The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Empress Dowager Wang Instructs

Duke Zhongqin thought to himself, what could he possibly think? Empress Dowager Wang was just short of saying the threats outright, could he even dare say no?

If he truly dared, not to mention his son’s title would come to an end, even he himself would probably be stripped of his title immediately. After all, this dukedom was practically a windfall, it was inherited thanks to benefits from the same clan, otherwise, where would a Duke Zhongqin come from?

”The Empress Dowager is absolutely right.” Duke Zhongqin forced a smile.

Empress Dowager Wang felt even more irked at this sight, after some thought she said, ”A dukedom is a gift from the Emperor, but whether this title can continue depends on one’s own abilities. Duke Zhongqin, as the head of your clan, you should also consider the clan’s interest and strive for some concrete benefits.”

”Please instruct me, Lady.” Duke Zhongqin stood up hurriedly, bowed his head slightly to listen respectfully, yet in his heart, he thought, as a Duke Zhongqin without real power, how could he strive for benefits for his clan?

For other Empress Dowagers’ families, they walk proudly like crabs, indulging in luxury, wielding great power, and possessing immense wealth, but the Wang family?

Aside from a Duke Zhongqin title, they could only purchase more land and estates without issue, open shops smoothly, what else could they have? If the Wang clan wanted to make any significant moves, Empress Dowager Wang would immediately dispatch an angel to admonish them, it’s suffocating.

Though Duke Zhongqin felt grievances in his heart, he couldn’t help but think, they owed their stability over the years to someone’s support, and even if a clan acted arrogantly and held great power, would the Emperor tolerate them?

”The young men in the family need to be restrained in their conduct, stop indulging in trifles and romances. Men should study more, aim for scholarly honors, and if they cannot manage that, attempt the military exams. Is it not possible to attain at least a minor official position? A man concerned only with domestic matters, living in drunken dreams with no achievement, who would dare employ you?”

Empress Dowager Wang looked at him coldly: ”The Emperor does not fear employing members of the Wang clan, provided they have real talent and are not worthless waste. Duke Zhongqin, if the men become ruinous, the Wang clan’s decline will not be far, even if it once produced an Empress Dowager.”

No matter if a family once had an Empress or Dowager, if they do not strive and make progress on their own, they will inevitably decline. After all, people die, and people change, no one will always remember the so-called kinship with an Empress or Dowager.

Perhaps they’ll remember for ten or twenty years, but for fifty or a hundred years?

Duke Zhongqin broke into a cold sweat, not daring to wipe it, he only knelt trembling: ”Your humble servant is guilty.”

Since her husband had knelt down, Madam Zhongqin, too, had no reason to remain seated, she followed suit, her eyes reddened like a rabbit’s, no one could blame her, as it was caused by the spicy ginger.

”Go back and urge your sons to study. Whenever they commit petty thievery, reprimand them, if serious, expel them from the clan. Duke Zhongqin, one can be moderate, but never let moderation harm the descendants. You always hope for the Wang clan to have enduring prosperity, but without competent people to support it, what can continue this prosperity? Rely on me? I, too, shall pass away one day!”

Upon hearing this, Duke Zhongqin and his wife lay prostrate on the ground, loudly proclaiming: ”Lady, do not speak of such things. May Lady’s life be as eternal as the heavens.”

Empress Dowager Wang shook her head and sighed softly. To say such words today was to do justice to the Wang name, and also to pave the way for Duke Cheng’en, since a lone hand cannot clap, Duke Cheng’en also needs assistance to extend his legacy for a hundred generations.

Naturally, that was all she would say; whether they listened was up to them, and if they still failed to improve, she would be powerless!