I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 493 Finale

Dongfang Jin sat at the back of the hall, leisurely eating grapes, while Ruyi kept an eye on the front and reported the situation at any time.

After a cup of tea, Ruyi's words reached her ears: "The four heads of the families are indeed extraordinary."

Dongfang Jin paused, holding a bunch of grapes. [How strong are you?]

[Not enough. The strongest is the head of the Yun family, a high-level Grandmaster.]

However, they all have hidden ailments, and that Yun family head is quite formidable.

Hearing Ruyi's disdainful words, Dongfang Jin fell into deep thought. "[They all came here sick? Some of the doctors in the martial arts world are even better than those in the Imperial Hospital.]"

It seems...

The bloodshed and turmoil in the martial arts world can be even more intense than the power struggles in the imperial court.

[That's true, but... Sister Jin, why do I have a feeling these people are after you?]

Ruyi looked puzzled. The reason it said that was because the four old men went straight to Master Jingkong as soon as they entered.

Moreover, the Yun family head not only stared at Gu Chenglin, but also looked around as if he was looking for someone.

It seems the emperor has people around him.

[Oh?] Dongfang Jin looked puzzled. They came for her?

Is she that famous?

Ruyi Fu'e, are you really that famous? Can you please remove the "ma" from your name?

This guy probably doesn't know how famous he is. If it weren't for Emperor Shengde and her elder brother's people secretly protecting him...

Master Jingkong and the Imperial Tutor have been taking the blame for a long time, which has probably caused a sensation.

He said curtly, "Let me take another look."

As Dongfang Jin was chatting with Ruyi, they suddenly heard the sound of homage coming from the front hall, as orderly as the chimes of bells and gongs: "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Cang Lingyuan sat upright on the dragon throne, his black sleeves brushing against the gilded armrests. His voice trailed off, displaying the full majesty of an emperor: "Rise—"

"Thank you, Your Majesty—" As the shouts subsided, wisps of smoke rose from the gilded beast-head incense burner inside the hall.

"A seat, please." The emperor tapped the imperial desk lightly with his fingertips, his voice like a shard of ice.

Yun Haotian, the head of the Yun family, twitched his silver beard slightly and bowed deeply first. His aged voice carried a hint of arrogance: "In that case, I will trouble you."

Having said that, he lifted the hem of his brocade robe and sat down steadily in the head seat. The jade pendant at his waist struck the gold-threaded mat, producing a clear and melodious sound.

Ruyi, [Jin-jie, why aren't these people kneeling down to pay their respects?]

Dongfang Jin really knew this. The four forces in the martial arts world each occupied their own territory, but the struggle never stopped.

They also have this intricate relationship: Nan Yun, Dong Shen, Bei Yu, Xi Feng, and Zhong Cang.

These five surnames have existed on this continent for over a thousand years, and the Cang family is an "emperor".

However, the status and power of the other four families in various regions are in no way inferior to those of the royal family.

These four families also had intricate connections with the royal family, which continued to evolve with the passage of time and the changing of history.

Their relationship was a rollercoaster of breakups and reconciliations.

The last time there was a split was five years after Cang Lingyuan's biological father ascended the throne. It could also be said that Cang Lingyuan's biological father "discarded the millstone after it had served its purpose," which chilled the hearts of these four families.

Logically speaking, they are all elders. Although the Cang family is the emperor, they are not omnipotent.

That's because they live on the land of the neighboring country to the east.

This is really complicated.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two sides began to talk about the main topic step by step.

During this time, the topic of proposals from foreign states was also cleverly brought up by Duke Wen.

The head of the Shen family smiled at Emperor Shengde: "Your Majesty, why is Princess Sheng'an not here?"

His words immediately created a tense atmosphere in the side hall.

Gu Chenglin and Cang Lingchen stood between Cang Nanxi and Cang Lingyuan, keeping a close eye on their movements in case of any unexpected situations.

How did they know?

Gu Chenglin frowned: The news of his wife being granted the title of princess has not been spread.

It seems they have spies in the palace.

At the same time, Cang Lingchen also remembered this key point.

Dongfang Jin also sensed the unusual atmosphere in the front hall. [Ruyi, what's going on?]

[It is those family heads who want to see you.]

[See me? What do you want to see me for?]

[Is the head of the Shen family currently vying with your stepfather? It seems he doesn't yet know that his son has become your elder brother's wife.]

Dongfang Jin was a little confused. Her existence was, but what?

Nowadays, many people know that Mingyue Villa has been open to the public for a long time.

Ha! It seems I've already been exposed.

Suddenly, Ruyi exclaimed in surprise, "My God! Jin'er, the heads of the four great families have brought their respective sons, saying they want to offer them up to you!"

Dongfang Jin stood there stunned, unable to recover for a long time. "Why would I be offered up?"

Before he finished speaking, Gu Chenglin walked over with a stern face, exuding a chilling aura.

He walked to Dongfang Jin's side, gazing at her with a turbulent undercurrent in his eyes: "Wife, shall we leave here?"

His tone carried a hint of urgency and pleading.

Dongfang Jin was still confused: "Huh?"

Just then, Ruyi's voice came again, tinged with schadenfreude, "They're sending you men, men! How about it, want them? They're all handsome men!"

Stunned, Dongfang Jin stood frozen in place—giving away a man? Why would she do that?

With a clang, the door opened, and Empress Helian Jingyun rushed in with several children, urgently saying, "Xiao Jin, quickly take the children and leave!"

Dongping and Yuying followed closely behind. Dongping, panting, said, "It's Yun Shuyu! He went straight to Prince Lan as soon as he arrived in the capital..."

Yu Ying interrupted her, stamping her feet in frustration: "It was Changsun Lan who sent a message, asking Master to avoid the situation."

It is said that the heads of the four families came to the capital this time with one of their legitimate sons, intending to form a marriage alliance with the Prince Dun's mansion.

The marriage partner is none other than you; each family has chosen a son with the highest talent.

Although the Empress looked helpless, her eyes gleamed with excitement as she teased, "Little Jin, what do you think? Why not take my nephew in as well?"

Dongfang Jin's head was buzzing. What was going on?

Ruyi chimed in, "Jin-jie, why don't you just say yes?"

Dongfang Jin suddenly came to her senses, glanced at the children in front of her, and secretly counted them—not one was missing, even Crown Prince Cang Linchuan was there.

With a wave of her wide sleeves, the Ruyi Carpet appeared.

Gu Chenglin was incredibly quick-witted at that moment, and bent down to pick up Cang Yanchuan, Cang Yanbei, and the Second Prince Cang Jingchuan.

He whispered to his son, "Kids, hold on tight."

Gu Jingye and Shen Qihui reacted quickly, each grabbing one of the still bewildered girls.

Changsun Yu and Zhao Pengyu followed closely behind and climbed onto the Ruyi Carpet.

After making sure all the children were there, Dongfang Jin tossed a Qiankun bag to the Empress: "Sister-in-law, I'm taking the children on a trip."

Helian Jingyun took the bag and asked in confusion, "What's this?"

"Give this to my cousin; he has something he wants inside," Dongfang Jin said, then gave a soft command: "Rise!"

The auspicious blanket wrapped everyone up and then turned into a stream of light and disappeared into the side hall.

When Emperor Shengde Cang Lingyuan led his men over, they saw the Empress leisurely drinking fruit juice.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Helian Jingyun raised an eyebrow and smiled: "You're late—"

Seeing this, Emperor Shengde Cang Lingyuan smiled with satisfaction, then composed himself, adopting an imperial demeanor, and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, please follow me to the palace banquet—"

……

The marriage alliance of four clans startled the jade steps; thunder and lightning rose on the auspicious carpet.

The universe is contained within his sleeves; phoenixes and unicorns roam before the imperial palace steps.

With a smile, I cast aside worldly affairs; with a thousand pounds of weight, I entrust them all to a brocade pouch.

I roam freely across mountains and rivers, not envying the painted eyebrows of the mortal world.

(The Finale)

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