After killing four concubines, the queen was sentenced to death and reborn

Xiao Xuanchen's eyes were as calm as an ancient well, but they moved gently between Zheng Xiyan and Concubine Zhao, as if he was searching for something. He noticed that the air between the two seemed to have solidified a little, and the subtle atmosphere made him feel a little moved. He sat on the main seat calmly, tapping his fingers on the table, making a rhythmic sound, and said indifferently: "Today, it's so cold, why are you two so interested that you actually came to Weiyang Palace?"

After hearing what Xiao Xuanchen said, Concubine Zhao's heart tightened for a moment, but then she took a deep breath and calmed herself down. She smiled slightly, with the corners of her mouth raised in a perfect arc, and said, "Your Majesty, you are joking. I just feel that life in the palace is a bit boring. I remembered that I haven't come to pay my respects to the Queen for some time, so I thought of coming here to walk around and relieve my boredom."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiyan also echoed it in a gentle and soft voice: "Concubine Zhao is really thoughtful. I am very pleased." She turned to Xiao Xuanchen, with a soft light flashing in her eyes and a gentle smile on her face, like the warm sun in spring.

Concubine Zhao felt a hint of invisible pressure under Xiao Xuanchen's gaze. She was secretly annoyed, but she didn't show it on her face. She bowed quickly and said, "Your Majesty, Madam, I won't bother you any more. I'll take my leave first."

Xiao Xuanchen's gaze stayed on Concubine Zhao for a moment, then he smiled and said, "Go!" There was an imperceptible hint of deep meaning in his voice.

"I'll take my leave." Concubine Zhao bowed again and then slowly left the Weiyang Palace. Her back gradually moved away in the eyes of Xiao Xuanchen and Zheng Xiyan until she disappeared outside the door.

Zheng Xiyan looked at Concubine Zhao's departing figure with a satisfied smile on her face. She picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, thinking to herself, "This Concubine Zhao is quite tactful." She raised her head and looked at Xiao Xuanchen, with a questioning look in her eyes.

"I am a little surprised that the morning court ended so early today." Zheng Xiyan's eyes revealed a bit of curiosity.

Xiao Xuanchen looked at Zheng Xiyan's gentle face and smiled, "It's quite early. The affairs of the court were handled smoothly today. It's rare for me to have some free time."

Zheng Xiyan nodded, then changed the subject, frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, haven't you gone to Zhonghua Palace to visit Concubine De? Your Majesty has not seen her since she gave birth. You will disappoint her."

Xiao Xuanchen's face flashed with a trace of contemplation when he heard this. He naturally knew what Zheng Xiyan meant, and he also realized that he had indeed neglected Concubine De. He sighed softly and said, "The Queen is right. I should really go see her."

Zheng Xiyan was delighted to hear Xiao Xuanchen say this, and a more gentle smile appeared on her face. She whispered softly, "I am going to Zhonghua Palace to visit my sister, Concubine De. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, why not go with me?"

Xiao Xuanchen looked at Zheng Xiyan's expectant eyes, and his heart moved. He knew that he couldn't refuse such an invitation, not to mention that he really wanted to see Concubine De. So, he nodded and smiled, "Okay, I'll listen to the Queen."

When Zheng Xiyan saw Xiao Xuanchen agreed, a brighter smile appeared on her face. She stood up, adjusted her dress, and then bowed slightly to Xiao Xuanchen, saying, "Your Majesty, please."

The two walked out of Weiyang Palace together and headed towards Zhonghua Palace. Zheng Xiyan walked lightly with a gentle smile on her face, while Xiao Xuanchen followed closely behind her, and their figures gradually faded away on the palace corridor.

Concubine Zhao, who had not yet walked far, caught that scene by accident. Her heart was slightly moved. She opened her red lips and asked slowly, "Your Majesty and the Queen, are you heading towards Zhonghua Palace?"

Caiwei followed behind her, nodded slightly, and said firmly: "Jieyu is right, it is indeed the way to Zhonghua Palace."

The two returned to Yihua Palace. After Concubine Zhao sat down, her brows revealed a bit of confusion and curiosity. She turned to Caiwei and whispered, "Caiwei, what kind of person do you think the Queen is?"

When Caiwei heard this, a subtle look flashed across her eyes, as if she was a little surprised by Concubine Zhao's question, but she still answered respectfully: "Concubine Zhao, I don't know how to answer."

Concubine Zhao frowned slightly, as if she was not satisfied with Caiwei's answer. She continued to ask, "I really can't understand why the Queen is so perfect. Both His Majesty and the Queen Mother are full of praise for her, and everyone in the harem praises her virtue. How did she do it?"

Caiwei smiled gently, and that smile seemed to carry some respect and admiration for the Queen. She said slowly: "Queen, she is the apple of the eye of Princess Chengyang and Duke Zheng, and the granddaughter of the King of Chu. She has true royal blood flowing in her body. Concubine Jie may not know that the King of Chu is a direct descendant of Crown Prince Hongren."

"Crown Prince Hongren?" Concubine Zhao's eyes flashed with surprise, and she couldn't help but ask, "Who exactly is Crown Prince Hongren?"

Caiwei patiently explained, "Jieyu, I've heard from the old maids in the palace that Crown Prince Hongren was the eldest son of Emperor Taizu and was made the crown prince, but he died young and was unable to inherit the throne. The King of Chu is the eldest son of Crown Prince Hongren. If Crown Prince Hongren had ascended the throne smoothly, it would have been a different story."

After hearing this, Concubine Zhao suddenly understood and nodded gently: "So that's why, no wonder the Queen was able to become the Queen."

Caiwei continued, "That's right. The Empress's background is incomparable to those concubines who entered the harem through the selection. It is precisely because of her noble background and royal blood that the Empress Dowager chose her to become the Empress who rules the country."

After listening to Caiwei's explanation, Concubine Zhao carefully recalled her past actions and realized how foolish she was. She sighed softly, "I was so stupid in the past."

"What is this saying, Concubine?"

"From the beginning, I should have firmly grasped the support of the Queen. In this palace, the Queen's help is more important than His Majesty's favor that can disappear at any time."

Seeing how smart Concubine Zhao was, Caiwei couldn't help but smile and said, "Concubine Zhao is right. From now on, as long as you do your best and share the worries of the Empress, the Empress will definitely protect you."

"I hope so."

Concubine Zhao nodded repeatedly. She knew very well that in this harem, if she wanted to survive, she had to rely on a powerful force. Now that she had chosen the queen, she naturally had to do her best to serve the queen.

The two chatted for a while, and then Concubine Zhao stood up to say goodbye. She already had a clear plan in her mind, to rely on the power of the queen to gain a foothold in the harem.