The pce was a picture of tranquility, but outside its walls, the Jiang Family was weathering a storm of relentless criticism.


    Several prominent noble families had approached Jiang Yankun, urging him to seek an audience with the emperor. They demanded the repeal of the newws and a return to the old ways. They also insisted that he reprimand his daughter.


    Her ambitions were simply too grand. Rising from a mere noble consort to empress wasn’t enough for her—she now dared to im equal status with the emperor, dering herself "Empress of Heaven."


    She forbade men from doing this and that, while granting women the freedom to pursue whatever they desired.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    What was this supposed to mean?


    Gender discrimination?


    If she were to truly seize power, would there even be a ce for men in the Great Yan Dynasty?


    The emperor was over a decade older than her, and her son was the crown prince. The thought alone was terrifying.


    After sending off the sixth wave of visitors from noble families that day, Jiang Yankun felt utterly drained, both physically and mentally.


    Initially, he had only hoped that sending his daughter into the pce would bring some favor to the family, ensuring their prosperity.


    When Sister Yue gained the emperor’s favor, he began to dream of a brighter future for himself.


    But now, not only had Sister Yue secured his future, she had elevated the entire Jiang Family. The n had rallied together to support her rise.


    Now, his daughter held the title of Empress of Heaven, his grandson was the crown prince, and the emperor was enacting newws to elevate the status of women.


    The noble families were alling to him with their grievances. He wasn’t afraid of them, but he worried deeply. What if, after this wave of favor, the emperor came to his senses? Sister Yue could fall from grace, and her downfall would be catastrophic.


    This era simply couldn’t tolerate a woman who was both ambitious and capable.


    Lady Ruan stood tall and resolute. “I don’t care what anyone says. If Sister Yue wants to do something, we must support her. Think about it—hasn’t everything she’s done since gaining favor benefited the Jiang Family? I trust my daughterpletely. She must have her reasons.”


    Even Concubine Lin, who was usually timid and submissive, spoke up in support. “Master, Lady Ruan is right. Empress of Heaven is a woman of great wisdom. We can’t judge her by ordinary standards. She must have her reasons for doing this. Please don’t waver and side with outsiders against her.”


    She added softly, almost as if to herself, “If Empress of Heaven were to be angry, the wealth and status you enjoy now could vanish. How much better off would the Jiang Family be then?”


    Jiang Yankun red at her, exhaling heavily through his nose. “I haven’t even said anything, and you’ve already said it all.”


    He knew exactly what Concubine Lin was thinking. The more power Sister Yue wielded, the higher the Jiang Family’s status would rise. Countless sycophants would try to tter him by sending beautiful women to his household.


    After all, he was the father of the Empress of Heaven.


    For Concubine Lin, this was a grave threat. She was older, had no sons to rely on, and only remained in Lady Ruan’s good graces because of her kindness. She managed the household ounts and hoped that Empress of Heaven might one day arrange a good marriage for her daughter, Fifth Miss.


    She and Lady Ruan were on the same boat, and she didn’t want any seductresses stealing Jiang Yankun’s attention.


    Jiang Yankun waved his hand impatiently. “I know what to do. You women…”


    He stopped himself mid-sentence, remembering the emperor’s newws, and swallowed his dismissive words. “Don’t worry about these matters.”


    Concubine Lin wanted to say more, but Lady Ruan gently stopped her, smiling slightly. “As long as you understand, husband, we are all one family. I won’t disturb you further.”


    After leaving, Concubine Lin whispered, “Lady Ruan, why didn’t you let me scold him?”


    The emperor had issued newws allowing women to serve as officials, yet so many useless men still looked down on women.


    “Why scold him?” Lady Ruan chuckled. “If he supports Sister Yue, we’ll remain a harmonious family. But if he listens to those noble families and turns against her, I’ll show him that while my name is Lady Ruan, I’m anything but soft.”


    A mother’s strength was formidable, and she would prove it if necessary.


    The newws weren’t just a battle between the noble families and the Jiang Family—they were a sh over the status of men and women in the Great Yan Dynasty.


    Jiang Xinyue had never expected to achieve everything overnight. She anticipated both support and opposition from the people.


    In fact, she had guessed that the opposition would far outweigh the support.


    Men opposed thews because they had grown ustomed to a patriarchal society, where the belief in male superiority was deeply ingrained. This mindset was hard to change, and they had no desire to do so—it threatened their interests.


    Some women also opposed thews, bound by feudal traditions. They believed women should stay in the inner quarters, tending to their husbands and children, and adhering to ancient rules.


    To them, virtues like obedience, chastity, and loyalty were the ultimate ideals.


    But the worst were the women who, having suffered themselves, wanted to tear down the umbres of others.


    These women, having endured hardship, wished for all married women to be trapped in the same cycle of domestic strife, wasting their lives revolving around unworthy men.


    In just three months, under the emperor’s guidance, Jiang Xinyue had be adept at reviewing memorials.


    The emperor, exhausted from managing court affairs, found relief in having Jiang Xinyue assist him.


    Though he had always been diligent, shuttling between the court, the inner pce, and the imperial study, workingte into the night, he had never felt the strain. But once someone shared his burden, lifting it again became difficult.


    Even emperors were human, prone toziness.


    Though he was hardworking, his body could no longer endure the strain as it had in his youth.


    This time, after just half a month of intense work, he copsed.


    This had never happened before.


    Imperial Doctor Hu had retired, and the new head of the imperial medical bureau was Yan the Imperial Physician, skilled in acupuncture.


    When the emperor regained consciousness, Yan exined that his body was riddled with old ailments caused by overwork. Combined with the lingering effects of a Miao Bordends poison he had once suffered, it had led to his copse.


    If he wanted to live longer, he could no longer neglect his health while managing state affairs.


    Of course, he wanted to live longer—to spend more time with Jiang Xinyue and their children.


    It was already September, and Jiang Xinyue’s child was due in a month. Seeing her energetic and untiring as she reviewed memorials, the emperor couldn’t help but marvel at the vitality of youth.