Chapter 2692 - 2693: Return to Tianyun (259)

Chapter 2692: Chapter 2693: Return to Tianyun (259)

Wang Youbao chuckled, "That’s because you’re frugal, Master. Look at those wealthy families; they always have a table full of dishes when they eat. With so many dishes, there has to be one I like. Unlike you, Master, with only a couple of dishes on the table."

An Jing smiled, "The children are not joining us to eat. If you hadn’t come, it would just be me and your Master, so what’s the use of having many dishes? Two or three dishes are sufficient. Any more would just be a waste."

Wang Youbao earnestly said, "It’s precisely because of you and Master that the lives of the common people are becoming increasingly better."

If all the money can be spent on the people, it should be spent on the people. Who wouldn’t admire such a royal family? Who wouldn’t be convinced? Who wouldn’t support them?

Even the imperial family is influenced to have the people at heart, which is why the common folk are living such good lives now.

An Jing smiled and said, "You’re exaggerating. The reason the common people are doing well is because Mu Chen and the others are diligent and capable of ensuring the people have good lives. At most, we just influence our children a little. Isn’t there a saying, ’lead by example’? Look at your son Haomiao; his demeanor completely mirrors yours. If there isn’t a better candidate for the Prime Minister in the future, after you step down, the position might fall on his shoulders."

Wang Youbao, however, shook his head, "He can’t shoulder this heavy responsibility. No one knows my son better than I do. And in front of you and Master, I won’t mince words. In my opinion, the Vice Minister is far more capable than I am. If I hadn’t insisted on holding onto the Prime Minister position, she would have been the most suitable candidate."

"Are you talking about Mo Ran?" An Jing laughed at the mention of her seventh daughter-in-law. "She is capable, but not as politically savvy and smooth as you. Currently, you are still the most suitable. Don’t be modest! Let me just say that. Do you think Mu Chen and the others are easy to fool? How could they just randomly appoint someone as Prime Minister and let you hold that position for so long? Even if Mu Chen were easy to fool, your Master wouldn’t be. He would’ve removed you long ago. Now, go ahead and make your move, your Master is letting you start with three stones."

Wang Youbao laughed, "Better make it five stones, otherwise I’ll lose before long, and it won’t be any fun."

An Jing turned to Su Changyi, smiling, "Husband, just let him have the five stones, after all, it’s just for fun."

Su Changyi had no objections and nodded.

Only then did Wang Youbao make his move and started playing chess with Su Changyi.

After having lunch with An Jing, Wang Youbao left the palace, and upon returning to the Prime Minister’s residence, he sent someone to call for Wang Haomiao, instructing him to go find Su Xing.

Wang Haomiao went.

Su Xing readily agreed, asking Wang Haomiao’s wife to bring Wang Yan’er to the residence the next day, to arrange for Wang Yan’er to meet Tao Mingsheng.

Who would have thought that upon meeting, Wang Yan’er and Tao Mingsheng would be taken with each other? But when Tao Mingsheng learned Wang Yan’er was the Prime Minister’s granddaughter, he hesitated to reach above his station and didn’t agree to the marriage.

Su Xing asked Taoming Ye to persuade Tao Mingsheng.

Taoming Ye tried to persuade Tao Mingsheng, including the fact that Wang Youbao and his family didn’t mind his status as a commons son and that Wang Youbao himself was born as a commons son.

Wang Youbao was not only a commons son but also a merchant, with a status much lower back then, yet he married the Prime Minister’s daughter. Thinking it over, now Wang Yan’er is only the Prime Minister’s granddaughter. With that realization, Tao Mingsheng agreed to the marriage.

To maintain a good reputation for both parties, all of this was conducted privately.

When An Jing and Su Changyi heard that the two had taken a liking to each other, and since the two had mutual consent to become husband and wife, there was nothing to oppose. They called Su Yi Jing and asked him to send someone to the Tao Mansion to issue the decree.