Ten days later, Chu Qingluan brought Chu Hong, Qin Yuan and his party back to the capital and lived in the princess's mansion.
The servants had already cleaned up the princess's mansion, inside and out, discarding everything the imposter had touched or used. The housekeeper even ordered someone to thoroughly fumigate the rooms inside and out with moxa leaves to dispel any bad luck.
Everything has returned to where it should be.
Zhixia was also taken back to the County Lord's Mansion, which was right next to the Princess' Mansion. Chu Qingluan personally arranged for maids, housekeepers, and experienced midwives to take care of her. After handling government affairs every day, she would go to check on her in person and show her utmost care.
After hearing this, Li also wanted to live in the princess's mansion to take care of Zhixia.
Chu Qingluan asked Li if she minded that she was pregnant before marriage, as she felt that this was a disgrace to the family.
Li replied, "Your Highness, in my life, I have always valued my family's honor above all else. Now, I have come to my senses. Zhixia is my only daughter. I want to treat her well for the rest of my life and make up for the mistakes I made before. The child will be born into the Gu family. Even if Zhixia never marries, it doesn't matter. I still have some dowry money, which I will leave to Zhixia and the child."
Finally, Chu Qingluan and Zhixia discussed and felt that they were busy with court affairs and were afraid that they could not take good care of Zhixia. If Li came to help, they would feel more at ease. At least, Li would not harm Zhixia.
After much hesitation, Zhixia agreed to Chu Qingluan's proposal and decided to try to get along with Li.
After learning about Zhixia's identity, Li Linyuan also sent a letter to his family, which roughly meant that Daqin and Dachu would be one family in the future. Now Zhixia was about to give birth to a child, and as the child's father, there was no reason for him not to be with Zhixia at this time.
When will his mother agree to let him marry Zhixia and return to the Li family?
A few days later, Chu Qingluan officially took office and brought back a peace agreement signed with Daqin. The two countries would trade with each other, coexist peacefully, and promise never to invade each other during their lifetime.
The news was met with jubilation throughout the country, and the people's praise for the Crown Princess reached its peak.
However, in this peaceful environment, a discordant voice quietly grew and spread in certain corners of the capital.
The reason was that someone saw two delicate little babies, about a few months old, in the Duke Dingguo's mansion, who looked somewhat similar to the Duke Dingguo.
Because Qin Jiuge often went to the market to buy children's toys and daily necessities, rumors gradually spread that Qin Jiuge was pregnant before marriage and had an affair with a man, and the child could crawl.
This discovery is amazing.
Soon, various versions of the message became popular.
"Have you heard? There are two little kids hiding in the Duke's Mansion!"
"Is it true? Whose child is it?"
"Who else could it be? I just went to measure two little kids for new clothes a few days ago, and I found that their eyebrows and eyes are extremely similar to Miss Jiuge's."
"Oh my! Pregnant before marriage, and having two children in her lifetime! This... this is truly a disgrace to the Duke's Mansion!"
"That's right. Even though the child is innocent, it's still a scandal!"
These rumors naturally spread to the Princess's and Duke's mansions. Duke Dingguo was furious, but he couldn't directly disclose the child's identity to the public.
After spending some time with them, the old man really liked the two children. He would come to see them every day and protect them like the apple of his eye.
Once their identities are revealed, the old man will know that these two children will have to leave the Duke Dingguo's Mansion.
…
The next day, the Crown Princess came out with a grand procession, with flags waving, and marched through the streets and alleys, finally stopping in front of the magnificent gate of the Duke's Mansion.
The people were attracted by the scene, gathered around and talked about it.
I wonder why the Crown Princess suddenly visited the Duke's Mansion? Could it be because of those rumors?
Under countless curious and inquiring gazes, Chu Qingluan, dressed in the court dress of a princess and a pearl crown on her head, walked down the imperial carriage with great grace.
Duke Dingguo had already been waiting at the door with his family.
Chu Qingluan personally helped the old Duke up, and her eyes swept over the increasing number of people gathered around. Her voice became clearer and louder, and it was clearly heard in every corner.
"Recently, there have been some absurd rumors circulating in the capital regarding the Duke's Mansion. This palace has heard of them, so I have come here today to personally dispel them."
As she spoke, she personally picked up the twins, a boy and a girl, from the wet nurse's arms, one in each hand, and held them steadily.
The two children didn't seem to be shy at all. They opened their big, clear, and bright black eyes and looked curiously at the crowd around them.
The boy has a chubby face and the girl is as delicate as a piece of jade. Their eyebrows, eyes, lips and nose are exactly like Chu Qingluan.
Anyone who sees it will never doubt their blood relationship.
Suddenly, there was an uncontrollable burst of exclamations from the people!
"Oh my god! There really are two children!"
"What a beautiful child! He and Your Highness look just like two peas in a pod!"
“…”
Chu Qingluan held the child in her arms, facing the crowd with a calm and dignified gaze. Her voice, channeled through her inner strength, was clearly heard throughout the room:
"Everyone, these two children are not illegitimate children of unknown origin, nor are they Miss Qin's children! They are my own flesh and blood, and the legitimate grandchildren of the Great Chu Imperial Family!"
boom--!
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar!
Although it had been speculated long ago, the fact that it was confirmed by the Crown Princess herself still brought a huge shock.
Chu Qingluan continued, "A few months ago, I was hunted on the border of Daqin and was seriously injured. I almost died. Fortunately, I was saved by a farmer in Lijia Village, Mocheng. I wanted to return to the capital immediately, but suddenly heard that there were assassins hunting outside. Coincidentally, at this time, I unexpectedly learned that I was pregnant. To protect the child, I simply stayed in Lijia Village to rest and wait until the child was safely born. Only then was I able to return to the capital."
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