I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 396 Finale
Gu Ci felt sorry for Tang Zhao, but because Tang Zhao was pregnant with twins and her pregnancy was progressing, he dared not be careless. He could only hold Tang Zhao tightly around the waist and comfort her silently.

Tang Zhao lowered her head, touched her belly, and sighed, "My children, I'm almost dying of frustration because of you. You must behave well after you're born, otherwise..." Tang Zhao couldn't come up with a reason for a long time. She couldn't bear to hit you, and scolding you didn't work.

Hey! Thinking about it this way, she really has no way to deal with these two kids.

Gu Ci stood firmly on Tang Zhao's side, saying, "If they misbehave, I will teach them a lesson."

Tang Zhao didn't believe it. "What if they were both daughters? Could you really do that?"

Gu Ci couldn't bring himself to do it, but the Ghost Doctor had already diagnosed Zhao Zhao as carrying twin boys when she was five months pregnant.

Because Tang Zhao was so eager for a daughter, everyone kept quiet.

Gu Ci could only say against his will, "Daughters also need to be educated. What if they grow up like Xuan'er?"

Tang Zhao:. . . . . .

Tang Zhao felt a slight dizziness. Please, please don't!

She didn't have the strong heart of her mother to face a daughter as ungrateful as Gu Xuan.

"It's settled then. If the child ever makes a mistake in the future, you must not hold back! Beat him to death, as long as he survives!"

Gu Ci: 。 。 。 。 。 。

Gu Ci: "Okay!"

Two months passed in the blink of an eye. As the due date approached, the atmosphere on the farm became more and more tense. Doctor Zhong and the Ghost Doctor were on high alert, vowing to ensure the safety of Tang Zhao and her child.

On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Tang Zhao's pregnancy officially began.

Gu Ci awkwardly carried Tang Zhao into the delivery room, knelt by the bed, and held Tang Zhao's hand tightly. In the end, he was kicked out by Dr. Zhong and the Ghost Doctor.

Gu Ci clung to the doors and windows, wishing he could stare a hole through the window paper.

"Zhaozhao, don't be afraid, I'm right outside!"

"Dr. Zhong, the Ghost Doctor, if the delivery goes wrong," Gu Ci said, her face pale, "you must save Zhaozhao!"

Inside the delivery room, Dr. Zhong and the Ghost Doctor were annoyed by Gu Ci's shouting and wished they could go out and knock him unconscious.

Inside the delivery room, Tang Zhao felt waves of pain in her abdomen, and even she, who was usually able to endure pain, couldn't help but groan.

As summer drew to a close, a bowl of chicken noodle soup was served. "Miss, this servant will serve you something to eat."

Tang Zhao shook her head; she had no appetite.
The Ghost Doctor said with a serious expression, "You have to eat, otherwise you won't have the strength to give birth."

Having been pregnant for ten months, Tang Zhao couldn't afford to give up at this crucial moment. She forced herself to finish a large bowl of noodles despite the pain, but then her stomach started hurting even more.

"Take a deep breath, engage your lower abdomen, yes, like that, push!"

Tang Zhao followed the instructions and exerted force, cursing Gu Ci in his heart.

As darkness fell, the baby's loud cry finally came from the delivery room.

"She's given birth?" The Empress, who had rushed over, heard the crying as soon as she entered the manor. Overjoyed, she lifted her skirt and ran to her son's side, asking repeatedly, "Are mother and child safe?"

Xia Mo came out of the delivery room to announce the good news: "The young lady has given birth to twin boys, and both mother and children are safe and sound!"

"Oh my!" The Empress was overjoyed. Zhao Zhao was truly amazing; she gave birth to two sons in her lifetime. Let's see how those people in the capital will use the excuse that Yuan Ye had no sons to send people to the Prince of Zhan's residence!

"Can I go in and see Zhao Zhao?" Gu Ci asked, his legs already moving uncontrollably toward the delivery room.

While taking Tang Zhao's pulse, Dr. Zhong said loudly, "Go to the side room to warm yourself by the fire and get rid of the cold from your body!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ci couldn't wait to go to the side room. He wished he could jump directly into the red-hot brazier and roast himself for almost half an incense stick's time before the chill that had seeped into his bones was completely gone.

After Dr. Zhong's examination, Gu Ci was allowed to approach the bed. Seeing Tang Zhao fall into a deep sleep from exhaustion, Gu Ci's heartache almost overflowed.

After waiting for a while, the Ghost Doctor was overjoyed to see that Gu Ci had no intention of looking at the two children. He took the two children to the Bisha Pavilion and summoned a wet nurse to breastfeed them.

The Empress lagged behind and saw that her son was firmly occupying the edge of the bed, refusing to budge no matter what she said. Helpless, the Empress could only press herself tightly against the bed curtains, stand on tiptoe and carefully examine Tang Zhao for a long time. Seeing that Tang Zhao was alright, she then went to look at her two beloved grandsons.

Tang Zhao slept until midnight before being woken up by hunger. The first thing he asked upon waking was, "How many daughters?"

Gu Ci picked up the fish, chicken, and rice porridge that was warming on the stove, scooped up a spoonful to cool it slightly, and handed it to Tang Zhao's lips with a serious expression. "There will be more in the future."

Tang Zhao felt a chill in her heart. "What do you mean?" Could it be...? Gu Ci nodded. "She gave birth to two sons."

Tang Zhao collapsed back onto her pillow, utterly despondent.

Hearing the commotion inside, the Empress came in carrying the child. "Quick, come and see our two precious babies!" The Empress couldn't bear to take her eyes off the child in her arms. "I have never seen such beautiful children!"

Tang Zhao was unwilling to give up. He sat up with Gu Ci's help, lifted the swaddling clothes and took a look. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, died completely.

Gu Ci was quite sensible, "It's all my fault!"

Tang Zhao sighed.

The Empress looked at her son and then at her daughter-in-law, recalling Yuan Ye's numerous letters asking her how to raise her daughter. She comforted him, "Our son is wonderful too! Look at our darling, with his big eyes and high nose, he's just like Zhao Zhao. He'll definitely grow up to be a dashing young gentleman!"

Tang Zhao looked at the wrinkled little old man in the swaddling clothes and couldn't see any resemblance between him and himself. However, he was still quite cute.

The baby in the swaddling clothes yawned.

Tang Zhao was amused by his simple and honest appearance.

Seeing a smile on Tang Zhao's face, Gu Ci, who had been on edge, finally relaxed and fed Tang Zhao porridge while watching Tang Zhao play with their son.

Due to Dr. Zhong's insistence and Gu Ci's blind obedience, Tang Zhao endured a hundred days of postpartum confinement. During those hundred days, Tang Zhao did nothing but eat and sleep, quickly making up for the weight she had lost during pregnancy.

Tang Zhao didn't even need to worry about the names of the two children; Emperor Wu'an had already decided on them: the elder would be named Gu Ruiyuan, and the younger Gu Ruizhe.

It was brought along when the Empress came.

Although Tang Zhao had a veto right, she didn't use it. She felt that as long as the boy wasn't named something like "Dog Egg," she could accept him.

But if we have a daughter in the future, then she will have to name her.

Gu Ci nodded solemnly.

Tang Zhao nestled in Gu Ci's arms, watching Huo Hu quietly lying beside the two children. "When are we going back to Luoyang? Father has written again to urge us."

“No rush, let’s wait until the children are a little older,” Gu Ci said, worried that a sudden change of environment would make the two children sick. “I have already replied to the Emperor. If you really want to see your grandchildren, you can come to Minzhou.”

Tang Zhao laughed, "Father must wish he could put you back into Mother's belly."

"Everyone loves their own son," Gu Ci said gently as he looked at the sleeping children.

Tang Zhao: "If Father Emperor really comes to Minzhou..."

"No," Gu Ci said confidently, "the court officials will not allow it."

"Gu Yuanye, you brat, get out here right now!"

Tang Zhao:. . . . . .

Gu Ci: 。 。 。 。 。 。

Tang Zhao: "What did you just say?"

Gu Ci pushed open the window a crack and saw Emperor Wu'an standing in the courtyard holding a stick, with the Empress standing beside him, constantly trying to dissuade him.

When disaster strikes, everyone flees for their lives. Tang Zhao sat up from Gu Ci's arms and shooed him away, "Go!"

Gu Ci hesitated for a moment, then decided to sacrifice his son to save his life. He picked up a chubby baby in each hand and walked out the door, presenting the child to Emperor Wu'an before the emperor's stick could strike.

Emperor Wu'an's anger immediately subsided. He held his two children with great affection, not even sparing his son a second glance, and turned to leave.

Gu Ci: 。 。 。 。 。 。

Gu Ci quickly chased after him and tried to snatch his son.

The Empress trailed behind, saying, "You two, slow down! If you drop the child, you'll be sorry!"

Tang Zhao hugged the fire fox and laughed so hard he collapsed onto the couch.

These days are truly blissful!

That concludes my story of supporting my army through farming and business! Thank you to all my readers for your continued support. See you in the next book!