When Jiang Ning learned that Nangong Muyan was pregnant with Zhou Yi's child, on her way to Fuling Temple, she thought about how she and Liu Ming'an would have children someday too.
But she didn't want to become a mother so early - she was only seventeen, and Liu Ming'an was just twenty. They hadn't had enough time to enjoy their life as a couple yet.
Later, when Yuwen Jin attempted to seize the throne, Jiang Ning entered the palace for Liu Ming'an's sake. After the rebellion was quelled and peace was restored, she shared her thoughts with Liu Ming'an.
Liu Ming'an immediately became distressed: "Ning'er, are you saying you don't want me to touch you anymore?"
"No, no," Jiang Ning hurriedly explained, "I just don't want to have children yet."
"Then are you planning to drink contraceptive medicine afterward?" When Liu Ming'an thought of this possibility, he immediately objected, "Ning'er, all medicine has its toxicity. If that's what you're thinking, I'd rather not touch you at all."
"That's not it either," Jiang Ning leaned in and kissed him, then briefly explained about ovulation periods and safe periods: "Women have certain days each month when they're most likely to conceive. We just need to avoid those days."
Although the rhythm method wasn't entirely reliable, it was the best contraceptive option available in this era. If she got pregnant anyway, then they would have the baby.
Liu Ming'an finally relaxed, pulling her into his arms for a kiss before asking softly, "So, is today okay?"
Jiang Ning calculated mentally, then nodded with a blush. The next moment, she was lifted and placed on the bed.
"Liu Ming'an, it's not even dark yet!"
As Jiang Ning struggled to get up, everything suddenly went dark - he had covered her eyes with his hand. His gentle voice whispered in her ear, "Ning'er, close your eyes and it will be dark."
How was this any different from hiding one's head in the sand?
Jiang Ning didn't know how to respond, but soon she was too distracted to think about such things, focused only on receiving Liu Ming'an's passionate attention.
In the midst of their passion, Jiang Ning vaguely heard Liu Ming'an's voice, heavy with breathing: "Ning'er, I thought I would die in Taiji Hall, never to see you again..."
As he spoke, his grip on her waist tightened. Jiang Ning blinked hard, clearing some of the passion-induced moisture from her eyes, and saw the fear in Liu Ming'an's eyes.
"Liu Ming'an," Jiang Ning held him tighter, her voice firm, "I promised I would protect you. Don't be afraid. I will always protect you."
"Ning'er..."
A passion-filled whisper escaped from the swaying bed. Jiang Ning could no longer form complete sentences, her broken whimpers silenced by his lips...
And so, to avoid pregnancy, they settled into a routine of forced abstinence for half the month and passionate intimacy for the other half.
At this time, Yuwen Yan had not yet ascended to the throne, and Liu Ming'an's imperial examination had been postponed to the twentieth of April due to the period of national mourning.
The couple lived peacefully in their courtyard on Late Winter Road. Due to the dynastic change, the capital's officials were all extremely busy, and neither the Lou family nor the Chancellor's mansion had come to disturb them. Everything seemed to have returned to how it was back in Lingshan Town.
Until late March, when Lou Lianyu came knocking with red-rimmed eyes, looking at Liu Ming'an with desperate pleading: "Grandmother is down to her last breath. Ming'an, she wants to see you."
Liu Ming'an froze, the image of that frail old woman with silver hair flashing through his mind.
"How..." Liu Ming'an could hardly believe it. It hadn't been long since she had grabbed his sleeve, calling him Qingzhi. How could she be at death's door so soon?
Lou Lianyu knew what Liu Ming'an was confused about and fought back tears as he explained: "The last time she saw you, she was lucid. She asked Grandfather about it and learned of Second Uncle's death. Since then, she hasn't spoken or eaten, surviving only on medicinal broths."
Liu Ming'an's eyes flickered. He had been in and out of the Lou household regularly, yet he hadn't known about this.
"She's having her final moment of clarity, holding on purely for this last wish. Ming'an, I beg you to see her..."
Liu Ming'an felt torn, two emotions pulling at him.
Objectively speaking, the Lou family had treated him with utmost kindness, each member trying their best to make up for their past wrongs against Liu Qingzhi. By all rights, Liu Ming'an shouldn't refuse a dying person's request.
But on the other hand, whenever Liu Ming'an thought of this "grandmother," he couldn't help but remember how she had driven his father away twenty years ago with her cruel words. Liu Qingzhi held an irreplaceable position in his heart, and because of this, Liu Ming'an could never forgive her.
Liu Ming'an didn't know what to do. He turned back uncertainly to find Jiang Ning standing behind him, a gentle smile on her lips and soft light in her eyes.
"Ming'an, when death approaches, all rights and wrongs will be reduced to ashes..."
Before Lou Lianyu could say more, Liu Ming'an turned to Jiang Ning and took her hand: "Ning'er, come with me."
Liu Ming'an left with Jiang Ning without waiting for their reaction.
Upon returning to their residence on Late Winter Road, as soon as they entered, before Jiang Ning could say anything, Liu Ming'an pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Ning, when we have children, we must raise them well."
Liu Ming'an's voice was very low. Jiang Ning sighed, hugging him back, awkwardly comforting him: "We will. Liu Ming'an, you'll be a good father."
Their children would never experience the tragedy of the Lou family.
"Ning, after we're married, let's visit Lotus Flower Village. I want to tell them everything..."
"Alright."
"I also want to see Third Aunt, Third Uncle, and Aunt Hui. Last time we left too hastily; this time I want to say a proper goodbye."
"Alright."
After making these promises, time flowed like water. Many things happened in the following months: the new emperor ascended the throne, Jiang Ning became Princess Hening, completely severing ties with the Chancellor's mansion; Liu Ming'an, as expected, achieved the highest score in the imperial examinations, and the emperor blessed their marriage, making him the Princess Consort...
A few days before the grand wedding, Jiang Ning finally convinced Lan Xu to move into the Princess's mansion after much persuasion.
The mansion's steward, maids, and guards all knew she was the Princess's birth mother, but weren't sure how to address her.
Usually, a princess's mother would be a palace consort, but Jiang Ning was of common birth who had been granted the imperial surname. Lan Xu had never married, so calling her "Old Madam" wouldn't be appropriate, yet there were no other suitable honorific titles.
Finally, Lan Xu herself resolved the awkward situation by saying: "Just call me Aunt Lan!"
The nuns at Fuling Temple made Jiang Ning's wedding dress and embroidered shoes, while Lan Xu prepared her bridal veil.
On the wedding day, as she watched Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning bow to her during the "second bow to parents" ceremony, she could no longer hold back her tears.
Her dear Ling was getting married, beautifully wed to the man she loved, with an honorable status - she would never be bullied again.
After the newlyweds entered their chamber, Lan Xu walked to a deserted corridor, planning to have a good cry, but unexpectedly, Nangong Ya had followed her.
"Was it you who made her sever ties with me?"
Nangong Ya stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the woman before him, asking in a deep voice.
He actually couldn't remember what she looked like - too much time had passed. He never wanted to recall that reckless night, and the woman he had shared that brief encounter with had long been forgotten.
Until today, when his daughter was getting married, and he, as her father, could only attend as a subject, while the so-called Princess's birth mother sat in what should have been his place at the ceremony. Only then did he suddenly remember her existence.
Lan Xu's appearance momentarily dazed Nangong Ya, followed by a flood of questions.
How had Ling found her? When had they recognized each other? Was Ling's dramatic change in personality related to her mother?
Nangong Ya stared directly at Lan Xu, seeking answers.
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Lan Xu wiped away her tears upon hearing his question, her lips curling into a somewhat mocking smile: "Chancellor, have you come to interrogate me?"
Looking at the man before her, it would be a lie to say she felt no resentment.
She had been a pure and innocent girl whose life was ruined by a scheme, and when she finally had a daughter to rely on, fate had cruelly separated them.
She had originally thought it would be fine for her child to live as a well-provided-for young lady in the Chancellor's mansion, but Ling had chosen to sever all ties with the Chancellor's household.
Although Jiang Ning had never spoken of any grievances she suffered at the Chancellor's mansion, Lan Xu knew that if she hadn't been unhappy there, she wouldn't have made such a decisive break.
Thinking of this, Lan Xu's attitude wasn't very friendly. She looked directly at Nangong Ya and countered: "Shouldn't you know better than me why Ling wanted to cut ties with the Chancellor's mansion? I entrusted my child to you, but you didn't treat her well. How dare you come questioning me?"
"I never mistreated her!" Nangong Ya hurriedly explained: "She is my daughter, and even though she wasn't born as I had expected, she is still my daughter. From childhood, whatever my other daughter had, she never lacked - on this, my conscience is clear!"
"Heh," Lan Xu laughed sarcastically, not bothering to waste more words, only saying: "Keep your clear conscience if you wish. From now on, there may be Lan Ling, Jiang Ning, and Yuwen Ning, but there will never be a Nangong Ling again."
Lan Xu turned and left after speaking - on such a joyous day, she couldn't let an irrelevant person spoil the mood.
The morning after the wedding night, they were supposed to eat tangyuan. She needed to check if the fillings had been properly prepared.