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

Emperor Qianwu's gaze swept over the two men, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Consort Chen's heart skipped a beat, and she felt slightly guilty. She quickly stepped forward and bowed gracefully, saying, "This concubine respectfully welcomes Your Majesty's arrival. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings!"

Zhou Mingyi also bowed.

Emperor Qianwu waved his hand, and as soon as he sat down, Consort Chen spoke first:

"Your Majesty, I have assisted you in managing the affairs of the inner palace for many years. Although I dare not take credit for it, I do believe that I have been cautious and appropriate."

Her tone held a hint of grievance, "I thought that Consort Zhen was young and needed more experience."

"But she really... breaks my heart."

"They dared to make unwarranted comments on regulations and interfere with palace affairs."

After Consort Chen finished speaking, Zhou Mingyi said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."

Her voice trembled slightly, but her logic remained clear.

"His Majesty has ordered me to assist my elder sister, the Noble Consort, in managing the affairs of the inner palace. I think that since the elder sister is of higher status and the younger sister is young, I should naturally put the elder sister first in everything."

"My sister worked tirelessly for the palace banquet, doing everything herself."

"But as I listened to my sister's arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, I suddenly remembered the records in the 'Inner Court Regulations' regarding the colors used in the moon-worship ceremony. I was afraid that my choices might differ slightly from my sister's, and that this might cause controversy in the future and damage my sister's reputation. That's why I dared to speak up."

"It was my lack of foresight and inappropriate words that displeased the Noble Consort. I am willing to accept the punishment."

These words sound incredibly thoughtful and considerate at first glance.

However, Emperor Qianwu understood Consort Chen. She was meticulous in everything she did, which inevitably led to her being autocratic.

Although Consort Zhen was somewhat stubborn, she was gentle.

Emperor Qianwu himself will judge right and wrong.

Sure enough, he raised his hand to Zhou Mingyi and said in a gentle tone, "Get up."

"Your concern for palace rules is a sign of your caution."

"Even if my words were inappropriate, the Imperial Concubine can have guided me; why take it to this extent?"

Consort Chen's expression changed. "But Your Majesty, she..."

Emperor Qianwu frowned slightly, raised his hand to stop her from speaking, and slowly said, "The Noble Consort has worked hard and made great contributions in managing palace affairs. Consort Zhen is young and inevitably has shortcomings. You should give her more guidance."

"Why be so aggressive?"

Consort Chen's face was slightly pale.

Emperor Qianwu paused for a moment before making the final decision.

"In today's matter, Consort Zhen's words were offensive. She shall be fined one month's salary as punishment."

"As for the Imperial Concubine..."

He looked at Consort Chen's face, which tightened instantly, and the words he spoke caused her expression to change drastically.

"The arrangements for the palace banquet are complex and multifaceted. You feel that Consort Zhen's assistance is insufficient and that there is a lack of synergy."

"The matter of verifying the moon-worship ceremony and related rituals will be temporarily entrusted to..."

After a moment's thought, he said, "Let Consort Lan handle this together."

"It's easier for you to oversee everything. Consort Lan grew up by the Empress Dowager's side since childhood, so she is familiar with palace rules and etiquette, and her temperament is also quite agreeable."

After Emperor Qianwu finished speaking, he did not linger any longer, but before leaving, he gave Zhou Mingyi a reassuring look.

Zhou Mingyi responded with a gentle, grateful smile.

As soon as Emperor Qianwu left, Consort Chen stood there, her face flushed and pale.

Emperor Qianwu's punishment was like a resounding slap in the face, burning her cheeks and causing even more pain in her heart.

Not only did she fail to subdue Consort Zhen, but she was also stripped of her power in public, losing all face!

Where did this Consort Lan come from?

Consort Chen naturally knew who Consort Lan was. She was the Empress Dowager's adopted daughter, and more than ten years ago, she had been tricked by Consort Lan into being banished to the Cold Palace.

Consort Chen never expected that, after more than ten years, she would be able to come out of the Cold Palace!

Now, they even manage to find a way to take a share of her palace power!

Zhou Mingyi slowly stood up, her eyes revealing undisguised schadenfreude.

Consort Chen was taken aback when she saw this, then flew into a rage and rushed forward, raising her hand. Zhou Mingyi grabbed her wrist, a clear provocation in her eyes.

This time, Consort Chen was certain that she was absolutely not mistaken.

Unfortunately, Zhou Mingyi verbally showed weakness.

"Does the Imperial Concubine intend to beat the concubine?"

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault!"

"Even if you beat me to death, I will not say a word!"

Consort Chen certainly wouldn't dare to hit her, as Consort Zhen was His Majesty's new favorite, and her brother was an official in the court.

She feared that Emperor Qianwu might return, and she also feared that Consort Zhen was up to some trick.

She had no choice but to angrily shake off Zhou Mingyi's hand.

With a fierce but weak expression, she warned, "You...don't even think about trying to frame me!"

Zhou Mingyi chuckled softly.

"Your Majesty is joking."

She raised an eyebrow, glanced around, and said, "It is a blessing for Your Highness and me that the affairs of the palace are handled personally by the Noble Consort. I am of no use, so I will take my leave."

After saying this, she gave an impeccable bow, turned around and took her leave.

Behind her was Consort Chen, who was so angry she was jumping up and down, but there was nothing she could do.

Are you angry?

This is just the beginning!

Compared to everything she and Chaoyang did for their brother in their previous life, what she is doing now is nothing more than some simple porridge and side dishes, not worth mentioning.

She will take it one step at a time, making the mother and daughter die together.

To comfort the spirit of his deceased elder brother from a previous life.

As Zhou Mingyi left Chang Le Palace, the autumn sun shone on her elegant dress. She lowered her eyes slightly, her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes falling into the dappled shadows.

She smiled slightly and said, "Let's go."

Pomegranate and wax apple exchanged a glance, and Pomegranate couldn't suppress her smile.

Wax apples, on the other hand, are quite composed.

She quickly gave Shiliu a wink, but fortunately Shiliu knew what was important and didn't say anything. She just silently quickened her pace.

Upon arriving at Weiyang Palace, Shiliu still showed some excitement. "Your Majesty..."

Lianwu frowned, but Zhou Mingyi said, "Say what you want to say."

Having received Zhou Mingyi's permission, Shiliu was momentarily at a loss for words.

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "His Majesty has deducted one month's salary from Her Majesty's pay..."

Zhou Mingyi chuckled.

Shi Liu's eyes widened instinctively. "Your Highness, you are a concubine, and your monthly salary is not a small amount. It's just gone like that..."

Zhou Mingyi tapped her forehead.

"Then tell me, which is more important, my monthly salary or the Imperial Concubine's reputation?"

"this……"

For a moment, Shiliu was at a loss as to what to do with it.

Consort Chen, as a Noble Consort and the birth mother of the princess, held a prestigious position in the harem and always had the final say.

This palace is the most luxurious place in the world.

In this most luxurious place, the imperial concubine always received a share of anything good.

Even in Shiliu's opinion, His Majesty treated the Imperial Concubine less well than he treated his own Lady.

Undeniably, the imperial concubine's reputation was extremely important.

The Empress herself was only fined a month's salary, which was nothing to worry about, but the Imperial Concubine lost face and His Majesty's trust.

With that thought, Shiliu's eyes lit up.

"Now that His Majesty has ordered Consort Lan to assist in the arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, I wonder how distressed the Noble Consort must be."

She covered her mouth and laughed.

……

A few days later, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.

Both Zhou Mingyi and Consort Lan were summoned by Consort Chen, and each was in charge of part of the arrangements for the palace banquet.

When Consort Lan saw Zhou Mingyi, she immediately came over.

"Thank you, Consort Zhen."

Zhou Mingyi glanced at her, then lowered her eyes. "Your Majesty grew up in the palace and is favored by the Empress Dowager, so naturally you are most familiar with the palace etiquette. It's just that His Majesty is good at recognizing and appointing people. Why are you thanking me instead, sister?"

Consort Lan smiled; she had heard about what happened in Consort Chen's palace that day.

She didn't believe that Consort Zhen's visit to Chang Le Palace was merely a coincidence.

She hadn't seen Consort Chen for decades, counting from her past life.

In her previous life, she was banished to the Cold Palace before Princess Chaoyang was even born. Later, the Emperor passed away, followed by the Empress Dowager, and her days in the Cold Palace became unbearable.

But she endured for several more years before dying in the cold palace.

Two lifetimes combined, several decades.

She knew best what kind of person Consort Chen was.

This woman came from a humble background and had no powerful connections, but she was lucky enough to give birth to Princess Chaoyang. She valued her reputation, status, and the importance she placed on her brother, the emperor.

If the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is well-organized, she will undoubtedly steal the spotlight.

How could she give such an opportunity to Consort Zhen?

She will definitely seize this opportunity and not give anyone else a chance to take it.

Therefore, Consort Zhen's appearance at Chang Le Palace could only have been orchestrated by herself.

Was the emperor's brother's visit to Chang Le Palace really a coincidence?

Perhaps.

But when countless coincidences are combined, they are no longer coincidences.

Looking at the smiling, respectful, and gentle Consort Zhen before her, Consort Lan felt a slight chill.

"No, I know it's all thanks to you."

Zhou Mingyi remained noncommittal, "Sister Lanfei, you should hurry up and leave. We are grateful for the Imperial Concubine's trust, and we should take it to heart."

Consort Chen stood not far away, watching Consort Lan and Consort Zhen chatting and laughing, and her expression darkened.

If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have reported Consort Rong.

Although Consort Rong had an affair with the Xue family, all she did was send a box of pastries. What was the big deal?

Back then, Consort Rong had taken away her power in the palace, and she was filled with jealousy and resentment towards her. But now, when she thinks about it, Consort Rong seems more agreeable.

Unlike the two in front of her... they were thorns in her side, thorns in her flesh.

But it's too late to say anything now.

……

Almost all of Emperor Qianwu's brothers died in the brutal battle for the throne.

After all, if they hadn't died, how could the position of crown prince have fallen to the son of a prince?

He must be the son of a prince.

But they were all dead, and the descendants who remained were not very outstanding.

Emperor Qianwu did not genuinely intend to establish a crown prince; he only did so under pressure from his court officials.

Who would have thought that the crown prince, whom they had chosen carelessly, would sit comfortably on the throne and have many descendants...

This made Emperor Qianwu feel very uncomfortable.

The Crown Prince brought two people with him to the palace banquet.

One was naturally the Crown Princess, and the other was Qingliu.

Aoyagi is very different from before.

She wore her hair in a neat, high bun, her jet-black hair neatly and tightly gathered, with a silver-gilt kingfisher feather hairpin securely held at the center of the bun.

This was a gift from the Crown Prince some time ago. It wasn't particularly valuable, but the deep blue of the emerald feathers set off the silver light, creating an elegant glow in her jet-black hair.

Beside the hairpin, two pairs of small, plain silver hairpins inlaid with rice pearls were symmetrically inserted, delicate like scattered stars.

She had a thin layer of pearl powder on her face, and her rouge was a very light rose color, just a touch on the center of her lips, giving her a natural, healthy complexion.

Zhou Mingyi overheard the palace maids of Chang Le Palace gossiping, "Qing Liu has actually become a mistress now."

"When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, we'll undoubtedly have to pay our respects to her!"

Consort Liu walked over and overheard this. She snorted coldly, and the palace maids turned pale. Then they heard Consort Liu say:

"She has her own destiny, and you should not underestimate yourselves."

The palace maids looked at each other in bewilderment.

Consort Lan leaned closer and whispered, "This Consort Liu is beautiful, but it's not like His Majesty hasn't visited her in a while... "

She pointed to her head. "Something seems wrong."