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

Liu Zhaoyi looked determined to win.

She glanced at Aunt Zhulan standing not far away and knew that she was one of the Empress Dowager's people.

If she were to say these words directly to Aunt Zhulan, then Consort Zhen would be finished!

Consort Zhen was just a pitiful person like her.

Liu Zhaoyi ultimately decided that girls help girls!

As long as Consort Zhen comes to her senses in time, she will not report her!

After all, in Liu Zhaoyi's eyes, Consort Zhen was a pitiful creature, someone who was immersed in the beautiful dream woven by Emperor Qianwu.

But what love did ancient emperors have?

That guy is a jerk!

Liu Zhaoyi truly felt that she was saving a naive woman.

She glanced at Aunt Zhulan and said to Zhou Mingyi, "I have something I'd like to say to Consort Zhen alone."

Zhou Mingyi wouldn't be that stupid.

"Aunt Zhulan is one of our own, Consort Liu, there's no need for you to be shy."

Consort Liu: ...

Is this Consort Zhen unable to understand human speech?

"But I want to speak with Consort Zhen alone."

Aunt Zhulan frowned involuntarily.

It is said that Consort Liu was brought back from the common people by His Majesty, but after living in the palace for so many years, how come she is still so unruly?

She was a Zhaoyi, the head of the Nine Concubines, but Consort Zhen was a concubine. How dare she talk to her like that?

There's absolutely no sense of discipline involved!

However, Aunt Zhulan always kept in mind the Empress Dowager's instructions. Now everything else had to be put aside. Even the Empress Dowager was not as important as the child in Consort Zhen's belly.

Aunt Zhulan had a bad impression of Consort Liu, so naturally she wouldn't let her have any contact with Consort Zhen alone.

What if Consort Liu has ulterior motives and something happens to the child in Consort Zhen's womb? How will she explain this to the Empress Dowager?

Therefore, Aunt Zhulan gave a slight curtsy and said, "This servant is ordered to serve Consort Zhen. Her Highness is in a special condition and cannot do without this servant."

"If Your Highness has anything to say, please speak freely."

Zhou Mingyi blinked, indicating that Aunt Zhulan was right.

Consort Liu: ...

Consort Zhen was indeed a foolish woman; she was actually deceived by the Empress Dowager.

They say they'll serve you, but it's really just a form of surveillance.

The Empress Dowager and her son are treating you like a breeding machine!

Consort Liu was almost driven mad with anger!

She took a deep breath.

"Does Your Majesty truly wish to become a mere tool for reproduction?"

Before Zhou Mingyi could speak, Aunt Zhulan's expression changed drastically. "How dare you!"

Consort Liu slightly raised her chin. "I am His Majesty's Consort. Although you are the Empress Dowager's person, you are merely a servant. How dare you disrespect me?"

Aunt Zhulan: ...

No, what's the deal with this Consort Liu?

I feel like there's something wrong with her head...

Zhou Mingyi was also speechless.

When the emperor died out and the vast dynasty had no one to inherit it, she was able to give birth to his only child. Consort Liu called her a "breeding tool."

"Does Consort Liu not wish to?"

Consort Liu replied with a proud expression, "Of course I wouldn't!"

"If I am to willingly bear a child for a man, he must be devoted to me."

Zhou Mingyi: "...Then I wish you all the best."

Consort Liu: ...

I feel like I've been subtly criticized by Consort Zhen...

Consort Liu was furious and completely gave up on Consort Zhen.

This is a woman who has lost herself in the illusion of love woven by ancient emperors!

Unlike her, who lives with such clarity!

Without a second thought, Consort Liu turned and left.

Before leaving, she suddenly asked, "Are you sure you want to give birth to this baby?"

Zhou Mingyi: ?

"Otherwise what?"

Liu Zhaoyi looked at Zhou Mingyi with a complicated expression, "Although we are ultimately not on the same path, I will help you."

Zhou Mingyi: ?

After Liu Zhaoyi finished speaking, she turned and left, leaving Zhou Mingyi completely bewildered.

As soon as she left, Shiliu quickly came to greet her.

"Your Highness, in my opinion, if Consort Liu comes again in the future, let's just say we're too busy to see her."

Wax apple looked on in agreement.

Bamboo Orchid: ...

"Has this Consort Liu maintained contact with our Empress?"

Upon hearing this, Shiliu's impression of Aunt Zhulan improved even more.

She said "our Lady", which shows that Aunt Zhulan considers them as one of her own.

So she immediately interjected, "No, Consort Liu only came once and said some nonsensical things..."

"We suspect that she is here..."

Shi Liu pointed to her head. "There's something wrong!"

Aunt Zhulan was amused by her words.

She and the Empress Dowager had both heard of this Consort Liu.

She actually wanted the Emperor to dismiss the harem for her sake...

How could someone's brain be perfectly healthy?

"Yes, I think so too."

She looked at Zhou Mingyi, "Your Majesty should have less contact with her in the future."

"But what's the story behind her saying she'd help the Empress?"

Zhou Mingyi didn't quite understand either.

Pomegranate and wax apple exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

Aunt Zhulan became more wary. "In short, if she comes again, just say that our Empress is not available to see her."

Shi Liu wholeheartedly agreed, "That's what I think too."

However, to everyone's surprise, Liu Zhaoyi remained very obedient for a long time afterward.

She was not favored by the emperor and did not like to go out, so it was as if she had never been to Weiyang Palace that day.

……

Consort Liu, facing the wind, moved with an ethereal grace.

Han Shu and Xue Ying exchanged a glance, both somewhat amazed.

To be honest, their empress's face is no less beautiful than that of Consort Zhen.

With such excellent qualities, it's such a pity that he's not favored.

Han Shu couldn't help but muster up his courage and say:

"Your Majesty, Consort Zhen is currently pregnant and unable to serve His Majesty. Why don't we take advantage of this opportunity..."

Consort Liu snorted coldly, "Going to flatter and curry favor?"

Her voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

Han Shu immediately fell silent.

It may sound harsh, but if you gain His Majesty's favor, there are real and tangible benefits!

Putting aside the endless stream of rewards, the treatment in the palace was even better.

The treatment of palace maids serving favored masters and those serving unfavored masters is like heaven and earth!

Unfortunately, their empress was once favored by the emperor.

Therefore, the difference between Han Shu and Xue Ying is particularly large.

Xueying mustered her courage and said, "That's His Majesty."

Consort Liu said, "And what about Your Majesty? Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?"

Xueying:......

She and Han Shu exchanged a glance, then silently lowered their heads. Fine, they'd better just focus on making paper.

If you master the craft, even if you don't become rich after leaving the palace, you won't starve!

……

Before she knew it, Zhou Mingyi was three months pregnant.

Her belly swelled up as if it were being inflated.

This completely confirms the pregnancy.

The Empress Dowager was so happy she couldn't stop smiling, and she actually stayed in Weiyang Palace and refused to leave.

She wanted to see Consort Zhen give birth to her own grandson with her own eyes!

……

In Consort Chen's palace.

Every day, she would specifically ask someone to inquire about news from Weiyang Palace.

As a result, I received news of slippery pulse every day.

Gradually, Consort Chen got used to it.

But she still hoped in her heart that the news was false.

Hopefully, one day, the news that Consort Zhen was faking her pregnancy will be exposed.

But now, Consort Zhen's belly has grown quite large.

If her belly isn't actually pregnant, but rather from taking some kind of medication, it would be very difficult for her belly to grow as expected.

She was hoping that Zhou would fake a pregnancy to win favor, but in the end, Zhou's belly was already big.

Consort Zhen is now truly the most outstanding woman in the palace, and Consort Chen is so jealous that her eyes are practically red with envy.

"How is that possible?"

"So Zhou is really pregnant? How could she possibly be..."

No one around Consort Chen dared to speak.

As usual, after Consort Chen had vented her anger, Chen Mama said, "Your Highness, Consort Zhen's belly doesn't look quite right..."

Consort Chen immediately looked at Granny Chen, "What did you say?"

After a moment's hesitation, Granny Chen said, "I overheard some people talking, saying that a three-month pregnant woman's belly shouldn't be that big, but Consort Zhen's belly is clearly..."

Consort Chen was taken aback, then, as if struck by a sudden thought, said, "You mean to say..."

If Consort Zhen's belly was a month larger than it actually was, then a month prior, Consort Zhen had not yet entered the palace...

Before entering the palace, she was sent to the border by the emperor, and on the way...

Consort Chen's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Come, follow me to see His Majesty and the Empress Dowager!"

Granny Chen instinctively stopped Consort Chen, "Your Highness, please don't act rashly!"

Consort Chen: "How could I have acted impulsively?"

"That Consort Zhen actually dared to attempt to replace the imperial heir with that bastard child! Her crime is unforgivable! His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, being discerning, will certainly not let her off easily!"

The mere thought of Zhou Mingyi being sentenced to death made Consort Chen tremble with excitement.

Granny Chen frowned. "But Your Highness, we have no evidence..."

Consort Chen: "How can there be no evidence?"

"The perpetrator was personally ordered by Chaoyang; how can there be no evidence?"

Granny Chen was silent for a moment, then said, "That bodyguard has been recalled by His Majesty, and the two coachmen are dead. As for General Shen..."

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten that General Shen is the adopted son of the Xue family, and now his entire family has been convicted and is no longer in the capital?"

Consort Chen suddenly remembered, "Isn't there Consort Rong in the Cold Palace?"

"I simply don't believe that she could remain indifferent when faced with such a good opportunity."

Granny Chen nodded.

She was afraid that her mistress might not be able to restrain herself from charging into battle.

The Empress is good in every way, except that she is a little too impatient.

Sometimes, it's more interesting to stand behind and watch people fight than to do it yourself.

Moreover, no matter what the reason, even if it's to atone for her crimes, Consort Rong will definitely seize this opportunity.

If Consort Rong were to be credited for reporting Consort Zhen's attempt to obscure the royal bloodline, perhaps the Xue family could still return to power...

Could Consort Rong resist such temptation?

If it succeeds, their empress will have nothing left but Consort Zhen, who is a thorn in her side.

Even if it failed, it was Consort Rong who did it, so what does it have to do with Consort Chen?

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise!"

……

In Weiyang Palace, Zhou Mingyi's belly was slightly protruding, her skin still snow-white, with almost no trace of anything.

She lay slightly on her side, her lower abdomen noticeably protruding.

"Your Majesty, your belly looks bigger than usual for three months?"

Zhou Mingyi smiled and said, "Don't tell His Majesty and the Empress Dowager about this for now. The imperial physician said that she may be carrying twins."

Shiliu obediently covered her lips.

"What?"

The wax apple was also very excited, "Your Majesty, is this true?"