The morning in the village began like any other — sunlight dripping between the leaves, chickens clucking, and Wan'er scolding a lazy rooster that refused to move from her vegetable patch.
"Out of my way! Don't you dare peck my cabbage again!"The rooster squawked and ran, much to the amusement of Grandma Gu, who was pounding rice in the courtyard.
Jun Xiang stood nearby, arms crossed, watching his wife chase a bird in circles."…I married a woman who can scare chickens with spiritual pressure."
Wan'er turned, puffing her cheeks. "At least my cabbages grow faster than your patience, Your Majesty."
They laughed, the tension of the past few days melting away. For a while, it was perfect — two people who loved, bickered, and healed side by side. They cooked together, harvested together, and every evening, Jun Xiang would sit beside her, resting his head on her lap as she read herbal texts aloud.
It was… peaceful.Too peaceful.
Until that one afternoon.
"Wan'er," Jun Xiang said suddenly, breaking the silence.She looked up from her basket of peppers. "Hm?"
"Come back to the palace with me."
Wan'er blinked, then frowned. "What?"
"Enough of this," he said firmly. "You've done your part here. The plague's over, the people are safe. It's time you return to where you belong."
Wan'er's lips tightened. "Where I belong? I am where I belong, Jun Xiang."
They argued.For hours.
The birds stopped singing, the villagers avoided the courtyard, and Grandma Gu quietly moved her laundry to the back.
"No! I am staying!" Wan'er shouted, face flushed with anger.
"You're not staying! You're my Empress — and you'll always be mine!" His voice thundered, making even the air tremble.
Wan'er turned, trembling, tears threatening to spill. "You— You're being selfish!"
"Come, or we're done!"
That stopped her cold. Her hands shook. She didn't turn. Couldn't."D-Do you even love me?"
"Who cares about love? I just want you near me."
The words hit like a blade to her heart.
Wan'er laughed bitterly, tears finally falling. "You know… I was planning to go back once I finished helping them. But now? I won't."
"Wifey, wait, I didn't mean—"
"GET OUT! I HATE YOU! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU ANYMORE!"
Jun Xiang froze. He wanted to take it back. To kneel, to beg. But the sound of her sobbing — quiet and broken — kept him rooted to the spot.
"I'm sorry," he whispered at the door. Then, he left.
And just like that, the blossom tree outside swayed silently in the wind, as if mourning with her.
That night, Wan'er sat by the window, staring at the moon."I'm sorry too…" she whispered, resting her hand over her stomach. "I failed as a mother, didn't I?"
But then she smiled weakly."No… We'll be fine, won't we?"
Her palm glowed faintly as spiritual energy caressed her belly. "Trust me, little one. Mama won't cry forever."
And so she fell asleep, wrapped in moonlight and loneliness.
Days turned into weeks.Weeks into months.
The village thrived again — laughter returned, trees bloomed, and the children's laughter echoed through the air. Wan'er became everyone's favorite teacher, teaching basic cultivation and even herbal remedies.
Her stomach had grown so big that she could barely see her toes. Grandma Gu often teased her."At this rate, you'll hatch twins!"
Wan'er laughed, patting her belly. "I wouldn't mind! Twice the trouble, twice the love."
Little Yue ran up with flowers in her hair. "Sister Wan'er, can I be their big sister?"
"Of course," Wan'er chuckled. "You all can. My babies will have the best big siblings in the world."
She wanted to farm with the others, but the villagers forbade it."You'll trip and plant yourself instead!" they jokes.
So she settled for planting herbs around her new wooden house — a cozy two-story home built beside the blossom tree where little Xian rested. The carpenters had outdone themselves; it was rustic, warm, and always smelled faintly of plum flowers.
"Grandma will move in to help you when the time comes," Grandma Gu said one evening, setting down her basket of herbs.
Wan'er smiled nervously. "Thank you, Grandma Gu. I'll try not to scream too loud."
"You'd better! The babies will think you're scolding them!"
They both laughed, but when silence fell, Grandma Gu sighed softly."Child… your husband isn't coming back, is he?"
Wan'er paused mid-stitch and smiled sadly. "Maybe no. Maybe yes. Who knows?"
Her voice wavered, but her eyes stayed strong.Grandma Gu patted her shoulder. "Even if he doesn't, we're here for you. Always."
A few days later, Wan'er was crouched near her doorway, picking ripe red peppers."Oh, my precious peppers! Look at that color! My babies should grow up as hot as you!"
"Who are you talking to again?" Grandma Gu called from the kitchen.
"Just my peppers!" Wan'er laughed, holding them proudly.
Then — chaos.
"Everyone run! The army from Yuan Kingdom is here!"
Gu Quan stumbled into the village, covered in blood. Before anyone could react, soldiers in black armor surrounded them, sealing all exits.
Their leader dismounted, a tall man with a sharp gaze and an amused smirk."We're not here for slaughter. We're here for one person." His gaze swept the villagers. "Where is Lian Wan'er — the former Empress of Jun Xiang?"
Panic spread instantly. The villagers tried to hide her, but the man sneered."Hide her, and I'll kill everyone here."
Wan'er stepped forward, trembling but calm."I'm here. Please… don't hurt them. They're my family."
He smirked. "Heh. So it's true. The mighty Jun Xiang left his wife to rot in a village while she carries his child."
"That's not true!" Wan'er's voice cracked. "He didn't abandon me…"
But inside, her heart whispered otherwise.
Then pain struck her like lightning. She gasped, clutching her stomach."M-My lady! You're going into labor!" Grandma Gu cried.
"Now?! You've got to be kidding me—ah!"
The entire village erupted into chaos again. Even the hardened soldiers panicked as Grandma Gu started shouting orders."Boil water! Bring blankets! You—yes, you in black! Don't just stand there, carry her inside!"
The soldier blinked, startled. "Me?!"
"Yes, you! Move, before I slap you into next week!"
He lifted Wan'er carefully and followed orders without another word.
Inside, the house was filled with shouting, steam, and prayers.Wan'er's face was pale, drenched in sweat. Her hand gripped the man's sleeve like iron.
"Y-you—who even are you?" she gasped between contractions.
"Yuan Zhen," he said blankly, clearly overwhelmed.
"Then, Yuan Zhen… if I die, you better name my babies nicely!"
"Don't say things like that!"
Outside, soldiers stood guard while women bustled in and out with towels and herbs. Grandma Gu and a female physician named Yuxi took charge.
"Oi, woman! Don't fall asleep!" Yuan Zhen shouted, panic-stricken. "Stay awake, you hear me?!"
"Then stop shouting and let me—AAAH!"
"Yuxi! Do something!"
"I am doing something, Your Majesty! Now get out!" Yuxi snapped, realizing the man she just scolded was none other than the Emperor of Yuan.
"She won't let go of my hand!" Yuan Zhen said helplessly.
"…Then stay. But look away!"
He turned around awkwardly as the women worked.
Moments later, two cries echoed through the night — clear, strong, full of life.
"Congratulations, my lady! Twin boys!" Grandma Gu beamed through tears.
Wan'er smiled weakly, eyelids fluttering. "They're… beautiful…"
Then her body went limp.
"Oi! Woman! Don't you dare—! Yuxi! She's fainted!"
"Calm down, Your Majesty! She's just exhausted. She'll live."
Yuan Zhen exhaled shakily, relief flooding his face. He looked down at the tiny babies and whispered, almost tenderly,"…You really are something, Lian Wan'er."