This year''s Capital City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A bit deste.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yet with a certain vor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the western part of the city, people used to think living next to the Goddess would bring them some spiritual aura, making them smugly content as property values rose even higher.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A while back, a house two doors down from the Goddess sold for a full six percent higher thanst year. Given how high prices already were in the west, that six percent increase meant a fortune.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But ever since Old Madam Meng brought people to ssh that huge bucket of urine, it was as if the Goddess''s filter had been washed away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4
The Goddess''s servants scrubbed for three days and nights, but the smell still lingered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the Goddess was in her glory, no one dared say anything, fearing she might im their fate was poor if they did.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But once someone opened the floodgates, the gossip came pouring in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There had long been those who resented her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was a young woman with a fiancé, but when the Goddess read another girl''s love fortune, she actually said that girl''s destined match was that very man - the first girl''s fiancé.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Somehow, it came to pass that the man actually broke off his engagement and married the other girl.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It seemed the prophecy had brought about a happy union, while simultaneously destroying another engagement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Those who enjoy the benefits of fame are always apanied by nder.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was no shortage of jealous people either.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The nobles of the capital already had various professional frauds surrounding them. Jiang Wan''s sudden rise was essentially stealing their rice bowls.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was said The Emperor was about to summon Goddess Liu, but after Old Madam Meng''s bucket of urine came down, there was no follow-up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, Goddess Liu became aughingstock.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then more gossip spread that Liu Tong, the Liu family''s eldest son, was desperate to avoid marriage because of his adopted sister the Goddess. He even went before his fiancée Miss Dong, kneeling and begging her to let him go...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4
Miss Dong broke off the engagement, also bing the joke of the Capital City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, the Goddess proved worthy of her title by unexpectedly saving the Crown Prince''s only son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Crown Prince is currently the prince with the loudest calls to be heir apparent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Though not born of the main wife, he is the eldest. The Crown Prince himself is valiant and handsome, tall and brave, with an generous personality that many admire.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It''s just that he had childrente, with daughtersing first. He finally had a son, which is one of the reasons he''s a strong contender for Crown Prince. After all, without an heir, the position of Crown Prince would be essentially out of reach.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So the Crown Prince was extremely grateful to Goddess Liu, especially the Crown Prince''s wife, who personally invited Goddess Liu as an honored guest. The winds of the Capital City shifted once again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Rumors and gossip quickly subsided.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Rumors always have the wings of power, fearing the strong and bullying the weak.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On this day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Many people were queuing at the city gate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The travel-worn old soldier was also in the queue.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He held the Meng family token, already in the noble VIP line, but there were so many nobles in the Capital City that even the VIP priority channel still required some waiting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was still much better than the regr channel. The regr channel to enter the city moved at a snail''s pace, sometimes taking one or two hours to get through.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The old soldier waited about half an hour before finally passing the inspection and entering the Capital City, then galloped towards the Meng mansion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although Madam Meng had regained consciousness, for some reason she was sometimes confused. She had been frightened by a dream where her son died in battle and her daughter-inw hanged herself. She was so scared she didn''t dare close her eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She didn''t dare speak of it, fearing it would worry others.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She could only keep it bottled up inside, making herself miserable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her spirit seemed much diminished.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the old soldier finally rushed home, dusty and travel-worn but with a joyful expression.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Mydy, master, Old Madam, great joy! The young mistress has given birth - twins! Two young masters!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4
The old soldier hadn''t even taken a sip of water, his wordsing out dry and hoarse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But when Madam Meng heard this, she suddenly sat bolt upright.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"She really gave birth? And twins? Two sons? Hahahahaha!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Giving birth to two at once? As expected of my son, with twice my valor." Meng Qingshe alsoughed heartily.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Old Madam Meng''s eyes turned red as tears suddenly fell.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her hair was nowpletely white.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That day when she wore her heavy official robes and went to ssh urine at the so-called Goddess Liu''s door in front of the whole Capital City, Old Madam Meng was smiling on the outside but feeling utterly deste within.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"The general dies in a hundred battles, the hero returns after ten years."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her old man had not yet returned, and might never return.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now even upstart clowns dared to spit flowery words above their heads.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Upon hearing the good news, Old Madam Meng immediately wanted to go to the ancestral hall to burn incense and kowtow to the ancestors.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The ancestors had blessed them - the Meng family had heirs now, two at once. They would never again have to worry about watching helplessly as the Meng family dwindled, unable to continue the line.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With her snow-white hair, Old Madam Meng wanted nothing more than to kneel before the ancestor tablets and have a good cry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She also wanted to search through her storerooms - she had to send gifts to her granddaughter-inw.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Madam Meng heard the news, she suddenly felt free of all illness and pain, free of all disaster and difficulty, light as a feather.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She also wanted to search her storerooms, wishing she could move everything to her daughter-inw.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Yu''er had given birth to two sons in one go. From now on, whatever the daughter-inw wanted, she would get. They could even enshrine and wait on her - she was too praiseworthy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If the messenger hadn''t said they were already on their way to the Capital City, just needing toplete the month of confinement first, Madam Meng and Old Madam Meng would have set off for Jingzhou overnight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"The young mistress nearly met with disaster. Someone tried to poison her, but fortunately the young mistress was clever and saw through it. However, she was frightened into earlybor because of it. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise - she gave birth to two big, healthy boys. If it had been anyter, the babies would have been too big and difficult to deliver."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4
The old soldier caught his breath, drank some tea to wet his throat, and continued to describe the scene.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The listeners'' hearts leapt in shock.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Then what happened?" Old Madam Meng asked anxiously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Was the poisoner caught?" asked Meng Qingshe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"They should be cut into a thousand pieces!" Madam Meng cursed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"The waiter who delivered the food killed himself."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Madam Meng frowned, "Then there''s no way to verify anything, and it happened on the road too."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Old Madam Meng also felt frustrated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Meng Qingshe said gloomily: "I hear my inw is an upright and honorable man. Although he was forced to rebel before, he never actually fought or killed anyone, just helped maintain order in the county. In Jingzhou he''s also been diligent and conscientious. Even someone as impartial as Inspector He praised Commander Jiang as a good official after returning from Jingzhou. In this world, the kind are bullied by others. They''re taking advantage of our Meng family having no one around."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The old soldier was also furious, but there was nothing to be done. He had rushed back to report as soon as he got news of the young mistress giving birth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But there was no help for it. That Lord Jiang looked too handsome, the typical schrly official who would probably faint at the sight of blood, unlike their Meng family. That Madam Jiang also looked kind and gentle. Young Master Jiang also appeared to be a very well-behaved youth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4
No wonder the whole family wanted to keep their young master at home. Without the young master, they''d probably all be bullied to death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Oh right, these are the young masters'' first hairs. The young mistress cut them and asked me to bring them back." The old soldier produced two identical pouches.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Old Madam Meng opened them to find two locks of hair, which she couldn''t stop fondling lovingly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The two ordinary pouches were passed around between two generations of the family.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Madam Meng''s heart grew even fonder of her daughter-inw. She really was considerate, knowing they would miss the children and sending these first hairs. Even gold, jade and other treasures couldn''tpare to how precious these two pouches were - they had captured their hearts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Mother, I''ll go check again if there''s anything else to prepare. When Little Yu''er returns, we should add some more things for her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Go ahead. Take thatrge coral from my room and move it to my daughter-inw''s room. It''s auspicious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0