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

Xiao Xuanchen sat on the dragon chair in Zhaoyang Palace, with a gloomy look between his brows. He was silent for a long time, and finally ordered: "Return to the palace tomorrow."

"Yes!"

The next morning, before the first ray of sunlight had spread across the earth, Zheng Xiyan stepped lightly into the Zhaoyang Palace. As soon as she reached the door, she heard angry shouts coming from inside the palace, as if the emperor was furious. Even the delicate teacup was not spared and was smashed to the ground.

The eunuch in front of the emperor knelt beside the broken porcelain pieces and advised in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, please calm down and take care of your health."

Zheng Xiyan's heart tightened, and she probably guessed the reason. She guessed that her father had already made some moves, and sent the memorial to the palace overnight. She took a deep breath and stepped into the palace. Seeing the fragments all over the floor, her heart trembled, but she still maintained the dignity of a queen, slowly walked to Xiao Xuanchen, and bowed: "Your Majesty, I greet you, may your Majesty be blessed with good health."

Xiao Xuanchen looked up and saw that it was her. His anger subsided a little and he waved his hand, saying, "No need to be polite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zheng Xiyan stood up and gently instructed, "Pack up quickly."

The palace maids came in upon hearing the noise and carefully picked up the debris on the ground. Zheng Xiyan waved her hand to signal them to leave, then walked to Xiao Xuanchen and asked softly, "Your Majesty, why are you angry? Your injuries have not healed yet, so it is really inappropriate to be angry."

Xiao Xuanchen's face was gloomy, and he said in a cold voice: "Those old ministers actually submitted a petition to plead for King Xiang overnight. They kept saying that Ronghua was still on the way to Southern Xinjiang. If anything happened to King Xiang, Ronghua would definitely regret the engagement. By then, the marriage between Daliang and Southern Xinjiang would be broken, and disputes would arise again on the border. How can I not be angry when they excuse King Xiang like this?"

Zheng Xiyan heard this and showed some doubt on her face. She asked, "Pleading for the King of Xiang? What's going on?"

Xiao Xuanchen snorted coldly and explained the whole story in detail.

After hearing this, Zheng Xiyan was surprised even though she had expected it. She comforted him softly, "Your Majesty, the ministers' worries are not unreasonable. Princess Ronghua married to the southern border for Daliang. She has not yet arrived in the southern border. If she finds out that her brother..."

Xiao Xuanchen listened to Zheng Xiyan's words, and a complex suspicion flashed in his eyes. He stared at Zheng Xiyan's clear eyes, as if he wanted to find out her true thoughts from her eyes. His voice was low and powerful, with a bit of scrutiny and questioning: "Queen, do you also think that I shouldn't kill Prince Xiang?"

Zheng Xiyan's heart tightened, but she quickly calmed down, and her face remained calm and composed. She spoke slowly, her voice soft but firm: "Your Majesty, this is not what I meant. I just hope that you can think carefully and not be affected by the disturbances of the outside world. Women in the harem should not ask about the affairs of the court, and I know this very well. But I am just worried that Your Majesty will be blinded by the treacherous people and make a decision that he will regret in the future."

Hearing this, Xiao Xuanchen's face darkened, and anger rose in his chest. He suddenly grabbed Zheng Xiyan's slender wrist, and the force was so great that Zheng Xiyan couldn't help but frown. He said angrily: "Queen! You are so abnormal today, aren't you pleading for Prince Xiang?"

Zheng Xiyan was shocked, but she remained calm. She gently broke free from Xiao Xuanchen's hand and said calmly, "Why should I plead for the King of Xiang? I have no close relationship with him, and his life or death has nothing to do with me. I just hope that Your Majesty can think calmly and not be swayed by the anger of the moment."

Xiao Xuanchen stared into Zheng Xiyan's eyes, trying to find out something from her expression. But Zheng Xiyan's eyes were as clear as water, without any ripples. After a long time, Xiao Xuanchen finally let go of her hand.

Zheng Xiyan was delighted to see him waver. She struck while the iron was hot and said, "Your Majesty! Do you really believe that the King of Xiang would be so foolish as to assassinate you in the palace? And those assassins, why did they insist that the King of Xiang sent them? There must be something fishy going on."

Xiao Xuanchen was silent for a moment, and finally said: "I know it very well in my heart. Prince Xiang has always been very intelligent and is deeply loved by my father. How could he do such a stupid thing?"

"Since Your Majesty knows all this, why do you still..." Zheng Xiyan's voice suddenly became low when she said this, as if she didn't want to touch the pain deeply hidden in Xiao Xuanchen's heart.

Xiao Xuanchen sighed, and an indescribable emotion flashed in his eyes. He looked up into the distance, as if recalling the past years: "Because I envy him. I have been jealous of him since I was a child. I remember that when I was young, my father didn't like me, and his favorite son was Prince Xiang. He was smart and clever, and he was better than me in reading, martial arts, riding and shooting. My father even said many times in front of the ministers that Prince Xiang was the son who was most like him. I was still young at that time, and I wanted to prove it to everyone, especially to my father, that I was the best son. But I was too young, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't catch up with him. I remember that when I was fourteen years old, the barbarians in the north invaded, and my father personally led the battle for him. All the princes were envious, and I was especially envious of him..."

At this point, Xiao Xuanchen's voice gradually became low. He looked at the distant sky, with an indescribable sadness and helplessness flashing in his eyes.

Zheng Xiyan listened quietly, and was a little surprised. So he would be jealous? She walked gently to Xiao Xuanchen's side, put her hand on his shoulder, and said softly, "Your Majesty, everyone has his own brilliance. You don't have to compare yourself with others. You are you, a unique emperor. Your talent and wisdom are unmatched."

Xiao Xuanchen's eyes flashed with surprise when he heard this. He turned his head and looked at Zheng Xiyan, as if he wanted to find the answer from her eyes. He whispered, "Queen, do you really think so?"

Zheng Xiyan nodded and said with a smile: "Of course I think so. Your Majesty is the most wise monarch in the world. Every decision you make is for the country of Daliang."

Xiao Xuanchen took a deep breath of the light floral scent wafting from the courtyard, as if he wanted to inhale all his sorrows along with this breath, and then exhale deeply. He tightly grasped Zheng Xiyan's white jade-like hand, his eyes revealing a complex emotion that was difficult to conceal.

"In my father's heart, he never really recognized me as his son." His words were full of helplessness and bitterness. "If it weren't for the fact that I am the eldest son, I'm afraid the throne would have fallen into the hands of others long ago."

Zheng Xiyan's eyes flashed with determination when she heard this. She gently held Xiao Xuanchen's hand and comforted him softly, "Your Majesty, you are the eldest son and the crown prince by right. This is determined by the laws of our ancestors. The throne belongs to you."

Xiao Xuanchen was slightly startled, and looking at Zheng Xiyan's firm and gentle eyes, a warm current surged in his heart. His face was solemn, and he slowly said: "Is the eldest son... the crown prince by right?"

When Zheng Xiyan saw Xiao Xuanchen asking this, a trace of confusion flashed across her face, but she quickly regained her composure. She looked at Xiao Xuanchen innocently, "Did I say something wrong?"

Seeing this, Xiao Xuanchen smiled and said, "No, you are right." He gently stroked Zheng Xiyan's hair, his eyes full of tenderness.

Zheng Xiyan smiled and nodded, then gently leaned on Xiao Xuanchen's shoulder and said softly: "Your Majesty, even if you were not the candidate for the crown prince in the late emperor's mind, you are the one sitting on the throne now. You are the master of this world."

She looked up at Xiao Xuanchen, her eyes gleaming with determination, "Prince Xiang is nothing in front of you. He is not worthy of being your opponent, let alone being compared with you."

Xiao Xuanchen felt a warm current in his heart when he heard Zheng Xiyan's words. He gently held Zheng Xiyan's hand, his eyes full of gratitude, "Does the Queen really think so?"

Zheng Xiyan nodded vigorously and said, "Of course, I am your majesty's queen and your majesty's wife. In my heart, your majesty will always be a wise ruler. For the sake of Daliang's country, you are busy with all kinds of affairs and work day and night. No one can compare with you."

Xiao Xuanchen was deeply moved when he heard Zheng Xiyan's words. He looked at Zheng Xiyan deeply, his eyes full of love and respect, "I will consider this matter carefully."

Zheng Xiyan smiled delightedly upon hearing this. She leaned gently into Xiao Xuanchen's arms and said softly, "Your Majesty is wise!"