Good news from the frontier, General Xia not only repelled the barbarians but also captured their king alive.

"Well done, well done, well done!"

It is often said that emperors do not reveal their emotions, but the new emperor slapped the table in admiration, his face brimming with delight!

Thinking back to when he first learned of the barbarian invasion at the border, and the reaction of the civil and military officials at court, as the Crown Prince at the time, he wished he could dismiss that bunch of timid, cowardly old conservatives and send them back home to retire.

In the end, he managed to suppress his anger.

Those advocating for peace negotiations, those advocating non-war, now look and see: I have a General Xia worth thousands of troops!

Capturing the barbarian king alive, what is the significance of that?

Now peace talks can be held, the terms will be ours to dictate, the barbarians must accept them whether they agree or not!

This is a moment of triumph even his father could not achieve during his reign, yet less than two months after ascending the throne, he received this grand news.

"Father, I believe it is your spirit in heaven that is blessing us."

Thinking about how Xia Guangcheng was deployed to the frontier on his arrangement, it showed that at that time they had a secret talk between sovereign and minister, and his father had General Xia defend the border and safeguard the gates.

The new emperor pondered: How should he reward General Xia upon his return to court?

Suddenly, he recalled Panpan telling him that there would be a victorious battle.

Ah, Panpan, this girl truly has the gift of prophetic words!

Remembering the transfer edict she found for him, recalling every word she spoke, every pill she gave him... She was truly a blessing to him.

With the good news from the frontier, the new emperor couldn’t help but want to return to share it with the Empress.

Yes, the Empress was also recommended by Panpan.

Not the Prime Minister’s granddaughter, but a lady from a noble family.

When he had his grand wedding as the Crown Prince, he found that he shared many interests and hobbies with the Crown Princess Consort.

Now he is the Emperor, and the Crown Princess Consort became the Empress. He would discuss former court matters with the Empress, who verbally disclaimed interference from the harem in governance, yet she would gently offer him appropriate suggestions and opinions.

Rather than call her Empress, she’s more of a mentor and friend.

So, whenever there is good or bad news, he always likes to share it with the Empress.

In Kunning Palace, the Empress reclined on the couch, feeling somewhat uncomfortable without quite pinpointing why.

"The Emperor has arrived."

Upon hearing this, the Empress hurried to get up to greet him.

"Your Majesty."

"Zitong, don’t be so formal," the Emperor swiftly supported her, "I’ve told you, in your condition, you shouldn’t kneel, you’re exempt from such formalities henceforth."

"Your Majesty, decorum mustn’t be neglected."

"Ah, don’t be so rigid here, it’s just you and me, no need to stick to ceremonies."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sweetness welled in the Empress’ heart.

Back when she was to enter the palace as the Crown Princess Consort, her mother was worried, saying being close to the emperor is as perilous as being close to a tiger, and that the harem is a place where people are devoured without a trace, claiming she was too gentle to be suitable as a consort.

But her father said that the imperial decree was issued, the emperor’s word is law, so willing or not, she had to go.

So at the time, her mindset was just to be a good Crown Princess Consort and not expect much beyond that.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be such a wonderful person, dining together, reading together, playing chess together... Life in the harem, except for not being able to leave its gates, was rather adaptable.

"Empress, General Xia won the battle."

The Emperor was there to share joyous news with the Empress.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

"You see, so formal again. Come, sit."

The Emperor held her hand as they sat together, "Indeed, I’m very comforted; General Xia truly reassured me a lot.

"Speaking of General Xia, I sort of miss Princess Anping."

"Then send someone to invite her to the palace."

"Yes, I’ll arrange it right away."

It is very rare indeed; both husband and wife are particularly fond of Panpan.

Unconsciously, the Empress rubbed her belly.

"Your Majesty, do you think the one inside is a Prince or a Princess?"

"What do you think?"

"Normally, I hope it’s a Prince."

With a Prince, the Empress’s position is stable.

"But if it turns out to be a Princess, I wish she would be as smart and talented as Princess Anping."

"Haha, Empress’s words are very insightful, Empress and I have similar thoughts."

A son would be wonderful, but a daughter wouldn’t be bad either!

Both husband and wife embrace the idea of acceptance.

Once again, it proved that the couple shares common interests and language.

The Empress sent someone to bring Panpan into the palace, and Panpan started packing her little bag.

She even stuffed a few bottles of things into the bag.

When the maid asked, she said it was for the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

"You child, you still remember me." She touches Panpan’s head: "Seems you’ve grown taller."

"Mother, I can eat and sleep well, so I can grow," Panpan nestled into the Empress Dowager’s arms, "Mother, father is gone, don’t be sad, you should be as happy as Panpan."

"Alright, mother will heed Panpan."

Actually, the Empress never says: being the Empress Dowager is more enjoyable than being the Empress!

With only one man, one must be magnanimous as the Empress, never bicker or compete, though others had never intended to spare her and her son.

So, from the very start, it was an intense and bloody battle.

In the end, she won!

Now, she’s become the Empress Dowager!

The Empress Dowager is the most respected woman in the entire kingdom.

As the Empress Dowager, there are no further worries, no fear of being deposed.

Now her son is the Emperor, her daughter-in-law is pregnant with a grandson, the whole kingdom belongs to her son, she is extremely happy.

If it weren’t for the national mourning period, she would want to hold a grand banquet inviting all the noble ladies to the palace to admire flowers and drink wine.

"That’s nice, this way mother will always stay young."

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily, about to become a grandmother, and here she was, staying young eternally for what?

"Mother, this is for you."

Panpan took out a small ceramic bottle from her treasure pouch, offering it with both hands.

"What’s this?"

"It’s a face cream my second aunt developed, using it makes you more youthful and beautiful."

"Good, good." She knows Xiao Chunnuan’s second daughter is quite talented: "So, is your second aunt coming back to the capital?"

"Mother said happily, she’s currently cleaning out the Xiao family courtyard."

"When your second aunt returns to the capital, bring her to the palace, no need to ask for permission."

The Empress Dowager wanted to inquire whether Xiao Chunnuan possessed medicine that could cure her son’s illness?

If not, every time Panpan visits the palace, the Empress experiences significant changes after taking the pills.

"Sure, I will bring my second aunt to the palace then." Panpan thought of something, "I haven’t met my second aunt yet. I haven’t seen my maternal grandparents nor my uncle..."

The Xiao family, it’s the Royal Family that owes them.

The Empress Dowager thought, once the Xiao family returns to the capital she should issue a decree summoning them to the palace.

She also wanted to see how remarkable the Xiao family’s women, who survived after their clan were expelled by the head of the Xiao family, truly were!

Yes, every move of the Xiao family was under the Empress’s, oh no, now the Empress Dowager’s hands. She was surprised at how much hardship the Xiao family endured in Changzhou.