"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I believe that the harmonious union of Heaven and Earth, and the effective governance of both internal and external affairs, provide the basis for all rites and the flourishing of education. Therefore, I hereby appoint you, Lady Shen Yunjiao, younger sister of Shen Qinghuai, Minister of Rites, to serve as a model of virtue and conduct for all nations..."
The emperor's edict was issued at the end of September. It was first promulgated in the court and quickly reached the Shen family. Then, the Shen family's servants spread the good news throughout the streets and alleys.
Almost on the same morning, everyone in the capital knew that Minister Shen's younger sister was going to marry the Emperor.
Everyone was extremely envious, thinking that Shen was so lucky to have managed to hook up with the emperor, even though she had been divorced once.
Of course, there were some things they could only keep to themselves. Who would dare to speak out and discuss the current emperor and empress?
After Shen Yunjiao received the imperial decree, she was surrounded by Granny Fuxia and everyone in the Shen family was overjoyed.
Now that Shen Yunjiao is the Empress, the Shen family will only get better and better, and the lives of those who serve her will certainly improve as well.
Shen Qinghuai solemnly placed the imperial edict in Shen Yunjiao's hand in the center of the ancestral hall.
He had mixed feelings, but he still felt grateful to Xiao Huaijin.
After all, her father committed a heinous crime that could have resulted in execution. The fact that the Shen family is safe and sound today is entirely due to Xiao Huaijin's leniency.
However, Shen Qinghuai still had a hundred concerns about letting Shen Yunjiao enter the palace.
Shen Yunjiao looked at her brother, knowing what he was worried about, and said softly, "Brother, don't worry, I will definitely protect myself. Now that Xiao Huaijin has regained his memory, he will not do anything to hurt me again."
Shen Qinghuai sighed softly, but finally managed a smile and wished Shen Yunjiao well, saying, "Yunjiao, I also believe you will be able to live a good life."
It was September, the golden autumn month, and the courtyard was filled with the rich fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.
Sunlight dappled through the dense foliage in front of the flower hall, casting dappled patterns on the stone steps. Shen Yunjiao, Jiang Rong, Xiao Anle, and Ye Zhixuan sat together in the pavilion, enjoying tea and admiring the chrysanthemums.
Jiang Rong, wearing a lake-blue cross-collar jacket embroidered with lotus flowers, sat on a grand chair near the stone steps. Her face was now gentle and serene, and her figure was much fuller than before.
"Since I got pregnant, all I want to do is eat, eat, eat. Sister-in-law, do you have any ideas to help me?" Jiang Rong complained, pouting.
Shen Yun, her face flushed with a smile, teased her, "Don't use pregnancy as an excuse. You've always been a glutton."
Xiao Anle chuckled beside her, "I think so too, but Rong'er, you're feeding two people now, so eating more is a blessing."
Jiang Rong pretended to be angry and turned her head away, saying, "That won't do. What if Yao Zhan, that blockhead, dislikes me if I get any fatter?"
"How could Yao Zhan possibly dislike you? I heard that the General now personally cooks soup for his wife; he's incredibly virtuous."
Everyone covered their mouths and chuckled, and Jiang Rong blushed deeply. "You all always tease me! Why don't you talk about my sister-in-law? His Majesty has been bringing pastries to the Shen family these past few days!"
As soon as Jiang Rong finished speaking, Shen Yunjiao was about to speak when she suddenly felt nauseous. She quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and gagged several times.
The atmosphere suddenly became very quiet.
All eyes fell on Shen Yunjiao.
Ye Zhixuan broke the silence first. She cleared her throat and asked in a voice that wasn't too loud, "Yun Jiao, have you started your period this month?"
Shen Yunjiao was taken aback.
She pondered it carefully.
My period should be due today this month.
Really?
"Sister-in-law, don't you know how to take a pulse? Quickly check yourself to see if you're pregnant!" Jiang Rong hurriedly stood up and urged, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Not just Jiang Rong, everyone is looking forward to it.
Shen Yunjiao forced a smile and replied, "Uh, uh, okay."
She placed her slender, pale fingertips on her wrist and sat quietly, feeling her pulse.
Like pearls rolling on a jade plate, it should be smooth and round.
This is a slippery pulse!
Shen Yunjiao's eyes widened in disbelief, then she slowly said, "I'm actually pregnant?"
"Really?!" Ye Zhixuan was the first to stand up, her eyes glistening with tears. "This...this is wonderful!"
A group of friends surrounded Shen Yunjiao, their faces beaming with joy.
Shen Yunjiao felt as if she were still in a dream, murmuring to herself, "I can actually get pregnant?"
It wasn't until Xiao Huaijin slowly walked into the flower hall that the dream gradually became reality.
When the emperor arrived, everyone smiled and bowed before leaving the flower hall, leaving this precious moment to the young couple.
Shen Yunjiao stared blankly at the outstanding Xiao Huaijin. His demeanor was casual and elegant, yet he exuded the majesty of a superior.
Xiao Huaijin looked at Shen Yunjiao's adorable, dazed expression, walked up to her, and gently flicked the tip of her nose with his finger. "How come you don't remember me after just one day?"
The setting sun gradually fell behind the courtyard, leaving only a beam of light shining on Xiao Huaijin's handsome face. His dark eyes held Shen Qing's gaze, and his face was full of smiles.
"Jiaojiao?"
Shen Yunjiao snapped out of her daze, looked at Xiao Huaijin, and said somewhat nervously, "Xiao Huaijin, I... I think I'm pregnant."
She blinked and told Xiao Huaijin the truth that even she herself couldn't believe.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaijin was instantly overwhelmed with joy. He was so excited that his voice trembled slightly, "Jiaojiao, do you mean I'm going to be a father???"
With tears in her eyes, Shen Yunjiao smiled and said, "I'll have Doctor Li come and help confirm it. Don't be too happy yet."
After taking a deep breath to calm himself, Xiao Huaijin gently helped Shen Yunjiao to her seat. He then called out, "Nanfeng, quickly go to the palace and invite Imperial Physician Jiang over."
"Understood, Master." Nanfeng quickly replied, "Yes, Your subordinate will go immediately."
Within half an hour, Physician Jiang and Doctor Li arrived at the Shen family. They took turns taking Shen Yunjiao's pulse and congratulated her one by one.
However, Physician Jiang was more cautious and prescribed a formula to stabilize the pregnancy for Shen Yunjiao.
The Shen family was enveloped in joy all day.
Xiao Huaijin's heart trembled, his mind went blank, and he was overwhelmed by immense happiness, leaving him almost speechless.
He knelt reverently before the bed, his eyes filled with an intense and unwavering affection.
"Jiaojiao, I am so happy. This is the happiest moment in my life."
In the tenth month of the reign of Emperor Zhao, the emperor and empress were married. In the sixth month of the following year, Shen Yunjiao gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, which was a cause for celebration throughout the land.
Ever since Imperial Physician Jiang diagnosed twins in January, Xiao Huaijin's heart had been in suspense. Apart from necessary state affairs and daily court sessions, Xiao Huaijin spent almost all his time by Shen Yunjiao's side, protecting her. Not only that, the emperor himself also sought medical advice from Imperial Physician Jiang. Over the months, he read several medical books, including those related to women's pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.
Twins are not easy to carry. Doctor Jiang was worried that the babies would be too big for delivery, so he strictly required Shen Yunjiao to control her diet. Xiao Huaijin watched Shen Yunjiao eat every day, fearing that she would suffer during childbirth.
Fortunately, Shen Yunjiao's child knows how to love his mother. Not only did Shen Yunjiao have a comfortable pregnancy, but the delivery was also very smooth. It only took a little over an hour from the breaking of her water to the birth of her child.
Having given birth to twins, Xiao Huaijin was even more unwilling to attend the morning court sessions, leaving all matters to Yan Shiman to oversee the country during his entire postpartum period.
Yan Shiman was so busy that she lost a lot of weight.
Fortunately, Shen Yunjiao finished her postpartum confinement, and Xiao Huaijin was finally able to focus his attention back on state affairs.
A gentle breeze was blowing on the summer night. Chen Yunjiao, having nothing to do, sat on a rocking chair outside the palace and unconsciously fell asleep.
She dreamt that after she died in her previous life, her ashes were taken to the countryside and buried by her grandmother. Her grandmother said that she hoped she wouldn't suffer so much in her next life and could live a happy and carefree life.
The twinkling stars resembled the tears that slid down Grandma's cheeks.
Shen Yunjiao felt extremely sad, and a sudden, intense pain shot through her chest.
She opened her eyes in fright, only to find herself in the Feihua Palace of the Dayong Dynasty, not in her grandmother's desolate little house in the countryside.
"Jiaojiao." Shen Yunjiao heard a gentle and refined voice beside her. Before she could even look up, Xiao Huaijin picked her up.
He looked down at the person in his arms and saw a thin layer of water glistening on her raven feathers. He couldn't help but ask with heartache, "Jiaojiao, did you have a nightmare?"
Shen Yunjiao gave a soft "hmm".
Xiao Huaijin picked her up and sat her down, stroking her black hair and gently comforting her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Everything from her past life seemed like a fleeting dream, and was actually quite distant from Shen Yunjiao.
But the person in front of me is real.
This warm embrace is real.
"Huaijin..." Shen Yunjiao couldn't help but hug Xiao Huaijin tightly, whispering, "I love you."
Xiao Huaijin paused for a moment, then smiled and lowered his head to reply, "The same goes for me."
He gently kissed Shen Yunjiao's forehead.
"We will never be apart again."
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