I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

Xiao Jingshi walked stiffly into the inner room, where a faint milky scent filled the air.

On two cribs placed side by side, two little ones wrapped in soft swaddling clothes are waving their little fists and crying loudly.

Xiao Jingshi stood by the bed, looking at the two wrinkled, rosy little things, and for a moment, he was at a loss.

Is this his child?

His child with An'an?

He cautiously reached out, wanting to touch the face of the little one who seemed to be crying louder, but he quickly withdrew his hand after only halfway through, afraid that he might hurt the little one by touching him too hard.

His expression—wanting to get close but hesitant to touch—amused Ye An'an, who had followed him in.

"It's okay, feel him." She walked to his side, took his hand, and gently placed it on one of the babies' faces. "This is the older brother, he has a terrible temper, just like you."

Her little face was warm and incredibly soft to the touch.

Xiao Jingshi felt his heart melting.

He then looked at another baby whose crying was slightly more delicate.

"That's my little sister," Ye An'an introduced softly. "She's a good girl, but she loves to follow her brother around and join in the fun."

He has both a son and a daughter.

An overwhelming sense of happiness washed over Xiao Jingshi like a tidal wave.

He felt that all the hardships and suffering he had endured in southern Xinjiang over the past few months had been worth it at this moment.

He turned around and hugged Ye An'an tightly again.

"Thank you for your hard work." He rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice filled with heartache and gratitude.

"It's not hard work." Ye An'an leaned against him, feeling his familiar heartbeat, and felt incredibly at ease. "As long as you and your son are safe, I'm not afraid of anything."

The couple were enjoying this hard-won moment of warmth when suddenly a palace servant's voice came from outside.

"Your Highness, Your Majesty, His Majesty and the Empress have arrived!"

The Emperor and Empress? Why are they here so late?

The two exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.

Soon, Emperor Mingde and Empress Wei, dressed in casual clothes, hurried in. They had obviously heard the news of Xiao Jingshi's return to the palace, and had even skipped the ceremonial procession, coming directly over.

"Jing Shi!"

As soon as Empress Wei saw her son, tears welled up in her eyes. She rushed over, took his hand, and looked him up and down, repeatedly murmuring, "You've lost weight, you've lost weight... My son, you're finally back! Let your mother take a good look at you!"

Although Emperor Mingde did not show his emotions as openly as the Empress, his slightly reddened eyes and trembling hands revealed his inner turmoil.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." He patted Xiao Jingshi's shoulder, his voice carrying a barely perceptible sob.

The family was finally reunited.

After a brief greeting, the two elders' attention was quickly drawn to the two little ones who were still whimpering.

"Oh my, my precious grandchildren!" Empress Wei moved closer to the bedside, gazing at the two exquisitely beautiful little figures. The sadness on her face was instantly replaced by immense joy, and she smiled from ear to ear. "Let your imperial grandmother hold them!"

Emperor Mingde, with his hands behind his back, casually approached, his majestic dragon eyes now softening into a pool of spring water, filled with tenderness.

He looked at the boy who resembled Xiao Jingshi when he was a child, and then at the girl whose features already showed traces of Ye An'an. He nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

"Good, good!" He stroked his beard and laughed loudly, "My Xiao family has a worthy successor!"

He picked up the little grandson, and Empress Wei picked up the little princess. The two usually dignified emperor and empress were now like ordinary grandparents, playing with the child and laughing all the while. The whole Eastern Palace was filled with the joy of family life.

Xiao Jingshi and Ye An'an stood to the side, looking at each other and smiling.

After fussing for half an hour, the two little ones finally fell asleep again.

Emperor Mingde carefully placed the child back on the bed, but the smile on his face did not diminish in the slightest.

He straightened up, glanced at the Empress beside him who also looked satisfied, then looked at his son standing in front of him, who was upright and whose brows and eyes had become more calm and resolute, and his daughter-in-law who was nestled beside his son, gentle and dignified.

He suddenly let out a long sigh.

"I... am old," he said abruptly.

"Father is in the prime of his life, why do you say such a thing?" Xiao Jingshi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Emperor Mingde waved his hand, walked to the main seat and sat down, gesturing for them to sit as well.

"I didn't realize it before, I always thought I could still work hard for the Great Liang for several more decades." He looked at Xiao Jingshi, his eyes becoming deep and complicated, "But after your accident this time, I realized that I am really powerless."

"The mess in the southern frontier, the restless hearts of people in the court, the rumors in the capital... all of these things weighed heavily on me. In that month, half of my hair turned white."

"I was thinking, if you really don't come back, how many more years can I hold onto this vast empire? And even if I do, to whom can I pass it on?"

His words instantly made the atmosphere in the hall somewhat heavy.

"Fortunately, you've returned." A relieved smile appeared on Emperor Mingde's face. "Not only have you returned, but you've also won an unprecedented victory, routing the barbarians. You are stronger than me, more decisive, and know better how to fight than I do."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two cribs, his tone becoming incredibly relaxed and relieved.

"Now, I have my grandson and granddaughter. I have fulfilled my responsibilities and enjoyed my blessings in this life. I am tired and no longer want to concern myself with the intrigues and power struggles in the court."

He looked at Xiao Jingshi and said slowly, yet with unparalleled clarity, in a tone of announcement:

"Jing Shi, I am ready to hand over this empire to you."

"I want to abdicate. You shall become the emperor."