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

Princess Yong'an's eyes suddenly froze, as if her heart was being strangled by an invisible hand. Nanny Ru's earnest words flashed through her mind, and every word was as heavy as a thousand-pound stone, pressing on her heart.

"Your Highness..." Nanny Ru's voice seemed to still echo in her ears, with a hint of oldness and reluctance, "This old servant will leave the palace tomorrow, and there is something on my mind that I am worried about. Even though I know it is just nagging, I still can't help but want to say a few words to you."

"Princess Qingping is too arrogant and doesn't know her place. I'm worried that she will cause a disaster in the future." Nanny Ru's words echoed even more clearly in Princess Yong'an's ears. "When the time comes, Your Highness, don't be soft-hearted and plead for her. The best thing to do is to save yourself..."

Princess Yong'an felt conflicted. She bit her lip and tried to protest, but was suppressed by an inexplicable force. "But am I going to watch my sister..."

"Princess, you have done your best for Princess Qingping." The palace servant said anxiously, her hands unconsciously tugging at her sleeves. "These past few days, you have been to Shoukang Palace a lot for her affairs. You have almost kneeled through the thresholds of Zichen Hall and Weiyang Palace, but what is the result? Only the Empress reluctantly met with you. You have done your best."

"But what about her? Has she ever felt any remorse? Has she ever listened to your advice? She has brought this upon herself. Please stop caring about her."

Princess Yong'an's expression became more complicated when she heard this. She lowered her head slightly, staring at the ground with empty eyes, feeling mixed emotions.

The palace maid's words were like a sharp knife, cutting the last bit of hope in her heart into pieces. She didn't know what to do. Was she really going to ignore her sister?

"Princess Qingping is so audacious that she has completely angered the Queen Mother and His Majesty." The palace maid's voice sounded again, with a certain firmness that could not be questioned. "The Queen Mother is kind and only punished her to guard the mausoleum, which is already a light punishment. If she can sincerely admit her mistake, this matter may still be able to turn around. But Princess, you know in your heart that Princess Qingping is not the kind of person who will easily admit her mistakes. Therefore, you should not take risks for her again."

"Have you forgotten all the words that Nanny told you before you left the palace?" The palace maid said, her face full of tension and worry. She pulled Princess Yong'an's sleeve hard, as if she was afraid that she would do something stupid.

Princess Yong'an's body trembled slightly. She looked up into the distance with confusion in her eyes.

After a while, Princess Yong'an, supported by the palace maids, slowly stood up and left Shoukang Palace...

In Shoukang Palace, Zheng Xiyan leaned on the soft couch. Shuang Ning slowly stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Princess Yongan has returned."

"Yeah." Zheng Xiyan nodded slightly and said softly: "Yong'an is a good one. He has the charm of Shen Aoning in his youth."

"Your Majesty is right. Princess Yong'an is a sensible person. I think she won't have a bad life after she marries into the Lu family." Shuang Ning said in a deep voice.

"Back then, Xi Muyao was as unbridled and crazy as she is today. It's true that like mother, like daughter!" Zheng Xiyan sighed.

"Your Majesty is right." Shuang Ning replied softly.

"Send people to the imperial mausoleum to keep a close eye on it and make sure nothing goes wrong." Zheng Xiyan warned again.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty!" Shuang Ning said immediately.

When Lu Lingyuan learned the news, Princess Qingping had already been sent to the imperial mausoleum.

It was dusk at this moment, and the afterglow of the setting sun lazily sprinkled on the glazed tiles of the palace, reflecting a faint golden color.

"Your Majesty, I heard that Princess Qingping spoke nonsense and was disrespectful to the Empress Dowager in front of the palace maids, so she was sent to the imperial mausoleum." Yun'er said in a deep voice.

Lu Lingyuan was leaning on the couch, wearing a gorgeous dress embroidered with gold and phoenixes. Her face was cold, as if she didn't care about anything in the world. She just opened her mouth nonchalantly: "Since the queen mother has made a decision, let's just leave it at that."

After she finished speaking, she gently raised her hand, and her fingertips brushed across an exquisite palace lantern on the table beside her. The flickering flame reflected an imperceptible complex emotion in her eyes.

Then, her expression became solemn, and her voice was deep and powerful: "Also pass the order down, no one in the palace is allowed to discuss this matter privately, and those who violate it will be severely punished."

"Yes, your majesty." Yun'er replied respectfully and walked out of the door with light steps, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the cold winter wind has quietly invaded this magnificent imperial city.

Lu Lingyuan's belly was bulging day by day. After dinner, the moonlight was like water, filling the courtyard. Xiao Chengji carefully supported her and walked slowly in the courtyard. The figures of the two stretched out in the moonlight, interweaving a warm and peaceful picture.

Xiao Chengji still rarely favored his concubines, and spent most of his time with her. As Lu Lingyuan's delivery date approached, he was happy about becoming a father, but he was also worried about the safety of her and her unborn child.

In the late pregnancy, Lu Lingyuan's legs became clumsy due to edema, and she was often awakened by the pain of cramps in the middle of the night. Whenever this happened, Xiao Chengji would always wake up first, with bloodshot eyes and a tired face.

That night, Lu Lingyuan woke up again. Just as she sat up, Xiao Chengji woke up the next second. Without saying anything, he gently lifted her legs and placed them on his thighs. He pressed her calves with skillful techniques, "How strong is it? Is it heavy?"

Lu Lingyuan slowly leaned back on the bed and whispered, "It's not heavy, just right!" The cold wind outside the palace seemed to be blocked by this warmth and no longer disturbed her.

When the palace servants heard the noise in the inner room, they hurriedly lit candles. Yun'er walked forward lightly, pulled open the curtain, and gently placed the cool handkerchief in her hand on her legs, bringing a slight coolness and relieving the swelling and pain in her legs.

After a while, Lu Lingyuan's expression gradually eased. She gently held Xiao Chengji's hand and said in a soft and low voice: "Your Majesty, I am much better."

Hearing this, Xiao Chengji nodded gently, his eyes full of tenderness and relief. He carefully helped her lie down, and after Yun'er extinguished the candle and slowly left the room, he lay down on his side. In the darkness, his eyes were still fixed on her, full of affection and heartache.

"It's still early, sleep a little longer." Xiao Chengji gently touched her hair and said in a warm voice.

"Okay." Lu Lingyuan responded softly, with a hint of weariness between her brows. Her eyelids gradually drooped, as if she was gently embraced by the night. In just a moment, she fell into a deep dream again.

In the past few days, she would wake up almost every night, more than once, and always woke Xiao Chengji up. He did not show any displeasure, only deep pity and love, and wished he could take her place and suffer all these sufferings for her.

Lu Lingyuan slept very soundly in the second half of the night, until the sunlight came through the window and gently sprinkled on her cheek, she slowly opened her eyes. When she woke up, the palace was warm and peaceful, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of plum blossoms, which Xiao Chengji picked in the imperial garden this morning. The branches were still hung with snowflakes that had not melted last night, which were crystal clear and set off the bright red petals, making it beautiful and intoxicating.

Inside the curtain, subtle sounds could be heard quietly, like the gentle hum of a spring breeze blowing through tree branches.

Xiao Chengji was reviewing the memorial in his hand with his head down, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something, but when he heard the familiar sound, he immediately put down his pen, a gentle smile appeared on his face, and he strode into the tent.

"Awake?" Xiao Chengji asked softly, his tone full of concern and tenderness. Then he slowly opened the curtains, sat beside the bed, and gently helped her sit up with one hand.

Lu Lingyuan rubbed her sleepy eyes, her voice a little hoarse and low, "Your Majesty hasn't left?" Her face looked very haggard, and she was still a little sleepy.

Xiao Chengji's face also looked a little pale, and there were even some dark circles under his eyes.

"The morning court is over. I came back early because I was thinking about you." Xiao Chengji said softly, his eyes full of tenderness and affection. Then he asked with concern, "Are you hungry? I have ordered people to prepare food. Eat some first."

Lu Lingyuan nodded slightly, her voice as soft as a mosquito, "Yeah." As she spoke, she lifted the quilt and was about to get out of bed, but unexpectedly Xiao Chengji had already squatted down, ready to put on her shoes himself.

Lu Lingyuan was startled and quickly retracted her feet. Her face flushed and she was a little shy in her panic. "Your Majesty, this... this is against the rules! How could you... how could you do this?"

Xiao Chengji smiled nonchalantly, his eyes firm and gentle, "Rules? There are no rules between you and me." As he said that, he picked up her feet without saying anything and carefully put on her shoes. His movements were gentle and skillful, as if this was the most natural thing between them.

Lu Lingyuan stood up slowly, her belly bulging so high that her feet could not be seen at all. At this time, Yun'er had also come in with the palace maids.

Xiao Chengji helped her sit in front of the dressing table, looked at her haggard face, and said with guilt: "Thank you for your hard work!"

Lu Lingyuan raised the corner of her mouth slightly and shook her head gently. It was indeed hard since she was pregnant, but as long as she thought that he was about to come, she felt that everything was worth it.

"Your Majesty, please go and do your work first! I'm fine." Lu Lingyuan urged.

"Okay, wash up first. I'll come and have dinner with you after I finish reading these memorials." Xiao Chengji looked at her with eyes full of love and doting.

Lu Lingyuan smiled slightly and replied in a low voice: "Okay."

Lu Lingyuan picked up the jade comb on the dressing table and gently combed her long hair, her movements were elegant and calm. Her eyes inadvertently swept across a touch of red by the window, and she couldn't help but feel a little curious.

"Where did the plum blossoms come from?" Lu Lingyuan's voice was soft and delicate, like a spring breeze blowing across the lake, creating ripples. A hint of doubt flashed across her face, and her clear eyes were filled with confusion and exploration.

Seeing this, Yun'er's face immediately showed an unconcealable joy, "Your Majesty, this is what His Majesty brought. His Majesty personally picked it in the Imperial Garden early this morning."

When Lu Lingyuan heard this, her expression became complicated instantly. A touch of emotion crept up her eyebrows, and a trace of surprise and emotion flashed in her eyes. She always loved plum blossoms. The plum blossoms in the imperial garden in winter have always been a rare landscape in the palace.

However, ever since she became pregnant, coupled with recent heavy snowfall and difficult roads to travel on, she has never been able to fulfill her wish and witness the magnificent scene with her own eyes.

I thought that this regret this year would be a foregone conclusion, but I didn’t expect that it would appear in such an unexpected way today.

"His Majesty treats the Queen so well!" Yun'er said softly with a gentle smile on her face and envy in her eyes.

Yes! He is indeed very good to me, Lu Lingyuan said to herself silently in her heart. She stared at the snowflakes falling outside the window, and her heart was filled with ripples.

In the exquisite Dingzhou kiln vase, a bunch of plum blossoms bloomed proudly, with a little dew on the petals, crystal clear, like a treasure left by a fairy in the world. The palace servant walked forward carefully holding the vase, and Lu Lingyuan slowly stretched out her hand, and her fingertips gently touched the plum blossoms. Through the plum blossoms, she seemed to see Xiao Chengji picking plum blossoms for her early in the morning.

Lu Lingyuan slowly turned her head and looked at Xiao Chengji tenderly through the gap in the screen. There was deep love in those eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, shining with eternal light.

After washing up, Lu Lingyuan walked out from the inner room gracefully. She was wearing a simple and elegant palace dress, which made her temperament even more beautiful.

Seeing this, Xiao Chengji quickly stood up and walked forward, carefully helping her sit down. At this time, she noticed that every kiln vase in the palace was filled with plum blossoms, and the fragrance filled the entire palace with vitality.

"This plum blossom..." Lu Lingyuan spoke softly, with a hint of surprise and emotion in her voice.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengji immediately replied: "Haven't you always been thinking about the plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden? It has been snowing these days and it is inconvenient for you to go out, so I personally picked these plum blossoms for you so that you can see as much as you want!"

Hearing these affectionate words, how could Lu Lingyuan not be moved? She lowered her eyes slightly to hide the tears that were about to overflow from her eyes, and whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Although her voice was soft, it was full of affection.

"Let's eat first!" Xiao Chengji said softly, his tone full of care and doting. Lu Lingyuan nodded gently, "Okay." Although the two words were simple, they were enough to convey her inner satisfaction and happiness.

Every day after that, when Lu Lingyuan woke up in the morning, there was always a bunch of bright plum blossoms waiting for her in the palace. Those plum blossoms were picked by Xiao Chengji himself in the imperial garden every morning, and each one contained his deep affection and kindness for her.

Soon, the news spread like a spring breeze to every corner of the harem. Some were happy while others were sad. Some of the new concubines who had not yet served the emperor in bed were inevitably feeling a little disappointed and unwilling.

Although Liu Chongyuan, Gao Jieyu and others had more opportunities to sleep with the emperor than others, they were still not favored enough and were unable to get what they wanted.

The emperor and empress love each other deeply, this is a fact recognized by the entire harem.