Seeing that Consort Shu had calmed down, Jiang Chen coaxed, "Yun'er, can you tell朕 what happened now?"

"Crying like a little tabby cat, did someone in the palace bully you?"

Jiang Chen's tone was gentle, but his eyes were full of chilling killing intent.

Consort Shu had a gentle nature and didn't like to argue with others.

For her to shed tears and cry, she must have suffered a great grievance!

Consort Shu leaned against Jiang Chen's chest, her pretty face streaked with tears, and lowered her eyes with bitterness. "Your Majesty, it has nothing to do with others. The reason this concubine is crying is because of my own uselessness."

As she spoke, a look of melancholy flashed across her face, and her beautiful eyes were filled with sorrow, making people's hearts ache.

Jiang Chen frowned and held her tighter, saying, "What uselessness? Don't overthink things all day long!"

"In 朕's heart, you are the most wonderful woman in the world!"

Consort Shu placed her slender hand against his chest, sat up straight, and dejectedly reflected, "This concubine is useless. I have failed to give birth to imperial offspring after entering the palace for so many years, embarrassing Your Majesty and worrying the ministers in the court."

"Today, this matter even caused Your Majesty to argue with the Imperial Concubine Dowager, causing disharmony in the royal family. All of this is my fault, this concubine's fault..."

Speaking to this point, tears welled up in Consort Shu's beautiful eyes again, and she felt extremely ashamed.

Upon hearing this, a look of helplessness appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes.

As an imperial concubine, not bearing children was the greatest sin!

And Consort Shu was now at the height of her favor. The eyes of the court and the harem were all fixed on her. It was normal for her to break down under pressure.

Jiang Chen could understand her, but this matter could not be solved by using the emperor's authority.

He could only hold the beauty in his arms tightly and comfort her, "It's okay, it's okay, 朕 doesn't care about this. Yun'er, you don't need to blame yourself."

"If it really doesn't work, 朕 will work harder in the future, and after a long time, it will naturally happen."

All in all, Consort Shu had only been favored for a little over a month. How could she get pregnant so quickly?

Consort Shu felt a little relieved by Jiang Chen's comforting words, but she was still worried, "But, but the ministers and the Imperial Concubine Dowager may not have this patience."

"This concubine has heard many rumors these past few days, saying that I am ill-fated and have no缘分 (yuanfen, fate) to bear imperial offspring, yet I monopolize Your Majesty's grace..."

Jiang Chen's large hand tightened on her slender waist, and he said sternly, "Which bastard spread the rumor?"

"Daring to speak rashly about the imperial concubine without any evidence, if 朕 finds out, 朕 will skin him alive!"

"Yun'er, you must not listen to the rumors spread by these villains. You have great fortune. 朕 once said that 朕 would make you empress, do you remember?"

Consort Shu nodded blankly, her heart pounding like a drum.

Jiang Chen gently stroked her face and said firmly, "A ruler does not speak in jest, this position of empress must be yours!"

"However, since those ministers and the Imperial Concubine Dowager all think that only bearing a dragon child can lead to being crowned empress, then let's have one first."

"In this life, 朕's empress can only be you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, tears welled up in Consort Shu's eyes again, but this time, the tears were shed for happiness.

What she feared most in her heart was Jiang Chen's displeasure.

If he distanced himself from her because of rumors and opposition from the crowd, she really wouldn't know what to do.

"Silly Yun'er, why are you still crying? Be careful you'll ruin your eyes from crying, and you won't be pretty anymore."

Jiang Chen gently kissed away the tears on Consort Shu's face, then picked her up horizontally and walked towards the depths of the bed curtains.

He said meaningfully, "Tonight, even if you beg for mercy, 朕 won't let you rest!"

Consort Shu felt his fiery gaze, her heart pounding wildly, and her delicate body also went weak.

She originally wanted to avoid suspicion and let Jiang Chen go to the Liu clan.

But, but she also wanted to give birth to a dragon child for Jiang Chen as soon as possible, so she reluctantly complied and did not resist.

"Your Majesty, can, can you be gentler? This concubine also wants to persevere a little longer."

After saying these words in a voice as soft as a mosquito, Consort Shu immediately closed her eyes, her pretty face as red as if it was about to drip blood.

Jiang Chen was provoked by her rare initiative, and his lower abdomen was boiling, wishing he could swallow her in one bite.

He said hoarsely, "Yun'er, don't worry, 朕 will definitely fight until dawn today, and strive to make you pregnant with imperial offspring as soon as possible!"

Consort Shu softened her body, lying娇羞 (jiao xiu, bashful) and obediently on the bedding, her slender hand climbing onto Jiang Chen's belt...

After a while, the curtains fell, covering the enchanting scenery inside.

Only soft娇吟 (jiao yin, loving moans) could be heard from time to time, stirring people's hearts and echoing in the room.

All night long.

The palace maids who served here, such as Fu'er and others, could hear Consort Shu's tearful begging for mercy, from gentle to hoarse, lasting until dawn.

The next day.

Consort Shu unusually did not get up and did not personally serve Jiang Chen's washing.

She curled up in the brocade quilt, her pretty face dotted with tear stains, but a sense of satisfaction lingered between her brows, as if she was a delicate flower that had been completely nourished by rain.

Jiang Chen got up on time, but there was a hint of dark blue under his eyes, and he didn't look as energetic as usual.

He had spent the whole night plowing, without closing his eyes. If it weren't for the Qiankun Guiding Technique, he would have been unable to do it long ago.

After tucking in the quilt for Consort Shu, Jiang Chen reached out and summoned Fu'er, and took a bath in the side hall.

During this period, Fu'er's pair of watery eyes kept drifting towards him, coupled with her delicate body dampened by the mist, it was very tempting.

But Jiang Chen did not look sideways and quickly finished his bath, then changed his clothes to go to court.

With Zhang Zifang, Yuan Buyi, Su Wen, and Prime Minister Pei and others in charge, he was much more relaxed, and only needed to make decisions.

The court began to operate correctly and efficiently.

Although friction would occasionally occur, it was all within Jiang Chen's control and could be resolved quickly.

Near noon, the court meeting ended.

Jing Yue came to report, "Your Majesty, Headmaster Yang has not returned to Yu Province and has been active around the Imperial Capital recently."

"This subordinate has already sent Shadow Guards to negotiate with her according to your instructions, and has agreed to meet at Maple Mountain tomorrow afternoon."

Jiang Chen nodded, "Okay, 朕 understands."

"By the way, did she investigate 朕's identity?"

Jing Yue revealed a pensive look, "Returning to Your Majesty, according to the information this subordinate has, Headmaster Yang should not have had any thoughts in this regard."

"She has been active among the people recently, dealing with the common people more often. She doesn't care much about court affairs and has no channels to investigate royal affairs."

"Okay, but to be on the safe side, reissue the gag order and tell those students who know 朕's identity to keep it a secret," Jiang Chen instructed.

Jing Yue nodded and said again, "Your Majesty, the palace banquet is about to begin. You should move to see the royal relatives. The two princes from the Imperial Concubine Dowager Lü have already taken their seats."

As she spoke, a hint of hesitation appeared on her cold face, "However, according to the Dark Guard's investigation, these two princes seem to have no ambitions. All day long, they do nothing but eat, drink, have fun, and frequent brothels and brothels. They hardly do anything serious."

Jiang Chen touched his chin, somewhat surprised, "Since it is news from the Dark Guard, the situation should be true."

"But dismissing suspicion so easily is a bit rash. 朕 should still meet these two imperial brothers first."

As he said that, he put down the memorial in his hand and shouted loudly, "Someone, prepare the carriage!"