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

"I didn't help much, no need to thank me." Zheng Xiyan chuckled.

The virtuous concubine lowered her head, her hands trembling slightly. She had been living on thin ice for the past few years. Although she had the prince by her side, he showed little favor. She and Xiao Chengye, mother and son, had always been forgotten in a corner in the deep palace.

On weekdays, the Fifth Prince relied on the favor of His Majesty and Concubine Yi was so favored that he often bullied Chengye, and the mother and son could only endure it silently.

Zheng Xiyan frowned and asked, "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? Chengye is the son of His Majesty, the prince of the palace, how could he be bullied like this?"

Xian Fei raised her head, tears in her eyes, and smiled bitterly: "I am a nobody, and my words don't count. Concubine Yi and her son are so favored, even if I tell the Empress, what can I do?"

Zheng Xiyan sighed.

The De Fei standing by sneered: "Your Majesty's punishment for the Fifth Prince this time is just a light punishment. What's the big deal about copying the Tao Te Ching?"

Xian Fei shook her head slightly and said, "If the Fifth Prince had not broken the Fourth Prince's pen earlier, Your Majesty, for the sake of the Empress and De Fei's sister, I'm afraid..."

Concubine De's face darkened and she interrupted her in dissatisfaction: "Jing'er, this child, didn't tell me anything, and I am still kept in the dark. If it hadn't come to your majesty today, I would still know nothing."

She continued indignantly, "Your Majesty is so partial to me. He really dotes on Concubine Yi and her son!"

Zheng Xiyan looked at Concubine De's excitement and said softly, "Okay, these words cannot be mentioned again after leaving Weiyang Palace."

Concubine De took a deep breath and tried to calm down, but anger still flickered in her eyes: "Fortunately, God has eyes and didn't let her child die. Otherwise, if she gave birth to another prince, wouldn't she be able to cover the sky with one hand?"

Seeing that she was very emotional, Concubine Xian quickly advised her, "Sister, be careful with your words."

But Concubine De didn't listen and continued, "What am I afraid of? She may have seemed honest in the past few years, but how can the seductiveness in her bones disappear so easily?"

Seeing that she was getting more and more outrageous, Concubine Xian had to persuade her again: "Okay, sister, please say less."

Zheng Xiyan sighed and said, "I know you are dissatisfied with her, but she is His Majesty's favorite concubine and the mother of the fifth prince. His Majesty has his own considerations. As people in the harem, we can only abide by the law."

Upon hearing this, although Concubine Xian felt unwilling, she could only nod silently.

"Yes! Your Majesty the Queen."

Yihua Palace

The atmosphere in the hall became solemn with the arrival of the eunuch. The eunuch stood in the hall, bowed slightly, and conveyed the oral order.

Concubine Yi listened quietly. Her usually gentle face now looked a little pale, and it was obvious that she had not yet recovered.

She was not aware of this beforehand and never made a single statement in defense of Xiao Chengmu.

When the eunuch in front of the emperor left, Yihua Palace fell into silence again. Concubine Yi sighed lightly, looking very tired, and then she cast her eyes on Xiao Chengmu who was kneeling below.

"What did you do in the study today?"

Xiao Chengmu looked up at his mother, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and answered stubbornly: "Mother, what can I do? I did nothing."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yi frowned, looking disappointed. Although this child was a little naughty on weekdays, she thought that children would inevitably be a little naughty and never disciplined him much. But she never thought that this child would do such a thing?

"His Majesty's oral order has arrived, and you still want to quibble?" Concubine Yi said angrily.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengmu's face froze, and then he showed a look of disdain and angrily said, "How dare that idiot report me?"

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yi became so angry that her face turned blue. She leaned on the bed, her fingers trembling slightly, obviously she was very angry.

"Who taught you this, kid?" There was a tremor in Yi Zhaoyi's voice.

Seeing this, Xiao Chengmu felt a little panicked, but he still raised his head stubbornly and refused to give in.

"Your Majesty, don't be angry, take care of yourself." Seeing this, Caiwei hurried forward to persuade her.

Yi Zhaoyi took a deep breath, calmed down her emotions, and then said to Xiao Chengmu in a cold voice: "His Majesty has ordered you to copy the Tao Te Ching. No one is allowed to help you. If you can't finish it, you won't have dinner."

When Xiao Chengmu heard this, his expression changed, "Mother~"

"Hurry up and go!"

Xiao Chengmu had no choice but to get up and walk towards the study.

Caiwei looked at the worry on Concubine Yi's face and consoled her softly, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. His Majesty favors our Fifth Prince after all."

Concubine Yi sighed slightly, with an expression of unspeakable worry between her brows: "This child bullied the Second and Fourth Princes like this, Concubine Xian and Concubine De must be resentful of us mother and son."

Caiwei comforted her, "Your Highness, you worry too much. Besides, His Majesty is here, what are you afraid of?"

Concubine Yi shook her head, revealing an inexplicable fear. Ever since the miscarriage, she had often felt anxious. In the palace, people's hearts were unpredictable. She was afraid that one day, they would lose the favor of His Majesty and lose everything they had now.

She looked at the flowers that were about to bloom outside the window, and an inexplicable sadness welled up in her heart: "It will be a short while before the selection of new people will take place. When new people enter the palace, they will surely attract the attention of His Majesty. His Majesty's favor will not always stay on me alone. Maybe one day I will fall out of favor. I must make plans for the future of us mother and son."

Seeing this, Caiwei said softly, "Your Majesty, don't forget that the Queen is here. Over the years, the Queen has always taken good care of us."

Concubine Yi sighed softly, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "I will naturally remember the Queen's kindness in my heart. But in this palace, we can only trust ourselves. Others, including the Queen, are not worthy of our complete trust."

Caiwei was shocked when she heard this. She couldn't help but have an ominous premonition in her heart. Could she have noticed something? She asked cautiously, "Madam, what are you doing..."

Yi Zhaoyi waved her hand and interrupted her: "Nothing, please leave. I want to be alone for a while."

Seeing this, Caiwei dared not say anything and could only retreat respectfully. When she walked out of the palace, she felt an inexplicable panic in her heart. Today's Yi Zhaoyi seemed very different from the past.