The guard chuckled and loosened the rope in his hand. Zi Yeyuxun plummeted downwards with a "plop." "No!" The woman screamed. Wan'er sat up abruptly, her forehead covered in sweat, her captivating phoenix eyes bloodshot, and a tear welled up and slid down her beautiful cheek.
Yun Nuo suddenly kicked open the door and rushed into Wan'er's arms like the wind. "What's wrong? Wan'er, don't be afraid. Did you have a nightmare? Don't be afraid, I'm here." Wan'er hugged Yun Nuo tightly. "I, ah... ah." Wan'er's pained cries made Yun Nuo's eyes redden with anxiety. "What's wrong? Wan'er, don't scare me." Immediately afterward, four handsome men appeared in the room: Jin Fan, Ruo Xiao, Wan Luo, and Nan Sanglin. They looked at Wan'er anxiously, reaching out to hug her, but afraid of hurting her. They were really in a panic.
"Ah, my belly, my belly." Yun Nuo was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized. "Quick, quick, go prepare water and towels, Wan'er is about to give birth." The four handsome men were all stunned, then rushed out like the wind to get water and towels.
Yunnuo carefully helped Wan'er lie down and reached out to lift the brocade quilt. Wan'er grasped Yunnuo's hand, saying, "Didn't you ancient people say it's bad for men to watch women give birth?" Yunnuo smiled gently, "Nonsense," and then lifted the quilt further. "Wan'er, push, take a deep breath, and then push, understand?" Wan'er looked at Yunnuo affectionately and nodded.
Four men outside were pacing anxiously. Nan Sanglin looked at Jin Fan and said, "You're a miracle doctor, why don't you go in?" Jin Fan was taken aback and said, "Yes."
"Her medical skills are even better than Wan'er's, so there's no need to worry." The other three men suddenly realized. No wonder he wasn't in a hurry.
"Ah... I can't take it anymore." The painful cries from inside the room made the four handsome men's hearts tighten.
Suddenly, the flowers in the garden bloomed in full glory, a riot of colors, and countless butterflies of all kinds flew in. The sky was clear and blue, and white birds perched in the sky, singing in unison.
"Something terrible has happened!" A young eunuch rushed over in a panic, scrambling and stumbling. Jin Fan frowned slightly. "What's wrong? Why are you so panicked?"
The little eunuch swallowed hard. "Your Majesty... there are tens of thousands, if not millions, of animals gathered outside the palace." The four men were all stunned, then looked at the scene inside the palace and high in the sky. "This is great joy!" Ruo Xiao exclaimed. "Wah, wah." The cry of a baby rang out, and the four handsome men all breathed a sigh of relief.
Pushing open the door, a fragrant aroma wafted in, inviting the senses. Yunnuo, her face tender, held the baby in her arms and walked to Wan'er's bedside. "It's a daughter. So beautiful, even more beautiful than you, her mother." Wan'er smiled weakly, reached out to take the baby from Yunnuo's arms, and froze.
Big phoenix eyes staring blankly at Wan'er. A small, delicate nose, and a slightly parted, O-shaped mouth. "Pfft," Wan'er chuckled. "This little guy is staring at me like a daze. But he smells so good." The little guy reached out his chubby little hand to attack Wan'er's face, with suspicious silver threads dripping from his mouth, making Wan'er giggle.
Jin Fan walked over and took the baby from Wan'er's arms. "Wan'er, this is our daughter, she's so beautiful." He even kissed the little one, which made the baby in Jin Fan's arms roll her eyes at him.
Wan'er looked happily at her five men and smiled. "What should we name the child?" Yun Nuo wiped the sweat from Wan'er's brow. "How about Taiping? You've always hoped for an ordinary life, but fate hasn't been on your side. The changes outside just now show that this child is extraordinary. Since we can't change her extraordinary destiny, let's pray for her safety." All four men agreed, "Good, a good name."
"Taiping." Wan'er was slightly taken aback. Why did that name sound so familiar? (Of course it sounded familiar; Wu Zetian's daughter was named Taiping.) Never mind, Wan'er nodded in agreement.
But who could know that the baby in Jin Fan's arms was rolling its eyes at the sky in utter frustration?
extra peace
It is said that the baby Taiping was originally a famous artist in modern times, but died in an accident while rushing to work.
When passing the Naihe Bridge, she thought she would have to drink the Meng Po soup as in the legends, but to her surprise, the old woman not only didn't give her the soup, but also gave her something else before letting her be reincarnated. After falling, the baby Taiping vaguely heard, "Death God, your subordinate respectfully sees you off."
Death? Who's making such a grand entrance that they even send Death on a pilgrimage?
However, Little Taiping still doesn't know what that thing is for. Then, Little Taiping was born, and the first thing she saw was the most handsome man in the world, but why was his hair silver? And why was he wearing ancient clothing?
Then, she fell into the arms of a woman who was as beautiful as a fairy. She was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen in the world. This was her mother.
Then four more handsome men arrived, each with their own unique characteristics. According to Xiao Taiping, all five of these handsome men are the husbands of Piaopiao's mother. Could this be a matriarchal society?
Chapter Sixty-Seven: A Gathering of Handsome Men - A Couple's Bath
Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Couple's Bath Soon, the day of Taiping's full moon celebration arrived. Wan'er, holding little Taiping, stood atop the high wall, surveying the surroundings with majesty. "Today is the full moon celebration of my son Taiping. I hope the people can forget everything today and rejoice together. Take a break for yourselves occasionally." The people knelt in gratitude.
Nestled in Wan'er's arms, Little Taiping's captivating phoenix eyes scanned her surroundings, then she was momentarily stunned. "Isn't this the modern world? What's going on?" Little Taiping finally realized that her mother was also a modern person, just like herself, only her beautiful mother was more complicated than her own.
Wan'er looked at the men behind her, then at the mischievous Taiping in her arms, and said, "No, you still haven't told me. You promised me." Yun Nuo shook his head helplessly, "In the Purple Night Kingdom, there's been a palace coup." Wan'er was slightly taken aback, her grip on little Taiping tightening a little. "Ah, beautiful mother, you've messed with Taiping!" Upon hearing this, Wan'er quickly loosened her grip, then froze. The five handsome men present also stared at Taiping strangely.
Little Taiping looked puzzled. "What did I do wrong?" Ah! Little Taiping quickly stretched out his chubby little hand and covered his mouth. Oh no, he'd blurted out something!
Jin Fan looked at his daughter in surprise, "Taiping, you..." All six of them looked at little Taiping, who pouted helplessly, "Okay, okay. I admit, I made a mistake." Wan'er looked at her daughter with a mixture of laughter and tears. She was only a month old and already... "Ouch, my arm is so sore, Taiping, you have to walk by yourself." With that, she put Taiping down on the ground, and without looking back, she pulled her five handsome men away, heartlessly.
Little Taiping looked at the six people in front of her with disdain. "Heave-ho, heave-ho," she said, using all her strength to get up from the ground. "Hmph, you heartless, beautiful mother, and your eldest father (Yunnuo), father (Jinfan), second father (Ruoxiao), third father (Wanluo), and fourth father (Nansanglin)!" She chased after Wan'er, her short legs wobbling as she ran, cursing, "A bunch of heartless bastards!" (Xiao Bing, to be honest, what did you do for her? She's her savior, and you still call her heartless? You're really despicable.)
Wan'er, walking ahead, glanced sideways at Taiping, who was running behind her, her face flushed. Remembering Taiping when she was just born, a slight sadness welled up in Wan'er's eyes. "You two, go back first." Yunnuo nodded slightly. Nan Sanglin's cold lips curled into a smile. "Tonight, you are mine." He then kissed Wan'er's beautiful face and left. Wan'er watched Nan Sanglin's retreating figure with doting eyes and smiled gently.
Wan'er stopped and looked at Taiping in the distance. Her voice was somewhat cold, "Tell me, which century are you from?" Taiping, whose face was flushed from running, was slightly taken aback, looking at her beautiful mother, "Mother, which world are you from?" Wan'er's face turned cold, "I'm asking you." Little Taiping was stunned and said, "I was originally a famous artist in the 21st century, but I died in a plane crash due to a malfunction. I didn't drink the Meng Po soup when I was reincarnated, and then I was born."
Wan'er was slightly taken aback, then walked over to Taiping with a wry smile, picked him up, and asked, "What do you want to eat today?" Little Taiping excitedly licked his pink lips and said, "I want to eat food made by my beautiful mother, and I want my beautiful mother to feed me." Wan'er affectionately stroked little Taiping's head.
Little Taiping pouted slightly, "Beautiful Mother, which century are you from?" Wan'er smiled gently, her captivating phoenix eyes gazing into the distance, "I'm originally from here, but I lived in the 26th century for over twenty years. Ah, let's not dwell on the past." Little Taiping reached out and touched her little chin, 'Beautiful Mother's background is truly complicated.' Wan'er looked at the adorable Little Taiping and affectionately tapped her little head, "What are you thinking about?" She then picked up Little Taiping and strode away.
Night fell, and Wan'er nestled comfortably in the hot spring, a place she had discovered after carefully studying the terrain of the Crystal Palace.
"Squeak." The door opened, and Nan Sanglin sneaked in, grinning mischievously as he looked at Wan'er's soft, white, and smooth back. He tiptoed out of his clothes and carefully entered the water.
Wan'er, who was enjoying the comfort of the hot spring, couldn't help but frown slightly. She could feel the ripples in the water.
Wan'er immediately turned around and reached out to grab the person's neck, but was grabbed by a pair of warm hands, spun around, and fell into a warm embrace.
Wan'er was slightly taken aback, smelling the faint fragrance on the newcomer. "Lin, you're really bad, sneaking around like that." Nan Sang Lin tenderly hugged Wan'er and kissed her forehead, saying, "Now Taiping is finally not bothering you anymore."
Wan'er chuckled, "Have you been holding back for too long?" Nan Sanglin nodded, "After discussing it all night, you're mine tonight." Wan'er glanced disdainfully at Nan Sanglin behind her, "These men, what about tomorrow?" Nan Sanglin affectionately tapped Wan'er's head, "It's a secret."
"You..." Wan'er hadn't finished speaking when Nan Sanglin's kiss swallowed her words back down. (**? Oh my god, Xiao Bing wishes you a happy marriage.)
Within the Purple Night Kingdom, a large group of people marched forward. "Hurry up, the Emperor is waiting!" (Don't misunderstand, the Emperor he was referring to was Liu Yun.) "Yes, sir." Among this group, one person was carrying a large burlap sack. (What's inside? My curiosity is overflowing!)
"You may all leave," Liu Yun said in a deep voice. "Yes." The guards who had been on the road put down the large sacks they were carrying and withdrew in unison.
Liu Yun slowly walked to the sack and opened it. Inside was a woman—or rather, a middle-aged woman. Her clothes were disheveled, and her once neatly combed hair was now a mess. Yet, despite this, her inherent elegance remained undiminished. She was still beautiful. It seemed that time had not diminished her beauty.
Liu Yun laughed loudly, "The former Empress of Ziye Kingdom." That's right, this is Lan Qiao'er, the wife of Zi Ye Zhe and the mother of Zi Ye Yu Xun. (Note, everyone, from now on, you should call Zi Ye Zhe's mother Lan Qiao'er. Don't forget!) "Tsk tsk tsk, look at her." Saying that, he pinched Lan Qiao'er's chin and shook it from side to side a couple of times. "Really, how pathetic."
Lan Qiao'er glared at Liu Yun resentfully, then forcefully twisted her head, breaking free from his grasp. Liu Yun wasn't angry. "Actually, I invited you here because I wanted you to..."
A Gathering of Handsome Men - Chapter Sixty-Eight: No One Visits Without a Reason
Chapter Sixty-Eight: No One Visits Without a Reason. "Actually, I invited you here because I want you to affix your seal to this imperial edict." He then pulled out a golden imperial edict from his robes. (What? Did I hear that right? Invitation? Seriously, boss, is that what you call an invitation? I despise you, I utterly despise you.)
Lan Qiao'er stared intently at the imperial edict in Liu Yun's hand and laughed loudly, "If you have that ability, go and persuade the civil and military officials of Zi Ye Kingdom to support you as emperor! Ha, although half of the court has been won over and submitted to you, there are still loyal ministers!" Lan Qiao'er laughed heartily. Liu Yun was dazzled, seeing Lan Qiao'er now as if she were young. "Qiao'er." A single sentence stopped Lan Qiao'er's laughter. Lan Qiao'er looked at Liu Yun contemptuously, "Pah, you are not worthy to call me that." Liu Yun was immediately enraged upon hearing this, reaching out to grab Lan Qiao'er's disheveled hair, forcing her to raise her head. "I am not worthy? That old bastard Zi Ye Zhe is worthy? Huh?" A series of questions pierced Lan Qiao'er's heart. "Hahaha, everything is your own choice. You can't blame anyone else."
Liu Yun paused slightly, then took a deep breath. "Yes, but aren't I quite successful now? I have money and power. Don't you like that?" Lan Qiao'er closed her eyes, no longer looking at Liu Yun. "Before entering the palace, I loved you, but you used me time and time again. You took away my most precious, my first time. I thought that after entering the palace, something painful awaited me, but I was wrong. Zhe (Zi Ye Zhe) confessed his feelings to me; he loved me. I was moved by his sincerity and fell in love with him in return. He didn't despise my infidelity. After that, he turned against the ministers and made me empress. He abolished the harem for me. Only then did I realize that what I had with you wasn't love; I just hadn't found anyone better than you." With that, Liu Yun glared at Lan Qiao'er with a sinister look.
"Slap." A slap landed on Lan Qiao'er's face. "You wretch." Lan Qiao'er laughed loudly. "Waste? Haha, who can be more shameless than you, Liu Yun?" One sentence made Liu Yun's old face turn red with anger. "You haven't had enough of the Cold Palace, have you?" Lan Qiao'er slightly opened her eyes, exuding a lazy yet noble beauty. "Hmph, where did you take my son?"
This time, however, it was Liu Yun who burst into laughter. After his hearty laugh, he said, "It's nothing much, just letting him suffer various torture instruments day and night, and enjoy the process of being immersed in a dark saltwater prison every night." Lan Qiao'er was slightly taken aback, a flash of pity and hatred crossing her eyes. Then she returned to normal, closing her eyes tightly and refusing to look at Liu Yun again.
Liu Yun was immediately enraged. "I'll give you one more night, otherwise... I hope you can think it over carefully tonight. I won't do you any harm after I ascend the throne." With that, Liu Yun snorted coldly and left.
In the empty hall, Lan Qiao'er touched her heart and said, "Yu Xun, my child."
After slamming the door shut, Liu Yun went straight to Liu Qinyao's residence and kicked the door open.
The large room was filled with the pungent smell of cosmetics, mixed with a slightly calming fragrance.
Liu Qinyao, wearing a peach-colored bodice, was fast asleep on the bed. She was not awakened by Liu Yun's kicking of the door, but only frowned slightly to show her displeasure.
With a gloomy face, Liu Yun walked to Liu Qinyao's bedside, reached out and removed Liu Qinyao's only clothes, staring at her naked body. He quickly removed his own clothes and entered Liu Qinyao's body without any foreplay.
"Ah!" The woman screamed in panic. "Shut up," Liu Yun said unhappily. Liu Qinyao's eyes were red, and she was sobbing slightly, but she was afraid of crying out loud. Liu Qinyao said aggrievedly, "It hurts." Liu Yun slapped Liu Qinyao impatiently. "Shut up."
(Hehe, serves him right. Waaah.)
The sky was just beginning to lighten. A small, short figure moved swiftly.
"Creak." As the door opened, a small head peeked in. The child hunched over, followed by a short, childish "Ah!" The little one covered her eyes, turned, and ran away, saying, "Don't look! Not suitable for children!" It turned out she had seen her beautiful mother and fourth father sleeping naked in bed.
Little Taiping breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness, I didn't see Fourth Uncle's body."
"Little Taiping, what are you saying?" A slightly weathered voice rang out. Little Taiping was startled and looked at the newcomer, saying, "Oh, Grandpa, what brings you here?" It turned out to be the father of Fifth Uncle, whom he had never met before. (Note that Fifth Uncle is Zi Ye Yu Xun, and Sixth Uncle is of course Bing Hai Yi Xuan.)
Zi Ye Zhe looked at Xiao Taiping with amusement. "You went to see your mother again?" Xiao Taiping giggled. "Grandpa, you're so clever. But Xiao Taiping isn't the kind of person who would bother a young couple like us." (Xiao Bing: You haven't even bothered them yet, keep pretending.)
Little Taiping's words made Ziye Zhe burst into laughter. This granddaughter was truly adorable. Leaving aside the miracles that occurred on the day she was born, just the fact that she could speak and walk at her one-month celebration was nothing short of a miracle. We might consider it a coincidence, but who can say that she can recite poetry, is incredibly learned, and even stumped an old man like myself who was once an emperor? And her mother, on the other hand, seemed to take it all for granted. That's not all; at such a young age, she's already breathtakingly beautiful. It's clear that she'll be just as stunning as her mother when she grows up. If only… Thinking of this, Ziye Zhe sighed softly.
Xiao Taiping looked at Ziye Zhe with a puzzled expression and asked, "Grandpa, why are you sighing?" Ziye Zhe reached out and stroked Xiao Taiping's hair. "Your mother and your fifth father were pregnant with a child back then, but in the end... sigh, it's all in the past, let's not talk about it."
Little Taiping nodded. She knew that her beautiful mother must have suffered a lot at Fifth Uncle's place, otherwise she would have met Fifth Uncle long ago.
Zi Yezhe looked at Xiao Taiping and asked, "Is your mother awake?" Xiao Taiping tilted his head and asked, "Does Grandpa want to talk to Mother about something?" Zi Yezhe nodded and said, "Yes."
A glint flashed in Xiao Taiping's eyes. "You wouldn't come here without a reason. I guess Grandpa must be here about Fifth Uncle." Zi Ye Zhe paused, amused, and looked at Xiao Taiping before saying seriously, "Yes, the Zi Ye Kingdom Palace has changed. Now the people of Zi Ye Kingdom are filled with fear and suffering. I miss my son and wife..."
Little Taiping was slightly taken aback. "That's easy. Later, when Mother goes to the morning court, you can bring it up, but be careful not to mention Fifth Father. Just keep mentioning the common people. Beautiful Mother, even if she refuses, she won't have a reason." Zi Yezhe suddenly realized, "Good idea!"
The Gathering of Handsome Men: Chapter Sixty-Eight - Little Taiping's Verbal Battle
Chapter Sixty-Eight: Little Taiping's Battle of Wits Inside the diamond-encrusted palace, glittering brightly, stood a court full of civil and military officials, all carefully selected. Half of them were talents from Hundred Flowers Manor.
Wan'er, clad in a phoenix robe, sat majestically on the throne in the main hall. "Recently, the number of refugees has been increasing. Do my beloved ministers know the reasons for this?"
Zi Ye Zhe took a deep breath and said, "In Zi Ye Kingdom, a palace coup has occurred, and all the people of Zi Ye Kingdom have suffered disaster. As a result, the number of refugees is increasing." Wan'er frowned slightly, "What does this palace coup have to do with the people?"
Zi Ye Zhe's old face turned somewhat pale as he said, "The current emperor of Zi Ye Kingdom is Liu Yun, the former Minister Liu. He is cruel by nature, and the people are living in constant fear. I beg Your Majesty to save the people from this dire situation."
"There's a commoner on the left and a commoner on the right. If you want me to save your son, just say so. What, are you afraid I won't agree?" Wan'er rolled her eyes at Zi Yezhe. "I'm afraid Liu Yun hasn't yet firmly established his rule. It seems my Hundred Flowers Kingdom must strike first." All the civil and military officials praised His Majesty's wisdom.
Wan'er nodded slightly and said, "General Ruo Xiao, listen to my command." "Your subject is here." (After Wan'er became the emperor, she appointed Ruo Xiao as general and promised him the position of prime minister.) Ruo Xiao looked at Wan'er respectfully, his eyes filled with deep affection.
Wan'er smiled and said, "Lead an army of ten thousand to attack the Purple Night Kingdom. Remember, do not harm the civilians." Just as Ruo Xiao was about to accept the order, a childish voice rang out, "I will fight this battle."