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

Moreover, Consort Zhen was young, and she suddenly became pregnant with twins.

Even assuming the worst-case scenario, if both children are girls, does that mean she can't have a second child?

She's different from Consort Chen; she's carrying twins!

A belly capable of carrying twins is definitely better than Chen Fei's!

Not only Emperor Qianwu thought so, but the Empress Dowager thought so too.

……

"That's wonderful, Hong'er! You finally have an heir!"

Privately, the Empress Dowager broke down in tears.

Her journey from a lowly concubine to the Empress Dowager was truly arduous.

She thought her suffering was finally over, but little did she know that the greatest test Heaven would give her was her son's offspring.

The Empress Dowager even wondered if she had done too many underhanded things in the past, thus incurring some negative karma...

That's why her son had no children.

After praying for so many years, they only had one granddaughter, Chaoyang.

The Empress Dowager and Emperor Qianwu were aware of Chaoyang's private actions.

But even if they spoil their only child, it's not considered a serious flaw in their eyes.

They just hoped she could live a more carefree and happy life.

However, if the emperor had other children, then Chaoyang, as his eldest daughter, would be somewhat unqualified.

Even Emperor Qianwu's eyes reddened, a rare occurrence for him.

Years of pent-up emotions weighed heavily on the mother and son, making it hard for them to breathe.

Emperor Qianwu, being a man, still retained some rationality.

"Mother, don't cry. Your son was able to get Zhou Shi thanks to your wisdom and consideration."

The Empress Dowager suddenly raised her head. "That's right, thanks to Hanshan Temple."

"Zhulan, go and help me donate some money to Hanshan Temple! This money is essential; my two little imperial grandsons cannot be neglected!"

Aunt Zhulan was also somewhat excited, "Yes!"

The Empress Dowager still felt it wasn't enough, "To show how much importance I attach to Consort Zhen, I moved to Weiyang Palace, but the rewards I gave her were not as many."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianwu immediately said, "There is plenty of time. Once Consort Zhen gives birth to two princes, I will certainly make her empress."

The Empress Dowager had no objection whatsoever. "That's how it should be. If Consort Zhen can give birth to two princes for the Emperor, the position of Empress is rightfully hers."

However, the two princes are only three months old. The Empress Dowager said, "Zhulan, go open my private treasury and select some of the best things from my collection. Send them to Weiyang Palace as a reward for Consort Zhen."

Aunt Zhulan hurriedly replied, "Yes."

Emperor Qianwu said, "Leaving aside other rewards for now, one thing is certain: the case of Consort Zhen is of utmost importance."

The Empress Dowager wholeheartedly agreed.

"Now, Imperial Physician Tao and Imperial Physician Chen are examining Consort Zhen's pulse. In addition, another imperial physician will be assigned to examine her pulse every ten days, and a special pulse record will be kept."

"Weiyang Palace is also somewhat short-staffed. How about selecting four more experienced matrons and eight palace maids for Consort Zhen to serve and care for? What does Your Majesty think?"

Emperor Qianwu nodded, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough; we shall do as Your Majesty says."

……

Rewards, like water, flowed continuously into Weiyang Palace.

Shi Liu was overjoyed and gained a lot of knowledge.

"Your Majesty, look, this is a gift sent by the Empress Dowager. It is a large necklace made of red gold, inlaid with kingfisher feathers and precious stones, featuring a unicorn bringing a child."

"There is also a white jade pendant with the inscription 'May you have many children and much happiness'."

"A pair of bonsai trees inlaid with gold thread and pearls, depicting phoenixes singing in harmony."

"There is also a pair of official kiln blue and white magpie and plum blossom Yuhuchun vases."

Wax apples also said:

"And there are also ten bolts of bright red brocade with gold-embroidered lotus and children design. This is the finest material specially made for auspicious occasions, Your Majesty!"

"Ten bolts of light blue velvet brocade with seasonal floral patterns, these are precious items specially made for summer wear, light and beautiful."

"Twenty sable pelts and ten black fox pelts."

"A set of accessories including gold buttons, jade belt hooks, and a jade pendant."

"Twenty boxes of blood bird's nest, fifty boxes of imperial bird's nest."

"The Kingdom of Siam presented ten bushels of fragrant rice and a number of nourishing medicinal ingredients as tribute."

Wax apple thought for a moment and said, "These are all nourishing tonics recommended by the Imperial Medical Academy."

"The most precious thing is this imperial-grade Everlasting Dew, there are ten bottles of it."

Zhou Mingyi's expression remained indifferent throughout.

However, she was very satisfied with this wave of publicity.

After all, no matter how happy and ambitious the Empress Dowager and Xie Jinghong are now, what will happen when these two children are killed by Princess Chaoyang or Consort Chen, or even by the Crown Prince or other people who do not want these two "children" to be born...?

That's how desperate they were.

Just thinking about it makes me excited.

Zhou Mingyi placed her hand on her lower abdomen, feeling the life force within it.

This system is truly amazing.

She knew perfectly well that the two children were fake, but they seemed so real. They were only three months old, and because there were two of them, she could occasionally feel them moving around in her belly like "blowing bubbles."

It's really quite exciting.

"System, is the child in my womb really not real?"

The system's voice was icy cold: "This is a set of real data simulating twins in the mother's womb; all sensations and pregnancy reactions are real."

"Even after a miscarriage..."

Zhou Mingyi nodded.

"I understand, no need to say anything more."

Now that it's confirmed, she can rest assured.

……

Chang Le Palace.

Consort Chen was waiting for news from the palace, because Consort Zhen's belly was only three months along, but it was already as big as that of an ordinary pregnant woman who was four or five months along.

She had already begun to suspect something, so she specifically ordered someone to spread the news.

These unfounded rumors were not loud, but they were enough to attract the attention of the Empress Dowager and Emperor Qianwu.

Even if Consort Zhen is pregnant, so what?

If the child is not His Majesty's, then this child can only become a death warrant for the Zhou family.

But she waited and waited, for a long time, and finally received the news that Consort Zhen had been promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Zhen.

"What?"

"Her child hasn't even been born yet, how could she have been made a concubine?"

Consort Chen looked on in disbelief.

She began to think about the past.

She was pregnant with Chaoyang at the time, and was just a young woman of talent.

Even when she was pregnant with Chaoyang, she was only granted the title of Jieyu.

But that Zhou woman had just become pregnant and it was unknown whether she could give birth. How could she have been made a Noble Consort?

Consort Chen sat down listlessly, looking somewhat lost.

The palace servants dared not speak, much less provoke Consort Chen.

It wasn't until Consort Chen came to her senses that she exclaimed, "Speak up!"

"What exactly happened at Weiyang Palace?"

Then Granny Chen said, "I heard..."

"What did you hear?"

Granny Chen: "I heard that Consort Zhen is pregnant with twins..."

"What?"

Consort Chen's voice was so loud it was almost hoarse.

She jumped to her feet. "What did you say?"

Granny Chen lowered her head, not daring to repeat herself.

Because she knew that Consort Chen must have heard it.

After a while, she calmed down a bit. "I absolutely cannot let her give birth to this child!"

Granny Chen glanced at Consort Chen furtively, but dared not speak. The Weiyang Palace was now like an impenetrable fortress...

Consort Chen herself was able to sit in this position because of her merit in giving birth to a princess.

She should know how much His Majesty and the Empress Dowager value offspring.

Moreover, this offspring is even more outstanding than Princess Chaoyang was.

Back when Consort Chen became pregnant, His Majesty was still young. Although the Empress Dowager and His Majesty valued that child, they wouldn't have taken such a desperate gamble as they have now...

Therefore, it is really not easy to harm this child.

Of course, if someone really wants to do it, it's not necessarily impossible, but the person who takes the plunge must be willing to go all out, even if it means risking their life...

Only in this way is there a chance of success.

Consort Chen had also considered this point. "Have you told Consort Rong about this?"

"No, she should be called Lady Xue now."

Granny Chen said, "I have already sent someone to the Cold Palace."

Consort Chen: "Then why hasn't she made a move yet?"

Granny Chen: ...

She wanted to say that Xue Shuren was now just a commoner, and it would certainly not be easy for her to harm a powerful concubine.

Even if she decides to take action, she will inevitably have to make careful plans.

"Perhaps, Lord Xue needs to do some preparatory work."

That was all Granny Chen could say.

Consort Chen immediately replied, "We must provide her with every convenience we can!"

Granny Chen: "Your Highness, please rest assured."

Just then, Princess Chaoyang entered the palace at some point. As soon as she entered the inner hall, she took off her fox fur cloak, which the palace servants naturally took from her. "Mother, what's wrong?"

"When I entered the palace, I saw a group of people heading towards Weiyang Palace."

"But is it really true that that vile Consort Zhen is pregnant with Father's child?"

Princess Chaoyang has been in poor health ever since the hunting expedition.

The Empress Dowager and Emperor Qianwu sent people to visit the princess's residence every day without fail.

Now, things are finally much better, and she personally went to the palace.

As soon as she entered the palace, she discovered that some changes seemed to have occurred there that she was unaware of.

Princess Chaoyang didn't think much of it.

Two months have passed now, and if Consort Ruozhen's pregnancy is fake, the truth should be coming out by now.

Could it be that those people were all there to capture that vile Consort Zhen and send her to the Cold Palace?

Upon thinking this, Princess Chaoyang's eyes lit up. "Or has the truth come out, and Father Emperor sent someone to banish her to the Cold Palace?"

Consort Chen and Granny Chen exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat puzzled.

Princess Chaoyang noticed something amiss.

"Mother, stop playing coy with me! Tell me already!"

Consort Chen: ...

What could she say?

Tell your daughter, "You're going to have two younger brothers soon."

Moreover, she was born to his mortal enemy, Consort Zhen, who is now the Noble Consort Zhen.

She simply couldn't bring herself to say it!

Princess Chaoyang's gaze was like a sharp sword, sweeping directly at Granny Chen.

"you say."

Granny Chen: "Your Highness..."

Granny Chen didn't dare look Princess Chaoyang in the eye at all; she lowered her gaze, trying to hide herself.

Princess Chaoyang had little patience. "You've served my mother for so many years, how come you have such a useless nature?"

"Speak quickly."

Then, Granny Chen whispered, "Consort Zhen is pregnant with twins. The babies are now three months old, and it's confirmed to be twins. Your Majesty..."

"His Majesty has already promoted Consort Zhen to Imperial Noble Consort Zhen... He has dispatched three imperial physicians to take her pulse every ten days and has even created a special pulse record..."

"What?"

Princess Chaoyang simply couldn't believe her ears.

This is utterly absurd!

Consort Chen had always wanted to use the fact that Consort Zhen's belly was larger than that of a typical three-month pregnant woman to make a fuss, but now it turns out that she was carrying twins...