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

Inside the painted boat, clothes were scattered all over the ground, and two figures, one bronze and the other jade-white, blended together seamlessly, as if they were naturally one.

Once Emperor Qianwu tasted the sweetness of success, he became like a mere young boy.

Zhou Mingyi rubbed her slender waist, inwardly cursing the beast.

She chose the perfect moment, precisely at the limit of Emperor Qianwu's tolerance for Princess Chaoyang.

Princess Chaoyang was indeed Emperor Qianwu's only daughter, but Emperor Qianwu, as an emperor, was extremely hypocritical.

Princess Chaoyang was willful and domineering towards others, but Emperor Qianwu didn't care at all.

As his only daughter, the most noble princess in the world, being willful and domineering is not a flaw; on the contrary, it is her innate nobility, and she should be as she is.

But Emperor Qianwu was displeased when his domineering and willful daughter interfered in his private affairs time and time again.

He is only thirty-seven years old. How could he only favor Consort Chen because of his daughter?

If Mingyi hadn't entered the palace, Emperor Qianwu might have tolerated it.

Anyway, we're an old married couple. Even if we sleep together, who says we have to enjoy sexual intimacy?

He was already used to it. Since none of the concubines in the harem could conceive, what was the point of him working so hard?

At the time, Emperor Qianwu thought he was just getting old and couldn't keep up.

Although it was a little embarrassing to talk about, I accepted it calmly.

However, it was only after that time with Mingyi in the meditation room in the backyard of Hanshan Temple that Emperor Qianwu realized something was amiss.

He wasn't impotent; he simply lost interest in the women in his harem.

As the saying goes, "It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality," which illustrates this point.

He couldn't resist going to Weiyang Palace again.

After his previous experiences, Emperor Qianwu treated going to Weiyang Palace like a "thief".

Mingyi then gave him an idea.

"Your Majesty, how about we go boating and harvesting lotus pods today?"

Emperor Qianwu raised his eyebrows slightly upon hearing Mingyi's suggestion.

"My beloved concubine is in high spirits; I will be waiting for you by the pond."

Zhou Mingyi pouted and said coquettishly, "That won't do!"

"I've heard that lotus seeds taste best when picked by hand and eaten fresh."

"When I was a child, my maternal grandmother's house had a pond filled with lotus flowers. In summer, the pond was overflowing with lotus flowers, a truly beautiful sight."

"When autumn comes and the lotus flowers have faded, lotus pods will grow. My brother and I will then go boating on the pond to pick lotus pods, fish, and dive into the water to dig lotus roots."

"Your Majesty insists on going with me."

With the beautiful woman's delicate face clinging to him, Emperor Qianwu couldn't resist agreeing.

Although he was still thinking about that matter, the thought of being caught by Chaoyang himself halfway through his encounter with Consort Zhen was incredibly embarrassing.

Instead, with a beautiful woman by your side, you could stroll in the lotus pond and relax.

In fact, simply standing next to Zhou Shi, gazing at her charming face, graceful figure, and coquettish tone, is a pleasure in itself.

As Emperor Qianwu watched her animatedly recount her childhood memories, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

He always felt that Chaoyang had been wronged, but he forgot that his Ah Chang was also a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.

Her parents died early, and she is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. She has worked very hard to support her family all these years.

Finally, Zhou Mingchong has made some progress, and because of his and her mother's selfish desires, she has entered the palace to accompany the emperor.

He had thought that he should cherish this girl more.

With a softened heart, Emperor Qianwu showed exceptional leniency towards Mingyi.

Zhou Mingyi feigned excitement, and boldly took Emperor Qianwu's hand, "Your Majesty, hurry, let's go now."

Seeing the woman's joyful expression, Emperor Qianwu couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

His hot, calloused hands enveloped hers tightly.

Her hands were fair and slender, small in size, and his large palm could completely envelop them.

Zhou Mingyi glanced back at Emperor Qianwu, her cheeks suddenly flushing red.

The beauty blushed, her expression coquettish, and she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Emperor Qianwu was in a good mood.

But before leaving, he suddenly turned back to Fuquan and said, "You stay here. If anyone asks, you know how to handle it."

Fuquan: ...

He understood His Majesty's meaning; this was simply a smokescreen to keep him around.

"Your Majesty, surely this servant knows where you and Consort Zhen have gone?"

Zhou Mingyi deliberately hooked her hand around Emperor Qianwu's palm, her eyes focused and eager to try, just like a playful little girl.

Emperor Qianwu then said, "You stay here and guard this place."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Fuquan: ...

Okay, okay, I understand. So he's not qualified to know, right?

If His Majesty and Consort Zhen come up with some new tricks, he'll inevitably be the one cleaning up the mess...

Fuquan resigned himself to his fate.

Emperor Qianwu did not come empty-handed; he brought several guards with him, keeping them at a distance so they could act on his and Consort Zhen's orders at any time.

However, one should not actively reveal their whereabouts, lest they attract unnecessary attention.

The pond in the Imperial Garden was much larger than the lotus pond at Zhou Mingyi's maternal grandfather's house.

You can see a large expanse of turquoise water from afar.

Even after the lotus flowers have faded, the plant remains vibrant with life.

In the pond, there was a painted boat that had been prepared and was moored on the shore.

The painted boat was exquisitely designed.

"Your Majesty, come quickly."

Zhou Mingyi took Emperor Qianwu's hand and led him onto the painted boat.

As soon as she boarded, the small pleasure boat rocked slightly, and Zhou Mingyi fell into Emperor Qianwu's arms.

The man has broad shoulders, long legs, a narrow waist, and a broad chest.

"Be careful, you're being so reckless."

Zhou Mingyi smiled gently, with a touch of playfulness.

"It's all His Majesty's fault."

Emperor Qianwu frowned, wondering if he had misheard.

"What did you say?"

The woman showed no remorse and even gave him a light push, but her strength was so weak it was like a tickle.

Emperor Qianwu found it amusing.

Without realizing it, he followed the beautiful woman into the painted boat.

The painted boat contained a small table and even a large bed that occupied almost half of the cabin. The carved and openwork windows faced directly onto the emerald green of the lotus leaves that stretched to the sky.

A light blue gauze curtain still hung on the window.

"Your Majesty, please turn around first. I need to change my clothes."

Emperor Qianwu was even more confused. Why did he need to change clothes just to pick lotus pods?

Zhou Mingyi deliberately didn't explain to him, but instead pushed him away with a flushed face, and then went behind the screen.

The screen was also specially commissioned by her.

Semi-transparent.

Through the screen, one could see her graceful figure; her fair and smooth body peeked out from behind it.

Emperor Qianwu was so engrossed in reading that his mouth went dry.

Ke Mingyi changes clothes extremely quickly.

Just as Emperor Qianwu was about to follow his heart, the woman emerged from behind the screen.

"My beloved concubine, what is this...?"

Mingyi turned around, her eyes clear and bright, with a playful smile on her face.

"Your Majesty, do I look good in this outfit?"

She changed into the attire of a commoner, her clothes extremely plain. Her upper body was a short, cross-collared blouse of sage green, with the sleeves tightly bound to her elbows with thin blue rope, revealing a pair of lotus-root-like arms.

Her arms were flawless and white.

She wore a plain linen pleated skirt, and to avoid getting it wet, she deftly lifted the hem of the skirt and loosely tucked it into her waistband, revealing the moon-white silk trousers underneath, the cuffs of which were also rolled up high, down to her calves.

She stood barefoot on the slightly damp deck, her toes curling slightly as she strained to maintain her balance.

Her hairstyle was particularly unique.

Her attire was completely different from what she wore in the palace.

She simply tied her hair up with a smooth lotus stem, while a half-open pinkish-white lotus bud adorned her temple.

Emperor Qianwu had never seen such a beautiful woman.

The light in his eyes grew even more intense, and his voice was deep and husky.

"Who taught you this?"

Zhou Mingyi pretended to be stupid.

She wouldn't play her cards openly; subtle seduction is the most lethal.

"Your Majesty, let's go pick lotus pods!"

As she spoke, she actually walked out barefoot. She squatted on the deck of the painted boat. When she turned to reach a lotus seedpod a little further away, the flower in her hair bun was about to fall as she leaned down, adding a touch of lively charm.

What's most wonderful is the way she picks lotus flowers.

His gaze swept across the layers of lotus leaves, revealing a focused gentleness.

Once the target was identified, the slender fingers reached out, not to rashly break it, but to find the joint where the lotus seedpod and stem connected.

With a gentle pinch of her fingertips and a quick twist, the heavy lotus seedpod fell into her palm with a soft "tap".

The movements were practiced and light, as if they were not working, but performing a silent dance.

Emperor Qianwu finally believed that she was telling the truth.

She really did pick lotus pods before.

And she must do this kind of thing often.

That's why their movements are so skillful.

It wasn't to deliberately seduce him.

Emperor Qianwu was inherently suspicious. Although he readily accepted Mingyi's seduction, he couldn't help but doubt her motives.

As the small boat gradually entered the depths of the lotus blossoms, her figure appeared and disappeared among the lush lotus leaves. Only the lotus stem hairpin and the solitary lotus flower at her temple added a touch of gentle light pink and pure moon white amidst the emerald green.

Between a human face and a lotus flower, which is purer and more beautiful?

I'm afraid even the wind in this entire pond can't be distinguished anymore.

Emperor Qianwu could no longer restrain himself. He picked the person up and threw him onto the large bed in the pleasure boat.

His eyes were dark and possessed a strong sense of aggression.

"Are you dressed like this to deliberately seduce me?"

"His Majesty?"

Zhou Mingyi is still pretending to be stupid.

But the flames in Emperor Qianwu's eyes left no room for her to deny it, and he sternly silenced her before she could speak.

The painted boat eventually came to rest deep within the lotus pond, where a moving song, sung by a man and a woman, could be heard...

Afterwards, Zhou Mingyi picked up her fisherwoman outfit and pretended to be on the verge of tears.

"Why does Your Majesty always ruin my new clothes...?"

"Does Your Majesty know how difficult it was for me to obtain such an outfit in the palace?"

She pouted, looking displeased.

Emperor Qianwu's brows relaxed, and his eyes were filled with a satisfied sigh.

Hearing the woman's words, which sounded like a complaint yet also like a coquettish remark, he simply smiled gently.

"If my beloved consort likes it, I will open my private treasury. You may have as many clothes made as you wish."

"Did His Majesty say that?"

Zhou Mingyi immediately seized the opportunity to climb up the ladder.

Emperor Qianwu was in a very good mood and naturally granted her every request.

"But I have one condition?"

The naive and innocent "fisherwoman" had no idea what conditions the hunter was going to propose.

She turned her head, looking surprised. "What are the conditions?"