Wow, this rough-around-the-edges pregnant wife is something else, she's incredibly ruthless!

A piercing sound came from behind her, and Xiaoya glanced at her sideways.

She is indeed beautiful and charming, but her vicious face is truly disgusting.

To be honest, Xiaoya is indeed getting on in years, but she's by no means a "yellow-faced woman."

Moreover, she had never been married; her face was only tanned from working before, unlike those rich young ladies.

Her features are actually quite delicate, and she has a kind of heroic spirit and stubbornness. Her eyes have a penetrating power when she looks at people.

Feeling uneasy under Xiaoya's cold gaze, Liu Jiao, the youngest daughter of the Minister's family, was at a loss for words.

She glared at Xiaoya and said, "What, did I hit a nerve?"

"A woman like you shouldn't even be here. I should take a good look at myself..."

"Clap clap clap."

Three hard slaps landed directly on Liu Jiao's face, causing her originally fair face to swell up.

Xiaoya waved her hand dismissively and said coldly, "Do you need to lecture me about who I am?"

"Even if I did give birth to these children, so what? Aren't they citizens of the Great Zhou?"

"As the emperor, I would like to ask who is not supported by him?"

"What, you've gotten so used to free food that you think you're entitled to it? Someone like you wants to enter the palace? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

"I'll do my job for every penny I'm paid for, what's wrong with that?"

Having struggled at the bottom for so long, Xiaoya wasn't afraid at all.

Her sharp eyes swept around, and no one dared to say a word.

After all, what she said was correct.

The good life they have now is because Zhou Yan bought it from Wuyou Valley with money.

Zhou Yan bought all the fresh fruit and grain seeds.

Are we forgetting our roots now that we've eaten too much?

It's both laughable and shameful.

The woman's words successfully silenced everyone, a scene that Zhou Fu witnessed.

The woman's body was small and delicate, but when faced with a threat, her bright eyes inexplicably shone.

Zhou Fu's first thought was that His Majesty would like it.

……

Xiaoya became a talented woman in a daze, looking at the silk and satin in front of her.

She was just trying her luck; she didn't really want to be the emperor's woman.

"Waaaaah, sister, I don't want to leave you."

"Waaaah, I knew I shouldn't have let your sister go."

Watching the palace maids apply makeup and dress the woman, the children finally realized that their older sister was leaving.

What kind of place is the palace? Will they ever meet again?

Will my sister be bullied?

Countless thoughts swirled in their minds, and the children were filled with regret.

"Don't cry. From now on, your sister will give you her monthly allowance. Remember to keep the duck eggs safe. If you want meat buns, go to Old Li's shop on the street. Remember to buy some warm clothes for winter."

"I don't have much money right now, so I'm sorry to trouble you to stay in this dilapidated temple for the time being. But soon, I will buy you a courtyard."

"Sister, waaaaah."

As the woman recounted her story word by word, the maid standing to the side couldn't help but shed tears.

She seemed to be doing it all just to make a living.

A pink sedan chair was quietly carried into the palace, and twenty-three-year-old Xiaoya thus became one of Zhou Yan's concubines.

She did indeed have her monthly allowance sent out of the palace by palace servants, just as she said.

But in the empty courtyard, a hint of sadness appeared in the woman's originally bright eyes.

……

After the talent show ended, Zhou Yan's harem consisted of about a hundred people, mostly children from ordinary families.

Some came for the money, while others were wealthy women forced in by officials.

In short, the once quiet harem has become lively.

After nearly three months of hard work, Zhou Yan finally finished the plan for the northern border that Meng Tong had sent him.

The man sat at the table, drinking tea, his tired eyes closed.

"His Majesty."

"What is it?" Zhou Yan opened his eyes and glanced at the eunuch in front of him, his eyes immediately filled with annoyance.

"As I have said, I know what I'm doing when it comes to matters in the harem."

"Your Majesty, I understand your thoughts, but you are already over thirty and have no children. I am also worried about you!"

"What are you worried about? Are you worried they'll plot to seize power?"

Zhou Yan spoke coldly, revealing that he had long harbored designs on certain individuals from the previous dynasty.

However, the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty is unstable, so he cannot touch these people.

Wait a little longer. Once the matter in the North is over, he will settle accounts one by one.

He exuded a chilling aura, and the eunuch trembled with fear at his words.

He was busy kneeling on the ground begging for mercy, saying, "Your Majesty, spare my life! This servant had no such intention."

"get out."

This was the scene that Zhou Fu saw when he entered. He glanced at Zhou Yan before kicking the eunuch.

The eunuch left the palace, deeply grateful.

The tense atmosphere quickly dissipated as they sat opposite Zhou Yan.

Looking at the man's tired face, Zhou Fu felt both heartache and worry.

More than three months have passed since the imperial concubine selection, and His Majesty has not once set foot in the inner palace.

This can't go on.

Anxiety flashed in Zhou Fu's eyes as he suddenly remembered the talented woman who had been admitted through special circumstances.

If going there can shut people up, then you might as well give it a try.

……

Enjoying the delicious food, Xiaoya's face showed a rare look of joy.

The palace maid was telling Xiaoya about the recent situation of the children outside when suddenly a sharp voice came from outside the door.

"The Emperor has arrived."

The sound of chopsticks hitting the ground followed. Xiaoya would never have imagined that the high and mighty emperor would appear in the courtyard.

Even when the person was right in front of her, the woman still looked up at that tall figure.

Zhou Fu couldn't stand it any longer and quickly reminded him, "You're not even bowing to the Emperor."

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects."

Realizing what had happened, Xiaoya quickly stood up and bowed, her lowered eyes filled with confusion.

"Get up! All of you, get out."

"Yes."

After the people inside left, Xiaoya stood frozen in place, as if she had been immobilized.

Until she heard a man's emotionless voice beside her.

"Come and sit."

"Yes."

Moving her stiff body back to her original position, Xiaoya noticed that the man was eating with his bowl and chopsticks.

His pace was neither too fast nor too slow, yet it was pleasing to the eye, leaving Xiaoya momentarily mesmerized.

"Aren't you going to eat, or are you already full?"

"No, no."

Seeing the man's natural movements, Xiaoya realized she had overreacted.

Thinking about it, I picked up the bowl on the table and started eating.

The two looked at each other in silence, with only the occasional clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

For some reason, Zhou Yan didn't find this scene distasteful.

After the meal, the servants cleared away the food, leaving only the two of them sitting in the room.

A strange atmosphere filled the air, and Xiaoya couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, would you like a massage? You seem very tired."

The woman's observational skills were astonishing, and her request eased the tension between the two of them somewhat.

Remembering Zhou Fu's words, Zhou Yan nodded.