Chapter 224: Extra Chapter 2: The Bond of Past and Present Lives

Extra Chapter 2: The Bond of Past and Present Lives

Extra Chapter 2: The Bond of Past and Present Lives

As the first lights rose, the palace was silent, save for one brightly lit area bustling with activity: the palace where Jun Jun Zijin was in labor.

The carved doors and windows were tightly shut, isolating the tension inside from the anxiety outside.

Outside the delivery room, Quan Quan Aoyu paced like a trapped beast, his brows furrowed, his face full of anxiety, constantly walking back and forth, his hands unconsciously clenching and unclenching.

He would occasionally stop, press his ear to the door, trying to catch a single sound from within, but apart from faint murmurs, he could hear nothing clearly.

Just then, a wave of labor pains struck, and Jun Jun Zijin's cry of pain reached Quan Quan Aoyu's ears.

He was frantic with worry, his hands pressed against the closed door, muttering to himself:

"Dandan, you must be safe..."

The Empress, dressed in a phoenix robe, presided over the delivery room; though her expression remained calm, she could not hide the concern in her eyes.

She gently patted Quan Quan Aoyu's shoulder and comforted him in a soft voice:

"Yuer, relax. Jun Zijin is a virtuous soul blessed by heaven; both mother and child will surely be safe."

Quan Quan Aoyu forced a smile and nodded to the Empress, yet the unease in his heart did not diminish in the slightest.

Inside, the midwife's voice rang out repeatedly:

"Your Highness, push! It's almost out."

Jun Jun Zijin's face was pale as paper; beads of sweat rolled from her forehead, soaking the hair at her temples.

She bit her lower lip tightly, her hands clutching the bedsheet for dear life, and every surge of intense pain made her body tremble uncontrollably.

Yet her eyes revealed resilience, the power of a mother unleashed to welcome a new life.

A loud cry rang out, like the bell of dawn, instantly breaking the tension in the room.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! It is a healthy imperial grandson!"

The midwife's excited voice came through, and both Quan Quan Aoyu and the Empress outside immediately wore smiles of surprise and joy.

However, before anyone could catch their breath, the midwife cried out in shock:

"Wait, there is another one! There is another one!"

The atmosphere inside the room tightened once more.

Though Jun Jun Zijin was utterly exhausted, a strange sense of expectation and strength surged within her heart.

She forced her body to endure and pushed again, as if drawing on every ounce of her strength.

Finally, another clear cry rang out, like a sound from heaven.

"Your Highness, it is a healthy little Princess! She was already gnawing on her tiny fist at birth; such a greedy little Princess, how utterly adorable."

Another midwife also said excitedly:

"Your Highness, you have given birth to a set of dragon-phoenix twins! This is truly the fortune of Emperor Tianqi."

The midwife's face flushed red, her hands trembling with excitement as she carefully carried the swaddled imperial grandson and the little Princess over to Jun Jun Zijin's side.

In Emperor Tianqi, an unwritten tradition has always held that dragon-phoenix twins are seen as an extremely auspicious omen, symbolizing prosperity, flourishing, and a peaceful nation with contented people.

Hearing that Jun Jun Zijin had safely given birth, Quan Quan Aoyu's eyes instantly reddened; he could not wait to rush in, but the equally concerned Empress held him back:

"Yuer, do not be impulsive. Let the mother and her two children rest first."

With a smile at the corner of her mouth and eyes full of gratification, the Empress immediately ordered a eunuch to rush to the Jun Manor to deliver the good news.

The birth of dragon-phoenix twins was a momentous joy for both the royal family and the nation.

Jun Jun Zijin gently turned her head, her gaze falling upon the little Princess's face.

In an instant, her breath hitched, and tears burst forth uncontrollably from her eyes.

The daughter before her, with her eyebrows, eyes, and contours, was exactly the same as that tiny figure from her memories of a past life.

Memories of that past life flooded back like a tide; those laughs and tears seemed to have happened only yesterday.

The daughter's eyes, like black grapes, stared unblinkingly at Jun Jun Zijin, cooing softly while greedily gnawing on her tiny fist, tiny bubbles even forming in her mouth.

It was exactly the same as the moment she first saw her daughter in her past life.

In that past life, it was the same: a loud cry rang out, and the doctor said:

"It is a daughter. What a greedy little thing; she was eating her tiny fist the moment she was born. How utterly adorable."

When the doctor placed the daughter before her, it was the same: the daughter, while cooing and gnawing on her tiny fist, looked up at her with eyes like black grapes.

That single glance was deeply etched into Jun Jun Zijin's heart.

She reached out with trembling hands, gently touching her daughter's cheek, her fingertips meeting that delicate, soft skin.

There was the joy of becoming a mother for the first time, there was the emotion of reflecting on her past life, but most of all, there was an indescribable sense of gratification and peace.

She finally believed that all of this was real.

Her gaze was so tender it seemed as if it could drip with water as she whispered softly:

"My darling, you have finally come. Crossing past and present lives, we have finally met again."

Outside the delivery room, Quan Quan Aoyu, who had been pacing back and forth at the door, his heart a tangled web of joy and anxiety, could no longer hold himself back.

He strode into the room, his steps so urgent they even stirred a slight breeze that made the bed curtains sway gently.

His gaze was instantly firmly fixed on the small figure in the swaddling clothes; he seemed frozen in place, standing motionless.

That was his daughter, no different from the child who had appeared in his dreams countless times.

The curved eyebrows, the delicate nose, the slightly open, tender pink mouth—it was as if she had walked straight out of a dream.

Quan Quan Aoyu's eyes instantly grew hot, tears blurring his vision uncontrollably; he stepped closer to the bed, his movements so careful he feared disturbing this hard-won beautiful dream.

"Dandan, look, she is exactly the same as I dreamed. Our daughter has returned!"

Quan Quan Aoyu's voice trembled, choked with emotion, as he turned to look at Jun Jun Zijin, his eyes filled with shock and delight.

He gently reached out, his fingertips lightly touching his daughter's tiny hand; that soft sensation sent ripples through his heart, and an unprecedented tenderness and sense of responsibility arose within him.

A little imperial grandson nearby waved his small fists, his dissatisfied crying echoing throughout the entire palace.

It was as if he were declaring his existence, unhappy that he was already disliked by his parents the moment he arrived in this world.

The Empress smiled helplessly, picked up the little imperial grandson:

"You little rascal, actually getting jealous of your sister. Come~~ Grandmother will hug you~~."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin looked at her daughter, then at her son, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, her eyes full of affection:

"You are the most precious gifts bestowed upon me by heaven. From now on, Mother will surely protect you both and accompany you as you grow."

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In the thirty-seventh year of Emperor Tianqi, just after the Lantern Festival, the festive atmosphere had not yet completely dissipated.

Inside the imperial palace, it became lively again; lanterns were hung, colorful silk ribbons fluttered, and the entire court was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.

Inside the Crown Prince's residence, it was even more exceptionally lively.

On this day, Crown Princess Jun Jun Zijin gave birth to a set of dragon-phoenix twins for the royal family.

As the good news spread, the entire Emperor Tianqi City boiled over.

Emperor Quan Wujie was overjoyed, ordering a general amnesty for the realm and a celebration for all the people.

Once the edict was issued, the entire Jingcheng became busy.

Inside the imperial kitchen of the palace, imperial chefs worked day and night, carefully preparing sumptuous banquets.

The streets and alleys of Jingcheng were also decorated with lanterns and silk ribbons; in every corner of Jingcheng, banquets were set up. Commoners sat together, raising their cups in celebration, and the entire Emperor Tianqi City was immersed in an ocean of joy.

Inside the palace, a grand banquet was held. Royal relatives and court ministers all came to offer congratulations, expressing their most sincere blessings to Quan Quan Aoyu and Jun Jun Zijin.

For this set of dragon-phoenix twins, the boy was named Quan Qingyu, signifying the ability to control the world and rule over all directions in the future;

the girl was named Quan Qingcheng, signifying a beauty capable of toppling nations and cities, gentle and kind. Her nickname was Xiao Shumi, signifying happiness and completeness.

Their birth not only brought hope to the royal family but also auspiciousness and prosperity to the entire Emperor Tianqi Kingdom.

Inside the palace, the lingering excitement of the banquet had not yet dissipated; the air was still filled with the fragrant scent of celebratory wine and the echoes of laughter and joy.

Although the magnificent banquet had ended, the smiles on everyone's faces had not yet faded.

Yet at this moment, in a side hall, a "clash" regarding the succession of the throne was unfolding; father and son were once again playing the role of rascals against each other.

Quan Wujie sat in the main seat; although he was over fifty, he was still vigorous. At this moment, he frowned, looking at his son Quan Quan Aoyu.

"Yu-er, you and Yaya have both a son and a daughter now. When will you take the throne if not now?"

Quan Quan Aoyu stood below, wearing a brocade robe, his posture upright, a flattering smile on his face.

"Father Emperor, look, Qingyu and Qingcheng were just born. I have to take care of my wife and children; where would I find the leisure time to be Emperor?"

Quan Quan Aoyu muttered to himself:

"Besides, he still has to help Dandan handle the affairs of the Northern Kingdom. Although under Dandan's governance these past few years, the Northern Kingdom has been peaceful and prosperous, with everyone united and affairs relatively simple,

it is still a country. Dandan just gave birth; how can she be made to toil?

You are not even sixty yet. Under Dandan's care these years, you are quite strong and healthy. Can't you bear a bit more?"

Actually, Jun Jun Zijin had mentioned merging the two kingdoms. Quan Quan Aoyu said, "Don't be afraid. Just keep it in your hands; consider other options once you get tired of it."

He tried to use family reasons to make excuses, his eyes full of doting affection for his wife and children.

Upon hearing this, Quan Wujie's eyebrows furrowed even deeper.

"You brat! We agreed before that you would take the throne once you married. You and I, along with your Empress, would travel the four seas. But look at you: you ran off with Yaya before marrying, and after marrying for only a few days, you ran off again. Your Empress and I didn't get to travel the four seas, but you two went to several countries."

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became; he stood up and paced back and forth inside the hall.

"I finally waited for you to return, and you said you had to wait until Yaya gave birth. Now you have both a son and a daughter; what more do you want?"

Quan Quan Aoyu rubbed his nose, smiling along, his tone carrying a hint of coquetry, trying to make his father change his mind.

"Father Emperor, you are in your prime, full of energy, and your sword is not yet dull... oh no... that is... anyway, just work hard for a few more years, how about that?"

Quan Wujie blew his beard and glared, plopped down, crossed his arms, and remained resolute.

"No 'how about that'! Your Empress and I want to enjoy our grandchildren and the joys of family! I can't possibly wait until my teeth have all fallen out before taking care of my grandsons and granddaughters, can I? By then, they will dislike me."

"They dare not! Father Emperor, how about we wait until Qingyu and Qingcheng are two years old? Oh no, one year old. Is one year old okay?"

Quan Quan Aoyu was still trying to bargain.

Quan Wujie was truly furious and desperate this time.

"You brat! I will wait at most until my grandsons and granddaughters have their hundred-day banquet. You will take the throne whether you want to or not!"

His voice rose by eight octaves, shaking the ornaments inside the hall slightly.

Seeing his father's attitude so resolute, Quan Quan Aoyu knew further excuses were useless. He straightened his expression and said seriously:

"Father Emperor, if you truly insist that I take the throne, you must agree to one condition of mine: my harem shall only have Jun Jun Zijin. Do not force me to enslave concubines, and I will agree to take the throne."

His gaze was firm and unquestionable; it was deep affection and a promise to Jun Jun Zijin.

After hearing this, Quan Wujie was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand.

"I don't care about those things. As long as you can withstand the court ministers and the murmurs of the world, do whatever you want."

He understood in his heart that his son's feelings for that girl were profound; since he could not change it, he might as well let him be.

After all, in his harem, besides the Empress, there were only the De Consort and the Shu Consort. As for the other two consorts besides the Empress, they now only held titles and would spend their remaining days in the harem.

Quan Quan Aoyu breathed a sigh of relief, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. With Dandan's status, he doubted any blind court minister would dare to utter a single word of complaint.

As long as he could spend his life hand in hand with Dandan, this throne would give him the motivation to protect it.

When their son grew up, they would hand it over to their son. He and Dandan would also travel the four seas, enjoy their grandchildren, and savor the joys of family.

This succession of the throne was settled after this argument.

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Finished~~ Confetti!

Babies, this book "Phoenix Returns: Quan Dominates the World" has reached a pause. Thank you all for your support.

May everyone:

Have companions for their long songs, and a lamp for their solitary walks!

May the lucky carp cling to you, and may all things go well!

Let us meet again in the next book!