Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 860: Chapter 865, Chapter 866: Xia Zhining Gives Birth to Twin Daughters (2)

"I..."

"You want to say you can help her clear her name?" Liang Ji seemed to anticipate what Chen Mo wanted to say, interrupting, "The more you try to clear her name, the more others will think it’s true. The more you try to stop it, the more it proves it indeed happened. Human words are cruel; you should understand this better than I do.

If she cannot think it through and seeks a tragic end, they will not think it was their rumors that killed her. Instead, they will believe it was your abandonment that led to her demise, thus damaging your reputation."

"With what you said, it seems I can only take her in." Chen Mo also realized the consequences of this matter.

Liang Ji smiled slightly, "You can also keep her in the harem, do you really have to touch her?"

Chen Mo: "..."

...

August 16th, the first year of Zhenghe.

Chen Mo held the empress enthronement ceremony for Wu Mi, announcing it to the world.

And established the eldest legitimate son, Chen Jia, as the Crown Prince of Great Wei.

On this same day, Xia Zhining gave birth.

It was a pair of twins, but unlike her elder sister’s dragon-phoenix twins, Xia Zhining gave birth to two daughters.

Since it was the day of the empress enthronement ceremony, an hour had passed before Chen Mo learned of Xia Zhining giving birth to two princesses.

In Xia Zhining’s bedchamber.

Xia Zhining sat on a soft couch, holding a small child in her arms. As a seventh-grade martial artist, her complexion had already regained some vitality, no longer as weak as just after childbirth, with a bright and charming smile on her face.

Her elder sister, Xia Zhiqing, held Xia Zhining’s younger daughter and softly said, "The old saying is true, sour son, spicy daughter. You ate so much spicy food while pregnant, and now you’ve given birth to two daughters."

Xia Zhining was pinching her eldest daughter’s cheek and responded stubbornly, "I just like daughters, is that not allowed?"

Xia Zhining felt a bit disappointed inside, although she herself was a woman. Due to the times, especially for the concubines in the harem, princes were undoubtedly better than princesses.

Of course, she was merely disappointed and did not hate her two daughters because of it. After all, they were her own flesh and blood.

Xia Zhiqing smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling like water, saying, "In the future, let them be close with Youyou and Nu’Er, and when they grow up, let Nu’Er take care of them."

Since they were two sisters, their own children must unite.

"As their elder brother, Nu’Er should certainly take care of his sisters." Xia Zhining said rightfully.

Xia Zhiqing giggled lightly, "I wonder if Your Majesty is ready yet, we’re still waiting for him to come name the two little princesses."

"You can give them temporary names first."

As Xia Zhining just mentioned this, a palace maid walked in, "Lady Xianfei, Lady Defei, Your Majesty has arrived."

As soon as the words fell, Chen Mo, clad in a black emperor’s robe, quickly stepped inside.

Indeed, nobility adds grace; although it had only been a few days, the two women already exuded an aura of high-class elegance, two flowers on one stem, exceptionally exquisite.

At this moment, the palace maids and wet nurses waiting in the bedchamber had already exited.

Chen Mo stepped forward, softly calling, "Zhining, sorry to keep you waiting."

"It’s no trouble; Ms. Mi’s enthronement ceremony is important; I didn’t expect these things to happen on the same day." A while ago, Chen Mo had pursued the posthumous title for Xia Liangqing, which Xia Zhining had kept in her heart, her voice gentle, becoming much like Xia Zhiqing’s.

"Your Majesty, quickly look at your and sister’s daughter." Xia Zhiqing handed the child she was holding to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo took her into his arms. People say newborns are not good-looking, but Chen Mo didn’t think so. At least his children looked pretty good right after birth.

The two daughters Xia Zhining gave him were no exception.

Chen Mo sat down while holding the younger daughter closely.

Xia Zhiqing laughed, "Your Majesty, surprisingly she doesn’t cry when you hold her; she cried for quite a while when I held her before."

"That’s because they’re my flesh and blood," Chen Mo’s heart was filled with sweetness and satisfaction. He didn’t care about whether Zhining gave birth to a son or a daughter.

"Your Majesty, please name them now." Xia Zhining said.

Chen Mo asked briefly which one was the elder, then said, "Some time ago, I came up with several names for both boys and girls, Zhining, you can choose.

The girl names include Li, symbolizing extreme wisdom and artistry. Others are Han, Xin, Lan, Hui..."

Xia Zhiqing, assisting on the side, explained the meanings of each character.

After pondering, Xia Zhining said, "Then the elder daughter will be Chen Li, the younger one Chen Xin, what do you think, Your Majesty?"

"Zhining’s choice is naturally excellent." Chen Mo said.

"Li’Er, Xin’Er." Xia Zhining happily called out.

Both children gurgled and laughed.

"Look, Your Majesty, they seem extremely happy with their names too." Xia Zhiqing laughed.

Chen Mo was also very happy, then said immediately, "We were almost talking only about the children, Zhining, are you alright?"

Xia Zhining shook her head, "Sister has been taking care of me."

"That’s good, now only Xiaolu and Lady Jing Fei are left." Chen Mo said.

"Sister Xiaolu will probably give birth next year." Xia Zhiqing, if remembering the time correctly, said.

Chen Mo nodded, "Probably around February or March, Lady Jing Fei should be sooner, likely before the year ends."

"That isn’t too far off, it’s mid-August already." Xia Zhining joined in.

"Yes, later I must go visit them too." Chen Mo’s day was packed with events, making sure not to neglect his concubines.

"Your Majesty, sister misses you. We haven’t even thanked you yet for father’s posthumous title, before going to Sister Xiaolu’s place, do spend some quality time with sister first." Xia Zhining said, glancing at her sister Xia Zhiqing.

"Zhining..." Xia Zhiqing blushed and glared at her sister, but said nothing, her eyes shyly expectant.

"Zhiqing." Chen Mo gently placed the young Chen Xin on the bed and embraced Xia Zhiqing, "You’ve been wronged."

"Your Majesty, what are you talking about?" Xia Zhiqing, realizing as Chen Mo leaned in closer, let out a light snort through her nose, quickly closing her bright eyes, her exquisite face flushing softly.

"Ahem..." Xia Zhining coughed softly, "Out to the outer hall, the children are watching."

Xia Zhiqing’s face was crimson as she quickly pulled away.

Chen Mo felt a bit embarrassed too.

Xia Zhining continued, "When you go to the outer hall, call in the wet nurse too. I can’t manage two on my own."

Having just given birth, Xia Zhining certainly couldn’t withstand Chen Mo’s teasing, so after some loving moments with Xia Zhiqing, Chen Mo headed towards Chu Ran’s bedchamber.

...

In Chu Ran’s bedchamber.

Xu Ying was also there, dressed in a purple wide-sleeved long dress, with a golden buyao falling from her cloud-styled hair, the dangling chain swaying constantly. She had dressed meticulously, and in the sunlight streaming through the window, her face was as radiant as a flower’s core.

This careful dressing wasn’t for Chu Ran.

Knowing that Chu Ran was over seven months pregnant, with her belly growing, His Majesty visited Chu Ran more often than he visited her.

And because of Chu Ran’s condition, His Majesty couldn’t be served when he came, so she could have the opportunity to attract his favor close at hand.

After all, she had mingled in the harem before.

She had experience in competing for favor.

And she wasn’t disappointed.

Soon, the palace maid attending to Chu Ran came in, "Lady Jing Fei, Lady Qing, His Majesty has arrived."

Xu Ying was delighted, quickly tidying her dress, and just as she was about to greet, suddenly had a thought, and instead cared attentively for Chu Ran.

She massaged Chu Ran’s legs and back, gently asking questions.

Chu Ran noticed Xu Ying’s change, was first stunned, then shook her head and smiled.