Mi Mansion.

Because of Zhang Jianyue's matter, things are in complete chaos.

Mi Fen was so angry that she slapped him several times and demanded a divorce.

Mi Xiuyan also condemned him for being inhuman.

Zhang Jianyue knelt down and begged, clinging to Mi Fen's leg and refusing to let go, saying that he would definitely pass the imperial examination.

Even if you don't believe I can become the top martial arts scholar, it's still better for me to pass the imperial examination and come back as a Jinshi than for you to divorce me and end up with nothing.

You've already divorced; who will want you after you leave this world?

I only beg you, give me a chance. I was just momentarily blinded by greed.

Zhang Jianyue's tearful pleas softened Mi Fen's heart once again.

Mi Xiuyan, standing to the side, exclaimed that this was a terrible mistake.

"If you don't become the top martial arts scholar, then agree to divorce me."

Knowing full well that it was impossible for her to become the top scholar, Zhang Jianyue still readily agreed.

That night.

The moon rises above the willow branches.

Empress Rouci leaned against the window, gazing at the bright moon, counting on her fingers absentmindedly:

"Time is running out, let's get started."

"yes."

A muffled response came from the darkness.

Chengqian Palace.

Even in her sleep, Empress Ru did not forget to protect her abdomen with her hands.

However, she slept very restlessly tonight.

I just felt stuffy and uncomfortable.

Upon waking, she wanted to call her maid to pour her a glass of water.

But the water cup that was being held inside the tent was actually being held by a man's hand!

"ah--"

Empress Ru was startled and jumped back, lifting the curtain abruptly.

They saw a masked man dressed in black.

He was holding a gleaming knife in his hand.

The maid Rong Ting by the bedside had already fainted, and it was unknown whether she was still breathing.

"Help! Someone, save me!"

Empress Ru cried out in surprise and quickly grabbed the sword that she always kept by her pillow.

He pulled out the dagger and aimed it at the masked man.

The masked man seemed surprised that the Empress would retaliate and took a step back.

Empress Ru got out of bed and took the opportunity to run towards the door.

They were pulled back by the masked man.

After exchanging a few blows, Empress Ru finally collapsed to the ground due to exhaustion.

She watched as the masked man was about to stab her in the abdomen.

Empress Ru felt despair.

The next moment, the door was kicked open.

The person who arrived was none other than Feng Qianzhong.

She was accompanied by several guards, swords drawn, when she witnessed this scene.

The masked man was startled and fled through the window.

The guards hurriedly gave chase.

Feng Qianzhong quickly helped Consort Ru up: "Sister, how are you?"

"Thanks."

Empress Ru did not know what to say.

He pushed her aside and went to check on Rong Ting's injuries.

After confirming that she had simply fainted, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Thinking back to the harsh words she had said to Feng Qianzhong, Consort Ru felt ashamed.

"I'm sorry, Chong'er, it was because of your father before..."

“I know, sister-in-law. You don’t need to say more. It seems that the villain tonight is after your life. We will stay here tonight to protect you. We will not give that person another chance to harm you.”

Thank you.

In a few words,

The two resolved their differences.

However, things were not so peaceful on Empress Rouci's side.

She was furious when Tongji University returned empty-handed.

"Useless! You can't even do this simple thing right. I've kept you hidden for so long, and now there's less than a week until the full moon!"

You still haven't resolved the matter of this demonic infant?

"What will I use to check and balance the emperor then?"

"Your Majesty, please don't worry. This old monk only made a mistake once. I was really underestimating my opponent. I didn't expect that Princess Ru would have such swordsmanship."

"Next time, this old monk will definitely not fail again."

"You make it sound so easy. After this, she will definitely be more cautious. It will be difficult for you to get close to her." Empress Rouci's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

I wonder what he's thinking.

He flipped through the historical records, his expression shifting between light and dark.

The next day.

As soon as it got light.

News of the assassination attempt on Consort Ru spread throughout the palace. Although the emperor did not personally go to offer his condolences, he sent the empress to show her concern.

Driven by a love of gossip, many of the concubines from the imperial harem came.

Mi Shan also arrived.

To her surprise, Consort Ru still refused to reveal that she was pregnant.

She only said that the man tried to kill her last night.

Empress Rouci did not expose her.

After looking at her, he suddenly walked over to Murong Wan's side.

Ask her if she's gotten used to living in Muqing Palace during this time.

Murong Wan said, "Aside from a poor appetite and feeling a bit nauseous lately, I have no other discomfort. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Empress Rouci's eyes lit up.

The imperial physician was immediately summoned to treat Murong Wan.

Upon taking her pulse, the imperial physician repeatedly congratulated her, saying, "Princess Murong is pregnant."

Upon hearing the news, the Emperor rushed to Muqing Palace, bestowed upon her a large amount of gold and silver treasures, and also conferred upon her the title of Jieyu.

Thus, Murong Wan rose several ranks from a lowly concubine to a high-ranking concubine, a feat that drew envy from many.

She never expected the Emperor to bestow such a great honor upon her.

Perhaps it was because he was so eager for new offspring to arrive.

Everyone was immersed in joy, and no one noticed that a dark, cold smile appeared on Empress Rouci's cheek.

Mi Shan frowned.

Others might not know, but she did.

The baby in Murong Wan's belly is either stillborn or deformed, so how come the imperial physicians can't see anything wrong with it?

It seems he is also one of the Empress's men.

However, Mi Shan, adhering to the principle of seeing through things but not saying them, did not want to get into trouble.

After Murong Wan became pregnant, she thought the emperor would pay more attention to her.

As a result, the emperor still only cared about favoring his new concubines and didn't take her seriously. She would have to use some tricks, just like Qin Miaomiao had done before.

Only then could she trick the emperor into paying her a little more attention and having him patronize her from behind the curtain.

This caused Murong Wan great distress, and coupled with the discomfort of pregnancy, her hair was falling out in clumps, and her overall condition was very poor.

at the same time.

Qin Miaomiao, residing in the Cold Palace, learned of this news. She let out a cold laugh.

They took out the little figures they had already made.

Every night before she went to sleep, she would take out Murong Wan's figurine and stab it hard.

"I'll stab you to death. It's all because of you that I was banished to the cold palace. It's all your fault."

I accidentally pricked my hand with a needle.

The guard lying nearby immediately grabbed her hand and tenderly put it in his mouth.

"Silly girl, you're not careful enough, you've pricked your hand."

Qin Miaomiao nestled tenderly into his arms.

Anyway, the emperor no longer cares about her life or death, and he probably won't come to see her again in this lifetime.

She lives alone in this desolate, cold palace; she might as well find a man to keep warm.

Since she's no longer capable of having children, if Mi Shan's prescription were effective, why didn't it make Consort Ru pregnant?

Qin Miaomiao had stopped taking her medicine long ago and was spending time with the guards.