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

After the edict was read aloud, the envoy handed the golden edict and golden seal to the Imperial Envoy. Just as he was about to receive the imperial rites, someone suddenly pounced on him.

"Zhou is unfaithful! How can she bear the title of 'Chaste Consort'?"

"I am the true chosen one! I am the only one capable of bearing His Majesty's heir!"

"We implore Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine to investigate this matter thoroughly!"

The scene erupted in uproar.

Zhou Mingyi feigned panic, but her gaze was actually cold as she glanced at the woman kneeling in the hall. The woman was dressed in the palace attire of a low-ranking concubine and was kneeling on the ground, so her face could not be seen.

"Host, this is the woman who was favored by Xie Jinghong at Hanshan Temple in your previous life."

Zhou Mingyi understood.

It was her.

She then glanced at Consort Chen, whose lips curled into a smug smile.

Mingyi quickly lowered her head.

The woman said, "Not only is Zhou unchaste, but she has also been entangled with many men. On the long journey to Qingzhou, she lost her virginity to a lowly coachman. Later, she knelt before a barbarian and spent several hours alone with General Shen at the bottom of a cliff. A lone man and woman, who knows what they might do!"

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Shi Liu was so angry that she cried.

"Disgrace! This is utter disgrace!"

Just as everyone was discussing this, the Empress Dowager's expression suddenly darkened.

Although she brought Jin into the palace, she was simply unlucky.

The woman who had relations with the emperor in the side room of the temple was surnamed Zhou.

She had ordered Zhulan to check the side room, which was in a mess.

The woman's chastity on the bed had long been preserved as evidence.

We will not tolerate false accusations from others.

The Empress Dowager did not show favoritism towards Zhou Mingyi.

But she carried her hopes; she still longed for her grandson to come out of her womb.

Besides, the ceremony for bestowing the title of Consort has already been mostly completed. If a scandal of Consort Zhen losing her virginity were to break out, it would affect the dignity of the royal family, and she would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, Zhu Lan immediately shouted, "Insolence! Disrespectful behavior before the Emperor, slandering palace women! Seize him!"

The guards quickly stepped forward and subdued Chun Tao in one fell swoop.

Chun Tao stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

In her limited understanding, she was brought into the palace by the Empress Dowager, so she was naturally more respectable than ordinary women.

Moreover, she was indeed the woman the Empress Dowager had arranged for His Majesty long ago.

During her time in the palace, Chuntao was filled with regret.

She was also always aware of the wealth and luxury within the imperial harem.

After a few days of such luxurious life, she no longer wanted to leave the palace and live the impoverished life of working from sunrise to sunset with her so-called childhood sweetheart.

She wanted to become His Majesty's woman and the true mistress of this palace.

Zhou Mingyi was a thorn in her side.

Her worst-case scenario was that she would publicly "state the facts," and although the Empress Dowager did not believe her, she would thoroughly investigate the matter.

If Zhou Mingyi's investiture ceremony is ruined, then her title as a concubine is illegitimate and not legitimate, and she might not even be as good as a mere Baolin.

She felt relieved.

But she never expected that the Empress Dowager would take her away and gag her without saying a word.

She was forced to stand on one side of the hall by the guards, her pupils dilated, but she couldn't utter a sound.

She heard the Empress Dowager announce in public: "The investiture ceremony is a matter of court etiquette and ancestral law; how can such reckless words be allowed to interrupt it?"

"The ceremony continues!"

With the Empress Dowager's strong support, Zhou Mingyi was able to be successfully promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine.

After the ceremony, Consort Zhen ascended the throne and received the congratulations from the ladies of the court and palace servants present.

The atmosphere at the scene seemed lively, but everyone had their own agenda.

The Empress Dowager gave Zhou Mingyi a deep look, then glanced at Chun Tao, who was gagged and kneeling to one side. Her voice was full of authority, "This woman's words and actions are insane, disgracing the reputation of the palace. There must be a hidden story behind this."

She then changed the subject, "What does Consort Zhen think is the best course of action?"

The Empress Dowager intended to test Zhou Mingyi and take the opportunity to observe her reaction.

This woman was the "woman of destiny" mentioned by Master Jingming. Her gaze unconsciously fell on the woman's lower abdomen, hoping that she would not disappoint her and that she was not just a pretty face.

Zhou Mingyi gently bit her flower-like lips, her expression solemn.

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."

"I have never met this younger sister before, and I don't know her at all. How did she know about my past, and how did she know such details?"

She paused, her gaze turning slightly serious. "It's as if I saw it with my own eyes."

After she finished speaking, she glanced at the Empress Dowager and then at the reactions of everyone in the hall.

Especially Consort Chen.

Although the latter tried his best to act as if nothing was wrong, Zhou Mingyi was very perceptive of people's emotions.

She suddenly smiled.

That smile was like a peony blooming in spring, radiant and glowing.

She was truly a stunning beauty.

Consort Chen stared blankly at the beautiful and youthful face, her teeth clenched in hatred.

From the moment she saw Consort Zhen, she knew that she would be her mortal enemy!

She subconsciously looked at Consort Rong, who had an ordinary expression and no particular reaction.

Consort Chen was somewhat disappointed.

She deliberately arranged for someone to spread the news of Consort Zhen's loss of virginity so that everyone would know, but Consort Rong was simply not fooled.

The one who fell for it was an idiot...

Zhou Mingyi lowered her eyes, looking at the gentle woman who was not the kind of soft persimmon that could be easily manipulated.

"I've heard that this young lady also met Your Majesty by chance at Hanshan Temple. I suppose someone who is connected with Buddhism wouldn't be a malicious person. Perhaps she has some misunderstanding about me?"

The Empress Dowager said with great interest:

"Does Consort Zhen mean to let her go?"

Zhou Mingyi smiled, "Today is my ceremony to be made a concubine, but this younger sister suddenly appeared and almost ruined my important event. If I said I didn't mind at all, it would be hypocritical."

"But both she and I are His Majesty's people, so it would be better to ask His Majesty's opinion before making any decisions."

"If Your Majesty also feels that her words and actions are improper, that she is unfit to be a palace concubine, and unworthy to serve Your Majesty, then punish her, so that I may vent my anger!"

"Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and the Empress Dowager is discerning and insightful. I believe that Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager will give me a satisfactory explanation."

It must be said that her remarks were exactly what the Empress Dowager wanted to hear.

Although the Empress Dowager had already decided in her heart that Zhou Mingyi was the "woman of destiny" that Master Jingming had spoken of.

But Jin was someone she had personally arranged to be found. Her family lived near Hanshan Temple, had a respectable background, and was considered pretty, which barely met Master Jingming's description.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager wanted to give her another chance.

If Zhou Mingyi were to punish her and even kill her, the Empress Dowager would surely think she was vicious and vindictive!

If she is unable to bear children in the future, this Jin family will be a thorn in her and Emperor Qianwu's hearts.

They might then recall the Jin family member who was punished because of Zhou Mingyi.

They believe that Zhou Mingyi deliberately eliminated dissidents and killed the true chosen one.

Consort Chen suddenly smiled.

"Sister Zhenfei is indeed magnanimous. No wonder she won the favor of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, who brought you back from Hanshan Temple."

Since the Empress Dowager has said so, and Jin's words and actions are erratic and incoherent, the words of a madman cannot be trusted.

But Consort Chen was truly unwilling to accept this.

"Although Jin Baolin's words and actions were somewhat inappropriate, there's no smoke without fire. I believe that to protect Consort Zhen's innocence, we should conduct a thorough investigation to set the record straight!"