With such a rge family, if no one kept them in line, it was only a matter of time before someone made trouble.

  The head of the Zhao family, Old Master Zhao—Zhao Congshan—was fifty-nine this year, so his children were not particurly old either.

  Among the daughters, Wumian ranked third. The two elder sisters above her were both concubine-born. As for the sons, there were two older brothers—one was the eldest, and the other was the third child. The eldest was only twenty-six this year.

  This entire cn, once struggling to make ends meet due to the ck of official positions, now had an empress in the family. At the very least, they no longer had to worry about having enough money to spend.

  Their noble title had also been elevated, and naturally, things were different now.

  But their conduct and refinement hadn’t caught up. Just look at the fourth brother—if no one reined them in, how could that end well?

  The downfall of Empress Shen’s family was a cautionary tale.

  The Zhao family likely wouldn’t commit treason, but they were perfectly capable of stirring up other trouble. No matter what it was, Wumian didn’t wish to see it happen.

  Once they entered the main hall, everyone tried to kneel again, but Wumian quickly stopped them, waving her hand and telling them it wasn’t necessary. When she tried to kneel to her grandparents, they dared not accept it either, and in the end, they simply bowed in greeting.

  "Your Majesty, has your health fully recovered?" asked the Old Madam Ma. She was the typical kind of grandmother one might expect in a well-off family—she didn’t particurly dote on Wumian, but she cared enough.

  The reason she never visited the pace was because of the scars on her face. Back when the te emperor passed away, there had been a smallpox outbreak in the capital. Though it had been contained fairly well, many had still died.

  Strangely, none of the younger members of the Zhao family were affected, but the Old Madam had caught it. She was strong enough to survive, but her face had been left pockmarked. Even now, though she covered them with powder, they were still obvious up close.

  That was why she rarely showed herself at court.

  "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I’ve recovered fully."

  "That’s good, that’s good. I may not have been able to visit, but I’ve prayed for your well-being every day this past half-year," the Old Madam said, chanting blessings.

  After exchanging pleasantries, Wumian had the attendants distribute the gifts she had brought for the household.

  Then, she turned to the real reason she had come. "I returned today to speak about Fourth Brother."

  Zhao Dongshi stepped forward listlessly. "Your Majesty, please instruct me."

  "I’ve instructed you plenty already. Tomorrow, you’ll leave home. Has everything been prepared? That Su woman is indeed pregnant—there’s no reason to dey."

  "Yes, as Your Majesty says. Let’s proceed as pnned," Old Master Zhao sighed.

  "Also, Schor Lu was invited at my request. He will be teaching the younger generation of the Zhao family from now on. Eldest Brother, Third Brother—you both must study too."

  The eldest and third brothers had been married for years, but could only nod and agree at this point.

  "The children of the other uncles' families must study as well. The Zhao family has many children of age, so we should establish a family school to educate them. One Schor Lu won’t be enough. Grandfather, I’ll trouble you to personally consult with him and ask him to recommend other talented teachers. I’ll meet with Schor Lu myself in a bit."

  "Yes, we’ll do as Your Majesty says," Old Master Zhao replied. He had no objections.

  "Once the family school is established, not only the family’s children but also the capable sons of trusted stewards or retives can be enrolled. I don’t expect them to achieve schorly fame, but they must at least learn the proper rules and decorum. Grandfather, Grandmother—I hope you won’t take offense at me, a junior, instructing my elders."

  "Your Majesty, what are you saying? You’re doing it for the family’s good. We would never take offense," Old Master Zhao waved it off.

  "It’s good if you understand," Wumian said softly. "After all, I’ve been in the pace for three years now. I’ve seen, heard, and thought about far too much. Let’s not even speak of others—just look at the Shen family back then. How grand and glorious they were! The Shen family produced numerous high-ranking officials. Empress Shen’s birth father once held a First Rank post. Her grandfather had even been entrusted to teach the crown prince and imperial sons. They had three Third Rank officials, seven or eight in the Fourth and Fifth Ranks. What a flourishing family! They had Empress Shen as the legitimate empress, and even the Emperor’s eldest legitimate son was from the Shen family. What could possibly surpass such splendor? Yet, because of a few foolish, jealous brothers who got involved in treason—and because their elders and siblings couldn’t bear to expose them, out of family affection—the entire cn was dragged into ruin."

  Wumian’s gaze sharpened slightly. "Tell me, Grandfather, if one of us in the Zhao family were to lose his head and act foolishly one day, how would we fare in comparison to the Shen family back then? Our family has no deep foundations, no children holding high office. Our status today rests entirely on ancestral merit and on me, a childless empress. In such a vast household, who can guarantee that no one will make a mistake, that no one will act rashly?"

  "Your Majesty speaks only words of gold and jade," the old marquis said, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Everything you’ve said is for the sake of the Zhao family’s future. Please, Your Majesty, be at ease. I will see to it that the children of this family study well, not for fame and fortune, but to understand propriety and avoid foolishness."

  "The affairs of the imperial court and the inner pace are deeply entwined," Wumian continued calmly. "There are concubines in the pace now who are pregnant. In a few years, whether or not I bear a son, there will be imperial princes born before me. When those princes grow up, there will inevitably be struggles. And when that day comes, who’s to say the Zhao family won’t be watched, scrutinized? I may not be able to bring sting glory to the Zhao family as empress—but at the very least, I will not allow the family to fall into disaster."

  "Your Majesty has suffered much," Old Madam Ma wiped her eyes. "We are family. We share fortune and misfortune alike. Please rest assured. From now on, I will also see that the women in the household conduct themselves properly."

  Wumian nodded. "Then I shall trouble Grandfather and Grandmother."

  At the side, Zhao Dongshi stood quietly by the doorway, his head bowed.

  At that moment, perhaps he felt a flicker of regret—but when he thought of Su Shi’s face, he couldn’t help but feel he hadn’t done wrong.

  Wumian no longer looked at him.

  Since she intended to meet with Schor Lu, there was no reason to wait until the afternoon. Teachers deserved the utmost respect, even from an empress.

  Schor Lu hadn’t known Wumian would be visiting. He hadn’t come to the Zhao residence that day, having only heard there was some family matter. The servant sent to summon him didn’t mention that the empress herself was there.

  So when he walked into the front study and saw her, he was utterly startled and immediately knelt. "Your servant greets Your Majesty, long may you reign!"

  "Please rise, Master Lu. There’s no need for such formality," Wumian quickly stood, and Dukang stepped forward to help the elderly schor up.

  "Your servant thanks Your Majesty."

  "Today, let us set aside matters of monarch and subject," Wumian said gently. "I asked you here because I have a few words I wish to entrust to you."

  "Your servant would not dare—please instruct me, Your Majesty."

  "It was I who requested His Majesty to appoint a worthy teacher to guide the children of the Zhao family. When I heard it was you, Master Lu, I was both delighted and ashamed. Delighted that such a great schor would be willing to teach the Zhao family’s children—a true honor for our entire cn. Ashamed because you, such an esteemed and learned man, have been made to lower yourself to instruct our unworthy children."

  "Your Majesty is too kind," Schor Lu said earnestly. "I came here willingly. The Zhao family’s young ones are pure-hearted and eager to learn. I see great potential in them. I am old now—fortunate enough to still be of use. Your Majesty’s praise humbles me beyond measure. Rest assured, I will devote everything I have learned in this life to guiding them, withholding nothing."

  "With those words from you, Master Lu, I am endlessly grateful." Wumian rose and made to bow deeply.

  Schor Lu was startled and immediately tried to kneel again, but Dukang held him steady. In the end, he accepted the empress’s bow.