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

Lu Lingyuan sat alone on the soft couch. It was so quiet around her that only the occasional sound of the night wind could be heard outside the window. Her eyes were blurred, as if she was wandering on the edge of reality and memories.

Suddenly, a bitter smile quietly bloomed at the corner of her mouth, but it was like the last withered leaf in winter, carrying the hope of spring, but full of endless desolation. Behind this smile, there is so much unknown sadness and helplessness, only she knows it.

Mrs. Lu had mixed feelings, but she knew that any words would be pale and powerless at this moment, so she could only sigh softly, and with a heart full of worry and reluctance, she slowly turned around and left with heavy steps.

Time flies, and in a blink of an eye it is the eve of the wedding. The night is as dark as ink, shrouding the entire palace in a deep gloom. It is destined to be a sleepless night.

Inside Shoukang Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated Zheng Xiyan's solemn and thoughtful face.

Biluo walked in lightly, replaced a bright lamp in her hand, and said in a steady voice with some concern: "My queen, it's late at night, you should rest."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiyan took a deep breath, a barely perceptible worry flashed across her eyes, and she asked in a low voice: "Where is Ji'er? Is he still busy in the Purple Palace?"

"That should be the case, but Your Majesty does not need to worry too much. His Majesty will be married tomorrow, and he will definitely go to bed early tonight." Biluo comforted her softly, trying to calm the waves in her heart.

Zheng Xiyan shook her head slightly and whispered, "That's not what I'm worried about..."

Biluo understood immediately after hearing this, and said gently: "My queen, please forgive me for being so bold. You have tried your best, but His Majesty has made up his mind to marry the princess as his queen. If you insist on opposing it, I am afraid that the relationship between mother and son will be pushed further and further away. Besides, the preparations for this marriage have been going smoothly so far, so you might as well relax."

"I know that your Majesty is worried about Princess Wenping, but everyone has their own difficulties in life. Since we cannot escape, we can only grit our teeth and move forward." Biluo said as she stepped forward lightly, stood beside Zheng Xiyan, gently massaged her shoulders, and continued, "Hasn't your Majesty walked this way all these years?"

"Now that your majesty's prestige in the court is growing, and he has the assistance of wise ministers such as the Duke, it is time for your majesty to unload the burden and enjoy some peace and quiet." There was a bit of warmth in Biluo's words, trying to dispel the haze in Zheng Xiyan's heart.

Zheng Xiyan's expression gradually relaxed. She gently held Biluo's hand, and a warm feeling surged in her heart.

"Over the years, Your Majesty has been blessing the harem, but has never lived for yourself. Now, it is time to make yourself feel better." Having said that, Biluo suddenly squatted down, looked up at Zheng Xiyan, with a playful look on her face, "Your Majesty, why don't we leave the palace!"

"I remember that your Majesty has always longed for the water town in the south of the Yangtze River since she was young. The people there are prosperous and well-off. Hasn't your Majesty always been curious about how people there live?" Biluo's words were full of temptation, trying to arouse Zheng Xiyan's longing for the distant place.

Zheng Xiyan's eyes lit up when she heard this. Yes, she had worked hard for half her life, and now it was time to enjoy life. When people reach old age, they should learn to let go, because the future belongs to them, the young people.

"Biluo, you are right. I have worked hard for half my life, and it is time for me to enjoy a peaceful life. In life, we should not always compete with others, and we should not be hard on ourselves!" Zheng Xiyan suddenly understood and smiled, "My children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. How can I control their whole life?"

"That's right. I feel relieved that Your Majesty thinks this way. After Your Majesty's wedding and the selection of concubines is settled, Shuangning and I will accompany you out of the palace to travel and visit the Jiangnan region that you have always longed for." Biluo smiled like a flower, full of anticipation.

"Okay, there's no need to wait until the talent show is over. After Ji'er's wedding, we will set off for Jiangnan." Zheng Xiyan's voice was firm and full of expectation. The talent show was just another battle of power and she had no intention of getting involved in it anymore.

"Yes, I will follow your Majesty's arrangements in everything." Biluo responded respectfully.

At this moment, Shuang Ning hurriedly walked into the palace, as if a leaf fell in the cold wind, gently but anxiously. She looked cautious, as if every step was on thin ice, and whispered, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is here."

Zheng Xiyan sat in the hall, her face calm and steady, like a bottomless pool of water, without any waves. Her voice was calm with a hint of imperceptible fatigue, and she said softly: "Let His Majesty in."

"Yes." Shuang Ning responded and retreated. Her figure lengthened in the candlelight and gradually disappeared outside the palace gate.

A moment later, Xiao Chengji walked into the palace. His expression was solemn, like a pine or cypress in winter, upright and dignified. He bowed respectfully, his voice steady and powerful: "Your son greets the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed with good health!"

"Get up." Zheng Xiyan's voice was gentle, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, including relief and loneliness.

"Thank you, mother." Xiao Chengji stood up, his eyes met Zheng Xiyan's. There seemed to be thousands of words between the two of them, but they both chose silence tacitly.

"Tomorrow is your wedding day, and you need to get up early to prepare. Why are you here so late?" Zheng Xiyan's tone was calm, but her eyes revealed an unconcealable concern.

"I am where I am today thanks to your cultivation. Although I am happy about my wedding tomorrow, I am even more grateful to you for giving birth to me and raising me." Xiao Chengji's voice was sincere and firm, and his eyes were filled with gratitude and respect for Zheng Xiyan.

Zheng Xiyan's gaze towards him became increasingly complicated. In her eyes, there was warmth, but also a bit of loneliness and helplessness. She sighed softly, "I am already very satisfied that you have such filial piety."

"Ji'er, since you have chosen her, treat her well in the future. Don't be like your father, always afraid of this and that, and end up being deserted by everyone!" Zheng Xiyan's face was heavy, and her voice contained a hint of regret.

Xiao Chengji's face darkened slightly, and his eyes became unusually deep. He replied in a low voice: "Yes, I will follow the teachings of my mother!"

Seeing him like this, Zheng Xiyan's expression softened a little and became gentle. She said slowly, "It's just right that you're here. Mother also has something to discuss with you."

"Please speak, mother. I am listening." Xiao Chengji said respectfully, his expression becoming gentle and focused.

"Please sit down!" Zheng Xiyan said gently, her finger gently pointing at the chair next to her.

Xiao Chengji raised the corners of his mouth and chuckled, "Thank you, mother!" His expression became relaxed, as if he had found a chance to breathe in this heavy atmosphere.

"After you get married, I want to go out of the palace for a walk. I have wanted to go to Jiangnan for a long time." Zheng Xiyan said softly, her eyes full of tenderness and yearning.

"The queen who will be handed over to you in this palace in the future will definitely be a qualified queen. I am assured of this." There was a hint of relief and expectation in Zheng Xiyan's voice.

Xiao Chengji was obviously caught off guard. He asked anxiously, "Mother, why did you suddenly make such a decision?"

"I am worried about you going to Jiangnan alone. Why don't you wait for a few more years, mother? The national treasury is not very rich now, so wait a few years..." Before Xiao Chengji could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zheng Xiyan.

"I know this is against the rules. All expenses for this trip to Jiangnan will be paid from my private account. We don't need to bring too many people, and we can travel light. There's no need to make a big fuss, which will save us some trouble!" Zheng Xiyan said casually, with a bit of resolution and firmness in her voice.

Xiao Chengji was still a little worried, and he continued, "Mother, this... I'm worried about this journey, what if..."

"Where are the guards? There will be no problem dealing with some bandits and robbers. After the wedding, there will be a beauty contest as per convention, which is always unavoidable. You have to be prepared for this in advance." Zheng Xiyan interrupted him, her voice carrying a hint of helplessness and heaviness.

"Ji'er, your mother still says the same thing, you have to be a good emperor! As an emperor, there are some things that are destined not to be perfect." Zheng Xiyan said meaningfully, her eyes flashing with wisdom and depth.

Xiao Chengji frowned slightly, and his face became solemn. After a long while, he exhaled deeply and replied heavily: "Your son will follow your mother's teachings!"

"Then when is mother planning to leave for Jiangnan?" Xiao Chengji asked in a deep voice. He knew that his mother had made up her mind and he couldn't persuade her no matter what.

"Wait a few days! We have to wait until your wedding before we leave!" Zheng Xiyan said gently, her eyes flickering with expectation and blessing. The harem is about to welcome a new mistress, and a new story will happen.

"It's getting late, go back! You'll be busy tomorrow." Zheng Xiyan said, with some concern and advice in her voice.

Xiao Chengji hesitated to speak, and the expression on his face seemed like he was worried.

Zheng Xiyan actually saw it, but she didn't say anything else. She just whispered, "Go to bed early. Your mother sincerely wishes that you two can love each other happily and grow old together!"

"Thank you, mother! I will take my leave now." Xiao Chengji stood up slowly, bowed, and then left with a complicated expression. His back stretched out in the candlelight and gradually disappeared outside the palace gate.

Zheng Xiyan watched his back as he left, her vision gradually blurring. The figure in her memory that could not be erased no matter what, reappeared in her mind. She whispered in a low voice: "Like! Really like him!" The corners of her mouth slightly raised, but that smile was full of bitterness and helplessness.

Biluo stood aside, her eyes drooping slightly. She asked in a low voice: "What does it look like? What is the queen talking about?"

"Biluo, don't you think so? Ji'er is becoming more and more like him. They are indeed father and son. In fact, I felt this a long time ago. Ji'er is very similar to him, whether it is means, strategies, or... the means and methods of using others, they are exactly the same." Zheng Xiyan's face was heavy, and her eyes flashed with loneliness and disappointment.

"My Lady...you..." Biluo frowned deeply, and her expression froze instantly. She seemed to not believe her ears, nor did she believe that Zheng Xiyan would say such a thing.

Zheng Xiyan said in a heavy tone: "I'm really scared. I'm afraid that Ji'er will follow his old path and end up being deserted by everyone." There was a hint of trembling and helplessness in her voice.

"No, your majesty is sincere in treating Princess Wenping, I can see that. I also believe that one day, Princess Wenping will open her heart to your majesty and will truly take your majesty to heart." Biluo advised in a deep voice, with some firmness and comfort in her voice.

But Zheng Xiyan did not respond to her. Some things, no one can predict. She just sighed softly, and then slowly stretched out her hand.

Biluo immediately stepped forward to help her get up, and the two of them went towards the inner room. In this quiet night, only their gradually fading figures and endless thoughts were left behind...

……

On the second day, as the morning light broke, the sky was filled with the joy of the Emperor and Empress' wedding. The whole country, whether in the alleys or in the busy streets, was immersed in jubilation and happiness. It seemed that even the air was filled with sweetness and blessings.

The inside and outside of the palace have been meticulously decorated and look brand new. Red silk is hung high like a dragon, and lanterns are like stars, rendering the bright red color as hot as flames, covering every inch of space as far as the eye can see, reflecting an endless sense of joy and peace.

The interior of the Lu Mansion was also decorated with lights and was extremely gorgeous. Every brick and tile, every blade of grass and every tree seemed to whisper the glory and splendor of the Lu family.

Lu Xuan intended to announce to the world the thousand-year heritage and glory of the Lu family, whose splendor was in no way inferior to that of the royal family.

Lu Lingyuan had already gotten up when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the window and brushed across her face in the early morning. She bathed, combed her hair, and put on makeup. Every step was meticulous, all in the final preparation for this grand ceremony.

Today, she is wearing a gorgeous wedding dress and exquisite beads on her head. She is like a newly blooming peony, outshining all the other flowers, radiant and dazzling.

The sky was still a little hazy, and Mrs. Lu walked slowly into the house holding a finely carved box. The flickering candlelight shone on her slightly haggard but still gentle face, adding a bit of soft brilliance to her.

Mrs. Lu's eyes were red, obviously she had not slept all night, and her heart was full of complicated emotions. She was worried about her daughter's future and reluctant to let her daughter leave her.

"Madam..." Upon seeing this, everyone in the room hurriedly bowed and greeted her, with a bit of awe and concern in their voices.

"Everyone, get up." Mrs. Lu's voice was slightly choked, but she still managed to remain calm, not wanting to lose her composure in front of everyone. She knew very well that today was her daughter's big day, and she couldn't let this sadness ruin the atmosphere.

"Thank you, ma'am." Everyone responded in unison. The atmosphere was a little solemn for a moment, but it was also full of blessings and expectations for Lu Lingyuan.

Mrs. Lu's face was full of love and reluctance, with a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes.

……