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

As soon as Zhou Mingyi approached Chang Le Palace, she heard the Empress Dowager's agitated cursing.

"Chaoyang is Your Majesty's only son, what do you intend to do?"

"You want to kill my only granddaughter?"

"Your Majesty, you've lost your mind! For the sake of a vixen, Consort Zhen, you're going to degrade your only daughter like this!"

"By imperial decree, Princess Chaoyang and Consort Chen will go hunting this autumn, while Consort Zhen will remain in the palace to manage palace affairs."

"Doesn't she like palace power? I'll grant her her wish!"

Zhou Mingyi: ? ?

The fire eventually reached her.

But her riding outfit was already finished!

She was even specially made a pair of deerskin boots by the Imperial Wardrobe of Emperor Qianwu. The boots were adorned with bells and looked incredibly charming when she ran.

it's a pity.

Does this mean I won't be able to wear it this time?

Zhou Mingyi frowned slightly. How did this fire end up on her?

Have I been too flamboyant lately?

Of course, Zhou Mingyi knew what the Empress Dowager cared about most.

She subconsciously touched her lower abdomen; she was even planning to wait until the hunt to be discovered that she was "pregnant"!

If she is directly banned from participating in the autumn hunt by the Empress Dowager, then she will have to think of other ways...

As soon as she entered Chang Le Palace, she received either sympathetic or gloating glances from Consort Lan and others.

The Empress Dowager's sharp gaze fell upon her.

"Consort Zhen, how dare you sow discord between the Emperor and the Princess!"

Zhou Mingyi felt deeply wronged.

Although she did want to kill Princess Chaoyang, she wasn't in such a hurry.

She has remained very steady, and the plan has been progressing step by step.

Therefore, Zhou Mingyi said, "The Empress Dowager is currently in a fit of anger. I understand Your Majesty's protectiveness towards your children. Please take care of your health and do not harm yourself."

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly.

"Clever words and a flattering expression!"

Zhou Mingyi herself felt hypocritical, but in this harem, some superficial formalities had to be done.

It's like she clearly wished Princess Chaoyang would die immediately.

But when she actually tried to commit suicide, she insisted on visiting her.

Not only do they have to come to visit, but they also have to pretend to be a gentle stepmother...

She said calmly, "I heard that Your Highness almost hurt yourself in a moment of impulsiveness, and I was very worried about you."

"Your Highness should know that as a royal princess, you should set an example for the royal family and not act willfully and recklessly, causing the Empress to worry about you in her old age."

"I have said all I need to say. Your Highness may not wish to see me. I shall take my leave."

After Zhou Mingyi finished speaking, she bowed deeply, glanced at Emperor Qianwu with a look that seemed to be full of resentment, and then decisively turned and left.

Emperor Qianwu originally felt that Chaoyang was too arrogant.

But his only daughter had jumped into the water and committed suicide. He was filled with remorse and began to wonder if he had been too fond of Consort Zhen today, which had broken Chaoyang's heart.

Emperor Qianwu could disregard Consort Chen, but he could not disregard Chaoyang.

This was his only child.

But Consort Zhen's words were sincere and did not seem fake... Emperor Qianwu's suspicions subsided slightly.

Chaoyang's diving was not her fault; the Empress Dowager was angry with her, but she was the most innocent one.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Ah Chang never uttered a single bad word about Consort Gui or Chaoyang.

Even in private, she forbade the palace servants to say a single bad word about the Imperial Concubine and Chaoyang.

Unbeknownst to him, Emperor Qianwu's heart had already begun to lean towards Zhou Mingyi.

But Chaoyang was, after all, his only son.

Although his affection for Zhou Mingyi was greater than that for the other concubines, he loved her charming and bright personality, and her unique and distinctive manners, which could easily stir his emotions.

However, Emperor Qianwu could still distinguish between what was more important and what was less important.

When the imperial physician said that Princess Chaoyang was fine, only suffering from palpitations and fright, and also a bit of a chill, the Empress Dowager finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Emperor Qianwu immediately said helplessly.

"As Your Majesty wishes, Consort Chen and Chaoyang will go on the hunt three days from now, while Consort Zhen will remain in the palace to assist with palace affairs."

Consort Chen was overjoyed.

Princess Chaoyang, who was in a "coma," slightly curled the corners of her lips.

……

After appeasing Princess Chaoyang and Consort Chen, Emperor Qianwu then went to appease his mother, the Empress Dowager.

His relationship with the Empress Dowager and her son was truly deep.

Furthermore, the Empress Dowager never made things difficult for Emperor Qianwu.

Although Emperor Qianwu was not good at expressing his emotions, he was not unaware of his mother's love.

"You've been spoiling that Zhou woman way too much lately."

"I heard that Your Majesty even had the Imperial Wardrobe make clothes for her?"

"The Imperial Wardrobe was responsible for making clothes for the emperor; how could it possibly be a place for a mere concubine like her?"

"This is truly an overstepping of bounds!"

The Empress Dowager was very displeased.

Since her son ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager has always exercised restraint, in order not to damage the harmony between mother and son.

Although the Empress Dowager remained unknown in the palace for many years, she was a wise woman.

Lord, king, minister, father, father, son.

Although she and the emperor were mother and son.

But when the prince grows up and takes over the reins of government, as his mother, she has to stand behind him in many matters, rather than in front of him and make decisions for him.

Even ordinary mothers and sons need to be careful about their conduct, let alone her son who is an emperor.

Over the years, the Empress Dowager has done a very good job.

But now, the emperor has hurt his own granddaughter's feelings for a woman, and the empress dowager is unhappy.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Emperor Qianwu was embarrassed.

He couldn't very well tell the Empress Dowager that the reason he bestowed such special favor upon Lady Zhou was because he had ruined her clothes...

This was a private affair between him and Consort Zhen, which was inconvenient to discuss with the Empress Dowager.

He coughed twice. "This is the last time."

The Empress Dowager was still angry and said, "In the end, I forced you to marry Zhou Shi. It was all a coincidence."

"She's lucky. I have no objection to you spoiling her."

"In truth, it was you and I who wronged her first."

"But now that she's entered the palace, she's your woman, and Chaoyang's stepmother. You shouldn't disregard Chaoyang's feelings."

"No matter how much trouble you cause, I won't care."

"I'm too old to care about so many things."

"But if the Emperor, for her sake, forces Chaoyang into constant turmoil, I will be the first to object!"

Emperor Qianwu frowned deeply and rubbed his temples.

"Mother, I never intended to disregard Chaoyang's feelings for her sake."

"Indeed, Consort Chen has gone too far!"

"She actually used the morning sun to sway my mind."

The Empress Dowager had heard a little about this matter.

Both mother and son are extremely hypocritical.

Princess Chaoyang could do anything, but Consort Chen could not.

Their patience with Princess Chaoyang knew no bounds.

But Consort Chen was not an option.

"Are you saying that Chaoyang's actions today were also instigated by the Chen family?"

The Empress Dowager wasn't senile. "Chaoyang was born to you by Chen. She and her birth mother are of one mind. What Chen is doing may well be what Chaoyang wants."

Emperor Qianwu remained silent for a moment.

He still defended his daughter.

"Although Chaoyang is seventeen, she has been pampered since childhood and is very innocent and naive. It must be Chen who has corrupted her behind the scenes!"

"It's all my fault. I was too soft-hearted back then, which is why I promoted Chen to a higher rank and let her raise the princess herself."

"Now, it's she who has spoiled my princess!"

The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment.

"What's done is done, what else can be done?"

"Anyway, Your Majesty, you must remember that Chaoyang must be ranked ahead of the women in your harem."

"Your Majesty, you must understand, what if... Chaoyang is our only bloodline?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianwu's expression became more serious.

How could he not understand this principle?

After leaving the Empress Dowager's palace, Emperor Qianwu hesitated for a moment before heading to Weiyang Palace.

Zhou Mingyi did not show any dissatisfaction.

On the contrary, she is very understanding.

Emperor Qianwu's previously anxious heart was somewhat relieved.

"I have wronged you in this matter."

"That Chen woman used the princess to blackmail me, so I didn't want her to go hunting with me. Who would have thought that Chaoyang would actually..."

"The Empress Dowager has taken her anger out on you. I will certainly make it up to you in the future. What do you want?"

Although Emperor Qianwu was a dog, he could sometimes express his remorse in a very direct way.

The fact that he stood by her side this time and believed in her innocence is already a big step forward.

Zhou Mingyi never cared about Emperor Qianwu's intentions.

However, before she fully ascended to the throne, Emperor Qianwu's wishes influenced her position in the harem.

Therefore, she must do everything in her power to win it.

In retrospect, her efforts over this period of time have not been in vain.

Zhou Mingyi was well aware that when she first entered the palace, Emperor Qianwu was only infatuated with her appearance and body.

Unexpectedly, Princess Chaoyang had someone send her away, almost preventing her from entering the palace.

She went from being a woman whom Emperor Qianwu was determined to have to being a woman he almost completely lost. Therefore, as soon as she entered the palace, Emperor Qianwu showered her with favor day after day.

But how can a man's favor last?

Emperor Qianwu was no exception.

That's why she had to resort to all sorts of tricks to seduce him...

Now, all those efforts have paid off.

In his heart, she had finally become somewhat different.

Zhou Mingyi, being very understanding, nestled into Emperor Qianwu's arms, gently supporting her hands on his broad, hard chest.

"Your Majesty, I don't want anything."

"I am fortunate to be trusted by Your Majesty and able to manage palace affairs in this harem. This is the greatest reward Your Majesty can bestow upon me."

"It is my first year in the palace, but I cannot accompany Your Majesty to the hunting grounds to witness Your Majesty's extraordinary skills. I feel regretful."

With a beautiful woman in his arms, speaking softly and tenderly, showing great care and consideration, Emperor Qianwu was extremely pleased.

He held her tightly around the waist, trapping her in his arms.

"I really wish I could tie you to my body, so that my beloved consort could hunt with me."

Zhou Mingyi raised her eyes, her gaze brightening, her expression one of dependence.

"Is that truly what His Majesty thinks?"

Emperor Qianwu frowned as he looked at her. He gently lifted her delicate, high nose bridge. "Little vixen, what are you planning to do now?"

Zhou Mingyi took Emperor Qianwu's large hand and led him behind the screen.

"Your Majesty, look!"

When Emperor Qianwu saw it, he saw that it was a bright red riding outfit, with an extremely narrow waist and cuffs.

Just looking at this outfit made Emperor Qianwu's heart clench with pain.

His eyes were deep and unfathomable. "Put it on and show it to me."

Zhou Mingyi raised her bright eyes and looked at Emperor Qianwu with a shy and timid expression.

"Then Your Majesty, please turn around first."

As she spoke, she pushed Emperor Qianwu toward the door.

Emperor Qianwu laughed heartily, "Very well, I'll turn around and wait for you."