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

Although Zhou Mingyi disliked this peony, that did not prevent her from using the flower for her own purposes.

She placed the flower in the most prominent position in the palace so that when Emperor Qianwu came, he would see it at first glance.

When he sees this flower, he is reminded of how she was wronged by Consort Chen and her daughter.

I remember the grievances she suffered.

At the same time, it could also make him think that she cherished this flower.

Everyone hopes that their feelings will be valued.

Even if this flower was just a rare item to Emperor Qianwu.

He was an emperor, possessing the wealth of the entire world; he was merely a rare flower, not precious at all.

But since he gave her this flower, it was imbued with a special meaning.

It represents his feelings.

Actually, after her rebirth, Zhou Mingyi didn't like any flowers.

Flowers may look beautiful and charming, but their blooming period is too short. They are delicate and difficult to grow, fragile and short-lived.

Zhou Mingyi felt that the meaning was bad.

It's better to be a resilient wild grass.

Wild fire, in spring.

Unfortunately, every plant and tree in this palace has been meticulously maintained, making it difficult to even find a single weed...

That very evening, Emperor Qianwu couldn't wait to come to Weiyang Palace.

He's been really bored these past few days.

Now that Consort Zhen's matter has finally been resolved, he will not wrong himself.

Upon arriving at Weiyang Palace and entering the palace gates, one immediately sees the Ruyi Purple Tree.

Emperor Qianwu's expression softened somewhat.

Why are the flowers placed here?

The clever Lianwu immediately replied, "Our Lady likes the flowers His Majesty sent. Her Lady said it was His Majesty's gesture, and since it is a gesture, it should naturally be something that can be seen at the first glance when entering and leaving the palace every day."

Emperor Qianwu smiled and nodded, "Hmm, Consort Zhen has quite the insight."

He instinctively searched for that graceful and beautiful figure, but could not find her.

Lianwu immediately knelt down, "Her Majesty...she has been ill ever since she returned from Cining Palace."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianwu instinctively asked, "Ill? Has the imperial physician been summoned to examine you?"

Lianwu said, "Actually, Her Majesty has been quite depressed these past few days, and she's been forcing herself to stay healthy..."

As she spoke, she discreetly observed Emperor Qianwu's expression.

Emperor Qianwu's eyes darkened.

A sense of suspicion arose in my heart.

Could it be that Consort Zhen harbors some resentment?

His enthusiasm was instantly extinguished, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He had thought he could finally come and see Consort Zhen...

The palace maid continued:

"Now that their innocence has finally been cleared, they naturally can't hold on any longer..."

"This servant advised Your Highness to summon the imperial physician, but Your Highness said that she dared not trouble the physician, as she was of humble status and not worth mentioning..."

"Nonsense!"

Although Emperor Qianwu had some doubts, he still couldn't stop thinking about that peerless beauty.

If he really lets her ruin her health because of her anger, wouldn't he have to go back to the old ways?

As the saying goes, "It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality."

Emperor Qianwu now truly understands this point deeply.

"If you're not feeling well, how can you not call the imperial physician?"

He said forcefully, "Someone, go and fetch the imperial physician!"

Fuquan immediately replied, "Yes!"

Emperor Qianwu then said, "Go and invite them yourself."

Fuquan immediately bowed and said, "Yes."

As he backed away, he couldn't help but think to himself, "It seems that Consort Zhen holds a much higher place in His Majesty's heart than His Majesty realizes!"

He really helped the right person by helping Consort Zhen!

Fuquan was a favorite of Emperor Qianwu. He personally went to invite the imperial physicians and directly invited the two current vice presidents of the Imperial Medical Academy.

Two vice presidents took Mingyi's pulse one after the other.

After a brief discussion, one of the imperial physicians reported back to Emperor Qianwu.

"Her Majesty's pulse was deep, thready, and tight, especially in the Guan and Chi positions, like scraping bamboo with a light knife, rough and not smooth."

"This is a sign that fright and shock have damaged the spirit first, followed by the invasion of cold evil, and the two attacks have led to a chronic illness."

The slight doubt in Emperor Qianwu's heart vanished instantly.

He never imagined that this would have such a huge impact on her!

Zhou Mingyi removed her hairpins and lay on the bed with her eyes closed. Her long, thick eyelashes resembled two butterfly wings, and her complexion, which was not as rosy as usual, was pale.

But her sickly appearance didn't make her look haggard; instead, it made her look even more pitiful.

I truly feel pity for him.

"I don't care what methods you use, you must cure Consort Zhen!"

The two imperial physicians immediately replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured!"

"The danger of this disease lies not in its speed, but in its slowness and depth. If it is not treated gradually, it may damage the root cause and make it difficult to cure for life."

"Your Majesty must not be subjected to any further stimulation at this time. You must stay in a quiet room, away from the cold wind, and especially avoid worry, grief, and fear."

"All strong and potent medicines should be avoided. Instead, one should gently nourish the body with methods that warm the meridians and calm the mind, supplemented with sweet and warm foods."

"One must... calm one's mind and spirit, and eliminate disturbances and disputes, in order to have a glimmer of hope."

"Your Majesty, I dare to speak frankly, but your illness is three parts physical and seven parts mental. If your mind is not at peace, even the most miraculous elixir will not be able to cure you completely."

Emperor Qianwu's expression darkened once again.

It was him who broke Ah Chang's heart!

Her entry into the palace was entirely due to him and her mother's influence.

But he failed to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband and protect her properly, allowing her to be persecuted repeatedly...

But that Chen woman... she was the mother of his only child in this life, what could he do?

Emperor Qianwu was caught in a dilemma.

But looking at the weak and pitiful beauty on the bed, pity ultimately prevailed.

For three consecutive days, Emperor Qianwu would rush to Weiyang Palace to visit Zhou Mingyi as soon as he finished court.

Zhou Mingyi then took the opportunity to "get better".

But whenever Emperor Qianwu wanted to stay overnight, she would use the imperial physician's advice to stop him.

"It's not that I don't want to serve Your Majesty, but the imperial physician has instructed me that I am unwell and fear I may not be able to please Your Majesty. I deserve to die!"

Emperor Qianwu was embarrassed.

Her illness was caused by him; he couldn't possibly disregard her life or death just to ease his own pain.

If that were truly the case, how would we be any different from livestock?

Another half month passed, and Emperor Qianwu had been abstaining from sex for almost half a month. Seeing that Zhou Mingyi's complexion was becoming more and more rosy and that she looked no different from usual, he couldn't help but feel restless again.

Zhou Mingyi rejected him again.

"Your Majesty, I am not feeling well and am not fit to serve you in bed."

Emperor Qianwu's expression darkened, but he did not immediately lash out.

"Someone, summon the imperial physician!"

Zhou Mingyi lowered her eyes, her expression unchanged, but Shiliu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

However, because Emperor Qianwu was present, they couldn't say anything.

It was Physician Chen who arrived.

After examining Mingyi's pulse, he said, "Your Majesty's health has greatly improved, but to be on the safe side, it would be best to rest for another two days."

Emperor Qianwu: ...

Emperor Qianwu was furious at Weiyang Palace.

As the ruler of the world, when had he ever been rejected like this? Yet he repeatedly falls for this petite woman...

That Zhou Yanjin, that old scoundrel, his daughter is as beautiful as an angel, yet as fierce as a beast, and he himself is hopelessly infatuated with her!

That's absolutely outrageous!

After thinking it over, Emperor Qianwu went to Consort Rong's palace.

Consort Rong is gentle and considerate. She has kept a low profile in the palace all these years and has been able to get along harmoniously with Consort Chen and Chaoyang.

In Emperor Qianwu's memory, she was also a woman who understood words.

Although Consort Zhen is good, her temperament is too strong-willed. Too much strength can lead to breakage, which is not good.

Like her brother, she needs to temper her sharpness.

Since she doesn't want to serve him in bed, then let him give her the cold shoulder and make her understand that without his favor, she will have a hard time in this palace.

Upon receiving the news, Consort Rong immediately led her maids and eunuchs to greet her at the entrance.

It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival, and hibiscus flowers are still growing in Consort Rong's palace.

The hibiscus in those large water vats had all withered, their dry, yellowed leaves and stems standing there, looking bare and making one frown.

The palace maid immediately explained, "Your Highness is frugal. Although the lotus flowers have faded, they have produced lotus pods from which we can eat lotus seeds."

Emperor Qianwu reluctantly accepted this explanation.

"In the golden autumn, the osmanthus blossoms are fragrant and can be used to make desserts."

"Fuquan, have someone move a few golden osmanthus trees to Consort Rong's palace."

Consort Rong was pleased, but her expression remained indifferent. "I thank Your Majesty for your consideration!"

Emperor Qianwu felt a lump in his throat when he saw her indifferent expression.

He couldn't help but think of someone.

That person always had a serene and unassuming demeanor.

That stunningly beautiful Consort Feng.

After not seeing her for a while, Emperor Qianwu had long forgotten her, no matter how beautiful she was.

All I remember is that she was very beautiful, but too stubborn and not very bright...

She actually wanted him to disband his harem for her sake...

Emperor Qianwu felt it was outrageous!

Was Consort Feng kicked in the head by a donkey?

Considering she was just a commoner, uneducated and ignorant, he didn't hold it against her; he simply refused her offer and told her to read more books in her spare time...

Emperor Qianwu did not take this matter to heart.

To his surprise, when he went to see her again, Consort Feng refused to see him no matter what.

She even said that all she wanted in this life was to be with one person for eternity...

Emperor Qianwu was utterly speechless.

He had already made his identity clear when he brought her into the palace.

He was the emperor, the ruler of the world, not some shameful, shady man.

If she had refused to enter the palace after he revealed his identity, he wouldn't have forced her.

But since she agreed to enter the palace and become his concubine, she should know that the emperor has the whole country and also has three palaces and six courtyards.

How could it be possible to be "one person for life" with her?

This is utterly absurd!

However, Consort Rong was much more sensible than Consort Feng.

Her father and sworn brother were both serving the imperial court, and he had indeed neglected her during this time.

Because he wanted to make amends, Emperor Qianwu's expression softened. He was naturally handsome, and his eyes were full of affection even when looking at a dog.

It is only because he has always been deeply entrenched in power and commands respect without anger that people are filled with fear.

Consort Rong's heart pounded.

She forced herself to calm down.

Pretend to be calm and dignified.

The two entered the hall. Emperor Qianwu sat at the head of the table, and Consort Rong sat at the foot of the table. They sat there quietly without saying a word.

Consort Rong pretended to be calm as she poured tea for Emperor Qianwu.

However, they used last year's tea leaves.

Emperor Qianwu, accustomed to fine things, frowned upon seeing the color of the tea. "This is last year's tea. Doesn't Consort Rong's palace have any new tea this year?"

Consort Rong said calmly, "I do not like extravagance. Last year's tea was quite good."

But he doesn't like it!

Emperor Qianwu thought to himself.

But out of politeness, they didn't say anything.

After finally finishing his meal, he wanted to say a few words of sympathy to Consort Rong, but Consort Rong instead said:

As the sages said, "One should not speak while eating or sleeping."