By the time they traveled all the way from Great Plains to Great Prosperity, it was already the end of the year.
After more than a year of development, Great Prosperity had grown ever more bustling. Especially with the New Year approaching, it was even livelier than usual.
Though common folk in ancient times often lacked food and clothing and struggled to keep warm, those living in a nation's capital were still far better off than people elsewhere.
After all, this was the foremost city of the realm. If officials and wealthy households schemed and preyed upon the people, how could the emperor display his enlightened rule? How would historians record it? Did they truly think the emperor had no martial virtue?
If they did not go too far, everyone could muddle through by turning a blind eye. But if they went too far, the emperor would have to start chopping heads for the sake of appearances. No one truly cared about those commoners, yet they were also the greatest concern.
Thus, Great Prosperity was flourishing in every respect. If one looked only at Great Prosperity, it truly could be called the prosperous rule of Kaihuang.
As Yang Guang's party entered the city, Wang Yan's family did not return to the residence Yang Guang had previously bestowed upon them. Instead, they followed Yang Guang into the inner city and found the Marquis of Jiangning's Residence.
Naturally, being granted a marquisate came with benefits, and this marquis's residence had been gifted by the court. From now on, even if the family fell into decline, this grand residence would remain the Wang Family's—unless the emperor bestowed an even larger one.
That was because Wang was a military noble of the Great Sui, sharing in the nation's fortunes.
His status was somewhat awkward,