After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

In the early morning, sunlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating the magnificent Imperial Palace. During the morning court session, the Golden Throne Hall was splendid, solemn, and filled with a solemn atmosphere. Two rows of ministers stood in neat rows, their heads bowed. They were dressed in ornate official uniforms, their expressions respectful yet tense, as they quietly awaited the Emperor's words.

Atop the lofty dragon throne sat the current emperor—Zhao Rui. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe, its sleeves fluttering gently in the breeze. Embroidered with exquisite golden dragons, they looked lifelike, as if ready to soar into the air at any moment. Zhao Rui, handsome with sharp brows and sparkling eyes, sat majestically, his presence unmistakable, emanating the awe-inspiring aura of a king.

"I have a great announcement to make today," Zhao Rui said slowly. His voice was deep and powerful, resounding throughout the court like a bell. Every word was clearly heard by everyone present, and it shocked everyone.

When the words "I have decided to disband the harem" were heard, the court, once so quiet you could hear a pin drop, suddenly erupted in clamor. The ministers all looked up, faces filled with astonishment, whispering and discussing the matter. This news was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, stirring up ripples and shocking everyone.

Zhao Rui raised his hand slightly, signaling for everyone to quiet down. After the court returned to its peaceful state, he continued, "Since I ascended the throne, I have never set foot in the harem. Although all those concubines are as beautiful as fairies, to me, they are nothing but passing clouds. For the rest of my life, I only want to spend my life with the Empress hand in hand." He then cast a loving glance at the Empress standing beside him.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, secretly speculating on the deeper meaning behind the Emperor's actions. Some ministers believed that the Emperor's devotion to the Empress was a true legend; others worried that this move would cause unrest within the court and the harem. Some even began to contemplate how to appease the Emperor and preserve their positions and wealth. For a moment, a chorus of thoughts swirled within the court, a turbulent undercurrent.

The court was now almost entirely under Zhao Rui's control. Duke Tang immediately seconded the motion, expressing support for the Emperor's decision. The Empress Dowager's faction, however, had long since weakened, unable to stir up any disturbance. Strangely, General Zhao, known for his command of numerous troops and high position of authority, remained completely silent, not uttering a single word. This led one to wonder if he was secretly plotting some vast conspiracy.

Following the decree, the imperial concubines were expelled one after another. The Imperial Household Department even prepared generous dowries for each concubine, allowing them to find suitable husbands. Most of the concubines were pleased with the arrangement and happily left the palace to begin their new lives. However, only the Imperial Noble Consort refused to leave, declaring that she wanted to remain in the palace to serve the Empress Dowager.

The relationship between the Empress Dowager and Zhao Hong was, in fact, just a guess by Zhao Rui and Tang Wenshu. But after this incident, it seemed certain that there might indeed be some hidden secret. Zhao Rui decided to get to the bottom of this matter. So, he decided to go talk to the Empress Dowager.

The atmosphere in the solemn and dignified Ci'an Hall was particularly heavy. Zhao Rui waved his hand solemnly, signaling everyone to leave the hall. Suddenly, only the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Noble Consort were left in the vast palace.

Zhao Rui stared at the Imperial Noble Consort in front of him with sharp eyes, and asked directly without any concealment: "Cousin, you are really the Queen Mother's biological son!" As soon as these words came out, it was like a thunderclap exploding in the Queen Mother's ears. She trembled all over, looked at Zhao Hong in astonishment, and her heart was filled with turbulent waves.

Yes, the Empress Dowager suddenly realized that this Imperial Noble Consort was much taller than the average woman, and her physique was also more robust and sturdy. She always seemed a bit out of place when she was with the other concubines. However, her father had clearly told her that the child had died...

"I have already sent people to Cheng Enbo to verify it carefully. The child was actually taken away secretly by General Zhao. And not long after, news came out that General Zhao's family had a newborn daughter." Zhao Rui told the truth of the matter in a calm tone.

Hearing this, the Queen Mother's lips trembled slightly, and she murmured softly, "Jun Ting didn't betray me..." As she spoke, the Queen Mother slowly turned her head, opened her arms and hugged Zhao Hong tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Hong'er, I've made you live in disguise all these years, and it's really hard on you. But don't be afraid, His Majesty is kind-hearted. As long as we don't harbor any rebellious thoughts, His Majesty will certainly not make things difficult for us mother and son."

Although the relationship between the Queen Mother and His Majesty cannot be said to be particularly close, she has, after all, painstakingly raised His Majesty for many years. Therefore, the Queen Mother knows His Majesty's character and way of dealing with people inside and out.

The Queen Mother slowly turned, her gaze gentle yet resolute, and softly said, "Rui'er, rest assured! I will now take them, father and son, and swiftly depart the capital. From now on, I will never set foot on this land again." With these words, the Queen Mother moved to her dressing table, gently opened the drawer with her delicate hands, and carefully removed half of the tiger talisman. Surprisingly, General Zhao had secretly given the Queen Mother the other half long ago. Thus, the complete tiger talisman was finally reunited, signifying that the once-mighty Northwest Army was now completely under the control of Your Majesty.

Time flies. Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, another joyous event unfolds within the imperial palace: Empress Tang Wenshu gives birth once again, this time to a pair of adorable twins, a boy and a girl. The entire court is filled with joy and jubilation. However, at this moment, His Majesty Zhao Rui makes a surprising decision: he will pass the throne to his eldest son. Meanwhile, Empress Dowager Tang Wenshu begins to rule the country from behind the scenes, assisting the new emperor in handling important matters. Furthermore, to ensure stability, His Majesty appoints Tang Qi as Regent, to assist the young new emperor in governing the country.

Inside the Yangxin Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated Tang Wenshu's tear-stained face. She stared intently at Zhao Rui, tears streaming down her face like pearls from a broken string. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Sister Rui, are you really going to leave?"

Zhao Rui sighed softly, her gaze resting gently yet firmly on Tang Wenshu. She slowly spoke, "Shushu, the imperial physician once declared I wouldn't live past thirty, and now, my time is almost up. All these years, I've been confined to the palace, never truly experiencing the outside world. So, I want to go out and see the magnificent landscapes of our Zhao State." A hint of yearning crossed Zhao Rui's eyes as she spoke.

Then, Zhao Rui patted Tang Wenshu's hand gently and comforted her, "Shushu, don't be too sad. With you and Brother Qi in the court, you are both smart and capable people. You will definitely be able to govern the country in an orderly manner. I am very relieved. Moreover, I am leaving this time, hoping to find the meaning of my life. Perhaps in these last moments, I can still gain some insights and make my life worthwhile." After speaking, Zhao Rui raised his head slightly and looked into the distance, as if he had already seen the vast world waiting for her to explore.