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

Consort Chen looked on in disbelief.

"His Majesty!"

"It was clearly that Zhou Shi! She defied the Empress Dowager's decree. I did nothing wrong, so why are you..."

Emperor Qianwu's face darkened. "What? You intend to disobey my imperial decree?"

Consort Chen's imposing manner immediately weakened.

"This concubine dares not."

Princess Chaoyang naturally objected, but she had fallen into the water a few days ago and caught a chill during the hunt. After struggling to her feet to complain to the Empress Dowager, she was already feeling quite weak.

The Empress Dowager's attention was immediately diverted.

"Chaoyang, Chaoyang, what's wrong?"

"Someone, quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

When Emperor Qianwu saw that Princess Chaoyang had fainted, he panicked and shouted, "Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

After a period of chaos and turmoil, Princess Chaoyang finally awoke.

Her small, delicate face was flushed with an unnatural blush. After opening her eyes, she looked pitifully at Emperor Qianwu and said:

"Father, it's all my fault."

"Your Majesty also learned that the Empress Dowager had asked Consort Zhen to stay in the palace to copy Buddhist scriptures. When I saw her at the hunting grounds, I was truly astonished. As you know, I am fine in every other way, except that I was a little too impatient..."

Zhou Mingyi raised her eyebrows slightly.

Princess Chaoyang had always given her the impression of being arrogant, domineering, and fearless.

Because she was Emperor Qianwu's only daughter and the only princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

But now, she may have to change her opinion of this princess.

It can only be said that Chaoyang, who grew up in the royal family, is by no means a naive or innocent girl.

She's more cunning than anyone else.

Sure enough, Emperor Qianwu's heart softened immediately upon hearing his daughter's words of submission.

Zhou Mingyi spoke at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty..."

All eyes were on Consort Zhen.

Consort Chen looked on warily, afraid that Consort Zhou would say something else. It was only with great difficulty that His Majesty's attitude softened somewhat.

She glared fiercely at Zhou Mingyi, ready to devise a countermeasure should she say anything detrimental to her and her daughter.

Unexpectedly, Princess Chaoyang gently tugged at her wrist.

Princess Chaoyang was far more cunning than Consort Chen.

The more Consort Zhen complains to her father at this time, the more advantageous it becomes for her and her daughter.

Consort Chen froze.

I just had to hold it in.

The Empress Dowager also misunderstood, thinking that Zhou Mingyi wanted to file a complaint.

She said in a deep voice, "If Consort Zhen has anything to say, she should speak clearly to the Emperor and to me while I am here."

"But if you were to secretly complain to the emperor behind the princess's back, that's not something an elder should do."

This is blatant favoritism.

Princess Chaoyang looked smug.

Zhou Mingyi said softly, "It's all my fault."

"When we were in the hunting grounds, I was only focused on choosing horses. The princess was young and didn't know any better, so I should have given way a little. Now that the princess is so anxious, it is my fault as her stepmother."

"Please forgive me this time, Your Highness."

Consort Chen's face darkened, and she was about to rebuke him for being hypocritical, but she held back.

Princess Chaoyang's thoughts, however, became slightly heavy.

Strictly speaking, she didn't have many opportunities to confront Zhou Mingyi directly.

Because her father was infertile, Princess Chaoyang did not take the concubines in the harem seriously.

What good is being favored? Without children, she can never surpass her father in his heart.

As long as she is there, she can protect her mother.

But now that Consort Zhen is suspected of being pregnant, she actually knows how to retreat in order to advance, and takes the initiative to admit her mistake...

If she were to give birth to another princess, with such a scheming woman around, how could my mother possibly be a match for her?

Over the years, my mother has stood out in the palace, and her personality has become somewhat domineering.

To put it nicely, it's arrogance; to put it bluntly, it's stupidity.

But because her father only had her as his child, it didn't matter if her mother was a little stupid.

It doesn't matter.

But if Zhou had a child, even if it was a princess.

Then what does she have to do with her mother?

What if it's a prince? If Consort Zhen's son ascends the throne, will he spare them, mother and son?

She is the only princess in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty to have a fiefdom and a place of residence.

Now he even keeps a private army around him...

As a result, Princess Chaoyang gained several advisors.

Especially the male concubine surnamed Xu beside her, who looked remarkably like Zhou Mingchong.

After Princess Chaoyang was repeatedly rebuffed by Zhou Mingchong, the man surnamed Xu began to flatter her, and now Princess Chaoyang is gradually starting to take him to heart.

However, that Xu fellow was extremely audacious, and occasionally he would utter wild and outrageous remarks!

They instigated her to seize the throne...

What else is there to say? She is the only princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty and His Majesty's only bloodline.

Which princess in this dynasty was granted a fiefdom, a place of residence, and the ability to maintain a private army?

Isn't this because His Majesty intends to groom her?

As for the crown prince, he was nothing more than a smokescreen placed in the open by His Majesty, a figurehead to whom he had no choice but to compromise.

Princess Chaoyang thought about it carefully and found that what the man surnamed Xu said made sense!

Therefore, for the sake of his grand plan, it is not advisable to fall out with his father for the sake of Consort Zhen.

As for Consort Zhen's belly, even if she is really pregnant, she is not without a chance of winning. Princess Chaoyang told herself to be patient.

She glanced quickly at Emperor Qianwu, then gave Zhou Mingyi a subtle look.

"It was my fault, Mother Consort Zhen, please don't hold it against me."

Although Princess Chaoyang was a "junior," she was the most honored princess in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, and she personally apologized.

As an elder, Zhou Mingyi naturally had to understand the greater good.

If she clings to this issue, it would make her, as an "elder," appear less tolerant.

Zhou Mingyi was naturally a kind and gentle elder.

"Although I am of a higher generation than the princess, I am about the same age as Your Highness. I may have some shortcomings, and I ask for your understanding."

Zhou Mingyi, as an elder, was very righteous, but that did not change the fact that she was the same age as Princess Chaoyang, or even a little younger.

Princess Chaoyang: ...

This Zhou woman truly holds a grudge against me, Princess!

But she also knew that Zhou Mingyi's words would not be criticized by her father and grandmother.

Zhou was young, and indeed, she was about the same age as her.

And because she was young, her father and grandmother were inevitably more lenient with her.

Consort Chen was furious.

Her daughter, Chaoyang, was born into wealth and privilege, and was pampered since childhood. How could that vile Consort Zhen be worthy of her daughter apologizing to her?

In Consort Chen's heart, Zhou Mingyi was not even as good as one of her daughters.

However, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty were clearly very satisfied, and Consort Chen dared not reprimand Consort Zhen.

Could it be that Consort Zhen's disobedience to the Empress Dowager has been so easily overlooked?

Consort Chen was truly unwilling to accept this.

She was about to say something when she heard her daughter ask in a sweet voice:

"Father, during the hunt today, I heard that Consort Zhen is pregnant. Does this mean I will soon have a younger brother or sister?"

She looked expectant, and her tone sounded very sincere.

Like an innocent child who knows nothing of the world.

It's as if they truly long for a blood-related sibling.

What Emperor Qianwu wanted to hide for the time being was directly exposed by Princess Chaoyang.

The expressions of the people present varied.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes lit up instinctively, and her gaze immediately fell on Zhou Mingyi's lower abdomen.

She asked impatiently, "Your Majesty, is what Chaoyang said true?"

"Did Consort Zhen really bear your blood?"

The Empress Dowager's face was full of eagerness. No matter how many times she was disappointed, she desperately wanted her son to have an heir.

If Consort Zhen really had the Emperor's child, then she would definitely not pursue the matter of her openly disobeying the imperial decree.

Compared to having offspring, what is this little thing?

Moreover, if Consort Zhen really had the emperor's child, she would be willing to be treated like royalty and have tea and water served to her every day.

Emperor Qianwu's expression was extremely complex.

However, the Empress Dowager did not ask him anything. Instead, she looked at Zhou Mingyi with a kind and gentle expression.

Kindness was downright creepy.

"Good child, is what Chaoyang said true?"

She looked at the pomegranate and wax apple trees, "Has your mistress received any news this month?"

"Surely that can be confirmed?"

Consort Chen scoffed, "What's the use of just checking if there's any mail?"

"It's not like there aren't remedies that can temporarily delay a woman's period."

Her tone was sarcastic, clearly indicating that she was not happy that Zhou Mingyi was actually pregnant.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but glare at her.

She knew that Consort Chen was jealous, but as far as the Empress Dowager was concerned, she didn't care who was pregnant with the Emperor's child.

As long as they are the emperor's children, it's fine.

After Consort Chen finished speaking, she regretted it.

She shouldn't have been so reckless.

Shiliu hurriedly replied, "No, our Lady hasn't changed her clothes this month."

The Empress Dowager immediately stood up.

"Imperial Physician, please hurry, please examine Consort Zhen!"

The imperial physician had already heard that Consort Zhen was suspected of being pregnant, but he was unexpectedly asked to take her pulse, which frightened him so much that he broke out in a cold sweat.

The Imperial Medical Academy is now in a state of fear.

Not long ago, Consort Jin had an accident. If Consort Zhen were to suffer the same fate as Consort Jin, would the imperial physicians even have a chance to survive?

Those who are imperial physicians have such a miserable life!

She could be drawn into palace intrigue at any moment.

Therefore, the imperial physician examined the patient with exceptional care and spoke with extraordinary tact.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Consort Zhen's pulse does indeed appear to be slippery, and judging from the pulse, she is about a month pregnant."

"However... the pregnancy is still in its early stages, and I dare not draw any conclusions hastily. Perhaps... we should wait until Her Majesty's pregnancy is more stable before inviting the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to come and examine her in person..."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was furious.

"Your Majesty, have the selection criteria for the Imperial Medical Academy become so low these days? They can't even detect a pregnancy?"

The imperial physician was so frightened that he immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Zhou Mingyi said softly, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please accept my greetings."

The Empress Dowager now finds Zhou Mingyi much more agreeable.

"Tell me, good boy, what do you want to say?"

Zhou Mingyi looked terrified. "Your Majesty, ask anyone in the entire harem, who doesn't want to bear His Majesty an heir?"

"This is a joyous occasion for generations to come, and it is also our honor."

Everyone hopes to be as blessed as Consort Chen.

"That's why the Golden Beauty incident happened..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, which startled the Empress Dowager.

Speaking of Consort Jin, she suddenly realized why the Emperor not only didn't tell her that Lady Zhou was pregnant, but also kept it a secret from her.

However, the Empress Dowager now favors Zhou Mingyi.

He immediately said, "Your father is Zhou Yanjin, and your elder brother is a third-ranked scholar. Your family has an upright character; how can the likes of the Jin family compare?"

"My good child, in my opinion, you are most likely pregnant!"

The Empress Dowager made the final decision.

These words even brought a smile to Emperor Qianwu's lips.

"Yes, Mother Empress is the mother of the nation, and her word is law. Since Mother Empress has said that it exists, then our Ah Chang must have it."

The Empress Dowager looked at him, and Emperor Qianwu, being of one mind with his mother, immediately said, "I have already checked the historical records, which have been in effect for over a month, and there cannot be any error."

In fact, Emperor Qianwu didn't need to investigate in detail at all. Ever since Consort Zhen entered the palace, he had almost always stayed in Weiyang Palace.

Only a very few days were allocated to other concubines.