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

Zhou Mingchong closed his eyes tightly, his voice hoarse.

"Ah Chang, stop talking..."

He knew best what kind of person his Ah Chang was.

Her parents had arranged a marriage for her when they were alive.

Since my parents passed away, my family has fallen on hard times.

Last year, when Ah Chang came of age, the Cen family did not send anyone to propose marriage, and the brother and sister understood the situation.

The Cen family is waiting for them to take the initiative to dissolve the engagement.

Cen Erlang is a man, so it's fine for him to get married later, but Achang can't wait.

A-Chang said, "The Book of Songs says, 'Under the humble gate, one can find a place to rest.'"

"Their world is one of grand mansions and luxurious living."

"And our bamboo fence and thatched cottage, quiet and carefree, may well be a blessing."

"My sister would rather find a kindred spirit who is simple-minded and devoted to her."

"Simple meals and a harmonious marriage are better than stepping into the fickle, opportunistic world of wealth and luxury!"

His Ah Chang was never the kind of person who coveted extravagance.

At that time, he thought that he should study hard, make something of himself, and show the Cen family that he and his sister were not indispensable to them.

His Ah Chang deserves the best man in the world.

But he never imagined that his beloved sister, whom he cherished and protected like a treasure, would one day be forced to marry an old man with no heir, and even have to put on a brave face...

Before being detained in the palace by Princess Chaoyang, Zhou Ming admired and even held Emperor Qianwu in high esteem.

But after that, that man shamelessly took his sister for himself...

In Zhou Mingchong's view, he was an utterly shameless old scoundrel!

But faced with reality, he felt utterly powerless.

Zhou Mingyi couldn't stand seeing her brother looking dejected.

Her brother should be spirited and composed.

However, the matter concerning the system was of great importance, so she had to keep it from her brother.

The day she entered the palace and gave birth to a child, her brother understood.

Zhou Mingchong had already made up his mind; he was determined to climb the ranks by any means necessary!

Only in this way can we protect our younger sister, who lives in the harem where life is as precarious as walking on thin ice.

at this time.

Harem.

Princess Chaoyang is launching an attack on Consort Chen.

"Mother, you knew perfectly well that Zhou Mingchong was the one I had my eye on. You promised to keep him in the palace to temper his character before sending him to my princess's residence in a few days. Why were you suddenly released?"

"I don't care, you have to help me bring that Zhou...whatever back!"

Consort Chen also complained bitterly.

When Princess Chaoyang first met Zhou Mingchong, she thought he was handsome, tall and elegant, and had a refined demeanor. On a whim, she asked him on the spot if he would like to serve in the princess's residence.

Zhou Mingchong passed the imperial examination with flying colors, ranking third among the successful candidates. It was the most triumphant time of his life, and he was about to be able to realize his ambitions and protect his younger sister.

Upon hearing such an absurd request, he immediately and firmly refused.

He even gave Princess Chaoyang a serious lecture.

Princess Chaoyang was furious and immediately forced him to stay in the palace.

As the only and most noble princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Princess Chaoyang informed her mother, Consort Chen, and asked her to order someone to keep an eye on Zhou Mingchong.

If he refuses to serve in the princess's residence, he shall not be allowed to leave the palace.

If his bones are hard, then let him grind them down more.

Consort Chen always doted on her only daughter, so she naturally listened to her every word and granted her every request.

Moreover, she knew that her daughter was different from ordinary princesses.

Even the most noble princess is still a woman.

In the Zhou Dynasty, where the father was the head of the family and the husband was the head of the wife, one could not do whatever one wanted.

But her daughter, Chaoyang, is different.

She is His Majesty's only child.

With this honor, even if Chaoyang wanted the stars and the moon, His Majesty would have no objection.

Of course, this wasn't the first time Chaoyang had dared to abduct a handsome man.

However, all the men were dressed in white and had no special family background.

Even if they themselves were unwilling, their families would be eager for them to serve in the princess's residence.

As a result, Consort Chen and Princess Chaoyang reaped the benefits.

They also tasted the wonderful flavor of power.

But Zhou Mingchong was the third-ranked scholar in this imperial examination.

At first, Consort Chen was also afraid of attracting too much attention.

Therefore, it was somewhat concealed.

She soon discovered that even though Zhou Mingchong's status was different, His Majesty did not inquire about it.

This emboldened Consort Chen.

So what if you're the third-ranked scholar?

Even if my son Chaoyang takes a liking to you, you'll have to obediently enter the princess's residence to serve her.

Refuse to comply?

She certainly has ways to coerce and threaten, and will first temper this scholar's pride!

But Consort Chen never expected that, just a few days later, Zhou Tanhua would be released by orders from both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were reluctant to hold their precious Princess Chaoyang accountable, so they naturally made trouble for Consort Chen.

No sooner had Consort Chen been reprimanded by the Empress Dowager than Emperor Qianwu gave Consort Rong some face by granting her a portion of the power to manage the harem. This was a blatant slap in the face to Consort Chen.

Emperor Qianwu had no heir, so he did not establish an empress.

Consort Chen gave birth to Emperor Qianwu's only daughter. Although she was not the empress, she was in charge of the affairs of the inner palace.

Now, most of this power has fallen into the hands of Consort Rong, making Consort Chen feel extremely uneasy.

Now that her daughter has started causing trouble again, Consort Chen feels wronged and can't help but harbor other thoughts.

"My son! It's not that your mother wouldn't allow it; it's simply that your father and grandmother have spoken. How could your mother go against their wishes?"

Princess Chaoyang was beautiful, with her chin held high, looking arrogant and fearless.

Upon hearing this, she immediately said, "I'll go find my father!"

As soon as Princess Chaoyang left, Consort Chen's trusted nanny said, "Your Highness, since that Scholar Zhou is someone His Majesty and the Empress Dowager want to protect, why let the young prince run into a wall? It would only damage the relationship between the prince and His Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

Consort Chen snorted coldly.

"What's so special about a mere third-place scholar?"

"I don't know what connections I used, but His Majesty and the Empress Dowager personally asked me for the person."

"It's a blessing that my son has taken a liking to him and wants him to serve in the princess's palace!"

"A blessing that others would kill for, yet he's turning it away?"

Emperor Qianwu had no heir, and among the concubines, only Consort Chen had a princess. As a result, Consort Chen was naturally proud because of her daughter's status.

"I want to see whether His Majesty and the Empress Dowager value a mere third-place scholar or the rising sun more!"

As she spoke, Consort Chen's face showed obvious sadness. "It doesn't matter if the Empress Dowager and His Majesty make things difficult for me. I will let them know that they are protecting that Zhou Tanhua, and it is Chaoyang who will be sad."

"At that time, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty will understand how foolish it is to upset their own beloved family for the sake of an outsider."

The nanny, observing the situation, naturally knew that the Imperial Concubine was heartbroken, and she quickly said, "Your Majesty is wise."

"His Majesty's promotion of Consort Rong is merely a temporary expedient. Your Highness has given birth to His Majesty's only princess, and in His Majesty's heart, Your Highness will always be the most important person."

These words struck a chord with Consort Chen.

She turned her head, and her complexion was noticeably better.

"It's nothing for me to suffer a little, but Chaoyang is His Majesty's only child. Don't His Majesty and the Empress Dowager care about her feelings?"

The trusted nanny naturally agreed with her.

Consort Chen abruptly changed the subject, saying:

"Has the fertility-enhancing medicine specially prepared for me by the Imperial Medical Academy been brewed yet?"