The old woman's tearful plea was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a huge uproar among the onlookers.
All eyes were focused on the former "troublemaker," and then turned to the supreme Empress behind the soup kitchen.
Lin Wanwan put down the porridge spoon in her hand and slowly walked out.
She looked at the old woman and her family kneeling on the ground, their faces full of shame, and there was no mockery or blame in her eyes, only gentleness and compassion.
"Grandma, please rise." Her voice was gentle yet carried a comforting power. "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. Since you have this intention, how could I blame you?"
She personally helped the old woman up and instructed Qin Zheng, who was standing beside her, "Write down the names of this old woman and her family. From today onwards, arrange some tasks that you can manage for them in the orphanage."
"As for the wages," Lin Wanwan smiled slightly, looking at the old woman's tearful face, "not a penny less. My charity will not take advantage of anyone."
This act of kindness and generosity completely won over the hearts of everyone present!
The people erupted in thunderous cheers and praises! The cries of "Her Majesty the Empress is benevolent and kind" resounded through the heavens!
After this incident, the orphanage held a sacred place in the hearts of the people of Beijing. There was no longer any doubt, only complete support and reverence.
...
With the anticipation of the people and the tireless efforts of countless craftsmen working day and night, in just two months, a brand-new courtyard, full of vitality and hope, rose from the ruins of the former "Hundred Herbs Garden".
Here, there are no more weeds and rocks; instead, there are spacious and bright school buildings, clean and tidy dormitories, lush green courtyards, and swings and rocking horses specially set up for the children.
The air was filled with the faint scent of grass and sunshine, with no trace of the "evil" atmosphere of the rumors.
The orphanage is officially completed!
On the opening day, the entire capital city was even more bustling than during the Spring Festival.
Countless people spontaneously brought fruits and snacks from their homes to offer their congratulations. The entrance to the orphanage was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, bustling with people and vehicles, even more crowded than the most prosperous Zhuque Street in the capital.
Lin Wanwan did not wear the elaborate phoenix robe today, but only a simple and elegant palace dress. With a bright smile on her face, she personally stood at the door to welcome the people who came to offer their congratulations and the first batch of children who were officially adopted.
The children were no longer the timid and frightened children they had been when they were first met. After two months of recuperation, they all had rosy complexions, wore clean new clothes, and their eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation for their new lives.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty the Empress!"
When the children saw Lin Wanwan, they flocked around her affectionately like swallows returning to their nest, tugging at her clothes and chattering away.
Lin Wanwan's face radiated a maternal tenderness she herself was unaware of. She patiently knelt down, patted one's head, and straightened another's collar; the whole scene was as warm and cozy as a painting.
Just then, a slight commotion suddenly arose on the outskirts of the crowd.
Several guards, dressed in plain clothes yet still exuding an air of fierceness, silently parted the crowd. Then, a young man in a royal blue brocade robe, with incomparably handsome features, slowly entered, surrounded by a group of guards.
It was Emperor Xiao Che who had arrived incognito.
He had just finished dealing with official business when, on a whim, he decided to see what this place, which had kept his empress busy for two months, looked like.
However, when he stepped into the courtyard and saw the scene before him, he was slightly stunned and somewhat dumbfounded.
What did he see?
He saw a courtyard he had never seen before. There was no majesty or solemnity of a palace here, only sunshine, green grass, and the joyful laughter of children. Swings swayed, rocking horses rocked, and the air seemed to be filled with a sweet, honey-like aroma.
What captivated him even more was the woman surrounded by a group of children.
His queen.
Gone was the aloofness and wisdom she displayed in court, and gone was the naiveté and cunning she possessed before him. Now, her face wore a smile he had never seen before, a smile so radiant it was almost blinding. That smile was brighter and warmer than the sunshine filling the courtyard, as if it could melt away all the ice and snow in the world.
She was squatting on the ground, patiently teaching a little girl with pigtails how to play cat's cradle. Sunlight fell on her soft profile, gilding her with a golden halo, and her usually calm phoenix eyes were now filled with gentle starlight.
At that moment, Xiao Che felt his heart skip a beat.
He suddenly felt that nothing, not even the grand schemes of the nation or the mighty achievements of a thousand years, could compare to the sight of her and the children's smiling faces before him, which moved him more deeply.
He was engrossed in what he was watching when, unexpectedly, the hem of his robe was gently tugged.
Xiao Che snapped out of his daze and lowered his head.
There was a little boy, about three or four years old, with a chubby face and wearing a red jacket, looking up at him with his big, dark eyes.
This little guy is incredibly brave; he's not afraid of strangers at all.
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow, finding it somewhat amusing. As an emperor, he naturally possessed an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger. Ordinary children, let alone getting close to him, would be lucky not to be frightened into tears.
The chubby little boy in front of him was not afraid at all; he even dared to pull on his clothes.
"What is it?" Xiao Che asked with great interest.
The little boy looked at him, then at the tall, imposing guards behind him, seemingly finding the combination quite novel. He reached out his chubby little hands and hugged Xiao Che's leg, then, in a muffled yet incredibly clear childish voice, he cried out with earth-shattering force:
"Father!"
boom--!
That cry of "Father!" was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly exploding in Xiao Che's mind!
He froze on the spot!
What...what did he hear?
Father?!
He looked down at the chubby little boy who was hugging his leg and looking up at him with an innocent expression. His mind went blank, and he completely shut down.
As the emperor, he had only one empress in his harem! He hadn't even seen a glimpse of his son, so how... how could a child who could call him "father" suddenly appear out of nowhere?!
This...this is utterly absurd! It's a huge injustice!
The guards around them were already red-faced from trying not to laugh, and they all kept their heads down, their shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, the area above Xiao Che's head, which was his personal meme zone, was now the stage for an epic disaster movie!
A gigantic, red "!? .jpg" instantly filled the entire screen, flashing wildly, like a final warning before a system crash! Next to the giant question mark was a line of small, blood-red text, filled with grief and despair:
"My innocence!"
The commotion quickly caught Lin Wanwan's attention.
She calmed the children around her, walked over curiously, and then saw a scene that made her laugh.
The usually imposing and authoritative emperor stood frozen in place, like a wooden stake struck by lightning, utterly helpless. Hanging from his leg was a small, highly "aggressive" accessory, its head tilted back, persistently calling out, "Daddy! Hug! Hug!"
"Pfft..."
Lin Wanwan finally couldn't help but laugh.
Her laughter, like a clear silver bell, instantly broke the awkward yet hilarious stalemate.
Upon hearing the laughter, Xiao Che turned around abruptly as if he had found a savior. He looked at Lin Wanwan with an almost mournful gaze, as if to say: Come to my rescue!
Lin Wanwan laughed until tears almost streamed down her face. She stepped forward, squatted down, patted the little boy's head, and gently coaxed, "Baby, this isn't Daddy."
To everyone's surprise, the little boy, despite his young age, was quite precocious. He pointed at Xiao Che, then at Lin Wanwan, and declared confidently, "Handsome Daddy! Handsome Queen!"
The implication is that since you two are so good-looking, you must be a couple, so you must be my dad!
This child's innocent and illogical statement stunned Lin Wanwan, who then laughed even harder.
After the initial petrification, Xiao Che finally came to his senses. His face alternated between pale and flushed, a mixture of anger and amusement.
He bent down and, like picking up a chick, lifted the little boy who was faking an accident from his lap with one hand.
The little guy was dangling in the air with his feet off the ground, not afraid at all, but instead giggling.
Looking at the carefree little thing, Xiao Che's frustration at having his "innocence tarnished" somehow dissipated. He picked him up and walked to Lin Wanwan, unsure of what to do. If he put him down, he feared the child would cling to him again; if he didn't, he, a dignified emperor, couldn't possibly carry around a baby like this forever.
He looked at Lin Wanwan for help.
Then, feigning seriousness, he put on a stern face and, in a tone full of accusation, addressed his empress, who was laughing heartily, in a deep voice:
"Empress!"
"Not only have you taken over the affairs of the world, but now... you even want to take my son away?"
His voice was filled with imperial "majesty," yet Lin Wanwan clearly saw that above his serious expression, the emoji above his head had already transformed into a cute little figure stomping its feet in anger, with a jar of Shanxi aged vinegar balanced on its head, accompanied by a line of sour-smelling text:
[Hmph! I'm clearly your favorite! .gif]
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