Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 204 The Charge Begins!
After safely escorting Lou Suyi back to Shou'an Palace, Jiqing returned to the Emperor to report.

Seeing his master looking like an ascetic, he timidly suggested, "Does Your Majesty wish to choose a concubine?"

With so many concubines in the harem, has His Majesty not taken a fancy to any of them?

Upon hearing this, Murong looked at Jiqing, who showed fear under his cold gaze: "This servant was just asking."

The harem isn't just about the Fourth Miss; if she's not kept, other concubines can fill her place.

But judging from his master's reaction, it's clear he had no intention of choosing a concubine.

It's lamentable that as the ruler of the world, the emperor is so engrossed in politics that he neglects to favor the many beautiful women around him. What's the point of being an emperor like that?
Your Majesty is truly a man who doesn't know how to enjoy life.

However, judging from His Majesty's lenient attitude towards the Fourth Miss, he felt that the Fourth Miss was different from other women, and His Majesty seemed to value her exceptionally.

Other concubines in the harem wouldn't even be allowed to enter the Qianqing Palace. But His Majesty ordered him to give instructions that the Fourth Miss could come and go freely.

Two days later, Lou Suyi confirmed that Empress Dowager Chen had fully recovered before returning to Xianfu Palace with her child.

A month passed peacefully like this. During this month, she didn't see Murong again, and occasionally she would think of him. However, with her son, that lively little rascal, around, she rarely thought of Murong.

During this period, rumors circulated that former court officials had jointly submitted a memorial requesting that Murong establish an empress.

Before Murong ascended the throne, his fiancée Liang Wanying had followed the late emperor, and perhaps out of guilt, the late emperor did not interfere in Murong's marriage.

Therefore, Murong only took two concubines, but had no principal wife.

After Murong ascended the throne, the matter of establishing an empress was mentioned more than once, but Murong always dismissed it by saying that he was too busy after ascending the throne.

Now that he is doing a good job as emperor, the matter of establishing an empress has naturally been brought up again.

For several days, the ministers held heated discussions about this matter in the court, and these ministers were even more anxious about it than if they were getting married themselves.

This matter had far-reaching implications and quickly spread throughout the imperial harem.

Everyone had their own opinions, and they were all guessing that the most enthusiastic ministers wanted to marry off their unmarried daughters to Murong, otherwise why would they be so enthusiastic?
Just that day, Empress Dowager Chen came to Xianfu Palace to visit Xiao Muchen. Hearing the news, all the concubines rushed to Xianfu Palace, hoping to get information from Empress Dowager Chen.

Empress Dowager Chen was well aware of the concubines' schemes, but she had only heard about it; Murong had not discussed it with her.

What she was most worried about was Liang Wanying, this ticking time bomb.

What if Murong suddenly had a change of heart and wanted to bestow a title upon Liang Wanying?
She was also in a state of turmoil, which is why she came to Xianfu Palace to see Suyi and Chen'er, but she didn't expect that she wouldn't be able to find peace even then.

Consort De and Empress Dowager Chen exchanged some trivial words before getting straight to the point: "Does Your Majesty know of His Majesty's plans? I've heard that His Majesty has already chosen an Empress. Is that true?"

As soon as she said this, the room fell silent, everyone waiting for Empress Dowager Chen's answer.

Liang Wanying also came today; she was there to find out what was going on. She couldn't go to Shou'an Palace, but she could freely come and go from Xianfu Palace.

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Empress Dowager Chen secretly observed Liang Wanying's expression and, noticing no smugness in her, felt slightly relieved.

"The Emperor hasn't consulted me, so I naturally don't know his plans," Empress Dowager Chen said, continuing to play with the little one in her arms. Everyone couldn't help but feel disappointed. Consort De looked at Lou Suying, who was smiling beside her, and asked, "Miss Lou, do you know which noble lady His Majesty intends to make Empress?"

Lou Suyi was surprised that Consort De would suddenly ask her this question. How could she possibly know Murong's plans?

"How would I know who His Majesty wants to make Empress? The last time I saw His Majesty was a month ago. Consort De asked the wrong person." Lou Suyi felt that Consort De was a person with impure intentions.

Knowing full well that she doesn't even have a formal title, he still asked her such a big question; I wonder if he wanted to humiliate her in this way.

"Aren't you His Majesty's savior? Perhaps His Majesty will speak to you about it," Consort De said with a half-smile.

Lou Suyi ignored Consort De's sarcastic remarks and said to Empress Dowager Chen, "Shall I take Chen'er out for a walk?"

Empress Dowager Chen handed Xiao Mochen to Lou Suyi, also feeling that it would be better for Lou Suyi to leave the occasion.

Lou Suyi originally planned to wait until all the concubines left before returning, but only a quarter of an hour later, Yan Hui hurriedly came over and said that Empress Dowager Chen and Liang Wanying had a conflict.

"How did the conflict start? Did Consort Hui provoke the Empress Dowager first?" Lou Suyi asked as she carried the child back.

"At first, the noble ladies were discussing who His Majesty would appoint as Empress. Later, Consort De pushed Consort Hui forward, saying that Consort Hui was the most favored by His Majesty and had the greatest chance. The Empress Dowager was displeased upon hearing this and said that even if all the women in the harem died, it would not be Consort Hui's turn to become Empress. Then Consort Hui retorted with words..."

Yan Hui dared not utter that rebellious word.

Lou Suyi was really curious, so she pressed for details about what had made Empress Dowager Chen so angry.

Yan Hui had no choice but to whisper in her ear: "Consort Hui said that the Empress Dowager might as well keep a close eye on her and see if she can become Empress."

Lou Suyi's eyes widened: "Has Consort Hui gone mad?!"

How dare they be so disrespectful to Empress Dowager Chen? And to curse her in front of so many people! No wonder Empress Dowager Chen was so angry she collapsed.

She rushed to the scene as quickly as possible, only to find Empress Dowager Chen slumped on a stool, her face deathly pale, while Liang Wanying stood upright to the side, seemingly not thinking she had done anything wrong.

Even Fang Ruo's eyes turned red with anger, clearly furious at Liang Wan Ying's audacity.

Lou Suying hurried to Empress Dowager Chen and said softly, "Your Majesty, are you alright? I have already sent someone to invite Imperial Physician Liu and His Majesty. Your Majesty, please do not be sad. With Your Majesty here in the harem, no one else has the right to run wild!"

As she spoke, she glanced coldly at Liang Wanying, who had an arrogant expression.

When Liang Wanying heard that Lou Suying had invited Murong over, her eyes turned cold and sharp: "Lou Suying, who gave you the audacity to act on your own?!"

"Shouldn't the Empress Dowager have informed His Majesty immediately if she is unwell?! I would like to ask Consort Hui, why didn't you summon the imperial physician and His Majesty immediately when the Empress Dowager was unwell? What are your intentions, Consort Hui?!" Lou Suying's aura was imposing as she stared at Liang Wanying.

Liang Wanying thought to herself that she certainly hoped Empress Dowager Chen would be angered to death by her.

However, she was so angry with Empress Dowager Chen at the time that she said those unpleasant things. Now that she's calmed down, I wonder what Murong would think if he knew what she said to Empress Dowager Chen.

At this moment, she naturally regretted it and did not want Murong to know about this matter. Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets, as Murong would likely arrive at Xianfu Palace soon.

Hehe