Extra Chapter 14
After the second prince left, Yuwen Hui stayed at the Zhou mansion for another half day.
Of course, she didn't forget her main task. After playing with Ruolan, she returned to the palace in the evening and immediately reported to her mother about what happened during the arrow-throwing game earlier that day.
"Mother, you don't know how wicked that Yao girl is! When Ruolan was about to throw her arrow, she secretly crept up close and deliberately hid an arrow in her sleeve. I was right beside Ruolan at the time - she must have been trying to harm either Ruolan or me. I could have ended up limping back today, or worse, I might have fallen and hit my face on the bronze vessel!"
Upon hearing this, Empress Guo became very angry and immediately summoned a palace lady-in-waiting, ordering, "The Yao family has failed to properly educate their daughter. Punish her with copying the Women's Rules and Precepts one hundred times and thirty strikes to the face. Such a girl must never be allowed to enter the Yuwen family."
The lady-in-waiting complied and immediately left the palace to carry out the order at the Yao residence.
Empress Guo sent her daughter to rest, then summoned her eldest son Yuwen Sheng and said, "I think the Minister of Works' granddaughter, Xu Ruoling, is quite suitable. Tomorrow I will report to your father and have her arranged as your primary consort."
Yuwen Sheng hesitated upon hearing this. "But..."
Before he could finish, Empress Guo interrupted, "I know what you want to say. I originally thought Zhou's Ruolan was good, but from what I saw that day, she falls far short of my expectations. Her temperament is somewhat rash and impetuous - not suitable for a primary wife."
After she finished speaking, Yuwen Sheng still seemed unwilling and was about to say something, but his mother continued, "Most importantly, your behavior today was particularly reckless. It's one thing for Hui to go, but what business does a prince have attending their celebration? Since when did the Zhou family become worthy of having a prince attend their birthday festivities?"
Yuwen Sheng was stunned, and his mother continued, "Don't think others can't see through your intentions. You know your father's temperament - once he becomes suspicious of you, even though you're my eldest son, I won't be able to protect you."
At these words, Yuwen Sheng's heart skipped a beat.
Indeed, he wasn't his mother's only son - there was also the fifth prince.
That fifth prince was particularly good at winning their parents' favor...
Gritting his teeth secretly, he could only say, "Yes. I will follow mother's arrangements."
A few days later, news came from the palace that the Emperor and Empress had arranged marriages for both the second prince and Princess Changping.
Yuwen Hui's husband would be He Chengyin, the new top-ranking scholar.
And Second Prince Yuwen Sheng's primary consort would be Xu Ruoling, granddaughter of the Minister of Works.
When the dust settled, Madam Zhou felt quite regretful and couldn't help but say angrily, "What's wrong with our Ruolan? Just because we happened to meet that Yao girl that day, it cost Ruolan such a great opportunity. If only we hadn't invited the Yao family!"
Zhou Ruolan, however, felt relieved.
Xu Ruoling was the one who had given birth to Princess Yuwen Yan for Yuwen Sheng in her previous life. Though not a bad person, she had poor health and passed away three years after giving birth to Yuwen Yan.
Now that neither she nor Yao Huiqin would enter the palace, Consort Hui's son, Yuwen Lan, would become the crown prince in the future.
Although Yuwen Sheng hadn't been a particularly wise ruler in her previous life, it was worth noting that the other princes were even worse in character. Most importantly, only if he ascended to the throne would Yuwen Lan be able to inherit the empire in the future.
Living this life again, she would not sacrifice her own happiness, but she would still do what she could to ensure the people's peace and stability.
However, now that the biggest crisis had been resolved, it was time to attend to her own matters.
As her mother finished speaking, she looked at her father and said, "What's important now is that the Second Prince personally visited our mansion that day, surely intending to build a good relationship with father. What are father's thoughts on this?"
General Zhou stroked his beard and said, "His Majesty is currently in good health. If I were to act rashly, it would likely arouse the Emperor's suspicion."
Zhou Ruolan nodded and said, "Father's words are reasonable, but His Majesty will eventually grow old. We should still think of our own interests."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou, finally understanding the implications, was startled and hurriedly said, "Oh dear, could we have offended the Second Prince? He is, after all, the Empress's eldest son."
Following her mother's words, Ruolan added, "That's one concern, and although the Second Prince's marriage has been arranged, there's still the Third Prince. If he also approaches father..."
These words made General Zhou's heart tighten—
Indeed, during this morning's court session, the Second Prince had been somewhat cold towards him, while the Third Prince had actively sought conversation...
Although His Majesty had not yet named an heir, the Second Prince was indeed the most legitimate candidate.
While he hadn't actively sought to ally with the Second Prince through marriage, he also didn't want to be viewed as an enemy.
As a mere military general, how dare he get involved in the princes' struggle for succession?
If the Third Prince truly had designs on Ruolan...
There was only one solution.
Before he could speak, Ruolan said, "Father must understand that the best solution now is to quickly arrange a marriage for me."
General Zhou nodded.
Madam Zhou sighed and said, "But this is a lifelong matter, how can we rush into it?"
Although there had been many suitors showing interest in recent years, she had been focused on the royal family and hadn't carefully considered any of them.
Now in such a hurry, who should they choose for their daughter?
Their daughter smiled shyly and said, "I actually have someone in mind."
"Who?" Madam Zhou immediately asked.
Zhou Ruolan replied bashfully, "The new third-ranking scholar Qi Shuguang. I think he has excellent character."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou immediately expressed her disapproval, "Though that young man is decent-looking, his family isn't from the capital and has no influence..."
Zhou Ruolan reminded her mother, "In our current situation, the lower my marriage status, the safer it will be for the Zhou family."
General Zhou nodded.
Suddenly he looked up at his daughter and said, "Could it be you've had your eye on that young man for some time?"
His daughter smiled sweetly and said, "Father is most perceptive."
Madam Zhou glanced at her and sighed, "You'll have to follow wherever your husband goes, whether he's wealthy or poor. His family isn't well-off - aren't you afraid of living a hard life? Can you handle it?"
Zhou Ruolan smiled again, "I'm not afraid."
Indeed, in her previous life she had enjoyed all the glory and wealth, but what did it get her?
Weren't her best days those quiet times spent with him in the mountains?
Madam Zhou didn't know her daughter's thoughts and assumed love had addled her brain, saying, "Just don't regret it later."
Ruolan certainly wouldn't regret it.
However, what followed surprised Madam Zhou.
She had assumed that the young Qi, coming from a humble background, wouldn't even have a house in the capital, and she had planned to buy one for her daughter. Unexpectedly, despite his young age, Qi Shuguang had already saved up money and purchased a residence in the capital during his visit for the imperial examinations.
Though not as grand as the General's mansion, it was complete with all necessities, and he even had a Hanlin Academy Scholar accompany him to propose marriage, which gave quite a good impression.
Most importantly, both her daughter and husband were satisfied, so for the sake of the bigger picture, Madam Zhou had to agree.
However, a humble background had its advantages - Madam Zhou thought that at least her daughter would have autonomy and wouldn't be bullied by in-laws.
With her daughter's marriage settled, Madam Zhou's only remaining concern was her son.
Recently, after being whipped by his sister, Zhou Yucheng had improved considerably. Madam Zhou thought that with this future son-in-law's scholarly excellence guiding him, her son might improve even more.
So all things considered, her daughter's marriage wasn't bad at all.
August in the capital was the golden autumn season.
Amidst the fragrance of osmanthus flowers, the Mansion of the Guardian General was holding a wedding.
Finally marrying the girl he loved, Qi Shuguang naturally spared no effort in making the wedding grand and lively, with music and festivities drawing many onlookers.
Some people remarked that the General's daughter, being one of the capital's foremost noble ladies, was marrying beneath her station to a minor court lecturer with no background.
Others said, don't look down on the third-ranking scholar just because his current position is low - he serves the emperor daily, and with true talent and learning, it's very easy to gain the emperor's recognition. The groom's future is boundless!
Of course, the bride in the sedan chair couldn't hear any of this.
Even if she could, Zhou Ruolan wouldn't have cared at all.
She only knew that the man riding the horse leading her bridal sedan was the one she had cherished through two lifetimes.
Each hoofbeat of his horse, leading her every step, seemed to echo every day they had longed for each other in her previous life.
In that previous life, she had to thank her children for fulfilling her wishes in her later years.
She still remembered that moment of farewell when she had sighed, wishing heaven would grant her another chance to marry him properly and bear his children.
Unexpectedly, that day had finally come.
Under her bridal veil, her lips couldn't help but curl into a constant smile.
Arriving at their new home, after paying respects to heaven and earth, the newlyweds finally entered their chamber.
With the merry guests temporarily shut out, the door closed, the groom Qi Shuguang lifted the red veil.
After gazing at that face he had longed for day and night, he finally called out, "My wife."
Zhou Ruolan responded, and with a smile, called back, "My husband."
"At last, in this life, I can properly be your wife."
As her words fell, he had already taken her hand, saying with a smile, "Thank you for walking this path with me once again."
She nodded with a smile, saying, "And thank you for taking care of me once more."
...
Their newlywed bliss and devotion to each other went without saying.
After dispelling the imperial family's suspicions, the Zhou family found peace, and the couple focused entirely on their own life together.
Zhou Ruolan managed their household affairs wholeheartedly, making their home prosperous.
Qi Shuguang dedicated himself to his official duties, and with his talents and experience from his previous life, gradually gained the emperor's recognition and trust, becoming a court favorite.
In their second year of marriage, they had a child.
It was a boy, and Qi Shuguang, overjoyed, specifically named him Chengbo.
When Ruolan heard that name, tears welled up in her eyes.
Bo was the name of her child from her previous life who never had the chance to grow up.
She was touched that he remembered and comforted her this way.
Both children looked very much like her, often making her feel as if her lost treasure had returned.
Regardless, in this life, her family was stable, and she would never let anything happen to her flesh and blood again.
Two years later, Emperor Gaozu passed away, and Qi Shuguang, now a Hanlin Academy Scholar, was responsible for drafting the imperial edict.
As in the previous life, several princes eyed the throne hungrily, and crisis loomed.
Fortunately, with his and father-in-law Zhou Pengze's support, Second Prince Yuwen Sheng successfully ascended to the throne.
Yuwen Sheng named his wife Madam Xu as empress and his eldest daughter Yuwen Yan as princess.
However, not long after, Empress Xu passed away.
Coincidentally, Consort He gave birth to the crown prince Yuwen Lan, and with the support of officials like Qi Shuguang, Yuwen Sheng made her the new empress and named Yuwen Lan as crown prince.
Empress He was kind-hearted, and though not forceful in nature, she had a clear sense of right and wrong and was deeply grateful for the support of Qi Shuguang and others, extending her trust to Ruolan as well.
Of course, with Ruolan's frequent guidance and care, her health remained good, avoiding the early demise of her previous life.
Having experienced the chaos during his ascension, Yuwen Sheng understood that both the Qi and Zhou families were his loyal subjects.
Combined with Qi Shuguang's genuine talent and learning, at Empress He's suggestion, he appointed him as Imperial Tutor to guide Crown Prince Yuwen Lan.
Under Qi Shuguang's careful instruction, the little crown prince gradually grew up.
One day, during the Imperial Tutor's rest day, the six-year-old crown prince, struggling with a difficult problem, suddenly decided to visit his tutor's home.
The Qi couple was surprised and hurried to receive him properly.
Ruolan personally made many snacks to serve him.
The little crown prince particularly loved his teacher's wife's baked treats, especially the taro puffs and chestnut cakes.
Watching him, Ruolan couldn't help but reflect that this child was just like in her previous life.
In this life, with her occasional guidance, Empress He's health was good, and she should be able to raise Yuwen Lan to adulthood herself.
Although she couldn't raise the little one herself in this life, being his teacher's wife at least included the character for "mother," so in a way, she was still playing a maternal role.
After being warmly hosted by the Imperial Tutor and his wife, the satisfied little crown prince prepared to return to the palace.
Before boarding his carriage, the little crown prince suddenly turned back to Ruolan and said, "Teacher's wife..."
Ruolan started, quickly responding, "Yes, Your Highness?"
The little one asked seriously, "May I come again for snacks?"
Ruolan quickly nodded and smiled, "Of course you may. As long as Your Highness doesn't mind, I can make snacks for you anytime."
The little crown prince nodded and added with a smile, "I cannot drink sheep's milk, please remember not to use any."
What...
Ruolan was stunned.
The little crown prince continued, "I wish you, the Imperial Tutor, and my senior brother well."
With that, he boarded his carriage back to the palace, leaving the couple bewildered.
The crown prince's words seemed beyond his years.
Qi Shuguang and Zhou Ruolan exchanged glances, both considering the same possibility—
Could it be... the crown prince also...
If so, that would be even better.
