"Your Majesty, it's all my fault, it has nothing to do with the Empress." Zhen Ge knelt beside Huang Taiji, and seeing that their relationship had deteriorated further because of this incident, she was in great pain.

If this hadn't happened, the two of them could have continued to live together in a respectful manner...

"Yes, you deserve to die!" Huang Taiji smashed the teacup on the ground, tea splashing everywhere and shattering. He wasn't originally that angry, but upon hearing Zhen Ge's voice, his rage flared up.

Zhen Ge was dizzy from being hit, but she forced herself to stay calm and didn't say anything. She just looked at Huang Taiji with sad eyes.

Huang Taiji was so angry that he trembled all over. He pointed at Zhenge and said, "Guards, take him away and beat him to death."

Then, guards came in and tried to drag Zhen Ge out.

When people are about to die, they are always filled with fear. Zhen Ge struggled and cried for help, but no one came to her rescue. It wasn't until she was dragged to the door that Zhe Zhe spoke up, "Your Majesty, please spare her worthless life!"

After all, Brother Zhen had served her for many years; it would be impossible for her not to have any feelings for him.

But how could Huang Taiji let this go? This was the person who wanted to kill the woman he loved most; it was already a favor that he hadn't exterminated her entire family.

As for Hailanzhu, she would feel even less sympathy; she was incapable of repaying evil with kindness.

In the end, Zhen Ge was dragged away by the guards, leaving behind her last tragic scream in the world.

Zhe Zhe's eyes were red, and she must have been feeling sad and helpless. After all, Zhen Ge's mistake was too big, and it was already Huang Taiji's mercy that no one else was implicated.

Huang Taiji glared fiercely at Zhe Zhe, "Kill the mother and spare the child, Zhe Zhe, it seems you are not worthy of sitting on the throne of Empress."

"Your Majesty, do you intend to depose me?" Zhe Zhe asked in disbelief, her heart filled with icy coldness.

For Hailanzhu's sake, he even considered deposing the empress.

Zhe Zhe originally thought she would only be punished with house arrest, but she didn't expect it to be this serious.

"It seems you know me quite well," Huang Taiji sneered. "Today I will definitely depose you, so you won't cause trouble in the future."

“No…” Zhe Zhe shook her head. The position of Empress was her last dignity. Without this position, she was nothing. “You cannot depose me. You must know that in the entire palace, no one is more suitable to be Empress than me.”

Huang Taiji didn't take it to heart, saying, "I believe Lan'er would be a better empress than you."

Hailanzhu, who was still watching the commotion, quickly waved her hand when Huang Taiji mentioned her, saying, "I am afraid I am not capable of undertaking this great task. I hope Your Majesty will rescind your order."

She wasn't trying to excuse Zhe Zhe, but rather she was afraid that if she left, the original owner's temperament would only lead to chaos in the harem. The original owner was easily swayed and easily led by the nose.

Upon hearing this, not only was Huang Taiji stunned, but even Zhe Zhe was incredulous. This was the position of Empress, coveted by countless people, yet Hailanzhu had refused.

"Lan'er, in my heart you are my wife. If the Empress is not yours, then who is?" Huang Taiji came back to his senses and tried to persuade Hailanzhu.

Unexpectedly, Hailanzhu knelt down and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I am weak-willed and cannot bear this great responsibility. Besides, as long as Your Majesty considers me your wife, then I am your wife. I do not care about the nominal rank."

“But I do care,” Huang Taiji insisted.

Hailanzhu held his hand, her eyes brimming with tears, and asked, "Does Your Majesty wish for me to leave this world sooner?"

Huang Taiji frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Hailanzhu explained, "I am not talking nonsense. I am only a Consort Chen and I have already suffered so much jealousy. If I really become the Empress, does Your Majesty really think that I will always have such good luck and be able to turn danger into safety in everything?"

“This…” Huang Taiji was speechless.

Seeing this, Hailanzhu continued, "If Your Majesty truly wishes to do what is best for me, please rescind your decree!"

Huang Taiji sighed. He listened to her words and thought they made sense, but he couldn't accept them for the time being. After all, he longed for Hailanzhu to become his empress.

After pondering for a long time, seeing Hailanzhu's sincere expression, he could only comply with her wishes, "I agree, you may get up!"

But Hailanzhu remained kneeling and refused to rise. "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you to grant me one more request."

"Go on," Huang Taiji said, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

She looked up to meet his gentle eyes, and stroked her lower abdomen with her slender hand, saying, "I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree: if I give birth to a prince, may he be granted the title of Prince of Xiaoyao, and shall never contend for the throne; if I give birth to a princess, I hope..."

Before she could finish speaking, Huang Taiji interrupted impatiently, "No, Lan'er, I will not grant this request."

Hailanzhu was not discouraged, but said, "Your Majesty loves our child, but I hope even more that he can live a peaceful and happy life."

"Can……"

"Does Your Majesty want our children to live a life of constant struggle for imperial power, trembling with fear?" Hailanzhu retorted.

“I…” Huang Taiji was speechless after being rebuked.

Hailanzhu kowtowed to the ground. This was the first time she had pleaded with him like this. "Your Majesty, I would like to ask if you are happy being the emperor?"

Only she dared to ask that question; if it were anyone else, who would dare to utter a single word?

But these words played right into Huang Taiji's heart. He had once thought how wonderful it would be to give up the throne and live a secluded life with Hailanzhu.

"Your Majesty, please grant my request. Parents love their children deeply, and I am doing this truly for his own good," Hailanzhu pleaded again.

Seeing Hailanzhu kneeling on the cold, hard floor, Huang Taiji felt a pang of heartache and quickly said, "Lan'er, get up quickly, I promise you."

In his heart, Hailanzhu was the primary focus, and the child was merely an afterthought. Since she didn't want it, he wouldn't force her. Besides, Hailanzhu's words made some sense. Since he couldn't live the life he envisioned, then let his child live it!

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Hailanzhu replied happily, and with Huang Taiji's help, she slowly stood up.

Although my knees are in excruciating pain, it's worth it to ensure my child's lifelong safety and well-being.

Huang Taiji kept his word and immediately wrote an edict to announce it to the world.

Looking at the contents of the golden imperial edict, Hailanzhu smiled knowingly.

"Hailanzhu, I really don't understand you anymore," Zhe Zhe suddenly blurted out from the side.

Hailanzhu turned her head and replied, "Aunt, you don't need to understand Lan'er. We have different paths and cannot work together."

"Heh, what a fine saying, 'Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.'" Zhe Zhe sneered, still unconvinced in his heart.

Hailanzhu guessed what she was thinking, but because Huang Taiji was present, she didn't dare to speak up.