After Zhen Heng was demoted to a commoner, his income was cut off for a while, and he and An Lingrong could only live on their past savings.

An Lingrong felt that such days were very happy. Being together for the rest of their lives was exactly what she had been looking forward to all her life.

The two used their savings to buy a few acres of land at the border and lived a life of the man farming and the woman weaving.

A few years later, Emperor Yongzheng passed away and a general amnesty was declared.

Zhen Heng no longer had to hide, he brought his parents to live with him, and at this time An Lingrong was also pregnant.

Although she took too much contraceptive soup back then, she sought medical treatment everywhere over the years and finally got pregnant as she wished.

Zhen's father and mother treated An Lingrong like their precious daughter.

"Good child, you have suffered so much following Heng'er these years!" Yun held An Lingrong's hand, eyes full of heartache. She really didn't like An Lingrong in the past, after all, she was once the emperor's concubine An, and now Lingrong is pregnant, continuing the Zhen family's bloodline.

The Yun family was naturally very happy. When their family was down and out, An Lingrong was able to allow them to live a good life by relying on embroidery and perfume making.

"Mother, my daughter-in-law is not suffering. I am already satisfied to be with Brother Zhen in this life!" An Lingrong could not hide her joy.

Zhen Heng came back from outside, holding a hare, and said excitedly:

"Rong'er, have an extra meal tonight! I bought some game at the market! Mother, there was a notice posted on the street just now. The Empress Dowager is in power now. She encourages people in border areas to reclaim land. No taxes will be collected on the reclaimed land for five years."

When An Lingrong heard the Empress Dowager, her eyes lit up slightly, "Brother Zhen, is it Shen Meimei? Has she become the Empress Dowager?"

"Yes, her son Hongxin inherited the throne and named the country Qianlong!" Zhen Heng said loudly.

"As expected, good people are rewarded, and she finally got her reward after all the hardship. Brother Zhen, we should thank the Queen Mother. If it weren't for her, what would be the meaning of my life?" An Lingrong said, touching her belly.

"Rong'er, you are right. Let's kowtow three times towards the south together to repay the Empress Dowager for her great kindness to us!" Zhen Heng supported An Lingrong and slowly walked to the door. He knelt down towards the south and kowtowed three times respectfully.

It is said that later, Zhen Heng reclaimed more than 200 acres of land and gradually became wealthy.

An Lingrong was also very hardworking. She gave birth to three sons and two daughters in succession, and her life became very comfortable day by day.

In the 19th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, a war broke out at the border. Zhen Hao, the eldest son of Zhen Heng and An Lingrong, signed up to join the army. He said goodbye to his mother:

"Father, mother, the country is in danger now. As a man of my stature, how can I not serve the country? If I can return safely, I will be filial to you two at home. Your son is leaving!"

On the battlefield, Zhen Hao was a skilled warrior and rose from a small soldier to a deputy general. Here he also fought with the famous Qing general Yue Zhongqi. After three years of fighting, in the 22nd year of Qianlong's reign, Yue Zhongqi returned victorious.

Unfortunately, General Yue was old and died of illness on the way back to the capital at the age of seventy, two years longer than Yue Zhongqi in history.

In the court, Shen Meimei posthumously conferred the title of Duke of Anguo on Yue Zhongqi and buried him with the ceremony of a duke.

Shen Meimei thought Zhen Hao looked familiar, so she asked, "Is your father Zhen Heng? And your mother An Lingrong?"

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, that's right!" Zhen Hao knelt down and bowed respectfully in reply.

Shen Meimei looked pleased and said "OK, OK, OK!" three times in a row.

Zhen Hao stayed by the emperor's side and became a first-rank sword-bearing guard, responsible for the emperor's security.

Shen Meimei did not recall Zhen Heng and An Lingrong. There is vast land in the border areas. Developing the border areas well would be the greatest contribution to the Qing Dynasty.

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