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

Hearing this, Lu Lingyuan raised her eyelids slightly, her eyes were deep, but her face was calm. She only asked lightly: "Father, you never asked your daughter whether she was okay on that dark and windy night? Are you still scared?" After that, she looked at Lu Xuan quietly. There seemed to be thousands of words in her eyes, but they all turned into silent waiting.

Lu Xuan was about to raise his cup to sip tea, but when he heard the words, his hand froze, and the cup hung in the air, just like his mood at the moment, hesitant to speak. His eyes flickered, as if he didn't know how to answer.

"My daughter has been staying in the palace for these days. I didn't expect that I would be questioned by my father like this after I came back?" Lu Lingyuan's voice gradually became colder, and her face was covered with frost, without any tenderness.

Lu Xuan felt a little uneasy, his eyes met hers, and then he quickly looked away. The teacup in his hand finally fell back on the table with a soft "dong" sound, which seemed to be an echo of the uneasiness in his heart.

Lu Lingyuan's lips curled up into a cold smile, but her voice was surprisingly calm: "Father, rest assured, your daughter has not done anything to harm the Fanyang Lu family, you can rest assured."

"What's your attitude?" Lu Xuan's face darkened and his displeasure was evident in his words.

"Why is father angry? I have always obeyed your arrangements since I was a child and have never disobeyed you. That night, I was kidnapped. Do you know how scared I was at that time? When you learned that your daughter was kidnapped, how much did you worry about her safety?" When Lu Lingyuan said this, her voice trembled slightly, and the despair in her eyes became even stronger, as if tears were flashing.

She looked directly at Lu Xuan, her expression becoming increasingly cold and desperate, and said in a cold voice: "Father, you don't know, because in your heart, your daughter is nothing but dust compared to the honor and disgrace of the Fanyang Lu family!"

Lu Xuan's expression became increasingly gloomy, and he shouted angrily: "How dare you!"

At this time, Lu Yucheng walked outside the study and heard his father's angry voice. Without thinking, he rushed in, knelt on the ground, and said urgently: "Father, calm down!"

"Yuan'er has just returned. There is no need to rush, father. It is not a bad idea to ask after Yuan'er has rested!" After saying that, Lu Yucheng signaled Lu Lingyuan to leave quickly with his eyes.

Lu Lingyuan watched her father coldly, feeling infinite sadness in her heart. She turned around with a stern expression and left, with unspeakable heaviness and determination in her steps.

When Lu Lingyuan came out of the study, Yun'er had been waiting there for a long time. These days, she had been worried about the girl all the time. "Miss, are you okay?" Yun'er immediately went to greet her when she saw her come out.

"I'm fine! Father and mother didn't make things difficult for you, did they?" Lu Lingyuan smiled at her. At the moment, she felt it was very ironic that her family members could not compare to the sincerity that the maid gave her.

"No!" Yun'er's eyes turned slightly red and her voice became hoarse. She had cried a lot in private these days because she lost the girl.

"Okay, I'm fine, right?" Lu Lingyuan held her hand and finally felt a hint of warmth.

Yun'er nodded slightly and choked up, "Girl, that's the second time!"

Lu Lingyuan asked in confusion: "What?"

Yun'er cried and said, "I lost the girl twice. In such a short time, I lost the girl twice."

Lu Lingyuan was amused by her, pinched her little face, and said with a smile: "How can you, a little girl, protect me in the face of so many people!"

"Don't blame yourself. This has nothing to do with you. It's not your fault!" Lu Lingyuan comforted her in a gentle voice.

"Girl..." Yun'er's tears flowed down her face and she cried very sadly.

"Okay, your eyes are already swollen, and crying will make them even more swollen." Lu Lingyuan took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears.

"Yes." Yun'er hurriedly helped Lu Lingyuan back to their yard.

In the study, Lu Yucheng said, "Father, since Yuan'er has returned safely and what happened that night has not been spread, now Yuan'er has been named a princess, this is a happy event!"

"Confused!" Lu Xuan was furious and stared at him with eyes wide open.

"Father, please calm down!" Lu Yucheng said respectfully.

Lu Xuan stood up, stood in front of him, and said in a cold voice: "I'm afraid the story behind this is not that simple."

"Yuan'er has become a different person since she came back this time. She was given the title of Princess?" Lu Xuan frowned, his face gloomy. "I am afraid that after this incident, Yuan'er may become alienated from us and this family."

Lu Xuan held the armrests tightly with both hands, slowly closed his eyes, and his expression became very nervous.

Lu Yucheng understood something instantly, and he collapsed on the ground, a flash of panic in his eyes, and then he immediately shook his head, "Father won't, Yuan'er won't."

"How could she not? She has been away from home for eight years since she was young and is not very close to us..." Lu Xuan took a deep breath and thought about what to do next?

Lu Yucheng fell into deep thought...

In the days that followed, Zheng Xiyan often summoned Lu Lingyuan to the palace to keep her company. However, the affairs of the palace were always passed by ears like the wind, and gradually, some rumors spread quietly, saying that the Queen Mother and His Majesty had secretly selected Princess Anping and wanted to make her the Queen.

When Lu Lingyuan first heard the news, she was slightly surprised, like spring water brushing over newly opened petals, but her heart was surging with worries.

On this day, Lu Lingyuan went to the palace to pay her respects as usual. Her steps were light, but she could not hide the uneasiness in her heart.

On the way to Shoukang Palace, he unexpectedly met Xiao Chengji who was about to pay his respects to the emperor. He sat on the imperial chariot, his dragon robe fluttering, majestic, and his attendants stood in awe, looking like an emperor.

Lu Lingyuan's heart tightened, and she wanted to quietly avoid it to avoid any more trouble. However, before she could take a step, Rong An, who was standing beside Xiao Chengji, recognized her at a glance: "Princess Anping?" His voice was steady, with unquestionable majesty.

Hearing this, Xiao Chengji slightly opened his eyes, his eyes were deep, as if he could see through people's hearts. He looked at Lu Lingyuan, but his face was calm, as if he had just met an ordinary palace maid.

Seeing this, Lu Lingyuan had no choice but to step forward and pay her respects as required: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health!" Her voice was gentle, but with a barely perceptible tremor.

Xiao Chengji remained calm, waved his hand, and said in a deep and magnetic voice: "Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lu Lingyuan slowly stood up, but still stood there somewhat stiffly, with mixed feelings in her heart.

"Are you coming to the palace to pay your respects to your mother?" Xiao Chengji asked casually, raising his eyebrows slightly.

"Yes." Lu Lingyuan responded gently, but her heart was already in turmoil.

For some reason, the atmosphere between the two became subtle. Xiao Chengji said in a deep voice: "It just so happens that I also want to go and pay my respects to the Queen Mother, let's go together!"

"Yes." Lu Lingyuan's expression changed slightly, but soon returned to normal.

At this time, Zheng Xiyan was in Shoukang Palace, carefully checking the account books of the harem this month, and her brows revealed a majesty that should not be underestimated. Biluo walked up and whispered in her ear: "My queen, His Majesty and Princess Anping are here!"

"Oh?" Zheng Xiyan raised her eyebrows slightly, the corners of her mouth turned up, she lowered her eyes and chuckled, "What a coincidence, the two of them actually met." There was some deep meaning in her tone.

"Yes!" Biluo replied softly, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Shuang Ning interrupted at this time and said, "Your Majesty, actually now it is being rumored that Your Majesty and His Majesty have both taken a fancy to the princess and want to make her the queen?"

Zheng Xiyan's smile remained unchanged when she heard this, but her expression darkened slightly, as if she was thinking about something.

After a while, Xiao Chengji and Lu Lingyuan walked in one after the other. Zheng Xiyan looked at them, and a look of joy appeared on her face again, as if her previous contemplation was just a momentary illusion.

"What a coincidence today, you two came together." Zheng Xiyan joked with a smile, her tone was relaxed and natural, yet it carried a hint of deep meaning.

Xiao Chengji naturally heard the hidden meaning in his mother's words. He pretended to be serious and saluted, saying: "Your son greets you, the queen mother. May you be blessed with good health!" His voice was steady and powerful, revealing a sense of majesty.

"Your humble servant pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health!" Lu Lingyuan also knelt down and saluted properly. Her movements were standard and elegant, but she could not hide the uneasiness in her heart.

"Get up!" Zheng Xiyan said with a smile, her voice gentle and magnetic.

"Thank you, mother!" Xiao Chengji stood up to express his gratitude. His eyes met his mother's. After understanding her expression, he immediately looked away.

"Thank you, Her Majesty!" Lu Lingyuan also stood up to express her gratitude.

Xiao Chengji sat opposite Zheng Xiyan and explained, "On the way here, I happened to meet Princess Anping, so I came here with her." His tone was natural and fluent, as if all this was just a coincidence.

Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly and looked at the two of them meaningfully, "Biluo, bring a stool for the princess to sit on!" Her voice was soft and majestic, as if everything was under her control.

"Yes." Biluo responded in a deep voice and turned to leave.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Lingyuan bowed again to express her gratitude.

"The head of the clan came here yesterday, did your majesty know?" Zheng Xiyan's voice rang softly in the empty hall, with a hint of subtle meaning. She deliberately mentioned this matter, her eyes flickering, as if testing something.

Xiao Chengji's brows slightly frowned, like a distant mountain covered with mist. He naturally knew about this matter, and also knew why Zong Zheng came to see his mother, but he couldn't understand why his mother brought up this matter in front of her. He felt an inexplicable irritation in his heart.

Lu Lingyuan sat quietly by the side, speaking in a low voice, like a quietly blooming orchid, trying to reduce her presence. Her eyes moved between Zheng Xiyan and Xiao Chengji, secretly guessing what they were thinking.

"Your son knows." Xiao Chengji's voice was steady and firm, but there was a barely perceptible fluctuation in his eyes.

"Zongzheng came yesterday to discuss your wedding." Zheng Xiyan said casually, but there was a hint of sharpness in her words. "The flower viewing banquet has also been held. Does Your Majesty have a choice for the queen now?"

Xiao Chengji glanced at Lu Lingyuan and a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face.

Lu Lingyuan also felt that the atmosphere was a little off, and realized that this was not what she should hear. She felt flustered, and immediately stood up and said, "Since the Queen Mother and His Majesty have something to discuss, then... I will withdraw first and chat with the Queen Mother later."

Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly, and that smile was like the warm sunshine in spring, warm and gentle. She nodded and said, "Okay."

"I'll take my leave!" When Lu Lingyuan bowed and turned to leave, Zheng Xiyan's eyes suddenly fell on the account book on the table, and then she said, "I remember you said that you are good at accounting?"

When Lu Lingyuan saw the account book on the table, her eyebrows slightly frowned. Is this the account book of the harem? She replied cautiously, "I can't say I'm good at it. I've only learned the basics."

"In that case, I'm a little upset today. I just can't concentrate on reading this account book." Zheng Xiyan said with a warm smile. There was a hint of deep meaning in that smile. "Please check for me to see if there are any mistakes or mismatched accounts!"

Lu Lingyuan's face changed slightly. This was the account book of the harem. She...a wave of panic and uneasiness surged in her heart, like waves swept up by a storm.

Xiao Chengji's face also looked strange. He wondered in his heart what his mother was going to do, but he did not show anything.

"Your Majesty, I... I'm afraid I'm stupid..." Before Lu Lingyuan could finish her words, she was interrupted by Zheng Xiyan with a smile.

"Okay, I believe you." Zheng Xiyan urged, her eyes flashing with trust, "Go!" She winked at Biluo, who immediately took the bill on the table and walked up to Lu Lingyuan, "Princess, please."

In this regard, Lu Lingyuan could only agree, "Yes, I obey your command." She said in a low voice, then took the account book, turned around and left.

After Lu Lingyuan left, Xiao Chengji could no longer suppress the doubts in his heart and asked, "Mother, what do you mean?" There was some confusion and dissatisfaction in his voice.

Zheng Xiyan sat upright on the chair, turned her head slightly, her eyes gentle but deep. She opened her red lips slightly, her voice soft but with a force that could not be ignored: "Ji'er, do you know the rumors outside now?"

"What rumor?" Xiao Chengji frowned slightly, obviously knowing nothing about this sudden news, and an inexplicable sense of uneasiness surged in his heart.

Zheng Xiyan sighed softly, her tone still calm, "Now it is rumored outside that your majesty and I have chosen Princess Anping as the candidate for Queen, and the imperial edict will be issued soon." Her words were like a spring breeze blowing across the lake, light but causing ripples.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengji was immediately upset. "Where did this rumor come from, mother? I will immediately investigate the source of this matter, and I will never let them off easily after finding it." His tone was firm, but he could not hide the annoyance and uneasiness in his heart.

Zheng Xiyan looked at his expression and became serious, "Jier, don't you have any feelings for her at all?"

When Xiao Chengji heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and the scene of her crying that day flashed involuntarily in his mind. She cried so sadly and so pitifully, as if the whole world had collapsed.

He was silent for a moment, his eyes were complicated, and he didn't respond. What was he thinking at that time? And how did he feel now?