My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1455 is useless again.
Alternatively, the decision could be altered, and a more prudent approach would be to have it relayed through a loyal and respected senior official. Sure enough, not long after, an imperial edict was issued to thoroughly investigate the matter; all the officials involved were apprehended and punished accordingly, and their families were exonerated and their reputations restored.

After the turmoil subsided, Zhou Xing regained his status and became one of the important officials in the court again. However, he did not forget those difficult years and the woman who had stood by his side—Ling Xue. He requested the emperor's permission to marry her, and after it was granted, a grand wedding was held to welcome his savior as his wife. On the wedding day, the entire capital was immersed in joy, and people offered their blessings to this couple who had gone through thick and thin together, wishing them a long and happy life together.

Their married life was filled with sweetness and warmth. Zhou Xing often recalled their days on the run, and it was those experiences that deepened and strengthened their relationship. Ling Xue maintained her low-key and simple lifestyle, continuing to influence those around her with her kindness and wisdom. She also opened a clinic to provide free medical care to the poor, earning widespread praise and being hailed as a living bodhisattva.

Years later, they had their own child, and their life became even happier. Whenever the night was quiet, Zhou Xing would hold his wife's hand and recount the past with deep emotion: "Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today. You are the most important person in my life." Ling Xue nestled in his arms and said gently, "No matter what happens, we will stay together and never be separated."

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the children have grown up and achieved their own successes. The eldest son followed in his father's footsteps, joining the army to defend the country; the daughter followed her mother to learn medicine, practicing medicine to help the world and benefit all people. Mr. and Mrs. Zhou are extremely gratified to see their children grow up healthy and strong, knowing that they have fulfilled more than half of their responsibilities, and all that remains is to enjoy the happiness of family life and spend their later years in peace.

However, they did not remain idle. Instead, they dedicated themselves to education, establishing schools to cultivate the next generation of outstanding talents, hoping they would become pillars of the nation and contribute to its development. At the same time, they frequently returned to the small village where they had once sought refuge, visiting the villagers there, helping them improve their living conditions, building roads and bridges, promoting economic development, and enabling more people to live better lives.

As the sun set, golden rays bathed the earth, creating a harmonious and beautiful scene. Zhou Xing, hand in hand with Ling Xue, strolled along a country lane. The distant sound of children's joyful laughter echoed through the air, as if they had returned to the moment they first met—everything seemed as vivid as yesterday…

Before dawn, rustling sounds came from the Zhou family's mud-brick house. Zhou Xing rubbed his sore eyes and, using the faint light seeping in through the cracks in the window, continued to bury himself in his studies. The oil lamp on his desk had long since burned out, leaving only a short, black wick, like his weary yet determined mind.

Grandma, her hands trembling, carried a bowl of hot porridge into the house. Her rough hands were covered with veins and calluses. She gently placed the porridge on the table and looked at her grandson with heartache: "Child, take a rest. Don't wear yourself out." Zhou Xing looked up, revealing a simple and honest smile: "Grandma, I'm not tired. It's always good to read more books." As he spoke, he lowered his head again, muttering to himself.

Grandma sighed and sat down on a small stool to sew shoe soles. As she worked, she would occasionally glance at Zhou Xing, who was engrossed in his reading, her eyes filled with expectation and love. The family was poor, and the two of them depended on each other for survival. After his parents died early, it was his grandmother who painstakingly raised him and supported his education. Zhou Xing knew how precious this opportunity was, and therefore cherished it all the more.

One morning, Zhou Xing, as usual, carried his schoolbag to school. Passing the market, a clear, bright cry caught his attention—"Freshly made tofu! So tender and smooth!" Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw a girl dressed in coarse cloth standing in front of her stall, calling out her wares. She had delicate features, her cheeks flushed slightly in the morning breeze, and her hands deftly cut the tofu with practiced ease. That was Ling Xue, who got up before dawn every day to grind soybeans, make tofu, and then carry it to the market to sell, thus supplementing her family's income.

Zhou Xing paused for a moment, watching her bustle about efficiently, and secretly admired her. Just then, an old man passed by and accidentally knocked over a small box containing silver coins, scattering copper coins all over the ground. Ling Xue quickly knelt down to pick them up, and Zhou Xing also stepped forward to help. Their hands inadvertently touched, then quickly separated. Ling Xue looked up at him, lowered her head shyly, and whispered, "Thank you, young master." Zhou Xing nodded slightly, his gaze lingering for a moment on her clean, delicate hands, before turning and leaving.

After that chance encounter, Zhou Xing often ran into Ling Xue in the alleys near the school. Sometimes she was returning from delivering tofu, carrying an empty carrying pole on her shoulder; other times she was on her way to the early morning market, slowly pushing a cart full of steaming hot tofu. Each time they met, they would greet each other politely and gradually become acquainted.

One afternoon, Zhou Xing was reviewing his lessons at home when he heard a soft knock at the door. Opening it, he saw Ling Xue standing there, holding a piece of freshly made tofu. "Young Master, you study hard every day. This tofu is to help you recover," she said softly, her voice gentle and melodious, her eyes sincere and pure. Zhou Xing was somewhat flattered and quickly stepped aside to let her in.

The room was simple, containing only a few tables and chairs and shelves full of books. Ling Xue looked around, her eyes filled with envy: "Young master is truly a diligent and studious person; he will surely achieve great things in the future." Zhou Xing scratched his head sheepishly: "Thank you for your praise, young lady. I'm just a slow bird that gets up early." After they sat down, they began to chat. They talked about poetry and songs, and their conversation flowed more and more smoothly.

It turned out that although Ling Xue had never attended school, she was intelligent and eager to learn from a young age, often seeking guidance from literate villagers during her spare time. She yearned for the world of books and longed to one day compose poems and paint like those literary figures. Zhou Xing was moved by her thirst for knowledge and offered to teach her to read and write. From then on, every night, a figure would appear in Zhou's small house—it was Ling Xue coming to study during her free time after selling tofu.

Under the lamplight, Zhou Xing patiently explained the meaning of each word, while Ling Xue listened attentively and took notes. When she encountered something she didn't understand, she boldly asked questions, never letting any point of doubt go unanswered. Her diligence and eagerness to learn impressed Zhou Xing, and under his guidance, she made rapid progress. Gradually, a tacit understanding formed between them: one a scholar who had studied diligently for years, the other a self-reliant woman; they supported each other and progressed together in the ocean of knowledge.

The year of the provincial examination arrived in the blink of an eye. Zhou Xing studied day and night, hoping to achieve success in the examination. However, fate is unpredictable. On the eve of the exam, a sudden downpour washed away the roof of his house, and rainwater flowed down the walls, soaking the books and clothes piled on the floor. Looking at the mess, Zhou Xing was extremely anxious. If he couldn't repair the house and organize his study materials in time, it would probably affect his performance.

Just as he was at his wit's end, Ling Xue arrived with tools to help. She first helped clear the water, then used straw and mud to repair the damage. Her movements were skilled and efficient, no less than a man's. With her assistance, the house was quickly restored to its original state. Next, she helped dry the damp books and papers, carefully turning each page and letting them air dry. The whole process lasted several hours, not finishing until late at night. Watching the tireless Ling Xue, Zhou Xing felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He said gratefully, "If it weren't for your help today, I really wouldn't know what to do." Ling Xue wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled, "Young master, you're too kind. It's all I should do. Just focus on your exam; you'll definitely be at the top of the list!" With Ling Xue's support and encouragement, Zhou Xing's confidence soared.

On the day of the exam, Zhou Xing stepped into the examination hall, filled with dreams. The three days and three nights seemed both incredibly long and fleeting. The moment he walked out of the examination hall, the sky cleared, and the sunlight shone warmly on him. He knew he had done his best; the rest was up to fate.

The day the results were announced finally arrived. A bustling crowd gathered before the list, searching for their names. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Look! There's a top scholar named Zhou Xing!" A murmur rippled through the crowd. Everyone turned to look at the simply dressed young man—our protagonist, Zhou Xing. He could hardly believe his ears. After rubbing his eyes to confirm it was him, tears welled up in his eyes. Years of hard work had finally paid off!
The news spread, and the whole village was in an uproar. The villagers celebrated with drums and gongs, rejoicing at the scholar's success in the imperial examinations. But Zhou Xing's first thought was of Ling Xue—the girl who had helped and supported him during his most difficult time. He immediately rushed to her to share his joy.

Upon learning that Zhou Xing had achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, Ling Xue was genuinely happy for him. However, she knew her own lowly status made her unworthy of such an outstanding young man, so she chose to silently offer her blessings and prepare to leave this place to start a new life. But fate seemed determined not to separate them forever…

One evening, as the setting sun painted half the sky red, Zhou Xing rushed to Ling Xue's house only to find it deserted, with only a letter left under a stone mill. The letter read: "Young master, your talent is boundless and your future is limitless. I dare not presume to be your equal and wish to retire from the world. I wish you a bright future..." After reading the letter, Zhou Xing suddenly realized that Ling Xue had chosen to leave because of her inferiority complex. He decided to find this kind and brave woman and express his feelings to her.

After making some inquiries, Zhou Xing learned that Ling Xue might have gone to a neighboring town to continue her tofu business. Regardless of the long distance, he immediately set off to find her. After trekking through mountains and rivers and enduring hardships, he finally found Ling Xue selling tofu on the street in a small town. At this time, she had changed into men's clothing and was almost unrecognizable, but her bright eyes still revealed her inner gentleness and determination.

Zhou Xing stepped forward and said affectionately, "Ling Xue, no matter where you go, I will find you because I love you not only for your beauty but also for your kind and hardworking heart." Hearing this, Ling Xue was stunned, and tears welled up in her eyes. She choked and said, "You really don't mind my background?" Zhou Xing held her hand tightly and said firmly, "In my eyes, you are the best woman in the world. Nothing else matters."

And so, after many twists and turns, the young couple finally came together. They held a simple yet grand wedding, became husband and wife, and embarked on a new chapter in their lives. Although their married life was ordinary, it was filled with warmth and happiness. They supported each other and ran their small tofu workshop together, living a fulfilling and enjoyable life.

Their married life wasn't always smooth sailing, but they always faced difficulties together and never backed down. As time went on, their tofu shop grew bigger and bigger, becoming not only well-known locally but also attracting merchants from other places to come and buy their products. However, with great success comes envy, and some jealous people began to spread rumors that their tofu used inferior ingredients and was harmful to human health, attempting to sabotage their business.

Faced with the sudden crisis, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue did not panic but calmly responded. They invited authoritative institutions to conduct testing and openly and transparently demonstrated the production process to customers, ultimately proving their innocence. The rumors were also dispelled, and their reputation became even more prominent. After this test, their business flourished and they became a well-known brand.

Besides their business ventures, they are also passionate about public welfare, frequently sponsoring impoverished students to help them complete their studies and change their destinies. Every winter, they distribute free cotton clothing and food to elderly people living alone, bringing warmth and love throughout the winter. Their good deeds have earned them respect and praise, and set an example for society.

Years later, when they looked back on their lives, they were filled with emotion. The poor boy they once were had become a wealthy businessman, and the girl who sold tofu had become a supportive wife and business partner. They had created a wonderful life with their own hands and realized their initial dreams. More importantly, in the process of their struggle, they found true love, built a happy family, and became a model couple that everyone admired.

Time flies, and decades have passed in the blink of an eye. Zhou Xing is no longer the naive young man he once was, but an elderly man with white hair. However, he is still vigorous and his eyes are bright. The school he and Ling Xue co-founded has cultivated generations of outstanding talents. These students are scattered all over the country. Some have become officials to benefit the local people, some have become scholars to pass on cultural knowledge, and some have devoted themselves to industry to promote economic development. No matter what their status is, they all keep in mind the teachings of their alma mater and strive to contribute to the country and society.

In addition, they have established a charitable fund specifically to help those in need, whether it is natural disasters or impoverished families, so that they can receive timely assistance and feel the warmth and care of society. Under their influence, more and more people are joining public welfare undertakings, forming a good social atmosphere where everyone is willing to lend a helping hand to help others and spread positive energy.

In his later years, Zhou Xing often sat in the courtyard basking in the sun, reminiscing about his glorious past. He would always say with a smile, "The greatest luck in my life is meeting Ling Xue. Without her, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today, nor would we have the happy life we ​​have now." Ling Xue would gently lean against him and say tenderly, "I have everything I have today because of you. We are the most important people in each other's lives."

As the setting sun cast its last rays upon them, it created a heartwarming scene, as if time itself had stood still, leaving only eternal love and beauty on earth...