Her hair was cloud-like and beautiful! She opened her eyes and found herself back in the third year

Empress Dowager Cheng's maiden name was Cheng Fuyao.

When she was born, her family was poor, but her parents loved each other and the family was happy. Her father happened to read the poem "The roc rises with the wind and soars ninety thousand miles high" when she was born, so he named her "Fuyao".

Her peaceful and stable childhood was probably the happiest time of her life, but those days came to an abrupt end when her father passed the imperial examination.

After his father passed the imperial examination, he changed his attitude. He looked down on his original wife, complained that she couldn't bear him a son, and wanted to marry someone of higher social standing. He wanted to divorce his wife and remarry.

One day, she and her mother were sent to the Cheng family in Qindu.

Those years with the Cheng family felt like she had endured all the hardships of her life.

She had also met the young man she admired, watching him ride his horse through the streets and lean against a tree in the mountains, a blade of grass between his teeth.

He rose like the morning sun, and was the universally admired heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

He had said he would come and marry her, and she had waited for him.

But fate did not favor them. Before anything could begin, foreign enemies invaded, and the young men of the Yang family, deputy generals under the Zhenbei Marquis's command, died in battle, leaving only a girl among the younger generation.

The girl's only wish was to marry him, and no matter how unwilling he was, he eventually married her for the greater good.

Faced with the prospect of being betrothed to an old man as a concubine by Zhang, she cleverly orchestrated a chance encounter with Emperor Taizong in order to protect herself and ensure her survival with Cheng Yan, thus successfully entering the palace.

They each married and never saw each other again, separated by the sea of ​​people.

After he had children, he turned north to guard the border and never returned.

She entered the palace as a lowly concubine and rose through the ranks to become a Noble Consort, Empress, and even Empress Dowager, standing at the pinnacle of power.

Time flies like water, and as time goes by, she rarely thinks about him anymore.

It was only when I occasionally thought of my teenage years that I remembered that spirited young man riding a horse through the streets.

As her son grew up and became capable of handling things on his own, she lived a life of leisure and comfort as the Empress Dowager, free from all worldly responsibilities.

Even after the Qin Dynasty unified the world, he still refused to return and volunteered to guard Tianjue Mountain.

Her daughter asked her if she wanted to see him again, but she shook her head and refused.

She has children and grandchildren, her children are filial, her grandchildren are adorable, and she has lived a life of extreme wealth and glory. Why would she pursue the fleeting romance of her youth?

Besides, she's always been someone who likes to look forward; once she's gone, she won't go back.

Moreover, during the years she entered the palace, although Emperor Taizong had other concubines, he always treated her well, protected her and helped her move forward, and trusted her a great deal.

She dared not say that she had any romantic feelings for Emperor Taizong, but she was genuinely grateful for his protection over the years, for teaching Cheng Yan so well, and for handing over this supreme power to her.

Therefore, I don't want to add any more jokes to his already deceased life.

Time flies, and she was nearly sixty years old. Disliking the noise in the palace, she simply moved to the Prince of Pingxi's residence. Outside the palace, there was less strife, and she had the company of Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen, as well as several children to dote on her. Oh, by then she already had great-grandchildren.

Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen's eldest grandson, nicknamed Qiuqiu, nestled close to her and asked in a childish voice, "Should I... call her great-grandmother, or great-aunt...?"

Empress Dowager Cheng reached out and pinched his chubby little face, laughing heartily: "Then you'll have to ask your grandparents. Was it your grandfather who lowered himself a generation to call me mother-in-law, or was it your grandmother who got bold enough to call me her peer?"

Qin Yizhen naturally dared not: "Then I must call her great-grandmother. My grandmother and grandfather were both raised by my great-grandmother."

Qin Yizhen and Empress Dowager Cheng were not biological mother and daughter, but Empress Dowager Cheng protected her and taught her a lot over the years, so she was no different from her own daughter. As for Cheng Yan, although he and Empress Dowager Cheng were siblings, he lost his mother at birth and was raised by his sister.

To them, Empress Dowager Cheng was naturally their mother.

“Great-grandmother!” Chirp called out loudly, making everyone in the room laugh.

Just then, someone came to announce that the old Marquis of Zhenbei had come to visit, and Empress Dowager Cheng was momentarily dazed.

Huo Yuan, the former Marquis of Zhenbei, is now in his early sixties. A few years ago, due to declining health, he allowed his nephew Huo Ling to inherit the title and become the new Marquis of Zhenbei, stationed at the border. Only then did he return to Qin Capital to enjoy his retirement.

Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen both looked at Empress Dowager Cheng.

Empress Dowager Cheng smiled and said, "Since we are guests, let's arrange for them to stay at the Guest Reception Garden. I'll go and see some old friends."

They are getting old, and who knows how many more chances they will have to meet. If there are any unresolved issues, they should be resolved now, so that they won't be taken to their graves when they are gone.

Chiu Chiu was playing with her when she patted his head and said, "Go play with your aunt."

Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen have two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son is already married, and their second son is seventeen or eighteen years old. Qin Yizhen became pregnant again when she was thirty and gave birth to a girl named Ming Shiyue, who is only eight years old this year.

Empress Dowager Cheng, accompanied only by Eunuch De and Aunt Deng, went to the Guest House to see Huo Yuan, and then sat down to have a cup of tea together.

Many years have passed since we last met. I remember when we were young, but now we are both old.

Huo Yuan asked her, "Is the Empress Dowager doing well?"

Empress Dowager Cheng nodded: "I am doing very well. My children are filial, and I am rich and honored. This is the best life one can have. But I have heard that you are not doing so well. I have heard a lot about the trouble your son has caused, even though I am far away in the palace."

Huo Yuan and Yang's only son, Huo Song, the former heir of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, was spoiled too much by Yang. He was neither good at leading troops into battle nor good at studying to pass the imperial examinations. With nothing to do, he caused quite a few troubles.

When Huo Yuan passed on the title of Marquis of Zhenbei to his nephew Huo Ling, the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion was almost thrown into chaos. Madam Yang even threatened to kill herself and take Huo Song to jump into the river.

However, the prestige that the Marquis of Zhenbei's family had built up over generations could not be ruined in Huo Song's hands. Huo Yuan naturally refused, declaring that if she were to die with the child, he would go with them.

It only calmed down later.

Now that Huo Ling has inherited the title, Huo Song has started to live a life of debauchery. Huo Yuan can't control him, so he can only stay at home and properly raise his grandchildren.

"Things will get better eventually," Huo Yuan sighed.

Empress Dowager Cheng smiled and said, "You should also take good care of your health, live a long life, and see more of this peaceful and prosperous world."

"Will do."

Huo Yuan didn't stay long; after finishing a cup of tea, he took his leave.

Empress Dowager Cheng watched him leave, feeling a mix of emotions, including a sense of relief.

At least, everyone is still alive and can see this peaceful and prosperous world. Whether there is peace and noise in the family or not, everyone has children and grandchildren.

It's just a pity that they weren't meant to be.

However... Empress Dowager Cheng smiled when she saw Cheng Yan and Qin Yi walking hand in hand towards her.

However, life is not just about romantic love; there is also the love of one's closest relatives and loved ones.

If she and the people she cares about are safe and well for a long time, that would be wonderful.

......