Chaos reigned inside the palace as well. Dowager Taihou had already been brought in under heavy guard. Zhan, start bleeding after the battle with Cao's forces, collapsed from exhaustion and was rushed inside as well. The doctors attending him had yet to emerge.
The tension was so severe that even those whose heads had been wounded....Babiy among them....were treated immediately.
No one was allowed to see King Yibo's condition. He was taken straight to his chambers. The same applied to the other warriors who had sustained serious injuries; they were transported directly to the palace clinic despite the cries of their families. No one was allowed near them. Those with only minor wounds were treated in the palace courtyard, given water and medicine on the spot.
Night fell, but everyone shared the same concern....how was King Yibo?
The growing panic forced Prince Aoying to step forward and address the journalists. He reassured the public that the king was alive, though his condition required rest and close medical supervision.
At Dawn
Morning arrived with cautious relief. Babiy and the others had regained consciousness. King Yibo had received proper treatment for his injuries, including stabilization of his fractured arm. Though still weak, his condition was no longer life-threatening.
Zhan's bleeding had been successfully stopped as well, no miscarriage though internal damage remained a concern and required continued observation.
As for Dowager Taihou, only her head and eyes could move. She could hear and understand everything around her, but her body remained completely unresponsive. The palace staff attended to her meticulously.
The citizens....many of whom knew nothing of her crimes....pitied her deeply. Rumors spread that she had been harmed through forbidden means in pursuit of her ambitions. Some even spoke of her with sympathy, unaware of the truth.
The bodies of Cao's followers were gathered and buried in a mass grave deep in the forest. Those who survived alongside Cao were imprisoned, to await King Yibo's recovery and judgment.
News of what had happened in Beiping spread rapidly across the world. Some criticized the king's actions, arguing that the enemy had rights of their own. Others insisted that the response was justified. The people of Beiping, however, stood firmly behind their king. No nation, they said, would willingly coexist with forces like Cao's. Those who objected were dismissed as biased outsiders.
When Zhan finally regained consciousness and he saw his husband... He hug and kiss him
Without hesitation, then pulled away with grinning. King Yibo grabbed him with his uninjured arm and pulled him close again, smiling.
"That was cruel," he whispered near Zhan's ear.
"Giving someone a taste of sweetness and running away."
Zhan laughed softly, hiding his face against King Yibo's chest. King Yibo adjusted their position carefully, masking his exhaustion with sheer determination. Inside, his heart was heavy.... only he understood the weight he carried regarding his mother....but he forced himself to remain composed.
Later that day, despite his injuries and the cast on his arm, King Yibo appeared in public to reassure the people. The deep knife wound had been treated, and the danger had passed.
He met briefly with the press, thanking the citizens for their support and resilience. He formally reaffirmed Zhan's authority, declaring that Zhan would continue to act in his place until he fully recovered.
No one objected.
Kings from neighboring states, high officials, and delegations arrived steadily to visit him, along with villagers, palace staff, and civilians who had helped during the conflict. All were rewarded generously. Zhan personally ensured that even the youngest among them were included, filling the palace with gratitude and celebration.
From her bed, Dowager Taihou watched the broadcast.
She heard King Yibo declare that Zhan would retain his position. She saw Zhan seated upon the throne, issuing decrees and distributing rewards as the acknowledged ruler.
She began to cry.
Her sobs were raw and unrestrained, burning deep in her chest. The pain was unbearable. In that moment, she wished she had never lived to see this day.
After a long while, she asked her sister, Jasrah, to turn off the television.
Jasrah agreed....but Dowager Ruyan intervened and ordered it left on. She understood Dowager Taihou's intentions all too well.
Watching her, Dowager Ruyan marveled at the woman's unyielding cruelty.
After witnessing all this, she still had not broken.
She had not even sought forgiveness from the son she had given birth to.
Every day, King Yibo found a way....quiet and indirect...to visit Dowager Taihou. He and Zhan would go early in the morning, then return again after eight o'clock. Beyond exchanging greetings and asking about her condition, he never said anything more. It was usually Zhan who gently spoke to her, offering words of comfort, while Grandfa continued trying different treatments, hoping something might still work.
Dowager Taihou would stare at King Yibo with tears in her eyes, but after acknowledging her greeting once, he never looked at her again. He kept his gaze lowered until he left the room.
Seven Days Later
After seven days, many things had stabilized. Those with minor injuries had mostly recovered, while the severely wounded continued treatment. Babiy, despite having been badly injured, improved significantly. With his condition stable, King Yibo allowed Daneen to return to his home.
Although Daneen tried to refuse, a modest but elegant wedding ceremony was arranged for her.... simple, tasteful, and befitting a woman of dignity and education. By nightfall, preparations were made to escort the bride to her home. Zhan insisted on going with her, but he was reminded that he was now Ruilan, and certain boundaries could not be crossed. Reluctantly, he gave in.
Still, he clung to Daneen, protesting emotionally, saying everyone would leave him behind....he had been brought to her home, and now she would be taken away to his home. In his dramatic frustration, he declared that if that was the case, everyone should simply stay in their own homes.
Dowager Ruyan and Chuchu laughed heartily at his dramatic complaints. A special bond had clearly grown between Zhan and Daneen. She pulled him close, reassuring him again of her unwavering love. Zhan, too, loved her deeply, even though he had not grown up with her. He also cherished Mah and Babiy dearly. As for Huan Gege, he held an especially important place in Zhan's heart...his pride, just like Grandfa.
Every day, Zhan and Dowager Ruyan tried to persuade Grandfa and Wei Po to return to the palace, hoping it would ease Zhan's loneliness. Grandfa refused firmly. However, King Yibo promised to bring them back to him soon. Zhan was overjoyed at that. Babiy's home had also been carefully renovated, as he could not leave due to responsibilities tied to his farmland.
¦
¦
When the time came for Daneen to depart, Zhan broke down in tears. He hugged Babiy, then clung to Daneen as they cried together. It took Chuchu and Dowager Cixi considerable effort to separate them and escort Daneen away....this time, to Babiy's house as his wife.
Mah had raised her children with grace and strength. Everyone admired her character....a woman who fully lived up to her name, courageous, dignified, and worthy of being held up as an example to the world. The bridal attendants did not linger long before leaving.
When it was time for the groom to enter, Mah herself accompanied him to the bridal room. Mah tried to slip away, but Dannen insisted she stay and talk for a while. With no way out, Mah sat.
Their conversation drifted into memories of the past....Zhan's childhood, his early days with Juan, and shared hardships. Daneen was moved to tears, praising Mah's patience and resilience.
She promised that their relationship would be one of mutual respect and affection....sisters in spirit, not rivals....for the rest of their lives.
As night deepened, Mah quietly gathered the dishes from dinner and slipped away.
Huan was still at the palace, and Zhan had openly claimed him as his trusted aide. Everyone accepted this without question, seeing him simply as Zhan's brother. Whenever Zhan attended important meetings with senior figures of the empire, Huan was always at his side.
That was enough to finally bring peace between Zhan and King Yibo, the famously jealous king. The moment Zhan declared that Huan Gege would remain his trusted aide..... King Yibo even rewarded him with a kiss....everything settled. According to him, that was the perfect solution.
When Mah left the room, Babiy knelt down in front of Daneen, resting his chin in his palm as he gazed at her intently. Daneen smiled shyly, pulling her veil over her face to hide her embarrassment. Babiy closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again with a soft smile. Rising to his feet, he gently lifted the veil completely, took her by the shoulders, pulled her up, and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
They both exhaled deeply, as if releasing years of tension, and then came the tears.... tears born of longing, separation, and memories of the past.
"I never imagined I would live to see this day again," Babiy said quietly. "To have everything restored, and to have you beside me as my wife again."
Daneen replied softly, her voice trembling, "And I never imagined I would find you again....as my husband, and as the father of my children. You and my brave sister Song changed my life. You wiped away my tears and rewrote a fate I thought was fixed forever. I promise that if life grants me more children, they will always be Song's children as well."
He leaned closer and whispered teasingly into her ear, making her stiffen in shy protest as she buried her face against his chest.
Babiy laughed, holding her tightly, showering her with playful kisses until she finally pushed him back, laughing and flustered. The door soon closed behind them....and with the key turning, it was clear that this was no longer a place for outsiders.
:-*:-*:-*:-
Six Months After the War Between the King and Cao
King Yibo paced restlessly inside his bedroom, unable to stay still. Every time his phone vibrated, he snatched it up, hoping for news from Dowager Ruyan. Nothing mattered to him at that moment except one thing....that Zhan, who had been in labor since the previous night, would come through safely.
Despite the mountain of work waiting in the imperial court, Yibo refused to leave. Even Prince Aoying and the others had accepted that the king would not appear that day. Everyone was waiting.
When the clock struck exactly twelve noon on Monday, Yibo finally lowered himself into a chair, releasing a long, shaking breath. A quiet, relieved smile softened his features, and tears welled in his eyes.
That day, King Yibo became a father.....and a husband filled with overwhelming joy. Zhan had given birth to twins: a boy and a girl.
The grief and tension that had weighed on Yibo's heart for six long months suddenly lifted, as if something heavy had been pulled from his chest. He wiped his eyes slowly and whispered to himself, smiling through tears.
"You have grandchildren now, Dad.... two of them, born on the same day, at the same moment. Life goes on. Our family goes on."
He sat there quietly for a long while, holding onto that peace.
Within a very short time, news of Zhan's childbirth spread across the entire land of Beiping. Joy erupted everywhere. The people celebrated openly, their happiness unmistakable as they spoke with excitement about the newborn twins.
At the center of it all was King Yibo, holding the babies tightly against his chest. He felt transformed, as though he had become an entirely new man. At last, he was a father. The children bore his features clearly.... especially the girl, who resembled him so strongly that it was impossible to miss. The boy, on the other hand, took after Zhan more distinctly.
No matter how badly Yibo wanted to see his soulmate, he was not allowed to until after four o'clock, once Zhan had finally fallen into a deep, restful sleep. When Zhan awoke, he found Yibo gazing at him with that familiar, lingering intensity. Zhan smiled shyly, burying his face in embarrassment under the weight of that look.
Even when Yibo came close to the bed, Zhan refused to lift his head.... until Yibo sat beside him and gently raised his face himself. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed their lips together. He kissed him thoroughly, unapologetically, until he was satisfied, then pulled Zhan into his arms, whispering soft, tender words meant only for him.
Zhan felt his eyes fill with tears. Even now, he realized, he had never truly understood how deeply he loved this king. Yibo existed in a place entirely his own within Zhan's world.... unique, irreplaceable, cherished beyond measure.
When the newborns were taken to Dowager Taihou, whose body remained motionless except for her head and eyes, her attendant Jasrah broke down in tears, struggling to keep herself together.
The babies, as if aware of where they had been brought, suddenly shut their eyes, clenched their tiny fists, and cried loudly.....so fiercely that it startled everyone present. Yet the moment they were taken away, they fell completely silent, as if nothing had happened.
(Little brats, totally like their Mummy Zhan 😄)
When the children were returned and Dowager Ruyan and Zhan were informed of what had occurred, Zhan only smiled quietly and said nothing. Dowager Ruyan, experienced and perceptive, merely sighed softly.
Not long after, Dowager Taihou's condition deteriorated sharply. Her body began to convulse uncontrollably, prompting an urgent call for King Yibo and Dowager Ruyan. This time, the situation was clearly critical. Despite the doctors' best efforts, the violent tremors did not stop, and soon she began coughing up blood.
Panic seized everyone....especially King Yibo. He climbed onto the bed and held her as her body shook violently against his chest. Dowager Ruyan stood close by, visibly shaken, while those in the room struggled to process what was happening. Jasrah wept openly, her cries filling the chamber.
In the end, life followed its own unyielding course.
Dowager Taihou died without ever seeking forgiveness....not even from the only child she had destroyed herself to bring into the world. Her death was violent and terrifying. Her final moments were filled with unrest and fury rather than peace.
This devastated King Yibo. Once her body went still, he collapsed forward, resting his head against her face. He remained there for a long time, unmoving, until everyone else had left the room. Only then did Dowager Ruyan return to gently coax him back.
When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were red, hardened, and painfully distant. He did not cry. He simply stared at his mother's face as memories of her actions flooded back....each one replaying vividly, as though she were committing them all over again.
The entire palace fell into mourning.
Dowager Taihou had once been a towering figure within the royal household, almost legendary in her influence. Her death alone was enough to shake the Palace....but what followed stunned everyone even more. Almost all members of Cao's tribe were found dead at the same time, most of them women, nearly thirteen in number, their bodies discovered as though they had been quietly poisoned.
Some had already been gravely ill before that day.
Now, only Cao herself remained alive.
She was taken into custody and imprisoned within Beiping Palace, where she remain alive....but stripped of all power, dignity, and freedom.....for six long months.
Even that was enough humiliation for her completely.
It was Jasrah who bathed Dowager Taihou, tears streaming down her face, joined by their elder sister as they wept in quiet sorrow. After she was dressed, she was brought out, and King Yibo personally led her to her final resting place, leaving her there to face eternity alone.
This was the day that reminded everyone that DEATH runs its course without mercy. Whether one wishes it or not, it comes. Whether one is good or cruel, it comes. Even if one were to live a thousand lifetimes, it would still come. Prepared or unprepared, it arrives all the same.
That day, Dowager Taihou departed....gone forever. Her chapter was closed, and with it ended every deed she had ever planted in this world, whether noble or dark.
King Yibo did not finally break down until he reached his children and his husband. Holding them close, he wept openly, and Zhan cried with him. They clung to each other until there was nothing left to hold back.
That same night, King Yibo developed a fever, and Zhan stayed beside him with their newborn twins, Mo Wang Yu Chen and Mo Wang Yu Yue. Their naming ceremony was postponed; circumstances had made celebration impossible. The palace was filled the following day instead, as people came bearing gifts and congratulations for the birth.
The residence overflowed with visitors arriving from every direction to celebrate the twins. Mamy Daneen also arrived and stayed the night, visibly pregnant, already five months along.
Babiy's earlier words now rang true. Daneen and Mah looked strikingly alike....more like sisters than co-wives. Preparations were already underway for Huan's wedding, as he had become Daneen's right-hand man. Zhan remained Mah's pride and joy, her closest companion and confidant. Mah was his adviser, his secret-keeper, and his strongest support. Once Daneen and Babiy were done teasing them, laughter always followed....sometimes gentle, sometimes loud.
Wei Po and Grandfa had long since returned to the Palace. Wei Po was rarely seen away from Dowager Ruyan and her younger sister Yamma. The elders had fully united, becoming parental figures to everyone in the palace. Grandfa and Prince Aoying grew especially close....respected elders of the empire and guiding figures even to King Yibo himself.
**
Three Months After Zhan's Childbirth and Dowager Taihou's Death
(Traditional Festival)
As in previous years, crowds from across Beiping and its surrounding regions filled Jing City, the heart of the Beiping Empire, to celebrate the annual traditional festival. This year, however, everyone sensed it was different....more solemn, more orderly, conducted with unusual calm.
Dangerous performances were strictly banned, and security was enforced throughout the city. Any form of forbidden ritual activity was outlawed entirely. The law was absolute, and punishment swift.
That day, Zhan saw countless people come to pay their respects to the king, including Sir Fenghui, now married, and King Yibo's boys, Azaan among them. They could barely raise their heads, still burdened by shame over past events involving Zhan.
Zhan only smiled in response. Even the host king himself offered a restrained smile, his expression carefully guarded. Yu Chen and Yu Yue received endless praise and admiration from those allowed close enough to see them.
The twins were lively and enchanting....healthy, cherished, and surrounded by care and affection. What more could children want than devoted parents? By then, Zhan had fully moved into the king's residence with the twins. King Yibo had made it clear: there would be no separate quarters for him and his husband.
Whenever the Zhan remained in his chambers, it was either for rest or official duties. No one entered the king's wing without explicit permission. Even King Yibo's closest aides were restricted to the third floor unless summoned for urgent matters.
The long-awaited verdict against Prince Deng and Prince Langya was scheduled for that very day. The crimes they had committed demanded justice. Dowager Taihou herself had already escaped such judgment through death. Becouse King Yibo announced her verdict same with the Uncles Princes.
The ruling shook the empire. Few mourned Prince Deng, given the suffering he had caused. Prince Langya left even fewer behind. Still, Jasrah, broken-hearted, cried openly.
The public gathered to plead for mercy, requesting life imprisonment instead of execution. King Yibo's resolve wavered....not from weakness, but from personal grief. These men were among the last close relatives tied to his father. With continued appeals, including from the families of Prince Maiqing and Prince Yuhui, the sentence was commuted to lifelong imprisonment.
As for Cao, when she was dragged out in chains, the crowd erupted, shouting for her death. She stared back at them, laughing and crying at once, calling out names long forgotten. She was bound to iron restraints as stones were raised....but the crowd was stopped. This punishment belonged to the king himself and his Ruilan alone.
When silence finally fell, King Yibo emerged holding Zhan's hand firmly. In his other arm he carried Yu Yue, while Yu Chen rested securely in Zhan's embrace. He appeared before his people without barriers, unhidden, determined to see them and be seen.
After addressing the crowd, the execution weapon was brought forward. Wei Po and Dowager Ruyan took the twins aside as King Yibo gently pulled Zhan closer. He positioned himself behind him, guiding both of Zhan's hands into his own, placing the arrow between them.
Together, they raised their arms, aligned their aim, and fixed their gaze on Cao, whose face twisted between laughter and tears....caught in the final moment of reckoning.
A horrifying, unhinged scream tore from Cao as the spear-arrow plunged straight into one of her eyes. Before she could fully register the agony ripping through her, the second strike followed....equally precise, equally merciless.
Her body convulsed violently as she shrieked and thrashed, calling out to her idols in madness.
The third arrow was aimed carefully at her throat. Once released, her body jerked in a final, desperate spasm....the unmistakable struggle of someone slipping into death.
As the crowd erupted in thunderous cries, Zhan turned away completely and clutched King Yibo tightly, breaking down in tears. King Yibo wrapped both arms around him, holding him close, oblivious to the thousands surrounding them.
The palace guards had already formed a tight protective circle around the royal pair, while a large ceremonial umbrella shielded them from above. Seizing the moment, King Yibo gently lifted his soulmate's face and pressed his lips to Zhan's....deep, steady, and overflowing with love.
From a distance, Dowager Ruyan and Wei Po exchanged nothing more than soft, knowing smiles.
And just like that, the chapter of the woman who had embodied corruption and cruelty was finally closed.
Fate moved swiftly....her death coincided with the birth of Daneen's beautiful baby girl, who bore a striking resemblance to Babiy. The traditional festivities continued, now blended with celebration. The child was named Juan, after her late elder sister.
Joy overflowed for Zhan, as Juan Jie had returned to their lives once more. Daneen kept her promise; before everyone, she placed Juan into Mah's arms. Mah wept openly, with Daneen crying alongside her. In the end, Juan was returned to Daneen so she could nurse her until weaning.
Babiy and Grandfa watched with quiet smiles, as did Huan, whose wife was also expecting, already dealing with the fatigue of early pregnancy.
YEARS LATER
Many things happened.... some joyful, others painful. Some memories were worth keeping, others too heavy to revisit. That was simply life.
By now, Zhan and King Yibo had finally found peace. The greatest storms had passed, especially those tied to superstition and dark practices. As for enemies....those never truly disappear. No matter how upright a person is, there will always be those who wish to see them fall.
Life moves between two forces: those who love you and those who oppose you. When handled wisely, both can shape you. Do your best, treat everyone with dignity....friend or foe....and one day, you will take pride in that choice.
That was the principle Zhan and King Yibo built their lives upon. They learned to set aside distractions, focusing only on each other and the people they loved. They ruled together with integrity and trust. When disagreements arose, they resolved them privately, choosing understanding over resentment. Peace, they knew, was a decision renewed every day.
Zhan later gave birth to another daughter and named her 艾莎 (Ài shā)
(After all, I couldn't miss the chance to leave my own namesake in Beiping 😉😂).
Yu Yue and Yu Chen grew beautifully, beloved by the people. Some harbored envy....especially toward Crown Prince Yu Chen, already widely recognized as the heir to the throne. But envy changed nothing. His future had been sealed from the very beginning.
Zhan's lifelong dream of education came true. He became a distinguished journalist....the chief editor of China Eye, the media house founded by his husband and gifted to him after the birth of their twins.
Though Zhan remained physically unseen by the public, his words were everywhere. His investigative reports exposed hypocrisy and corruption, shaking powerful figures to their core. Each publication sparked widespread debate, amplified rapidly through modern media.
Whenever Zhan uncovered the truth, King Yibo stood firmly beside him. If the crime occurred within Beiping, justice was swift. If it occurred beyond their borders, King Yibo exerted relentless pressure until accountability was enforced.
Before long, the name China Eye carried immense weight. People eagerly awaited each release, knowing it would be honest, necessary, and impossible to ignore.
Zhan worked mostly from within the palace, but when secrecy demanded it, he and his husband would leave the country quietly....even the court unaware of their departure.
Together, they remained what they had always been:
partners, protectors, and the quiet force shaping Beiping's future.
★★…
King Yibo tried to catch Zhan, but Zhan kept slipping away, laughing as he dodged him. Yibo frowned dramatically, putting on a convincing pout.
From where he stood, Zhan teased him, still laughing in a way that completely melted Yibo's resolve.
Softly, Yibo said, "Hey, soulmate, don't run. Come here....let's split it fifty–fifty."
Zhan leaned his shoulder against Yibo, fluttering his lashes and pushing out his lips. Then pouted back and said, "No tricks. I'll give you thirty, I'll take seventy."
"So since when have I been afraid of you?"
the king asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zhan twisted his lips playfully.
"You've been scared of me for a long time, my love."
A smile slipped onto Yibo's face. He honestly didn't know what to do with this troublemaker. Zhan was already a well-known figure in the media, they had three children together....yet Zhan still hadn't outgrown his mischief.
Yibo shoved his hands into the pockets of his pant, still smiling as he walked toward Zhan.
"Alright, thirty–seventy it is. But our kids are hungry now. Let's go eat first....on one condition."
"What condition?"
Zhan asked, stepping backward.
The moment Zhan saw how close Yibo was, he turned to bolt again...but Yibo leapt forward and caught him. Ignoring Zhan's playful protests, he twisted his arm slightly and took the small box from his hand. He lifted Zhan up, and Zhan kicked lightly in mock struggle.
Yibo burst out laughing at Zhan's exaggerated complaints. He sat down on a chair, settled Zhan on his lap, and gently held his head, saying,
"You're really too much trouble. Always starting things with me."
Quickly, Zhan replied, "It's mine anyway....thirty percent of it is yours."
"You decided that before even hearing my condition?" Yibo asked.
"Go on then. There's nothing I can't handle. And for the record… I'm not a child anymore. I gave you three children."
Zhan said, pouting.
Yibo smiled. "Oh? You're confident?"
"Yes,"
Zhan replied firmly.
"Alright," Yibo said with a grin. "Let's eat first. We'll settle it afterward."
Just as Yibo predicted, their children were already waiting in the living room. Ai Sha came hopping toward them, running straight into Yibo's arms. Yibo bent slightly, his face lighting up with a warm smile....his children were his greatest joy.
Still, his authority and discipline with them never wavered. Ruling a nation never stopped him from being close to his family.
He lifted Ai Sha into his arms, even though she was already six years old.
In her small voice, she said, "Daddy, I love you and Mummy."
Yibo closed his eyes briefly, smiling.
"We love you too, our little treasure."
She hugged him tightly, laughing happily. Yibo and Zhan exchanged smiles just as Yu Yue and Yu Chen walked over.
The boys were calm and quiet, just like their father. Yibo opened his arms, and they stepped in, smiling as they hugged him.
Zhan puffed out his cheeks in mock jealousy.
Yibo chuckled and motioned for him to come closer. Zhan joined them, smiling, and Yibo wrapped all of them into one embrace…
THE END, AND THE NEW BEGINNING....
🥱 And since I'm already here, let me hug all of you too....my beloved, precious favorites readers. 🫂🫂🫂
And don't ask me what was inside that box they were fighting over, whether thirty–seventy or fifty–fifty 😉
Honestly, I don't know either 😅
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛