TRBDM -Chapter 248 Epilogue

After Dou Shuyao gave birth to her second son and fully recovered, Wei Zhaorong entrusted her with full control of the Marquis Mansion.

As Wei Zhaorong grew older, she preferred spending time with her grandchildren. She no longer managed the mansion’s tedious affairs; with Dou Shuyao in charge, she could rest completely at ease.

Recently, Dou Shuyao had acquired the largest restaurant in the capital. Although officially she had no connection to it, in reality, she was the true behind-the-scenes owner.

Once a month, Dou Shuyao personally visited the restaurant to check the accounts.

This day, the restaurant manager was waiting at the door. From a distance, he saw Dou Shuyao’s carriage and immediately plastered on a flattering smile.

He dutifully stayed outside, and as soon as the curtain lifted, he reached out to help Dou Shuyao down.

Dou Shuyao’s dignified and poised appearance radiated such nobility that no one dared to stare.

“Madam, you’re here.” The manager respectfully assisted her down, then stepped back to let her enter.

Although noble in temperament, Dou Shuyao was neither aloof nor stingy—her generosity earned her the affection of all the restaurant staff.

She arrived early, and the restaurant was not yet open to guests. The staff and kitchen workers were busy with their own tasks.

Dou Shuyao walked toward the counter, where a maid was cleaning.

Seeing the manager leading a distinguished guest inside, the maid lifted her basin to leave.

Their eyes met—Shen Zhizhi!

Clearly, Shen Zhizhi hadn’t expected to see Dou Shuyao and did not know that Dou Shuyao was the restaurant’s true owner.

Shen Zhizhi wore rough hemp clothing, her hair unkempt, lips chapped, face yellowed and haggard—hard to believe she was once the glamorous Second Madam of the Mingde Marquis Mansion.

“What are you standing there for? Go away quickly, don’t offend Madam.”

The manager frowned, waving at Shen Zhizhi dismissively.

Shen Zhizhi averted her gaze, lowered her head, and quickly left, heading toward the kitchen.

Dou Shuyao followed her with her eyes.

“When did she arrive?” Dou Shuyao asked.

“Oh, Madam, she’s been here a year now, working as a kitchen maid.”

The manager, thinking the encounter had been awkward, quickly said, “She’s insignificant. If you dislike her, Madam, I can dismiss her today.”

Dou Shuyao shook her head: “No need. She’s of no consequence.”

Over the years, Dou Shuyao had heard a little about the Second House.

After Xie Sheng divorced her, Shen Zhizhi returned to the Shen family and was unwelcome. Her parents wanted to sell her as a concubine to a fifty-year-old official, but Shen Zhizhi refused. She eventually moved out and rented a shabby house, earning her own living.

Now, she worked in a restaurant kitchen.

Meanwhile, Xie Sheng remarried two years after the divorce to a woman of humble family. They reportedly had a daughter.

Xie Sheng’s official career had no chance of promotion. His once-high pride had been ground down; he held a seventh-rank post, afraid of making mistakes, living a mediocre life.

The broken Second House had long ceased to have any connection with the Marquis Mansion. How they lived was entirely their own concern.

Dou Shuyao was no saint—she wouldn’t spare them any thought.

After inspecting the restaurant, the manager enthusiastically invited Dou Shuyao to stay for a meal, but she declined.

She got back into her carriage and went to the countryside tea gardens to taste new tea.

The carriage passed through the long streets of the capital and passed a modest three-section residence.

A plaque above the gate read: “Nangong Mansion.”

Four years earlier, Xie Wanyi had married Nangong Hai. The bride price from his family was meager, and her own dowry was insufficient in comparison.

Their wedding was modest compared to ordinary families. After years of entanglement, their complicated relationship finally became official.

However, Nangong Hai, relying on his good looks, pursued women everywhere after marriage, while Xie Wanyi caused daily chaos at home.

Her temper had never changed—she would not become a gentle, virtuous wife simply because she liked Nangong Hai.

Her antics—crying, throwing tantrums, and threatening extreme measures—happened daily in the Nangong Mansion.

Dou Shuyao withdrew her gaze.

Some things fit together perfectly—let them torment each other for a lifetime.

In the imperial city, Dou Shuxin, now heavily pregnant, strolled through the imperial gardens.

After court, Zhao Jingheng immediately asked Jianxi: “Where is the Empress?”

Jianxi knew the emperor and empress were deeply in love. Every day, after completing his duties, the emperor sought out the empress.

The empress had given birth to a son, now Crown Prince, and was pregnant again, so the emperor was particularly concerned for her health.

Recently, ministers repeatedly petitioned about selecting concubines, but after the emperor sharply reprimanded them, no one dared raise the topic again.

Zhao Jingheng arrived at the imperial garden to see Dou Shuxin standing among the flowers, smiling brightly as the Crown Prince chased butterflies.

The scene was beautiful.

Zhao Jingheng slowed his steps and joined the scene.

He gently wrapped his arms around Dou Shuxin from behind and kissed her ear.

Dou Shuxin held Zhao Jingheng’s hand and leaned against his chest.

“Father, Mother, look! I caught a butterfly!”

The young Crown Prince, resembling Zhao Jingheng in features, excitedly held the butterfly’s wings to show them.

Zhao Jingheng touched his son’s face: “Well done.”

Jianxi, standing nearby, couldn’t help but smile at the imperial family.

Under Zhao Jingheng’s rule, the Dachong Dynasty unified the entire country. The people enjoyed peace and prosperity, and he became celebrated in history as a wise and virtuous emperor.

Fu Yu and Zhao Lingchen led the Fu family army to defeat the Northern Border forces, becoming the greatest contributors to the unification of the Dachong Dynasty.

The mother-and-son duo left the deepest mark in the history books.

(Epilogue End)