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

"Your Highness, there's news outside..."

Consort Chen paused slightly, taking a breath.

"What news?"

The palace maid didn't dare look at her at all, and said cautiously, "Consort Zhen... gave birth to a little prince this morning at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

"Mother, mother and child...are safe and sound."

After saying that, she subconsciously glanced at Consort Chen before quickly lowering her head.

Consort Chen was stunned.

She sat there, motionless, as if she had been frozen in place.

That phrase kept flashing through my mind.

Are mother and child safe?

mother...son...

Consort Zhen actually gave birth to a prince for His Majesty!

What makes her so lucky?

After a long time, she burst out laughing.

The laughter was initially low, like the wind blowing through withered leaves.

Then it got louder and louder, and I laughed until tears came out.

"Prince, prince...she gave birth to a prince..."

She stopped laughing.

Tears still clung to her face, but the smile was gone.

A sense of gloom gradually crept in.

If Chaoyang hadn't told her that she had such ambitions, Consort Chen would have been jealous, but... no, as long as the child was born to Zhou, she would only be jealous.

Zhou was the mortal enemy of the mother and daughter.

Her mortal enemy had a son, and that son would become the future emperor.

The sky is falling!

Consort Chen felt a sudden dizziness.

"Chaoyang, does she know?"

The palace maid dared not respond.

She was not Chen Fei's trusted confidante, Granny Chen.

As Consort Chen's confidant, he contributed greatly to the charges against Consort Chen.

It had already been dealt with by Emperor Qianwu long ago.

After all, Chaoyang couldn't be killed, and for Chaoyang's sake, Consort Chen couldn't be killed either; the only option was to imprison her.

As for Granny Chen, she was a servant who helped her master commit all sorts of evil deeds, so killing her was no big deal.

They're already in the cold palace, so it doesn't matter who serves them.

It's good enough if someone serves you.

This palace maid dared to relay a message to Consort Chen because she was acting on the instructions of Consort Zhou.

How could Consort Chen not know that she had given birth to a son?

She doesn't know why she went crazy.

Princess Chaoyang, of course, also needed to know.

I don't know why she went crazy.

Consort Chen misunderstood the palace maid's silence.

She collapsed to the ground.

"Chaoyang and I are now like tigers fallen into the plains, while Zhou, the mother, has risen in status because of her son, hahaha?"

She laughed until tears streamed down her face.

For the first time, I felt like it was really over!

Before Zhou Mingyi's child was born, Consort Chen had her own hopes.

If something were to happen to this child, and Chaoyang were still His Majesty's only heir, then she and Chaoyang would absolutely not be abandoned by His Majesty.

Even if you're down on your luck for a while, it's only temporary.

But she waited for months, and almost every day someone told her that Consort Zhen was well.

Consort Chen is going crazy.

Since the baby is definitely not going to miscarry, we can only hope it's a girl.

In this way, Chaoyang is, after all, His Majesty's eldest daughter.

Both are daughters. The eldest daughter was raised for many years, and the bond between them is deep.

But now... that Zhou woman has given birth to a prince!

……

Princess House.

Chaoyang sat in the study with a book open in front of her, but she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

She hasn't left the house for months.

Her father reduced her allowances, dismissed her guards, and even locked the gates of the princess's residence.

She can't get out, and people outside can't get in.

But her people still managed to deliver the message.

Chaoyang clutched the note, his fingers trembling.

The note contained only one line: "Consort Zhen has given birth to a prince; both mother and child are safe."

Chaoyang stared at the line of words for a while, then suddenly crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it hard on the ground.

She stood up and paced back and forth in the room like a trapped animal.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, she has given birth to a prince..."

Her voice was trembling, and her eyes were frighteningly red, but not a single tear came out.

Once upon a time, when her father was her only child, she was the most noble princess in the world, having everything she wanted and doing whatever she pleased.

What about now?

She was locked up here, like a bird with clipped wings.

That woman gave birth to a prince, the emperor's son.

The rising sun stopped, stood there, trembling all over.

Her gaze suddenly darkened.

Prince...

You think you're worthy?

She walked back to her desk and sat down.

She crumpled the note, picked it up, unfolded it, and read it again.

"Mother and child are safe."

Chaoyang stared at those four words, his fingers slowly clenching.

She won't give up.

Absolutely not!

Just then, a slight noise came from outside.

Chaoyang looked up and saw an unfamiliar eunuch standing at the door, holding a bundle in his hands.

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Who sent you?"

The young eunuch bowed his head and handed over the bundle.

"Your Highness, this was sent from the palace."

This young eunuch looked quite young, but he was very composed.

Chaoyang's heart skipped a beat.

She took the bundle and opened it.

Inside was a gold hairpin, a pair of jade bracelets, a few pieces of silver, and a letter.

She opened the letter; it was a handwritten note from Consort Chen.

"Get rid of the child, turn the tables."

Princess Chaoyang's eyes narrowed sharply.

She and her mother were on the same page.

If that vile woman Zhou and her son are not eliminated, there will be no place for them in the harem or the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

Chaoyang held the letter in his hand without the slightest hesitation.

She looked up at the little eunuch.

"Go back and tell my mother that I understand."

The young eunuch acknowledged and withdrew.

Chaoyang sat at the table, gazing at the gray sky outside the window, his eyes filled with coldness.

Get rid of that child.

Okay, then let's get rid of that child.

She thought about it for a long time and tried many methods, and finally thought of someone.

That person is in the palace and can still do things for her.

Chaoyang picked up his pen and wrote a letter. He wrote it quickly, and although the handwriting was messy, every word was clear.

She sealed the letter and called the young eunuch over...

However, to everyone's surprise, a handsome young eunuch appeared in Weiyang Palace.

Zhou Mingyi was leaning against a soft couch, holding the newborn prince in her arms.

The baby had just finished nursing, his eyes were closed, his little fists were clenched tightly, and he was sleeping soundly.

The wax apple came in from outside, leaned close to her ear, and whispered a few words.

Zhou Mingyi's lips curved into a smile. "Was the letter delivered?"

Wax apples nodded.

"Yes. The supplies have been delivered to both the Cold Palace and the Princess's residence."

Zhou Mingyi lowered her head and looked at the child in her arms.

The child frowned for a moment, then relaxed, and suddenly grinned as if he were having a sweet dream. Zhou Mingyi couldn't help but chuckle.

"Okay. Now, let's see how they perform."

Lianwu asked, "Little Quanzi asked what the Empress's next instructions are?"

Zhou Mingyi kissed her son on the head.

"Proceed according to plan, and tell him to be careful in everything he does so as not to give himself away."

Lianwu nodded, "Yes, this servant understands."

……

Three days later.

A sudden exclamation came from Weiyang Palace.

The little prince vomited milk, but it wasn't just ordinary vomiting; it was vomited with streaks of blood. His face turned pale, his lips turned purple, and he curled up into a ball, unable to even cry out.

The wax apple's face turned pale, and her hands, which were holding the child, were trembling.

Shiliu had already run out to call the imperial physician.

Zhou Mingyi leaned against the couch, holding the child, her face flushed with anxiety.

The imperial physician practically stumbled in, his hands trembling as he took the patient's pulse.

"This...this is a sign of poisoning!"

The Empress Dowager's expression changed instantly.

Emperor Qianwu suddenly stood up, not even noticing that his chair had tipped over.

"Poisoning? How could you be poisoned?"

The imperial physician knelt on the ground, his voice trembling.

"I do not know. But the young prince's pulse does indeed indicate poisoning. Fortunately... fortunately the poison is not strong, and the young prince is in good health, so he should be fine."

Emperor Qianwu's face was as black as ink.

This is his precious son, whom he had finally obtained after great difficulty. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he is more important than his own life.

He stood there, looking at the tiny child, at his pale face, at his tightly closed eyes, feeling as if a knife was twisting in his heart.

If someone wants to rip out his heart and liver, then find that person and tear him to pieces!

"Investigate. Investigate for me. What did the child eat today? What did he drink today? Who did he come into contact with? Interrogate them one by one, don't let a single one escape."

Fu Quan agreed and ran out as fast as he could.

Zhou Mingyi leaned against the couch, her face pale, her eyes red, and tears streaming down her face like a string of pearls.

She looked at the child, then at Emperor Qianwu, her voice hoarse.

"Your Majesty, you must seek justice for our child!"

"Chen'er is so young, that person is truly wicked!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianwu's expression darkened further.

"Rest assured, I will definitely investigate the truth and seek justice for you and your son!"

The Empress Dowager wept uncontrollably and said directly to Zhu Lan, "Zhu Lan, quickly, pack your things and move them to Weiyang Palace."

"I will protect my precious grandson and see who dares to lay a hand on him!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingyi raised an eyebrow slightly, but said nothing.

Zhu Lan quickly agreed.

The results of the thorough investigation came faster than expected.

The wet nurse's milk for the young prince had been tampered with.

The poisoner was a young eunuch, who confessed during the first interrogation.

The method of poisoning was extremely cunning; the poison was placed on the wet nurse's bra, which then seeped into her skin and breast milk, ultimately poisoning the young prince.

It was Su Jinse who instigated it.

When Su Jinse was captured, she was trembling with fear and knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! It wasn't me, it was Her Highness the Princess! It was Her Highness who made me do it! She said that if I did it, she would protect me and get me out! I was confused for a moment, I will never dare to do it again!"

Emperor Qianwu looked at her, his gaze as cold as ice.

"Princess?"

Su Jinse nodded through her tears.

"Yes, it was Her Highness the Princess. She wrote a letter to me; it's still in my room, and I haven't had time to burn it..."

Fuquan led his men to search, and sure enough, they found the letter.

The handwriting on the letter was messy, but every word was clear.

"Get rid of that child. This is your last chance. After it's done, I will guarantee your release. —Written by Chaoyang"

Emperor Qianwu held the letter tightly, his face grim and terrifying.

"By imperial decree, Princess Chaoyang has plotted to harm the imperial heir; her crime is unforgivable. Her title is revoked, and she is to be confined to a life of seclusion, never to be released again except by death!"

Fuquan knelt on the ground, not daring to move.

Emperor Qianwu stared at him.

"Go ahead!"

Fuquan got up and ran out.

When the news reached the princess's residence, Chaoyang was getting ready.

After hearing the eunuch's words, she slammed the comb in her hand to the ground with a "thud".

Revoke the title? Imprison for life? Never to be released without death?

She suddenly stood up, pushed aside the people around her, and rushed out.

"I want to see my father! I want to see my father!"

The guards tried to stop her, but she pushed them away like a madwoman.

"Get out of my way! I want to see my father! What right do you have to stop me!"

The guard stumbled a few steps after being pushed by her, but he still held on tightly.

The rising sun wouldn't budge; I stood there, my chest heaving violently.

She suddenly stopped, staring in the direction of the Qianqing Palace, her eyes burning with fury. "Fine, if you won't let me go, I'll kill myself! My father wants to imprison me, and yet I die here—you are all to blame!"

"I am Father Emperor's only princess. If I die here without a clear explanation, do you think you will have any chance of survival?"

The guards in the princess's residence looked at each other.

One of them nodded, pretending to be outmatched, and was then forced out by Chaoyang.

……

On the other side, Zhou Mingyi immediately had someone notify Consort Chen.

Princess Chaoyang's plot to assassinate the young prince failed, and Emperor Qianwu stripped her of her title and imprisoned her in the princess's residence for life, with no possibility of leaving except by death!

Consort Chen went mad immediately.

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Qianwu sat behind his desk, his face ashen.

A commotion arose outside, and Fuquan rushed in, his face deathly pale.

"Your Majesty, Consort Chen—no, Lady Chen—has barged in!"