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

What can bamboo orchid say?

She stood quietly to one side, only speaking when the Empress Dowager turned to ask her a question.

"Although the Imperial Concubine is somewhat domineering, her original intentions were good..."

The more she acted this way, the more dissatisfied the Empress Dowager became.

"I thought she was different, but how many years has it been?"

"She herself can't conceive, yet she wants to monopolize the emperor. The harem is full of young concubines; aren't all the like Consort Lan longing for the emperor like a parched land yearning for rain?"

Zhu Lan's eyelids twitched, and she couldn't help but mentally complain again.

If we're talking about youth, Consort Zhen was truly young, and as beautiful as a flower...

Consort Lan is already twenty-eight years old this year, which is not young anymore...

But Zhu Lan knew that because of Princess Chang Le, the Empress Dowager favored Consort Lan.

Moreover, back then, Consort Lan's biological mother was His Majesty's wet nurse and was also a close friend of Zhu Lan. Not only did the Empress Dowager favor Consort Lan, but in her heart, Aunt Zhu Lan also favored Consort Lan.

"Your Majesty is wise. How could Your Majesty not know that Consort Chen is using the princess?"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, His Majesty knows what he's doing."

In a single sentence, Consort Chen was utterly demoted.

The princess is innocent, and Emperor Qianwu is wise.

It truly touched the Empress Dowager's heart.

The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with Zhu Lan's explanation.

She paused for a moment, then said, "Let's observe further. If the Chen mother and daughter go too far, I will absolutely not tolerate it!"

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is wise!"

……

Inside the Imperial Study.

As usual, Princess Chaoyang personally led a group of people to bring in a bowl of food.

"Father, this is a new recipe for pine needle tea that I've learned. Please try it; it's excellent for clearing your eyes and refreshing your mind."

Emperor Qianwu was initially very pleased with his daughter's attentiveness.

When his daughter was young, Emperor Qianwu still felt the deep joy of being a father.

However, as his daughter grew older and began to have her own ideas, Emperor Qianwu felt somewhat lost for a time.

But when the child came of age, a magnificent princess residence was built outside the palace, and they had been living there for a while. He had gotten used to it, but then the child suddenly moved back...

Consort Chen took the opportunity to pester him. At first, Emperor Qianwu, out of consideration for Chaoyang, would try to deal with her half the time.

But after a few times, he lost interest and began to miss Zhou.

I long for her fair skin and delicate bones, her gentle charm, and her sweet and compliant nature.

Unlike Consort Chen, who only knows how to lie like a dead fish...

Despite her advanced age, she always acts coy and shy.

No, if you're a young woman in your late teens, even if you're lying there like a dead fish, a shy expression can still be quite amusing.

But you're over thirty, and your child is seventeen. What haven't you seen and experienced?

Are you still being shy?

Shouldn't you take the initiative and try something new?

Just like that Zhou family?

Emperor Qianwu couldn't help but recall the times he and Lady Zhou shared behind the Buddhist hall, on the pillars, at the small table, by the couch, and by the window...

Every time I reminisce about it, I find it endlessly enjoyable...

But little did anyone know, Consort Chen perhaps had another meaning, and she frequently used her daughter to bring him nourishing soups...

This left Emperor Qianwu both embarrassed and furious.

However, these matters of the bedroom are not something a father can easily tell his daughter.

Therefore, Emperor Qianwu probably said in a businesslike tone, "Just leave it there."

Whenever he spoke in this tone, Princess Chaoyang understood that he was busy with official duties and could not be disturbed.

But today, for some reason, Princess Chaoyang was unusually attentive.

"Father, you must be tired from reviewing the memorials. Let me give you a shoulder massage."

"Several rare varieties of chrysanthemums have bloomed in the Imperial Garden today. Father, would you mind taking a short rest and accompanying your daughter to see them?"

Emperor Qianwu paused, his imperial brush poised to strike a fatal blow, before raising his eyes.

Princess Chaoyang, dressed in a pale yellow palace gown, looked delicate and radiant, her demeanor intimate and natural, making her irresistible.

Emperor Qianwu initially thought his daughter was filial and considerate, but as the frequency of her visits increased, especially when he wanted to go to Zhou's palace, Chaoyang would always show signs of discomfort.

Whether it was a headache or a nightmare, she would cling to him and not let him leave.

Consort Chen would also chime in, implying that the princess was restless without him.

Although Emperor Qianwu did not believe it entirely, seeing his beloved daughter's delicate appearance and remembering the grievances she suffered during the moon worship ceremony, he would soften his heart and abandon the idea of ​​going elsewhere.

Once, twice, three times...

On several occasions, when he went to Weiyang Palace and met Consort Zhen, he even tried to pull her to bed without regard for her not having washed or dressed. In his eagerness, someone from Changle Palace would arrive on time.

It is said that the princess, unable to see her father, went on a hunger strike and refused to eat.

After this happened many times, even Emperor Qianwu himself felt uncomfortable.

He is the monarch of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a prince who holds the power of life and death, not a fool to be fooled.

"If the princess is unwell, go see the imperial physician!"

"I'm not a royal physician, am I?"

Listen to this scumbag's words!

Zhou Mingyi couldn't help but scoff inwardly.

"Your Majesty should go."

She took off her clothes halfway and gently persuaded him.

The fire in Emperor Qianwu's eyes had not yet subsided, and the beautiful woman's gentle and considerate demeanor contrasted sharply with the clingy and domineering behavior of Consort Chen and her daughter.

He gave Zhou Mingyi a deep look.

"You really want me to go?"

"If I go, I won't come back tonight!"

Zhou Mingyi feigned shyness, "Bah! Your Majesty is utterly shameless!"

"Your Highness is unwell, why is Your Majesty still thinking of..."

Emperor Qianwu moved closer, his gaze fixed on her fair and delicate neck, where he gently pinched with his rough fingers, and it turned red.

"What am I thinking about?"

Zhou Mingyi's face was flushed as she pushed him out, deliberately revealing her chest as she walked.

"Your Majesty should go and check on her. I would be uneasy if anything were to happen to the princess."

Although I was extremely impatient, Consort Zhen was right.

Chaoyang might be his only child in this life, and if something really happened to her, he would never forgive himself for the rest of his life.

Perhaps, he might even take his anger out on Consort Zhen because of this.

Emperor Qianwu, seething with anger, turned and left.

"Your Majesty...you're already like this...how could His Majesty...still let him leave?"

Zhou Mingyi pulled her half-undone clothes back together, her tone nonchalant.

"Princess Chaoyang is His Majesty's only child. If anything were to happen to her, His Majesty would be uneasy."

The wax apple hesitated, "But the princess..."

Zhou Mingyi glanced at the two of them.

"It's alright, Your Majesty is well aware."

Princess Chaoyang followed the same method, managing to summon Emperor Qianwu away at crucial moments each time.

Although this was also part of Zhou Mingyi's plan, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Emperor Qianwu.

If he keeps going like this, will he be able to keep going?

However, sometimes the longer you suppress your feelings, the more intense they will be when they erupt.

Zhou Mingyi wasn't in a hurry; she had plenty of patience.

Princess Chaoyang's revenge did not end there.

She not only conspired with her birth mother, Consort Chen, to seize Emperor Qianwu and frequently abducted people from the palace concubines, but also used her position in the palace to intensify her harassment of Zhou Mingchong.

She began to frequently inquire of Emperor Qianwu about the progress of the Hanlin Academy's book compilation and history writing.

He showed particular interest in the articles of several young scholars who had passed the imperial examinations, and often asked Emperor Qianwu to bring them their poems, essays, and policy discussions for his critique.

Naturally, Zhou Mingchong's works appeared in her hands many times.

"Lord Zhou's 'Memorial on River Management' is clear in its logic and demonstrates remarkable insight."

Princess Chaoyang leaned on Emperor Qianwu's back, her arms wrapped around her father's neck, her eyes clear and bright. "It's just... that it seems too idealistic, and there's still a lack of understanding of the hardships of ordinary people."

"It's likely that Lord Zhou comes from a distinguished family, so it's no wonder he has some scholarly airs."

"I've heard that Lord Zhou was a righteous and upright official who dared to speak out against injustice, but unfortunately he died young."

While seemingly a compliment, it actually implied that the Zhou family's foundation was shallow and that Zhou Mingchong's knowledge was superficial.

Zhou Mingyi ordered Lianwu to keep an eye on Princess Chaoyang's every move, and learned that she had openly "accidentally" met her brother who was on duty in the palace.

Zhou Mingyi could no longer suppress the fierce glint in her eyes.

But she had to restrain herself; she was no longer the same person she was before.

She believed that her brother did too.

Especially after learning that her brother avoided Princess Chaoyang like the plague, she showed even less concern.

Zhou Mingyi quickly calmed down.

"Those people know nothing, yet they claim our lord is trying to curry favor with the princess. Bah!"

"It's clearly..."

Zhou Mingyi glared at Shiliu, and Shiliu, who had been excited, immediately fell silent.

"Alright, stop parroting what others say. Her Highness the Princess is of noble birth, but my brother is also an outstanding individual."

"Our feelings for each other are kept within the bounds of propriety. Others' gossip is a sign of their own filth. You are my personal maid; you mustn't speak carelessly!"

Shiliu immediately admitted her mistake, saying, "This servant knows she was wrong!"

"Just one thing, the reason others gossip is because they don't understand their elder brother."

"You are my confidante, keep that to yourself, but do not offend the princess."

……

Emperor Qianwu was very satisfied with Zhou Mingyi's maturity.

However, Zhou Mingyi's words reminded him.

Zhou Mingchong is the elder brother of Consort Zhen and the only son of that old man Zhou Yanjin. He is handsome, talented, and self-disciplined in front of his daughter.

That's truly rare.

Emperor Qianwu had not originally considered anything else.

But Consort Zhen did make one right point.

The palace servants spread rumors, but Emperor Qianwu was fully aware of the whole affair.

Chaoyang was attracted to her face.

I had my eye on them before.

Now, Zhou Mingchong has entered the Hanlin Academy and possesses exceptional talent.

Although he is young, his youth makes him a suitable candidate for the position of imperial son-in-law.

But remembering a certain hidden plan of his, Emperor Qianwu abandoned the idea...

"Issue the decree: if I hear anyone gossiping about the princess and Compiler Zhou again, have their tongues pulled out and be thrown into the laundry department to do hard labor."

Fuquan quickly replied, "Yes! This servant will go and convey the imperial decree immediately."

Emperor Qianwu acted swiftly and decisively, directly interrupting Princess Chaoyang's plans.

Seeing that Emperor Qianwu's patience was about to run out, Princess Chaoyang understood that things would eventually turn around.

She planned to do something big again, and then leave the palace.

Before leaving, he had to annoy Zhou Shi once to appease her hatred.

This time, however, no matter what excuse she made, Emperor Qianwu refused to come.

Grandpa Fuquan came in person.

"Your Highness, His Majesty is probably unable to come at the moment..."

"Your Highness, you've been staying in the palace for three months now. Why not take this opportunity to leave and relax?"

Princess Chaoyang's beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

"Where is my father, the Emperor?"

"Did you go to Weiyang Palace?"

"Guards, go to Weiyang Palace!"

As Emperor Qianwu's only princess, Princess Chaoyang was always self-righteous, coquettish, and shameless, with a fearless attitude.

Even though her father knew she was doing it on purpose, he couldn't do anything about it.

Fuquan hurriedly followed behind Princess Chaoyang.

"Your Highness, you mustn't go!"

"His Majesty..."

"Get out of my way! This princess needs to see her father, the Emperor. Who dares to stop her?"

Princess Chaoyang led a group of people, marching proudly and arrogantly to Weiyang Palace.

Seeing that Consort Zhen's maids were all guarding the door, she became even more certain that Emperor Qianwu was inside the palace.

"Get out of here!"

"This princess must see my father, the Emperor. Anyone who dares to stop me will be executed!"

Having received their instructions, the pomegranate and wax apple trees obediently stepped aside.

With a "bang," the door was kicked open, but neither Emperor Qianwu nor Lady Zhou were inside.

Princess Chaoyang was furious.

Where are they?

The crowd fell silent.

At this moment, Aunt Zhulan from the Empress Dowager's palace arrived just in time to save the day.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager requests your presence at Cining Palace. She has ordered a feast of your favorite dishes to be prepared and is waiting for you."

Princess Chaoyang was still not satisfied.

"Go tell my grandmother that I will go to keep her company in a little while, but I must see my father soon."

"The Zhou family has hidden my father, the Emperor!"

Aunt Zhulan said, "My princess, His Majesty has legs of his own, who can hide him? Your Highness, please stop making a fuss!"

"It wouldn't be good if things got out of hand and damaged your relationship with His Majesty."

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager specially made your favorite chilled rice cake. Go and have some chilled rice cake to cool down. His Majesty can't run away anyway."

After much persuasion, Aunt Zhulan finally managed to convince Princess Chaoyang to leave.

Fuquan was also puzzled. Where had His Majesty and the Empress gone?

At this moment, a small painted boat was moored deep in the lotus pond of the Imperial Garden.

The small boat swayed gently on the lotus pond, its swaying carrying the faint sounds of a woman's melodious voice and a man's low growl...