A middle-aged emperor, childless, was blessed with a beautiful and pregnant concubine who entered th

After saying a few more words, the wax apple quietly withdrew.

Zhou Mingyi leaned back against the soft pillows, gazing at the flickering candlelight, her mind slowly turning.

It's a good thing that Chaoyang has ambitions.

Only ambitious people do outrageous things.

Only by doing something outrageous will one's flaws be exposed.

Only by revealing a flaw can one be caught.

In her previous life, she was unaware of Chaoyang's ambitions and did not directly set her sights on the princess's residence.

She was sent to the Eastern Palace by the Cen family and placed on the Crown Prince's bed. If she wanted to save her brother from Princess Chaoyang, she could only do so through the Crown Prince.

She had no other choice.

But now that I think about it, she was thinking too far ahead and narrowed her path.

Xie Jing had no shortage of offspring, but she didn't devote enough attention to him.

If she had put even half the effort into dealing with Emperor Qianwu, Xie Jing wouldn't have treated her merely as a plaything.

Her beauty and naivety always got her into trouble.

At that time, she could only try her best to survive in the backyard, thinking about how to protect herself from the ruthless Crown Princess Xiao Weirou.

She was thinking about how to quickly get Xie Jing to help her rescue her brother.

She hadn't fully grasped Xie Jing's intentions yet, but she already wanted him to confront Chaoyang and Emperor Qianwu for her sake.

That's incredibly naive and foolish.

She had many enemies at that time, including Chaoyang, Xiao Weirou, and those flamboyant women in the Eastern Palace.

Looking back now, I realize I was truly a frog in a well.

What is the Crown Prince? What is the Crown Princess?

All those women were fighting over was just a tiny plot of land in the Eastern Palace.

But what Chaoyang is fighting for is the entire country.

Different perspectives lead to different methods.

Zhou Mingyi recalled those things she had never understood in her previous life.

For example, since Consort Chen was able to give birth to a princess, and the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital were all highly skilled, why did His Majesty have no other children, not even a second daughter?

Could the medicine that the late emperor's concubine gave Xie Jinghong really have made him childless for life?

It is evident that he had no other children besides Chaoyang, and Chaoyang must have played a significant role in his life.

For example, why is it that Chaoyang, despite being a princess, has a voice in the imperial court?

It turned out to be the case.

It turns out that Chaoyang had been planning this from the very beginning.

It's just a pity that she's here in this life.

Zhou Mingyi closed her eyes and slowly made plans in her mind.

If Chaoyang wants to fight, then let her fight.

Not only should we let her fight for it, we should also help her fight for it.

She had to let the Crown Prince know that someone was coveting his position, and that person was not Xie Jinghong's son, but a princess.

He had always given preferential treatment to his so-called imperial sister.

She had always coveted his position.

How fun that would be!

Since ancient times, it has never been heard of a princess ascending the throne.

If Xie Jing is truly as useless as he appears, then so be it.

But Zhou Mingyi knew that Xie Jing was not as incompetent as he appeared.

He is cunning and extremely ambitious.

Even though Chaoyang was honest and had no ambition for the throne, this princess was truly special. She had a fiefdom, a place to live off, and was able to raise a private army.

Such a princess was enough to make Crown Prince Xie Jing feel like he had a fishbone stuck in his throat.

If he knew that Chaoyang still harbored ambitions for the throne.

She refused to believe that Xie Jing could remain calm.

What would the court officials think if they knew that the princess wanted to remain unmarried for life and participate in politics?

If Consort Chen were to find out that the daughter she had raised for twenty years was a venomous snake, what would she do?

At that point, they'll be in a complete mess, getting more and more tangled up.

All she needs to do is gently pull at the most opportune moment.

She could easily eliminate her enemies from her past life.

Chaoyang, Consort Chen, Xie Jing, Xiao Weirou...

Just then, soft footsteps came from outside; it was Shiliu, the personal maid of the palace.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess has sent a message saying she wishes to visit you in the palace tomorrow."

Zhou Mingyi opened her eyes, a faint smile in them.

Speaking of Xiao Weirou, here she is.

She raised her eyes and nodded. "Just tell them that I'm feeling better and I'm feeling quite bored. I'm hoping the Crown Princess will come and talk to me."

The pomegranate responded and went away.

Zhou Mingyi leaned back against the soft pillows, gazing at the ceiling above the tent, her thoughts slowly turning.

The Crown Princess will enter the palace tomorrow.

Naturally, it was to visit her, the poor woman who had just suffered a miscarriage.

They would inevitably bring some tonics and medicinal herbs, and offer words of comfort and concern.

Tell her to take good care of herself and not to overthink it; there will be other opportunities in the future.

Anyone can do superficial things.

But Zhou Mingyi knew that the Crown Princess probably wished she could never get pregnant again.

If she were to conceive Emperor Qianwu's only child, how could she, as the Crown Princess, possibly sit securely in her position? Her two legitimate sons would likely become a laughingstock.

In her previous life, she was a concubine in the Eastern Palace, of low status, and had a beautiful face. Xiao Weirou appeared virtuous and generous on the surface, but behind the scenes, she did countless sabotages.

Spilled hot tea, the punishment she happened to be caught in, the gossip that got out of nowhere... there were so many things, she remembered them all!

In this life, she entered the palace as a concubine and became the Crown Prince's stepmother, overshadowing the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess appeared respectful, but what she truly felt was obvious to anyone.

A slight smile curved at the corners of Zhou Mingyi's lips.

She needs to think carefully about what attitude to use when they meet tomorrow.

Should he continue to play the victim and make the Crown Princess think he's already collapsed?

It was still subtle, leaving the Crown Princess unable to fathom its depth.

She thought about it and decided to choose the third option.

Offer the Crown Princess a way out.

This made her think she had a chance to take advantage of the situation.

People will act once they think they have an opportunity.

The slightest movement will reveal a flaw.

And she waited for that opening.

The next day, the sky was overcast, as if it was about to snow.

Xiao Weirou entered the palace at Shenshi (3-5 PM), bringing a bunch of tonics and medicinal herbs, as well as two brocade boxes, which she said were little trinkets for the Imperial Concubine to amuse herself.

Upon seeing Zhou Mingyi, he was filled with concern, took her hand, and his eyes were a little red.

"Your Majesty has suffered."

Xiao Weirou was beautiful, with her hair styled in a high bun and dressed elegantly. Her voice was soft. "When I heard about what happened that day, my heart was in turmoil, and I didn't sleep well all night."

"I originally intended to visit the Empress on the same day, but I was afraid of disturbing her rest, so I have held back until today."

Zhou Mingyi leaned against the soft pillows, her face still somewhat pale. Upon hearing this, she forced a smile: "You're too kind, Crown Princess."

"This is a calamity that I am destined to face; there is no escaping it."

Xiao Weirou sighed and held her hand to comfort her, "Your Majesty is still young. Once you recover, you will have plenty of opportunities in the future."

"His Majesty cares for you, and the Empress Dowager also thinks of you; this is the most important thing."

Zhou Mingyi nodded, her eyes seemingly a little moist.

After exchanging a few casual words, Xiao Weirou inquired about what had happened that day.

Zhou Mingyi lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "The imperial physician said the pregnancy was unstable. I never expected this... She was fine that morning, but suddenly in the afternoon..."

She didn't continue, but shook her head, her eyes turning red. She quickly grabbed a handkerchief and pressed it to her nose and lips, as if afraid she would cry.

Xiao Weirou's eyes flashed, and she quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty, don't think about it. You should take good care of yourself and get well. That's the most important thing."

Zhou Mingyi hummed in agreement, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up as if she had remembered something.

"Speaking of which, there was something that happened yesterday that I found rather strange."

Xiao Weirou's eyes flickered slightly: "Oh? I'd like to hear the details."

Zhou Mingyi lowered her voice: "I heard that Princess Chaoyang went to Qianqing Palace yesterday and spoke with His Majesty for quite a while."

"I only heard it from someone, saying that the princess said she would never marry and wanted to share His Majesty's burdens."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Xiao Weirou, her expression seemingly puzzled.

"Tell me, what does Her Highness mean by this?"

"How can I remain unmarried for life? I'm afraid the Empress Dowager wouldn't allow it..."

Zhou Mingyi stopped talking. The bait had been laid, and now they were just waiting for the fish to bite.

Xiao Weirou's face didn't change much; she still looked concerned.

But Zhou Mingyi noticed that her fingers tightened slightly.

In just a moment, it loosened.

"Her Highness is filial."

Xiao Weirou smiled and said, "Your Majesty is blessed."

Zhou Mingyi nodded: "Yes, Your Highness's sentiments are truly touching. To remain unmarried for life... these are not words that just anyone could utter."

After she finished speaking, she stopped and only took a sip of tea.

Xiao Weirou didn't ask any more questions. After exchanging a few more casual words, she got up to take her leave.

Zhou Mingyi leaned against the soft pillows and watched her leave.

Once the footsteps had faded into the distance, Shiliu leaned closer and whispered, "Your Majesty, what you just said..."

Zhou Mingyi smiled gently.

Those words were a ladder offered out.

What will the Crown Princess think after she returns?

A princess, who never married, dedicated her life to sharing the emperor's burdens...

Could she understand the implication behind those words?

Of course I can tell.

They can not only hear it, but also think about it more deeply.

He wondered why Chaoyang said those words, what His Majesty's reply was, whether this matter had anything to do with him, and whether the Crown Prince knew about it.

The more I think about it, the less I can sleep.

The more I thought about it, the more restless I became.

Zhou Mingyi closed her eyes, her smile deepening.

She did nothing, she just said one sentence.

Even if someone asked, she could always say that she was worried about the princess's marriage.

Fine snow began to fall outside the window, drifting down silently.

The charcoal fire inside the hall was burning brightly, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Zhou Mingyi wrapped herself tighter in the blanket, feeling that winter was becoming more and more interesting.

The Crown Princess entered the palace at Shenshi (3-5 PM) and did not leave until almost Youshi (5-7 PM). By the time she returned to the East Palace, it was already dark.

The snow was falling heavier than before, landing on my shoulders with a refreshing coolness.

She stood under the eaves, watching the eunuchs busily holding up umbrellas, brushing away the snow, and clearing the way, and suddenly felt that it all seemed a little ridiculous.

She is the Crown Princess, the future Empress. Among the hundreds of people in the Eastern Palace, who doesn't treat her with utmost respect?

But the chill that emanated from her bones when she left Consort Zhen's place today has not yet dissipated.

"Your Highness," Su Yun, a trusted maid, approached and whispered, "His Highness is in the study at the front. He said he'll be back later."

The Crown Princess nodded and entered the main hall.

The charcoal fire inside the hall was burning brightly, radiating warmth.

She let someone take off her cloak, changed into casual clothes, sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), holding a teacup in her hand, but didn't bring it to her lips for a long time.

Suyun and Suxin had served her since childhood and grew up with her, so they understood her thoughts best.

He then dismissed the others, knelt down on the footstool himself, massaged the Crown Princess's legs, and whispered, "Your Highness, is there something amiss with Consort Zhen?"

The Crown Princess lowered her eyes and remained silent.

After a long while, she finally spoke, her voice low: "She said something."

"I don't know if it was intentional or unintentional."

Su Yun kept working, waiting for the next part.

"Princess Chaoyang..."

The Crown Princess's thumb traced the rim of her teacup, her eyes slightly lowered. "She seemed to have unintentionally mentioned something related to Princess Chaoyang."

"Tell me, what does 'Consort Zhen' mean?"