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

"Great, great! That's wonderful!"

The Empress Dowager looked at Zhou Mingyi with the same gaze she would give her own daughter.

"The emperor is really something, such a big thing happened and he didn't even tell me."

Emperor Qianwu naturally admitted his mistake, saying, "It's all my fault."

"I am overjoyed and cannot believe it, therefore I dare not tell the Empress Dowager, for fear..."

The Empress Dowager knew perfectly well what she was afraid of, and she immediately interrupted Emperor Qianwu, saying, "Alright, there are some things the Emperor should be careful about."

The mother and son were in a very harmonious atmosphere.

Consort Chen was furious.

Empress Dowager, do you still know the purpose of your visit to Weiyang Palace today?

The thought that she and her daughter had gone to great lengths to lure the Empress Dowager to Weiyang Palace, only to find that not only had Zhou Mingyi not been punished, but that she had gained the Empress Dowager's favor, infuriated Consort Chen.

"Your Majesty, is it Consort Zhen...?"

At this moment, the Empress Dowager felt that Consort Chen was being tactless, no wonder she had given birth to the princess for so many years but still could not win the emperor's heart.

If it were her, and only she could give birth to the late emperor's child, she would have already found a way to coax the late emperor into favoring only her!

Originally, the Empress Dowager did not think Consort Chen was bad.

After all, there's no other comparison.

Besides, even for the sake of her only granddaughter, the Empress Dowager would give Consort Chen some face.

But now, with comparisons, the superiority or inferiority is immediately apparent.

Not only was Consort Chen less beautiful than Consort Zhen, but even her overall demeanor was completely incomparable to Consort Zhen's.

Not smart enough; can't see the situation clearly.

Now that Consort Zhen is pregnant, imperial edicts are completely irrelevant.

Consort Zhen was gentle and compliant, and even when she was pregnant, she did not flaunt it. She was clearly a well-mannered and cultured young woman.

The Empress Dowager had reason to believe that such a good girl would never joke about the child like that Jin woman did.

If... then it can only mean that the Imperial Hospital made a mistake in diagnosis.

At this moment, Emperor Qianwu said, "I originally intended to keep it from the Empress Dowager and wait a few months until I was certain before telling her. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Empress Dowager found out ahead of time."

The Empress Dowager, however, disagreed.

"You're in your fifties, how can you not know what's important?"

"Consort Zhen is pregnant, even if it's just a suspected pregnancy. We should be extremely careful. If you don't tell me, what if I'm instigated by someone to do something I shouldn't do and harm my little grandson?"

Even Emperor Qianwu couldn't help but hesitate at this moment.

There's still no word on the child's situation!

How could you go so far off topic?

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was happy, Emperor Qianwu couldn't bear to disappoint her.

He could only apologize, "Yes, it was my oversight, it's all my fault."

The Empress Dowager didn't really think Emperor Qianwu was wrong; she was just happy, so she talked a lot.

Princess Chaoyang and Consort Chen were completely ignored.

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and gave many instructions.

"You are young and this is your first pregnancy. Even if it's not certain yet, you should be careful and have the Imperial Kitchen staff pay extra attention to your diet. You should not eat foods that promote blood circulation or remove blood stasis."

"Make sure to get plenty of rest and avoid overexertion."

"Then there's the emperor. Even the emperor isn't allowed to make trouble for Consort Zhen. She can go wherever she wants."

Zhou Mingyi was slightly taken aback; she hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to be so thoughtful.

But on second thought, I can understand the Empress Dowager's thoughts.

She knew perfectly well how much the emperor loved Consort Zhen.

For the Empress Dowager, the child in Consort Zhen's womb is now far more important than her own son, Emperor Qianwu.

This concerns the succession and dignity of the emperor.

It was also the hope that the mother and son had waited for for many years.

For the sake of this child, even if her son had to suffer for a short time, the Empress Dowager had nothing to say.

Emperor Qianwu said softly, "I won't go anywhere. I'll stay with you every day."

Zhou Mingyi looked touched. "Really?"

The scabs on her face were still quite visible, and the Empress Dowager suddenly asked, "Consort Zhen, what happened to your face?"

Zhou Mingyi was taken aback, then subconsciously looked at Princess Chaoyang.

Empress Dowager: ...

No way, could this face have been done by my precious granddaughter?

But then I thought, who else besides Chaoyang would dare to lay a hand on Consort Zhen?

Who would dare to do this to her?

If it were anyone else, given the emperor's favor towards Consort Zhen, that person would have been torn apart by five horses and sliced ​​into a thousand pieces long ago!

The Empress Dowager was somewhat embarrassed. "This..."

"There are many ointments in the palace for healing wounds. I have a fine white jade ointment that I'll have Zhulan bring to you in a bit."

"You must not get this wound wet, and you must not use any medicine to promote blood circulation or remove blood stasis. Once you successfully give birth to your child, I guarantee that your face will not be scarred."

Zhou Mingyi deliberately said, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"I will not hold a grudge against Your Highness. Your Highness is young, and I am an elder, so I will not stoop to your level."

Princess Chaoyang: ...

You've said everything, what am I supposed to say?

Empress Dowager: ...

The Empress Dowager had a vague feeling that her granddaughter seemed a little too domineering...

Consort Zhen is currently pregnant and her weight has increased.

The Empress Dowager was no naive fool, and immediately said, "Chaoyang, your mother, Consort Zhen, is heavily pregnant. You should visit Weiyang Palace less often in the future."

"Come again after your mother, Consort Zhen, has successfully given birth to the imperial heir."

Princess Chaoyang: ...

Consort Chen: ...

Emperor Qianwu had already ordered them to leave. "Alright, since Chaoyang is fine, have him carried to Changle Palace."

"Consort Chen is your mother, so naturally she won't mistreat you."

"Your mother, Consort Zhen, is pregnant, and Weiyang Palace is short-handed, which may be detrimental to your injuries."

With just a few words, Princess Chaoyang and Consort Chen were sent back to Changle Palace.

Chang Le Palace.

Consort Chen couldn't help but go mad.

"That vile Consort Zhen must be a fraud! How could she possibly be pregnant with your father's child?"

"That bitch must have used some underhanded methods!"

Consort Chen was so angry that she smashed all the ceramics in the palace.

Princess Chaoyang lay motionless on the couch.

Chaoyang, who had initially hesitated about Xu Bin's suggestion, was now extremely determined.

She was her father's only child, and only she was qualified to be his successor.

The idea that only men can inherit the throne is utter nonsense!

Before her, princesses only had titles; some princesses didn't even have fiefs, let alone estates or private armies.

But she has it.

Doesn't this mean that rules are rigid, but people are flexible?

Why can't she, as a princess, inherit the throne?

If she were to inherit the throne, wouldn't that break this rule?

The thought, like a thorny bramble, instantly filled her entire heart and could no longer be banished.

Princess Chaoyang glanced at her mother, who had gone mad...

I looked down on her a little.

But she was, after all, her mother who had given birth to her. Princess Chaoyang pursed her lips and stared at her until she calmed down before speaking.

"Mother, please calm down."

One sentence reignited Consort Chen's anger.

How can I stay calm?

"My son, did you see everything just now?"

"That bitch, she might not even be pregnant yet, and she's already stealing your things!"

That's true, Princess Chaoyang said, pursing her lips and remaining silent.

Consort Chen continued, "My child, your mother will not let anyone take your things away."

Princess Chaoyang couldn't help but ask, "What about the Crown Prince?"

Consort Chen didn't react for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"you……"

Princess Chaoyang smiled and said, "Mother, I was just joking with you."

A strange feeling flashed through Consort Chen's mind.

However, the thought that Zhou Mingyi might really be pregnant made Consort Chen as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

"No, we absolutely cannot let that bitch give birth to the child!"

"If her child is born, His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will completely ignore you! It would be better if it were a princess, but what if it's a prince..."

Consort Chen paused for a moment, "Given His Majesty's favor towards that wretched woman, and given that she is also a consort, that child will absolutely not be left to us, mother and daughter, to raise..."

Princess Chaoyang had previously considered this possibility under Consort Chen's guidance.

Even if other women in the harem give birth to children, as long as the mother is removed and the child is left, it doesn't matter.

But Mother was ultimately too naive!

What do you mean by removing the mother and keeping the child?

Why not reserve the most important position for yourself?

She is also the emperor's son, so why can't she sit in that position?

But she knew that her mother's mind hadn't changed yet, and she didn't intend to tell her mother about her plan directly.

Her idea was truly astonishing.

She was afraid that her mother wouldn't be able to accept it in a short time.

If she accidentally reveals it again, it would ruin her plans.

Especially now that Consort Zhen has a child, the Emperor may be hoping that she might give birth to a prince.

Her father might not actually favor her as his daughter.

"Mother, even if we let her give birth, whether she can raise her to adulthood is another question. Isn't it too early for you to worry about this?"

Consort Chen: ...

That makes sense.

"But if she were to give birth to a prince, he would be your father's only heir, and he would undoubtedly protect him at all costs..."

Princess Chaoyang sneered, "I refuse to believe that no one ever slacks off."

She glanced at Consort Chen, "Mother Consort, you have worked so hard to raise me, so you naturally know how difficult it is to raise a child, and you know how difficult it is to conceive a child..."

Consort Chen was taken aback, then her eyes lit up.

"As expected of my precious daughter, you are so clever..."

Princess Chaoyang added, "Let's wait and see. If that Zhou woman is like the Jin woman, then we can kill her without firing a single shot!"

"Even if she is pregnant, we have a long life ahead of us."

"So many unexpected things have happened over such a long period of time; who could have foreseen it?"

……

Weiyang Palace.

The Empress Dowager stayed in Weiyang Palace and refused to leave for a long time, eventually leaving even Emperor Qianwu somewhat helpless.

"Mother, are you not returning to Cining Palace tonight?"

The Empress Dowager said irritably, "Isn't it not yet Hai hour (9-11 PM)?"

"I am not distressed."

"Besides, Weiyang Palace isn't without places to stay."

Emperor Qianwu: ...

"Your Majesty the Empress..."

The Empress Dowager, however, did not take it seriously at all. "I have been waiting for so many years, and I have finally received another grandchild. I am already this old, and perhaps this child will be one of the only two grandchildren I will ever see in my life."

"This time, I must protect this child well."

Emperor Qianwu: ...

"But Mother, this child of Consort Zhen..."

Empress Dowager: "Shut up."

Emperor Qianwu: ...