Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Conclusion

Su Zhinian nodded slightly, pursing her lips. Yushu immediately retreated two steps and collapsed onto a stool.

How could she have known that Su Zhinian and Helian Yu met every single night? Their affection for one another had been growing by leaps and bounds.

Helian Yu’s sudden appearance had truly terrified Su Zhinian’s parents; they were both shocked and fearful. After all, Helian Yu was no Gu Shijin, and they did not dare to act rashly against him. Yet, unexpectedly, Helian Yu bowed to them with great respect and explained his intentions.

"This matter must depend on Niannian's own wishes," they said in unison after exchanging a glance.

Soon, they snuck off to the backyard to visit Su Zhinian’s quarters, desperate to uncover every detail of the situation. Su Zhinian did not say much, merely uttering, "I am willing."

Her parents were stunned, yet they chose to respect their daughter’s decision. The wedding was arranged quickly, but it did not feel rushed; it seemed as though it had been prepared for a long time, with every detail proceeding in an orderly fashion. Among the guests, there were those who mocked, those who felt disdain, and those who were envious.

Su Zhinian’s mother remained deeply worried about her daughter’s future happiness. Moreover, many were waiting to laugh at Su Zhinian’s expense. However, instead of a joke, they were met with the news of her pregnancy.

"What? Wasn't it said that the Prince Regent was impotent?"

The former Empress, now the Empress Dowager, was shocked by the news. The current young Emperor was not yet a year old. If Helian Yu were to have his own heir, it was hard to say what schemes might arise. A cold glint flashed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. "Pass the order. I wish to see the Princess Regent."

At the Prince Regent’s estate, Su Zhinian’s mother was doting on her daughter. Taking advantage of a moment when others were away, she whispered, "Isn't the Prince Regent supposed to be incapable? Niannian, whose child is this really?"

Su Zhinian, surprised by her mother’s wild imagination, quickly stopped her. "Mother, the Prince only said that to mislead others."

Hearing this, her mother was overjoyed and couldn't wait to share the good news with her father. When the Empress Dowager’s messenger arrived to summon Su Zhinian to the palace, her mother was filled with anxiety. "What could the Empress Dowager be planning?" Everyone had their suspicions, but no one dared to voice them aloud. "Niannian, let me find an excuse for you to decline!" The palace was no safe place, and who knew if the Empress Dowager intended to harm her.

In the end, it was Helian Yu who had Li Dewang dismissed. Li Dewang, unable to bring the Princess back, knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

"I suspected she wouldn't come," the Empress Dowager muttered, clutching her teacup tightly. "It seems Helian Yu holds this woman of his in high regard."

From then on, Helian Yu protected Su Zhinian closely, fearing even the slightest mishap. The Empress Dowager did not bother them again.

Soon, the day of Su Zhinian’s labor arrived. They had long known from the physician that she was carrying twins. Consequently, her belly was larger than others, and the birth proved to be much more arduous.

The delivery room was in chaos, and the atmosphere outside was equally unsettled. Suddenly, assassins surrounded the estate. Helian Yu led his men in a desperate fight, while inside the delivery room, a battle for life and death was unfolding.

"It’s bad! She’s hemorrhaging!"
"Quick, bring the Chief Physician to administer acupuncture!"

The midwife was drenched in sweat. The Chief Physician, who had been waiting outside, wiped his brow and hurried in upon hearing the cry. Su Zhinian felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and lost all her strength. In her weakened state, she saw the Chief Physician raising long, thin silver needles. An ominous premonition washed over her, and she roared, "What are you doing? Get out!"

The midwife explained anxiously, "Princess, the fetus is in a breech position; the physician needs to use acupuncture!"

The Chief Physician also urged, "Indeed, Princess, do not delay."

As he moved to begin, Su Zhinian’s sense of foreboding grew stronger. She screamed, "Yushu! Make him leave!"

Seeing Su Zhinian’s extreme reaction, Yushu did not hesitate and ordered several people to drag the Chief Physician away. "Young Miss, how are you feeling?" Yushu asked, her heart aching at the sight of Su Zhinian’s agony. She was deathly pale, with beads of sweat rolling down her forehead—a heart-wrenching sight.

"What are we to do?" the midwife paced in a panic. If they delayed any longer, neither mother nor child would survive!

"Miss, I’ll go find a doctor!" Yushu ran toward the door, colliding with Mu Dong, who was rushing in.

"Old Master Wan, hurry!" Mu Dong shouted, pulling an elderly man with a white beard inside.

"Thank goodness, the Miss is saved!" Yushu wept with joy.

"Oh, you youngsters, making an old man like me run about," Master Wan grumbled, though his feet never slowed.

With Master Wan’s acupuncture, the fetal position was corrected, and the two children were delivered safely. The Chief Physician, seeing that his plot had failed, tried to slink away, but Helian Yu, having dealt with the assassins, blocked his path.

"Seize him!"

With that command, Helian Yu strode into the delivery room. He went directly to Su Zhinian’s side, gripping her hand tightly, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Niannian, you have suffered."

"Congratulations to the Prince and Princess, it is a boy and a girl!"

The midwife happily presented the wrapped infants. Helian Yu carefully took one and placed it before Su Zhinian. "Niannian, look, this is our daughter. She is as beautiful as you."

Su Zhinian let out a small laugh. "She hasn't even grown into her features yet; you can't tell anything."

"Our daughter will certainly be as beautiful as you!" Helian Yu insisted, cradling the baby and grinning like a fool.

In the palace, upon hearing that Su Zhinian and her children were safe, the Empress Dowager smashed a teacup in fury. "A bunch of useless trash!" Panic began to set in.

Soon, Helian Yu’s forces stormed the palace; he had easily uncovered the Empress Dowager’s treacherous ambitions. He had her placed under house arrest, trapped in the deep palace for the rest of her days. As for the Chief Physician, who had acted on the Empress Dowager’s orders to ensure Su Zhinian and her children perished, Helian Yu had him executed. The members of the Su family who had conspired with the Empress Dowager were thrown into prison, and Helian Yu seized control of the entire government.

Su Zhinian raised the young Emperor alongside her own two children. A year later, the Northern Rong people sent a princess to propose a marriage alliance. Su Zhinian recognized the princess as the Northern Rong woman she had once saved. With Su Zhinian’s help, the princess returned home and overthrew the regime, becoming the first Queen in Northern Rong history. She signed a non-aggression pact with the Xia Kingdom, opening trade between the two nations, ending the wars, and allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity.

When the young Emperor turned eighteen, Helian Yu could not wait to return all power to him. He had long wished to enjoy a private life with Su Zhinian. Their son and daughter were grown, and the affairs of the estate were left to them.

Su Zhinian and Helian Yu traveled together, exploring the vast landscape and witnessing the beauty of the world. In this life, blessed with peace, healthy parents, and a complete family, Su Zhinian was deeply grateful to Heaven for this second chance.

As time flows like a river and the sun rises and sets, may the new year surpass the old, filled with joy and fulfillment. Everything is worth looking forward to! 2025, wishing everyone all your dreams come true!