The Way is Green Plum

Crown Prince Jinye had been kneeling at the door of the upper study for a day and a night.

There was no other reason, it was just because Chu Mumu said that she would not share a husband with anyone else, and that they must be together for the rest of their lives.

Seeing that the emperor had no intention of giving in, Chu Mumu rushed into the Duke of Jin’s mansion to find me.

“He doesn’t love you, why do you have to cling to him? Can you bear to see your husband have someone else in his heart?”

I glanced at him coldly: “So?”

Chu Mumu said with disdain: “You are just following the feudal system, arranged marriage, without any love at all, why are you holding on to it? After all, I am Jin Ye’s true love.”

True love?

I am the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Jin, and I have the support of an army of 200,000 strong.

Jin Ye is going to give up on me because of Chu Mumu?

I want to see whether their true love is more important or his position as crown prince is more important.

1

I entered the palace and stood at the door of the study waiting. Jin Ye was called in, and the eunuch who served the emperor even kindly brought a chair for me.

I stood politely.

When Jin Ye came out again, his face was pale, and when he looked at me, his eyes were full of viciousness.

The Queen followed behind me and smiled when she saw me: “Ningning, Jin Ye was just confused for a moment, don’t take it to heart.”

I bowed and said goodbye.

Did you think he really had no attachment to the throne anymore?

It seems that true love is just like this.

Chu Mumu made a fuss for a long time, but it’s none of my business now.

What’s worse, the spies in the palace said that Jin Ye wanted the Crown Princess and the Concubine to enter the palace on the same day.

I laughed my teeth off. Why does Chu Mumu think I will compromise?

Why does Chu Mumu have the right to be a concubine?

Was it because of the “Song of the Wine” she sang? Or was it because of the lifelong love she sang?

The wedding was very tiring. When I arrived at the bridal chamber, wearing the heavy phoenix crown, I felt like my neck was going to break.

After a long time, Jin Ye’s voice came slowly.

I winked at Chunci, and Chunci drugged our wedding wine.

Nanny Xi held us both up and performed the final rituals.

Jin Ye sat upright on the edge of the bed, looking at me with no warmth in his eyes. Actually, I was also very puzzled.

When did the young man who once had his eyes full of me and wanted to marry me become like this?

I learned etiquette for him, cooked soup for him, and embroidered sachets and purses for him.

But ever since he came to my Duke of Jin’s mansion to break off the engagement and made me a laughing stock in the whole city, that only bit of warmth was gone.

After everyone left, Jin Ye looked at me angrily, turned around and was about to leave.

I looked at him coldly: “If Your Highness leaves tonight, where will the reputation of the Duke of Jin be? Your Highness really wants to treat me like this? What did I do wrong?”

Jin Ye turned around and looked at me, there was still a trace of rationality and guilt in his eyes.

I threw away the last bit of warmth, guilt? Guilt is what I, Qiu Ning, don’t need the most in my life!

As the effect of the drug wore off, Jin Ye lost all his rationality.

He also knew that something would be added to the wine on the wedding night. I simply replaced it with something more effective.

After we finished, Jin Ye fell into a deep sleep. I felt sore all over, but I still used a pillow to prop up my legs.

Although I don’t know if it will work, I want to make sure I get pregnant before Chu Mumu enters the mansion.

2

For fear that Chu Mumu might do something during our wedding, the Queen personally brought Chu Mumu into the palace and locked him up.

Jin Ye walked very fast, probably because he hadn’t seen Chu Mumu for a long time and missed her very much.

I was left far behind, Chunci held my hand and said, “My queen, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is too…”

I glanced at him coldly. What kind of place is this? How can people talk nonsense like that?

Chun Ci quickly shut up.

When they arrived at the Queen’s Palace, Jin Ye had already arrived and was waiting eagerly.

The queen saw me as if she had seen a savior, and I sneered.

Chu Mumu was not very well-behaved in the palace, but because she was Jin Ye’s sweetheart, the Queen did not want the mother and son to be too distant, so she endured it and did not touch her.

According to intelligence, Chu Mumu almost climbed into the emperor’s bed, but the emperor was indeed not interested in women, and of course, men either.

The emperor is only interested in political achievements and is a truly wise ruler.

I wonder what Jin Ye would think of her if he knew about this one day?

“Your son pays respects to your mother.”

I slowly handed over a booklet: “Mother, the Eastern Palace is deserted, and I want to find a few close friends for Your Highness.”

Jin Ye looked at me in surprise and snatched the booklet. Chu Mumu’s name was the first one.

“I didn’t expect you would be willing to do that?”

I smiled and said, “I am not a person who cannot tolerate others. Besides, Your Highness really likes her. It’s just that Chu Mumu’s family background is too low, so I can’t give her a high position. Your Highness won’t blame me, right?”

Jin Ye quickly shook his head: “No, Chu Mumu said that even if I become a concubine, as long as I can be with you, it’s enough.”

You are kidding me. At first they said we would be a couple for life, but now they say even concubines are acceptable.

It seems that the Fengyi I set for Chu Mumu was too high. I should have set her up as a concubine earlier.

“It’s just that the ladies have not learned the rules of the palace, so they need to be sent to the Master of Ceremonies to learn some etiquette. What do you think, Your Highness and the Queen Mother?”

Only by taking the initiative can you easily lead him by the nose.

I did it properly and no one could find any fault with me.

Jin Ye’s brows knitted together, and the Queen nodded: “What the Crown Princess said is very true, it should be so.”

Jin Ye had nothing to say. I only have two months to give birth to my eldest son and grandson.

—

All the ladies were carefully selected by me and have already been approved by me.

For half a month, Jin Ye stayed in my room out of guilt. When his period didn’t come as expected, I knew it was almost time.

In the mansion, listening to Chu Mumu making repeated mistakes in the ceremonial department, she would wait for Jin Ye on his way home from court and cry to him from time to time.

Jin Ye felt so distressed holding the beauty in his arms.

The first batch of noble ladies entered the palace first, including the legitimate daughter of the Shangshu Mansion and the legitimate daughter of the General’s Mansion, and they took the positions of concubines as soon as they arrived.

There are also good ladies.

I waved my hand and let Jin Ye go to the other concubines’ rooms. I was too lazy to pretend to be nice to Jin Ye anymore.

The East Palace should be a place where all flowers bloom.

By the time Chu Mumu entered the mansion, all the beauties had already been sent to the palace.

Gentle and thoughtful, passionate and unrestrained, cheerful and optimistic, affectionate, and with excellent poetic talent…

I also found an exotic beauty for Jinye, with a slim waist, dancing barefoot on the drum.

It’s really like a fairy descending to earth.

No wonder Jin Ye favored her for five consecutive days.

The next day, Chu Mumu came in rubbing her waist. It must be because he finally had the beauty in his arms, and Jin Ye doted on her tightly.

Looking at the beautiful girls in the room, Chu Mumu’s expression changed.

She was the last batch of people to enter the palace, and was considered the first person to be favored by the emperor. She originally wanted to show off.

In the end, there were only two people in the room who were not favored, and I was the last one left because my family background was so poor.

3

“Please take a seat. We are all one family from now on. For His Highness’ sake, I hope that all the sisters will live in harmony.”

“Yes, Princess Consort.”

After everyone left, Chu Mumu was the last one left.

I smiled and said, “Sister, is there anything else you want to tell me?”

Chu Mumu glared at me: “You did all this! Just wait, I will definitely step on your head.”

There are too few interesting things in the East Palace. Without Chu Mumu, I really don’t know where to find fun.

But after learning the rules for so long, why doesn’t she know how to restrain herself?

A mere time-traveling girl actually comes to challenge a noble lady who has been trained by a family for hundreds of years. Where does she get the confidence from?

Yes, I have sent people to keep an eye on her and listen to her talk about cell phones, watches, movies, time travel…

She also said that she would make Jin Ye depose me in the future and she would become the queen.

I walked slowly to her and said, “What are you talking about, sister? I don’t understand.”

Before she entered the mansion, Jin Ye specifically came to tell me to be nice to Chu Mumu.

The concubines had not gone far yet, so Chu Mumu and I deliberately walked at the end.

“Your Highness has done a great job in being fair to everyone. My sister, I’m afraid it will be difficult for you to be together forever.”

A concubine turned to look at us, and when she touched upon Chu Mumu’s sad story, she indeed lost her mind.

He looked at me with a ferocious face, suddenly raised his hand and pushed me, and I almost fell on the last step.

Chunci supported me in time and shouted, “My Lady.”

I quickly covered my stomach: “Chun Ci, it hurts…”

The concubines came over one after another. Chu Mumu looked at me in disbelief, her eyes full of resentment.

I kept it a secret for more than a month, and the big gift that was supposed to be given when Chu Mumu entered the palace was finally given out.

Chu Mumu is a big-breasted and brainless person who claims to be Jin Ye’s true love. She is easily angered and impulsive, and is easily provoked.

I was sure that she would do something to me, but I didn’t expect it to be so simple and brutal. I had been planning to tell her today that I was pregnant and wait for her to do it.

——

When Jin Ye rushed back, I was drinking pregnancy-preserving medicine with a pale face. When I saw Jin Ye, my mouth curled up and tears fell.

Jin Ye hugged me with heartache.

As for tears, it’s not about the quantity but the timing.

I have always been strong-willed. When have I ever lowered my eyes and shed tears in front of Jin Ye?

“How come you’re so stupid that you don’t know you’re pregnant?”

I leaned into Jin Ye’s arms and said, “I know I was wrong.”

Chu Mumu knelt down below and cried, calling him “Your Highness”, but Jin Ye hadn’t even glanced at her since he came in.

Concubine Shen, the daughter of the general’s mansion, was straightforward. She immediately stepped forward and glanced at Chu Mumu, “How dare you cry? If you hadn’t pushed the Crown Princess, would she have rolled down the stairs? Would the child have almost died?”

Concubine Liu from the Shangshu Mansion immediately took advantage of the situation and said, “After all, this is His Highness’s first child, hey…”

Chu Mumu hurriedly explained, raised her head and cried pitifully: “Your Highness, Your Highness, I was wrong, I really didn’t know that the Crown Princess was pregnant.”

Jin Ye opened his mouth, and Concubine Shen saw that Jin Ye was going to give her a light punishment, so she immediately said, “Do you mean to say that the Crown Princess can postpone the marriage if she is not pregnant?”

I almost applauded her.

Lying in Jin Ye’s arms, she said, “Your Highness, Chu Fengyi is someone you love and cherish. I am not in any serious trouble this time, and the child is fine, so why not give me a lighter sentence.”

Jin Ye turned his head and looked at me, his eyes full of deep affection: “I have wrongly blamed you before.”

I shook my head, and the concubines in the room immediately called me “Your Highness”.

Chu Mumu’s voice could not be heard at all. Because of her low rank, she couldn’t even kneel in the front row.

4

In the end, it was the Queen who handled the matter. Chu Mumu took advantage of her favor and became arrogant. She was beaten with thirty sticks and was confined to her house for three months.

Chun Ci held the bottle of ointment, and I nodded: “Do it more cleanly, don’t let anyone catch you.”

“yes.”

Because Jin Ye felt guilty towards me, he stayed in my room for ten days.

I pretended to feel bad: “Your Highness, aren’t you going to visit Chu Fengyi? I’m pregnant and can’t serve you.”

Jin Ye looked at me: “Ning Ning, do you really have to push me to other people?”

Wow, it sounds like I’m the one who’s unfaithful and heartless.

I was flipping through a book, lazily leaning on the beauty bed.

Hearing this, he put down the book, propped his chin up and looked at Jin Ye: “What do you think, Your Highness?”

With his eyes moving, Jin Ye teased me and hugged me: “Ningning, you seem to be more attractive after you get pregnant.”

I pretended not to understand: “What do you mean?”

Jin Ye’s hands started to get out of control, so I grabbed them and said, “Your Highness, I am still pregnant.”

Jin Ye’s eyes were filled with darkness. Chun Ci brought in a military book at the right time and said, “My queen, Concubine Shen said that she has finished writing her military book. Would you like to take a look?”

Jin Ye took it over: “Are you still interested in military books?”

I sighed, “I’ve loved watching it since my father and brother passed away. Although there’s no war now, it’s always right to prepare for a rainy day. It’s just that I don’t quite understand it. Your Highness, please teach me when you’re free.”

Jin Ye scratched my nose: “Okay.”

That night, Jin Ye went to Concubine Shen’s place.

Everyone knows how to play hard to get. I’m pregnant, and Jin Ye can’t touch me for at least a few months.

I just want him to think about me anxiously and eagerly, competing for my favor. Everyone would do that.

5

When Chu Mumu was released, my belly had already grown big.

Because of her weird ideas, and the new little things from time to time, like milk tea, hot pot, and smoothies.

Jin Ye was coaxed into a trance and stayed in Chu Mumu’s room for a whole month.

Concubine Shen and Concubine Liu didn’t say anything.

It won’t be so easy for the good ladies and concubines below to get by.

“My Lady Crown Princess, His Highness had already come to my room last night. Chu Fengyi sent someone to look for His Highness, saying that she had a stomachache, and His Highness actually left.”

I frowned. It was normal to compete for favor, but snatching someone from the room was a bit too much.

Concubine Shen leaned close to me and said, “This isn’t the first time. It’s just that the status of many of them is low, and the queen is pregnant and is good for everyone, so I didn’t bother you with this kind of thing.”

I don’t talk about these things just to accumulate them together.

Chu Mumu arrived late and rubbed his waist as he walked into the lobby.

I had a gentle look on my face and there was nothing important happening in the court today, so I exempted them from paying their respects, but they still insisted on coming to pay their respects.

I just set the time a little later.

“I heard Chu Fengyi was not feeling well, is he feeling better now?”

Chu Mumu bowed calmly: “Thank you for your concern, my concubine is much better now.”

I waved my hand, and Chunci came forward with a tray. “I heard that my sister has a stomachache, and the imperial physician hasn’t been summoned. It must be because of the hot weather and she has eaten too much greasy food. I specially asked someone to make a hawthorn soup for you to stimulate your appetite and relieve greasiness. You can drink it.”

The hawthorn is the most sour at this time, and the water boiled with it is not only sour but also bitter.

Chu Mumu immediately knelt down and shook her head: “I am fine now, you don’t need to drink.”

My voice was dignified, without a trace of warmth: “How can that be? This is not the first time Chu Fengyi has complained of stomachache. How can we not treat it?”

Chun Ci nodded at me, and I said leisurely, “I am also worried about my sister’s health, and this is also for my sister’s good.”

Chu Mumu became much calmer, but still refused to drink. Chun Ci stepped forward and took out a small bowl and handed it to Chu Mumu.

Chu Mumu looked at the black hawthorn soup and immediately shouted, “Qiu Ning! You want to hurt me!”

All the concubines had sarcastic expressions on their faces.

Jin Ye walked in from outside, and Chu Mumu hugged Jin Ye’s legs: “Your Highness, Your Highness, save me, the Crown Princess wants to harm me.”

How stupid! Who would drink poison in front of so many people?

Jin Ye looked at me, and I looked at him coldly: “Didn’t Your Highness go to Li Fengyi last night?”

Chu Mumu frowned, and I sighed: “Last night Chu Fengyi said that she had a stomachache, and I thought that maybe she was seriously ill, so I wanted to ask the imperial physician what was wrong?”

“As a result, the imperial physician was not on record, and I then saw that the imperial physician was not called, and His Highness was just allowed to leave.”

“How can this be possible? Your Highness is not a doctor after all. The pain can be serious or minor, and it cannot be taken lightly. The imperial physician said that perhaps you have been tired of eating recently, and drinking some hawthorn soup may help. What do you think, Your Highness?”

Chu Mumu quickly shook her head: “Your Highness, I did have a stomachache last night, and I had no choice but to call your Highness.”

How could Jin Ye not know Chu Mumu’s twists and turns, looking at the concubines in the room.

Everybody was very frank, and he found out afterwards that nobody had complained.

But this time, when things came to light, it was indeed because he doted on Chu Mumu too much that they suffered injustice.

After all, they are all his women.

“Princess, this is for your own good. You keep complaining about stomachaches. Drink this and you’ll be fine.”

Chu Mumu was a little bit unconvinced, but Jin Ye’s face had already turned cold.

Watching her drink that big bowl of hawthorn soup with a frown on her face, I felt a little better.

From then on, Chu Mumu never called Jin Ye out of any concubine’s room again.

6

Eight months later, two concubines in the Eastern Palace became pregnant.

Chu Mumu was the most favored, but she was not pregnant. She drank a lot of nourishing liquids, and also consulted many imperial physicians in the palace and famous doctors outside.

Just not getting pregnant.

It was inconvenient for me to do anything with a big belly, so I simply handed over the affairs of the Eastern Palace to Concubine Shen and Concubine Liu.

Chun Ci helped me comb my hair: “My queen, Chu Mumu has found a doctor to take your pulse. A few days ago, he also sent gold, silver and jewelry to many concubines in the East Palace.”

I sneered, “She doesn’t want to use a few money to get them to help her, right?”

Chun Ci burst out laughing: “Yes.”

Stupid, whoever can enter the Eastern Palace has the glory of his mother’s family behind him, and the emperor has only one child, the prince.

The throne belongs to the prince. Who would ruin his own future and that of his mother’s family for some money?

“Keep a close eye on her and don’t let her take advantage of any opportunity.”

“She can’t get in. Her usual method is to win people’s hearts with gold, silver and jewelry, but if she can win people over, others will also be able to win them over.”

“Where’s the medicine I asked you to give her?”

“It’s already been used. I’m afraid she will never use it in her life…”

“Clean it up.”

On the day of delivery, Chu Mumu used all her strength to trap Jin Ye with her.

It took me a whole night, and I gave birth to the baby at dawn, when I opened my eyes.

I am the only concubine in the palace. It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t heartbroken. Even if I pretended to be free and easy, I felt sad at that moment.

Concubine Shen held a baby in her arms and showed it to me: “Look, your majesty, this is the eldest son you gave birth to His Highness.”

It’s the eldest son. It’s just that I took so many pregnancy-preserving drugs and made so many efforts to have a boy in one go.

Jin Ye arrived late, followed by Chu Mumu.

Several concubines looked at Chu Mumu’s arrogant look and didn’t look favorably towards Jin Ye.

Concubine Shen even took advantage of General Shen’s recent achievements and said rudely: “The Crown Princess was in pain all night, while His Highness was in the land of tenderness all night.”

Jin Ye’s expression changed, and I shook my head calmly: “It’s okay, the delivery room was bloody, and it’s great that Your Highness didn’t see it.”

After dismissing everyone, Jin Ye came to me with the child in his arms: “Ningning, look, this is your child and mine.”

My tears fell, and Jin Ye immediately handed the child to the nurse in a hurry: “It was my fault, I was upset last night because…”

I waved my hands: “Forget it, Your Highness. I just hope Ningning can be like you in the future and never have to think about you again. It’s too tiring.”

Part of it is true, part of it is false. Which man would allow his woman not to love him?

Jin Ye panicked: “I was wrong, I was really wrong, Chu Mumu said you would give birth in two days, and you only sent people to call me twice, I thought…”

“Chu Mumu Chu Mumu Chu Mumu, Your Highness, I am also a woman. I gave birth to your child last night. Forget it. Your Highness, go find Chu Mumu. I am not worthy.”

The more I spoke, the more miserable I became, and I cried like a pear blossom in the rain.

Jin Ye punished Chu Mumu on the spot, confined her to her house, deducted her salary, and demoted her status, making her a real concubine.

Half a year later, I released Chu Mumu and promoted her to Fengyi.

Chu Mumu was quite capable, she did some pole dancing for Jinye, and then regained his favor, which didn’t surprise me.

After all, in the prince’s harem, there must always be someone who becomes the favorite concubine, the target of public criticism, and a thorn in everyone’s side.

Otherwise, if she wasn’t around, they would inevitably come and keep an eye on me and the child.

I felt very happy watching everyone fighting with Chu Mumu in a battle of wits and courage, and seeing Chu Mumu becoming more and more courageous as the battle went on.

7

Another concubine in the Eastern Palace is pregnant, and Zhao’er is already three years old.

I’m pregnant with twins again.

After being married to Jin Ye for four years, Chu Mumu still has no children, but her position in Jin Ye’s heart remains unchanged.

It is really admirable that he has been honored and favored for so many years.

The imperial physician reported that I was pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. One legitimate son is not enough. I need at least two to ensure the glory of the Duke of Jin’s Mansion.

As for Chu Mumu, a so-called time-traveling girl who can only survive by relying on the favor of the prince, what qualifications does she have to fight with me?

Concubine Shen came and said that the emperor wanted to abdicate. He had worked diligently for decades and wanted to live for himself, so he planned to travel around the mountains and rivers with the queen.

I will leave after I give birth to twins.

Of course, this is just hearsay, and I don’t know whether it is true or not.

When I gave birth again, Jin Ye ignored Chu Mumu’s pleas and lived in my bedroom for a month before I gave birth.

Until I gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl.

Half a year later, the emperor abdicated and Jin Ye naturally became the emperor.

The imperial decree to crown the empress has not been issued yet, but I am not worried at all. Could it be that Jin Ye dares to give the throne to someone else?

“Is Chu Fengyi still quarreling with the emperor?”

I looked at Chunci and laughed happily, and couldn’t help but ask.

“It is said that the emperor promised Chu Mumu that he would make her the queen.”

It’s wishful thinking. No wonder Chun Ci couldn’t stop laughing.

After being favored for five years, you think you can become the queen?

At the coronation ceremony, Jin Ye held my hand and walked towards the throne. Only my name will be left in the history books.

Chu Mumu only got the title of beauty, which was already over the line, but she didn’t give Jin Ye any benefits.

He is going to make trouble with me again. After all, he is a love-brained person.

Chu Mumu became more and more proud in the harem, and his status also rose rapidly.

But in fact, I wouldn’t feel anything even if the emperor named her the Imperial Noble Consort, after all, she is an Imperial Noble Consort without a queen.

What kind of storm can it stir up?

Zhao’er was ten years old, and his tutor and others who taught him often praised him.

Just when I was feeling proud, rumors came from the court about establishing the eldest son as the heir, and Jin Ye came to my Fengyi Palace, which was a rare occasion.

“The ministers are all saying that Zhao’er should be made the crown prince. Queen, what do you think?”

He hasn’t called me Ningning for a long time. Since I became the queen, I have become more conscientious.

Disaster relief, grain production, imperial examinations for poor families, military examinations for poor families, border defense…

Each of them has my Qiu Ning’s name on it. I am too lazy to flatter Jin Ye anymore. I will need his favor when I am in the East Palace.

It’s because I have to be careful that he might go crazy and be deposed by the Emperor, which would prevent me from becoming the Queen.

But now I am the queen, and Dalin has a prosperous country and a strong people, and there is no reason to rebel. Who would need his illusory favor?

“Your Majesty has many children, and they are all very good. After all, I am Zhao’er’s mother, so I must think Zhao’er is good. Your Majesty asked me the wrong question. After all, what mother doesn’t favor her own children?”

The emperor’s words were flawless and his face turned cold. I was too lazy to say more to him, except that according to the ancestral precepts, he would stay in my palace on the first and fifteenth days of the month.

I never even went to the study to bring him soup.

Instead of giving it to him, I might as well give it to the people in poor areas. At least they will be grateful to me.

A dog knows how to wag its tail at me, so who needs him?

8

During the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, princes and ministers from all over the country entered the palace with their families.

At the banquet, Chu Mumu performed the opening dance in a feathered robe, attracting everyone’s attention.

Chu Mumu sat down happily. Jin Ye loved her so much that he put a chair to his right for Chu Mumu to sit on.

Even Concubine Shen had no seat, so it was given to Concubine Chu.

He deserves to be criticized.

At the banquet, everyone was sitting next to their legal wife, and the look of kindness and love on their faces made Jin Ye seem to come to his senses.

I looked indifferent and even had the energy to discuss with the ladies the makeup styles that were popular in Linyuan City.

I was very tired from preparing the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, so as soon as the banquet was over, I prepared to rest early.

When Jin Ye came walking on the moon, I remembered that today is August 15th, and he wants to rest at my place.

I forced myself to undress him and give him a bath, but I didn’t want to say another word.

Jin Ye looked at me deeply: “Queen, when did we become like this?”

I was confused. Is this guy sick again?

It’s not enough that Chu Mumu loves him to death, why do you want to bring bad luck to me? I love all the people in the world, I love everyone, but I don’t love him.

No him, he doesn’t deserve it!

“Your Majesty, I do not understand what you are saying.”

Jin Ye embraced me and put me on his lap. I tried hard to hold back a yawn.

They say that if a person starts reminiscing about the past, it means he is about to die, so I endured it.

“I still remember when you and I were in the Imperial College, you always called me Brother Jinye.”

I nodded, and at that time I still felt that he could be saved.

“That year at the Spring Festival Banquet, you wore a thin red shirt and danced, which made you look bright and beautiful. I still remember it.”

“I have kept the scent sachet you made for me well until now.”

…

He recalled a lot, and I realized that in fact we did have some good memories during those ten years.

But emperor, you are the most heartless. You gave me a blow in the year when I loved you the most, and now you ask me why I don’t love you anymore?

It’s really funny.

“Ningning, tell me, how did we become like this? Seeing Prince Heisei and his childhood sweetheart being so affectionate with each other, I feel very sad…”

I rolled my eyes in my mind: “Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. It is getting late. You should go to bed early.”

As I said that, I struggled a few times to get up from his arms.

After all these years and everything that happened, why do you still think I like you?

At night, Jinye hugged me tightly, as if he was holding a fragile gem: “Ningning, can you love me again, love me again?”

What a bullshit, go ahead and love Chu Mumu, I don’t want you.

9

Since that night, Jin Ye seemed like a different person. He no longer favored Chu Mumu alone, but came to see me from time to time.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even sleeping with him.

It will inevitably become a thorn in everyone’s eyes and a thorn in their flesh.

I could only share the favor equally, and when it was time to eat, I would go to either one palace or the other.

He even refused to sleep with the emperor on the grounds that he was not feeling well, except on the first and fifteenth days of the first lunar month.

It’s really funny that the queen was chased around the palace by the emperor.

But I haven’t been feeling well lately, really not, and I’ve been very sleepy.

I felt drowsy all day long, and for half a month, I was not awake at all.

Zhaoer came back from the Imperial College, and seeing my condition, he hurried over to pull me, crying, “Mother, mother, what’s wrong with you?”

I waved my hand and patted his head: “My mother wants to ensure your eternal glory. This is the only way.”

I became Jin Ye’s favorite, and the first one to be affected was Chu Mumu. I really couldn’t imagine that she would drug me.

There are two reasons for my sleepiness. One is the medicine Chu Mumu gave me, and the other is that I am pregnant with another child.

But I couldn’t keep this child because I was in poor health due to political affairs.

It is a blessing from God that he can be kept for three months. Since he cannot be kept, we can only let this child play the best role he can.

Zhaoer knelt at the door of the study and begged Jinye to come and see me in front of the ministers.

“Father, Queen Mother…I’m afraid Queen Mother is not going to make it.”

Jin Ye was a little angry because he was avoiding me and didn’t come to see me for more than half a month.

When he heard Zhao’er’s words, he fell to the ground.

She was helped up and ran towards Fengyi Palace, and all the concubines in the palace also got the news.

Several highly respected ministers followed behind and entered the harem.

The room was full of blood, and the child was finally aborted, although it was a bit painful.

I was lying on the bed feeling drowsy, and I only felt someone holding my hand and someone crying in my ear.

After checking my pulse, the imperial physician knelt on the ground and said, “Your Majesty, the queen has had a miscarriage.”

I felt inexplicably sad in my heart. Although I knew it would not come into this world, it had stayed in my body for more than a month after all.

With his eyes closed and tears streaming down his face, Zhaoer cried uncontrollably: “Mother, mother, please don’t cry. Zhaoer will have brothers and sisters in the future…”

Chun Ci also knelt on the ground and cried: “Your Majesty has been very sleepy lately.”

The imperial physician keenly grasped the message: “Sleepy?”

Then I heard the imperial physician busying around the palace trying to find the cause of my sleepiness, and I became anxious.

Xiang, you idiot, hurry up, my stomach hurts so much, I can’t pretend anymore.

The imperial physician searched for a long time and finally smelled something: “It smells good, it’s this fragrance.”

Upon hearing this, Jin Ye ordered the entire palace to investigate.

10

Chu Mumu was found out quickly, and she hadn’t even gotten warm to the position of concubine she had just obtained.

She was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in the cold palace.

Zhao’er was named the crown prince, and court officials praised him for his kindness, especially for handling the matter of my abortion very quickly.

Brave and resourceful.

At night, Jin Ye came to my palace, held my hand and kept saying sorry. When he talked about the deep love, his voice was crying and his eyes were red.

But my heart can no longer be disturbed by any ripples.

While Chu Mumu was in the cold palace, I found some beauties from the people who looked somewhat like Chu Mumu and sent them to the palace.

Now that the new person is favored, who would think of Chu Mumu in the cold palace?

Chu Mumu insisted on seeing me, but I didn’t know what she wanted to do, and I didn’t want to waste any time and energy on her, so I didn’t go.

When Zhao’er was fifteen years old, Chu Mumu regained his favor.

When asked the reason, it turned out that Chu Mumu was dancing in the cold palace on a moonlit night and invited him with a song.

The emperor admired her from across the palace wall and thought of the lovely Chu Mumu of previous years.

The assassin came looking for Feng, and Chu Mumu blocked the sword with her body and almost lost her life. Jin Ye regretted it very much and personally carried Chu Mumu back to the Presentation Hall that night.

That was the emperor’s own bedroom.

Because of her contribution in saving the emperor, Chu Mumu was promoted directly to the position of concubine.

And Zhao’er became more and more powerful in the court, and some people could no longer be retained.

I took the initiative to send Chu Mumu a lot of supplements and gold and silver treasures.

He went to the study room, carrying the soup that had not been served for a long time.

Jin Ye saw my eyes change: “The Queen is here.”

I nodded and said, “Since the government affairs are bothering you, I have cooked some tonic for your Majesty.”

Jin Ye’s eyes finally relaxed a little, and he happily swallowed all my supplements.

From then on, I ate one bowl every day for several months.

Chu Mumu is the most favored.

Rumors began to spread among the people that Chu Mumu was a goddess from heaven, and that she had some unique insights on several natural disasters.

For example, sprinkle bran on the porridge for disaster relief to prevent some villains from stealing the food of the victims.

Qingzhou suffered a century-long drought, and the entire county had no harvest.

I discussed with the court officials and made arrangements for the Emperor and Empress to personally go to the disaster-stricken areas to provide relief and comfort the people.

Jin Ye came at night when I was writing about disaster relief matters and was having a headache.

“The Queen.”

Seeing Jin Ye gave me a headache, but I still managed to talk to him: “Your Majesty, why are you here so late?”

Jin Ye looked at me with a slight gleam in his eyes, and I caught it in an instant. It was related to Chu Mumu again.

“Mu Mu hasn’t left the palace for many years. I plan to take Mu Mu with me to this disaster relief mission.”

The rage rose from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. I pinched my palms to suppress my anger: “Your Majesty, we are going to provide disaster relief, not to have fun.”

Jin Ye nodded repeatedly: “I know.”

I knew it, but I did it anyway, simply because it was Chu Mumu’s request.

I sighed and said, “Forget it, Your Majesty, please take me if you want.”

Jin Ye looked at me, with something in his eyes that I understood but didn’t want to say out loud.

When I set out on the disaster relief journey, I traveled light and didn’t even bring any nice clothes.

The rich have wine and meat, but the poor freeze to death on the streets.

As the queen, I should set an example.

As if to make up for Chu Mumu, Jin Ye takes Chu Mumu out every day and shows off.

The rumor that she was a goddess spread in the city, attracting the people in the city to worship her. I knew that Jin Ye wanted to make Chu Mumu the imperial concubine.

But there was a lack of an opportunity. As the emperor, the disaster relief was the only way he could think of to increase Chu Mumu’s reputation.

Zhaoer couldn’t bear it and wanted to persuade her again and again, but I stopped him, for the last time.

Zhao’er is sixteen years old now, and there are some things he can do.

Jin Ye and Chu Mumu’s ostentation was so huge that every time they went out it was a waste of money and labor, and the common people had to go to great lengths to pay homage to them.

Chu Mumu seemed to have never enjoyed so much praise before, and became more and more elated.

Zhao’er and I changed into cloth clothes and hid among the people.

Work with everyone to dig canals, divert crops, and prepare for the coming year.

In the palace, Chu Mumu and Jin Ye had fun every night. Just separated by a wall, the sound of them playing in the water could be heard everywhere.

Zhao Er covered his ears and said, “I am so annoyed. I am so annoyed!”

I chuckled and patted my camera’s hands: “Although this is a temporary palace, the foot of the mountain is where the people live. Now the people of Qingzhou even have trouble getting water.”

Zhaoer immediately understood what I meant.

On the second day, Jin Ye took Chu Mumu through the streets again. People still knelt down, but no one cheered, and no one showed great respect for Chu Mumu’s identity as a celestial being.

Jin Ye’s health finally began to collapse.

After the disaster relief work was over, I stood side by side with Jin Ye in gorgeous clothes, and Zhao’er stood behind us.

When the people saw Zhao’er and I, they immediately shouted, “Long live the Queen, long live the Crown Prince.”

Jin Ye lost the support of the people. Zhao’er and I used the blisters and calluses on our hands to completely destroy Jin Ye’s reputation.

He wants to win the hearts of the people for Chu Mumu and is even willing to invent a fairy. So I must make her a demon concubine who brings disaster to the country and the people.

Chu Mumu’s road to promotion has finally come to an end.

11

After returning to the palace from the disaster relief mission, there were countless memorials impeaching Chu Mumu in the court.

What’s worse, he asked Jin Ye to execute Chu Mumu to appease the people’s anger.

Jin Ye was so annoyed that he came to my palace to find some peace and quiet: “Ning Ning, I was not thoughtful enough about Mu Mu’s matter.”

I waved my hand: “It’s okay, Chu Mumu must have received the emperor’s kindness, it’s good.”

“Lingnan is a picturesque place with clear waters and green mountains. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

Jin Ye was stunned and looked at me like a stranger: “Ningning, what are you doing?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Jin Ye suddenly laughed, then covered his face and cried: “Are you going to abandon me? Ningning, you don’t want me anymore, right? We used to, used to…”

I called someone over and said, “Prepare paper and pen for the emperor. When you have finished writing the abdication edict, you can leave.”

Jin Ye suddenly grabbed my hand: “Ningning, you can’t do this to me, you are my queen, you are my…”

I pried open Jin Ye’s fingers one by one: “Your Majesty, I am the queen of the people first, and then I am yours.”

Jin Ye seemed to not believe it: “No, you once…”

I looked at the square courtyard, as if I was back in my and Jin Ye’s childhood.

Yes, once upon a time, I really liked him.

He is as gentle as water and always puts me first. In spring, he would ignore the opinions of the palace servants and insist on taking me to the river to fish.

Wash my hands and cook soup for me.

In the summer, he would take me out to enjoy the cool air, and when I fell asleep, he would stand by my side holding a palm-leaf fan all night long, just to let me sleep peacefully.

In winter, he will take me to see the red maple leaves all over the mountains and make a promise to me for a lifetime.

In winter, she was afraid that I would be cold, so she would blow her breath on me to keep me warm, and she also sent the best cloak to the Duke of Jin’s mansion.

He would feed me candied fruits when I was sick and taking medicine, and he would set off fireworks all over the city just to wish me a happy birthday.

…

But everything happened when he held Chu Mumu’s hand, broke off the engagement with me at the door, and made me the laughing stock of the whole city.

Disappeared completely.

“Your Majesty, I once truly loved you, but that was only once.”

“You brought Chu Mumu here to break off the engagement. Have you ever thought about how I will cope with life in Linyuan City and Dalin in the future?”

“The night I gave birth to Zhao’er, you just thought that Chu Mumu trapped you, but if you had me in your heart, you wouldn’t have let Zhao’er and I wait for you all night…”

…

The more I talked, the more the light in Jin Ye’s eyes faded: “I thought you really didn’t care.”

I nodded, “Yes, I don’t care. If I really love a man, I won’t take a concubine for him, and I won’t let him please beautiful women. Jin Ye, I don’t love you anymore. I stopped loving you the day you took Chu Mumu’s hand to break off the engagement with me.”

“Then why do you want to be my crown princess?”

I covered my mouth and chuckled: “Jin Ye, you are wrong, I want to be the Crown Princess, it doesn’t matter who it is.”

Jin Ye fell to the ground, mumbling, “So you didn’t want me anymore, you didn’t want me anymore.”

I stepped out of the door slowly: “Your Majesty can only come out after he writes his abdication edict.”

The palace servants nodded.

Zhaoer was appointed as regent for the sake of the country and the people, so the ministers accepted it without any question.

12

Jin Ye wrote the abdication edict without much struggle.

Prepare to take the concubines to Lingnan.

Chu Mumu came to say goodbye to me in a triumphant manner.

Speaking of her, I still have a big gift to give her.

After the death of the late emperor and the empress dowager, the empress dowager once mentioned that there was a room in the palace and asked me to go and see it.

I went to find Jin Ye, but his health was no longer the same as before.

After dismissing all the servants, I handed Jin Ye a rag and said, “These are some things that my father and mother left behind. My mother has never allowed anyone to see them. Now that you are about to go to Lingnan, this can be regarded as the last time I can fulfill my filial duty.”

Jin Ye looked at me, full of guilt, but still obediently took the rag and began to wipe everything in the room.

I watched calmly.

Until Jin Ye took out a box full of letters.

Looking at the slightly familiar handwriting, Jin Ye’s hands were shaking so much that he couldn’t hold it steady.

At first I thought the Queen Mother had destroyed them all, but it turns out she kept some.

The things in the box were scattered on the ground. I was about to go forward, but Jin Ye shouted angrily, “Stop, stop!”

Then he picked up the letters. They were love letters that Chu Mumu wrote to the late emperor. The papers were yellowed and had Chu Mumu’s unique handwriting.

I can’t even fake it.

“Why? Why? Why on earth is this happening?”

I stepped forward and held his hand: “My mother and I saw that the emperor was so obsessed with her, and we didn’t want to hurt the late emperor’s feelings, so we kept it a secret.”

Jin Ye pinched my shoulders and shook me continuously: “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You are taking revenge on me, didn’t you? Tell me, didn’t you?”

“Your Majesty knows the truth of these things better than anyone else. Although I don’t love Your Majesty now, from the beginning to the end, the only person I love is Your Majesty, and I have never loved anyone else. Doesn’t Your Majesty know this?”

It’s murderous and heart-breaking. I have only loved him and only him. Even if I don’t love him now, I have only loved him and only him. He is the one and only.

Chu Mumu stepped on the powerful and flattered the weak, and almost got into the bed of the late emperor. This understanding alone is enough.

13

After Zhao’er ascended the throne, Jin Ye took the concubines away.

Chu Mumu came to see me specially the night before and looked down at me: “Qiu Ning, I really pity you.”

I looked at the booklet in my hand and decided to choose a queen and concubines for Zhao’er.

“Oh? Why do you pity me?”

“You have never received Jin Ye’s love in your life. If you don’t feel pity for me, who will?”

I couldn’t help but want to laugh: “Why should I be loved by him?”

Chu Mumu was a little dazed: “With his love, I can…”

“What can I do? I can walk sideways in the palace. I was the Crown Princess before, then the Queen, and now the Queen Mother. I have always walked sideways, with endless gold, silver and jewelry, and the people’s praise. In the future, I can go down in history. You have won Jin Ye’s love, so what?”

“Why should I seek the protection of others for my whole life? I should become a woman who is unknown behind others. I can do it myself, why should I ask others to do it for me? It’s ridiculous. You still feel sorry for me. Your hard days have just begun.”

Chu Mumu was dragged out, shouting, “Impossible, how can you not hate? How can you not hate?”

I waved to Chunci, and Chunci led a few young eunuchs in, but they were not real eunuchs.

Each one is beautiful and charming, strong, cute, and gentle…

Love? I can pretend to be like this in front of Jin Ye, and they can pretend to be like this in front of me too.

There are plenty of men out there, and if you don’t like one, the worst that can happen is that you can just replace him.

14

Jin Ye wanted to see me before he left, but I didn’t agree.

After arriving in Lingnan, Chu Mumu was locked up and tortured day and night.

Concubine Shen and Concubine Li often wrote me letters, all of which described how Jin Ye treated Chu Mumu and how he tortured her.

None of that is my business anymore.

When Jin Ye was forty years old, he seemed to be on his deathbed, and kept murmuring my name.

In order to avoid giving others a chance to talk, Zhaoer ordered someone to bring Jin Ye back.

Chu Mumu came back from being locked in a cage. He was crazy and couldn’t speak clearly.

She kept saying something like she was the queen, but I was too lazy to listen.

There is not a single piece of good flesh on her body. It is said that Jin Ye deliberately did not execute her and kept her alive to torture her. But it is none of my business now.

That night, Zhao’er and a group of concubines knelt on the ground. Jin Ye’s eyes were cloudy, but he still stubbornly came to hold my hand.

I felt a little disgusted. His hands were skin and bones, but it was worth the months of tonic I took. Otherwise, he might have lived another 20 or 30 years.

Jin Ye opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. I leaned over and said, “Ning Ning, I have failed you in the end. I’m sorry.”

I patted his hands to show that I received it.

“In the next life, I will definitely find you and make it up to you.”

I felt a chill and leaned over to whisper in his ear: “You think too much. I don’t even want to be with you in this life, let alone the next life.”

Seeing that he was still breathing, I sighed, “I forgot to tell you that after death you will be buried with your fickle Chu Mumu. I think you are dirty, and you think she is dirty. You two are really a perfect match. As for you and me, we will never see each other again in this life or the next!”

Jin Ye’s eyes suddenly widened, and he mumbled something in his mouth.

Then his hand grasped in the air, and I watched intently until his hand slowly fell and there was no breath left.

15

Chu Mumu in the cold palace seemed to sense something, and kept wailing while grabbing the door, muttering, “Brother Jinye, Brother Jinye, I was wrong, I was wrong.”

While Zhao’er was dealing with Jin Ye’s funeral, I kindly went to the cold palace to see my old friend.

Chu Mumu was no longer crazy, and looked at me with clear eyes: “It turns out that I was the loser.”

I smiled and said, “Haven’t you received his love for so many years? It can’t be considered a loss.”

Chu Mumu laughed: “Now that I think about it, I might as well live like you. I thought I was a time-traveling girl, looking down on everyone, but I forgot how many things like this you have seen and heard since you were young.”

Yes, how can a mere time-traveling girl fight against a noble lady who has been carefully trained by a century-old aristocratic family?

Chu Mumu covered her face and cried non-stop: “I regret the most, I regret the most that I didn’t give Jin Ye a child. I stand at a high place, watching him love and pamper me, how can I not be really moved? I really love him.”

“Child? You will never have a child in your life.”

Chu Mumu seemed to have just understood something, and suddenly tried to grab me: “It’s you, isn’t it? You did it, it’s all you!”

Chun Ci stepped on her and Chu Mumu shouted, “You! I’m going to kill you. It’s all your fault!”

“It was me. I drugged you the day after you arrived at the East Palace. Those dozens of beatings must have been painful, right? After all, the drug was mixed with contraceptive drugs, so it was very painful. It was normal for you to have a stomachache, after all, you used contraceptive drugs for a whole year.”

Chu Mumu looked at me in disbelief.

I walked away leisurely: “Don’t let her die too quickly, just torture her to death, and as for the body, throw it into a mass grave.”

After coming to this world, you become a laughing stock in other people’s mouths, leaving nothing behind, not even your body.

After I died, Zhaoer listened to me and did not want to be buried with Jinye.

Instead, my body was sent to the border and buried next to my father and brothers.

The only thing I regret in my life is that I did not die at the border with my father and brothers, I have not seen the mountains and rivers of the border, and I don’t know how heroic my father and brothers were on horseback at the border.

They used their lives to protect the century-old glory of my Duke of Jin’s Mansion. How could I let a mere time-traveling girl destroy it?

My achievements are recorded by the world, and the glory of my Duke of Jin’s Mansion is praised by everyone.