The grand palace exuded both magnificence and grandeur. At this moment, a man sat on the main seat in the main hall. He had a calm and imposing demeanor, not showing anger but radiating authority as he listened to the opinions of his ministers. His handsome brows slightly furrowed with displeasure. His chiseled face remained unchanged, exuding a radiant light like the depths of the sea. His tightly pursed lips formed a straight line, making it difficult for the courtiers below to predict his next move.

"My lords, is there anything else you wish to report?" The Emperor's magnetic yet authoritative voice resounded, questioning the ministers below.

"We have nothing to report, Your Majesty," the civil and military officials replied in unison.

"Dismissed," a eunuch named Xiaohuanzi quickly raised his voice to usher them out.

"We bid farewell to His Majesty, long live the Emperor!" The officials once again spoke in unison, but the Emperor's figure was no longer present on the dragon throne in the hall.

This made the officials shake their heads. Ever since the Emperor had embraced a woman three years ago, the beloved Concubine Jing, he had lost focus on governing the court. For the past three years, he had been seeking various herbs and remedies to cure Concubine Jing's illness, but her condition did not seem to improve much. This caused unrest among the people of the Northern Chen Kingdom. The palace even dispatched skilled experts to secretly search for a cure in the other four countries, fearing that if other nations found out, it would be used as an excuse for aggression.

"Prime Minister, please stay," the Minister of Personnel, Luo Qingyang, called out to Prime Minister Qiao Zhengming, who was about to leave.

"It's Minister Luo. Do you have something important?" Qiao Zhengming turned around and politely asked the person who had stopped him.

"Prime Minister, there is news from the palace. It is said that Concubine Jing's condition is gradually improving. I wonder if the Prime Minister is aware of this?" Luo Qingyang's usually elegant face showed an unusual expression of embarrassment.

"This is an affair of the palace, how would I know?" Qiao Zhengming understood what he was thinking from his expression, but that was the Emperor's most cherished person. It would be better not to say too much. He didn't want the court to lose another talented official. When the Emperor received a message years ago and hurriedly took him along, he didn't expect the Emperor to develop feelings for Concubine Jing as well. Qiao Zhengming secretly thought to himself, "Trouble... it's trouble."

"Thank you, Prime Minister," Luo Qingyang left in a daze.

"Prime Minister, the Emperor summons you for an audience. I believe you understand without me saying more," the messenger eunuch delivered the message and left.

Upon hearing that the Emperor had summoned him, Qiao Zhengming's refined face showed a mixed expression of laughter and tears, but he still resignedly walked toward the imperial palace.

"I pay my respects to the Emperor," Qiao Zhengming had just entered the Quiet Moon Palace and saw the Emperor seemingly searching for something inside. Qiao Zhengming knew what he was thinking just from his expression. It seemed that there was no one else in his heart except for Concubine Jing. He wondered what kind of play would unfold today.

"Never mind, help me find Concubine Jing first," Bei Chenxiao's exceptionally handsome face showed a trace of anxiety, worried that his beloved might be hiding to avoid taking her medicine.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's difficult for me," Qiao Zhengming said with a difficult expression on his face, but his hand secretly pointed upward.

As the ruler of the Northern Chen Kingdom, Bei Chenxiao was a remarkable figure. If he cared so much, it meant that no one else but Concubine Jing was left. When he raised his head, he vaguely saw a small piece of pink skirt fluttering among the dense branches, and a loving expression appeared on his handsome face.

"Whoosh!" Bei Chenxiao leaped lightly, effortlessly jumping onto the tree branch. It was a picturesque scene. A cascade of black hair fell freely, framing delicate features on an oval face. Her willow-like eyebrows gracefully extended, and dense eyelashes delicately covered her eyelids. Due to her closed eyes, it was impossible to see her eyes clearly. A petite and straight nose. Her lips curved into an upward angle, and the most captivating feature was a budding peony between her brows. Such beauty was unparalleled in the world. As Bei Chenxiao stared at the beautiful woman, he was captivated. Suddenly, a sneeze interrupted the moment. "Ahchoo!" The woman's sneeze awakened her. Damn it... her condition had only slightly improved, and she had caught a cold while sleeping in the tree. It was all her carelessness. Bei Chenxiao sighed, "Disaster... a disaster."

"Thank you, Prime Minister," Luo Qingyang said with a helpless smile. The Prime Minister had not lost his composure despite the situation. He truly admired his self-control.

After Chen Taiyi finished examining the pulse, he respectfully addressed Bei Chenxiao with a firm yet aging voice, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort is not seriously ill, just a bit vulnerable to the cold. I will prepare a prescription for her to take."

"That's good. Go and prepare the medicine," Bei Chenxiao's tense expression eased upon hearing Chen Taiyi's words. He calmly instructed Chen Taiyi to prepare the medicine, then turned his gaze back to me sitting on the bed. "Jinger, rest well. I'll come to see you later," he tenderly said before leaving the Quiet Heart Pavilion with Qiao Zhengming.

"Hmph, annoying," I muttered softly. Perhaps my body hadn't fully recovered yet. All this fuss was really exhausting.

"Your Highness, may I assist you in lying down?" Qinglian, who had been serving me closely, understood how to care for me based on my expression. Despite her young age, she was exceptionally considerate.

"Alright," I replied softly.

Lying on the bed, I still doubted my identity as the imperial concubine to this day. Although I had lost my memory, I felt no familiarity with everything in this place. However, when I looked at his expression towards me, I couldn't help but dispel any doubts. The concern, indulgence, and acceptance he showed repeatedly indicated that he loved me. But I always felt a sense of unfamiliarity towards him.

Forget it, I won't think about it. One day, I will remember everything. With this thought in mind, I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. In my dream, there was a blurry yet familiar figure. What was that feeling?

After leaving the Quiet Moon Palace, the atmosphere between Bei Chenxiao and Qiao Zhengming became tense.

"Zhengming, what is your opinion on the current situation in the Kingdom of Qi?" Bei Chenxiao appeared nonchalant, but in reality, his mind was filled with thoughts of the enchanting woman from earlier.

"The ruler of the Kingdom of Qi is not an ordinary person, and as for the Qi Yun King, he is even more enigmatic. In just three years, he has eliminated corrupt officials, deposed the empress dowager, and stabilized the turbulent state. The Qi Yun King's influence reaches far and wide, leaving the surrounding nations in awe. However..." Qiao Zhengming analyzed the situation, his words tinged with regret.

"However, what?" Bei Chenxiao's gaze sharpened as he looked at his friend.

"However, it's a pity that the 'Broken Army,' who was rumored to have passed away three years ago, isn't here in the mortal realm. If he were still alive, it would be like adding wings to a tiger for the Kingdom of Qi," Qiao Zhengming said, shaking his head with a face full of regret.

Upon hearing his friend's analysis, Bei Chenxiao also felt that this "King of Qi" was indeed troublesome. Looking at his friend's expression, if he were to tell him that the Broken Army was not only alive but also currently in his harem, and moreover, the person whom he regarded as a disaster, what kind of expression would he show?

"Hahaha..." The thought of his friend's expression made Bei Chenxiao burst into laughter, his amusement overflowing.

Qiao Zhengming, who was still contemplating the loss of a talented general, was taken aback by his friend's hearty laughter. He couldn't quite comprehend what was going on.