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

Emperor Qianwu leaned against his desk, his face still somber.

Such a matter, if spoken of, would ultimately damage the royal family's reputation.

That shameless woman, Shen, doing something like this, anyone who didn't know better would think he had some kind of problem in that area, which is why she cheated on him...

The emperor's face is of paramount importance, and Emperor Qianwu somewhat regretted letting Lady Shen die too easily!

Fu Quan knelt on the ground and reported the subsequent handling of the matter:

"Your Majesty, Consort Shen is...gone. That man has also been dealt with. As for the Shen family..."

Emperor Qianwu coldly said:

"The Shen family has failed in their duty to educate their daughter, and she has deceived the emperor. Shen Mingyuan is hereby dismissed from his post as Vice Minister of Rites and exiled three thousand li away. The Shen family for three generations is barred from holding official positions."

How could a daughter raised by Shen Mingyuan be anything good?

Even if it's misplaced anger, he deserves it!

Fu Quan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly agreed.

Emperor Qianwu waved his hand.

"Go down."

Fu Quan withdrew.

The hall returned to silence.

Emperor Qianwu closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and his chest rose and fell slightly, indicating that the emperor's state of mind was not calm.

Even if he didn't care about the Shen family and had no feelings for her, this kind of thing was still a blow to a man's pride.

He opened his eyes again, and his gaze had become calm.

It's good that you're dead; death brings cleanliness.

To avoid being bothered by seeing it while alive.

A woman like Shen dares to attempt to confuse the royal bloodline; she is truly unforgivable!

……

Weiyang Palace.

Zhou Mingyi leaned back on the soft couch, listening to Lianwu recount the news from the Cold Palace, and the corners of her lips curved slightly.

"He was beaten to death?"

Wax apples nodded.

"Yes. Lord Shen has also been dismissed and exiled."

"His Majesty truly showed no mercy whatsoever to the Shen family, to that Shen clan."

When she said this, the wax apple showed no sign of gloating.

Thunder and rain, all are the emperor's grace.

Living in this palace, whether you're a concubine or a palace maid, is like walking on thin ice.

If she's unlucky today, you'll be unlucky tomorrow.

There's no end in sight.

Lianwu knew in her heart that she was just lucky to be assigned to Weiyang Palace.

When she was assigned to Weiyang Palace, she knew she would be serving a favored master.

Throughout history, even favored concubines could make mistakes and be banished to the cold palace...

Ultimately, once you enter the palace, you're no longer in control of your own destiny.

Therefore, wax apples cherish their current days very much.

Zhou Mingyi smiled but didn't say anything.

She looked out the window at the bright moon.

Shen Zhirou, do you think a fake pregnancy can save you?

Do you think finding a man will turn your life around?

Unfortunately, the path you've chosen was one I paved for you.

If I don't open the door for you, you won't even be able to catch a glimpse of that man.

Even if I open the door for you, I'm sending you to your doom.

……

The festive atmosphere of the Dragon Boat Festival has passed, and it's already the end of May.

The palace gradually quieted down, except for the pomegranate flowers in the Imperial Garden, which were in full bloom, their trees a vibrant red, like burning flames.

On this day, Lianwu returned from outside with a smile on her face.

"Your Majesty, the arrangements for the Washing and Drying Festival on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month have been finalized."

Zhou Mingyi leaned back on the soft couch, her hand gently resting on her swollen belly, and looked up when she heard this.

"How so?"

Lianwu leaned closer and lowered her voice, saying, "Ever since Her Majesty became pregnant, the Empress Dowager has been especially happy, and she holds grand celebrations for every festival."

However, as a member of the Empress Dowager's faction, Lianwu did not actually approve of the Empress Dowager's actions.

As happy as I am, all this commotion is as if they think the Empress's pregnancy is too stable.

Zhou Mingyi thought to herself, "It would be great to have a big celebration."

Only by holding a grand celebration could she find a way to see the people she wanted to see and get rid of them one by one.

"The Empress Dowager said that on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the Imperial Guards will wash the imperial horses and elephants, and the Imperial Carriage Storehouse will also air out the dragon robes and ceremonial regalia."

"All palaces are allowed to go outside Xuanwu Gate to watch the excitement. The Empress Dowager said that the Empresses should also go out for some fresh air."

Zhou Mingyi raised an eyebrow.

"Leaving the palace?"

Lianwu nodded: "Yes. It's the same every year. The palace ladies ride in carriages out of Xuanwu Gate and set up tents along the moat to watch the elephant washing. It's packed with people and very lively."

Shi Liu listened intently, her eyes lighting up.

"Your Highness, that's quite a spectacle! I heard that when the elephants are washed, dozens of elephants go into the water together, spraying water from their trunks like rain—it's a beautiful sight!"

Zhou Mingyi chuckled.

"You seem to know a lot."

Shi Liu lowered her head in embarrassment.

Zhou Mingyi thought for a moment and said, "I'm quite heavy-set, so it might be inconvenient for me to go out and watch the excitement. However..."

She paused, then smiled slightly.

"Let all the palaces go. It's a rare opportunity, they should be allowed to relax a bit."

Lianwu understood that the Empress was giving those people a chance to "meet by chance".

"What about Chunying...?"

Zhou Mingyi nodded.

Tell her it's time to get moving.

……

Yongxiang Side Hall.

Su Jinse sat by the window, her face even more gloomy than the sunlight outside.

She was going crazy after being confined at home for more than a month.

Spring Oriole knelt on the ground and cautiously reported:

"My lady, I've found out. On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the Washing and Drying Festival, all the palaces are to go to Xuanwu Gate to watch the elephants being washed. The Empress Dowager has been gracious; even... even the lower-ranking concubines from the various palaces are allowed to go."

Su Jinse's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Everyone can go? What about me?"

She still can't shake the habit of referring to herself as "this Empress".

Fortunately, there aren't many people in this cold palace now.

There was no one else besides her and Chunying.

It's as deserted as a graveyard.

At first, Chunying reminded her, but if she reminded her too much, she would get beaten up.

Gradually, Chunying learned to behave.

In short, not many people come to Yongxiang.

So what if Consort Su calls herself "this Empress"?

Even those crazy concubines in the Cold Palace, didn't they also refer to themselves as "this palace"?

His Majesty and the Empress Dowager were too lazy to pay attention to these lunatics.

Not to mention other people.

So we won't mention Chunying anymore.

She lowered her head, her voice even softer: "...You're still under house arrest, I'm afraid..."

Su Jinse's face instantly contorted.

She stood up and paced back and forth in the room like a trapped animal.

"Why? Why can they all go watch the fun, while I have to be locked up in this wretched place?"

Chunying dared not speak.

Su Jinse suddenly stopped and stared at her.

"Chunying, go again. Go and beg Lianwu to put in a good word for me with Consort Zhen. I'll do anything to get me out of here."

"Last time, Consort Zhen asked me to wait, and I waited. Now a month has passed."

"I'm going crazy from being locked up in this secluded alley!"

"I don't care, you have to help me!"

Chunying's heart skipped a beat.

The opportunity she'd been waiting for had finally arrived!

But she didn't dare show it on her face, only feigning distress.

"Your Highness, when I went last time, Sister Lianwu said that the Imperial Concubine doesn't concern herself with these matters..."

"Then let's go again!"

Su Jinse interrupted her, her gaze fierce. "Go tell her that I know I was wrong, and that I'm willing to serve Consort Zhen like a slave. As long as she can help me, isn't she pregnant?"

"Judging by the days, her belly is quite large, making it difficult for her to move around and serve His Majesty..."

Upon hearing this, Su Jinse's eyes lit up immediately.

Yes!

Consort Zhen was heavily pregnant and it was inconvenient for her to serve His Majesty.

Who is left in this palace now?

Apart from these six newcomers, the rest are all old faces, whom His Majesty must have grown tired of long ago.

It's hateful that she was imprisoned in the Yongxiang Palace for making just a small mistake. Why?

Chunying lowered her head and responded with a sound.

"This servant... will try again."

……

The rear hall of Weiyang Palace.

Chunying knelt before Lianwu and recounted Su Jinse's words in detail.

After listening, the wax apple remained silent for a while before bursting into laughter.

"Serve the Empress like a slave? She doesn't even deserve it!"

Chunying lowered her head, not daring to speak.

The wax apple looked at her.

"Chunying, the Imperial Concubine has already sent word to your parents that someone will arrange jobs for them at the Su residence, so they won't have to be beholden to Consort Su anymore."

"Your younger brother will study in the capital from now on, under the tutelage of Lord Zhou."

Chunying looked up, her face filled with disbelief.

In the blink of an eye, she hurriedly kowtowed.

His forehead hit the ground with a loud thud.

"This servant...this servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace! Thank you so much, Sister Lianwu!"

Wax apple helped her up.

"Alright, stop kowtowing. From now on, serve the Empress well, and you'll be rewarded handsomely."

Chunying wiped away her tears and nodded vigorously.

Wax apple lowered her voice and gave a few instructions.

After listening, Chunying's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

……

On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, just as dawn was breaking, Xuanwu Gate was already packed with people.

The banks of the moat were lined with sheds, and the carriages of officials and their families were piled up one after another.

The river surface glistens, and the willows on both banks sway gently, making it a perfect place to escape the summer heat.

The concubines from various palaces arrived one after another.

Consort Shen sat in the front tent, dressed in a light green gauze dress, which made her look gentle and dignified.

She held a round fan in her hand, fanning herself slowly, while her gaze inadvertently swept around.

Not far away, Liu Shuang'er stood ramrod straight, surrounded by several palace maids, who were eagerly waiting to see the elephants.

Zheng Yanran huddled in a corner, her face flushed red from the sun, while Qiaohong held an umbrella over her.

"Talented lady, don't hide so far away, you can't see us."

Zheng Yanran whispered, "I...I'm afraid of elephants."

Qiaohong was both amused and exasperated.

In the other shed, Chen Wanning sat quietly, fiddling with prayer beads in her hand, as if the hustle and bustle around her had nothing to do with her.

However, if you really don't like joining in the fun, then you won't come.

Zhou Nian'er sat beside her, still with that gentle and obedient demeanor, but her gaze kept drifting towards Consort Shen.

……

At 9:00 AM, the imperial guards arrived.

Drums and music resounded, and flags fluttered in the wind.

Dozens of elephants, led by mahouts, slowly walked towards the moat.

The enormous creature moved with a halting gait, its long trunk swaying back and forth, eliciting gasps of surprise from both banks of the river.

"Here it comes!"

Liu Shuang'er's eyes lit up, and she took a few steps forward.

Zheng Yanran was so frightened that she took several steps back and hid behind Qiao Hong.

……

The elephant washing began along the moat.

The elephants entered the water one by one, their long trunks rising to spray jets of water. Sunlight shone on the water droplets, refracting them into a rainbow of colors, and cheers from both banks rose in waves.

In the crowd, Chunying squeezed next to Lianwu and whispered a few words.

Lianwu nodded and turned to walk towards the shed of Weiyang Palace.

……

Zhou Mingyi did not come to the shed in Weiyang Palace.

Wax apples stood outside the shed, watching the lively scene not far away, and the corners of their lips curved slightly.

Su Jinse was frantic; Chunying had completely surrendered.