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

The birthdays of the young prince and princess are set for spring.

Spring is here, flowers are blooming, and all things are reviving—it's a good omen.

The palace began preparations a month ago.

Ye An'an originally didn't want to hold a big party, feeling that the child was still young and it would be too extravagant. But Xiao Jingshi disagreed.

"These are my first children, how can we not celebrate properly?" He sat in the imperial study, reviewing memorials, and said without looking up, "I have already issued an edict instructing the Ministry of Rites to handle the matter properly."

Ye An'an had no choice but to let him do as he pleased.

However, she also had some expectations.

Because Xiao Jingshi told her that he had already sent people to the Northwest to pick up her family.

Her father, Ye Zhen, was a general who guarded the northwest. Over the years, he had been defending the border against foreign enemies and rarely returned to the capital.

Her second brother, Ye Feng, had only returned to Beijing once before and had never come back since. It was said that he was guarding the border with their father.

And her mother, Lin, hadn't seen her father in a long time.

When Ye An'an married into the Eastern Palace, her father was unable to return for the wedding. Over the years, she could only communicate with him through letters.

Now, I can finally see them.

Ye An'an stood by the window of Kunning Palace, looking at the spring scenery outside, feeling both excited and nervous.

"Your Highness, when do you think the master and the others will arrive?" Fuyun asked from the side.

"It should be soon." Ye An'an calculated the days. "His Majesty said they should be able to enter the capital today."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a eunuch's voice came from outside to report.

"Your Majesty, General Ye Zhen of the Northwest Army, along with his wife and son, has arrived outside the palace gates and is awaiting an audience."

Ye An'an's heart jumped.

She turned and walked out without even having time to put on her phoenix crown.

"Your Majesty! Slow down!" Fuyun chased after her.

Ye An'an didn't care about any of that. She lifted her skirt and practically ran out of Kunning Palace.

Outside the palace gates.

A horse-drawn carriage was parked there.

Three people got out of the car.

Leading the group was a burly, weathered middle-aged man. He wore a warrior's armor, a long sword at his waist, and exuded an aura of iron will.

This is Ye An'an's father, Ye Zhen, the general of the Northwest Army.

Standing beside him was a gentle woman, Lin, Ye An'an's mother.

There was also a young man, handsome and tall, whose features bore a resemblance to Ye An'an. This was her second brother, Ye Feng.

Two pretty women followed behind, Ye Yunyun and Ye Jinjin.

"Father! Mother! Second Brother! Sister!"

Ye An'an called out from afar.

Ye Zhen turned around when he heard his daughter's voice.

When he saw Ye An'an, a hint of gentleness appeared on his resolute face.

"An'an." His voice was a little hoarse.

Lin's eyes were already red.

"My son, let your mother take a good look at you." She quickly stepped forward, took Ye An'an's hand, and looked him up and down.

"You've lost weight! How come you've lost so much weight?" Madam Lin said with concern. "Have you been mistreated in the palace?"

Ye An'an smiled and shook her head.

"Mother, I haven't lost weight, I'm perfectly fine." She held her mother's hand. "Look, I'm the Empress now, who dares to bully me?"

Ye Feng chuckled from the side, "That's right, our An'an is now the Empress, the mother of the nation. Who dares to offend her?"

Ye Zhen coughed.

"Alright, stop talking outside the palace gates. Let's go inside."

The group entered the palace.

Xiao Jingshi was already waiting in the Qianqing Palace.

When Ye Zhen and his family walked in, he immediately stood up to greet them.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Second Brother." He bowed respectfully.

Ye Yunyun and Ye Jinjin also came.

"Mother, I haven't lost weight. Feel my hand; I've gained weight." Ye An'an grabbed her mother's hand and shook it playfully. "Besides, I'm the Empress now. Who would dare to wrong me?"

She winked playfully.

Ye Feng chimed in from the side, grinning, "That's right! If anyone dares to bully our little sister, I'll be the first to object, and Dad will definitely be the second to twist their head off."

These words, though crude, were not without merit, yet they made Ye Zhen blush and cough heavily.

"Nonsense! This is outrageous at the palace gates! Get inside now!"

He scolded her verbally, but his fierce eyes couldn't hide his love and pride for his daughter.

Following Ye An'an, the group passed through numerous palaces and headed towards the Qianqing Palace.

Lin and Ye Feng were awestruck by the magnificent palace, while Ye Zhen kept his eyes fixed straight ahead and walked with a steady gait. However, the hand tightly gripping the hilt of his sword betrayed the unease in his heart.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Xiao Jingshi had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing the figure enter, he actually walked down the steps in front of the dragon throne.

This action made Ye Zhen's heart skip a beat.

"minister……"

Upon seeing the emperor, Ye Zhen and his two companions' knees buckled, and they were about to kneel down to perform the grand ceremony of emperor and subject.

"father in law!"

Xiao Jingshi strode forward and grabbed Ye Zhen's arm firmly, his strength leaving no room for refusal.

"Absolutely not."

He then turned to Ye Zhen and Madam Lin, and solemnly bowed, saying, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Second Brother."

"Here, there are no rulers and subjects, only one family."

Ye Zhen, a decisive general on the battlefield, was at a loss for words. His weathered face turned red, and he opened his mouth for a long time but couldn't utter a single word.

Madam Lin nervously twisted her handkerchief, looking at her son-in-law, who was the emperor, and didn't know what to do.

Ye Feng reacted quickly and hurriedly returned the greeting: "Your Majesty... Brother-in-law."

The word "brother-in-law" immediately eased the tension.

Xiao Jingshi smiled and patted Ye Feng on the shoulder: "Second Brother, it's been a long time. You're still as dashing as ever."

To greet the emperor properly

Ye Zhen looked at the young emperor, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"Your Majesty need not be so polite," he replied, bowing in return.

Xiao Jingshi smiled.

"Father-in-law, you must be tired from your journey. I have already ordered a banquet to be prepared. Let's eat and chat."

Ye Zhen nodded.

The group arrived at the side hall.

The table was laden with all sorts of delicacies, all prepared by the imperial kitchen at Ye An'an's personal instruction.

After Ye Zhen sat down, he picked up his wine glass and looked at Xiao Jingshi.

"Your Majesty, I have heard a lot about you during my years in the Northwest." His tone was somewhat serious. "I have heard that in recent years, you have reformed the tax system, built canals, and even established some kind of royal bank."

Xiao Jingshi nodded.

"Yes, I did all of this."

Ye Zhen was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Good! Well done!" He slammed his hand on the table. "This old minister has guarded the Northwest for so many years, hoping that the court could become strong. Now it seems that Your Majesty has not disappointed this old minister."

Xiao Jingshi breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought his father-in-law was going to interrogate him.

"Father-in-law, you flatter me," he said modestly. "These are all things I should do."

Ye Zhen waved his hand.

"However, there is one thing I don't understand," he said, looking at Xiao Jingshi. "I've heard that His Majesty highly values ​​merchants, even allowing them to invest in the construction of the canal. Isn't that... somewhat inappropriate?"

Xiao Jingshi smiled.

"Father-in-law, you're mistaken." He put down his wine cup. "Merchants are also common people, so why can't they be given important positions? Besides, I'm not giving them benefits for nothing when I let them invest, but rather letting them contribute money and effort to build the country together."

"What do you call this? You call it a win-win situation."

Ye Zhen listened, seemingly lost in thought.

"Your Majesty is right." He nodded. "In my years in the Northwest, I have seen many merchants. They are indeed capable and they are indeed good at making money."

"However, this old minister must still remind Your Majesty of something." His tone became serious, "Merchants are driven by profit; it's in their nature. While Your Majesty may rely on them, you must also be wary of them."

Xiao Jingshi nodded earnestly.

"Father-in-law is right, I will pay attention."

Ye An'an listened from the side, feeling a warm feeling in her heart.

She knew that her father was concerned about Xiao Jingshi, and also about the country.

Madam Lin held Ye An'an's hand and asked softly, "An'an, how have you been lately? I couldn't go to the palace when you gave birth, but I know you must have suffered a lot. And that Zhang Qinghe, those people heard you suffered a great injustice. Now that your father is back, he's gone to deal with them!"

Ye An'an said with a smile,

"Mother, we are doing well." She glanced at Xiao Jingshi. "He is very good to me and to the children. Although the matter concerning Zhang Qinghe was unfair, the Zhang family's money did help, and Mother Empress has also compensated me a lot."

Only then was Mrs. Lin relieved.

"That's good, that's good." Madam Lin gripped Ye An'an's hand tightly, as if trying to transfer her strength to her. Her tone shifted, her voice cracking with barely suppressed anger, "Mother knows you're thinking of the bigger picture, but it hurts my heart! Don't worry, your father did everything he could to help the Zhang family fall! He wasn't a general for nothing; he wouldn't let his daughter suffer such a great loss for nothing!"

These words were like a surge of heat, instantly making Ye An'an's nose sting and her heart swell and burn.

Yes, in the palace, she was the Empress, and every move she made represented the nation. No matter how wronged she was, she had to swallow it all. For the sake of the country, she couldn't be willful, much less cry out in pain.

But when she returned home, in front of her parents and brothers, she was just Ye An'an.

The feeling of being unconditionally protected almost brought her to tears.

Seeing that his younger sister's eyes were red, Ye Feng quickly smiled and smoothed things over, "Mother, don't worry about it! Our An'an is now the Empress, who would dare to mistreat her?"

He winked, lowered his voice, and added half-jokingly, "Besides, you didn't see how nervous my brother-in-law was. I think you should be worried about whether he'll get bullied by our An'an!"

Lin rolled her eyes at him.

"What do you know? Things in the palace aren't that simple."

Ye An'an smiled and said, "Mother, it's really nothing. The palace is very peaceful now, there are no such messy things."

Lin nodded.

Halfway through the banquet, Xiao Jingshi suddenly stood up.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Second Brother," he raised his wine cup, "I toast you all."

"You have worked hard guarding the border in the Northwest all these years."

"I am here on behalf of the people of Liang to thank you."

Ye Zhen also stood up and picked up his wine glass.

"Your Majesty is too kind." His voice was choked with emotion. "It is my duty as an old minister to guard the border."

"However, this old minister has a request."

Xiao Jingshi looked at him.

"Please speak, Father-in-law."

Ye Zhen took a deep breath.

"This old minister wishes to ask Your Majesty to pay more attention to the soldiers in the Northwest." A trace of sadness flashed in his eyes. "Over the years, they have shed blood and sweat to guard the borders of the Great Liang. But... but their treatment is simply too poor."

"Some soldiers can't even get their full pay. Some soldiers are wounded and can't even afford medicine."

"This old minister knows that the court also has its difficulties. But... but these soldiers, they are human beings too."

Xiao Jingshi felt a pang of sorrow as he listened.

He knew that Ye Zhen was telling the truth.

Over the years, the imperial court has indeed failed the soldiers on the frontier.

"Father-in-law, rest assured," he said solemnly. "I have already allocated 500,000 taels of silver specifically for paying the soldiers' salaries and providing them with pensions."

"Furthermore, I have ordered that military spending will be increased every year thereafter."

"I will not let those soldiers who shed blood for the country lose heart."

As Ye Zhen listened, his eyes welled up with tears.

"Your Majesty..." His voice trembled slightly, "On behalf of the soldiers of the Northwest, this old minister thanks Your Majesty."

Xiao Jingshi waved his hand.

"Father-in-law, you don't need to be so polite," he said with a smile. "It's what I should do."

After the banquet, Ye An'an, along with her parents and second brother, went to see the young prince and princess.

Two children are playing in Kunning Palace.

When they saw Ye An'an bring in strangers, they all shyly hid behind the wet nurse.

"Chen'er, Yao'er, come here quickly." Ye An'an waved with a smile, "These are Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle."

The young prince and princess walked over timidly.

Ye Zhen looked at the two children with eyes full of love.

"Good, good boy." He squatted down and reached out to pat the little prince's head. "You're growing up so well."

Mrs. Lin had already picked up the little princess, and tears were almost falling from her eyes.

"My dear granddaughter, let Grandma take a good look at you." She kissed the little princess's cheek. "You look just like your mother."

Ye Feng teased the little prince from the side.

"Little one, call him uncle."

The little prince looked at him and said in a childish voice, "Uncle."

Ye Feng was so happy he almost jumped for joy.

"Oh! Good boy!" He pulled a small wooden horse from his pocket. "Your uncle made this for you. Do you like it?"

The little prince took the rocking horse, his eyes lighting up.

"like!"

Looking at the lively and warm scene before her, Ye An'an felt her heart soothed and comforted, warmed from the inside out.

After looking at his grandson, Ye Zhen's eyes were glued to his granddaughter, who was being held in his wife's arms. This great general, who was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield and struck fear into the hearts of his enemies, seemed somewhat at a loss at this moment. He reached out his hand, then stiffly withdrew it.

Lin was amused by his clumsy appearance and scolded him playfully, "Give me a hug! She's your own granddaughter, she's not going to eat you, is she?"

Ye Zhen's old face turned red for once, and he carefully took the soft little bundle from his wife's arms. Little Princess Yao'er was not shy at all, and with her almond-shaped eyes just like Ye An'an's, she curiously looked at this "big guy" full of masculine energy.

With just one glance, Ye Zhen's hardened heart melted completely.

He held his little granddaughter, looked up at his daughter, and said in a deep voice that could pound a hole: "An'an."

"Father, I'm here." Ye An'an took two steps closer.

"If you suffer any injustice in the palace, don't be like your taciturn self and bear it all alone." Ye Zhen's knuckles were large and calloused, yet he gently touched Yao'er's cheek, speaking to Ye An'an, "Remember, even if the sky falls, your father will be there to hold it up for you!"

He paused, his voice suddenly carrying the fierce and proud spirit of a lifetime of military service.

"I, Ye Zhen, have spent half my life eating dry rations in the freezing cold of the Northwest, risking my life to earn this reputation, not so that my daughter could live under someone else's roof and have to be subservient to them!"

"He, Xiao Jingshi, is the emperor, but you are my daughter, Ye Zhen!"

"If he dares to make you unhappy, you'd better come home right now! This old man's bones can still support you!"

As he spoke, he bounced the little princess in his arms a bit higher, and in an almost declarative tone, he roared gruffly, "Our little princess, now Grandpa will protect her! And when she grows up, Grandpa will continue to protect her! Nobody will dare to bully her!"

Ye An'an could no longer hold back her tears, which fell like beads from a broken string, dripping onto the back of her hand, burning hot.

This is what home feels like.

Nighttime, Kunning Palace.

Ye An'an kept her mother company while she talked.

"An'an, are you really doing well?" Mrs. Lin held her daughter's hand, her eyes full of concern.

Ye An'an nodded.

"Mother, I'm really fine," she said with a smile. "His Majesty treats me very well, and the children are very well-behaved."

Moreover, I'm telling you,

"The Royal Bank was established jointly by His Majesty and me."

Lin was stunned by what she heard.

"You...you're an empress, does His Majesty allow you to interfere in politics?"

Ye An'an smiled.

"Mother, what's wrong with that?" she said earnestly. "I think women shouldn't just stay in the harem."

"We can also have our own careers and contribute to the country."

Looking at her daughter, Mrs. Lin's eyes were full of relief.

"Okay, good girl." She patted Ye An'an's hand. "Go ahead and do it if you want to."

"However, you should also take care of yourself. Don't overwork yourself."

Ye An'an nodded.

"Mother, I know."

The mother and daughter talked for a long time before finally going to sleep late at night.

The next day was the birthday banquet for the young prince and princess.

The entire palace was brightly decorated and bustling with activity.

All the civil and military officials, as well as imperial relatives, all came.

Even Li Yuan, the Duke of Zhenguo, came to offer his congratulations with a generous gift.

Xiao Jingshi and Ye An'an sat in the main seats, looking at the lively scene below, their hearts filled with joy.

This is the true golden age.

There is no war, no conspiracy, only peace and prosperity.

Ye An'an looked at Xiao Jingshi beside her, then at her parents, her second brother, and the two adorable children in the distance.

She suddenly felt that it was all worth it.

She came into this world, changed this country, and also found her own happiness.

This is the best ending.