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

"You have to understand that your humble origins also mean that you have a lower starting point than she does. Concubine Yi comes from a distinguished family, and is superior to you in both talent and bearing. Your Majesty has a reason for making her a concubine."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yi turned pale instantly. The gap between herself and those noble ladies could never be made up. She lowered her head silently, with a trace of despair and resignation in her eyes.

The corners of Yi Zhaoyi's mouth curled up into a gentle and deep smile, which seemed to contain a thousand words. She slowly raised her eyes, her gaze fell on Zheng Xiyan, and asked: "Born in a humble family, do you really have to be like dust, trampled on by others for the rest of your life, and never be able to turn over a new leaf?"

Hearing this, Zheng Xiyan's lips curled up into a self-deprecating smile, which showed both helplessness towards reality and a hint of indifference towards fate. "Everything in this world is in order of high and low. You and I are sitting side by side at this moment, seemingly close, but in fact, our status is very different. I am the queen, and you are the concubine. The difference between high and low is like a natural chasm." Her words were calm and powerful, telling an indisputable fact, "Everyone says that there should be justice in the world, but they don't know how rare the word justice is. The imperial examination in our dynasty is intended to open up the way for talents, so that children from poor families can also have ambitions to rise to the top. But if you think about it carefully, do children from poor families really have a chance? Most of those ancient books and classics are hidden in aristocratic families. How many ordinary people can get a glimpse of them?"

She shook her head gently, a trace of compassion flashing between her brows, "The history books mostly record the glory of noble families. Even if the children of poor families have lofty ambitions, it is difficult to find a book. That tiny chance is like the stars, attracting people's yearning, but also out of reach. Once someone passes the imperial examination, the world will praise their outstanding talent, but they don't know how many cold nights of hard study they have gone through. And those who fail the exam can only waste their lives in the world. The children of noble families will only laugh at you from a high position. They gave you the opportunity, but you didn't seize it!"

At this point, Zheng Xiyan's eyes became deep and complicated, "This is the world we live in, unfair and cruel. Everyone knows the injustice, but few dare to face it, let alone change it. I was lucky to be born into a noble family, but you were unlucky. Life is like a chess game, and there is no regret after making a move. From the moment of birth, everyone's destiny has been pulled by an invisible thread towards their own destination. There are always miracles in the world, and there are always people who can change their fate, but, will that person be you?"

Her words, like gentle spring rain, not only gently revealed the cruel truth of the world, but also quietly planted the seeds of hope in people's hearts, allowing people to see a ray of light in despair.

At this moment, Concubine Yi's body was trembling slightly. Her eyes, which once flashed with unwillingness, were now shrouded in a thick mist. She finally understood a cruel reality. "I understand."

Zheng Xiyan looked deep and meaningful, "If you want to change your fate, there is a chance. It just depends on whether you can seize it."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yi felt mixed emotions. She slowly stood up and performed a very formal palace ceremony, "Thank you, Queen, for your teachings. I will keep them in mind. I will take my leave."

Outside the Weiyang Palace, the sun was still bright and the sky was clear, but it could not illuminate the haze in her heart. Concubine Yi stopped and looked up at the boundless sky, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. Then she looked down at the plaque engraved with the three characters "Weiyang Palace", and her heart was filled with thousands of thoughts and emotions.

Caiwei followed closely behind her. Seeing her like this, she couldn't help but feel a little worried, "Madam, what's wrong with you?"

Concubine Yi smiled gently, with a hint of bitterness and relief in her smile, "I finally understand the difference between me and those noble ladies from aristocratic families. I lost from the very beginning." After she finished speaking, a few crystal tears quietly slid down her face, and she quickly raised her hand to wipe them away.

"Your Majesty..." Caiwei hesitated to speak, her eyes full of confusion and worry.

"Maybe it's too late, but maybe it's not too late. God has finally given me a glimmer of hope and a chance to change my fate."

Caiwei looked at her master with a bewildered look on her face, "Madam, what are you talking about? Why can't I understand?"

"You will understand later, go back to the palace!"

In the palace, Zheng Xiyan sipped the fragrant tea, and her thoughts drifted away in the aroma of the tea. Biluo stood to one side and asked in confusion: "Madam, why did you say this to Concubine Yi?"

"I just want to tell her a reality, and also to tell myself a reality. In this world, things that seem fair are actually the most unfair. In the end, what matters is one's origin, not one's own efforts. But there are always some people who are unwilling to accept the arrangement of fate and want to fight against power with their own efforts. Maybe the chosen one will win, but in most cases, the one who holds power wins."

"There are very few people who can change their fate, so it is so precious. And precisely because it is so precious, it gives many people hope, but this hope often turns into despair in the end." Zheng Xiyan's voice was filled with vicissitudes and helplessness.

Biluo seemed to understand, "Then, Madam, do you think that Concubine Yi can change her fate?"

"She has already changed her fate. Whether she can go further depends on her own luck." Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly and put down the teacup in her hand.

"When you see through the reality, you will always feel despair. Without someone to rely on, you can't take a single step forward." Zheng Xiyan sighed softly, with an indescribable sadness in her words.

"Yes!"

As night fell, the flickering candlelight in Yihua Palace illuminated the figure of Concubine Yi sitting alone in front of the window.

Caiwei held a tray with several plates of exquisite pastries emitting an enticing aroma, and said, "My queen, you didn't have much for dinner, so please have some pastries!"

The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on Concubine Yi's pale but resolute face. She shook her head gently, rejecting Caiwei's kindness, "No, I don't have an appetite."

"My queen..." Caiwei hesitated to speak, her eyes full of heartache and helplessness towards her master.

Yi Zhaoyi slowly turned around and asked, "Did His Majesty summon her to sleep with him again tonight?"

Caiwei lowered her eyes and nodded reluctantly, "Yes, my lady."

"It's her again..." Concubine Yi muttered to herself, looking unwilling, "What tricks did she use?"

"Don't be angry, Your Majesty. There will always be a day when His Majesty will get tired of her." Caiwei comforted softly.

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhaoyi raised a bitter smile and said, "Let's go to Yuhua Palace tomorrow morning."

"Your Highness is right. The chance to change my fate is in my hands. Regardless of whether I can change my fate or not, I will give it a try. How can I know if I don't try?"

Caiwei saw this, and although she was worried and reluctant, she also knew that once her master made a decision, there would be no turning back. "But Concubine Yi is so favored now, how could she help you?"

"Don't say any more. I have made up my mind."

Caiwei wanted to persuade her again, but seeing that Yi Zhaoyi had turned away resolutely, she had to give up.