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

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty the Empress?"

Shiliu's voice pulled her back from her memories.

Zhou Mingyi snapped out of her daze and smiled. "Let's go."

The investiture ceremony was held in the Fengtian Hall.

Emperor Qianwu sat on his throne, dressed in a ceremonial robe, a twelve-tassel crown, and a black upper garment with a crimson lower garment, which accentuated his majestic and elegant appearance.

Zhou Mingyi walked in from outside the hall, step by step, with great steadiness.

The hem of the phoenix robe trailed on the ground, and the phoenix embroidered with gold thread looked lifelike in the candlelight, as if it were about to take flight.

The pearls and jade on the phoenix crown swayed gently, making a soft sound, like the wind blowing through a bamboo forest.

She walked into the hall, knelt down, and listened to the Minister of Rites read the edict.

The document was very long, and I read it for a long time.

Zhou Mingyi knelt there, listening to those literary words, but her heart was very calm.

Compared to her previous life, when she knelt before the Crown Princess like a lowly servant and listened to her admonitions, this was a far cry from her previous life.

This lengthy investiture document is now a source of glory, her ladder to heaven.

Besides, the ground was covered with a thick red carpet, which was very soft and didn't hurt at all.

"...The Consort Zhen, née Zhou, was conferred the title of Empress, to serve as the mother of the nation and to regulate the inner palace."

Zhou Mingyi kowtowed, accepted the book and seal, and stood up.

She turned around and faced the officials.

All the officials knelt on the ground, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Her gaze passed over the sea of ​​black heads and landed on the entrance to the palace.

There stood a young man in a blue robe; he was her brother.

He stood there, his eyes red-rimmed, but his mouth was stretched wide into a grin.

Zhou Mingyi looked at him and nodded slightly.

Zhou Mingchong quickly lowered his head and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

Emperor Qianwu stood up, walked to her side, and took her hand.

"Empress, come with me."

Zhou Mingyi nodded and followed him, step by step, towards the outside of the hall.

Behind him, the officials were still kneeling, their shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" rising in waves, shaking the glazed tiles on the roof of the palace.

The Crown Prince's investiture ceremony was held in the Fengxian Hall. It was simpler than the Empress's investiture ceremony, but all the necessary rituals were included.

The little prince was held in the arms of his nanny, wearing a bright yellow robe and a small crown on his head.

The crown was too big, hanging crookedly on her head, making her little face even more adorable.

He didn't cry or make a fuss. He just opened his eyes and looked curiously at the unfamiliar faces around him, occasionally blowing a bubble.

Compared to when he was born, he has grown up a bit and is much fairer.

Her whole face was fair and white, looking delicate and adorable, making people want to poke it.

But everyone knows that this adorable child is the most honorable crown prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He was different from the previous Crown Prince Xie Jing.

He was Emperor Qianwu's biological son, the rightful and legitimate crown prince!

Emperor Qianwu personally named him Xie Yan.

Yan means beautiful jade.

Jade possesses five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity.

He hoped that this child would grow into a true gem.

Her nickname was given by Zhou Mingyi, and it's called "Chen'er".

Zhou Mingyi picked up the child from the wet nurse's arms, looked at his fair and clean little face, and smiled.

"Yan'er, you will be the Crown Prince from now on. You must not bring shame to your mother."

The child yawned, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

Zhou Mingyi couldn't help but laugh.

The news has spread throughout the palace.

Liu Shuang'er drank several cups of wine in her courtyard, her face flushed, and she held the hand of a young palace maid, chattering on and on.

"You know what? The first time I met Her Majesty the Empress, I felt she was different. She's beautiful and kind, unlike some people who are two-faced. She's good to me, so I'm good to her..."

The palace maid was both amused and exasperated.

"Your Highness, you are drunk."

Liu Shuang'er waved her hand.

"I'm not drunk! I'm happy! Her Majesty the Empress has become Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince has been appointed Crown Prince. I'm happy!"

"It's just a pity..."

The palace maid was so frightened that she immediately held her breath.

He was afraid that his wife might get drunk and say something outrageous.

Fortunately, at the crucial moment, her eyes rolled back and she fainted...

Palace maid: ...

Zheng Yanran sat in the room, holding a handkerchief in her hand, which she had twisted into a crumpled mess.

She didn't know what to do or say; she was just happy, so happy she wanted to cry.

"Qiaohong, do you think Her Majesty the Empress might not like me anymore?"

Qiaohong was both amused and exasperated.

"My lady, what are you thinking? Her Majesty the Empress treats you so well, how could she not like you?"

Zheng Yanran thought about it and agreed, but she was still a little flustered.

"I'm of low rank, I'm not good at talking, and I can't do anything. All I can do is make a few pastries..."

Qiaohong comforted her.

"My lady, don't overthink it. Her Majesty the Empress loves your pastries; that's your skill."

Zheng Yanran thought about it and agreed.

She wiped her eyes and said earnestly, "Then I'll make a few more dishes tomorrow and send them to Her Majesty the Empress."

Qiaohong smiled and agreed.

Chen Wanning sat by the window, holding a book in her hand, but she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

She listened to the commotion outside and remained silent for a long time.

Then she put down the book, picked up her prayer beads, closed her eyes, and recited a passage of scripture.

After she finished reading, she opened her eyes, looked at the bright moon outside the window, and sighed softly.

Consort Zhen became Empress, and the eldest son of the Emperor became Crown Prince.

From this day forward, the harem will be her domain.

Suddenly, she couldn't remember why she had entered the palace in the first place.

Her father was Chen Wenyuan, a Hanlin Academy Reader.

Although she was the legitimate daughter, she had many older and younger sisters in her family, so she was not considered favored.

However, she was well-versed in literature from a young age and possessed outstanding literary talent.

Father said she was the most reliable. Since Consort Zhen was able to conceive both Prince Dao Nian and Prince Dao Nian, it means that His Majesty's fertility is recovering.

Although the Chen family had Consort Chen, her family and Consort Chen's Chen family only shared the same surname and were not related by blood.

Even if Consort Chen... has nothing to do with their family.

It would be better to send one of our daughters to the palace and try our luck.

So she entered the palace...

Now, she has entered the palace as she wished.

Of the six people who entered the palace with her, two have already died.

It was still Shen Zhirou and Su Jinse, who held the highest ranks.

This shows that life is unpredictable.

Consort Zhen became Empress, and the newborn prince became Crown Prince. That's good.

At least it can stabilize the court and the harem.

Before a new prince is born in the harem, the harem and the court will maintain a balance.

As for the new child...

Chen Wanning subconsciously touched her lower abdomen.

His Majesty hasn't visited for some time.

Ever since Consort Zhen… no, now we should call her Empress… ever since Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince, His Majesty’s mind has not been on the harem.

But... as long as you keep a low profile and don't have bad intentions, life isn't unbearable.

Chen Wanning said self-deprecatingly.

……

Zhou Nian'er sat by the window, holding a cup of tea in her hand, sipping it slowly.

A palace maid stood nearby and asked cautiously, "Lady, are you unhappy?"

Zhou Nian'er smiled.

"Happy? Of course I'm happy!"

She put down her teacup, gazed at the bright moon outside the window, her eyes filled with a deep, melancholy.

Consort Zhen becoming Empress was something she should have expected.

She knew this day would come from the day she sought refuge with Consort Zhen.

She wasn't in a hurry; she had plenty of time. She would wait until the Empress had established herself, until the Crown Prince had grown up, and then she could slowly climb the ranks.

There's still a long way to go.

Zhou Nian'er never forgot why she entered the palace.

She wanted to make something of herself, she wanted to stop being bullied! She had to be exceptionally ambitious.

One maidservant is not enough.

Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager sat in the Buddhist hall, holding prayer beads, with a statue of Guanyin in front of her.

She did not attend the investiture ceremony, saying she was feeling unwell.

Zhu Lan knew that the Empress Dowager was not unwell physically, but rather unhappy in her heart.

Consort Chen died, and Chaoyang died too. The Empress Dowager didn't say it, but in her heart, she still couldn't bear to part with him.

But she dared not face the current empress.

The Queen did nothing wrong.

Even the Empress Dowager didn't have the face to doubt her.

She knew that Consort Chen and Chaoyang were capable of doing that kind of thing.

They made mistakes and should pay the price.

"Has my congratulatory gift been sent?"

"What did the Empress say?"

Zhu Lan said respectfully, "Her Majesty the Empress received your congratulatory gift and said she liked it very much. She also told you to rest well and said she would come to Cining Palace to see you when she has time."

"Her Majesty the Empress is kind and filial."

The Empress Dowager's expression softened somewhat.

"Ah Chang is a filial child."

"How is Chen'er?"

When it comes to the young prince, Zhu Lan has endless things to say.

"Although the prince is young, he is clearly intelligent. He sleeps after eating his fill, and after sleeping, he smiles at people. He also never makes a fuss at night."

Everyone says our Crown Prince is the luckiest person in the world!

The Empress Dowager liked to hear this.

No matter how bad Chaoyang is, she is still her granddaughter whom she has doted on for more than ten years.

Moreover, he was the only child he had had for over ten years.

The older you get, the more soft-hearted you become.

But when she thought of Chen'er, the Empress Dowager's heart hardened a little.

The mother and daughter from Chaoyang deserved to die; they have no one to blame but themselves.

"Your Majesty, it's time for your meal."

The Empress Dowager shook her head.

"I'm not hungry."

She held the prayer beads, gazed at the Guanyin statue, and remained silent for a long time.

Then she suddenly spoke up: "Zhulan, tell me, did I do something wrong?"

Zhu Lan lowered her head, not daring to reply.

The Empress Dowager sighed.

"I know that Consort Chen has done many wrong things, and Chaoyang has also done many wrong things. But they... one has been with me for over twenty years, and the other is a child I watched grow up. My heart... is heavy."

"Should I have spoiled them all these years?"

"If only I could keep a closer eye on them and prevent them from having those inappropriate thoughts."

"Wouldn't they...?"

Zhu Lan didn't know what to say.

But she also knew that what the Empress Dowager wanted was not comfort at all.

She just wanted to say these things that had been buried in her heart.

I felt better after saying it out loud.

After a long pause, Zhu Lan said softly, "Empress Dowager, please don't overthink it. The Empress is a good person, and so is His Highness the Crown Prince. The inner palace will be peaceful from now on."

The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, there will be peace."

She held the prayer beads in her hand, closed her eyes, and said nothing more.

Weiyang Palace.

Zhou Mingyi leaned against the soft couch, holding the sleeping Xie Yan in her arms.

Emperor Qianwu sat to the side, looking at her and the child, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Ah Chang, I am very happy today."

Zhou Mingyi raised her head and looked at him.

"The concubine is the same."

She was genuinely happy.

She became empress, and her son became crown prince.

Emperor Qianwu reached out and gently touched Xie Yan's face.

The child frowned, then relaxed and went back to sleep.

Emperor Qianwu couldn't help but chuckle.

"He looks like you."

Zhou Mingyi lowered her head and looked at the child.

"His eyes resemble His Majesty's."

Emperor Qianwu paused for a moment, then leaned closer to take a look, staring at it for quite a while.

"Is that so? I can't tell."

Zhou Mingyi smiled.

"She's still young. She'll look like that when she grows up."

This child will grow up to be the best of them all; he's a miniature version of Emperor Qianwu.

Of course, she looks more like Zhou Mingyi.

It's as if they inherited the best aspects of both of them.

Emperor Qianwu looked at the child, then at her, his heart filled with emotion.

He had never been so satisfied in his life.

She has me, children, and a home...

For years, he had never dared to dream of such a thing, and it had actually come true.

This made Emperor Qianwu feel that it was unreal.

Zhou Mingyi leaned on his shoulder, and where he couldn't see her, her eyes were filled with a calmness completely different from her gentle voice.

Next, it's time to deal with the Cen family.