Recently, Azi's health has been improving, she is in a good mood, and her complexion is rosy. Her pregnancy is also very stable. Ever since the day Di Jingcheng sang that touching love song to Azi, he has been trying different ways to make her happy every day.
He personally learned how to cook various Yi dishes from Nalan Mingzhu, especially the desserts that Azi loved most, which were made of various flowers.
The South has no shortage of all kinds of flowers, which can be used for medicine and food. It can be said that nature contains an inexhaustible treasure.
Nalan Mingzhu initially thought it was just a passing fancy, but unexpectedly he actually persisted.
That day, Emperor Jingcheng fed Azi a medicine to prevent miscarriage, coaxed her to take a nap, and then went to the main building kitchen to learn how to cook and make desserts with Nalan Mingzhu.
Nalan Mingzhu watched his skillful kneading technique with a face full of satisfaction. This emperor was a kind person, and her Azi had not misjudged him.
Thinking back to when she first entered the Yi tribe more than 20 years ago, she knew nothing at the time, but she learned to do these things for the sake of her beloved.
When Emperor Jingcheng was unsure about something, he carefully asked Nalan Mingzhu, calling her "Mother" happily.
Nalan Mingzhu was overjoyed to hear this, and the two chatted while cooking, eventually talking about the capital.
Seeing that the conversation had started, Di Jingcheng casually remarked, "My mother is also from the capital. Judging from her demeanor and bearing, she must be from a prominent family."
Nalan Mingzhu didn't take it to heart. She sighed helplessly, "Back then, I was kidnapped by villains and ended up here. It was Azi's father who rescued me. Since then, I have lived here in isolation for nearly 25 years. Gradually, I stopped caring about the people and things outside."
"Does Mother still have relatives in the capital? Perhaps we can meet again someday." Di Jingcheng was very curious. Logically speaking, with the power of the Nalan family, finding someone should not be difficult, and Mother had actually stayed behind in seclusion.
Nalan Mingzhu smiled gently: "Jingcheng will be twenty-four soon, won't he?"
Di Jingcheng's eyes were filled with surprise: "How did Mother know?"
"Twenty-four years ago, I became a pawn of the enemy because of the court's infighting. At that time, the Empress Dowager, who is also your mother, was about to give birth."
"Does Mother know my Empress Dowager?"
Nalan Mingzhu put down the eggs in her hand and sat down to the side: "Of course we know each other. Your mother and I are close friends. I, Nalan Mingzhu, as the eldest daughter of the Nalan family, was originally supposed to enter the palace, but the late emperor was in love with your mother. The late emperor overruled the objections and pressure from the Nalan clan and welcomed your mother to be the empress."
Di Jingcheng was even more surprised, but his expression didn't change much. His kneading of the dough slowed down, until it stopped. He felt as if something was blocking his throat, and he couldn't speak.
"Later, due to the power of the Nalan clan and for the sake of court stability, and because I was about to give birth, the late emperor agreed to let me enter the palace as a concubine. But at the crucial moment, I don't know who kidnapped me out of the capital."
Di Jingcheng was processing the massive amount of information, and it took him a while to find his voice: "Then, didn't Mother's family look for you?"
“I did look for it, and I did find it, but by then I had already married Azi’s father. I longed for the peaceful life here, with like-minded people by my side. There was no scheming or plotting here, and I felt that I was truly living here.”
As Nalan Mingzhu spoke, her expression relaxed, and she became very gentle and happy.
Di Jingcheng nodded: "I feel the same way. The people here are simple and honest, a paradise on earth."
"Later, my brother, Nalan Mingyan, came looking for me with his men, but I refused to leave. I still remember what I said to my brother back then."
Di Jingcheng's eyes followed her intently, not wanting to miss a single detail, eagerly anticipating her next words.
"For nearly twenty years, as a daughter of a prominent family, I have been bound by various etiquette and patriarchal rules, like a puppet. As the eldest daughter of the Nalan family, I am just a political pawn. I've had enough of this kind of life. This time, I want to be myself again."
Di Jingcheng couldn't imagine how a young lady from a prestigious family, who had always been bound by rules, could have the courage to say such things. He admired her greatly, and only a mother like her could raise such a wonderful girl like Azi. Azi possessed her own unique soul, just like her mother, instead of being confined in a shell like a puppet.
If that's the case, what's the point? A person is cherished because she has a soul and charm, not just an empty shell.
Di Jingcheng looked at the beautiful woman with a gentle demeanor before him, his eyes still bright and radiant. His Azi was the same; her large, expressive eyes seemed to speak volumes, as if they could draw you in, making you unconsciously want to explore and get as close to her as possible.
"My mother is a very brave woman," Di Jingcheng praised sincerely.
Nalan Mingzhu chuckled and shook her head: "Later, I severed all ties with the Nalan family and paid little attention to court affairs, until the late emperors passed away in the rebellion several years ago..." Nalan Mingzhu choked up as she spoke, after all, that was her close friend.
She lowered her head to wipe away her tears, then looked up at Di Jingcheng with affection: "You look a lot like your mother, and also a bit like your father."
“If Mother doesn’t mind, I will be your son from now on.” Knowing about the past, Di Jingcheng respected Nalan Mingzhu even more.
Although his father and mother had never mentioned the name Nalan Mingzhu, he often heard a nickname for her—Qing'er, which must be the person in front of him.
Nalan Mingzhu nodded with emotion: "You are Azi's husband, and naturally you are also my son."
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