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

Zheng Xiyan walked out of the carved wooden door of Shoukang Palace with light steps, and then stepped elegantly onto the phoenix sedan chair. The sedan chair was steadily lifted by eight strong eunuchs, and it shuttled between the palace walls and slowly moved towards the direction of Weiyang Palace. Along the way, the palace willows swayed and the breeze caressed her face.

Returning to Weiyang Palace, Zheng Xiyan walked into the inner room. The incense in the room was curling. She gently put down the tea in her hand, which was still warm. The fragrance of the tea and the incense in the room intertwined, making it more elegant. Biluo hurriedly walked in, with a bit of anxiety and worry on her face, and reported softly: "Your Majesty, I just received news that the Queen Mother has gone to the Purple Palace."

Zheng Xiyan smiled lightly upon hearing this, but a deep look flashed across her eyes: "I understand."

"Your Majesty, I am worried that the Queen Mother and His Majesty will argue about this. After all..." Biluo hesitated, her eyes full of concern for her master's safety.

Zheng Xiyan chuckled and interrupted her: "Maybe! I think His Majesty will not compromise easily. By the way, is Zhang Xiuyuan still in the Purple Palace?" There was a hint of playfulness in her words, as if she had foreseen the beginning of a good show.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Xiuyuan was in bed with you yesterday and has not left the Purple Palace until now."

"That's going to be a good show to watch." Zheng Xiyan looked gloating.

In the Purple Palace, sunlight shines through the window lattice onto Zhang Mengxi's beautiful face. She sits quietly on the couch, unfolding a scroll in her hand, with a gentle and bookish air between her brows. Xiao Xuanchen sits at the desk, concentrating on reviewing the piles of memorials, occasionally looking up at Zhang Mengxi, his eyes full of tenderness and doting.

The eunuch in front of the emperor walked in quietly with a tea tray in his hand. He was stunned when he saw this scene. Then he placed the teacup next to Xiao Xuanchen carefully and whispered, "Your Majesty, enjoy your meal." Xiao Xuanchen nodded slightly without raising his eyes.

As the eunuch stepped out of the Purple Palace, the young eunuch stepped forward and whispered, "Master, the Empress Dowager's sedan chair is coming this way!" Upon hearing this, the eunuch's face suddenly changed.

"Empress Dowager?" he exclaimed in a low voice, then straightened his clothes and knelt on the ground. The eunuchs behind him also hurriedly followed suit and saluted, shouting in unison: "Your servants respectfully wish the Empress Dowager a blessed life. May the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health."

Nanny Yu slowly helped the Queen Mother step down from the sedan chair. The Queen Mother looked around with a sharp gaze, raised her hand gently, and said in a dignified but gentle voice: "Get up."

Everyone stood up to express their gratitude, "Thank you, Queen Mother."

The empress dowager stepped straight into the threshold of the Purple Palace without waiting for her attendants to report.

When Xiao Xuanchen and Zhang Mengxi heard the noise outside, they immediately exchanged complicated glances, then hurriedly stood up, and with their sleeves fluttering, they were already standing respectfully in the center of the hall. "Your son greets the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be well."

Zhang Mengying was filled with anxiety and uneasiness. She pursed her lips tightly, folded her hands in front of her stomach, and slowly knelt on the ground, lightly touching her forehead with the cold ground. "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, the Queen Mother. May you live a thousand years."

The Queen Mother did not stop walking, but walked straight to the couch and sat down gracefully. She swept her eyes towards Zhang Mengying with an icy gaze, and her tone was filled with majesty that could not be ignored: "These days, I never expected that Zhang Xiuyuan would live in the Purple Palace?"

Seeing this, Xiao Xuanchen hurriedly stepped forward to help Zhang Mengying, but was interrupted by the queen mother's words "Don't interrupt me". He had no choice but to stop, with a trace of helplessness and anxiety on his face, and whispered: "Mother...what are you doing?"

The Queen Mother frowned and asked, "Emperor, are you questioning me? I want to hear what you want to do."

Zhang Mengying knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe. She had known that the Queen Mother had no good feelings towards her, and today's situation made her even more anxious. The Queen Mother was so angry, it was better for her to say nothing.

Xiao Xuanchen sighed inwardly. He had guessed that the Queen had told her mother about the news that he was going to appoint Zhang Xiuyuan as his consort, and he also knew that his mother was dissatisfied with the matter. "Did the Queen tell you everything?"

"What else? If you want to appoint her as a consort, why do you need to tell me through the Queen? You can go to Shoukang Palace and tell me in person. Why bother the Queen?"

"Mother, I have no intention of hiding anything. I just..." He hesitated, as if he was looking for the right words to explain.

Zhang Xiuyuan secretly raised her eyes to look at Xiao Xuanchen, only to see that he was using his eyes to signal her to be at ease. She felt a little relieved, but more surprised. He wanted to enthrone her as a concubine?

The Queen Mother snorted coldly and said, "Emperor, do you really think that the Queen can help you persuade me? If you really want to appoint her as a concubine, why don't you come to Shoukang Palace to discuss it with me in person? If you do this, where will the Queen stand? And where will I stand?"

Hearing this, Xiao Xuanchen was startled and quickly bowed, "Mother, please calm down. This son of yours did not mean that."

Zhang Mengying was confused as she listened to what was said. She felt surprised and happy, but also a little uneasy.

The Queen Mother saw this and her expression eased a little, but her tone was still cold and hard, "Emperor, you are the emperor, you should act with propriety. But I really can't agree to this."

The hall fell into silence for a moment, with only the occasional bird song outside the window breaking the depressing atmosphere.