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

Three days later, Crown Prince Xie Jing "died of illness" in his place of confinement.

Although she was said to have died of illness, Zhou Mingyi knew that her belly was getting bigger and bigger, and the imperial physician had examined her and determined that it was a boy.

Emperor Qianwu became increasingly impatient.

Now that he has his own biological son, Xie Jing's existence has become extremely obstructive.

Anyway, it's already a crawler that's been imprisoned.

Killing a "reptile" is so clean and efficient; you can just find any excuse.

However, precisely because it was too clean and efficient, Zhou Mingyi felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, she is now heavily pregnant, although thanks to the system and the pills, she experiences almost no discomfort.

However, there are some things that are inconvenient to do personally.

She could have her hands stained with blood, but her child was too young to see such gore.

Otherwise, she really wanted to go and see Xie Jing in person.

Look at how this thing that treated her like a toy in her past life gradually led to its destruction.

Perhaps, she could find Xie Jing some strong, handsome men from the south, so he could also experience what it's like to be treated as a plaything...

Zhou Mingyi couldn't help but sigh.

Just like when I didn't do well in an argument, I felt annoyed for several days.

Lianwu could clearly sense that her mistress seemed to be in a bad mood, but she didn't dare to ask. She could only cautiously ask, "Was Your Highness frightened?"

"His Majesty said that the Empress is pregnant and should not be exposed to blood, which is why he did not order the torture. But the Crown Prince... no, Xie Jing himself is not cooperating..."

Zhou Mingyi: ...

"Yes, it's alright."

She didn't ask any more questions.

Xie Jing died, the Eastern Palace collapsed, Xiao Weirou went mad, and both of her children were gone.

What I owed her in my past life, I have finally repaid in this life.

But it's not over yet.

And the rising sun.

And there was Consort Chen.

There are still many people.

It's okay, no rush.

……

Princess House.

Chaoyang leaned against the chaise lounge, a secret report in his hand, a smile on his lips.

The crown prince is dead.

That eyesore of an adopted child has finally died.

She tossed the secret report aside, sat up straight, and couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"Someone, prepare the sedan chair. I wish to enter the palace to pay my respects to my father, the Emperor."

The palace maid beside him said cautiously, "Your Highness, His Majesty has been in a bad mood these days, and besides, you are under house arrest... Would you like to...?"

Chaoyang glared at her.

"The Crown Prince is dead; Father should be happy."

"What's wrong with me going to comfort Father?"

"As for being confined to my quarters, when has Father ever truly been angry with me?"

The palace maid dared not speak further, but in her heart she thought, "You used to be His Majesty's only biological child. Now, although the Crown Prince is dead, Consort Zhen is still carrying another one..."

Why has His Majesty confined you to your quarters? Don't you know why?

At this point, they still dare to go up to him. Isn't that just offering their face to be slapped?

But Chaoyang was willful, and no palace maid could persuade her to stay.

When Emperor Qianwu issued the order for confinement, he had everyone removed.

But Chaoyang is, after all, a princess, his only bloodline, and a princess of noble birth; she cannot be left without someone to serve her.

This palace maid was left to serve her.

Chaoyang stood up, walked to the bronze mirror, and straightened his clothes.

The face in the mirror was radiant, just as it had always been.

But she knew things were different now.

She was once her father's only daughter, but not his only hope.

With the crown prince still alive, the court officials have a choice.

What about now?

The crown prince is dead.

The emperor had no heir for many years, and among the concubines in the harem, apart from Consort Zhen's unborn child, none of them were able to bear children.

She, Chaoyang, is her father's only bloodline.

The only one.

As for the one in Zhou's womb, it doesn't count since it hasn't been born yet.

Even if it is born, it is just a baby.

Chaoyang has now realized that her age is her biggest advantage.

What can a baby, even a boy, have to compete with her?

Besides, there's still a long way to go, and if they get in the way, it's not like we can't kill them.

It's not easy for a child to grow up safely and smoothly...

The corners of Chaoyang's lips curved into a smile.

"Let's go, into the palace."

……

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Qianwu leaned back against his desk, looking exhausted.

The matter concerning the Crown Prince has kept him from sleeping well for the past few days.

Although he had no real affection for the fake father and son, the Crown Prince, he was still secretly alarmed by the Crown Prince's ruthless and cunning nature.

That bastard, coveting his throne and women, he deserves to die!

If it weren't for the fact that Ah Chang was pregnant and shouldn't bleed, he should have torn her to pieces!

Emperor Qianwu closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Just then, Fuquan came in to report: "Your Majesty, Princess Chaoyang has arrived."

Chaoyang was, after all, a princess. She managed to escape from the princess's residence, and the imperial guards at the palace gates dared not stop her, so they had no choice but to let her in.

Emperor Qianwu was stunned for a moment.

"Let her in."

When Chaoyang came in, his face showed just the right amount of worry.

She walked into the hall, knelt down to pay her respects, and spoke softly:

"Father, I have come to see you."

Emperor Qianwu looked at her and nodded.

Get up.

Chaoyang stood up, walked to his side, and said softly:

"Father, you've lost weight these past few days. I've had some ginseng soup prepared; would you like some?"

Emperor Qianwu looked at her, at her radiant face, and at the concern in her eyes.

My feelings were complicated at that moment.

However, he has always been suspicious.

Was Chaoyang here to show concern for him, or to probe his true intentions?

After all, he has now woken up from the illusion of having an only daughter and knows that his daughter is not someone to be trifled with.

Thinking about it that way, his face became expressionless.

Chaoyang couldn't figure out what he was thinking for a moment.

She had no choice but to obediently step forward to serve the soup, playing the role of a well-behaved and considerate daughter.

After taking a sip of soup, Emperor Qianwu inquired about the Crown Prince's plot to rebel.

Chaoyang was furious. "The Crown Prince has betrayed Father Emperor's trust!"

"His ambitions are those of a wolf; he deserves to be killed!"

She was filled with righteous indignation, as if she felt sorry for Emperor Qianwu.

Although he knew that she was mostly acting, Emperor Qianwu's expression softened slightly.

No matter what, she's my biological daughter, and I've loved her for so many years.

Emperor Qianwu then asked, "Why are you here today? Didn't I order you to stay at home?"

Chaoyang's face immediately froze.

She mumbled, "Your subject misses Father Emperor, and knowing that Father Emperor must be heartbroken over the Crown Prince's matter, so..."

She obediently admitted her mistake: "My daughter knows she was wrong!"

"Although you have forbidden your daughter from going out, I know that you are doing it for my own good, to prevent me from doing something wrong in a moment of impulse."

She spoke very subtly, but she did indeed understand what Emperor Qianwu meant.

The fear that she might harm Ah Chang's unborn child was precisely the fear that she might "do something wrong in a moment of impulse."

But now that the child has said it himself, Emperor Qianwu is somewhat embarrassed.

He coughed lightly.

"You should stay in your princess residence. Consort Zhen is pregnant, so don't go near her unless necessary."

Chaoyang: ...

As Chaoyang emerged from the Qianqing Palace, his smile froze.

But all that effort was worthwhile.

However, she became even more certain of one thing: that the child in Consort Zhen's belly, even if she gave birth to it, she would definitely find a way to get rid of it later.

……

Yongxiang Side Hall.

Su Jinse sat by the window, her face deathly pale.

Chunying stood to the side, head down, not daring to speak.

Su Jinse's hands were trembling.

Just now, Chunying whispered a few words in her ear that made her feel terrible.

"You're saying... Her Highness suspects me?"

Spring Oriole nodded, her voice soft:

"Yes. I heard from the people in Weiyang Palace that Her Highness the Princess has been investigating the matter of that mad horse. She believes that the horse's sudden madness and sudden change of direction were caused by someone tampering with it behind the scenes."

Su Jinse's legs went weak.

Of course she knew about the horse.

She had someone sabotage the process, intending to embarrass Liu Shuang'er.

Later, the horse went mad, nearly killing Consort Zhen, then turned towards Consort Lan, and was finally killed with a single blow...

She thought the matter was over.

Even His Majesty couldn't find anything out, so the princess and Consort Chen could only suffer in silence.

But unexpectedly, the princess hadn't given up yet...

Who is Princess Chaoyang? She's someone even the Crown Prince can't defeat. If she finds out it was you who did it…

Su Jinse dared not think any further.

"Chunying... Chunying! Go quickly, go to Weiyang Palace! Beg Consort Zhen! Tell her... tell her I'm willing to do anything for her! As long as she'll save me!"

Chunying sneered inwardly, but her face remained terrified.

"Your Highness, this servant...this servant will go right away."

She turned and went out, disappearing into the night.

……

Weiyang Palace.

Zhou Mingyi leaned back on the soft couch, and after listening to Lianwu recount Su Jinse's reaction, the corners of her lips curved into a smile.

"So scared?"

Wax apples nodded.

"Yes. Consort Su was so frightened that her face turned pale. She sent Chunying to beg Your Highness, saying that she was willing to do anything for Your Highness."

Zhou Mingyi smiled.

"Alright. Tell her I will show her a way."

Wax apple stepped forward.

Zhou Mingyi lowered her voice and said a few words.

After hearing this, the wax apple's eyes lit up.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Zhou Mingyi waved her hand.

"Go."

……

Side hall of Yonghe Palace.

Su Jinse was stunned for a long time after hearing what Chunying had told her.

"To curry favor with Consort Chen? To extract Princess Chaoyang's secrets?"

Spring Oriole nodded.

"Yes. Consort Zhen said that as long as Your Highness can get the secret of Princess Chaoyang out of Consort Chen, Your Highness's life will be saved."

Su Jinse bit her lip.

Consort Chen?

That half-dead woman?

But she has no other choice now.

Su Jinse took a deep breath.

"Alright. I... will go."

……

The next day, Su Jinse went to Chang Le Palace.

She deliberately changed into a simple outfit, and her hair was simply tied into a bun, making her look very docile.

She was carrying a box of pastries, including osmanthus cakes made using a recipe she brought from Jiangnan.

Consort Chen was sunbathing under the eaves when she saw her arrive, and she was somewhat surprised.

"Lady Su? What brings you here?"

Su Jinse walked up to her and gave her a proper bow.

"Your Highness Consort Chen, I've come to pay my respects. This is osmanthus cake I made myself, would you like to try some?"

Consort Chen looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

Su Jinse lowered her head, looking docile.

Consort Chen looked at her for a long while before finally nodding.

"Please sit down."

Su Jinse sat down beside her and carefully opened the food box.

The aroma of osmanthus cake wafts out, sweet and delightful.

Consort Chen picked up a piece and took a bite.

"Hmm, not bad."

Su Jinse smiled, but her smile was somewhat timid.

"I'm glad Your Majesty likes it. I'll send you more often from now on."

Consort Chen glanced at her.

"You little rascal, you know how to handle things."

Su Jinse lowered her head and whispered:

"Your Majesty, I'm just... I'm all alone in the palace, and it's getting rather boring. I'd like to find a place to sit and chat."

Consort Chen remained silent.

Su Jinse wasn't in a hurry; she just sat there quietly.

After a long while, Consort Chen suddenly spoke:

"Weren't you always causing trouble? What, are you scared of being locked up?"

Su Jinse almost burst into tears.

She recalled those days in the Yongxiang Palace, those dark and hopeless days, and her voice trembled with tears:

"Your Majesty... I know I was wrong. I will never dare to do it again."

Looking at her appearance, Consort Chen suddenly thought of herself in the past.

I have felt that fear and helplessness before.

She sighed.

"Alright, stop crying. You can come whenever you want in the future."

Su Jinse raised her head, her eyes bright.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

……

From that day on, Su Jinse went to Chang Le Palace every day.

Sometimes she would bring snacks, sometimes she would bring handkerchiefs she had embroidered herself, and sometimes she would come and sit down and chat with Consort Chen.

At first, Consort Chen was somewhat wary of her, but as time went on, she gradually relaxed.

This girl, though she used to be a bit dim-witted, seems quite honest now.

Besides, she comes every day, and I listen to her talk about all sorts of things, so it's not boring at all.

On this day, Su Jinse came again.

Today she made candied cherries, which were bright red and looked very appealing.

Consort Chen tasted one and nodded.

"Your skills are quite good."

Su Jinse smiled. She didn't have such skills. She had never lifted a finger since she was a child, so these pastries were naturally made by Chunying.

That girl only has this one redeeming quality.

But that didn't stop her from acting. When she saw that the time was right, she immediately pretended to sigh unconsciously.

Consort Chen glanced at her.

"What's wrong?"

Su Jinse hesitated for a moment, then whispered:

"Your Majesty, I just... I just remembered that my mother used to love making this when I was at home. But after I entered the palace, I never ate it again."

Consort Chen remained silent for a while.

"It has been many years since I have eaten anything made by my mother."