Chapter 120 Succession "Me, you, and Father..."
“Me, you, Father, and Grandfather, we don’t need to go anywhere. We can just wait to die in prison.”
She was exaggerating in order to make Jiang Jinran take this as a real warning.
Once you're on the battlefield, there's no going back.
Jiang Jinran trembled and kowtowed three more times: "Yes, this sinner knows his mistake."
In the end, Qi Fan gave him a few lashes out of consideration for Jiang Zhuoying.
...
Since Jiang Zheng and Jiang Jinran left Luojing, Jiang Zhuoying has been carefully nurturing her pregnancy in the Crown Prince's residence.
Yu Jin also moved directly into the Crown Prince's residence, and would come to check his pulse every morning and evening.
Qi Fan would personally measure her abdomen and weight every morning and record it.
Everyone outside knew that the Crown Princess was pregnant, but no one knew that she was carrying twins.
In Qi Fan's words, that is it.
"We must not create unnecessary complications."
Such a significant event would attract too much attention if it were to be publicized, and would not be beneficial to her pregnancy.
To help with childbirth, Jiang Zhuoying consciously controlled her diet throughout her pregnancy, and Qi Fan would accompany her for meals whenever he was free.
Besides that, she would also stroll around the mansion every day.
Despite knowing she should go out more often, Jiang Zhuoying couldn't resist the allure of the warm indoors, often staying curled up on the cozy tatami mat and refusing to move.
Therefore, Qi Fan made changes to the backyard of the Crown Prince's residence.
The original backyard was just a bare lake, with some artificial hills, flowers, and trees around it. Only the koi pond where Zhuozhuo was located had been specially renovated. The whole backyard looked even more desolate and cold in winter.
To be honest, it couldn't even compare to the mansions of many officials in Luoyang, whose courtyards were all meticulously crafted.
But the master of the Crown Prince's residence did not have such leisure and refined tastes.
But things are different now. Qi Fan has ordered people to bring in many new varieties of flowers and plants from somewhere, so that even in Luoyang in winter, the plants are lush and blooming.
In addition, he also built a pleasure boat directly in the lake. The original small boat was too small. Now that Jiang Zhuoying's belly is getting bigger, she can't move around as easily as before. The two-story pleasure boat will be much more comfortable.
The interior of the painted boat was filled with fragrance, warm and comfortable, and decorated in every way according to Jiang Zhuoying's preferences. Moreover, the scenery seen from the painted boat was quite different from that in her Kunning Palace.
Therefore, ever since the pleasure boat came into being, Jiang Zhuoying has become more interested in strolling around the backyard.
Qi Fan would also arrange different plays on the stage in the backyard, so that she could not only move around every day, but also often have some new things to make her happy.
When Jiang Zhuoying's belly grew even bigger the following year, Jiang Ying would visit her at the mansion from time to time.
Jiang Ying is also pregnant, much earlier than Jiang Zhuoying, and her movements are still relatively unimpeded.
The two became close friends and talked about everything, but they remained tight-lipped about Jiang Lang's affairs.
The fact that Jiang Lang was secretly detained was a top secret, and even Fu Ce didn't know about it, but Jiang Zhuoying always felt that Jiang Ying should be able to guess something.
She had also concealed the fact that her father and Cheng Yun had returned to Luojing from Jiang Ying. The two of them understood each other without making a tacit agreement, and neither of them took the initiative to mention the unresolved family matters between them.
The two of them rushed to the Duke's mansion when the old Duke Jiang Yun was on his deathbed.
The old man lay on the couch, his eyes seemingly covered with a layer of gray, his voice weak and hoarse: "My old bones are nearing their end, Ah Zhuo, I have a request for you."
With Jiang Ying's help, Jiang Zhuoying slowly sat down. She lowered her eyes, which were slightly red. "Grandfather, why do you say that? Please tell me."
"What sins did your uncle commit?"
Jiang Zhuoying opened her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. It wasn't that she wanted to keep it a secret, but this treasonous act would likely infuriate her grandfather. Originally, this was already...
The old man's eyes slowly regained focus, and he opened them to look at Jiang Zhuoying: "It's me, it's my fault!"
“Grandfather… how can this be blamed on you!” Jiang Zhuoying frowned, speaking quickly. “Ever since I can remember, I have known that you are upright, honest, and incorruptible. What child in Luojing City does not know your character?”
The old man seemed not to have heard what she was saying, and shook his head as he continued to speak to himself.
"Lang'er is not my biological son."
Jiang Zhuoying and Jiang Ying were suddenly taken aback.
"Lang'er's biological father died saving my life... Later, Zheng'er was born. As for the title, it's something I've hesitated and pondered for half my life..."
"Now that such consequences have occurred, I... am to blame."
...
Jiang Yun passed away, and before closing his eyes, he revealed Jiang Lang's true identity to the public.
When Jiang Yun was young, he never thought he would be granted the title of Duke of Rui. He and his wife originally planned to raise their two sons as their own, but since he had the title, it should be inherited by the eldest son.
Jiang Lang, however, was mischievous from a young age and later became fond of womanizing. He then entered the Hanlin Academy through Jiang Lang's connections.
This was so embarrassing that even the upright and honest Jiang Yun had nowhere to hide his face!
If this title is passed on to him, I'm afraid the Jiang family won't last more than a few generations.
Moreover, Jiang Zheng is his biological son, and his temperament is very similar to his own. However, since their backgrounds have already been established, he finds it difficult to make a decision.
Jiang Lang knew that Jiang Zheng was wavering, which is why he had this wicked idea to put Jiang Zheng's family to death...
Upon learning of this, Jiang Zhuoying hesitated, wondering whether she should write it down in a letter and then deliver it to her father and Chengyun.
This matter is naturally important, but her father and Chengyun are on the front lines, and she is afraid of disturbing their peace of mind.
She carefully considered each word, but before she could finish writing the letter, news of victory arrived from the border.
In just a few months, Father and Chengyun won the battle!
Overwhelmed with excitement, Jiang Zhuoying collapsed onto Qi Fan, and that's how the act began.
...
She gave birth to her first child sometime between evening and midnight.
Fortunately, she was taken very well cared for on a daily basis, and the entire pregnancy was spent preparing for this final delivery, so Jiang Zhuoying didn't actually suffer much.
At least it wasn't as deadly as she had imagined.
When Qi Fan, who had been waiting outside the door, burst through the door upon hearing the baby's cries, everyone in the delivery room was startled.
The nanny thought he was in a hurry to see the child, so she immediately took the wrinkled baby over. Before she could even say anything to congratulate him, the man only glanced at her and went straight to the bedside.
He cares about his wife.
Jiang Zhuoying was still breathing lightly, her face and neck were covered with a fine layer of sweat, and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes from the exertion.
The man didn't seem to mind at all, and leaned down to gently kiss her forehead: "A-Zhuo, it's alright."
Jiang Zhuoying found him annoying, especially since he appeared when she was in such a sorry state, so she frowned and gave him a cold look.
"Your Highness, please go out first and close the door."
"Yes, yes, Her Highness the Crown Princess is pregnant again!" the midwife chimed in.
The man stiffened slightly, and the door closed.
He glanced back instinctively; the door he had broken down seemed to have collapsed.
And there's another one inside her?
He belatedly realized that Ah Zhuo was carrying two children.
Just now, he flashed by and it seemed there was only one child in the swaddling clothes?
The man was unusually silent. He had been on edge all night, guarding the door without blinking for a single second, and often even forgetting to breathe.
Every time he heard her cries coming from the room, her voice changing from clear and crisp to hoarse, it was as if her voice was tearing his heart out, causing him excruciating pain.
Finally, he heard the long-awaited cry of a newborn baby. Without thinking, he burst through the door, ignoring the pleas of the servants. All he wanted was to gently hold her in his arms and meld her into his very being…
"Crown Prince?"
Qi Fan snapped out of his daze, knelt down on one knee in front of the bed, and took her hand: "I will stay here with you."
He could no longer bear to hear her screams from the outside room, separated by an opaque door. He wanted to watch her every moment, never letting her out of his sight.
The man's eyes were serious; he wasn't trying to coax her, nor was he joking.
Jiang Zhuoying instinctively wanted to stop him, but Qi Fan leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose first: "Azhuo, please make me feel better."
His eyes softened, and one could even see a pleading look in them.
Jiang Zhuoying turned her head away: "Then... if I don't look good later, Your Highness, please close your eyes."
"Nonsense, the Crown Princess is so beautiful that no one can compare to her."
Jiang Zhuoying pursed her lips, refusing to admit the joy in her heart: "...Whatever you say."
...
Right under Qi Fan's nose, his second child with Jiang Zhuoying was born—a girl.
The Crown Prince was now blessed with both a son and a daughter, a grandson and a granddaughter. In addition, Jiang Zheng and his son won a great victory, and Xiyan surrendered voluntarily, willing to cede territory as tribute. The Emperor was overjoyed.
His Majesty purged the court, and through the Crown Prince's investigation, it was discovered that Jiang Lang, in collusion with the former grain supervisor, provided Xiyan with a route for transporting grain, leading to the disastrous defeat of Da Rong that year. His crime was unforgivable.
As the direct superior of the grain supervisor, the prime minister could not shirk his responsibility. In addition, considering the past matters related to the imperial concubine, the emperor, mindful of his hard work and great contributions, granted him permission to retire and return to his hometown immediately.
As a result, the prime minister's faction was wiped out in one fell swoop for treason, breaking the law, forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices.
After Jiang Zheng and his son returned to the capital in triumph, Jiang Zheng was appointed as the Commander of the Imperial Guards and granted the title of Duke of Kang.
Once all this was over, the Emperor abdicated and became the Retired Emperor.
When the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he also issued an edict, making his wife, Lady Jiang, Empress, and establishing that the harem would consist of only one Empress, with no further concubines to be added.
"...All ministers should understand my heart and refrain from speaking to me again about the selection of imperial concubines. Anyone who disobeys will be punished for defying my decree... This is my decree!"
From then on, the courtiers were in uproar, but dared not raise any objections.
When Jiang Zhuoying learned of this, she was at the palace gate, there to bid farewell to Consort Ling.
Now that the Emperor Emeritus is enjoying his retirement, it would be inappropriate for him to have too many concubines around him. Thanks to her whispered words to Qi Fan and her careful advice, Consort Ling was finally able to return to Li Kingdom ahead of schedule.
After seeing off Consort Ling, Xiangyue told Jiang Zhuoying about the imperial edict that had just been issued by the previous dynasty, which was also news that she had just learned.
Xiangyue smiled happily for Jiang Zhuoying: "Your Majesty, it is clear that His Majesty's sincerity is as clear as day!"
The latter glared at her, but a warmth began to grow in her heart. She truly hadn't expected Qi Fa to issue such an edict.
He had not told her about this, but he had long heard of Consort Wan's infatuation, and he thought that Qi Fan was the same.
She glanced at Xiangyue, who had a mischievous look on her face, and suddenly changed the subject: "Let me go back and pick a day so that you two can have your wish fulfilled as soon as possible. Wujiu and Peiyun are probably already impatient."
Upon hearing this, the two maids bit their lips and stammered, both blushing with embarrassment.
Jiang Zhuoying chuckled, "Okay, okay, I understand!"
She turned and walked inside. Xiangyue and Xiangxing exchanged a glance and then hurriedly followed her.
"Your Highness, we have made up our minds. Even after we get married, we will not leave you. We will come to the palace every day..."
Jiang Zhuoying interrupted them: "We'll decide on these things later depending on the situation. How about the fish pond that Zhuozhuo repaired?"
Xiangxing immediately reported, "It's not finished yet! Does Your Majesty wish to take a look?"
Jiang Zhuoying nodded and led her two maids straight to Zhuolan Pond. From afar, she spotted a bright yellow figure in the octagonal pavilion not far from the pond.
She quickened her pace to approach, a smile playing on her lips: "Brother Emperor..."
Upon hearing this voice, Chu Yixin, with great tact, withdrew from the pavilion, exchanged a glance with her two maids, Xiangxing and Xiangyue, and stood guard outside with beaming smiles.
With the emperor and empress in perfect harmony, and the nation prosperous and peaceful, could there be a more stable and comfortable life than this?
"My brother the Emperor is going on a clandestine trip south, why isn't he taking me with him? Ah Zhuo's life is truly miserable..."
Chu Yixin and the others stood guard outside the pavilion, their expressions unchanged. They had heard such words a thousand times before, and only the Empress dared to be so disrespectful to the Emperor.
But the Emperor just loves this temperament, and who can explain it?
...
[End of text]
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Author's Note: The main story is finally finished!
Thank you so much to all the fans who have supported the official release!!! [Roses][Roses][Roses]
Next up is the extra chapter about the Crown Princess in the "what if" scenario [doge head with rose in hand]
Also, after this book is finished, the next one, "Did the Little Princess Run Away Again Today?", will follow seamlessly. If you're interested, please add it to your favorites!
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