A Cutie Spoiled by Her Seven Uncles

Upon seeing the expression on the Emperor’s face, Xie Pan’Er secretly laughed to herself.

Even the Emperor could not escape the mundane concerns.

Due to the deficit in the National Treasury, as the ruler of the nation, his thoughts were filled with financial matters.

"Among these things, many are extremely quick in generating wealth. The sisters-in-law mentioned the National Treasury’s deficit and that we must find ways to make up for it elsewhere. As the Empress, I shouldn’t be confined to just the inner Palace. The sisters-in-law have their own businesses and dowries generating profits.

Even Eighth Sister, who was once a princess of a fallen nation, managed her own affairs secretly. Now I’m learning from the sisters-in-law. In fact, it’s not too late for me."

Seeing the Emperor suddenly lost in thought, Xie Pan’Er stepped forward, hugged his waist, and buried her head on his shoulder, speaking softly to him.

"Other husbands earn money outside while their wives manage the household. My husband is the ruler of the nation, concerned about the country and its people. I have no household chores to manage, but I want to share his burdens. So, I’ve decided to learn business from Third Brother and them before our grand wedding.

These dowries are provided by the Ji Mansion, with more than half contributed by Third Sister’s own dowry. I didn’t want it initially, but Third Sister said, as the Empress, many eyes are on me, waiting for me to fail!

So I can’t refuse. However, I think this isn’t a bad thing. Third Brother and Third Sister’s business is already substantial. These assets mean little to them—a mere drop in the ocean—but for me, they are an opportunity, a chance to expand the National Treasury on our own!"

The Emperor’s hands wrapped around her, suddenly feeling this little woman was not as fragile as she appeared.

At the very least, she has found her own stage now!

"Your Majesty! I don’t want to scheme and connive within the inner Palace. The Empress Dowager was right; a good husband would not place his wife in danger. If I spend my life scheming in the inner Palace, it only proves that you are not a good husband. No, I will live as myself. I choose not to engage in court intrigue. I can carve out my own space.

Third Sister says that there are indeed many women who surpass men!"

The Emperor felt stifled upon hearing this!

"Is it because you know I selected four consorts that you’re so disheartened, right?"

Xie Pan’Er stiffened at his words.

"I, too, wish for a life with just the two of us, but the Emperor’s inner Palace can never have only one Empress. If I stubbornly refused to appoint consorts, perhaps I wouldn’t need any consorts or concubines. But since I have you, there must be others. Even if they enter the Palace and become mere decorations, or quietly fade away, they are still my chosen consorts.

Pan’Er, the enduring partnership you wish for, explicitly I cannot give you, but truly, as a husband, I can only belong to you, and I must belong to you!"

Xie Pan’Er found it hard to breathe, her mind in chaos, having heard the Emperor’s words but refusing to let them settle in her heart!

He had chosen the four consorts, not just them, but also several other titled ladies... even several talented women!

One would think that as the Emperor, his actions would be constrained, that he at least would consider her a bit. Assuming the four consorts were for show, unexpectedly, he had gone all out, selecting a total of fifteen, from consorts down to talented women.

"Alright, it’s getting late today. Since you don’t want to enter the Palace yet, I won’t force you. You desire to learn business; I will let you be. Just wait for a while, and when we have our grand wedding, see the gift I have prepared for you!"

The Emperor returned to the Palace, while Xie Pan’Er became even busier, clinging to Hu Shu’Er daily to learn business, reviewing account books, and even contemplating Hu Shu’Er’s suggestion to establish a trade route with Beiyuan.

Hu Shu’Er noticed something was amiss and seized an opportunity to ask her.

"You will be entering the Palace in a little over a month, and once inside those walls, you’ll be confined to that limited space.

Even if you master the art of commerce, what’s the use then?"

Xie Pan’Er just pursed her lips and smiled.

Seeing Zhu Xiuxiu leaning on Ji Youcheng’s arm, basking in the sun in the Garden, she glanced with envy in her eyes.

"The Palace walls may confine the body, but they cannot confine the heart. As long as I wish, even if I enter the Palace, what of it?