He even took the most exquisite hairpins and beads from them back for his grandmother, mother, and concubines to wear.

Those hairpins were all masterpieces of top-quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship. The Yu family was a prominent family, but the old lady of the Yu family did not come from a high social class and did not have a list of hairpins belonging to the empresses of the previous dynasty.

She accepted everything without hesitation, and even bestowed gifts upon Yu Hanyan and her other granddaughters and daughters-in-law, who wore them every day, praising Yu Huaimin highly.

Cai Ping'er also gave Yu Changrong several jade pendants, which Yu Changrong accepted without much thought and even gave away to others...

It was because he gave the tomb to a fellow traveler that it was discovered to be a tomb from a previous dynasty, leading to a report and investigation of the Yu family. Yu Huaimin had been a thief for five years.

Even worse, they used Yu Changrong's name to seize the people's land and property, driving a family of five to their deaths; and in order to seize a woman, they beat her brother to death.

When the matter was exposed, the people were furious and the government was shocked. Zhou Shaoyu only gave one word: severe punishment!

This is absolutely outrageous! They actually dug up tombs from a previous dynasty! How is this recorded in historical records? Was the Jade Dragon Kingdom so poor that it had to dig up tombs from a previous dynasty?

If they die, will the next dynasty also dig up their graves?

Enraged, the Lizhou government ordered the immediate execution of Yu Huaimin and Cai's uncle, dismissed Yu Changrong from his post, and confiscated the property of the Yu and Cai families. The male members of the families were exiled, and the female members were sold off.

A once-prominent family was wiped out in a single day.

Tang Caiyun has been in the nunnery for nearly twenty years. This crime did not affect the Tang family, but Yu Huai'an was implicated. He had originally planned to go to Beijing this year to participate in the imperial examination.

Yu Huai'an was among those exiled this time.

...

That's so melodramatic!

“I don’t have any special birthmarks. I just had a one-inch scar behind my ear from bumping my head on a table corner when I was little. Also, my head shape is the same as my maternal grandmother’s, and my eyebrows and eyes are seven or eight parts similar to Tang Caiyun’s,” Manman said.

Xie Zhaozhao said, "It's not easy to confirm that you are of the Yu family bloodline. I sent someone a month ago to inform you that the palace physicians will come to check your bloodline."

He kowtowed with great joy to express his gratitude.

Xie Zhaozhao asked someone to bring Tang Caiyun in.

Tang Caiyun seemed to have spent her years peacefully in the nunnery, and she didn't look old at all. She did look very much like Manman.

She is the eldest daughter of the prestigious Tang family, possessing a straightforward and capable spirit, the demeanor of a matriarch, and above all, the detachment of an outsider.

Tang Caiyun looked at Xie Zhaozhao and felt that although she was young, she had an extraordinary demeanor and was by no means an ordinary official's wife.

Tang Caiyun respectfully kowtowed to Xie Zhaozhao, thanking her for adopting and caring for Manman.

Xie Zhaozhao said, "You can't be sure you're mother and daughter just because you look alike; that still needs to be verified."

"This woman is willing to verify."

Although there was no blood test to confirm kinship, Tang Caiyun treated Manman as her own daughter, looking at her with tenderness and love.

She was very skillful, and Manman was also very skillful. The mother and daughter sat together, making shoes for Xiaoheng.

Although there were professional embroiderers in the palace, Manman was used to making shoes, clothes, and embroidering handkerchiefs for Xie Zhaozhao herself.

Tang Caiyun taught Manman the exclusive Tang family acupuncture techniques she had mastered.

“If your brother could have participated in the imperial examinations… sigh, he could have been your support.” Tang Caiyun sighed. “It’s all my fault. If I had been more ruthless back then, I wouldn’t have been unable to protect you. In the end, it’s because I’m useless.”

He held her hand tightly and said, "Don't be sad, everything will be alright."

When Manman returned, she didn't see Xiaoheng'er. Avoiding Tang Caiyun, Manman asked Xie Zhaozhao, "Your Majesty, where is His Highness?"

"Emperor Chen must take him to Changhe Town."

Zhou Shaoyu had a stubborn fondness for Xiao Heng'er. Except for the month when Xiao Heng'er was born and was cared for by Aunt Chai and Uncle Chai, he took Xiao Heng'er with him almost every step of the way after that.

He carried him everywhere he went, and now that Xiao Heng'er can walk, he holds his hand and walks with him.

"His Majesty the Emperor loves His Highness so much, mainly because His Highness is both intelligent and adorable." She said with deep longing, "This servant hasn't seen His Highness for a month and misses him terribly."

Zhou Shaoyu and Guo Rong went to Changhe Town for an inspection and decided to establish a large trading market there. Zhou Shaoyu said he wanted Xiao Heng'er to watch.

Xie Zhaozhao didn't know what such a young child like Xiao Heng'er could understand, but Zhou Shaoyu insisted on carrying him.

Xie Zhaozhao once asked Zhou Shaoyu with a smile, "Why do you like taking Xiao Heng'er out so much? Are you just getting older and doting on children?"

Zhou Shaoyu tapped her on the head and said, "Don't remind me that I'm older than you. Don't worry, I'm in good health. I'll definitely be able to stay with you until you're old, and I'll at least outlive you by one day!"

"So, do you feel that you didn't have your parents around when you were a child, and you want to spend more time with Xiao Heng'er?"

"Not entirely. I want to raise him myself, hoping that this one child can shoulder the responsibility of the entire Jade Dragon Kingdom, so that you won't have to suffer the pain of childbirth anymore."

Xie Zhaozhao's eyes widened: "You plan to have only one child? Aren't you afraid of being impeached by the Censorate?"

Zhou Shaoyu said matter-of-factly, "So what if there's only one? One promising son is enough. Do you think having a whole litter of good-for-nothing sons will just make you angry?"

That seems to make sense.

He said in a serious tone, "Have fewer children, so that Heng'er can grow up quickly. Leave the Jade Dragon Kingdom to him, and I can accompany you every day to discuss the cases of the Dali Temple. No one will compete with me for you anymore."

This person, even when they're saying sweet nothings, is so... down-to-earth!

Xie Zhaozhao, despite being an emperor, was actually shy with her long-married husband.