Previously, Han Zijin passed the imperial examination and volunteered to return to his wife's hometown to serve as an official.
When the Emperor Emeritus arrived in this area, Han Zijin arranged for the two to stay at the county government office. Upon learning that the Emperor Emeritus was going to get married, Han Zijin busied himself with making the arrangements.
But as the Prince of Dingyuan said, Danniang was a practical person and did not want to make a big fuss. She only asked the Prince of Dingyuan to send a letter to the border town to issue them a marriage certificate, and then simply set up two tables.
After the marriage, the emperor was well taken care of by Dan Niang, and his personality became much more cheerful. He thought about revealing his true identity to Dan Niang, otherwise he would always feel guilty.
Unexpectedly, Xie Tingzhou delivered an imperial edict bestowing upon Dan Niang the title of Dowager Consort directly to her.
Xie Tingzhou resolved the court disputes that had worried the retired emperor.
When Danniang learned that she had married the retired emperor, she was not greatly surprised. She only asked the retired emperor, "Will you have other women in the future?"
"Won't."
The retired emperor replied with unwavering resolve.
Being with Dan Niang was completely different from being with Empress Zheng. Empress Zheng was always the one who needed his care and protection, while Dan Niang's philosophy of marriage was to manage things together.
Dan Niang often made him feel at ease and warm-hearted, and he also experienced the true way of husband and wife. The days of mutual care and interaction made the emperor feel at ease and secure.
Having received his promise, Dan Niang smiled and said, "Alright, let's continue to live well together from now on."
If your feelings change in the future, just tell me, and I won't pester you. But when you are my husband, I will not allow you to have any other women.
The retired emperor had no such intention and quickly made a guarantee.
Dan Niang is pure and willing to believe him. For her, she cherishes the time they are together. If the man changes his mind in the future, she can simply go back to her own home. After all, her parents left her a house, and she can live on her own.
Her thoughts, ironically, made the Emperor Emeritus appreciate her even more.
Ye Zhen is about to give birth, and the Emperor Emeritus wants to take Dan Niang back to the capital to see his future grandson.
Danniang didn't hesitate and personally made many small clothes and shoes for the child, as well as a large bag of diapers and pads.
She never considered herself a concubine, but only did what a step-grandmother should do.
However, he also had his own concerns, so he asked the retired emperor, "The princes are of noble birth, is what I have done too meager?"
The Emperor Emeritus had personally witnessed her sewing each stitch, and many of the fabrics she had chosen were ones that Dan Niang herself was reluctant to use. He quickly replied, "No, these are all your kind gestures, priceless. Your Majesty and Her Majesty will be very happy."
They had just arrived in the capital when Ye Zhen gave birth to a baby prince at full term.
As he said, Xie Tingzhou and Ye Zhen were very pleased to see what Dan Niang had prepared, and they invited the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager to stay in the palace.
The retired emperor adored his grandson and wanted to keep him, but was worried that Danniang wouldn't be used to it. However, Danniang looked at the little prince with such fondness that she couldn't bear to look away, and finally agreed.
After that, whenever she had free time, she would go to Ye Zhen's room every day to serve her during her postpartum period and take care of the little prince.
At first, she was worried that Ye Zhen would dislike her, as she was very mindful of boundaries. However, after seeing that Ye Zhen was approachable, she began to stay there longer and longer.
She prepared nourishing soups for Ye Zhen, changed diapers for the baby, and patted him to sleep; she did everything she could.
The skill of "Drinking the Moon and Wiping the Stars" was completely useless, because Ye Jinghong, Yin Jiuniang, and others came every day.
Xie Tingzhou couldn't find a chance to take care of his wife during the day, but fortunately, no one was competing with him for her at night.
At night, when the couple talked, they inevitably mentioned Dan Niang. Ye Zhen smiled and said, "I think she's doing very well. Father looks much younger."
It's clear that the two are living a good life.
Xie Tingzhou was initially worried about Dan Niang, but the Emperor Emeritus was concerned that the couple might not like it, so he spoke to him privately.
"Dan Niang feels that as a stepmother-in-law, it is her duty to take care of her daughter-in-law during her postpartum period. If you feel uncomfortable, you can talk to me privately and I will persuade her."
Since her father had said so, and he realized that Danniang was doing her job diligently and not just putting on a show, he let her be.
However, every time Danniang looked at the child, her eyes seemed to melt, so she probably also wanted a child.
Xie Tingzhou then said to his elderly father, "She is marrying you for the first time. If she can still have children, you should have one too. I don't have many brothers and sisters, so it would be good to have more younger siblings."
Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to Dan Niang.
The emperor was Danniang's husband. After noticing that she liked children, he thought about it and said during their intimate moments at night, "Danniang, let's have a child too."
He had previously said he wouldn't have any more children when he took a concubine, but today his son spoke up.
He was more than ten years older than Dan Niang. He had worked too hard all his life and might not live a long life. It would be good for Dan Niang to have a child to rely on.
When Danniang married the retired emperor, he said that his body made it difficult for him to have children. In fact, he had taken birth control pills and did not want to have any more children.
At first, Dan Niang didn't know, but after learning his identity, she understood.
Hearing him say this now, Dan Niang's eyes filled with tears, and she hugged the old man tightly, saying, "Thank you."
Before she got married, she was all alone in the world, and she dreamed of having a blood relative.
Hearing her thanks, the Emperor Emeritus felt even more guilty. He knew that Dan Niang must have seen that he didn't want children before, but she had never made things difficult for him.
With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for? He felt truly lucky. He had lived a muddled life for half his life, yet he still had such a wonderful woman. He wanted to treat Dan Niang well even more.
The retired emperor, who had spent the rest of his life in a high position, embraced the woman he cherished, said many sweet words, and dreamed for half the night about the happy life after having children.
Finally, the two held hands and fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
In the grass outside, a small snake trembled with rage.
It was the reincarnation of Empress Zheng. It heard everything the Emperor Emeritus said and knew that the Emperor Emeritus was truly moved.
She was jealous, angry, and resentful. How could the Emperor Emeritus be attracted to another woman? He should spend the rest of his life thinking of her and remaining celibate for her.
But now she died so tragically, and is reincarnated as livestock, snakes, insects, rats and ants with her memories for countless lifetimes, while he is embracing a new woman and starting a new life.
How could you do this!
Absolutely not!
It's going to bite that vixen to death!
What was that sound?
Hearing the hissing sound, the guards outside the door twitched their ears, looked around the vicinity, and saw the small snake poised to strike. They quickly drew their swords and swung them away.
The snake was cut in two.
As her body writhed in pain, Empress Zheng remembered that she had gone to great lengths to enter the palace to seek revenge on Ye Zhen, but upon learning that the Emperor Emeritus was in the palace, she couldn't resist coming to see him.
But instead, it heard those heart-wrenching words. As it felt its life slipping away, it cried out into the room, "Your Majesty, I am in so much pain, I miss you so much..."
But the retired emperor could not possibly hear the call of a snake, and Empress Zheng hastily ended her life.
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