest son, Fang Yizhi, and his family were far away in Japan, so it was only natural for Fang Jun's branch of the family to take over household affairs.

As a result, Wu Zetian was far away in Luoyang managing the business, Xiao Shu'er ignored it, Jin Shengman didn't understand, and Qiao'er was incompetent; all the miscellaneous tasks fell on Princess Gaoyang's shoulders. Since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, various matters had piled up on her desk, urgently needing to be dealt with. Princess Gaoyang rose before dawn every day and couldn't fall asleep until almost midnight, completely drained...

Beside him, Fang Jun, dressed in a round-necked casual suit and wearing a turban, slowly sipped his tea. Hearing this, he laughed and said, "How can you do this? The right to handle household affairs means your status in the family. Other wives wish they could control all matters, big and small, and not allow their concubines to get involved in anything. But you, on the contrary, are actually giving away the power to manage the household?"

"Only fame and titles cannot be lent to others." This saying applies not only to the imperial court but also to all aspects of life.

Just like the imperial court, a strict "hierarchical system" is necessary for a stable, harmonious, and prosperous household, and "name and position" are the manifestation of this hierarchy.

Princess Gaoyang took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, her beautiful eyes glancing sideways: "Of course I understand, but do I really need to rely on this?"

Original wife, principal wife, first wife, and also an imperial princess, her husband's love for her has not diminished since their marriage. Who can shake her position?
No matter how capable Wu Zetian was, how virtuous and elegant Xiao Shuer was, how exotic Jin Shengman was, or how childhood sweetheart Qiao'er was... the phenomenon of "favoring a concubine over a wife" would never occur in the Fang family.

Fang Jun chuckled: "Yes, yes, Your Highness is broad-minded and has the wisdom of Empress Wen."

Princess Gaoyang's expression changed slightly. She narrowed her beautiful eyes and stared at the man: "Does my husband think I'm uneducated? I didn't forbid you from taking a concubine!"

"Wenhou" is another name for Zhuo Wenjun.

Zhuo Wenjun was born into a family of ironworkers. She was beautiful, skilled in music, and adept at playing the zither. In her youth, she was betrothed to the son of an official, and they married at the age of seventeen. Shortly after their marriage, her husband passed away, and she returned home to live alone. Later, at a family banquet, she fell in love with Sima Xiangru. Sima Xiangru's rendition of "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate" became a timeless classic, and they eventually eloped and became husband and wife.

However, Zhuo Wenjun was "jealous." After Sima Xiangru became an official, he wanted to take a concubine, but Zhuo Wenjun's farewell poem moved him and made him realize his mistake...

What does it mean when someone mentions Zhuo Wenjun at this moment?
Fang Jun looked bewildered: "What does this have to do with taking a concubine? I was praising Your Highness for not compromising and yielding to fate like a weak woman, nor turning into a shrew when betrayed and hurt. You have both the chivalry of a heroine and the elegance of a renowned woman! I was praising Your Highness!"

Princess Gaoyang asked suspiciously, "Is it really a compliment?"

"Absolutely no lies!"

"Hmph! That would be for the best. If you harbor any ill intentions and cheat on me again, I'll write some 'Poems of Resentment' and 'Letters of Farewell,' making you a heartless person condemned by everyone, someone you can only look on with envy but never have!"

This statement is clearly pointed, and the person being referred to is quite obvious.

Fang Jun awkwardly touched his short mustache and chuckled, "Hehe, I don't understand what my wife is talking about... Oh, why is Mother here?"

Upon seeing his mother, Madam Lu, and his younger sister, Fang Junruo felt as if he had seen a savior. He quickly got up and rushed to welcome his mother into the hall.

Princess Gaoyang knew it was best not to argue with her husband at this moment, so she got up and offered Lu Shi the seat of honor, while she took Fang Xiaomei's hand and sat down beside her.

Madam Lu smiled kindly: "Look at you two talking, what are you discussing?"

Princess Gaoyang glanced at her husband and replied with a smile, "We are currently deciding on the gifts for the New Year. Some families only need to return gifts that are roughly the same as the ones they sent, but some families want us to send our gifts first. The quantity and value of these gifts need to be discussed, and we also need to distinguish between those who are close to us and those who are distant from us."

Receiving gifts is one thing, but giving gifts is a complex art, one that even a family like the Fangs cannot afford to ignore. Otherwise, once the gifts are given, they might be criticized, and you could easily offend someone...

Madam Lu laughed and said, "In previous years, this was all my business. Now I've dumped all the miscellaneous things on you, so I can finally enjoy my retirement. Don't blame me for shirking my responsibilities. You'll be running this household sooner or later, so it's not a bad thing to take over sooner. If you're unsure about anything, just come and ask me."

Princess Gaoyang, who had been acting like a shrew just moments before, was now obedient and sensible: "This is something we should be doing to share Mother's burdens. How could we trouble Mother with such a small matter? We can handle it, so you can relax and enjoy your life."

Fang Jun took a sip of tea, rolled his eyes, and said, "You're so good at talking. I'll tire you out tonight and see what you'll do tomorrow..."

Fang Xiaomei happened to be facing Fang Jun. When she saw her second brother's expression, she covered her mouth and chuckled.

The second brother, who is powerful and arrogant outside, is so considerate and humble at home to maintain family harmony.

I wonder if Li Yun can learn his second brother's tricks...

Thinking about her upcoming wedding after the New Year, Fang Xiaomei's fair and radiant face flushed slightly.

Fang Jun noticed his younger sister's sly smile and glared at her menacingly.

Fang Xiaomei was never afraid of this second brother, and she glared back with her beautiful eyes wide open.

Seeing the subtle exchange between the brother and sister, Madam Lu felt gratified and asked Fang Jun with a smile, "Now that all the affairs of the household are in your hands, I don't want to interfere too much. But my younger sister will be getting married after the New Year, and I'm concerned about the wedding, so I came to ask. There are many things that need to be prepared in advance, so as not to be caught off guard at the last minute."

He turned to take Princess Gaoyang's hand and sighed softly, "It's not that I, as an elder, am biased; it's just that my younger sister has grown up by my side since childhood, and it's hard not to feel reluctant to part with her now that she's getting married. Although marrying His Highness Prince Jiang is a blessing, she will be going to her fiefdom at sea after the wedding. The sea frontier is vast and thousands of miles away, and I don't know if I'll ever see her again in this lifetime, so I worry about her a lot..."

At this point, my heart felt like it was being torn apart, and tears streamed down my face.

Fang Xiaomei's eyes also welled up with tears.

Princess Gaoyang quickly grasped Lu's hand and gently comforted her, "I am also a mother, how could I not understand your loving heart? When I married into the family, Emperor Taizong held my hand and told me to regard Erlang's parents as my own parents, and Erlang's brothers and sisters as my own brothers and sisters... My younger sister is also my sister, how could I have any other thoughts? When she gets married, not only will Erlang prepare a dowry for her, but I will also add an extra portion from my dowry."

Upon hearing this, Madam Lu was very pleased: "Fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds in the sky; good health, a harmonious family, and happiness are the true blessings."

Princess Gaoyang smiled and said, "I understand."

Fang Jun put down his teacup, clicked his tongue, and said dismissively, "You all only know that my little sister is going to a foreign land, but you have no idea what I have already prepared for her... Let me put it this way, she will be like an 'emperor emeritus' in Thonburi from now on. She has a gold mine as her dowry, a team of loyal and elite guards to protect her, not to mention that she can mobilize the navy to support her with just a letter. Even if she doesn't like that kid Li Yun, it won't be difficult for her to kill him!"

"Pooh!"

Lady Lu spat and scolded, "How dare you, a dignified Grand Commandant and a high-ranking official of the state, speak like a street urchin! What kind of decorum is this!"

Princess Gaoyang also complained, "How can you teach your sister like this? Although she must not be bullied by Li Yun, she should not be too arrogant either."

As he spoke, he glanced at the housekeeper with a hint of worry.

Although this sister-in-law looks pure, gentle, obedient, and clever, she actually has some similarities in personality to Fang Jun and is definitely not the type to suffer injustice.

Just imagine, when this girl gets angry, hundreds of elite warriors will surround her, and countless warships will gather...

He was deeply worried about Li Yun.