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

Zhou Mingyi knew that Consort Lan was right.

Children were Consort Chen's weapon.

This was true for the imperial harems of all dynasties.

However, Emperor Qianwu's harem was particularly special, and even a single princess was extremely precious.

Princess Chaoyang is already seventeen years old. Such a lovely young girl, if she just begs her mother to accompany her on a hunt, how could Emperor Qianwu refuse such a small request from his beloved daughter?

Princess Chaoyang, as the only daughter of Emperor Qianwu, not only had a fiefdom and a fief, but also a private army. Like Emperor Qianwu, she was naturally fond of martial arts and enjoyed riding, archery, and bowing.

She is a regular participant in the autumn hunts every year.

Consort Chen's status rose because of her daughter.

Therefore, Zhou Mingyi knew that Emperor Qianwu's list might not be the final result.

At most, it was just to give Consort Chen a warning.

Some time ago, Zhaoyang Palace remained in the palace and interfered with Emperor Qianwu's affairs on several occasions, especially forbidding him from favoring his concubines.

It would be hard to believe that Consort Chen was not involved in this.

Emperor Qianwu was suspicious.

He couldn't control his only beloved daughter, so surely he couldn't control a Chen woman?

If it weren't for the fact that she gave birth to his only daughter, given Emperor Qianwu's temperament, Lady Chen would never have been able to become a Noble Consort.

……

Chang Le Palace.

Granny Chen was trembling with fear and dared not utter a single word.

Consort Chen smashed a lot of porcelain, and a large group of people were kneeling on the ground.

After she had vented her anger, Granny Chen cautiously advised, "Your Highness, the annual hunting expeditions are nothing more than the same old things. What difference does it make whether you go or not?"

The mere mention of this would ignite Consort Chen's anger once more.

"How can there be no difference?"

"Every year when His Majesty goes hunting, I go with him. But this year, that vixen entered the palace, and I'm no longer even qualified to accompany His Majesty on the hunt?"

As Consort Chen spoke, she slightly raised her head, trying to hold back her tears.

"It's nothing more than that vixen speaking ill of me behind my back, instigating His Majesty, and completely disregarding me."

Granny Chen: ...

The Imperial Concubine has been with His Majesty for so many years, yet she still doesn't know His Majesty?

What a heartless person His Majesty is!

Of all the women in the harem who entered the palace at the same time as the Empress, how many are still alive today?

If it weren't for Your Majesty's good fortune in giving birth to a princess, we wouldn't even know where she is now!

Consort Chen was one of the earliest women to follow Emperor Qianwu.

At that time, he was just an inconspicuous prince.

Therefore, Consort Chen's background was not prominent.

Given the Empress Dowager's status in the palace at the time, the current Emperor was naturally not valued when he was still a prince. Most of the women in his harem were daughters of minor officials or daughters of concubines.

Those women were the first to follow Emperor Qianwu.

Later, Emperor Qianwu unexpectedly ascended the throne, and this group of people entered the palace in a daze, and suddenly became someone that everyone fawned over.

At that time, the court officials naturally knew how to remedy the situation, so they sent in another batch of new people.

Consorts like Consort Min and Consort Rou were all daughters of high-ranking officials, carefully raised by them, and were outstanding in both appearance and talent.

For three consecutive years, only Consort Chen became pregnant in the harem.

This unremarkable young woman from an ordinary family suddenly became the target of public criticism.

How many women lost their lives just because Consort Chen was pregnant?

His Majesty waited three years for this one son, and was naturally furious.

When an emperor is enraged, millions will die.

At that time, Granny Chen witnessed the tense atmosphere in the inner palace, where everyone was in danger, and saw His Majesty use severe punishments, causing one vibrant life after another to wither away.

Perhaps the Imperial Concubine only felt relieved, but as an observer, Granny Chen saw through Emperor Qianwu's heartlessness.

Leaving aside other matters, let's take Consort Min as an example.

That woman's beauty was no less than that of the current Consort Liu, and she was on par with Consort Zhen.

But what was the result?

Wasn't he given poisoned wine without hesitation by the current emperor?

Your Majesty is blinded by your own involvement.

Does she really believe that His Majesty is deeply in love with her? Only if she truly has deep feelings for His Majesty would she care about his every move and word.

However, as the Empress's confidante, Granny Chen dared not remind her.

Over the years, the Empress has been immersed in the beautiful dream woven by His Majesty and is unwilling to wake up.

Could she possibly force the Empress to wake up?

Of course, Granny Chen thought that Her Majesty was actually very clear about this.

She owes her current status entirely to being a princess.

She just didn't want to believe it.

Sure enough, Consort Chen was saddened for a moment, then hurriedly wiped away her tears.

"I will not cry, I will not cry, lest that vile Consort Zhen laugh at me."

"Judging by the days, the princess should be entering the palace today."

"I should also be prepared. That child, Chaoyang, is the most impulsive. How can I feel at ease in a place like the hunting grounds without my presence?"

Granny Chen knew that Consort Chen would eventually figure it out.

"Have the small kitchen prepare the princess's favorite dishes, and invite Your Majesty to have dinner."

After Princess Chaoyang left the palace, she initially visited the palace quite frequently.

But gradually, I became too lazy to travel back and forth every day.

They should wait at least a few days before entering the palace.

However, the autumn hunt was about to take place, and according to custom, Princess Chaoyang would naturally have to enter the palace.

Sure enough, Princess Chaoyang came directly to the palace that very night.

Before anyone else could enter the palace, they had to submit a memorial in advance and obtain permission before they could enter.

Princess Chaoyang doesn't need to; she has a palace pass and can come whenever she wants.

Aside from the back-and-forth travel, it's not really that troublesome.

Having not seen his beloved daughter for several days, Emperor Qianwu's concern for her became much more genuine.

"Why does Chaoyang seem a bit thinner these past few days?"

Princess Chaoyang's eyes flashed, and she subconsciously touched her cheek.

No, she eats and drinks well outside the palace, everyone in the princess's residence listens to her, and all the male concubines serve her meticulously. She can choose whomever she wants to favor, and her life couldn't be more carefree!

Princess Chaoyang felt a rare pang of conscience when she thought of her mother in the palace.

Then he remembered that the autumn hunt was approaching, so he came to the palace.

But hearing his father say this, Chaoyang felt no guilt whatsoever.

She said enthusiastically, "The hunting season is approaching, shouldn't I practice my horsemanship properly? Otherwise, my skills will become rusty, and I'll become a laughingstock, disgracing the royal family!"

The girl's eyebrows danced with pride.

Emperor Qianwu couldn't help but burst into laughter when he saw his daughter's arrogant demeanor.

"My son has ambition!"

Consort Chen then said, "Although Chaoyang is a girl, like father, like daughter, she is naturally diligent."

Emperor Qianwu glanced at her, then remained silent.

Princess Chaoyang, keeping her eyes downcast, said, "Mother, please eat more. You look a bit haggard these days."

Consort Chen hurriedly covered her face, "Really?"

She looked somewhat flustered and subconsciously avoided Emperor Qianwu's gaze.

"Peixi, bring me the bronze mirror."

Granny Chen immediately took out a bronze mirror.

Consort Chen seemed to lose her grip and almost dropped the bronze mirror on the ground.

"Mother!"

Princess Chaoyang was naturally shocked.

"What's wrong?"

Consort Chen looked somewhat dazed. "No, it's nothing..."

"Mother is alright."

She glanced at Emperor Qianwu subconsciously, then quickly avoided his gaze.

"Your mother only thinks that there are many ferocious beasts in the hunting grounds, and you, like your father, have always been brave..."

"This year, your mother is staying in the palace and cannot be by your side. If anything were to happen to you... your mother would not want to live either!"

As they spoke, the mother and daughter began to cry together.

Emperor Qianwu frowned, his expression displeased.

Consort Chen, observing her daughter's expression, immediately wiped away her tears and tidied her up. "However, I think your father loves you dearly and has brought so many skilled guards with him, so you should be alright."

"Mother is overthinking it!"

Emperor Qianwu was well aware of Consort Chen's thoughts.

But today, she deliberately showed him her intentions in front of her daughter. Was she intentionally forcing him?

That's absolutely outrageous!

Emperor Qianwu's eyes were deep and his gaze was cold.

He took a bite of food, chewed quickly, and without even glancing at Consort Chen, said, "Your mother is right. You're all grown up now, how can I let your mother worry about everything for you?"

"Your mother is a frail woman; it would be futile for her to go. It would be easier for her to stay in the palace."

Consort Chen looked on in disbelief.

Princess Chaoyang was quite direct.

"Father, since Mother wants to go, then let her go."

"My mother has been in the palace for twenty years, and has been married to you for more than twenty years. There are endless years to come. You must get tired of seeing all the scenery within the walls of this palace."

"For your daughter's sake, please take your mother out for a stroll to clear her mind, okay?"

"presumptuous!"

Emperor Qianwu slammed his chopsticks on the table.

Both mother and daughter were taken aback.

"Father!"

Princess Chaoyang looked aggrieved. "Did you stop liking me because I was willful a few days ago?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I simply do not like Consort Zhen. She makes Mother sad, so I dislike her."

"Your son only wanted his father to love his mother more; what's wrong with that?"

Emperor Qianwu frowned. "She is the concubine who gave birth to you, but she is not my wife, much less your mother."

"My wife is the Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"

"Does the Imperial Concubine want me to punish you for overstepping your bounds?"

Consort Chen turned pale with fright and knelt down with a thud.

"I wouldn't dare!"

"The young emperor is inexperienced and speaks without thinking; please forgive him, Your Majesty!"

Princess Chaoyang bit her lower lip tightly. Although she knelt down with Consort Chen, she looked unwilling.

Although her mother was not the empress, she was a Noble Consort.

Since her father's harem had no empress, her mother was equivalent to a secondary empress.

As the only woman to bear children for the Emperor, why can't the Emperor give his mother a dignified life?

Does he really think that, apart from his mother, anyone else could bear him other children?

That's just wishful thinking!

But no matter how willful Princess Chaoyang was, she dared not directly provoke Emperor Qianwu.

Emperor Qianwu stared intently at Consort Chen and her daughter, then closed his eyes. "Chaoyang is already seventeen, not seven."

"She is no longer young. In the past, I was too lenient with her, which led you and your daughter to take advantage of me!"

That's a very strong statement.

Princess Chaoyang's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

She stamped her foot. "If Father doesn't love Chaoyang, then Chaoyang should die immediately. That way, she won't be an eyesore to Father!"

……

"Princess Chaoyang is truly willful; she threw herself into the river without a word, even alarming the Empress Dowager."

Zhou Mingyi was not surprised at all. She stood up and said, "The princess is His Majesty's only child. If the princess is in danger, no one can stand aside."

"Go to Chang Le Palace."