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

Several months later, Zhou Mingyi's belly grew bigger and bigger.

Counting the days, it's finally almost time for her to give birth.

She seemed fine, and as usual, after each meal, she would hold her belly and slowly walk around the walls of Weiyang Palace.

Although she has a system, while childbirth is life-threatening for others, it's like childbirth for her.

But you still have to put on an act.

She couldn't let Emperor Qianwu think that giving birth was as easy as laying an egg.

Men are inherently fickle; they rarely cherish things that are too easily obtained.

They might even take it for granted.

Zhou Mingyi would not allow Emperor Qianwu to have such thoughts.

He already had difficulty conceiving.

If it weren't for Zhou Mingyi, he would have been childless.

She went through a lot of hardship during her pregnancy and childbirth. Even if she became a little spoiled and unpredictable, he should be understanding and forgiving.

Zhou Mingyi wanted to use this childbirth to make Emperor Qianwu understand how difficult it was for her to give birth to this child.

This is also in preparation for her turning against you in the future.

Although she let Emperor Qianwu and his mother know that her childbirth was not easy, she actually planned to take the system's pills directly to ensure a smooth and painless delivery.

After all, she had already experienced the pain of childbirth before.

The system is right. Suffering is a whetstone, but it's not something to be celebrated.

However, sometimes, people inevitably have to go through hardships. After the hardships are over, they will say that the hardships were for their own benefit and growth, just to comfort themselves.

But if you don't have to suffer, who would be willing to endure hardship without suffering?

Since the last time she was in excruciating pain and gave birth to two "false babies," Zhou Mingyi never wanted to experience the pain of childbirth again.

But others don't know.

The play still needs to be performed.

The closer the delivery date got, the more anxious and worried the Empress Dowager and her son became.

If it weren't for the fact that moving to Weiyang Palace would remind her of those unpleasant past events, the Empress Dowager would have been eager to move there immediately.

They had finally waited for this baby to be full-term; it was the greatest hope for the rest of their lives!

The Empress Dowager now comes over at least twice a day.

Even if Zhou Mingyi didn't give him a good look, Emperor Qianwu would accept it.

Every day, they either offer thoughtful companionship or express their concern and care.

Zhou Mingyi remained lukewarm, and Emperor Qianwu gradually got used to it...

On this day, Zhou Mingyi walked around the palace again, supporting her pregnant belly.

The wax apple and pomegranate kept a close watch, following closely, not daring to miss a single glance.

"Your Majesty, your belly looks so big, walking must be tiring. Why don't you sit down and rest?"

Shi Liu felt very sorry for her.

Wax apples nodded eagerly.

Zhou Mingyi's belly wasn't actually that big; it was mainly because her limbs were so slender that her lower abdomen appeared unusually large.

Furthermore, pregnant women often experience various inconveniences in the late stages of pregnancy.

Of course, there was also an element of acting involved.

If they didn't put on a hard performance, how could they possibly appease Emperor Qianwu and his mother?

"The imperial physician said that in the later stages of labor, more exercise will help with childbirth."

Zhou Mingyi stroked her lower abdomen, her voice gentle.

The clever child inside gave a gentle kick, as if responding to its mother.

Just then, the Empress Dowager walked in.

"Your Majesty is right. You should move around more before giving birth so that the delivery will be smoother."

Zhou Mingyi pursed her lips, supporting her belly as she was about to perform the curtsy, when the Empress Dowager stopped her.

"You are currently pregnant, so there is no need for you to bow."

"Let me support you, let's walk a little further."

She paused for a moment, then immediately added, "If you feel tired, be sure to tell me."

Zhou Mingyi nodded.

The two walked around the wall twice before Emperor Qianwu arrived.

Zhou Mingyi didn't even lift her eyelids; she simply stepped forward to bow as was customary.

Emperor Qianwu immediately helped her up; how could he dare to let her actually bow to him?

"My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formalities."

Zhou Mingyi nodded slightly, one hand supporting her belly and the other holding the Empress Dowager's hand, and continued walking.

Empress Dowager: ...

She walked around again before stopping.

"Your Majesty, it's hot outside, why don't you come inside?"

The group then went inside.

Zhou Mingyi did not look at Emperor Qianwu at all during the entire process.

Fu Quan, who was following behind Emperor Qianwu, couldn't help but feel uneasy.

This imperial concubine has such high aspirations.

His Majesty was rebuffed for several months.

But with such a precious baby in her belly, His Majesty was completely helpless against her.

Fuquan pondered how the Imperial Concubine had always received His Majesty when he visited Weiyang Palace in the past…

As he pondered, he found himself unable to come up with a solution.

What about now?

His Majesty sat there for most of the hour, but she didn't even glance at him.

He simply ordered someone to serve His Majesty a cup of tea.

The Empress Dowager would talk to the child in the Empress's womb every day.

The Empress Dowager allowed her to do as she pleased, and she took the needle and thread to sew baby clothes for the little prince in her womb.

The stitches are fine, and the pattern is of carp playing with a pearl.

The little carp was made with gold and red thread, shimmering with gold and bright red, it was incredibly beautiful.

I don't know how the Empress embroidered it, because all the stitches were hidden.

There's absolutely no need to worry about it scratching the little prince's delicate skin.

Even the Empress Dowager had to find things to do herself.

Moreover, His Majesty.

Her Majesty didn't leave, and she didn't rush him away.

Emperor Qianwu sat for a while, then, feeling bored, stood up.

"I'm going back now. You should rest well."

Zhou Mingyi nodded.

"Your Majesty, please take care."

Emperor Qianwu walked to the door, stopped, and looked back.

She was still leaning against the couch, holding a needle and thread in her hand, slowly embroidering stitch by stitch, her eyes gentle, as beautiful as a painting.

Emperor Qianwu: ...

He felt a tightness in his chest and had no choice but to leave quickly.

As soon as Emperor Qianwu left, the Empress Dowager sighed.

"Ah Chang, I know you harbor resentment. Originally, I shouldn't have said anything, nor should I have sided with the Emperor. But do you really intend to spend the rest of your life like this with the Emperor?"

Zhou Mingyi feigned ignorance: "What is Your Majesty saying?"

The Empress Dowager's expression was complicated. "Alas, I will not say any more."

Zhou Mingyi slightly curled the corners of her lips.

The Empress Dowager sat down beside her, took her hand, and looked her up and down.

"You look good, even better than a few days ago."

Zhou Mingyi smiled.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am perfectly fine."

The Empress Dowager looked at her belly, then at her face.

"Has the baby made any moves today?"

Zhou Mingyi looked down at her stomach.

"It's alright. It's just that it moves around a lot at night, kicking so much that I can't sleep."

The Empress Dowager quickly said, "That won't do. Have the imperial physician prescribe a calming medicine so you can get some sleep."

Zhou Mingyi shook her head.

"No need. The imperial physician said that babies born at this stage are all like this. They'll be fine after birth."

The Empress Dowager wanted to say something, but seeing Zhou Mingyi's indifferent expression, she swallowed her words.

She sat for a while and asked a few more questions, which Zhou Mingyi answered.

They were very polite and gentle, and there wasn't a single fault in their manner.

They just aren't close.

There wasn't that warm, familiar feeling of being one of their own.

After leaving Weiyang Palace, the Empress Dowager got into her sedan chair. Leaning back in it, she pondered for a long time before finally unable to hold back any longer. "Zhulan," she said, "why is Zhou so stubborn?"

"If it weren't for..."

"Fine, for the sake of the child in her womb, what can't the Emperor and I tolerate?"

"In the end, it is the Emperor and I who have wronged Chaoyang."

The Empress Dowager's heart broke when she thought of the two imperial grandsons she had only met once.

The emperor had difficulty conceiving. Including the other two, Zhou Mingyi alone was pregnant with three children, and the one in her belly now was already full-term.

If nothing unexpected happens, she will definitely be able to give birth safely and smoothly.

Thinking about it this way, even if Zhou is a bit spoiled, it's because they, mother and son, are in the wrong. How could they not be understanding?

As time goes by, and the child is born and raised, she will probably understand the good intentions of her and the emperor.

Bamboo orchids lowered their heads.

"What the Empress Dowager says is true..."

As the Empress Dowager's confidante, Aunt Zhulan felt that Consort Zhen was somewhat arrogant because of the Empress Dowager's favor.

But from a woman's perspective, she felt that Consort Zhen had done something wrong.

Two of your perfectly healthy sons were murdered. How could you not hate them?

It's only human nature to throw a little tantrum...

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and then said directly, "Go to the Imperial Hospital."

In the Imperial Medical Academy, the imperial physician on duty for the day was dozing off.

Hearing that the Empress Dowager had arrived, they were startled and rushed out to greet her.

The Empress Dowager sat down and looked at him.

"Imperial Physician Tao, I have something I'd like to ask you."

Imperial Physician Tao was on high alert and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

The Empress Dowager considered it for a moment.

"Has Consort Zhen's temperament changed somewhat these days?"

Physician Tao felt a chill run down his spine.

He was naturally very familiar with what was happening in the palace.

For an imperial physician, keeping his mouth shut is of paramount importance.

When it comes to matters of life and death, who would dare to be careless?

What could he say? He couldn't very well say that the Imperial Concubine didn't want to pay attention to His Majesty, could he? That would be courting death.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Your Majesty, it is common for a woman to experience a surge of blood and qi during pregnancy, causing her internal organs to shift and her temperament to change."

"Some pregnant women crave sour foods, some crave spicy foods, some cry easily, some laugh easily, some... some don't like to talk. This is all normal, it's all normal."

The Empress Dowager frowned as she listened.

"When will she get better?"

Physician Tao wiped his sweat again.

"Well...it varies from person to person. Some recover right after giving birth, while others...it takes a while."

The Empress Dowager looked at him thoughtfully.

After the Empress Dowager left, Physician Tao's back was soaked with sweat.

Emperor Qianwu asked even more directly.

"Imperial Physician Tao, the Consort is cold towards me. Is it because she is pregnant and overthinking things, harboring resentment? Will this affect her health? Will it affect the baby?"

Physician Tao discerned from this that His Majesty valued the prince in Consort Zhen's womb and also cared for the consort.

Physician Tao lowered his head as low as it could go.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is quite heavy-set, so it's inevitable that she's experiencing some...emotional fluctuations. She'll be fine once the little prince is born."

Emperor Qianwu remained silent for a while.

"What if it doesn't get better?"

Physician Tao almost burst into tears.

How could he know! The Imperial Concubine's expression clearly showed that she didn't want to pay any attention to His Majesty.

But would he dare to say it?

He could only grit his teeth and say, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have practiced medicine for many years and have never seen a case that never gets better. It will get better eventually."

Emperor Qianwu glanced at him and waved his hand. "Go down."

Physician Tao felt as if he had been granted a pardon and scrambled out of the room.

That evening, Emperor Qianwu came again.

Zhou Mingyi still ignored him.

As night fell, Zhou Mingyi noticed that he showed no sign of leaving.

He immediately instructed Shiliu.

"Go to the side hall and prepare a room."

Emperor Qianwu: ...

His eyes widened slightly.

Zhou Mingyi stepped forward gracefully, saying, "I am not feeling well and I am afraid it may be of harm to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please rest in my palace. I will go to the side room to rest."

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Qianwu's expression turned cold.

"Even Chang'e is unwilling to share a bed with me now?"

Zhou Mingyi immediately knelt down, supporting her belly.

"Your Majesty, are you being harsh with me?"

Emperor Qianwu: ?

He took a deep breath and softened his voice.

"What I mean is, I will share a bed with you. Don't worry, I won't do anything..."

I am not that kind of beast.

Ah Chang's belly is about to give birth, and she might be about to go into labor. What else can he do?

He couldn't help but recall what happened to Consort Chen back then.

I don't remember it well.

Even though he couldn't sleep with her in bed, he would stay at Consort Chen's place at night, and Consort Chen was clearly very happy about it.