Chapter 155 The Divorced Noblewoman of the Marquis's Mansion—The End

July is the hottest month, and drought has occurred in various parts of the Great Jing Dynasty.

The people desperately need a heavy rain to irrigate their homes.

On July 9th, after two hours, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), Yao Yao gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl.

Two loud cries of infants echoed throughout the entire palace, and Emperor Xiao Heng, who was waiting outside, was overjoyed.

"Reward them! Reward them all!"

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Not long after he finished speaking, a large patch of dark clouds drifted in from the sky outside, followed by lightning, thunder, and a torrential downpour.

Looking at the heavy rain outside, Xiao Heng felt even better!

The drought that had plagued us for days has been resolved; this rain is a welcome relief!

Today is a wonderful day! Double happiness! A day of celebration for the whole nation!

When Xiao Heng arrived at the delivery room, Yao Yao was already asleep from exhaustion.

The two babies were fast asleep in the crib next to each other.

The sight of the mother and her two children sleeping in the same position warmed Xiao Heng's heart.

On that day, Xiao Heng issued an imperial decree directly, bestowing upon Su Yaoyao the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

When the good news of the birth of their son and the promotion reached the Su family, Su Huan and his wife cried tears of joy.

A year ago, the couple could never have imagined that their daughter would have such a wonderful experience!

Because of their daughter, the Su family instantly became the most sought-after family in the capital. No one could compare to them.

Even so, Su Huan remained low-key. He sternly warned his children not to cause trouble or bully others.

Su Huan said that if someone caused trouble outside, he would never help them; on the contrary, he would punish them impartially. He might even kick them out of the house!

Moreover, since Yaoyao entered the palace, Su Huan has used most of his family fortune to help beggars and children from impoverished families.

Regardless of gender, Su Huan would pay for any child who liked reading to study, and he would find martial arts masters to teach any child who liked martial arts.

Su Huan had been doing these things quietly, just to give his daughter in the palace more support.

*

Since giving birth, the conflict between He Wan and her mother-in-law has become increasingly serious.

Zhao's mother was dissatisfied with He Wan's various behaviors, and would nitpick and make sarcastic remarks from time to time. Zhao's mother was not afraid of He Wan's nominal status as a county princess.

He Wan didn't dare to confront Zhao's mother directly, so she could only cry in front of Zhao Fengyin.

After returning from his shift each day, Zhao Fengyin not only couldn't get a proper rest, but also had to comfort his wife who was crying in front of him.

For a day or two, it was alright, but as time went on, Zhao Fengyin lost his usual patience. In fact, he was afraid to go back to the mansion, and even more afraid to see his wife's tearful eyes.

The Imperial Noble Consort gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, and it rained heavily that day. The people said that the twins were blessed babies who had descended to earth.

When Zhao's mother learned that Su Yaoyao had not only given birth to twins, but had also been promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, she became depressed.

When Zhao's mother was unhappy, she would vent her anger, and her target was He Wan. Even when the Marquis of Weiwu was angry, Zhao's mother would still do as she pleased.

*

Three years later, the twins turned three years old. The two little babies were beautiful, cute, and clever.

The elder sister inherited Yaoyao's temperament; she was delicate and loved beauty. Every time she saw her father, the emperor, she would ask him to reward her with fine silks, satins, pearls, and gemstones.

The younger brother's temperament was like Xiao Heng's. He was calm and composed at a young age, quiet, and loved reading. When he stood there with his small body and his hands behind his back, his deep eyes made people tremble involuntarily.

The eldest prince is already eighteen years old, and the second prince is already sixteen years old, yet the emperor has yet to appoint a crown prince. Those with discernment have already understood the emperor's intentions.

After Consort Zhao was banished to the Cold Palace and hanged herself three months later, the eldest prince gradually faded from people's sight.

The second prince, however, was unusually active. He not only frequently appeared in front of the twins, displaying brotherly affection, but also often went to Xiao Heng to ask him questions.

Xiao Heng didn't react much to this. It's understandable that a child feels insecure and wants to be close to you.

Until yesterday, Xiao Heng suddenly realized that there was something wrong with his tea, which was served to him by the Second Prince.

Before this, whenever the Second Prince came to chat with him or ask him questions, he would diligently serve him tea and water, so Xiao Heng had gotten used to it.

The second prince was unaware that his emperor father was skilled in medicine, had a keen sense of smell, and was exceptionally sensitive to the taste of tea.

As soon as the lid was opened, Xiao Heng sensed something was wrong. He quietly poured out the water.

For several days in a row, there were problems with the tea and water, so Xiao Heng decided to play along.

At the end of August, the emperor suddenly fell ill and fell into a coma. The civil and military officials were filled with apprehension.

The second prince produced a forged imperial edict in the main hall, claiming it was his father's will authorizing him to inherit the throne.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Heng suddenly appeared, and in the end, the Second Prince was demoted to the frontier for plotting to usurp the throne.

Upon hearing of her son's ordeal, the empress, who had been confined to her home, died of a stroke.

Three months later, Su Yaoyao was crowned empress, and a grand ceremony was held on an auspicious day.

All civil and military officials, as well as noblewomen of the capital, were required to attend the ceremony for the empress's investiture.

Meanwhile, good news finally came from the Northwest.

After Zhao Fengyin suffered repeated defeats in leading his troops, he was captured alive by the Hu people. A naturally strongman named Zhu Ba appeared in the military camp and bravely broke into the enemy camp alone in the dead of night.

Zhu Ba not only saved Zhao Fengyin, who had lost an arm, but also beheaded the enemy leader! He was a general with both courage and wisdom!

These actions greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers!

Xiao Heng issued a decree appointing Zhu Ba to replace Zhao Fengyin as leader, while the injured Zhao Fengyin returned directly to the capital.

When the good news arrived, it was accompanied by a letter from Zhu Ba to Su Huan.

Only then did everyone realize that Zhu Ba had once been a beggar, and that Su Huan had helped him by hiring someone to teach him martial arts and military strategy. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a second father.

It was at this time that everyone learned of Su Huan's many years of good deeds.

*

Zhao Fengyin dragged his crippled body back to the Marquis of Weiwu's residence. No one saw him off; he only dared to return at night because he didn't want to see anyone looking at him with pity.

Seeing her son's current wretched state, Zhao's mother wept bitterly, and Marquis Weiwu also shed tears with his white hair flowing down his cheeks.

Compared to the triumphant return to Beijing after a victorious battle a few years ago, this time, the contrast is stark.

Because of his severed arm, Zhao Fengyin could no longer serve as an official in the court and indulged in drunkenness every day, unable to extricate himself from it.

Every day, the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion was filled with decadence and his self-abandonment.

No amount of persuasion could change anything.

He Wan cried by herself every day, and no one hugged her or comforted her anymore. Instead, she was met with harsh scolding from men.

The love of the past has vanished like smoke, leaving only endless arguments.

*

Many years later, Yao Yao's son officially ascended the throne as emperor.

Yao Yao and Xiao Heng, on the other hand, traveled incognito, enjoying the scenery and having a great time.

In this life, the two walked hand in hand to the end of their lives.

(See you tomorrow for a new story – a female superstar and a Hong Kong entertainment industry CEO!)