When Emperor Jingcheng issued an edict abolishing the harem, the happiest people were none other than the concubines Liu Meiren and Li Guiren, who had lost their favor and power. They were all virgins and could remarry upon returning home. Moreover, since it was the emperor's decree, no one dared to look down on them.
Emperor Jingcheng gave them two days to leave the palace. Consort Liu and Noble Lady Li happily packed their luggage in the palace, beaming with joy.
Of course, there were also concubines who were unwilling to leave the palace. They still harbored feelings for the emperor and longed to one day receive his special treatment and rise to prominence.
Consort Wu sat in the palace, while Cai Ning stood guiltily to the side, not daring to look up, fearing that Consort Wu would kill her to silence her. Wu Qianru woke up feeling uneasy, wondering how her father was doing in the court, and whether he had successfully brought down that woman!
She was extremely anxious, and her complexion was poor. A little while later, she checked the time; the morning court session should have ended, but there was still no news.
"Cai Ning!" she suddenly called out, her sharp eyes fixed on Cai Ning, who had buried her head in her chest.
Cai Ning was startled and quickly knelt on the ground, lifting her skirt: "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Seeing her timid appearance, Consort Wu scoffed, "What's wrong? Are you so scared? Don't worry, we won't fail."
Cai Ning was filled with fear; her life hung in the balance. Her voice trembled as she said, "Your Majesty is right."
"The people I sent out haven't returned yet. I'm worried. Go and check on them yourself."
"Yes." Cai Ning hurriedly got up and ran out, as if she had seen a ghost.
A short while later, Wu Qianru saw Zheng San arrive with the imperial edict, but neither Cai Ning nor the men she had sent out were there. She stared wide-eyed at the edict in Zheng San's hand, and stumbled back a few steps.
"By imperial decree, Consort Wu is to kneel and receive the decree."
Wu Qianru knelt tremblingly on the ground, her heart pounding as if she were suffocating. She clutched her chest tightly as she listened to the imperial edict, feeling as if she were in an ice cellar. Demoted to slavery, beheaded! How could the Emperor be so cruel? So cruel for that wretched woman!
"Where are my family members?" Her pupils dilated violently, as if she wanted to stare a hole through Zheng San.
"His Majesty, mindful of Lord Wu's meritorious service, will only impose a slight punishment," Zheng San said calmly, allowing Wu Qianru to die peacefully. He waved his hand, and the imperial guards behind him stepped forward to drag her away.
Consort Wu burst into maniacal laughter. The Emperor had only executed her, sparing her family—what did this mean? Did it mean he truly hated her and wanted to humiliate her in this way? Emperor Jingcheng, you are utterly disgusting!
She was escorted by the imperial guards to the imperial prison. On the palace road, she saw the concubines she recognized leaving with bundles, and her eyes widened in shock. She struggled frantically, hysterically shouting the names of those concubines.
Where are you going? Where are you going?
Seeing her prisoner-like state, the concubines could finally vent their anger. They looked at her mockingly and said leisurely, "So it's Consort Shu. Oh! No, you're a slave now. You don't know, do you? The Emperor has already issued an edict abolishing the harem."
"That's right, how could Consort Shu not know?" The other person covered her mouth and giggled. She usually spoke to Wu Qianru in a humble manner, but now she was experiencing the feeling of being superior.
"You vile woman, how dare you humiliate me!" She tried to step forward and strike the concubines who had spoken rudely, but she was firmly controlled by the Imperial Guards and could only struggle desperately, filled with impotent rage.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. We concubines will take our leave now." A woman stepped forward, gave a sarcastic bow, and then, along with her companions, giggled and left with their bundles.
Wu Qianru was taken away by the Imperial Guards. She frantically cursed those who had humiliated her, including the Emperor, the Empress, the Eldest Princess, Prince Yuan, and even her own family. The Imperial Guards looked very displeased. They found a palace maid sweeping nearby, took a rag, and stuffed it into her mouth, finally finding some peace and quiet.
No matter how much Wu Qianru struggled, she couldn't break free from her restraints. She could only stare wide-eyed and make "woo woo woo" sounds, her hot tears splashing everywhere with her struggling movements.
After finishing their breakfast, Azi and Di Jingcheng were preparing to go fishing in the Imperial Garden. Azi happily carried a small wooden bucket for holding fish, holding the man's hand as they walked briskly. Di Jingcheng doted on her, trying to stop her from carrying the bucket, but she insisted on carrying it herself, saying she didn't want to tire herself out.
Around the corner, Consort Wu saw the stunningly beautiful Empress being held protectively in the Emperor's arms. The Empress looked up at the Emperor with delight, speaking to him, who responded tenderly. The two were deeply in love, the Emperor gently stroking the Empress's slightly protruding belly with tender affection.
Upon seeing this, Wu Qianru suddenly stopped struggling. Her wide eyes slowly drooped, and she lowered her head dejectedly, letting the Imperial Guards drag her limply down another road.
She lost.
Azi led Di Jingcheng to the Imperial Garden, completely unaware of what had just happened. Her innocent and carefree smile swept away the sadness and disappointment of the past few days.
Emperor Jingyuan brought Fuzi to the lotus pond again, only to unexpectedly encounter the Emperor and Empress there. His eyes were now fixed on the woman he had longed for. Seeing her lively and adorable appearance, he felt happy; she had regained her vitality—how wonderful!
His gaze then fell on her lower abdomen, a hint of sadness flashing across his face. But only for a moment, and he straightened up to greet her: "Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty's wife."
Azi nodded slightly, her petite figure fiddling with the fishing rod. Di Jingcheng helped Azi tidy the fishing rod, glancing at him briefly: "Jingyuan is here."
"Since Your Majesty and Your Highness are in such high spirits, I, your humble servant, have also come to fish today," Emperor Jingyuan said. Fu Zi, standing behind him, was full of questions, his head bowed. The prince hadn't told him that the fishing gear hadn't been prepared.
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