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

Spring came and autumn went, and ten years passed in the blink of an eye within the palace walls.

In the past ten years, Zhou Mingyi has given birth to three more children.

The third pregnancy resulted in twins, a boy and a girl, and Emperor Qianwu was so overjoyed that he granted a general amnesty, and the whole country celebrated.

The fourth child was a daughter. On the day she was born, Emperor Qianwu held the little princess, looked at her again and again, and was reluctant to let go.

"She looks like you, her eyes look like yours, her mouth looks like yours, she'll definitely be a beauty when she grows up."

Zhou Mingyi leaned against the soft couch and glanced at him. He was holding the child, his expression cautious, but his posture was very skillful.

Over the past decade, Emperor Qianwu has grown old, but he has finally realized his lifelong wish.

He has a wife and children, and a large family.

Three sons and three daughters.

This number is indeed not much compared to the emperors of all dynasties.

But that's not a small number either.

Moreover, it's quite rare that all these children have the same biological mother.

Empress Zhou's position is now as secure as Mount Tai.

Furthermore, with the emperor's brother-in-law Zhou Mingchong already holding the rank of first-grade official, who would dare to say anything about abandoning the mother and keeping the son?

Zhou Mingyi glanced at Emperor Qianwu again, saw his cautious appearance, smiled, and said nothing.

Three sons and three daughters.

Six children are enough.

Crown Prince Xie Yan is already twelve years old.

He could compose poetry at the age of five, was skilled in both literature and martial arts at the age of seven, and began to participate in court affairs at the age of ten. The ministers all said that he was a born heir apparent.

He resembled Emperor Qianwu, with deep-set eyes and a tall stature; standing there, he exuded an imposing aura.

But his temperament is like Zhou Mingyi's: calm and reserved, never showing his emotions.

He studied very hard, getting up at dawn and not resting until dusk every day without interruption.

Emperor Qianwu felt sorry for him and told him to rest for a few days before reading again.

He shook his head and said that diligence leads to mastery while idleness leads to ruin.

Emperor Qianwu looked at him, feeling both proud and heartbroken.

Xie Yan's martial arts teacher was Liu Xiuyuan.

Consort Liu today.

It was Consort Liu who volunteered herself.

Emperor Qianwu did not take her seriously.

Although Lady Liu possessed some real skills, she was, after all, just a woman in the harem.

Xie Yan is young, so let Liu Shi keep him company.

Xie Yan studied very diligently, rain or shine.

Later, when it was time for his son to formally begin his education, Emperor Qianwu specially invited his trusted general to serve as his beloved son's martial arts instructor.

As a result, the general told him personally that the crown prince had laid a very solid foundation.

In this way, Emperor Qianwu could no longer underestimate Lady Liu.

Speaking of Lady Liu, when Crown Prince Xie Yan was four years old, a powerful enemy invaded the border. Because of the evil deeds committed by Chao Yang, a capable general on the border was unjustly killed, and the border was almost lost.

Lady Liu knelt in the main hall of Qianqing Palace, her begonia-red palace dress making her look heroic and spirited.

She had been kneeling for half an hour, and her knees were numb, but her back was still straight, like a pine tree that would never bend.

Emperor Qianwu sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a mosquito.

"Liu, do you know what you're saying?"

Consort Liu raised her head, her gaze open and honest.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I volunteer to go to the border to share your burdens."

Emperor Qianwu stared at her, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"You wish to teach the Crown Prince martial arts, and I grant your permission, but the border... is no child's play!"

Most importantly, she was a woman, a woman in the harem, and his concubine.

If he sends his concubine to fight on the frontier, what will the court officials think of him? What will the people of the world think of him?

Could it be that his great Zhou Dynasty has no man capable of leading troops into battle?

Is a woman needed to guard the border?

Isn't this ridiculous?

Emperor Qianwu's first reaction was to refuse.

"I appreciate your kindness, Lady Liu."

"The affairs of the border are for the generals to worry about."

"You stay in the palace and teach the Crown Prince martial arts."

Liu did not move, remaining kneeling upright.

"Your Majesty, I know what you are worried about. But the border is in dire need of attention. Our capable generals are either dead or wounded. Of the men the court has sent, how many have actually fought in battle?"

"I grew up on the frontier, learned military strategy from my father, and went to the battlefield."

"I dare not say that I am better than the generals, but at least I know what the border is like."

Emperor Qianwu's brows furrowed more and more deeply.

Liu looked at him with a mixture of pleading and obsession in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, I am not doing this for myself. It is for the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty, for the people on the border, and for His Highness the Crown Prince."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is still young. He needs a stable border for the Great Zhou Dynasty. I am willing to go and guard that line of defense for His Majesty."

Emperor Qianwu remained silent for a long time.

He looked at Liu again, at this unfamiliar face, as if he were seeing her for the first time.

Finally, he remained silent for a moment.

"Let me think about it carefully."

Honestly, what Liu said makes sense.

Since Chaoyang... well, let's not talk about it.

How could Emperor Qianwu, as an emperor, make a mistake? If an emperor makes a mistake, then it is the fault of his subjects.

Moreover, Chaoyang is his most beloved daughter.

The emperor has made a mistake, and now the border is in dire straits. If this is not handled properly, it will affect the very foundation of the nation.

That would be a serious offense.

Emperor Qianwu has been so anxious and stressed lately that two large blisters have appeared on the corners of his lips.

Lady Liu kowtowed and withdrew.

She did not return to the palace, but went to Kunning Palace.

Zhou Mingyi was listening to the Crown Prince recite his lessons.

Xie Yan was four years old at the time. He was clever and quick-witted, with a photographic memory, and could memorize texts quickly and accurately.

Upon seeing Liu enter, he respectfully bowed.

"Greetings, Master."

Looking at that innocent face, Consort Liu was reminded of the children on the border.

When war broke out, families were torn apart and people died. Those children couldn't even get food, let alone go to school.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Zhou Mingyi waved his hand, signaling the wet nurse to take the crown prince away.

The hall fell silent as she looked at Lady Liu.

"You went to see His Majesty?"

Liu nodded.

"I wish to go to the border."

Zhou Mingyi remained silent for a while.

"Have you thought it through? Once you go, you might never come back. Not that you can't come back physically, but your heart can't come back."

Liu looked at her with a resolute expression.

"Your Majesty, I know. But I can't get over this hurdle in my heart if I don't go. I am the daughter of a military general, and I have known since I was a child that every inch of land on the border was won with lives. Now that the court has no one to rely on, I cannot sit idly by."

Zhou Mingyi looked at her for a long time, then nodded.

"Go then. I will wait for your return."

Liu knelt down and kowtowed.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Three days later, Emperor Qianwu issued an imperial edict.

Disguised as a man, Liu Qi, she went to the border to fight as a commoner.

No one knew she was a woman, no one knew she was the emperor's concubine.

She was just Liu Qi, a young man from the capital who knew how to fight.

The day Liu left, it was still dark.

She changed into a more fitted outfit, mounted her horse, and glanced back at the Forbidden City.

The morning light peeked through the clouds and shone on the glazed tiles, making them gleam golden.

She watched for a while, then turned around and rode away.

Life at the border was even more difficult than Liu had imagined.

The wind and sand were strong, water was scarce, and the enemy was brutal.

She did not back down and led her soldiers in one tough battle after another.

She used the military strategies her father taught her, the terrain knowledge taught to her by the people on the border, and the courage ingrained in her bones since childhood.

In her first battle, she led three hundred men in a night raid on the enemy camp, burning their supplies.

In the second battle, she ambushed the enemy in a valley and annihilated two thousand.

In the third battle, she charged into the enemy ranks alone and beheaded the enemy general.

The soldiers started calling her "Crazy Liu".

I'm not criticizing her, I admire her.

They fight without regard for their lives, charging ahead and retreating behind.

He didn't utter a sound even when injured, just bandaged himself up and continued fighting.

She was quickly promoted to captain, and then to general.

No one knew she was a woman; all they knew was that she was Liu Qi, the most capable fighter on the frontier.

When Emperor Qianwu received the news of the victory, he was stunned for a long time.

Fuquan cautiously asked from the side, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Emperor Qianwu shook his head and put down the report of victory.

"It's nothing. Serve the meal."

He didn't tell anyone that Liu Qi, who was fighting enemies at the border, was actually Lady Liu, his concubine.

The border is finally at peace.

The enemy retreated, the people returned, and the fields were replanted with crops.

Standing on the city wall, Liu looked at the setting sun in the distance and thought of the Forbidden City.

I remember the sound of the Crown Prince reciting his lessons, I remember the Empress, and I remember that magnificent golden cage.

She looked for a long time, then turned around and walked down the city wall.

On the day she returned to the capital, Emperor Qianwu summoned her to the Qianqing Palace.

She had changed back into women's clothing, wearing a begonia-red palace gown, and was kneeling in the hall.

Emperor Qianwu stared at her for a long while.

She was tanned, thin, her hands were covered in calluses, and there was a faint scar on her face.

But her eyes were extremely bright, as bright as stars on the frontier.

"Ms. Liu, you've worked hard."

Liu kept her head down.

"I am not tired."

Emperor Qianwu nodded.

"You have rendered a great service, and I wish to reward you. What do you desire?"

Liu remained silent for a while.

"Your Majesty, I wish to return to the border."

Emperor Qianwu was stunned.

He looked at Madam Liu, his lips pressed together, his expression slightly somber.

"You are my concubine and the Crown Prince's tutor. What are you going back to the border for?"

Lady Liu lowered her head.

"I wish to guard the border and protect the people."

Emperor Qianwu remained silent for a long time.

"Lady Liu, you are a woman. The border is not a place for you. I will send a general to guard it. You should stay in the palace."

Lady Liu didn't speak again. The Empress was right. She was like an eagle that had once returned to the fields, but now she was back in her cage.

Her heart will never come back.

"I hereby bestow upon you the title of Consort Liu, and award you a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of brocade. You may return now."

Consort Liu kowtowed and withdrew.

She walked out of the Qianqing Palace, stood under the corridor, and looked at the dazzling blue sky.

A breeze blew from afar, carrying the fragrance of flowers from outside the palace walls.

She lowered her head and walked step by step toward her palace...

The second prince, Xie Heng, was ten years old. He was lively and loved to practice swordsmanship and spear fighting. His riding and archery skills were even better than those of the guards.

Emperor Qianwu said he didn't look like a prince, but more like a general.

He wasn't annoyed, and said with a smile, "Then Father Emperor will bestow upon me the title of General Dangdang."

Emperor Qianwu was so angry he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The third prince, Xie Jing, was eight years old. This name was given by Emperor Qianwu, who said it was in remembrance of a deceased friend.

Zhou Mingyi was somewhat surprised, but she did not object.

That bastard Xie Jing, it's his good fortune to share a name with her son.

This child is mild-mannered, doesn't like reading or martial arts, but loves to ponder strange and unusual things.

When he was eight years old, he took apart the Western clock, put it back together exactly as it was, and kept even more accurate time than before.

Emperor Qianwu said he was neglecting his duties, but he didn't argue; he just smiled.

She has an incredibly good temper.

Princess Xie Changning is ten years old. She is beautiful and radiant, but she is very cold and doesn't get close to anyone.

Emperor Qianwu said she resembled the Empress Dowager when she was young. Zhou Mingyi glanced at him but said nothing.

Princess Xie Changyao, the second princess, is eight years old. She is lively, loves to laugh and play, and is the apple of Emperor Qianwu's eye.

When she acts coquettishly, Emperor Qianwu will agree to anything.

Princess Xie Changshu is only three years old, just at the age of learning to speak. She calls out to everyone she sees, and her calls melt people's hearts.

The Empress Dowager passed away the year after Zhou Mingyi gave birth to her little princess.

She didn't have a good time during those ten years.

Her grandchildren weren't close to her. When they came to pay their respects during holidays, they would kowtow respectfully, speak politely, and leave immediately, never staying a moment longer.

The Empress Dowager wanted them to stay for a meal, but the children said their mother was still waiting.

The Empress Dowager wanted them to stay overnight, but the children said they hadn't finished their homework.

The Empress Dowager wanted to hug the little princess, but the little princess cried and wanted to find her mother.

The Empress Dowager sat in the empty Cining Palace, watching the palace maids and eunuchs coming and going, feeling a deep emptiness in her heart.

She knew that this was Ah Chang's doing.

But she couldn't say anything, because Ah Chang always treated her with respect.

They come to pay their respects every day, and every word they say is gentle and soft, without the slightest fault.

During holidays and festivals, they receive a constant stream of gifts, more thoughtful than anyone else.

The children's lack of affection for her is their own business; what does it have to do with Ah Chang?

The Empress Dowager held her breath for ten years.

Before she died, she held Emperor Qianwu's hand, opened her mouth as if to say something, but said nothing.

She looked at Emperor Qianwu, her eyes remaining open for a long time, a tear sliding down her cheek.

That tear was filled with grievance, resentment, and words that he could never utter in his entire life.

Emperor Qianwu knelt before the bed, holding her hand, and wept uncontrollably.

The Empress Dowager has passed away, and her funeral was held with great solemnity.

Emperor Qianwu suspended court for three days, and all officials wore mourning clothes and held a ceremony of mourning.

The coffin was carried out from Cining Palace, passed through Taihe Gate and Wu Gate, exited Zhengyang Gate, and was buried in the Imperial Mausoleum at Tianshou Mountain in Changping.

Zhou Mingyi, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt before the coffin, her eyes red from crying.

When Shiliu helped her up, she was still wiping away tears.

"Your Majesty, please don't be too sad. Take good care of yourself."

Zhou Mingyi nodded, leaned back on the soft couch, and closed her eyes.

She wasn't sad; she was just happy.

The Empress Dowager died, feeling resentful for ten years, and never got to hold her grandchildren enough before she died.

However, even if the children are not close to her, she has six grandchildren. She got what she wanted, so what is there to be upset about?

This was the gentlest approach Zhou Mingyi could come up with.

In an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent.

Did Emperor Qianwu and Empress Dowager truly not know that Chaoyang was committing evil deeds?

This mother and son are not fools who are easily swayed by others and lack the ability to discern right from wrong.

They were clearly more shrewd than anyone else, yet they abandoned all principles for this only child.

They deserve to die.