Behind the heavy, bright yellow curtains, the person on the dragon bed frowned, his expression showing a hint of fear, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.

Consort Rou was startled awake by the noise. She sat up and looked over, her voice cautious: "Your Majesty? What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Chongde did not respond. He was trapped in a nightmare, his face pale, his lips moving slightly as he mumbled something intermittently.

Consort Rou paused, leaned closer to listen carefully, and vaguely caught a few words—

"Father Emperor"

"Mingyi"

A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. Had His Majesty dreamt of the late Emperor? And it seemed the Eldest Princess was also in his dreams…

She slightly raised her eyes and inadvertently caught a glimpse of the ferocious and malevolent look that flashed across Emperor Chongde's face, which made her secretly startled.

What did Your Majesty dream about?

Emperor Chongde did indeed dream of the late emperor. When that familiar figure appeared before him, he was initially incredulous and stepped forward anxiously, his tone tentative: "...Father?"

The other person raised a face that was both pale and ashen, staring intently at him: "You unfilial son, how dare you call me Father?"

Emperor Chongde was startled!

Since he ascended the throne, no one has dared to speak to him like that for a long time!

The person before him clutched his chest and coughed up a mouthful of black blood. Emperor Chongde was startled, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. He instinctively raised his hand: "Father."

The other man raised his face, blood streaming from all seven orifices, looking utterly ferocious. He instinctively stepped back, but then heard the other man's hoarse voice question him: "You unfilial son, this throne was left to Mingyi by me. What right do you have to sit in this position and wear this dragon robe?!"

Anger surged through Emperor Chongde like a tidal wave. Ignoring his fear, resentment flashed in his eyes: "Mingyi, it's Mingyi again! What is it about me that I lack compared to her?"

It's always been like this. No matter how well he performs, his father only has eyes for Mingyi!

“She is just a woman. There has never been a woman who has been emperor since ancient times! You are going against the natural order and acting against the will of Heaven!” He believed he had found a basis for his argument, and his expression gradually calmed down.

The late emperor narrowed his eyes coldly, his tone chilling: "Is this why you poisoned me?"

Emperor Chongde was startled, and panic was visible in his eyes. Just as he was about to explain, he saw the other party reach out and suddenly pounce on him, grabbing his neck!

"Father!"

Emperor Chongde suddenly awoke, touched his neck, breathing rapidly, his eyes still filled with fear.

"Is Your Majesty suffering from a nightmare? Should we summon the imperial physician to take a look?"

He looked down and saw Consort Rou and Eunuch Fu kneeling carefully below, their eyes filled with concern.

It was all a dream...

Emperor Chongde slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, a shadow of gloom flashed across them.

——

Shen Tangning was chatting with Chi's mother, mentioning that they should add a few more guards to the manor.

“Ayan is now a rising star in the court, and our household is not short of money. However, security still needs to be strengthened. What do you think, Mother?”

After a moment's thought, Mrs. Chi nodded. "I hadn't thought of that." She took her daughter's hand, patted it, and smiled. "You're so thoughtful!"

With a flicker of her eyes, Mother Chi casually remarked, "Speaking of which, Ayan's birthday is coming up soon too."