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

The night was as dark as ink, and the lights in Yuhua Palace flickered, illuminating the palace walls in a mottled manner. As expected, as everyone expected, Xiao Xuanchen summoned Zhang Mengying to sleep with him tonight.

The palace gate opened slightly, and the eunuch from the Imperial Household slowly came in, holding the bright yellow imperial edict in his hands, with a barely perceptible expression of congratulations on his face. Zhang Mengying bowed slightly and said softly, "Thank you for coming here so late at night to deliver the imperial edict."

She tilted her head slightly and glanced at the maid beside her. The maid understood what she meant and hurried forward to put an exquisite purse into the eunuch's hand. The eunuch's face showed gratitude and he said quickly: "Thank you for the reward, and congratulations. You are so beautiful that you will definitely be the most favored concubine in the harem and enjoy the emperor's favor in the future."

Zhang Mengying smiled slightly, as gentle and moving as a spring breeze. She opened her red lips and said, "Then I will borrow your auspicious words, father-in-law."

The eunuch bowed respectfully and said, "I will take my leave."

"Go slowly, grandpa." Zhang Mengying said softly.

After the people from the Jingshifang left, an experienced nanny came to serve Zhang Mengying to bathe and change clothes. She served Zhang Mengying meticulously, and every move seemed so skillful and respectful.

After bathing, Zhang Mengying sat in front of the dressing table and let the nanny put on makeup for her. She looked in the mirror, her face was as beautiful as a flower, and she was so beautiful that she could hardly stop looking. She looked at herself in the mirror. She had waited for this day for so long.

Recalling that day in the palace, more than a year ago, she followed her father to the Xiangwang Palace to pay homage to the prince. At that time, her heart was filled with tension and anticipation.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." She knelt in front of King Xiang, her voice trembling slightly.

King Xiang did not look at her, but waved his hand casually and said, "Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She stood up and secretly looked up at King Xiang. She saw that King Xiang had a stern face and extraordinary temperament, which made her feel in awe.

Minister Zhang came with his daughter to express his gratitude to King Xiang. He had been corrupt and accepted bribes in private, and was caught by King Xiang. But King Xiang did not report him, but helped him fill the hole, saving his life and the lives of the entire Zhang family.

"Thank you for saving my life, Your Majesty." Zhang Shangshu said with tears of gratitude, "I have nothing to repay Your Majesty, but I have a daughter who is very beautiful. Please accept her."

The reason why the King of Xiang helped him was for the daughter behind him. He raised his head and looked at Zhang Mengying behind Zhang Shangshu. She was dressed in white clothes, with a beautiful face, but with a hint of timidity and uneasiness in her eyes. Seeing this, Zhang Shangshu gently pushed her and motioned her to come forward.

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Mengying mustered up her courage, stepped forward, and saluted the King. At that moment, her heart was beating like a drum, but she still tried to stay calm and not let her nervousness show.

King Xiang sat on the couch, his eyes like the frozen lake, calm and deep. He spoke calmly, without a trace of emotion in his voice: "Raise your head."

Zhang Mengying's heart trembled slightly when she heard this. She seemed to be able to feel the cold gaze on her. She bit her lower lip lightly, a hint of shyness flashed in her eyes, and then she slowly raised her head and looked at the high and mighty King Xiang.

The King of Xiang's eyes wandered over Zhang Mengying's face, as if he was appreciating a beautiful painting. He smiled slightly, and that smile was like a spring breeze, and said, "I have heard before that Shangshu Zhang has a daughter who is stunningly beautiful. Seeing her today, it is true."

Zhang Mengying felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by King Xiang. She lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind."

Minister Zhang was secretly delighted when he saw this. He quickly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Since Your Majesty likes me, I will offer my daughter to you. Please do not despise me."

Prince Xiang gently waved his hand, signaling that Minister Zhang did not need to be so polite. He looked at Zhang Mengxi again, with a hint of admiration in his eyes: "It would be a waste of talent if Miss Zhang stayed in this palace of my prince. With such beauty, Miss Zhang should enter the palace to blossom."

Zhang Mengying and Zhang Shangshu were both stunned. They didn't expect the King of Xiang to say such a thing. Zhang Shangshu asked in confusion, "What does the prince mean?"

Prince Xiang smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of depth: "Your Majesty has been on the throne for many years, and there has been no selection of concubines for many years. Doesn't Minister Zhang want to send his daughter to the palace to bring glory to the family?"

Zhang Shangshu was hesitant when he heard this. He naturally hoped that his daughter could enter the palace and bring glory to the Zhang family, but His Majesty had not held a beauty pageant for many years, so how could this be easy? He hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, but His Majesty has no intention of holding a beauty pageant, this..."

Prince Xiang seemed to have anticipated Minister Zhang's concerns. He smiled faintly and said, "In a year at most, His Majesty will issue an order to select a beauty. Since I have helped you and you are willing to offer your daughter to me, I might as well help you again."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shangshu was overjoyed. He immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Mengying was standing aside. Although she was somewhat reluctant in her heart, seeing her father so happy, she could only accept this fact silently.

King Xiang's eyes fell on Zhang Mengying with a sharp gaze. He asked softly, "Are you willing to enter the palace and be my concubine?"

Zhang Mengying was startled by this sudden question and a trace of panic flashed across her eyes, which then quickly disappeared. She lowered her eyelids slightly, opened her lips slightly, and said in a trembling voice: "I..."

When King Xiang saw her hesitation, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes, and he said softly, "If you don't want to, I won't force you."

Minister Zhang was anxious when he saw this, and he quickly pulled Zhang Mengying's sleeve and asked her to kneel down. He smiled and said to King Xiang: "Your Highness has misunderstood, this girl is so happy that she is stupid. Being able to enter the palace as a concubine is something that many women dream of, how could she not be willing?"

King Xiang looked at Zhang Mengxi, with a complicated look in his eyes. He asked again, "Are you really willing to enter the palace? This palace gate is as deep as the sea. Once you step in, it will be difficult to turn back."

Zhang Mengying looked up at King Xiang, with a hint of determination in her eyes. She knew in her heart that even if she didn't enter the palace, she would just be a pawn in her father's hands and could be given to someone else at any time. Instead of that, it would be better to enter the palace as a concubine.

She took a deep breath and spoke slowly: "I am willing to enter the palace as a concubine."

Seeing her determination, King Xiang couldn't help but feel a little pity for her. He said softly, "Think carefully. Once you embark on this path, there will be no turning back."

Zhang Mengying nodded and said firmly, "I've made up my mind."

King Xiang nodded with satisfaction, "Okay!"

……

"Jieyu, Jieyu." The nanny's voice interrupted Zhang Mengying's thoughts.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Mengying asked softly.

The nanny came forward and said respectfully, "The sedan chair is waiting outside. Please follow me, Concubine."

Zhang Mengying nodded and stood up. She looked out the window and saw the picturesque scenery of Yuhua Palace, but her heart was filled with anxiety and uneasiness. She took a deep breath, suppressed her emotions, and followed the nanny out of Yuhua Palace.

The sedan chair had already stopped outside the palace gate, and Zhang Mengying sat on it with the help of her nanny. The sedan chair started slowly and drove towards the direction of the Purple Palace.