Chapter 118 The Nation is at Peace, Life is Fulfilled
The hustle and bustle of the international banquet finally subsided late into the night.
After seeing off the last envoy, who was completely drunk, the gates of the Regent's Palace slowly closed, shutting out the world's prosperity and clamor.
Main courtyard, bedroom.
Jiang Mianmian sprawled unceremoniously on the chaise longue covered with silk cushions, the gift lists she had received that evening piled up at her feet. She held a vermilion pen in her hand, frantically sketching and marking in the ledger, her smile brighter than the moon outside.
"It's real...it's really real this time..."
As she counted, she muttered to herself:
[Keep these Akhal-Teke horses from the Western Regions for breeding; we can open a horse farm later!]
[The medicinal herbs from southern Xinjiang are life-saving; we'll save them for Tuantuan as snacks... oh wait, I mean as supplements!]
[And that big black pot that Northern Yan gave us—it's ugly, but it's made of Xuan iron! I'll have the blacksmith melt it down sometime and forge a peerless sword for Shen Jin; the rest I'll use to make a frying pan!]
This wave of "tribute from all nations" is practically a massive money-making operation! My savings are about to expand again!
After taking a bath, Shen Jin emerged wearing a loose-fitting, snow-white undergarment, his long, wet hair casually draped over his shoulders. He looked at the woman, who was obsessed with money, shook his head helplessly, and walked over to take the pen from her hand.
It's very late.
The deep, composed voice carried a hint of weariness and languor, "Still counting?"
"Of course we need to count them!"
Jiang Mianmian rolled into his arms and snuggled against him in a comfortable position. "This is our 'spoils of war'! It's not just money, it's also our pride!"
Shen Jin chuckled softly and reached out to embrace her.
Spoils of war.
yes.
He looked up and gazed at the night sky through the window.
Looking back on his experiences during this period, even he, the regent who was used to the clash of swords, couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
From the desperate counterattack in Liangzhou City to the towering flames that burned down the enemy camps; from the perilous production on that stormy night to the glorious prosperity of today with all nations paying tribute.
The journey has been thrilling, yet... exhilarating.
"Mianmian".
Chen Jin's fingers gently caressed the back of her neck. "Do you still remember... what you were thinking when you first married into the Prince's mansion?"
Jiang Mianmian was taken aback.
What are you thinking about?
[I want to curse you, you scumbag! I want to figure out how to outlive you so I can inherit your fortune! I want to run away with the money to Jiangnan to keep male lovers!]
Even now, her inner complaints are still endearingly honest.
Shen Jin listened without getting angry; instead, he chuckled softly.
"yes."
He lamented, "Back then, you were a 'pawn' forced into this marriage, and I was a 'King of Hell' ready to kill at any moment. Between us, there was nothing but scheming and suspicion."
"But now..."
Shen Jin looked around the house, which was full of life.
On the table were unfinished dried sweet potatoes, in the cradle slept the incredibly strong troublemaker, on the wall hung the frying pan that Jiang Mianmian had used to "physically persuade" him, and... in his arms was the woman he loved to the core.
"Now, the Empress Dowager has been deposed and imprisoned in the cold palace; Lin Wan'er has been executed, and the remnants of the previous dynasty have all been dispersed; Northern Yan has bowed its head and submitted to the emperor, and dares not go south to graze its horses."
"Within Dagan territory, the plague has been eradicated, corrupt officials have been executed, sweet potatoes and potatoes have been promoted throughout the country, and the people no longer have to worry about famine."
With each word Shen Jin spoke, the light in his eyes softened a little more.
This is the empire they built together.
This is what it means to bring peace and stability to the nation and its people.
"All of this..."
Shen Jin lowered his head, his forehead touching hers. "You deserve half the credit. Even... most of it."
Without her magical spring water, the plague might have already ravaged the city. Without her "divine thunder" and "artificial rain," Liangzhou City might have already fallen. Without her sweet potatoes, the people of Dagan might still be starving.
She was a goddess bestowed upon Daqian by heaven, and also his salvation.
Jiang Mianmian blushed slightly as she listened to his praise.
Oh dear, let's keep it low-key.
[I'm just a lazy bum who wanted to take it easy, and I just happened to save the world.]
[But... after your summary, I guess I really am pretty awesome?]
She chuckled and reached out to hug Shen Jin's neck:
"Merit and achievements are not important. What's important is..."
She pointed to the little dumpling sleeping soundly in the cradle next to her, drooling.
"The important thing is that we have a home now."
"With you and me, and a son who can lift a heavy cauldron."
"This is—a fulfilling life."
My usually cautious heart was completely melted.
A fulfilling life.
These four words were such an unattainable dream for him, who once lived in the agony of poisoning and the wickedness of human nature.
But now, he has it in his hands.
"yes."
Shen Jin kissed the corner of her lips. "It's perfect."
"but……"
He abruptly changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes, "Now that the nation is secure and external threats have been eliminated, what about the promise the Princess Consort made to me..."
"What is it?" Jiang Mianmian looked at him warily.
"make a sightseeing tour."
Shen Jin said earnestly, "You said that once this mess is cleaned up, you would take me... to eat my way around the world."
"And also, what you called 'retirement' life."
Jiang Mianmian's eyes lit up instantly.
【retire! 】
[That's right! The war is over, the bad guys are gone, and we've made enough money! Now's the time to retire!]
The world is so big, I want to see it! I want to eat seafood by the sea! I want to eat roasted whole lamb on the grasslands! I want to eat authentic hot pot in Sichuan!
"Granted!"
Jiang Mianmian waved her hand with great bravado, "Tomorrow I'll write a resignation letter... oh no, a memorial to the throne! We'll leave this government to the little emperor and run away!"
"Now that the young emperor has grown up, and with Father Jiang Zhan and those capable ministers assisting him, there won't be any trouble!"
Shen Jin nodded: "That's exactly what I wanted."
He had long wanted to get rid of the burden of being regent. Getting up earlier than the rooster and going to bed later than the dog every day, while also having to avoid being scolded, how could it compare to spending time with his wife and children?
"So...where should we go first?" Jiang Mianmian excitedly began planning the route.
Shen Jin thought for a moment.
"Jiangnan".
"The garden there is finished, but we haven't stayed there yet. And... you said you'd take Tuantuan to catch crabs."
"Alright! Let's go to Jiangnan!"
The two huddled together and began plotting a grand plan called "retirement" late into the night.
Outside the window, the moon is bright and the stars are few.
This turmoil and conflict, which lasted for several years, finally came to a perfect end on this peaceful night.
The third phase has now concluded.
Those memories of killing, conspiracy, and war will eventually be sealed away by time. What is about to begin is a brand new journey filled with everyday life and laughter.
It also belongs to them—the closing chapters and the extra episodes.
"Calm and cautious."
Jiang Mianmian yawned, her eyelids drooping. "Let's go to sleep. I still have to get up and pack my bags tomorrow."
"good."
Shen Jin waved his hand to turn off the light, then held her and lay down.
In the darkness, he listened to her gradually steady breathing, and the last murmur in his heart:
This life... was worth it.
Shen Jin smiled silently in the darkness.
He held her hand tightly.
Me too.
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