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

"Your Majesty has been diligent in government affairs over the years, working hard day and night. God must have seen it."

"Ah."

Zheng Xiyan smiled gently, with a hint of cunning and pride in her smile. She spoke slowly, her voice soft and pleasant: "Your Majesty, Concubine Yi is now more than five months pregnant. The imperial doctors all said that this baby is 80% likely to be a prince. I am here to congratulate Your Majesty first."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuanchen nodded slightly and said, "If Concubine Yi can really give birth to a prince, it will naturally be a great joy. I think that she should be given a concubine title to show my favor. What do you think, Queen?"

Zheng Xiyan lowered her head slightly, with a calm smile on her face, as if she had expected all this. She said softly, "I have no objection. Concubine Yi has been well-behaved and sensible over the years, and has helped the royal family to expand. She deserves the title of concubine."

Xiao Xuanchen nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, that's settled then."

But beneath Zheng Xiyan's calm exterior, her heart was already churning. She was secretly thinking about her next plan, with a barely perceptible sneer on her lips.

After Xiao Xuanchen left, Zheng Xiyan instructed Biluo who was standing beside her, "Biluo, go find Zirui. I have something important to tell you."

"Yes, your majesty." Biluo responded and stepped back. After a while, she brought Zirui to the bedroom.

Zi Rui walked into the bedroom and bowed respectfully: "My queen, what do you want?"

Zheng Xiyan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and she slowly spoke in a low and firm voice: "It's time to use Caiwei, the chess piece. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zi Rui was slightly startled, then nodded and said, "I understand, Madam, please rest assured."

Biluo stood aside, and although she was somewhat puzzled, she roughly guessed what was going on after seeing the conversation between Zheng Xiyan and Zirui. She did not dare to ask more questions, and just stood aside silently.

"Go do it!" Zheng Xiyan ordered.

"Yes, I'll take my leave." Zi Rui bowed and left.

After Zi Rui left, Zheng Xiyan looked at Biluo, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She asked softly, "Biluo, do you think I'm too cruel?"

Biluo quickly lowered her head and said, "I dare not."

Zheng Xiyan smiled faintly and said, "I have never been a good person, nor do I want to be one. Blame her for blocking my way."

"Yes, your majesty." Biluo replied respectfully.

On this day, the sun shone obliquely on the glazed tiles of the Weiyang Palace, reflecting dots of golden light. The concubines from various palaces arrived as scheduled to pay their respects. Concubine Yi, with her bulging belly, was carefully supported by Caiwei as she slowly walked into the Weiyang Palace.

When the concubines of lower rank saw Consort Yi, they all stopped what they were doing and saluted in unison, saying in clear and respectful voices: "Greetings, Consort Yi."

Yi Zhaoyi nodded slightly, with a gentle smile on her face, and said in a gentle but dignified voice: "No need to be polite, everyone."

Then, she turned to the side, the dignified Consort Xian and Consort De, bent her knees slightly, and saluted: "Greetings to Sister Xian and Sister De."

Upon seeing this, Concubine Xian quickly stood up, extended her hand to help her, and showed a gentle smile on her face: "Sister, please stop being so polite. You are pregnant now, so you must be more careful."

Defei also nodded, her gaze lingered on Concubine Yi's belly for a moment, a barely perceptible complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Although the atmosphere in Weiyang Palace was harmonious at the moment, everyone knew what this pregnancy meant to Consort Yi. Currently, there were only three concubines in the harem: Consort Xian, Consort Shu, and Consort De, and Consort Shu Shen Aoning had been bedridden for years and ignored worldly affairs. If Consort Yi gave birth to a prince, she would definitely be promoted.

At this moment, Biluo walked out of the main hall. She glanced at everyone and said softly, "Everyone, the Queen has woken up. Please come in."

Upon hearing this, everyone straightened their appearance and followed Biluo into the main hall.

Zheng Xiyan sat on the phoenix throne, wearing a luxurious queen's dress that made her look noble and elegant. Everyone stood in two rows and saluted her respectfully: "Greetings to the Queen, may the Queen be blessed with good health."

Zheng Xiyan nodded slightly, her voice calm and dignified: "No need to be polite, just stand up."

After everyone thanked him, they sat down one after another. Zheng Xiyan's eyes swept across everyone's faces, and finally stopped at Consort Yi's face, and smiled slightly: "Yesterday, a minister wrote to the emperor, saying that Your Majesty has only selected beauties once since he ascended the throne, and that there has been no new people in the harem for a long time, so he suggested that Your Majesty select beauties."

Hearing this, everyone's face showed a trace of disappointment. Although the harem seemed to be full of glory on the surface, it was actually filled with endless loneliness and waiting. Every concubine hoped to be favored by His Majesty. They were naturally unwilling to share the limited favor with more people in the palace.

Zheng Xiyan didn't care about the crowd's emotions and continued, "His Majesty has issued an order to select concubines. It's time to add new people to the harem."

Although Concubine Xian was unwilling in her heart, it was not something she could decide, so she could only force a smile and said, "Your Majesty, what you said is very true, and I understand."

At this moment, Concubine De suddenly spoke up with a hint of sarcasm in her voice: "I think your Majesty is tired of seeing us. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, it's time to add some new people to the palace to expand the royal family."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone looked at her, but Concubine De seemed not to notice their gazes.

Zheng Xiyan's smile froze slightly when she heard this, but soon returned to normal. She looked at Concubine De deeply, and a hint of warning was in her voice: "Your Majesty will not forget you even if there are more beauties in the harem because of our old relationship. Concubine De, don't say this again outside of Weiyang Palace."

"Thank you, Her Majesty, for the reminder. I will keep it in mind." Zheng Xiyan's reminder made Concubine De restrain herself a little, but she still didn't care in her heart.

Defei turned her gaze to Consort Yi, and saw that after Consort Yi heard the news of the selection, her face changed slightly. Although she tried her best to hide it, the uneasiness in her eyes was still obvious. She already had a son, and now she was pregnant again. She had been favored by the emperor for several years, but the struggles and changes in the harem made her realize that the road ahead would not be smooth.

Zheng Xiyan noticed that Consort Yi was acting strange, and asked with concern, "Consort Yi, I see that your belly has gotten bigger, how's your appetite lately?"

But Yi Zhaoyi seemed to be immersed in her own thoughts and did not hear Zheng Xiyan's words. She gently stroked her belly, her eyes full of worry and anxiety.

Seeing this, Caiwei gently reminded, "Your Highness, the Queen is asking you a question."

Concubine Yi finally came to her senses, smiled awkwardly, and said, "Ah? What did your majesty just say? I didn't hear it."

Zheng Xiyan did not blame him, but just repeated the question with a smile.

Xu Zhaorong chuckled and said, "Could it be that Empress Zhaoyi heard that His Majesty was going to select a concubine and was worried that she would fall out of favor in the future, so she didn't hear what the Empress said?"

Although her words were light, the meaning was self-evident. Concubine Yi's face froze for a moment, but soon returned to normal. She replied calmly, "Sister Zhaorong was joking. I was just thinking about something and didn't hear clearly what the Queen said."

Zheng Xiyan nodded and said with a smile: "The most important thing for you now is to take care of your baby and not to have any random thoughts."

"Yes! I understand."