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

"Mother, didn't you say that Sister Lu would enter the palace today? Why hasn't she arrived yet?" Xiao Shuyue leaned lightly on Zheng Xiyan's arm and said softly.

Before he finished speaking, Shuang Ning walked into the palace quietly. Her steps were light and she reported softly, "Empress Dowager, Princess Anping has arrived and is waiting outside the palace."

"Please ask her to come in." Zheng Xiyan's lips curled up into a gentle smile like the moon, and her loving eyes flickered with a soft light.

On the side, the Princess of Huai and the Princess of Lingyang County exchanged a meaningful look without making any noise. Then, they stepped aside gracefully, with a leisurely smile on their faces, which was a bit unfathomable.

The moment Lu Lingyuan stepped into Shoukang Palace, she had not expected that there were people beside her in the palace. A look of surprise flashed across her face, like a flower blooming in the morning light, brief but brilliant. She quickly gathered her thoughts and bowed respectfully, her voice clear and pleasant: "Your servant greets the Queen Mother and the Princess!"

Before she finished her words, Xiao Shuyue rushed forward like a spring breeze and helped her up, her movements full of intimacy and eagerness.

"Sister Lu, why are you so polite? I've already said that there's no need for all these formalities between you and me." Xiao Shuyue's words were full of casualness and uninhibitedness, and she completely forgot that there were other people in the hall.

Zheng Xiyan's expression changed slightly without her noticing, and she thought to herself: It would be fine if I said this in a private place with no outsiders present, but now that it's in public, if it gets out, who knows how much trouble and discussion it will cause.

Sure enough, the expressions of Prince Huai's wife and Princess Lingyang were somewhat unnatural, especially Princess Lingyang, whose expression was even more subtle and complicated.

These days, she has also heard rumors about His Majesty and Princess Anping outside the palace. Logically, one should not be hostile to someone one has never met, but... since she was young, her mother told her that she was destined to become the most noble woman in the palace, and the position of queen must belong to her. This obsession caused ripples in her heart, which was difficult to calm down.

Lu Lingyuan could also feel the subtle and tense atmosphere in the air. A hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes. She quickly glanced around, observing the expressions on everyone's faces.

Seeing this, Zheng Xiyan spoke up to break the silence: "Anping, this is the Prince of Huai's wife, and that is the Princess of Lingyang County. You have just returned to Beijing and may not have met them yet." Her voice was gentle and kind.

"Greetings to the Crown Prince's Consort, Princess Lingyang." Lu Lingyuan bent her knees slightly and bowed. Her manners were dignified and generous, without the slightest restraint or panic, fully displaying the demeanor of a lady from a noble family.

"Princess Anping is too polite." The Princess of Huai returned the greeting with a formality, and Princess Lingyang also bowed in return. Her movements were meticulous, fully demonstrating her upbringing and etiquette.

"Then, mother, I will take my leave from Sister Lu first and come to visit you another day." Xiao Shuyue took Lu Lingyuan's arm, and after hurriedly paying her respects, she left impatiently, as if she didn't want to stay any longer.

A hint of surprise flashed across Lu Lingyuan's face, but before she could think about it, she was dragged out of the palace by Xiao Shuyue, leaving only a string of crisp laughter echoing in the empty palace.

"Farewell, Princess!" Prince Huai's wife and Princess Lingyang bowed in unison, their voices revealing their own thoughts and calculations.

Zheng Xiyan looked at the two people's backs as they left, and spoke slowly, her tone full of doting and helplessness: "This child has made the Crown Prince's Consort and the County Princess embarrassed." There was no trace of anger on her face, only endless love and tolerance for her daughter.

"I dare not. The eldest princess has a straightforward temperament. It is a rare blessing and one that people envy very much." The Princess of Huai complimented.

"You are really good at teaching my daughter. I am not as good as you in this aspect. If Shu'er can be as well-behaved and sensible as Lingyang, I will be satisfied." Zheng Xiyan said politely.

"Lingyang is truly fortunate to receive praise from the Empress Dowager!" Princess Lingyang said softly.

Zheng Xi had a smile on her face, and an imperceptible emotion flashed in her eyes.

After chatting with the Prince's Consort of Huai Wang and Princess Lingyang for a while, Zheng Xiyan gave them a lot of gifts, and the Prince's Consort of Huai Wang and Princess Lingyang left the palace in a grand manner.

That night, Zheng Xiyan sent someone to invite Xiao Chengji to Shoukang Palace. Some things cannot be avoided.

When Xiao Chengji heard the news, an indescribable gloom passed over his face, and his deep eyes were filled with endless complex emotions. He knew that the Prince of Huai and the Princess of Lingyang had entered the palace today, and he also knew that she had entered the palace as well. His mother wanted him to go back at this time...

Rong An stood at one side, his eyes were as delicate as silk, quietly capturing every subtle change in the emperor's expression. He raised his arm slightly, and with an almost imperceptible movement, he winked at the eunuch beside him, signaling him to leave.

After the young eunuch left, Rong An lightly picked up a cup of steaming hot tea, and the aroma of tea rose. He slowly placed the tea on the imperial table and was about to turn around and leave, but was unexpectedly stopped by Xiao Chengji's low and powerful voice: "Rong An!"

Rong An paused for a moment, then turned around slowly, with an increasingly respectful look on his face. He asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?" There was a hint of subtle nervousness in his voice.

Xiao Chengji raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, he looked directly at Rong An, and slowly said: "Who do you think I should make the queen?" As soon as these words came out, the air seemed to freeze, carrying a heavy weight.

When Rong An heard this, his face changed slightly, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes. Then he adopted a more humble attitude and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, this is a major event concerning the national system, and I really dare not comment on it!" His voice was full of caution and awe.

However, Xiao Chengji gently waved his hand, indicating that he did not need to be too restrained, and said in a deep voice: "It's okay! Today, I just want to hear your opinion."

Rong An's expression remained reserved, and the worry between his brows seemed to carry a heavy weight. He said slowly: "The Queen is the mother of the country and also the wife of Your Majesty."

"I understand. Your Majesty has witnessed everything between the late emperor and the Empress Dowager since childhood..." Rong An paused at this moment. He glanced at Xiao Chengji subconsciously. The unfinished words seemed to be swept away by the cold wind. He changed the subject and said softly, "Your Majesty does not want to repeat the mistakes of the late emperor and the Empress Dowager. You long to marry a woman you truly love. In this case, why don't you do what you want? I dare to guess your Majesty's heart. Your Majesty must have the answer in his heart."

After he finished speaking, Rong An lowered his head deeply and bent his body even lower.

Xiao Chengji's eyes flashed with complex light at that moment. His thoughts seemed to be swept by a sudden storm. Thousands of words surged in his heart, and an elusive expression swept across his face. He sat there quietly, like a solidified statue, and only his deep eyes kept telling the waves in his heart.

Rong An stood aside, carefully observing His Majesty's reaction.

Just as Rong An was about to kneel down and apologize, Xiao Chengji's deep and powerful voice suddenly rang out: "Rong An, you are right. I should do what I want!" After that, he suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, raised his foot and walked out, his steps firm and resolute.

Rong An was in a trance for a moment and failed to react in time. It was not until several eunuchs and palace maids behind him followed him that he suddenly woke up and hurriedly chased after him.

"Your Majesty, where are you going?" Rong An's voice was filled with anxiety and confusion.

"Go to Shoukang Palace!" Xiao Chengji's voice was steady and firm, his eyes flashing with unprecedented determination and courage, as if at this moment, he had made up his mind.

……

Inside Shoukang Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated the mottled auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes on the wall, making it look solemn yet with an indescribable warmth.

Zheng Xiyan was wearing a simple and elegant brocade robe, sitting on the couch covered with soft fabrics, playing chess alone. Her face was firm yet gentle, and her dark eyes were so deep that they seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, but they were also like a clear pool in the deepest part of a cave, clear and tranquil, without any waves.

At this moment, the sound of steady footsteps outside the door interrupted the silence.

Xiao Chengji walked slowly into the hall. His face was solemn, his eyebrows revealed an unquestionable majesty, his back was straight, and every step he took seemed so firm and powerful. He walked calmly in front of Zheng Xiyan, bent his legs, knelt on the ground, and said in a low and respectful voice: "Your son greets the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health and happiness."

……