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

Zhou Mingyi glanced at her, didn't nod, but said:

"Anyone who harms the child in my womb deserves to die."

Wax apple gasped.

He immediately realized that all of this was actually a scheme orchestrated by the Empress.

But how could Your Majesty possibly know what the princess is thinking?

But on second thought, the princess's thoughts were easy to guess.

She didn't want the child in the Empress's womb to be born. This single thought alone sealed their fate, making it a fight to the death.

As Lianwu stayed by Zhou Mingyi's side, she saw, heard, and thought a lot.

The recent actions of Princess Chaoyang, and her declaration that she would not marry in order to share the Emperor's burdens... Lianwu dared not think about it, but that did not mean she could not think of it.

What does this mean? It means she has her eye on that position.

But she's a princess!

However, she is also His Majesty's only child.

But if the child in the empress's womb is born, she will no longer be the only one.

So she had the motivation to do this.

However, the only thing that Lianwu couldn't understand was that if the princess had a motive, why did the horse side with Consort Lan at the crucial moment?

Princess Chaoyang and Consort Chen did have a past grudge against Consort Lan, but Consort Lan was not pregnant, so Princess Chaoyang had no reason to harm her.

It was unnecessary for a princess to rashly attack a concubine who had no children and no favor; it would only invite criticism.

It's completely a losing proposition.

Wax apples couldn't understand it.

Zhou Mingyi hadn't figured this out either.

It doesn't matter, as long as the result is good, the process doesn't matter.

She was silent for a moment, then asked:

"Where is that horse now?"

Lianwu said, "They were taken away by His Majesty's men."

Zhou Mingyi nodded.

"Have someone keep an eye on things. Report anything to me immediately."

Wax apples immediately nodded in agreement.

……

Zhou Mingyi didn't stay in Weiyang Palace for too long. As soon as it got dark, there was a boat ride and lantern viewing in the palace, so she naturally went to join in the fun.

She took Lianwu's hand and walked slowly from Weiyang Palace to a secluded pavilion.

Just then, a slightly deep voice rang out.

"May Consort Zhen be well."

Zhou Mingyi was startled; this bastard never made a sound when he walked.

She slightly raised her eyes and saw him dressed in a crimson robe, his features calm and dignified.

However, his gaze was unrestrained when it fell on her.

He really is a madman.

Zhou Mingyi touched her protruding belly.

Originally, she wanted to tame this boy and turn him into her dog, to be used by her.

But recently, he was fighting fiercely with Chaoyang, and she didn't find a suitable opportunity.

Now that she has her own child, Zhou Mingyi has lost interest in him.

Just a mad dog.

Whether she's insane or dead, what does it matter to her?

Therefore, her expression was particularly cold, and her words were quite perfunctory.

"May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings."

Xie Jing's eyes flickered, but his smile remained gentle.

"Seeing that Your Highness is here alone, I was worried that it might be inconvenient for you. I have prepared some tea and snacks for you. If Your Highness doesn't mind..."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness," Zhou Mingyi said calmly. "I have maids to serve me, so there's no need to trouble yourself."

He walked over, his steps unhurried and unhurried, stopping just three steps in front of her.

Zhou Mingyi raised her eyes, glanced at him, and her gaze was cold.

Xie Jing seemed to be stung by that expression, and the gentle smile on his face almost vanished.

"Is Your Highness going to Taiye Pond? I happen to be going too, how about we travel together?"

Zhou Mingyi still refused, "Your Highness, please go ahead. I am unwell and walk slowly, so I dare not delay Your Highness."

Xie Jing remained unmoved.

"Since Your Majesty is heavily pregnant, it is not safe for you to walk alone at night."

"It's good that I'm here with you, so you can take care of me."

Zhou Mingyi's eyebrows twitched slightly.

She looked up and met his gaze.

That gaze seemed gentle, but in reality, it was like a venomous snake lurking in wait.

The light from the palace lanterns shone on his face, flickering and obscuring his true intentions.

But Zhou Mingyi is no ordinary person.

In her past life, she had been feigning friendship with Xie Jing for quite some time and knew him very well.

Although she didn't care much about him, she was still hoping he would rescue her brother, so she dared not be indifferent at all.

Her lips curved into a smile.

"Your Highness is so considerate."

Xie Jing lowered his head and chuckled softly.

"Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely... fulfilling my duty."

As he spoke, he took a step forward.

This step brought her a little closer.

Wax apple's heart jumped.

She instinctively wanted to back away, but the Empress didn't move, so she didn't dare to move either.

Zhou Mingyi looked at Xie Jing and watched him take that step. She did not back down, otherwise she would have lost in terms of momentum.

Will she lose?

Absolutely not.

She slightly raised her chin, revealing a delicate and radiant face, as lofty as an unattainable full moon in the sky. Xie Jing's eyes couldn't help but flicker.

She even took a step forward on her own initiative.

"Your Highness, you're so close to me, aren't you afraid your Crown Princess will be jealous?"

"I have long heard of the deep affection between Your Highness and the Crown Princess. Although we are nominally mother and son, it is not appropriate for us to be together."

"In case the Crown Princess makes a scene, it might put His Highness in a difficult position."

The crown prince's face suddenly darkened.

It's clear that he was thinking about the two unpleasant memories from before.

Xiao Weirou was indeed a jealous woman.

Xie Jing was actually a little puzzled.

Xiao Weirou, she can tolerate so many women in the Eastern Palace, but if he makes even the slightest disturbance in the palace, she will fly into a rage and cause trouble to ruin things for him...

That stupid woman!

He stared at Zhou Mingyi's face, which he coveted, tracing her entire being with his gaze.

Because of her pregnancy, she looked exceptionally radiant and beautiful.

She seems even more charming than before she was pregnant.

He lowered his voice, "Your Majesty, you are joking."

"I am only concerned about Your Highness; Wei Rou won't overthink things."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Xiao Weirou arrived.

"Your Highness, you're here! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Xie Jing's face suddenly stiffened.

This time, when Xiao Weirou saw Zhou Mingyi, for some reason, instead of feeling relieved, she became even more nervous.

She pretended to be nonchalant, but her eyes couldn't help but dart towards Zhou Mingyi's stomach.

That slightly protruding belly couldn't be faked.

She wished she could kick the child off the bed.

But reason told her that it wouldn't work.

With a stiff expression, she came over and bowed to Zhou Mingyi.

Zhou Mingyi smiled and looked at her, "So you are the Crown Princess. I was just saying that the Crown Princess cares a lot about the Crown Prince. I didn't expect that I was right."

Xiao Weirou was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Xie Jing.

But the latter quickly lowered his eyes.

Xiao Weirou felt somewhat disappointed, but a hint of suspicion unconsciously arose within her.

"Your Majesty is joking."

Zhou Mingyi took half a step back.

He didn't say anything more.

"Then I won't keep you company."

After Zhou Mingyi left, Xiao Weirou suddenly looked at Xie Jing.

"What does Your Highness wish to do?"

"I know Your Highness's thoughts, but there are eyes everywhere in the palace now, so please do not make any rash moves."

Xie Jing was so angry he laughed.

"Xiao Weirou, oh Xiao Weirou, you..."

Xiao Weirou went to greet him, "What does Your Highness wish to say?"

"You didn't mean to..."

"I had no idea that you had any private relationship with Consort Zhen..."

Xie Jing, enraged and humiliated, retorted, "How could a woman like you possibly know my schemes?"

After he finished speaking, he didn't give Xiao Weirou a chance to speak again and immediately turned and left.

Xiao Weirou was left with nothing but anger.

The maidservant beside him wanted to offer advice, but dared not speak.

……

Only after walking a long way did Shiliu dare to speak.

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince...he..."

Zhou Mingyi glanced at her.

"What's wrong with him?"

Shiliu opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

She recalled the scene just now, how close the Empress was to the Crown Prince, so close that her heart almost jumped out of her chest.

But the Empress remained unfazed, and even... was still smiling.

Lianwu held Zhou Mingyi's hand, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"Your Majesty... the way he's looking at you is strange."

Zhou Mingyi paused in her steps.

"What's wrong?"

Wax apple gritted her teeth and lowered her voice:

"It doesn't look like you're looking at an elder. It's more like... like a man looking at a woman."

Zhou Mingyi was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "You're quite perceptive."

"Just know this: he's not a human being, he's a shameless beast!"

Wax apple's heart skipped a beat.

The amount of information was simply too much for the wax apple to process all at once.

She was so scared that she was trembling all over.

"Your Majesty, since you already know, why did you still..."

Zhou Mingyi looked at her.

"What else do you want?"

Wax apples were speechless.

Zhou Mingyi withdrew her gaze and continued walking forward.

"Lianwu, remember this. In this palace, knowing what others are thinking isn't important. What's important is that others know you know, but can't do anything about it."

The wax apple was stunned.

Zhou Mingyi did not speak again.

She held onto the lotus flower's hand and walked step by step toward Taiye Pond.

Behind me, the moonlight was like water.

She walked slowly, one hand supporting her waist, the other resting on the hand of the lotus tree, her lower abdomen slightly protruding.

Although she didn't explain anything, her leisurely stroll reassured the two maids.

Wax apple and pomegranate exchanged a glance and immediately followed.

……

As dusk fell, lanterns were lit along the Taiye Pond in the West Garden.

On the lake, more than a dozen pleasure boats were already ready and waiting.

Each painted boat was adorned with colorful lanterns, which reflected on the shimmering water.

The largest dragon boat was the imperial boat of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and the following boats were used by the concubines of the various palaces.

Zhou Mingyi was assigned to the third painted boat, along with Liu Shuang'er and Zheng Yanran.

The wax apple and pomegranate followed closely behind.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor's imperial boat were at the very front, with Consort Chen and Chaoyang on board.

Shen Zhirou, Chen Wanning, and Zhou Nian'er were on the second painted boat. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were on the fourth painted boat, trailing far behind.

The painted boat slowly sailed into the center of the lake, and the sound of drums and music began.

On the distant shore, fireworks burst forth, exploding one after another in the night sky, colorful and dazzling.

Zheng Yanran stared in disbelief, her mouth agape and her eyes sparkling.

"So...so beautiful..."

Liu Shuang'er was also engrossed in watching, and rarely did she show a girlish demeanor.

Zhou Mingyi leaned against the ship's railing, watching the fireworks with a faint smile on her lips.