"Your Majesty, a servant from Qingyang Palace has come to report that the Imperial Concubine is ill and wishes to request your visit." A pale-faced, beardless eunuch reported in a high-pitched voice from below the main hall.
"If you're sick, go see the imperial physician. I'm not a doctor." The man in magnificent robes spoke from the dragon throne, his imposing tone causing everyone in the hall to hesitate to look up.
"This servant will go and report to Her Highness the Imperial Concubine immediately." The little eunuch kowtowed respectfully and hurriedly ran away, bowing low.
Shen Shi opened his eyes at this moment and realized that there were dozens of people standing in the room.
Although he had learned from the man's words that he was the emperor, he still had no memory of it. The most important thing was to transmit the plot.
Fortunately, this world is different from other worlds. Even though he had only watched a few episodes of period dramas, Shen Shi knew that the identity of the emperor was an inviolable one.
The saying goes, "When the emperor is angry, corpses float for miles; if you are not careful, your entire family will be exterminated."
Accepting the storyline here is much simpler than in other worlds; at least you don't have to wait for a safe environment.
"You may all leave. I wish to be alone for a while." Shen Shi waved his hand, and the group bowed and withdrew.
"No potential danger detected around the host. Transmitting the plot now, estimated time five minutes." Having worked together many times before, this little system has become much more user-friendly; it starts transmitting without requiring the user to speak.
Although I had traveled back to ancient times before, my identity that time was that of a prince, which was very different from being an emperor.
While waiting for the plot to be transmitted, Shen Shi curiously observed the interior of the hall.
Then he realized there wasn't much to see; this architectural style wasn't really his type. And just thinking about life without internet and not being able to travel freely made Chen Shi's mood immediately sink.
Fortunately, just as he was feeling sorry for himself, the plot transmission was over.
Chen Shi immediately forgot his earlier displeasure and began to check the plot.
Then, I was shocked by what I found out when I looked into the plot. My mood worsened after reading the story.
Because he realized that he didn't have much time left.
This is a long story. Although Shen Shi is the emperor in this world, he is the kind of emperor in name only.
He was able to become emperor entirely because of good luck.
The late emperor had ten sons in total. Nine of them died in the struggle for the throne, leaving only him to successfully seize the throne.
Shen Shi's birth mother was a palace maid who was favored by the drunken late emperor. The late emperor did not remember this at all. It was only when she was found to be pregnant that he reluctantly gave her a title.
The late emperor's harem had three thousand beauties, some sexy and charming, others graceful and delicate, all kinds of beauties were inexhaustible.
His mother had neither outstanding looks nor captivating talent, so apart from that one night when she was drunk, the late emperor never favored her again.
Even after the birth, the late emperor was completely unaware that he had another child; it was only after the empress reminded him that he found out.
But he had ten sons and countless daughters. The late emperor, who had no shortage of children, would certainly not take Shen Shi, who was insignificant, seriously.
Shen Shi lived an inconspicuous life, but as a prince, no one in the palace dared to mistreat him. The Empress was a kind-hearted woman who would sometimes send things to the mother and son.
His mother's greatest wish was for him to become a prince, and Shen Shi never thought about the throne, nor did he ever dare to.
The nine older brothers all had powerful maternal families, and they never considered Shen Shi a rival, so they didn't make things too difficult for him either.
Since no one cared, no one harmed him, and Shen Shi grew up to be 13 years old.
Before this, his life was carefree. Although he was not favored by his father, he had his mother by his side. Although he was destined to be out of the running for the throne, he was still well-fed and clothed.
However, with the death of the Empress, the previously peaceful atmosphere was shattered, and the power dynamics that could have been maintained were reshuffled.
The late emperor and empress were husband and wife since childhood. Their childhood friendship was unparalleled. Therefore, the second prince was immediately named crown prince after the empress gave birth to him.
It is said that there is no true love in the royal family, but the late emperor did have some affection for his first wife.
As soon as the crown prince came of age, he showed his unruly nature, arbitrarily beating and killing eunuchs and palace maids, and accepting bribes from low-ranking officials. All these incidents caused a great uproar in the city.
On one of his most egregious occasions, the Crown Prince even rode his horse recklessly through the bustling streets of Chang'an.
A five-year-old girl lost a horse's hoof, and several adults were also knocked down. This incident immediately aroused public outrage, and the people of Chang'an cursed the crown prince mercilessly.
Memorials from court officials, like snowflakes, drifted to the late emperor's desk. Without exception, they all described the crown prince's various misdeeds and pleaded with the late emperor to depose him.
As this son grew up, the late emperor had already regretted making him crown prince. Now that he had caused such a disaster, the late emperor was really considering deposing the crown prince.
However, considering the Empress, the late Emperor abandoned the idea.
This happened more than once. Every time the Crown Prince made a mistake, the late emperor would consider deposing him, but as soon as he thought of the days he had spent with him, he would eventually let it go.
It can be said that the reason the crown prince was not deposed was entirely because of the empress.
But now that the Empress is dead, there is no one left to speak for him before the late Emperor. Coupled with his past misdeeds, it is obvious that he will not be able to hold onto his position as Crown Prince for long.
All the concubines in the harem who had sons began to stir with ambition.
What about those who don't have sons? The answer is simple: adopt a son.
Of the ten princes in the harem, ten had mothers still alive, and nine had mothers from prestigious families. Thus, the young palace maid Chen Shi became the only candidate to be adopted.
The first to extend her hand to Shen Shi was the Imperial Concubine, the eldest daughter of the current prime minister. She had been favored since entering the palace, and with the support of her family, she was a strong candidate to succeed as empress.
The Imperial Concubine had been in the palace for eight years without having a child. Seeing that her youth was fading and it was unlikely that she could have another child, she wanted to place Shen Shi under her care.
She went to the Emperor for help. After hearing what his beloved concubine had to say, the Emperor didn't even remember that he had this child. After thinking about it for a while, he remembered and nodded in agreement without any hesitation.
After all, he was just a prince; it wouldn't be unreasonable to give him to the Imperial Concubine.
And so, Shen Shi got a new mother.
When the news of his being fostered under the Imperial Concubine spread, his mother excitedly grabbed his hand and said, "Shi'er, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Imperial Concubine comes from a prestigious family and has a noble status. If you become her son, the Emperor will take a second look at you, and you will have a bright future."
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