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

The next morning, as the dawn broke, Zheng Xiyan, wearing a phoenix robe, stepped into the threshold of Yuhua Palace with steady steps. Zi Rui, who was behind her, held a delicate wooden box in her hand, which contained abortion medicine. Biluo and others who followed her held several plates of rare jewels.

In Yuhua Palace, the morning light shines through the carved window lattices, sprinkling on Zhang Mengying's beautiful but slightly pale face. She sits in the center of the main hall, wearing a simple palace dress, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair. Her face is calm, but her eyes hide an unknown determination. Around her, the palace servants have already quietly arranged everything according to her instructions, and the air is filled with a faint herbal fragrance.

"Your Majesty, the Queen has arrived." The eunuch's low voice reported from outside the door, breaking the silence in the palace.

Zhang Mengying gently raised her hand, signaling everyone to leave, leaving only the maid Chunhua. Then she slowly stood up, with a barely perceptible tremor in her tone: "Please invite the Queen in."

Zheng Xiyan walked into the main hall and met Zhang Mengjie's gaze with deep intent. Zi Rui followed closely behind her, and neither of them said a word.

Biluo stepped forward from outside the palace, and said in a clear and powerful voice: "These are specially given by the Empress to Concubine Yi. You should accept them quickly."

The palace servants responded quickly and respectfully. "Yes!"

Inside the palace, Zhang Mengying knelt on the ground, touching her forehead to the ground, and said in a voice full of respect and humility: "Your Highness the Queen, may you live a thousand years."

Zheng Xiyan gently raised her hand and said in a gentle tone: "Get up quickly, the ground is cold."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhang Mengying stood up, her posture still upright, but there was an indescribable complex emotion in her eyes.

Zheng Xiyan's eyes fell on Zhang Mengying and she said softly, "I have brought you what you want."

Zi Rui took a step forward and gently opened the wooden box, revealing the bowl of dark abortion medicine. Her tone was gentle but full of unquestionable firmness: "Madam Concubine Yi, after drinking it, your pain will be relieved. I will be waiting by your side."

Zhang Mengying stared at the bowl of medicine and smiled slightly. There was a hint of relief and determination in her smile. She reached out to take the bowl and drank it all without hesitation.

Zheng Xiyan looked at her but said nothing. This was Zhang Mengying's own choice. No one else could interfere or judge.

Zhang Mengying put down the medicine bowl and turned to face Zheng Xiyan, her eyes sparkling with gratitude and admiration: "Thank you, Queen. Your great kindness will be remembered forever."

Zheng Xiyan shook her head gently, with a bit of helplessness and self-mockery in her tone: "You don't have to thank me for anything. Everything I did was for myself, not entirely for you."

Zhang Mengying's smile became even warmer when she heard this: "Empress, you are a good person. When I first entered the palace, I didn't understand why the King of Xiang wanted me to enter, but now I gradually understand that he did this for you. In this deep palace, it is a blessing for me to have your protection."

Zheng Xiyan felt a surge of warmth in her heart when she heard this, but it was also accompanied by a bit of bitterness: "I am not a good person either. In this cannibalistic palace, everyone is selfish, and I am no exception."

Zhang Mengying nodded, with a firm look in her eyes: "Isn't it good to be a little selfish? People should live for themselves. Although every decision I make and every step I take are not completely voluntary, I will try my best not to regret it."

Zheng Xiyan looked at her, and an inexplicable resonance surged in her heart: "You are right, there is nothing wrong with being a little selfish."

Soon after, the effect of the abortion drug took effect, like a cold wind in the dark night, quietly invading Zhang Mengying's body. She lay on the bed, with a soft quilt beneath her, but it did not relieve the pain that spread from her abdomen to her limbs. Sweat beads oozed out, slowly sliding down her pale cheeks, intertwined with tears, blurring her vision. Her expression was distorted by pain, her brows were locked with an indissoluble cloud of sorrow, her lips were tightly biting a piece of soaked cloth, even though her body had reached its limit, she was still stubbornly unwilling to make a groan, her stubbornness and forbearance made people feel pity.

Chunhua knelt beside the bed, her eyes full of heartache and helplessness. She called softly: "Girl, girl, you must hold on..."

Zi Rui stood by, and Zheng Xiyan looked at her in such pain, slowly approached, sat down beside the bed, and gently held Zhang Mengying's trembling hands. Her hands were warm and strong, trying to give Zhang Mengying a little comfort and strength in her own way.

Zhang Mengying closed her eyes tightly and frowned. Her breathing gradually became rapid and heavy, and each breath was accompanied by a violent tremor. Despite the pain, she still forced herself not to make a sound.

Zheng Xiyan looked at Zhang Mengying's increasingly pale face, feeling mixed emotions. This kind of pain was something she had never experienced before, and she couldn't relate to it. She said softly, "I'll get through it."

Zhang Mengying's body slumped limply on the bed, and she fell into a coma. There were still traces of tears on her face, but the painful expression had gradually subsided.

Seeing this, Zi Rui quickly reminded: "My queen, you should not stay here for long, you should go back to the palace and rest early!"

Zheng Xiyan nodded, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She looked at Chunhua and said, "Don't cry for now. Go and ask Doctor Yuan to come and tell him that Concubine Yi is seriously ill. Ask him to come and treat her as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Chunhua quickly responded "yes" and hurriedly retreated.

The hall was filled with a thick, bloody smell that was suffocating. Zheng Xiyan ordered Zi Rui, "Go add some spices to get rid of the bloody smell." Zi Rui responded and stood up and walked to the incense burner to get busy.

Zheng Xiyan still stayed by Zhang Mengxi's side, holding her hands and refusing to let go. She whispered, "It's all over. When you wake up, it will all be over."

Not long after, Imperial Physician Yuan hurried over. When he saw Zheng Xiyan was also present, he immediately knelt down and saluted, saying, "Your humble servant pays respect to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health."

Zheng Xiyan replied calmly, "Get up!" Then she said coldly, "I'm sure you know what to do and what to say. I can't stay here for long, so I'll leave this place to you."

Doctor Yuan was worried when he heard this, but he had no choice now. He quickly replied, "I understand. I respectfully send you off, Queen."

Before leaving, Zheng Xiyan took another look at Zhang Mengying's sleeping face, looking worried. She then instructed Zi Rui, "You stay in Yuhua Palace for the time being and take good care of Concubine Yi."

Zi Rui quickly responded, "Yes! Your Majesty, please rest assured."

With Zheng Xiyan's departure, peace returned to Yuhua Palace.