After a series of court rites, the two took their seats as arranged by Emperor Longchang.

Emperor Longchang first chatted with Wang Zong’an a bit, showing concern for the situation of the Changning Wang Family, his cultivation, and the condition of Zong’an’s Longevity Tree Spirit Species. He fully demonstrated the care and consideration of an emperor for a Great Celestial Pride and specifically encouraged Wang Liyao.

Naturally, Wang Zong’an responded with modesty, maintaining a composed demeanor that did not embarrass Wang Shouzhe.

It took the time of two tea servings for the pleasantries to conclude, giving Wu Mingyuan the opportunity to speak.

If he were still in his prime, Emperor Longchang would have enjoyed a bit of posturing and self-promotion. However, as he aged, he’s become more capricious.

Since Wu Mingyuan is his own child, even if the ancestor scolds him, he can only obediently endure it. Emperor Longchang was about to vent some of his feelings by reprimanding Wu Mingyuan.

Unexpectedly, Wu Mingyuan abruptly stood up, excitedly saying, "Your Majesty, great joy~~ great joy!!"

The words at the tip of Emperor Longchang’s tongue were instantly choked back.

He twitched his facial muscles and looked at Wu Mingyuan with irritation, "What joy are you talking about?"

"Back then, Mingyuan benefitted from Your Majesty’s guidance; your frank words pointed out many unrealistic plans. Initially, Mingyuan was somewhat unconvinced, but upon reflection, I realized that every word from Your Majesty was imbued with wisdom accumulated over thousands of years of imperial reign." Wu Mingyuan said emotionally, filled with tears of gratitude, "Therefore, Mingyuan deeply reflected, adjusted the plan, and it was after decades of painstaking effort that I finally achieved some results, allowing me to have the face to meet Your Majesty."

You overthink, I scolded you back then just to scold you.

Emperor Longchang complained silently in his heart.

However, seeing Wu Mingyuan show such respect and give him an excuse to step down, his mood improved, and he put on a kindly expression, "Mingyuan, it is gratifying that you have come to this realization. It was not in vain that I had painstaking intentions."

"I am fully aware of your achievements and future plans. You have indeed done well and did not disgrace our Imperial Family. Have you encountered any difficulties during this visit?"

"No difficulties, Your Majesty," Wu Mingyuan replied, "Even if there are some minor issues, Mingyuan can solve them. The main purpose of this visit is to express gratitude for Your Majesty’s guidance in the past. Secondly, I reserved a ten percent stake for Your Majesty in the Dara Pioneer Joint Department. Today, Zong’an and I came especially to deliver the contract to Your Majesty."

"A ten percent stake?" Emperor Longchang smiled benevolently, "Mingyuan, the world already belongs to me; what do I need this ten percent stake for? Your filial piety, I acknowledge."

Even though he didn’t particularly care about this ten percent stake, he felt somewhat pleased in his heart.

It seems that Mingyuan truly appreciated his "guidance". Although at the time he was merely scolding, it turned out to be a felicitous coincidence.

"Your Majesty’s devotion to the nation commands Mingyuan’s admiration. However, Your Majesty should reserve some private funds." Wu Mingyuan sincerely said, "With this ten percent stake, Your Majesty can more freely reward cherished juniors or buy things you love."

"That’s true. Constantly using the Treasure Vault to reward the children would inevitably draw criticism behind the scenes." Emperor Longchang felt considerable relief, his heart warming.

Why hadn’t he noticed before that Mingyuan was so eloquent? Every word seemed to resonate, providing inexplicable comfort.

Subsequently, there was more polite conversation.

With his mood eased, Emperor Longchang became much more generous than usual, extending a generous reward of valuable treasures to Wu Mingyuan and Wang Zong’an, encouraging Wang Zong’an to cultivate diligently and strive to reach the Divine Power Realm soon.

If the family truly struggled to support two Great Celestial Prides, they could come to him, and he would assist in thinking of ways.

Regardless of Emperor Longchang’s merits and demerits throughout his reign, his efforts in supporting potential Imperial Family juniors and other noble families’ Great Celestial Prides have been attentive. Even Shangguan Yunque benefited considerably from him in earlier times.

Among the eleven Divine Power Realm experts in the current Imperial Family, one arose because his family couldn’t support him, so he married into the Imperial Family as a Prince Consort.

Now, his birth family is under his protection. Though still not a Third-Grade Noble Family, it is among the strongest in the Fourth-Grade Noble Families, just waiting for another Great Celestial Pride to emerge, allowing them to ascend to a Third-Grade Noble Family status.

Then after an incense stick of time,

The meeting concluded, and Wu Mingyuan and Wang Zong’an were politely shown out of the Zhuozheng Pavilion. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

After they left, Emperor Longchang felt old and comforted, and he sighed, "Old Yao, it appears Mingyuan, that stubborn mule, has matured, starting to show care for the ancestor. Look, he left a ten percent stake just for me to reward the juniors. I heard that the Shangguan Family spent huge sums to secure only three percent shares."

Old Yao was taken aback, somewhat astonished, and softly reminded, "Isn’t Your Majesty planning to pay for that ten percent share?"

Emperor Longchang waved his hand, "That’s Mingyuan’s tribute to me, why would I need to pay?"

"Your Majesty, although that is true," Old Yao’s facial features twitched a few times as he mustered the courage to advise, "I heard that the ’Joint Department’ means alliance and cooperative development among families, sharing resources and profits... If Your Majesty doesn’t contribute financially or otherwise, while overtly nobody will say anything, privately there will definitely be criticism, seeing it as Your Majesty indirectly embezzling company assets... Who knows how the history books will record it later..."