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

Zheng Xiyan was leaning on the couch, her posture seemed quite lazy, but her face was calm. Her eyes were like a deep pool of water, hiding some amusement and anticipation, as if she was waiting for a good show to begin.

Xiao Chengji's eyes inadvertently swept over Xiao Shuyue, and a hint of complex emotions flashed in his eyes. Then he straightened his back and said in a low and powerful voice: "Mother, I still have government affairs to deal with, so I will leave first!"

"Well, take care of yourself, and don't stay up too late to review memorials at night." Zheng Xiyan's words were gentle and caring, with a look of deep worry in her eyes.

"I understand, your son." Xiao Chengji bowed respectfully, then turned and left Shoukang Palace. His steps were steady, yet seemed to carry a hint of unspeakable heaviness.

"Farewell, Your Majesty!" Everyone in the hall shouted in unison, and the sound echoed in the empty hall.

Xiao Shuyue stood there, frowning slightly, feeling an inexplicable confusion in her heart, but unable to put it into words, and a look of confusion and innocence appeared on her face.

Zheng Xiyan looked at her silly daughter with a helpless smile on her face. "Well, although you don't have to go to Zhaoren Hall to attend classes today, have you memorized all the lessons taught by the Grand Tutor?"

"Your son..." Xiao Shuyue felt a little uneasy in her heart. She didn't dare to look directly into her mother's eyes that could see through people's hearts. There was a hint of guilt in her voice.

"Go back and review your lessons well!" Zheng Xiyan's voice was a little more stern, but it couldn't hide the deep care in her voice.

"Yes, your son will take his leave!" Although Xiao Shuyue was unwilling, she had to bow and take her leave. With a distressed expression on her face, she slowly left the hall.

……

Three days later, the imperial decree to confer the title of Princess Wenping on Lu Lingyuan was issued, and soon spread, causing people to speculate and discuss. After all, Lu Lingyuan and Cui Zhaoling's marriage had just been cancelled, so how could this sudden conferment not make people suspicious?

Lu Lingyuan took the imperial edict with a calm expression, as if all this had nothing to do with her. She slowly walked out of the palace gate, only to see Madam Lu waiting outside the door. When she saw her daughter, she hurried forward and said, "Yuan'er..."

"Mother!" Lu Lingyuan bowed slightly, her face still calm and composed.

Mrs. Lu's expression was complicated and difficult to read. She looked at her daughter with a look of helplessness and hesitation. She seemed to have a thousand words to say but didn't know where to start. "Get in the car! Let's go back home first!"

"Yes." Lu Lingyuan responded in a low voice and stepped into the carriage with an expressionless face.

On the way back, Mrs. Lu wanted to say something several times but stopped herself. Whenever she thought of her husband's instructions, she felt uncomfortable.

Lu Lingyuan was also in an extremely heavy mood. She couldn't figure out her father's thoughts, and she didn't know what situation she would face after returning home.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Mrs. Lu frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice, "What's wrong?"

The maid outside replied, "Madam, the carriage ahead is from the Cui family's mansion in Qinghe!"

When they heard the words "Qinghe Cui", the faces of both mother and daughter changed, but Lu Lingyuan quickly returned to normal.

Mrs. Lu slowly opened the curtains and saw Mrs. Cui sitting in the carriage with Cui Zhaoling beside her. The mother and son had just returned from burning incense at Qingyun Temple outside the city and did not expect to meet here by chance.

Both sides looked a little embarrassed, and Mrs. Lu said in a deep voice: “Let’s give way!”

Madam Cui also said, "Let's go another way!"

Then, the two carriages went their separate ways. Cui Zhaoling could not help but lift the curtain, but he could not see Lu Lingyuan, and he did not even have the courage to call out.

Mrs. Cui felt sad when she saw her son's appearance, so she comforted him, "Son! You two are not destined to be together. No one knows what happened after that night. Why did she meet the Queen Mother? Why did she enter the palace? Why is she named a princess now? There must be some unknown secrets!"

"Lu Lingyuan is definitely not a simple person. She was able to win the favor of the Queen Mother in just a few days, and now she has gained face in front of His Majesty. She may even enter the palace as a concubine in the future!"

"So, son! You'd better let it go!" Mrs. Cui said earnestly.

Cui Zhaoling's eyes were empty and lifeless, without a trace of expression on his face. He said in a cold voice, "Mother, I know." His hands under his sleeves had already been clenched into fists, and the blue veins on his arms were bulging.

After Lu Lingyuan returned home, she was summoned to the study by Lu Xuan. "Yuan'er, your father just wants to ask you a few questions, it's okay." Mrs. Lu comforted her.

"I understand, mother!" Lu Lingyuan responded expressionlessly, but Lu Yuchen on the side looked embarrassed and a little worried.

"Yuan'er, if your father makes things difficult for you, just tell your second brother. He will support you!" Lu Yuchen promised, patting his chest.

Lu Lingyuan raised the corner of her mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile, and said softly: "Thank you, second brother!"

After she bowed slightly, she walked towards the study, leaving Mrs. Lu and Lu Yuchen and his mother alone.