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

Zhou Mingyi's voice was soft and sweet, "I felt a little unwell when I woke up this morning..."

Physician Liu nodded. "Then I will prescribe a remedy to relieve greasiness and stimulate the appetite for Your Majesty. Please take it back and take good care of yourself."

The Empress Dowager's eyes were immediately filled with disappointment.

Zhou Mingyi sincerely thanked Physician Liu.

Physician Liu lowered his eyes and hurriedly said that he dared not.

When it was Jin Baolin's turn, she glanced disdainfully at Zhou Mingyi, "His Majesty only visited me a few more times, but has no one sent Consort Zhen any good fabrics?"

"Consort Zhen is dressed so plainly, could it be that people think His Majesty has slighted you?"

"It would have been disgraceful for a concubine to lose face."

Jin Baolin came from a farming family and naturally didn't understand aesthetics. She only knew that expensive things were good.

Having finally become the emperor's woman, all the riches and honors in the world are within her grasp.

When she was choosing jewelry, she was naturally dazzled by the choices, and in the end she simply piled all the expensive-looking pieces on her head.

Seeing Zhou Mingyi looking so plain yet surprisingly beautiful, she felt a surge of dissatisfaction.

To everyone's surprise, Zhou Mingyi did not argue with her. "My sister likes festive attire, while I prefer simple and elegant styles. It's just a matter of personal taste."

Chun Tao was furious and embarrassed. "I am a rough woman and do not understand Consort Zhen's fancy words. I only know that the palace is the richest place in the world."

"Now that we are imperial concubines, His Majesty's women, we should naturally be more elegant and festive, and not disgrace His Majesty."

As soon as he finished speaking, his wrist was suddenly tightened.

She immediately frowned and shook off Physician Liu.

"What are you doing?"

"I am His Majesty's man!"

This left Physician Liu quite embarrassed.

"Madam Baolin, please calm down. Your pulse..."

Jin Baolin said nonchalantly, "How's my pulse? I've worked since I was a child; my health can't be worse than hers, can it?"

Although she couldn't stand His Majesty's vigor and didn't find the affair interesting, she thought that since she had done farm work since childhood, she was better than a rich young lady like Zhou Mingyi.

Therefore, whenever His Majesty visited Consort Zhou, she felt both jealous and gloating.

Zhou Mingyi is going to be in trouble again.

If she knew that Zhou Mingyi not only endured it, but also lived a harmonious and loving life with Emperor Qianwu, fighting until dawn, I wonder what her feelings would be...

Physician Liu hurriedly said, "Madam Baolin is naturally in good health, but... this pulse..."

Physician Liu dared not speak rashly, "Your Majesty, Consort Baolin's pulse is indeed strange. Perhaps you should invite other physicians from the Imperial Hospital to examine her together with me."

The Empress Dowager immediately stood up solemnly, staring intently at Jin Baolin, seemingly in disbelief and excitement, leaving Jin Baolin stunned.

Zhou Mingyi subconsciously looked up and glanced at Jin Baolin.

Judging from the Empress Dowager's expression, could Jin Baolin really be a woman destined by heaven?

No.

Emperor Qianwu died without an heir, and Consort Chen gave birth to his only princess, who then controlled the harem for many years.

There were some unknown interactions between her and the Crown Prince.

It's not that there's any incestuous relationship involved.

However, since the Crown Prince was the heir apparent, Consort Chen couldn't help but curry favor with him in private, fearing that after she and Emperor Qianwu died, the Crown Prince would not treat her daughter, Princess Chaoyang, well upon ascending the throne.

Therefore, Zhou Mingyi had reason to believe that there must be people planted in the palace by Crown Prince Xie Jing.

If Jin Baolin was indeed pregnant in her previous life, even if she didn't give birth, it's absolutely impossible for her to have remained silent.

Countless people were watching Emperor Qianwu and his harem.

In particular, she and Kim Bo-rim were newly promoted palace concubines.

Nowadays, there is only one type of woman who can enter the palace—those whom the Empress Dowager has heard about from somewhere and who have the purpose of procreation.

If Jin Baolin is indeed pregnant, it would be a wonderful thing for Zhou Mingyi.

Jin Baolin will draw the attention of everyone in the harem and the court for her.

She was made a concubine as soon as she entered the palace, which was already high-profile enough.

Zhou Mingyi immediately realized that this was an excellent opportunity to lie in wait.

She instinctively took several steps back to keep her distance from Jin Baolin.

……

Soon, Emperor Qianwu arrived at Cining Palace with the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy.

Emperor Qianwu's gaze first fell on Mingyi.

The beauty is like jade, stunning and captivating.

But Emperor Qianwu was, after all, a rational man.

What kind of stunning beauties haven't a middle-aged emperor seen?

Even the most beautiful woman cannot compare to a potential offspring.

He quickly shifted his gaze to Jin Baolin, and was momentarily stunned.

He then asked in a deep voice, "Where is the head of the Imperial Medical Academy?"

The head of the Imperial Medical Academy, with his white hair and beard, immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your subject Chen Zhi is here."

"You, give Jin Baolin a careful look."

Physician Chen immediately replied, "Yes."

Emperor Qianwu's fingers unconsciously rubbed the bracelet in his hand, the amber beads spinning faster and faster.

After examining Jin Baolin's pulse, Physician Chen had other physicians examine her pulse in turn.

After a long while, he came to report: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Empress Dowager. Jin Baolin's pulse may be a slippery pulse."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes suddenly reddened. "What did you say?"

"Say it again?"

"Say it to me again."

Chen Zhi had served in the palace for many years and was known for his prudence. After careful consideration, he said, "It's just that the time is still short, and neither I nor the other imperial physicians are entirely certain. However, it does resemble a slippery pulse."

"Perhaps... we would ask the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to wait a little longer. If it truly is a slippery pulse, after some time, it will surely be true!"

At this moment, Jin Baolin also realized that something was wrong.

She stood up instinctively, her eyes wide.

"What...what are you talking about?"

Her hand unconsciously went to her lower abdomen.

Although she has always considered herself a "woman of destiny," she herself can hardly believe that she is now suspected of being pregnant.

At this moment, Zhu Lan, the old nanny beside the Empress Dowager, spoke in a gentle, even somewhat obsequious tone that Jin Baolin had never seen before:

Congratulations, Baolin! Congratulations, Baolin!

"Baolin's health is now very precious, so please take good care of yourself and make sure that the little prince in your belly is born safely."

Emperor Qianwu was very pleased.

"well!"

He was overjoyed, but looking at Zhou Mingyi standing to the side looking lost, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful. Why wasn't she the biological mother of his child?

She was so compatible with me; she was stunningly beautiful, gentle, and sincere. As a man, it would be hard not to love such a woman.

However, for the current Emperor Qianwu, as long as he has children, he doesn't care who the children's biological mother is.

He had feelings for Zhou Mingyi.

But this love is still very superficial, not much different from liking a beautiful butterfly or bird.

However, Jin Baolin, who was pregnant, suddenly became very precious.

"Good! Ms. Kim, you're a good one."

"I hereby bestow upon you the title of a fourth-rank beauty. Once you give birth to a prince, I will grant you the rank of imperial concubine!"

"You must take good care of your belly and help me deliver the child safely!"

Jin Baolin was completely dumbfounded.

Sui'er was also very happy.

She had always looked down on Jin Baolin, a peasant girl who was vulgar, extremely snobbish, greedy, and hypocritical.

But the course of a person's life is so unpredictable.

Who could have imagined that Jin Baolin would have such a great fortune?

"Lady Baolin, oh no, Lady Jin, your health is precious these days. Let me help you sit down, please don't stand..."