Chapter 194! The King of Scrolls is still the King of Scrolls!
Yes, she should have thought of that sooner.
"So..." Su Xiaoyu swallowed, "Father and Mother, were they helping to cover this up?"
This is a crime of deceiving the emperor!
Xiao Jingheng seemed to sense her concerns and added, "Don't worry, I have already reported this matter to His Majesty."
Su Xiaoyu: "..."
Well done! The King of Scrolls is still the King of Scrolls, with flawless strategies and comprehensive considerations!
“Your Highness,” Su Xiaoyu suddenly called out to Xiao Jingheng, looked up at him, and said, word by word, “Thank you for coming into my life.”
Thank you for taking things step by step, overcoming all obstacles, and persisting in marrying me!
A gentle breeze swept by, and wisteria petals fell softly, like a gentle rain, landing on their clasped hands.
-
A year later, the emperor issued an edict to abdicate, becoming the retired emperor and living out his remaining years in peace.
On the ninth day of the sixth month of the same year, the new emperor Chu Yu ascended the throne and changed the country's name to Qingyuan.
On the eighth day of the ninth month of the same year, the emperor and empress were married, and the whole country celebrated with great joy and excitement.
The first edict issued by the new emperor after his ascension to the throne was to leave the six palaces empty and to marry only one empress in his lifetime.
On the day the Empress returned to her parents' home, the capital was deserted as people lined both sides of the streets, eagerly anticipating a glimpse of the Emperor and Empress.
The imperial carriage, adorned in a magnificent yellow regalia, carried Empress Xiao Lingxi, who sat regally atop it, wearing a phoenix robe and a crown with nine dragons and nine phoenixes. The new Emperor Chu Yu did not ride with her, but the dragon palanquin following closely behind signified his supreme honor and accompaniment.
The cheers were deafening, and flower petals and colorful ribbons rained down.
Among the crowd, a scholar with slightly worn clothes and a weathered and downcast face was looking up at the approaching imperial carriage.
It was Shen Moyan.
He had just been released from prison after the new emperor ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty.
He stared at the familiar figure behind the beaded curtain, now a phoenix rising from the heavens, a queen ruling the world. He was completely lost in thought, frozen in place, oblivious to the jostling and pushing of the crowd around him.
Hey! Move aside! Don't block the way!
"Why are you pushing!"
The surging crowd jostled him, nearly causing him to fall and even trample off one of his shoes.
This scene happened to be seen by Zisu, who was behind the imperial carriage. She was now the head maidservant by the Empress's side. Seeing this, she did not stop or say anything.
Only after Xiao Lingxi's imperial carriage had gone far away did she whisper, "Your Majesty, I saw Shen Moyan in the crowd on the road just now. I heard that he was released from prison last month due to the amnesty and is now making a living by copying books for others in a bookstore in the west of the city. He is quite destitute."
The beaded curtain swayed slightly, but the figure inside the imperial carriage didn't move an inch. After a moment, Xiao Lingxi's authoritative voice rang out: "From now on, there's no need to report on his affairs again."
"Yes, this servant understands." Zisu respectfully withdrew, feeling reassured.
At the other end of the street, a woman holding a pipa, dressed in a light gauze dress, with heavy makeup on her face, also secretly watched the departing royal procession.
This woman was none other than Du Tingting, who had fallen into prostitution and was now singing in a tavern.
When she saw Xiao Lingxi seemingly glancing this way unintentionally, she turned around quickly as if burned, lowered her head, buried her face behind the pipa, and wished she could shrink into the shadows.
She was too ashamed to face the woman she had once bullied, who now stood on a cloud overlooking all living beings.
The entire Hou residence was well prepared. From the main gate to the main hall, the servants stood solemnly and respectfully, holding their breath and waiting at the main gate.
As Xiao Lingxi's imperial carriage arrived, she stepped down with graceful poise, supported by Zisu.
"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome Your Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
Everyone bowed in unison.
Xiao Lingxi's gaze swept over her familiar family members, and a smile spread across her eyes: "Father, Mother, Brother, please rise quickly. There is no need for such a grand ceremony at home."
After everyone stood up, Xiao Lingxi stepped forward and bowed to her parents and family: "Daughter Lingxi greets Father and Mother."
With tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Liu quickly stepped aside and bowed slightly, saying, "Good, good, it's good that you're back. Get up quickly and let your mother take a good look at you."
Even though their daughter is the most honored woman in the world, in her parents' eyes, she is still the child who needs to be loved.
Xiao Lingxi glanced around but didn't see Su Xiaoyu. "Where's my sister-in-law? And where's my precious nephew?"
"Quickly, bring me the congratulatory gift I prepared for Chen'er."
Soon, several palace servants filed in, carrying gold and jade longevity locks for children, exquisite toys, fine clothing, and imported goods specially sourced from overseas. The items were dazzling and of considerable value.
Standing to the side, Liu said with a doting expression, "Your sister-in-law is breastfeeding Chen'er. She'll be here in a bit."
"Why are you bringing so much stuff home?"
“I can never have too many for my little nephew,” Xiao Lingxi explained.
"By the way, doesn't the household have a wet nurse? Why does my sister-in-law have to breastfeed herself?"
Upon hearing this, Liu showed a helpless yet indulgent expression. "It's all prepared. It's your sister-in-law... who has her own ideas. She said she read some miscellaneous books and heard that a mother's colostrum is the best for a child, and it can enhance... immunity? She also said that... breastfeeding by hand will deepen the bond between mother and child. Your elder brother couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he let her have her way."
With few matters to attend to at the Left and Right Mansions, and her own health improving, she personally nursed Chen'er.
Although Xiao Lingxi didn't quite understand, she didn't say anything more since her sister-in-law insisted.
But soon she understood why her sister-in-law insisted on breastfeeding herself.
Fifteen minutes later, Su Xiaoyu came out carrying the child. Compared to a year ago, she had shed her girlish naiveté, and her eyes and brows had become more delicate. She wore no makeup, and her skin was fair and rosy, with an amazing complexion.
What is most striking is the aura of maternal peace and contentment that emanates from her, a feeling of being nurtured and cared for, radiating from within, like a pearl polished by flowing water.
Its brilliance is understated, yet deeply moving.
The little nephew in her arms was even more captivating.
The little one was wrapped in a sapphire blue swaddle, revealing a chubby, delicately sculpted face. His big, round, bright eyes, like black grapes, were slightly pouting as he blew out transparent bubbles. Although he was only two months old, one could already see that his eyebrows and eyes had excellent contours and a straight nose, inheriting all the best features of his parents.
With its chubby head and adorable face, this lucky doll looks just like it stepped out of a New Year's painting; it's so cute it melts your heart.
"My goodness, how can Chen'er be so handsome!" Xiao Lingxi leaned forward and gently touched her nephew's little face. The little guy wasn't shy at all, babbling and waving his little fists, and even blowing a bigger bubble at her.
"Sister-in-law...you..."
Xiao Lingxi looked at Su Xiaoyu, her eyes filled with amazement: "Why do I feel that you are even more beautiful after giving birth? It's like... your whole body is glowing!"
Su Xiaoyu was a little embarrassed by the praise, her cheeks flushed slightly, "It's not as exaggerated as you say, maybe I've just gained weight because I'm carefree."
“It’s not fat!” Xiao Lingxi retorted. “It’s the kind of… well, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s just that I’m beautiful, with an incredibly healthy complexion, even more beautiful than those ladies in the palace who use pearl powder and jade cream to maintain their beauty.”
Even though Xiao Lingxi is now the Empress, she still can't help but reveal her girlish side when she's with her family.
The more she looked at Su Xiaoyu, the more curious she became. She couldn't help but pull her to sit on the chaise lounge nearby, dismissing everyone else, and whispered, "Sister-in-law, tell me quickly, what is pregnancy and childbirth... really like? What should I pay attention to? Also, you recovered so well after giving birth, is there any secret to it? I also... want to recover soon..."
Xiao Lingxi blushed and didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.
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