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

After Consort Chen gave birth to Princess Chaoyang, she enjoyed his special favor for a period of time.

The Imperial Medical Academy specially prepared a high-quality fertility-enhancing medicine to help Consort Chen give birth to another child.

But after all these years, I still haven't gotten what I wanted.

Emperor Qianwu and the Empress Dowager have already given up.

Other concubines in the palace said in private that Consort Chen was already lucky to give birth to a princess, and that wanting to have another child was nothing short of a pipe dream.

When these words reached Consort Chen's ears, she flew into a rage and punished many of the gossiping palace maids and eunuchs, causing widespread panic and fear of being in trouble.

However, despite her anger, Consort Chen refused to give up.

That bowl of extremely bitter medicine for fertility carried Consort Chen's lifelong wishes and aspirations.

If she could give birth to another child, a prince for His Majesty...

That vacant empress seat is undoubtedly hers for the taking.

When her son ascends the throne, she and Chaoyang will have someone to rely on for the rest of their lives.

The trusted nanny immediately replied, "It's ready."

Consort Chen's nail polished fingers tightened slightly. "Bring it here."

……

Princess Chaoyang left Consort Chen's palace and went directly to Emperor Qianwu's study.

She didn't ask anyone to announce her arrival and just barged in.

"Father!"

Emperor Qianwu was reviewing memorials when Princess Chaoyang barged in so casually.

However, the palace servants who served in the Imperial Study were already used to it.

This little princess is His Majesty's only child.

Their status is extremely high!

This is His Majesty's golden word, personally promised:

My Princess Chaoyang may freely enter and leave the palace, even the Imperial Study!

When Emperor Qianwu saw his beloved daughter, he put down his imperial brush, his expression a mixture of affection and helplessness.

"Why has my sunrise arrived?"

Princess Chaoyang stepped forward without bowing and plopped down on the chair next to Emperor Qianwu.

"Father, I have taken a liking to that third-ranked scholar. Didn't you say that I am the most noble princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and that you would surely grant me any wish I desire?"

"Your Majesty, I want that third-ranked scholar right now!"

"Your Majesty, I request that he be allowed to serve in the Princess's residence!"

Upon hearing this, Fuquan broke out in a cold sweat.

He subconsciously glanced at Emperor Qianwu's expression.

This little princess really knows how to give His Majesty a hard time!

Outsiders might not know the inside story and only assume that Zhou Mingchong had found some connections.

If only that were true.

How can a mere third-ranking scholar compare to His Majesty's only princess?

But Fuquan knew best that Zhou Mingchong had a stunningly beautiful younger sister who had caught the Emperor's eye...

His Majesty, mindful of the beauty soon to enter the palace, could not very well allow her brother to become his daughter's lover...

Wouldn't it be absurd to say that out loud?

Besides, if that delicate beauty doesn't agree, His Majesty will have a headache!

Emperor Qianwu frowned and immediately changed the subject, "Where have you been these past few days? Why didn't you pay your respects to your grandmother? She misses you."

Princess Chaoyang gave a soft snort, her expression charmingly naive, "Father is just giving me the runaround!"

"I told you about that young scholar who ranked third in the imperial examinations, but you told me that the Empress Dowager misses me!"

"Of course I will pay my respects to my grandmother."

The little princess pouted, "But you must promise me you'll betroth that third-ranked scholar to me!"

Seeing that he couldn't fool his daughter, Emperor Qianwu could only lightly scold, "Nonsense!"

"How can you, an unmarried woman, keep asking for a man?"

"You are the most noble princess in the world, not a vulgar shrew. What use is Zhou Tanhua to you?"

Princess Chaoyang protested, "Father, you no longer love your son!"

Emperor Qianwu was at a loss with his only precious child, and said helplessly, "How could I not love you?"

"Who in this world doesn't know that you are my only child? My most respected princess!"

Princess Chaoyang pouted, feeling smug.

"Then bestow that young scholar upon my son!"

In her words, Zhou Mingchong was not a living person, nor a young talent who became the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination based on his own abilities.

It is not a physical object.

"Our Great Zhou Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, blessed with outstanding people. Our Emperor is wise and powerful; it's not like we need a mere third-place scholar like him."

"I have taken a liking to him and wish to have him enter the princess's residence to serve me."

It must be said that Princess Chaoyang knew her father extremely well.

To outsiders, she is willful, vicious, and cruel; at a young age, she is licentious, domineering, and shameless.

However, in the eyes of Emperor Qianwu and the Empress Dowager, Chaoyang, though somewhat arrogant, was simple and adorable.

Ultimately, everyone looks at their own child, and no matter how you look at them, they'll always be good.

Emperor Qianwu had no choice but to hand her over to the Empress Dowager.

Chaoyang left in a hurry.

Emperor Qianwu covered his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

"Fuquan".

"This servant is here."

Fuquan quickly bowed and stepped forward, "Your Majesty."

"Three days later, you will lead your men to personally escort Consort Zhou into the palace."

Fu Quan was taken aback.

Didn't they say that the young lady was to be promoted to the rank of a fourth-grade beauty?

How did she become a third-rank concubine again?

Fuquan was very clever, and naturally he would not question His Majesty's decision.

Even if His Majesty makes a momentary lapse in memory, it is still a blessing for Consort Zhou.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

……

Princess Chaoyang became much more reserved when she visited the Empress Dowager's Yi'an Palace.

However, as Emperor Qianwu's only daughter and Empress Dowager's only granddaughter, Princess Chaoyang was quite honored by the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager's trusted aunt, Aunt Zhulan, personally led her into the inner palace.

Princess Chaoyang rushed into the Empress Dowager's arms as soon as she entered.

"Grandmother, your granddaughter has come to see you!"

"Did you eat well today? Did you miss Chaoyang?"

The Empress Dowager put down her prayer beads and smiled with great kindness.

"Grandmother has eaten and is now longing for the sunrise."

Aunt Zhulan seized the opportunity to say, "If His Highness were with her, even the Empress Dowager would eat an extra bowl of rice!"

Princess Chaoyang said coquettishly, "Then my granddaughter will come to dine with the Empress Dowager every day from now on."

The Empress Dowager looked at Princess Chaoyang and felt that the child was pleasing to everyone in every way.

No wonder she is the emperor's daughter, her own granddaughter.

She gently pinched her granddaughter's nose, her smile indulgent. "You little rascal, you said it yourself. Your grandmother will definitely send someone to the princess's residence to invite you then."

Princess Chaoyang clung to the Empress Dowager's arm and acted coquettishly.

"As long as the Empress Dowager says the word, Chaoyang will come every day."

"but……"

She paused for a moment, then said, "Chaoyang has come today to beg the Empress Dowager for mercy."

The Empress Dowager, her face full of affection, said, "Tell me, what has this little girl taken a fancy to this time?"

Princess Chaoyang immediately said, "No wonder everyone says that my granddaughter is most like my imperial grandmother. My imperial grandmother guessed it before I even opened my mouth."

She clung to the Empress Dowager's arm, her smile sweet and charming, and said excitedly, "My granddaughter took a fancy to someone a few days ago."

The Empress Dowager immediately understood the girl's purpose.

However, the woman at Hanshan Temple is related to the emperor's offspring, which is a matter of great importance to the nation.

There can be no mistakes when making a cut.

The Empress Dowager originally thought that Chaoyang was just a child, acting on a whim.

She might have taken a liking to Zhou Mingchong, but she might forget about him in a few days.

Furthermore, since he was the woman's brother, she showed him special mercy and ordered Zhou Mingchong to be released.

Even if Chaoyang thought about it later, Zhou Mingchong was at least a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations. If she really took a liking to him, it wasn't impossible for her to ask the emperor to grant them a marriage.

"Oh? My little Chaoyang has grown up."