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

"Who is her brother? Is he seriously ill? Or...?"

When this was mentioned, Aunt Zhulan's expression changed slightly.

"Empress Dowager...do you still remember Zhou Mingchong, the newly appointed third-ranked scholar?"

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, "You mean, that handsome scholar that Chaoyang girl has taken a liking to?"

Aunt Zhulan: "Exactly."

The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment, then said, "This is troublesome."

"Chaoyang, that girl, has been spoiled by me since she was a child. She is a bit domineering, but she is not a bad person at heart."

"Zhou Mingchong's achievement of becoming the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination demonstrates genuine talent and ability; it's not like he was just playing house."

"If she is willing, it is not impossible for the emperor to grant her and Zhou Mingchong a marriage."

Aunt Zhulan naturally replied, "The Empress Dowager is wise."

With a single word from the Empress Dowager, Zhou Mingchong, who had been favored by Princess Chaoyang and forcibly detained in the palace as a male concubine, was transformed into a promising young talent, a perfect match for the princess.

After figuring out Zhou Mingyi's identity and learning that her family background was innocent and that her appearance at Hanshan Temple was just an accident, they realized that Zhou Mingyi's identity was indeed clear.

As for how she was switched with the woman she had chosen and became the emperor's woman, the empress dowager did not care.

All she knew was that Master Jingming, the abbot of Hanshan Temple, had said that the woman destined by heaven was in the temple.

Now that the die is cast, and Zhou Mingyi is fortunate enough to become the emperor's wife, whether it was something she had arranged beforehand is no longer important.

Perhaps this unexpected event is more in line with the saying "the chosen one".

However, just in case, the Empress Dowager decided to bring the commoner girl named "Chuntao" into the palace.

What if Chun Tao, who was arranged from the beginning, is the chosen one? Wouldn't her son have missed out?

……

After an unknown amount of time, the spring-like atmosphere in the side room gradually subsided.

It's almost dawn.

Having tasted the sweetness of the delicacy, Emperor Qianwu, after satisfying himself, tightened his aura and became unusually relaxed.

He and his mother lived on thin ice in their early years.

Even after ascending to the throne, he remained diligent and never dared to relax for even a moment.

Perhaps it was due to excessive pressure, or perhaps it was due to exceptional talent.

In his early years, Emperor Qianwu had an extremely strong sexual appetite.

However, the women in the harem were all weak and frail, and they would faint after being repeatedly taken advantage of by him, so Emperor Qianwu was never satisfied.

After being given the drug that would prevent him from having children, he tried for many years, but only had one child, Chaoyang.

Emperor Qianwu lost interest in sexual matters.

Only now did he realize that he was a normal, middle-aged man with strong desires, but the women in his harem could not satisfy him.

Although it was an accident, Emperor Qianwu thoroughly enjoyed himself.

Therefore, he found Zhou Mingyi pleasing to the eye in every way.

"What's your name?"

His voice was low and satisfied as he waited quietly for her to speak.

The stunningly beautiful woman lowered her head slightly, her eyes downcast. She quickly put on her clothes, but they had already been torn to shreds by Emperor Qianwu, barely covering her vital parts.

Zhou Mingyi clutched her chest tightly, raised her head, and her bright eyes were already brimming with tears.

His eyes were filled with despair and fear.

Emperor Qianwu frowned.

As the morning light streamed through the window, the woman, who had just received the dew, appeared even more beautiful.

The bright red on the couch looked just like a blooming red plum blossom.

Recalling the passionate encounter he had just shared with this woman on the bed, Emperor Qianwu felt a surge of heat in his heart.

His tone softened unconsciously, "Don't be afraid, I will give you an explanation after I have taken your virginity."

The woman looked up abruptly, as if in disbelief.

"You, you are His Majesty?"

Seemingly surprised, the despair on her face vanished instantly.

"Was it Buddha who heard my prayers that allowed me to see His Majesty?"

Zhou Mingyi stood up and was about to kneel down, but after a night of passionate lovemaking with Emperor Qianwu, her body went limp and she suddenly threw herself into his arms.

Emperor Qianwu's large hand embraced the woman's slender, soft waist, and he suddenly let out a pleasant chuckle.

"Want more?"

Zhou Mingyi's pretty face turned bright red, and she pushed him away abruptly.

But Emperor Qianwu was so large and imposing that she couldn't push him at all.

The woman lowered her head and nestled in the middle-aged emperor's arms, her voice filled with emotion.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my brother! He did not mean to disobey Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qianwu's brows suddenly furrowed.

"Your older brother?"

The woman looked up, her cheeks flushed, just like when she had been entangled with him on the bed. Emperor Qianwu was filled with inexplicable emotions. "What is your brother's name? Has he ever disobeyed me?"

Zhou Mingyi quickly recounted how her elder brother, Zhou Mingchong, had achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examination but had been missing for several days.

She heard that someone had behaved improperly before the Emperor and had contradicted him...

She was afraid that the person was her brother.

As a frail woman with no connections, she could only go to Hanshan Temple to pray for her brother's safety and well-being.

Unexpectedly, last night...

Zhou Mingyi's raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled slightly, and her voice trembled even more violently.

At this moment, Emperor Qianwu understood that the woman was praying for her brother at Hanshan Temple, but the medicine appeared on his bed, which was not what she wanted.

That must have been the Empress Dowager's doing.

The woman was stunningly beautiful, with a slender figure, and her taste was intoxicatingly delicious; he was extremely satisfied.

A feeling of pity welled up in my heart.

"Fuquan".

The eunuch Fuquan, who was serving the emperor outside, responded and was about to push the door open to come in.

Emperor Qianwu said, "Don't come in."

"Go and prepare an outfit for Consort Zhou."

Upon hearing this, Fu Quan, who was standing outside the door, was overjoyed.

After many years, the palace is finally going to have new women again.

Moreover, this young lady immediately won the emperor's favor and was granted the rank of a fourth-grade beauty upon her arrival.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingyi blushed even more, her slender white fingers tightly covering her chest, which only made her chest appear even more swollen and her curves more exquisite.

She couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, did my brother unintentionally offend you? I beg Your Majesty to forgive him, considering his sincerity and that he did not mean to offend you!"

Emperor Qianwu found the girl before him to be innocently adorable.

Zhou Mingchong is a man of some talent, but he is too rigid and easily broken.

He intentionally wanted to temper his temperament.

Who knew that Chaoyang would take a liking to her?

He glanced at the girl's blushing, exquisite face and understood immediately.

Zhou Mingchong was handsome and had such a beautiful younger sister, so it was no wonder that Chaoyang took a liking to him at first sight.

However, he was torn between Chaoyang, his only son, and the beautiful woman who had recently gained his favor.

Enough. If Zhou Mingchong really entered the princess's residence and became Chaoyang's male favorite, how could a male favorite enter the court as an official and serve the country loyally?

Besides, Chaoyang has indeed caused him a lot of trouble lately, and it's time to teach her a lesson.

He pondered for a moment.

"Your elder brother is exceptionally talented, and I have never been angry with him."

"Don't worry, he'll be home tomorrow."

"He is so lucky to have a sister as intelligent, kind, gentle and considerate as you."

Zhou Mingyi was overjoyed, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qianwu stared at her with interest, his gaze lingering on her slightly parted lips. He said, "You lost your virginity to me by some twist of fate, yet you only think of your brother and not seek favor for yourself? I bestow upon you the title of Fourth-Rank Beauty. Are you happy?"

Zhou Mingyi lowered her eyes, suppressing the hatred in her heart.

He raised his head, his expression resolute.

"Does Your Majesty wish to hear the truth or flattering lies?"