The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

A Yuan heard the noise in the house and pushed the door open.

An Lingrong turned around and gave her a brilliant smile: "A Yuan, I just had a dream!"

She smiled and went up to him: "My Lady, what dream?"

"Sweet dream, I can't tell you!"

"You just tease me!"

"Haha! I used to tease you a lot when you were little!"

A Yuan was a little stunned. Why did he feel that the Empress was in much better spirits?

She held An Lingrong's arm and led her to the dressing table: "My Lady, it's almost noon. Let me dress you up!"

"Okay, dress up nicely for me!"

"Of course!"

"Where's my sister?"

"The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine are organizing today's banquet at the Great Baoen Yanshou Temple!"

"it is good!"

After finishing her makeup, An Lingrong slowly stood up with the help of A Yuan's hand and looked at herself carefully in the mirror.

The face in the mirror is no longer as delicate as it used to be. There are fine lines around the corners of the eyes and eyebrows, and most of the hair is white.

She raised her hand and stroked the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. What her fingertips touched was no longer the smoothness of her youth, but a kind of warmth that came from the accumulation of time.

Today she wore a bright yellow silk cloak embroidered with peonies and longevity patterns. Although she was no longer old enough to wear bright colors, this elegant and luxurious robe made her look calm and composed.

Now she is seventy-three years old.

More than fifty years have passed since I entered the palace.

"I'm getting old..." she murmured softly, a faint smile playing on her lips. The person in the mirror, though no longer dazzling and bright, had a touch of kindness and peace. Even the fine lines around her eyes seemed like traces left by the gentle caress of time.

If this is what growing old looks like—dignified, peaceful, and tranquil—then there’s nothing unacceptable about it.

Holding Ayuan's hand, he slowly walked to the outer hall. Shen Yunfei had been waiting in the hall for a long time.

Although he was already in his seventies, with gray hair on his temples, he still maintained a straight and upright posture like a pine tree. Seeing An Lingrong emerge, he immediately took two steps forward, his eyes, having weathered many vicissitudes of life, still brimming with the same tenderness that had remained unchanged for decades.

"cousin!"

An Lingrong looked at the man in front of her who had followed her for half her life, with mixed feelings in her heart. The man who was full of vigor and vitality back then is now gray-haired, but no matter how time changes, he has always been by her side and has never left.

"Today is your birthday, and this is my gift to you."

Shen Yunfei took out a brocade box from his arms and opened it. Inside was a jade hairpin that was completely emerald green.

An Lingrong smiled slightly, took a few steps closer to him and lowered her head: "Then help me put it on!"

Hearing this, Shen Yunfei's hands trembled slightly. He carefully brushed her hair, which was already mixed with silver threads, and put the jade hairpin into her hair.

An Lingrong slowly raised her hand, her fingertips touching the warm jade hairpin: "These years..."

The words came to his lips but stopped, and finally thousands of words turned into a faint smile on his lips: "Yunfei, thank you."

In just five words, I can express the full meaning of our companionship and support for half a lifetime. Thank you for your devoted protection in my youth, for your great help in my middle age, and for your unwavering loyalty in my old age.

Shen Yunfei was stunned when he heard this, and a tear slid uncontrollably down his wrinkled cheek.

This time, he did not humbly decline as usual, but nodded solemnly and accepted the heavy gratitude.

"The Crown Prince and Prince Gong are waiting outside!"

"Well, let's go!"

When they arrived outside the hall, two men were already waiting at the steps. When they saw An Lingrong come out, they immediately lifted the front of their brocade robes and knelt down in unison to salute.

"Greetings to grandma!" The younger man spoke in a clear voice, and the spirit of Shen Meizhuang in the past could be vaguely seen between his eyebrows.

This is Crown Prince Yongheng, Hongxu's eldest son.

"Greetings to my mother."

Prince Gong Hongzhou kowtowed respectfully, with a few strands of gray already visible on his temples.

An Lingrong raised her hand with a smile: "Hurry up, the ground is cold."

The two men stood up and stood sideways, revealing an apricot-yellow sedan chair embroidered with cloud patterns behind them. The curtains were embroidered with patterns of fortune and longevity in gold thread, and the poles were wrapped with red silk.

Not seeing the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair, An Lingrong raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Why? Are you here to carry me today?"

Upon hearing this, Yongheng's eyes flashed with cunning. "Don't worry, Grandma. My grandson and I have practiced this many times before. We're sure it's more reliable than those eunuchs!"

Hongzhou nodded repeatedly, his eyes wrinkled with laughter: "Mother, please fulfill our filial piety."

An Lingrong's heart warmed, and she smiled and said, "Okay! Let's go!"

Hongzhou immediately stepped forward to support him, while Yongheng skillfully opened the curtain of the sedan chair.

"Get up the sedan——"

A Yuan called out softly, and the sedan chair lifted off the ground smoothly.

When they arrived at the Da Baoen Yanshou Temple, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing the sedan chair stop, they both took two steps forward at the same time, stretched out their hands and called out, "Rong'er!"

A Yuan lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, and An Lingrong placed her hands on it: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

The slender fingers that were once as soft as boneless are now covered with fine lines; the steps that were once youthful have now slowed down a lot.

But when they smiled at each other, the friendship in their eyes was stronger than before.

As they walked into the hall, the noisy crowd suddenly quieted down, and everyone made way for a wide passage in the middle.

The hall was magnificent and brightly lit with candles, reflecting familiar faces, each with a warm smile.

Shen Meizhuang, Zhen Huan, and An Lingrong walked slowly side by side, their eyes passing over the old friends on both sides one by one:

Caixing and Zhang Jin, Liuzhu and Wang Yu, Caiyue and Song Jiashu, Weilin and Suye, Sun Heyin and Kuangtu, Anlingyue and Shuhe, Huanbi, Yunli, Wen Shichu, Shen Pingchuan, Wen Yi, Longyue, Jinghe, Hongzhou, and Hongxu.

The three of them sat down at the top, and Shen Yunfei stood behind them.

Everyone, led by the Emperor and Empress, knelt down and saluted in unison: "Greetings to the Empress Dowager, greetings to the Imperial Concubine, and greetings to the Imperial Concubine."

Shen Meizhuang raised her hand gently: "Everyone stand up."

Everyone stood up to express their gratitude and bowed again in unison.

This time the voice was even louder than before: "I wish Concubine Wengui good fortune as vast as the East Sea and a long life as long as the Southern Mountains!"

An Lingrong slowly stood up, her eyes and eyebrows stained with unconcealable joy. "Everyone, get up. Today is my birthday. I'm so happy to have you all here. Let's have a drink first."

"Thank you, empress!"

Everyone responded in unison, raising their glasses to drink together. Suddenly, the hall was filled with the clear and melodious sound of clinking glasses.

The birthday banquet was in full swing, and after three rounds of wine, the atmosphere in the hall became more and more lively.

Yongheng, who was standing beside the three of them, was the ceremonial officer today. He straightened his clothes and cleared his throat with a light cough: "Everyone..."

The hall instantly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were on him.

"Today is Grandma's birthday. I'm sure everyone has brought gifts—" He looked around and said with a smile, "Who's coming first?"

Everyone smiled at each other, and their eyes turned to look in the direction of the emperor at the same time.

Seeing this, Hongxu raised the corners of his lips slightly, stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go first."

He walked steadily to the center of the hall, knelt solemnly, and kowtowed to An Lingrong: "Your son wishes godmother good health and eternal blessings."

After the ceremony, he raised his hand slightly towards Xiao Luzi who was standing beside him.

Xiao Luzi understood what she meant, and he bent down, holding a rosewood box and walked forward. He carefully took out a map on silk and slowly unfolded it on the table in front of An Lingrong.

"Godmother, please take a look. This is the latest map of the Qing Dynasty. The northern border is made up of the Greater Khingan Range, Lake Baikal, the Eastern Sayan Mountains, the Western Sayan Mountains, and Lake Balkhash. The eastern part encompasses Sakhalin Island and the Ryukyu Islands, while the southwest is protected by the Himalayas. As for the southern part, it's only a matter of time before Timor and Java are included."

[The best map of China's territory circulating online]

An Lingrong's eyes slowly followed his guidance, and a relieved smile gradually appeared on the corners of her lips: "Very good!"

"My son has issued an edict exempting all taxes and levies for ten years. I pray for the three mothers."

"The Emperor loves his people like his own children, which is truly a blessing for all people in the world."

Her gaze shifted from the map to Hongxu, the child who once played at her knees, who had now grown into a wise ruler.

"I hope my godmother likes this birthday gift." Hongxu smiled with satisfaction.

Now that the emperor had started, everyone came forward to present their gifts.

Wen Shichu, though already gray-haired, remained energetic. He pulled two booklets from his cherished bosom and respectfully presented them, "Your Majesty, this is a birthday gift from me. Now, all prefectures and cities in the Qing Dynasty are capable of producing their own penicillin, and the smallpox vaccination rate has exceeded 80%."

An Lingrong took the booklet, flipped it open, and took a closer look. Seeing the detailed record of the production and vaccination status of pharmacies in various places, she nodded with satisfaction, "Excellent! A doctor's benevolence and contribution to saving the world will be remembered for generations to come."

Immediately afterwards, Su Ye, Yu Yin and Cai Xing stepped forward together.

Su Ye held up a picture album and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this is a birthday gift from our women. Today, women's medical clinics are spread all over the country, totaling more than 200. The mortality rate for women during childbirth is less than 1%. In addition, more than a thousand female medical officers have completed their training and are practicing medicine in various prefectures and cities."

An Lingrong opened a thick atlas, which detailed the distribution of women's medical clinics in various places and the list of female doctors.

She raised her eyes and looked at the three people in front of her - her former personal maids, who had now become independent female heroes.

"Women can also stand tall and proud. You have done a great job."

Shen Pingchuan, Wang Yu, and Song Jiashu also stepped forward and presented a thick booklet. "Your Majesty, this is a birthday gift from us. We now have over thirty textile factories, which not only provide for the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people, but also produce silk, cotton, and linen that are exported to Tsarist Russia and overseas countries, becoming a significant source of tax revenue for the Qing Dynasty."

The booklet details trade routes, production data and profits.

"Putting people's livelihood first and developing the nation through commerce and trade is the true spirit of a prosperous age."

An Lingrong stood up tremblingly, and walked down with A Yuan's support. She picked up the gilded wine pot and poured a glass for each person herself: "You have worked hard. I toast to you!"

"I (the humble servant) can achieve what I have today thanks to the support of Your Majesty!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall. As they raised their heads to drink, many people quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of their eyes.

An Lingrong looked around, her eyes passing over familiar faces: close friends who had been with her for decades, juniors she had personally trained, and new forces that grew up under her protection.

After going through wind and rain, there will be a rainbow.

Now, looking at this prosperous era with peace and prosperity, she can finally say with relief: This life is worth it after all.

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There's another chapter tomorrow.

[Preview of the new book.]

I previously wrote about Concubine Hua beating the heroine with a stick and the heroine being injured. Some book friends wanted to see what would happen if the heroine "died". I originally wanted to write about it in the extra chapter, but then I conceived a new story.

Book lovers can jump back to Chapter 138 of this book, read the previous content, and then continue to the new book from Chapter 138.

I'll post 20,000 words first. If book friends think it's worth reading, I'll continue writing. If they think it's too explosive and not good, I'll cut my losses in time.

The new book is titled "Diary of Two Souls Fighting Each Other, Did Concubine Hua Faint Today?"

If you can't find the book title, you can click on my profile picture and enter from the homepage. 】