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

Now that I've finally been released, it feels like a lifetime has passed.

Although he still couldn't figure out why he was suddenly released.

Could it be that Princess Chaoyang has changed her mind?

Having not eaten for many days, Zhou Mingchong's mind was in a daze. When he suddenly saw his sister Zhou Mingyi and Emperor Qianwu appear together at home, he didn't even realize it.

Zhou Mingyi couldn't help but throw herself into her brother's arms.

Zhou Mingchong stumbled and almost fell.

Fortunately, Emperor Qianwu helped him up in time.

He felt a little disgusted by Zhou Mingchong's frail appearance.

Emperor Qianwu practiced martial arts from a young age, and spent several years training in the military when he was unsuccessful in his early years.

Although he has lived a life of luxury all these years, he has never stopped practicing martial arts.

Therefore, he has broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and is full of vigor and vitality.

But because of her beauty, they didn't criticize her too harshly.

However, upon further reflection on Zhou Mingchong's experiences, Emperor Qianwu fell silent.

What kind of temper did Chaoyang have? As his father, Emperor Qianwu knew it better than anyone.

She took a liking to Zhou Mingchong, but the boy refused. He must have suffered a lot in the palace these past few days.

It's understandable that he's a bit weak, but at least he's still alive.

Emperor Qianwu was considered a wise ruler in his early years.

But ever since he accepted the fact that he had no heir, he has always been exceptionally unscrupulous towards his only daughter, Princess Chaoyang.

He finally obtained the throne, but because he had no children, the throne would benefit outsiders in the future. What kind of wise ruler is he?

After he dies, it's uncertain what will become of his only daughter.

It would be better to give her more preferential treatment and privileges while he is still alive.

She is the most noble princess in the world, his only daughter. Why can't she live a more carefree and unrestrained life?

Even if she makes a huge mistake, he, her father, will always be there to support her.

It is a blessing that Chaoyang has taken a liking to Zhou Mingchong.

If he doesn't comply, he's simply ungrateful.

How could a mere third-ranking scholar be more noble than a princess of noble birth?

But who knew that Zhou Mingchong had such a beautiful younger sister, and that he had even slept with her...

Emperor Qianwu touched his nose in annoyance.

"Minister Zhou, I will send someone to bring A-Chang to the palace in three days."

"Today, you siblings should have a good chat."

After saying this, Emperor Qianwu left.

Zhou Mingchong was left dumbfounded.

It wasn't until Emperor Qianwu left that Zhou Mingchong realized what had happened.

His eyes widened, and his handsome features almost distorted.

Pointing to the doorway, he turned to his younger sister, "Ah Chang, what... what's going on? What nonsense is His Majesty spouting? When did I ever say I wanted to send you to the palace?"

"Was that... really His Majesty?"

"Could it be someone impersonating His Majesty...?"

Zhou Mingyi burst into laughter through her tears, all the sadness in her heart vanishing.

Her brother, her only brother, her brother she depended on for survival, her living brother, has really come back!

She threw herself into her brother's arms again.

She held him tightly around his narrow waist.

"elder brother!"

Zhou Mingchong was taken aback for a moment, then his expression softened, just like when they were children, as he gently patted his sister's back to comfort her.

Zhou Mingyi knew that although her brother had returned, the crisis was not yet over.

Princess Chaoyang is willful and domineering. As long as she does not give birth to a prince to threaten her position, she will inevitably continue to cause trouble.

She longed to stay by her brother's side, but she couldn't.

She had to enter the palace.

Zhou Mingchong gently held his sister's shoulder, "I'm sorry to have worried A-Chang while I was away."

He had many doubts in his mind.

Given Princess Chaoyang's determination to have him, how could he have been released?

How did my sister end up with His Majesty?

His Majesty also said that he would send someone to bring his sister into the palace in three days.

Zhou Mingchong had a vague guess in his mind, but he wanted to hear his sister tell him herself.

However, before he could speak, Zhou Mingyi said, "I am already His Majesty's woman."

Zhou Mingchong was taken aback.

He considered countless possibilities.

His younger sister was exceptionally beautiful from a young age, and as she grew up, she became even more stunningly beautiful.

Zhou Mingchong often worried about how he could protect such an outstanding younger sister.

So he studied like crazy, determined to make a name for himself.

Only in this way can I protect my younger sister.

He made a veiled hat especially for his sister, instructing her not to go out easily, and to wear the veiled hat if necessary.

Unexpectedly, the younger sister whom he had cherished for more than ten years was ultimately not protected.

But he never expected that his sister would exchange her body for his freedom.

His eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed his sister's wrist. "Come on, brother will take you away!"

Zhou Mingyi's eyes also reddened, but she gently nudged her brother.

"All land under heaven belongs to the emperor; where can we hide?"

Zhou Mingchong was stunned, his voice trembling, "But...but His Majesty is not only more than ten years older than you, he...he has no heir!"

"If you enter the palace without having children... how will you face His Majesty in the future?"

Zhou Mingchong knew that His Majesty had already met his sister, and the two of them... the matter of entering the palace was inevitable.

If Your Majesty were a normal man, your sister would have someone to rely on if she gave birth to a son or daughter in the future.

But His Majesty has no heir. My sister is young now and can still gain favor with his looks. But when he gets old and has no children, she will surely suffer a miserable life.

As the eldest brother, Zhou Mingchong cherished his younger sister like a treasure and naturally did not want her to enter the palace.

He raised his hand and pounded his chest hard, letting out a muffled groan and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Zhou Mingyi was greatly alarmed.

"elder brother!"

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Zhou Mingyi burst into tears, "It's all Mingyi's fault. It was Mingyi's willfulness that harmed my brother."

Zhou Mingchong looked at his obedient and sensible younger sister, his heart aching.

He was not a fool. Now that the die was cast, he considered countless possibilities, including taking his sister away and hiding her away regardless of the consequences.

But this would inevitably provoke the emperor's wrath.

In any case, neither of them, brother and sister, had an easy path in life.

The best solution now is to send my younger sister to the palace.

Seeing that her brother had calmed down, Zhou Mingyi recounted the entire incident at Hanshan Temple, omitting the part about her deliberately posing as the woman and treating it as an accident.

Zhou Mingchong suddenly deflated.

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault!"

"If I hadn't studied, hadn't pursued a career in government, my siblings and I could have found a quiet place, worked at sunrise and rested at sunset, and avoided getting involved in all this trouble..."

Zhou Mingyi covered his lips tightly, preventing him from continuing.

"Brother, I won't allow you to say that!"

"My brother is exceptionally talented and destined for greatness. Wouldn't it be a waste to have him become a farmer?"

"I entered the palace voluntarily."

Zhou Mingyi turned her head away, not wanting her brother to see the tears in her eyes.

"If I had been born ordinary, I might have accepted my fate."

"But given my birth, if I were to marry into an ordinary family and find a mediocre man, wouldn't that be like casting pearls before swine?"

"Although His Majesty is older, he is handsome and has an outstanding presence. This unexpected event has actually been a boon to me!"

Her voice was calm, with a hint of determination.

"Legend has it that the late emperor built the Altar of the Gods, with jade steps and gold lamps."

"Now that His Majesty has been on the throne for decades, the country is prosperous and wealthy, and the palace is probably even more prosperous than before."

Her voice softened slightly.

"Gilded copper tiles, double eaves and overlapping peaks, jade palaces and celestial gardens."

"Such a world must have been embroidered with gold and silver threads. Every step reveals a new view, with carved beams and painted rafters, winding paths leading to secluded spots, and jewels and emeralds surrounding the landscape at all times."

"If I could stand amidst those 'jade flowers and rare herbs' and listen to a song amidst 'pearls and emeralds', it wouldn't be a waste of my life's longing for the word 'ultimate beauty'..."