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

Zhou Mingyi: ...

Although Consort Lan's description was quite insulting, it strangely felt apt...

Consort Liu stood there, watching Consort Zhou and Consort Lan from afar, neither humble nor arrogant, standing aloof from the world.

Her gaze was indifferent, seemingly looking at Zhou Mingyi, yet also seemingly looking through her at someone else.

In an instant, she shifted her gaze and walked away with an indifferent expression.

Ultimately, the palace intrigues were none of her concern.

She had already warned Consort Zhen, but unfortunately, she remained obstinate and insisted on immersing herself in the fabricated palace intrigue...

Sooner or later, she will suffer a crushing defeat and be despised by Emperor Qianwu!

How can a man's love last?

How can someone who can't even promise to be with one person for life be trusted?

Consort Liu shook her head slightly and silently sat down in her seat.

The entire harem was drunk, only she remained sober.

……

Consort Yun arrived at the perfect time; upon seeing Consort Zhen, her first instinct was to check if she had lost any hair...

Damn it, after being tormented by Consort Chen and Consort Song, how come her hair hasn't fallen out yet?

She immediately came over.

"May Your Highness, Consort Zhen, be blessed. I am late."

"Sister Zhenfei, please take a look at my hairstyle today. Is it alright?"

Zhou Mingyi was surprised that Yun Meiren would take the initiative to talk to her.

She glanced at her subconsciously.

Yun Meiren has a lot of hair, and she always pays attention to her hair bun.

She wore her hair in a high bun today, but it wasn't an ordinary high bun.

Instead, it was a flowing cloud-like bun swirling around the moon.

Dark clouds rose from behind his neck, swirling into three layers above his head, each layer perfectly loose, like clouds blown by the autumn wind, ready to drift into the Moon Palace at any moment.

Her hair was not adorned with hairpins and ornaments, but hidden deep within her cloud-like hair were twelve round pearls.

It is of good quality, but not top-grade, which is in line with Yun Meiren's status.

The most exquisite detail is a wisp of dark hair hanging down on the left side of her head, tied with an extremely fine gold thread, on which are strung pearls the size of rice grains, all the way down to her shoulder.

As she turned her head slightly, the beaded curtain swayed gently, the pearls striking each other silently, yet shimmering with light, like moonlight dripping from the clouds.

It's clear that she put a lot of thought into her hairstyle today.

Zhou Mingyi nodded and said perfunctorily, "Sister, your hairstyle is very unique and extremely beautiful."

Yun Meiren glanced at Zhou Mingyi.

Her hairstyle was just a standard palace updo, nothing particularly outstanding.

Despite wearing the same palace-style bun, her thick and beautiful hair always manages to catch people's eye.

Yun Meiren thought to herself, "If only there really were a medicine that could make Consort Zhen bald..."

Everyone took their seats.

Inside the Water Moon Palace, the candlelight flickered red, and the silver-red brocade curtains reflected the dazzling lamplight, creating a scene resembling a dreamlike realm of flowing clouds.

At that moment, a shrill voice rang out.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Everyone stood up to greet them.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and live ten thousand years!"

Today, Emperor Qianwu is wearing a bright yellow everyday dragon robe, not the extremely elaborate twelve-patterned imperial robe worn during the grand court assembly.

However, it is also embroidered with gold thread with cloud and dragon patterns. The dragon is strong and powerful, hidden among auspicious clouds, sea and cliffs.

With his occasional subtle movements, the dragon seemed to be swimming in the sea of ​​clouds, as if it were about to burst out of its clothes at any moment.

The collar and cuffs are made of dark gold brocade, which tones down the dazzling bright yellow and adds a touch of solemnity.

He is now thirty-seven years old, but time has not diminished his charm; on the contrary, it has added to his dignified and imposing presence.

He was extremely handsome and had a commanding presence.

Her brow bones were slightly high, which made her phoenix eyes appear even deeper. Under the candlelight, her pupils were not pure black, but rather had a hint of amber.

He was usually imposing and dignified when attending court, but now, as he relaxed slightly, he resembled the moon reflected in an ancient pool, deep and unfathomable.

The bridge of the nose is straight and prominent like a mountain peak, and the jawline is clear and well-defined.

No need. The dough has been nurtured in a high position for a long time. It is smooth and even without the sun and wind, yet it has no trace of softness.

Today he did not wear a heavy crown, but only tied his hair with a white jade dragon head hairpin. His black hair was neatly tied on top of his head, revealing his full forehead.

He walked to the throne, sat down, and then said to those seated below, "Rise, all of you."

"Today is a family dinner, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."

That being said, Emperor Qianwu was a man of great prestige and was known for his decisive and swift actions. With him around, no one dared to act recklessly.

"yes!"

Zhou Mingyi was positioned at the front, with Shiliu and Lianwu standing to his left and right.

Shiliu peeled a grape for her mistress, glanced at her hand discreetly, but said nothing.

Zhou Mingyi followed her gaze and looked up.

Consort Chen did not sit in the usual concubines' seats, but instead gracefully sat on a specially prepared brocade stool next to the throne.

She was dressed more carefully than usual, and the pearls on her nine-tailed phoenix hairpin shimmered with a soft yet undeniable luster under the lamplight.

And her most prized "treasure" was standing gracefully between her and the emperor.

Princess Chaoyang was in the prime of her life.

She accompanied the Empress Dowager into the palace, and during the journey, she ignored everyone except her birth mother, Consort Chen.

But who can say she was rude?

She wore her hair in an elegant peony bun, adorned with a red gold hairpin inlaid with rubies and featuring a double phoenix hair ornament. The long string of pearls hanging from the phoenix's beak swayed slightly with her graceful movements.

Wearing a bright red brocade robe with gold-embroidered peony patterns and long sleeves, and an overcoat of dark blue shawl embroidered with phoenixes in gold thread, she looked extremely noble.

Upon closer inspection, however, it almost exceeds the regulations for a princess's everyday attire, approaching the rank of a crown princess.

At this moment, no one dared to say anything.

She was beautiful, with a girlish brightness in her eyes and brows, as well as a natural air of nobility that came from being pampered and raised, and a touch of just the right amount of innocence.

At this moment, she leaned slightly forward, using her delicate hands adorned with exquisite jade bracelets to serve the emperor food, her voice sweet and melodious: "Father, please try this crab meat lion's head meatball. The imperial kitchen said they used the fattest lake crab roe this autumn."

"My daughter thinks the cooking is even better than last year."

Her gaze was focused, and her expression was intimate and natural, as if this were just an ordinary daughter showing filial piety to her father.

Consort Chen watched with a smile, and said gently at the right moment, "Your Majesty, Chaoyang has been looking forward to having this reunion banquet with you tonight for a long time."

"Even the osmanthus in my palace must be picked from the most fragrant branch to be placed in a vase, so that Father Emperor will be pleased to see it."

She completely ignored everyone present when she spoke.

The Empress Dowager sat on a slightly lower seat to the Emperor's other side, her silver hair meticulously combed, and she wore an emerald-inlaid eyebrow shawl.

She looked at the radiant sunrise, the joyful sun shining on her knees, her eyes filled with kindness and doting affection.

She was the birth mother of Emperor Qianwu; what grudge could there be between mother and son?

Even those who dislike crowds will still attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

The princess was her own granddaughter, a blood relative, and also the emperor's only biological daughter, so naturally she was doted on.

Hearing the Consort's words, the Empress Dowager nodded slowly and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty works hard every day and rarely has a holiday. Chaoyang's filial piety is commendable."

Consort Chen was overjoyed to hear that the Empress Dowager was giving her face.

Princess Chaoyang seized the opportunity to flatter the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your subject wishes Father Emperor and Mother Emperor a long and prosperous life, and by the light of this moon, wishes Your Majesty Empress Dowager boundless happiness and longevity!"

The Empress Dowager couldn't stop smiling.

"Oh, what a sweet talker."

"Everything goes smoothly for my grandmother whenever she sees you!"

"Royal Grandmother!"

Crown Prince Xie Jing was handsome and elegant, dressed in an apricot-yellow casual robe, and his demeanor was proper.

The Crown Princess's makeup was appropriate, and her smile was standard, but slightly stiff.

What she was really thinking was that every time she came to the palace to attend a banquet, it was truly embarrassing.

The Crown Prince is not His Majesty's biological son, and it's hateful that Consort Chen and Princess Chaoyang are always stealing the limelight, so His Highness the Crown Prince is not valued at all.

She couldn't even get a word in edgewise...

However, if the Crown Prince and Crown Princess do not attend this Mid-Autumn Festival "family banquet," they will inevitably be criticized.

I just hope this palace banquet will be over soon.

Having learned her lesson from last time, the Crown Princess kept a closer eye on the Crown Prince this time, and even glared fiercely at Qingliu on the other side.

He warned her not to do anything reckless and to keep a close eye on the Crown Prince.

She certainly didn't want to bring back another concubine from the palace this time...

At 3:45 PM, the moon-worship ceremony began.

The so-called "Moon Worship Ceremony" is a blessing ritual that follows ancient customs.

But this is the main event tonight.

Zhou Mingyi remained silent all night, waiting for this moment.

Emperor Qianwu ordered a shrine to be set up, with the position of the God of Night Light standing quietly in the place where the moonlight was strongest, and all the stars flanking him on the left and right.

The officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department stood silently with their hands at their sides.

The emperor had already changed his clothes, now in a black robe and crimson skirt. The twelve imperial symbols were only a solemn shadow under the moonlight. The tassels of his crown hung down, obscuring his face, leaving only the resolute lines of his jaw.

He slowly ascended to the position of chief priest.

The crown prince, members of the imperial family, and nobles lined up in order, dressed solemnly and with respectful expressions.

Consort Chen, accompanied by Princess Chaoyang, stood in a specially designated position diagonally behind the emperor's throne.

The princess had changed out of the almost extravagant dress she wore at the banquet and into a moon-white brocade palace gown, over which she wore a plain velvet cloak embroidered with lotus patterns in extremely fine silver thread.

Under the moonlight, her cloak shimmered with a hazy, holy glow, making her appear like a fairy descended from the moon palace.

Consort Chen herself wore a sandalwood-colored brocade robe with gold cloud and phoenix patterns, which was dignified yet gorgeous.

She pushed the princess forward slightly, allowing her daughter's slender figure to be fully bathed in the moonlight, while she herself leaned slightly back, forming a posture of protection and display.

This is the highlight that Zhou Mingyi has been waiting for tonight, and it is also the highlight that Consort Chen is looking forward to.

"The auspicious time has arrived—to welcome the gods—"

The powerful, resonant voice of the Master of Ceremonies of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices broke the silence.

As the music began, the ancient and melodious sounds of zithers, bells, and chimes resonated, playing the "Showa Chapter," its ancient and profound tones reaching the heavens.

Emperor Qianwu, with a solemn expression, went to the incense table, picked up three sticks of fine incense, lit them in the incense burner, and the blue smoke rose straight up, blending into the moonlight.

He bowed deeply, kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times.

Behind him, everyone knelt down in worship, their clothes rustling and their jade pendants gently touching, creating a solemn, resounding sound.

After the initial offering was completed, the emperor presented silk and wine.

The eunuch unfurled the yellow silk eulogy and read it aloud in a unique, even, yet powerful tone. The words were ancient and profound, praising the virtues of the moon, praying for a bountiful year, and wishing for peace and prosperity for the nation and its people.

The second offering of gifts was made, and the Crown Prince stepped forward.

He moved with steady steps, meticulously completing every movement: holding the cup, offering the libation, stepping back—each step was measured with precision.

Consort Chen's lips curved almost imperceptibly as her gaze gently returned to the rising sun before her.

The final gift.

This is the only part of the ritual that is explicitly permitted to be performed by female participants.

According to the previous arrangement, it should be Consort Xu, who is known for her propriety, who should step forward.

Consort Chen could no longer contain herself.

"His Majesty,"

She did not step out of line, but leaned slightly towards the throne, her words carrying just the right amount of earnestness and a mother's pride: "Tonight the moon is full, reflecting the splendor of our nation's mountains and rivers."

"Chaoyang is of His Majesty's own flesh and blood, born by the grace of Heaven. He is of pure and filial nature, and prays day and night for his father's health and the eternal stability of the nation."

"I privately think that if Your Majesty would grant permission for her to represent the royal women and offer this final offering to the Moon Goddess with utmost filial piety, it might be more likely to move the heavens. It would also be a testament to the child's sincerity."