Deep Palace Pet Peach Blossom Flawless

Emperor Shenwu had a blank expression on his face: "Of course!"

Looking at the emperor's cold and ruthless expression, Concubine Wen suddenly came to her senses. The words of her grandfather and father also surfaced in her mind. Her grandfather had said, "After entering the palace, remember to treat His Majesty as His Majesty."

My father said, "Now that you've entered the palace, you must forget your childhood. If you have children, take care of them and yourself. The emperor is ruthless, seeking only to continue the glory of Dasheng."

Concubine Wen looked sad and involuntarily took a step back. She thought, she had never been so clear-headed before. This winter was so cold, and the wind here was so cold, chilling her to the bone. Finally, she bowed and said, "I have overstepped my bounds. I will take my leave."

Emperor Shenwu turned around and left.

Caiyun helped Consort Wen to her feet. Caiyun asked worriedly, "Master, are you alright? You must take care of yourself and the dragon fetus first."

Wen Guiren gently stroked her belly: "The baby is fine."

Caiyun continued, "My lady, I believe that the most important thing in the harem is the heir. His Majesty will show more favor to those who have one. Just look at the common people. If a wife never gets pregnant, would her husband still want her? Now that you have an heir, it's the greatest blessing. As for your affection... My lady, let me be frank. Even among the common people, do you see a husband who has always been fond of someone?"

"Isn't it just a matter of time before someone new is appointed? And what about His Majesty? Look at how many people His Majesty favors. Isn't it for the sake of the heir? Is it really out of favor? Once His Majesty sees that Concubine Yi is the same as everyone else, won't he appoint someone new? My lady, you really don't have to torture yourself like this just for His Majesty's favor... I've said too much."

Noble Lady Wen looked at Caiyun and spoke to herself, "No, I just haven't understood. His Majesty favors many people, but he doesn't love them all... Noble Lady Yi is just one of his favorites. I'm waiting to see how she fares... She's not as good as me. I still have the heir."

Lan Qingwu no longer had any interest in appreciating the plum blossoms. Ruping had returned to her side, and the two of them wandered aimlessly in the plum garden. When Emperor Shenwu found her, Lan Qingwu was staring at the plum branches in a daze. Emperor Shenwu walked over and took her hand: "Your hands are so cold, aren't they?"

Lan Qingwu shook her head, "Your Majesty, I want to go back."

Emperor Shenwu nodded, embraced her and walked towards Suowu Palace.

Back at Suowu Palace, Emperor Shenwu held her in his arms for a long time until her hands regained their warmth. Lan Qingwu gently asked, "Your Majesty, if something were to happen to Noble Lady Wen, would Your Majesty blame me?"

Emperor Shenwu looked into her eyes and said, "Why would you think that? I know you wouldn't do such a thing."

Lan Qingwu asked, "Could it be that, now that something has gone wrong, he won't vent his anger on me? ...After all, it's your Majesty's child. The Queen Mother and the six palaces will also blame me, right?"

Emperor Shenwu frowned and said, "What are you afraid of? I will not allow such a thing to happen. Besides, Concubine Wen, she herself is more responsible. She does not take the royal heir seriously and is provoking others everywhere. Even if the child really has problems, I still have..."

Emperor Shenwu looked at her, lowered his head, and took her earlobe in his mouth, saying, "Ruoruo, no matter how many children I have, they are all heirs of the Dasheng Emperor. Only your child is truly Yunheng and Ruoruo's child."

Emperor Shenwu kissed her neck and then her lips, "I look forward to having a child with you... If... you can give birth to two more for me..." His voice became softer and softer, but his movements became heavier and heavier...

Emperor Shenwu rose at four o'clock in the morning and went to Qianzheng Hall. On the first day of the first lunar month, the emperor, dressed in court robes, first went to the Taimiao to pay homage to his ancestors. Then, he held a grand court meeting, where all civil and military officials paid their respects to the emperor in turn. At noon, the emperor would host a banquet for his officials in Linde Hall. The women of the court would also enter the palace early in the morning to pay their respects to the empress dowager, accompanied only by the three concubines.

After accepting the congratulations and greetings from all the officials, the emperor returned to the harem. The three concubines, along with the other concubines, the imperial concubines, and the princes and princesses, returned to pay their respects. The emperor rewarded each of them accordingly. In the afternoon, he hosted a banquet for the most important officials in the court as a token of his favor. This day was a busy and bustling one for the emperor, the six imperial harems, and all the civil and military officials.

On the second day of the first lunar month, the emperor summoned only a dozen close ministers to a tea banquet in the Qianzheng Hall. After paying their respects to the emperor, the ministers took their seats. Only important officials and close ministers were summoned on this day. Because of the New Year celebrations, the atmosphere among the emperor and his ministers was relaxed and joyful.

Cabinet Minister Wang Tianyao was still reporting to His Majesty: "Your Majesty, although we received the congratulatory messages and letters from the envoys of various countries yesterday, the Kingdom of Shayue, the leader of the Paracel Islands, has submitted a petition requesting an audience with our Great Sheng Kingdom in March..."

Prince Ding shook his head. He was the only prince present in Qianzheng Hall today. He stood up and saluted, saying, "Old Master, let's not talk about state affairs today. It's a rare day of relaxation. I'm looking forward to drinking a few more cups of tea from Your Majesty!"

As soon as Prince Ding opened his mouth, the money below came back and Wei Yanting started laughing.

Emperor Shenwu pointed at him and said, "You haven't drunk enough of the wine and tea I have here. Come, bring Prince Ding a few more pots."

Prince Ding bowed and thanked him: "I have been waiting for your Majesty to speak."

The Master also said to Lord Wang, "Come, today we will drink tea, recite poems and write couplets, and not talk about anything else."

Several civil officials gathered around the emperor, appreciating his poems and writing lyrics. Prince Ding, however, looked at Qian Hui and said, "General Qian, there's something wrong with you. Are you worried?"

Qian Hui whispered, "Your Majesty, when His Majesty selected four concubines for you, the princess didn't argue with you? How did you cope?"

Prince Ding stroked his chin and looked at him: "Deal with it? My princess has always been weak. Although I have received the reward from His Majesty, I have handed the four beauties over to your care to avoid any trouble. Your princess will then secretly wipe away her tears. That's it."

Qian Hui twitched his lips and said, "How can you know that I'm crying secretly?"

Prince Ding looked at him and said, "What? Did His Majesty reward those two of yours and cause trouble? That's not right. Madam Qian has always been virtuous and capable. How can she not handle the affairs of three or four concubines?"

Qian Hui hesitated, not knowing what to say.

Prince Ding's face grew solemn as he looked at Qian Hui. "Unless this man's heart leans towards a concubine, it's difficult to discipline the wife of the principal wife. General Qian, I rarely admire women, but Madam Qian is one of them. She has been with you since your humble beginnings, never leaving you. She has endured all hardships and even borne you two sons and a daughter. You, the general, are now on a meteoric rise, but these days of peace and prosperity will only last a few days. Even if a concubine pleases me, she still has to take care of the family."

Qian Hui frowned: "Why would I favor the concubine? It's just..." It's just that the concubine was really weak, and he couldn't help but say a few words. He recently felt that the lady was distant and distant towards him, which made him very uncomfortable and unaccustomed.

Prince Ding patted him on the shoulder and said, "That's good. You must know the importance of things. His Majesty will use you at any time. You must take care of your own backyard and avoid any fire."

Qian Hui nodded. "Of course. Madam has always been my good wife." He picked up the teacup and said, "Your Highness, I offer you a toast!"