Chapter 109: Pregnant!

  Zhao Mianze lived for twenty-one years and had never been slapped in the face.

  He was born with a golden spoon in his mouth, and from the moment he was born, his father was the crown prince, spoiled and pampered in the East Palace. The eunuchs and palace maids, who didn't cater to his every whim? Not to mention that he is now deeply trusted by Emperor Hongtai, assisting with state affairs, everyone knows that he is Emperor Hongtai's intended successor, and his reputation is unmatched at the moment.

  But he was beaten up today.

  It was still a woman, a woman he deeply despised.

  A pair of hands grasped Xia Chuqi's shoulders, the five clear fingerprints on his left cheek were red, but not as red as his eyes that seemed to have been scorched by fierce flames.

  "Does it hurt?"

  He was about to get angry, but the woman in front of him suddenly curved her lips and tilted her head to look at his face. Her small face was pink, moist, and tender, like the grass that had just grown out in the East Palace courtyard this spring. It hung with a thread of concern, making the anger that had accumulated in his chest suddenly dissipate. He only felt that the voice was so gentle, it made his heart feel very comfortable.

  "It doesn't hurt."

  Two words were spoken with some resentment, he thought he had misheard.

  But he really said so, and he couldn't believe it at all.

  She let out a soft "oh" and Xia Qi Qi blinked her eyes, staring at his face, saying in a low voice "I see", just as he was stunned, with the speed of lightning, another clear "slap" sound, she slapped him again.

  He didn't hide and he didn't shout.

  Because it was too fast, he couldn't dodge and it was completely unexpected.

  What kind of woman would dare to do such a thing?

  "Xia Chu——" He gritted his teeth, the muscles on his cheeks twitching slightly with humiliation and shame, distorting his handsome face. But Xia Chuyi smiled at him, speaking as if it was a matter of course.

  "I told you, how can hitting someone not hurt? If it doesn't hurt, what's the point of beating someone up? Ah, you're the one who said it didn't hurt, if you don't feel pain then I haven't achieved my goal, so I'll add a few more hits, that's only right, don't blame me."

  She said, then she raised her chin and looked at him with a seemingly smiling but actually indifferent smile.

  "Does it hurt now? Do you want me to press again?"

  "How dare you?"

  "Huh, what's weird? What am I afraid of? It's already like this anyway. You said it yourself, you won't let me go, so I'll just fight back and make up for the losses. Can there be a worse outcome than this?"

  "You cheap woman!" Zhao Mianze was furious, suddenly hugged her tightly and pressed her against the round wooden pillar at the corner of the pavilion. The momentum was as if he wanted to crush her to death.

  "You're lucky I'm letting you off."

  "It's better if you don't spare him! The water is already murky anyway, so it won't make a difference even if you stir it up some more."

  Zhao Mianze looked at her, not quite clear what emotion was swelling in his heart.

  Hate! It's hateful. But also like, really truly like. Like to the tip of my heart kind of like. Hate her for being this way, but also like her for being this way.

  Long after she had gone to a distant land in the north, and he had risen to the pinnacle of power, his harem was filled with beautiful women, but he could never forget that one embrace, nor find another woman who felt as good in his arms. Once he held her, he didn't want to let go, and would have given up his heart to her just for a smile from her. It wasn't until then that Zhao Mianze truly understood why Zhou Youwang had used the beacon fires to deceive the feudal lords - all for the sake of getting a smile from his beloved. And it was also then that he truly understood why Zhao Zun would have traded heaven and earth for her.

  Putting aside what happened later, let's just talk about Zhao Mianze in front of him. He was completely out of sorts with his emotions, and in her struggle that seemed to be a mix of anger, hatred, teasing, and joking, he almost yelled out a sentence.

  "Xia Chu, come back and be my woman, I will definitely treat you well."

  This wasn't what he wanted to say, but he said it anyway.

  For some reason, his heart couldn't control his mouth.

  He was slapped twice, but his mouth still wanted to fawn on her, fawn on this woman.

  At the beginning of summer, Qī struggled fiercely, but after all, a man is a man. Zhao Miàn Zé looks gentle, but his strength is still so great. As she entwined and fought with him, her mouth was also panting.

  "Be your woman? Why should I want you? What do you have that's worth me being with you?"

  "What my nineteenth uncle can give you, I can too. What he cannot give, I can also."

  His arms seemed to be about to break, and looking at his irrational appearance, Xia Chuyi coldly ridiculed, "What did you do earlier? Now, are you qualified?"

  "Qualifications?" Zhao Mianze's fiery eyes stared into hers, "One day, you'll know what qualifications really mean."

  "We'll talk about it when you have that day."

  "Is he really that good?"

  "It's good, but you wouldn't understand."

  "What can he actually give you?"

  "With him, I have everything."

  "So tell me, what do you want?"

  "I don't want anything, I just want Zhao Nineteen. With him, I feel happy and joyful. He is my man, and in my eyes, he is better than you in every way. My man loves me, spoils me, and gives in to me on everything..."

  "I can too." Zhao Mianze grasped her hand tightly and growled in a low voice.

  On the seventh day of summer, she suddenly stopped struggling and looked at him.

  "Alright, I'll give you a chance—"

  Zhao Mianze's ragged breathing gradually evened out, and his heart suddenly softened, as if a soft feather had brushed against his heartstrings, exciting his Adam's apple to roll incessantly.

  "You said."

  Xia Chuqi's lips curved slightly, smiling slyly at him, as if looking at a small animal being teased and played with. Her eyes were very sly, the dimples at the corners of her mouth were also very sly, and the whole person seemed to be shrouded in an aura of slyness.

  "I don't like men who have been slept with by others, are you? If you still are, I'll agree."

  This is something that ordinary women can't say, it's as if Zhao Mianze didn't dare to think he'd hear such words from a woman's mouth. But she not only said it, but also said it so naturally and unashamedly. Not to mention being the emperor's grandson, any young master from a wealthy family would have slept with women by the age of 21.

  "You're being unreasonable!" Zhao Mianze scolded her, "Has he never slept before?"

  "He certainly didn't." Xia Chuqi raised her chin, "Just because of this, you can't catch up with him in your lifetime."

  "How is it possible? He deceived you!"

  "Hah, he deceived me and I'm happy to be deceived. I just like being forced by you, how about it?" Xia Chuqi had a smug expression on his face, tilted his head, and patted his hand, "Your Highness, you'd better let go quickly? Otherwise, if someone sees you, things will get big."

  "I won't let you go, you cheap woman, you're my wife, how dare you marry another man?"

  "I'm cheap? Haha, you're even cheaper." Xia Chuqi smiled, not angry at all. At this moment, she thought of Dongfang Qingyuan, probably he was like that every time, himself not getting angry, but able to make people furious, that's also a kind of cultivation.

  Zhao Mianze glared at her, his usually gentle face still twisted, with finger marks on his face and a fierce glow in his eyes. He leaned in close to her, ignoring her struggles, and held her tightly in his arms.

  "We two are originally a couple, rather than choosing a good day, let's just consummate our marriage today."

  "Isn't this shameless?"

  Looking into his eyes, she saw a fleeting haze, and the loss of his usual gentle elegance. Xia Chuqi's back was pressed against the wooden pillar, causing her to feel a sharp pain, and her body was also being compressed, making it hard for her to breathe due to the tense atmosphere. Almost without thinking, she quickly bent her knees, and as soon as she touched a certain part of his body that felt hard, she took a deep breath.

  "You asked for it!"

  With one lift of his knee, there was a loud and mournful cry of "ah".

  From being infatuated to being hurt, Zhao Mianze bent down, his forehead covered in cold sweat. Grinding his teeth in anger and hatred, he glared at Xia Chuqi who was standing with her hands on her hips, looking down at him condescendingly, and closed his eyes tightly for a moment.

  He is not a man who has never slept with women.

  It was almost unimaginable for him how eagerly she wanted to sleep with a woman.

  A handsome face twisted in pain. He gritted his teeth.

  "You're really ruthless."

  "That's you haven't tasted a more ruthless one, didn't directly disable you, considered polite."

  "Despicable woman!" Panting heavily, Xia Zhenze was in so much pain that he couldn't catch his breath, his eyebrows furrowed together in anger, as if he wanted to crush her to pieces.

  "Hah! I'll be cheap. Believe it or not, if you really make me angry, I'll cut off that thing of yours and hang it on the city gate tower of Fengtian..."

  Xia Zhi Qi smiled slyly, sizing him up from head to toe. Her gaze fell on his crotch and she couldn't help but curve her lips in interest, exuding an aura of evil charm that Zhao Mian Ze had never seen in any woman throughout his life.

  Zhao Mianze panted heavily, finally passing out from the pain, his breathing also becoming more even. He straightened up, approached him, and a pair of eyes were full of anger.

  "When you really want to toast but don't drink, will you be punished for drinking?"

  He asked fiercely, but saw her suddenly burst into a extremely beautiful smile, his heart melted instantly, "Xia Chu, did you finally understand..."

  Just as he was saying this, the back of his collar suddenly tightened and he was pulled backwards. Before he could react, a fist flew towards his chest. Zhao Mianze tried to dodge but couldn't avoid it, and with a loud "thud", he fell heavily to the ground. It wasn't until he saw the cold face clearly that he realized her smile earlier wasn't directed at him, but at this person.

  "Zhao Mianze, don't touch my woman."

  "Hah..." Zhao Mianze wiped the fresh blood from his lip, looking at Zhao Zun with a cold smile. "Nineteenth Uncle, why must you deceive yourself? You know who she is in your heart. She's your niece-in-law, and we've been engaged for many years. She's my woman, forever and always."

  Listening to his furious roar, Zhao Zhu glanced at him and frowned towards Xia Chuqi.

  "Are you okay?"

  "It's nothing." Xia Chuqi smoothed out her clothes, "The one with a problem is him."

  Zhao Zun nodded, looking at Zhao Mianze's indignant face with no expression. "Mianze, His Majesty has been worried sick about you. Before making any decisions, you should think carefully. Don't let His Majesty worry about you again, and don't let his efforts for you go to waste."

  Zhao Mianze's face turned red, but he still sneered coldly, "Nineteenth Uncle, you really are a great emperor uncle of mine. You secretly stole my woman and even dared to bring her into the palace openly, threatening me?"

  His black boots, embroidered with brocade at the bottom, took another step forward. Zhao Zun's posture was straight and his expression was calm, but every word he spoke carried a heavy weight. "What is gained must be lost. Fish and bear paws can never be had at the same time. Mian Ze, have you thought it through?"

  Zhao Mianze naturally knew what he meant.

  The country and women, he can only choose one...

  A grudge was born in his heart, he turned around and looked at Xia Chuqi.

  She was still like before, smiling and looking at him. Her eyes didn't dodge or evade, she just leaned against Zhao Zhu's side in front of her legitimate husband, without any shame.

  With a cold smile, Zhao Mianze slowly stood up and looked at Zhao Zun. "Nineteenth Uncle dared to bring someone into the palace, you must have been prepared early on? I've always admired Nineteenth Uncle as a great hero, but I didn't expect that you would be so sentimental and short-sighted. Everyone thought you were plotting for power, but it turns out you're actually plotting for love."

  He paused for a moment, looking at Xia Chuyi with a gaze full of resentment and grievance.

  "One day, Nineteenth Uncle, you will regret this. She's just a woman, not worth it."

  With a flick of his sleeve, he finished speaking and stormed off, his straight back disappearing into the thin mist rising in the spring courtyard, yet sorrowful as if it were the end of a story.

  In the small garden, early spring was cold and clear, two people were silent for a long time.

  It wasn't until Zhao Mianze's figure disappeared from view that Xia Chuyi smiled slightly.

  "Didn't you say someone would send me back to the mansion? Why have you come again?"

  Zhao Zun let out a sigh, and hugged her into his arms. He held her tightly, his arm stiffening slightly. She thought he must have been worried after seeing the previous scene? But he didn't say anything, just holding her tightly, so she also remained silent.

  The green leaves on the branches outside the pavilion are gently swaying in the breeze, and the tree trunks wrapped with years of rings are entwined with the leaves, making a rustling sound, as if silently counting the synchronized heartbeat of the two people.

  "If Grandfather hadn't come, would you have run away with someone?"

  As soon as he spoke, Xia Chuyi raised her head and glanced at him with a smile, pursing her lips in amusement.

  "It's highly likely that he really likes me, isn't it? Nineteenth Master, now that you're under so much pressure, have you developed any sense of crisis yet? Are you still daring to be arrogant in front of me? If you continue to be like this, I won't want you anymore and will run off with a wild man, which would kill you."

  Zhao's eyebrows rose slightly as he pinched her nose tip with his fingers.

  "You little scamp, how dare you say such things right in front of me? Are you trying to rebel against me?"

  "If you treat me well, I won't rebel. If you don't treat me well, I'll eventually rebel anyway." Xia Chuyi smiled, but her eyes had softened into a pool of spring water.

  "It seems that I really need to keep an eye on you." Zhao Zun said in a low voice, his tone was very relaxed, but his deep and unfathomable eyes kept sizing her up.

  "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Xia Chuqi rubbed her face in confusion.

  Hesitating, he asked, "Where did he touch you?"

  Xia Chuqi was taken aback for a moment before bursting out laughing with a "pfft".

  "Are you jealous? Why does your tone sound a bit sour?"

  Zhao Zhu slowly glanced at her, refusing to answer, looking very pretentious.

  "Hey, I'm saying, if it really happened, what would you do?" Xia Chuiqi asked, her curved eyes sparkling with a hint of subtle charm, her two pink lips half-closed and half-open, each word lightly escaping, as if she was enticing someone to pick the delicate flower petals.

  "Huh? Naughty girl is teasing grandpa?" Zhao Zun lowered his head, his eyes fell into her eyes, and after entwining in the air for a few rounds, he finally tightly covered her lips and kissed her densely.

  Boom boom boom...

  The heart is beating wildly.

  I'm out of breath!

  The rhythm is off!

  His head was too high, her feet had to be lifted high by him, her head was also held high, her chin was pinched by him, a section of slender white neck curve was extremely soft and beautiful. And her heart was numb, tingling, soft, but she stared at him with big eyes, not blinking, watching him kiss her, watching every small expression change on his face, also watching him immerse in this kiss.

  "Not ashamed, still looking?"

  His thumb stroked her chin, his gaze lingering on the lips he had kissed.

  That place was tender and beautiful, as if there were shallow ripples floating on the water.

  "Who made you look so good?" She curved her lips, where did she learn to be shameless? Not only that, but also "heh heh" laughed a little, and with one hand around his neck, she jumped up, her two legs split open like a monkey, wrapping around his waist. Her body slightly arched, feeling the changes in his body, a bit smug.

  "Grandpa, who's being more shameless? It's not raining, why are you holding an umbrella?"

  "Stop messing around!" Zhao Zhuo lowered his head and pecked her lips, inhaling and exhaling, his face full of restraint. "Grandfather will come over tonight, and then I'll deal with you."

  ……

  ……

  Yunyue Pavilion is Princess Ziyue's bedroom.

  Hong Tai Emperor doted on Princess Ziyue, everyone knew that. The decoration of the Cloud and Moon Pavilion was naturally more luxurious than other princesses' bedrooms. On the seventh day of summer, she had passed by with Zhao Zun, from that small garden, her footsteps were very light, until she stepped onto the bluestone floor of the Cloud and Moon Pavilion, she began to slow down heavily.

  She hadn't seen Zhao Ziyue for a long time, the girl who had once claimed she wanted to "marry her". She had been spoiled, willful, cried, laughed, and made trouble, leaving a deep and colorful mark on her life. But now she could only lie quietly on that exquisite bed specially made by her father, surrounded by layers of pink gauze, silently waiting for an outcome, never to laugh again, or cry, or make trouble, or be spoiled, or willful.

  Was it really her carelessness that led to today's situation?

  Summer begins on the seventh day of the first month.

  But she really hopes that she can wake up.

  "Has the princess been well these past few days?"

  Zhao Zun was the elder brother, but he strictly adhered to etiquette and did not approach Zhao Ziyue's bed. Instead, he stood three feet away from the bed with his hands behind his back, looking at Gu Huai, a Taichang Hospital official who had been specially sent by Emperor Hongtai to take care of Zhao Ziyue, kneeling on the ground.

  "Reporting to Your Highness, I am incompetent. Princess Zhiyue's body is getting weaker and weaker. Although we have tried our best to feed her through the throat, she cannot swallow and eats very little. If she does not wake up again, it will be difficult to save her life."

  After hearing his hesitant and worried voice, Xia Chuyi turned around, seriously noticing the young doctor with clear articulation. He was slender and handsome, kneeling there properly, wearing a Taichang official uniform, motionless, like a silhouette, contrasting with the bright color of the carpet.

  At such a young age, you were sent to serve the princess, I suppose you must have some skills?

  Fellow traveler, on the seventh day of summer, couldn't help but take a few more glances.

  Zhao Zun's face slightly darkened, "You can go down now..."

  Gu looked dazed for a moment, and responded with a low "yes". However, as he tried to get up, his legs felt weak, or perhaps it was something else, and he stumbled again, falling to his knees. The layer of sweat on his forehead grew thicker.

  "Your Highness, I, your humble subject, have one more thing..."

  His hesitant look made Zhao You furrow his brow.

  "Say."

  "Your Highness..." Gu Huai seemed to find it difficult to speak, looking around at the people nearby, "This matter is not trivial, I wish to report it to Your Highness alone."

  Zhao Zun glanced at him deeply and waved his hand.

  "Get down, all of you."

  The people serving in Zhao Ziyue's bedroom responded and quickly retreated, leaving only the three of them. Gu Huai looked at Xia Chuyi, still somewhat hesitant. Until Zhao Zun glanced at him impatiently, he knelt down on the ground, speaking anxiously.

  "Your Highness, these past two days, I, your humble servant, have been taking the pulse of the princess and discovered a strange phenomenon. The princess's pulse is like... it seems to be..."

  "Speak!"

  Zhao Zun's voice became even colder.

  Gu Hua's shoulders shook slightly, and finally a few words burst out from between his teeth.

  "Your humble servant thinks... it is a joyful pulse."

  Earlier, seeing him hesitant to speak, Xia Chuqi was a little afraid of hearing this result.

  Now, she clearly heard it, and her ears still hummed slightly. Exchanging a glance with Zhao Zun, she finally sat down on the edge of Zhao Ziyue's bed, slowly reaching out to feel her pulse, closing her eyes.

  When she took her pulse, the room was very quiet.

  In the quiet waiting, Zhao Zun's face was gloomy, while Gu Hui's face was full of panic.

  At first, Zhao Ziyue and Er Gui had a relationship in the Jin Wang Fu, although there were rumors going around, but the rumors were just rumors, like him, a conservative person, always just treated it as a joke to listen to, now he actually found out about the pregnancy, which scared him so much that he felt one foot had already stepped into the Ghost Gate.

  Before long, Xia Qiuzi opened her eyes.

  "Grandpa..."

  Looking at her eyes, there was no need to say more, Zhao Zun already understood.

  His eyebrows were tightly furrowed as he looked at Gu Hui and raised his hand slightly.

  "Drop it! This matter is not to be mentioned to anyone."

  "Yes, your humble servant dares not."

  Gu Huaizi quickly retreated, Xia Chuyi spat out a mouthful of stagnant air that had been held back for a long time, looked at the silent Zhao Zun, and then looked at Zhao Ziyue lying on the couch, thinking of the small life growing in her belly, couldn't help but think of Er Gui who had already died on the battlefield of Mo Bei.

  Suddenly, she felt it was all absurd.

  She had thought that when Zhao Ziyue woke up, Er Gui would also return triumphantly. The old emperor's love for his daughter was deep, and he certainly wouldn't let Zhao Ziyue suffer any grievances. Who knows, maybe this "mistaken identity" would really become a marriage, and have his little princess wear the big red wedding dress, beautifully marrying Er Gui.

  But now it's still fate playing tricks on people.

  One dead, one injured, heaven and man are separated.

  "Grandpa, the child can't stay."

  It's really sad to say this, but as a doctor, she still has to say it.

  Firstly, Zhao Ziyue is only fourteen years old and is not suitable for childbirth at all. Secondly, she has been unconscious for a long time, and her body's energy intake is already a problem for her own survival, let alone supporting another life. Thirdly, as an unmarried princess, how can she be pregnant out of wedlock? Such a scandal would be unbearable for the common people and even more so for the royal family. Fourthly, both ghosts are gone, and for her future happiness, the child cannot be kept either.

  "Hmm." Zhao You replied calmly, and then asked, "Is there any danger?"

  Xia Chui Qi fell silent for a moment before turning her head, her gaze falling on an incense burner with twisted branches on the case. She didn't dare to look at Zhao Ziyue's pale face lying quietly on the bed, which had become gaunt beyond recognition.

  "She's too weak, the medicine for abortion is potent, if she takes it like this, I'm afraid she won't be able to withstand it. In these days, I need to think of a way, first nourish her body, before daring to abort."

  Zhao Zun looked at Zhao Ziyue on the bed and walked over, placing his hand on her shoulder.

  He let out a low sigh as he pinched his fingers together tightly.

  "Ah Qi, save Rouyue's life."

  On the seventh day of summer, she raised her head and met his gaze, her heart suddenly sinking. She knew that this sentence carried a heavy weight. This was Zhao Zun's only younger sister, a sister who would sacrifice her own lifelong happiness for her brother.

  As they walked out of the Cloud and Moon Pavilion, a sedan chair stopped outside. The leading eunuch was none other than Cui Yingda, the great eunuch by Emperor Hongtai's side. He slightly bowed his body, saw Zhao Zun and Xia Chuyi come out, with an unchanging smile on his face, walked closer and paid his respects.

  "Your Excellency, the Emperor has summoned you."

  On the seventh day of summer, Xia's heart skipped a beat - could it be that Zhao Mianze had gone to inform on him?

  She looked at Zhao Zhu with trepidation.

  But on the surface, he was as calm and composed as ever, standing tall with a noble and cold demeanor. The dragon pattern on his royal robe seemed to come alive in the spring sunlight, exuding an inexplicable charm that calmed her nerves. With just one glance at him, her heart finally settled down.

  "You go back home first."

  Zhao Zun glanced at her and turned his head, expressionlessly sweeping towards Cui Yingda.

  "Let's go."

  At the beginning of summer, she pulled his arm down and didn't say much either.

  "Be careful, Dad."

  Zhao Yu lowered his head and took a closer look at her eyebrows and eyes, then patted her hand.

  "I originally had something to ask Your Majesty, and it just so happens that I followed Lord Cui here."

  ……

  ……

  That day, Zhao Zun and Hong Tai Di said something, Xia Chu Qi didn't know. Originally, the person who was supposed to come and pick her up that night also did not arrive at Cheng Guo Gong Fu. In order to gather information, early the next morning, she released a small horse and sent a letter with it.

  "One moon in the sky, two lamps among men."

  The little horse flew back in no time, and on the letter tube with a hint of ink fragrance, there were four words written in his own handwriting: "Nothing, rest assured."

  It's strange if you can be at ease.

  Zhaoming Ze already knew her identity, but would he say anything to Hong Tai Di? She had no idea what was going on in his mind and couldn't calm down. April 7th was their big wedding day, but she felt like she and Zhao Zun were walking in the dark, rushing forward on a single path, holding hands but not knowing what obstacles lay ahead.

  It started raining again when I went to the palace.

  Maybe it's because of her mood, but she felt that even the weather had entered a state where everything became slightly subtle.

  On the second day, when she went to Kun Ning Palace, she examined Zhang Huang as usual and also heard that Zhang Huang had indeed selected a few excellent women and sent them to the East Palace, giving them to Zhao Mianze as concubines. Thinking of Xia Wenqiu's face, she found a comforting point.

  On the third day, when she went to Kun Ning Palace, she saw Empress Zhang's smile amidst her illness. It was said that Zhao Mianze, who didn't touch any woman except Xia Wenqiu, stayed in the arranged servant girl's courtyard on the first night. Xia Wenqiu was heartbroken but didn't dare cry out loud. Empress Zhang heard this and felt relieved, and Xia Chuyi also had a great mood that day.

  Summer asks autumn, this time you'll be drowned in a vinegar jar, won't you?

  But then again, who can keep this man?

  Zhao Mianze likes Xia Wenqiu so much, doesn't he sleep with other women anymore?

  Virtue!

  To facilitate her entry into the palace to diagnose and treat Zhang Huanghou and Zhao Ziyue, Kun Ning Palace specially prepared a sedan chair for her. Of course, outsiders all thought she was very compatible with Zhang Huanghou's temperament, so Zhang Huanghou often summoned her to enter the palace to accompany her. As for the specific details, others naturally didn't understand the inside story.

  At the beginning of summer, she was busy taking care of Zhang Huang's illness on one hand and Zhao Ziyue's recuperation on the other. She felt that her life had become much richer. After gaining Zhang Huang's support, she discovered a principle: men govern the world, women govern men. Emperor Hong Tai cherished Zhang Huang, and Zhang Huang relied on her to survive, which was her greatest resource.

  Three days later, Xia Chuyi received a message.

  This news also caused the entire capital city to be abuzz with discussion.

  In the Temple of Heaven, Emperor Hongtai issued an edict, pardoning the soldiers involved in the military coup.

  The war in the north is still ongoing, and a general amnesty at this time would be beneficial for stabilizing the military's morale. The ruler will be pleased, and the ministers will also submit.

  Then came one imperial decree after another.

  Chen Dainiu, who was imprisoned due to the mutiny, not only had his crimes pardoned by the old emperor, but also received a promotion in rank, being appointed as a first-class military officer of the right pillar country, and granted the title of Dragon Tiger General, taking charge of the Golden Guard's affairs. At the same time, Emperor Hongtai thought that Chen Dainiu's original name was not elegant, so he specially bestowed upon him the name "Xiang".

  The emperor personally gave the name, which is already a great honor.

  "Chen Xiang" this name, even more astonishing.

  Everyone knows that the Grand Dawn Dynasty abolished the Secretariat and did not set up a Chancellor, but Emperor Hong Tai gave Chen Da Niu the name "Chen Xiang", which is a homophonic name. Not only is it a great honor, but also the meaning behind it is worth pondering.

  Hong Taiji is going to be heavily promoted!

  It is said that "disaster does not come alone, and good fortune does not arrive in pairs". But the good things for the Ding An Hou Fu came one after another. Emperor Hong Tai not only promoted Chen Da Niu's position, giving him actual command of troops, but also conferred upon his mother the title of First Rank Lady of Virtue. Additionally, he posthumously conferred upon his daughter-in-law, Liang Shi, who had not yet entered the household, the title of Main Wife of the Hou Fu, First Rank Lady of Virtue, and bestowed upon her funeral objects in abundance.

  At the same time, an imperial edict also flew towards the East Palace.

  "By the Mandate of Heaven, I hereby decree: My imperial granddaughter, Princess Zhao Ruhua of Jinghua County, is sixteen years old, with a gentle and elegant disposition, extremely good temperament, knowledgeable in literature and reason from an early age, virtuous, intelligent and wise. She is specially bestowed upon Duke Chen Xiang as his secondary wife. The Imperial Observatory has chosen an auspicious day, on the eighth day of the third month, the summer solstice, she will enter the residence of Duke Chen..."

  A wife is taken in marriage; a concubine is taken in by purchase.

  Chen Daniu's prestige was at its peak, and for a time no one could surpass him.

  The entire capital is abuzz with excitement over the news of Yi De's eldest daughter becoming a concubine in Ding An Fu. It seems that General Chen has been incredibly fortunate, one good thing after another, and this prosperous era is flourishing to its fullest extent. However, no one knows that Zhao Ru Na, who received the imperial edict, knelt in the grand hall of the Eastern Palace, her head bowed to the ground, remaining motionless for a long time.

  "Thanks to your great kindness, may our emperor live forever and ever!"

  After a long time, I finally heard her sobbing voice.

  Choe Yeong-deok, who had come to deliver the imperial edict himself, handed it over to Jo Yoon-ah and let out a sigh. He glanced at the people around him before speaking in a low voice, "Young Lady, His Majesty has another decree."

  Zhao Runa's face was pale, her lips pursed tightly shut, and she didn't say a word.

  Chui Yingda's old face sank, probably also feeling a bit cruel, the wrinkles between his eyebrows deepened, and he flicked his sleeve to transmit the imperial edict: "By the Emperor's decree: Since the Ding'an Marquis' estate has just held a funeral, Princess Jinghua is not allowed to wear red or hang festive decorations when entering the gate. The princess must wear mourning attire and... cough! Kneel three times and knock her head nine times in front of the memorial tablet of the Marchioness."

  Mourning attire for marriage!

  Three kneels and nine knocks!

  Even the lowest concubine in the world doesn't have to be treated like this.

  Zhao Runa's face was pale and she knelt there silently for a long time.

  "Princess." Cui Yingda also felt a bit reluctant, "Your Majesty has another word, let the old slave convey it to the princess. Your Majesty said that you are his most beloved granddaughter, and Ding An Hou is his trusted general. He will be at ease if he marries you off to him. Your Majesty also said that his granddaughter, even as a concubine, can certainly capture a man's heart. He expects that one day, Ding An Hou will personally request an imperial decree to promote your status to wife."

  Silently, Zhao Runa's lips trembled and she kowtowed again.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty."

  After finishing speaking, she slowly got up and took the yellow imperial edict that was dazzling to the eyes. She walked out of the East Palace Hall and headed towards the backyard. It was raining, and the bluestone path paved with flagstones looked even darker. She didn't let the palace maids and servant girls follow her, but instead walked alone into the garden, letting tears flow freely, mixing with the rainwater falling down. Her face was covered in water stains, yet she didn't make a single sound of crying.

  "Sister, sister..."

  Behind a big snow pine in the garden, a silly head pops out.

  He smiled with his mouth open, holding a black cat in his arms. The cat was one that Zhao Runa normally kept as a pet, and when it saw her, the black cat let out a "meow" and tried to pounce out, but the fool tapped its head, and it retreated back into its shell, staring with its round eyes, making a "huffing" sound in its mouth.

  Zhao Runa lifted her sleeve and wiped her face, forcing a smile.

  "Big brother, what brings you here?"

  The fool walked over with the cat in his arms, tilting his head to look at her, "I'm playing with Little Black and I heard them say, 'Sister, you're getting married, marrying some monkey as a daughter-in-law.' Sister, aren't you unhappy?"

  Zhao Runa sniffled, gazed up at the rainy sky, and then looked back at the fool with a smile.

  "Delighted! How could I not be delighted?"

  "If you're happy, why is your sister still crying?"

  "I'm so happy that I cried."

  "Oh, I see. I only think of laughing when I'm happy, and I laugh very loudly." The silly fool stared at her with a silly grin, saying "Sister is getting married, the bride is happy, I've seen people marrying their daughter-in-law before, the new daughter-in-law wears big red flowers, covers her head with a red veil, sits in a sedan chair, and blows and beats all the way to the groom's house, it's very lively..."

  Wearing a red veil, sitting in a wedding sedan chair, blowing and beating...

  Zhao Runa could no longer bear it, squatting down and burying her head in her knees as she sobbed.

  The fool bent down and hugged the cat, looking at her in confusion.

  "Sister... why are you crying again? Is getting married really that wonderful?"

  Her shoulders kept shaking, Zhao Runa said in a low voice, "Big brother, your sister... has to wear a white dress, tied with hemp rope..."

  He let out a soft "huh" and said, "Isn't that what dead people wear?"

  Even an idiot knows that's what dead people wear?

  Zhao Runa looked at him, looking at the simple and almost silly worry on his face, her nose sour, suddenly raised her tearful eyes and bit her lower lip, saying, "Big brother, can you help me with something?"

  Digression

  I'm here.

  Girls know, I don't like writing supporting roles. So, what's usually written is necessary and will have an impact on the story later.

  Everyone must have guessed it, Da Niu Ge and Xing Hua Jun Zhu will be the first pair of supporting actor couples to appear in Medical Consort. I really like their story. One is knowledgeable and reasonable, one doesn't recognize a single character; one is meticulous, one is rough; one has past feelings, one has past events. I love such contradictions and collisions. If nothing unexpected happens, tomorrow I can write about their wedding night! Haha! This is a story of marrying first then falling in love.

  Well, to sum it up, I want to write a story that leaves a lasting impression, with bitterness, sweetness, laughter, and tears. Whether you like it or not, I'm here... Mwah! However, Er Jin herself can't stand the tragic ending of being unable to be together, can't bear that kind of abuse. So, by the end of the story, everything is always beautiful, leaving no regrets. Although I know, in fact, only regret can make people unforgettable.