TRBDM -Chapter 247 The Grand Finale (Part 2)

It had been over ten months since the new emperor ascended the throne, and memorials from officials increasingly included advice on appointing an empress.

As the court gradually stabilized, Zhao Jingheng had consolidated his power, supported by loyal ministers like Jiang Yuelin and General Nanyang.

The matter of selecting an empress was now ready to be addressed.

From the very beginning, there had been only one choice in his mind.

Thinking of Dou Shuxin, Zhao Jingheng couldn’t help but curl the corners of his mouth into a smile.

Observing the emperor closely, Jianxi asked, “Your Majesty, you’re smiling—has something made you happy?”

Zhao Jingheng put down the memorials and walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back.

Before him stretched the majestic red palace walls and the golden-yellow glazed rooftops, embodying millennia of imperial authority.

Looking into the distance, he said, “I will appoint an empress.”

Jianxi beamed with joy. “Your Majesty means… which young lady has captured your favor?”

Counting on his fingers, Jianxi recited: “The Prime Minister’s daughter, the Grand Dowager’s niece, the General’s daughter, the Minister of Justice’s niece…”

These were all unmarried women who frequently appeared in court memorials as potential candidates.

As he counted, he glanced at Zhao Jingheng’s face, noticing he showed no reaction whatsoever.

Having served the emperor for many years, Jianxi thought he understood him, except for one thing: he had no idea who had truly captured the emperor’s heart.

He vaguely suspected there was a beloved, but dared never ask.

Now that the emperor spoke first, Jianxi was intensely curious, his ears perked up like twin antennas.

“I will marry the Former Prime Minister’s second daughter, Dou Shuxin.”

The Second Miss Dou?

Jianxi was shocked. When had the emperor met Dou Shuxin? Over the past few years, he had been with him almost daily, yet he had never seen the emperor encounter Dou Shuxin.

Why had he suddenly mentioned her for no apparent reason?

It was said that Dou Shuxin was the model of noble young women in the capital. But after the Prime Minister passed away, the Dou family’s status had dwindled, leaving only two orphaned daughters.

The eldest Miss Dou was now the mistress of Mingde Marquis Mansion. Although the Marquis Mansion was one of the top noble families in the capital, it was still different from the Prime Minister’s estate; having kinship ties wouldn’t elevate the Dou family’s status.

The position of empress could not be given arbitrarily—it required careful consideration.

“Your Majesty, as far as I know, Second Miss Dou is not among the candidates.”

“She does not need to be.”

With Zhao Jingheng, there had never truly been a list of candidates. From the beginning, there had been only Dou Shuxin.

This was his promise.

The next day, at court, Zhao Jingheng publicly announced his intention to appoint Dou Shuxin as empress.

The announcement shocked the officials.

Some ministers voiced objections, but Zhao Jingheng’s cold gaze silenced them immediately. They shivered and bowed their heads.

“Whether you approve or not, my empress will be Second Miss Dou of the Dou family.”

No one dared oppose him after that; all praised the emperor’s wisdom.

Five days later, the imperial decree appointing the empress was delivered to the Dou household.

Dou Shuxin was stunned upon hearing the news. She stood frozen for a long time, unable to comprehend it.

It felt like a dream—she could hardly believe it.

He had never forgotten her.

Just as she had never forgotten him.

Over the past year, countless matchmakers had frequented the Dou estate. Every young gentleman of marriageable age in the capital sought to marry the exemplary noble Dou second daughter.

But Dou Shuxin had closed her heart, refusing all proposals.

Eventually, she simply closed the doors of the Dou estate, allowing no matchmakers in.

Yet, unexpectedly, the imperial decree had arrived.

Five months later, The enthronement ceremony of the empress was held with grandeur.

Dou Shuxin wore a phoenix crown and embroidered ceremonial robe. Surrounded by palace maidens, she walked gracefully toward Zhao Jingheng.

Her steps were light but tinged with nervousness and shyness. Zhao Jingheng stood atop the dais, eyes fixed on Dou Shuxin, filled with deep affection and tenderness.

Finally, Dou Shuxin had become his empress.

The emperor and empress clasped hands.

Zhao Jingheng’s dark eyes could hardly hide his excitement. “Shuxin, from now on, I will protect you completely.”

In Dou Shuxin’s sparkling eyes, his reflection shimmered. She smiled—a smile more radiant than the clouds at the horizon.

Three years later, Xie Chuan stood at the gates of the Marquis Mansion, holding An’an in his arms, tiptoeing to look outside.

“Tsk, why hasn’t the messenger boy arrived yet?”

An’an’s baby voice piped up, “Daddy, don’t worry. Third Uncle will definitely top the imperial exams.”

Xie Chuan lifted An’an above his head: “Oh, my An’an really knows how to speak! You’re right—Third Brother will definitely come first.”

At that moment, a carriage stopped outside the mansion. An’an immediately recognized it as Xie Wanrou’s carriage.

“Big Auntie! Daddy! Big Auntie’s here! I want to see my little brother and little sister!”

Xie Chuan smiled—ah, the eldest sister had come. She must have been worried at Jiang Mansion, so she came to the Marquis Mansion to wait for the news together.

Two maids stepped down from the carriage, each carrying a baby. The babies were dressed identically, differing only in color—one pink, one blue—just as An’an had said: the little brother and little sister.

“Oh, Xiaoman and Xiaonuan are here! Come, let Uncle hold you!”

Xie Chuan held one baby in each arm, giving them each a kiss.

Xie Wanrou got down from the carriage and immediately asked, “How is it? Any news?”

“Not yet,” Xie Chuan replied. “Eldest Sister, you go in with Xiaoman and Xiaonuan. I’ll wait outside by myself.”

Xiaoman and Xiaonuan were fraternal twins who had just turned one, babbling as they learned to speak.

Xie Chuan loved children. If it weren’t for waiting for Xie Lan’s results in the imperial exams, he would have held them all day.

“All right, I’ll go in first.”

Just as Xie Wanrou stepped forward, someone came galloping up.

“Master! Great news at the Marquis Mansion! Third Young Master topped the imperial exams! Third Young Master is number one!!!”

Hearing this, Xie Chuan leapt with joy, clapping his hands and shouting, “I told you Third Brother would top the exams! He really did! Third Brother is amazing—bringing honor to the Marquis Mansion!”

Soon, the news of Xie Lan achieving first place spread throughout the capital.

The Mingde Marquis Mansion was filled with joy. Wei Zhaorong’s face practically bloomed with a smile.

She had always known Xie Lan was intelligent, but seeing him top the exams truly surprised her.

Now, Xie Lan had genuinely brought glory to the Marquis Mansion.

The top scholar, wearing a red silk sash across his chest, returned in all glory to the Mingde Marquis Mansion.

The whole family lined up at the gates to welcome him.

Congratulations poured out along the way. Xie Lan walked proudly, smiling, composed, and steady.

At the mansion, he bowed deeply to Wei Zhaorong: “Thank you, Mother, for raising me. I have not disappointed your expectations.”

Tears welled at the corners of Wei Zhaorong’s eyes as she helped him up.

Three years had passed, and Xie Lan had grown tall, transforming from a boy into the top scholar.

Wei Zhaorong was extremely proud.

She gently touched his face and said lovingly, “Lan’er, you’ve worked hard. Now that hardship has ended, you are Mother’s pride.”

Xie Chuan’s voice rang out: “Third Brother, you are the pride of all of us at the Mingde Marquis Mansion.”

Xie Wanrou, Dou Shuyao, Jiang Yuelin, An’an, and the little ones Xiaoman and Xiaonuan all smiled brightly at Xie Lan. The whole family was overflowing with happiness.

After topping the imperial exams, Xie Lan was granted an official post by the emperor and gradually became a trusted aide.

Xie Chuan officially inherited the title of Mingde Marquis, becoming the new Lord of the Marquis Mansion.

Three more years later, Fu Yu led the Fu family army into the Northern Border Kingdom, personally capturing the Northern King.

From that day, the Northern Border Kingdom was destroyed, and the Dachong Dynasty unified the country.

At Mingde Marquis Mansion, Wei Zhaorong lay on a soft couch while Nanny Qi fanned her.

Nearby, An’an, Xiaoman, and Xiaonuan were playing.

Dou Shuyao was pregnant again, strolling in the garden with Xie Chuan.

Wei Zhaorong closed her eyes in contentment, drifting into a peaceful sleep.

In this life,

Surrounded by children and grandchildren, the Marquis Mansion was filled with joy. She enjoyed her old age in peace and lived a long, happy life.

(The End)