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

The twelve selected beauties were blooming like flowers, each of them had outstanding looks and different temperaments. Zheng Xiyan stood aside, looking at so many beauties, which naturally made Xiao Xuanchen's eyes reveal satisfaction.

After the selection, Zheng Xiyan and Xiao Xuanchen left side by side. Zheng Xiyan opened her red lips and said to Xiao Xuanchen with a smile: "Your Majesty, what I saw today is that Zhang Mengying is really a beauty beyond description. Although there are such beautiful beauties as Yi Zhaoyi and De Fei in the palace, it seems that Zhang Mengying is not inferior to them."

When mentioning Zhang Mengxi, Xiao Xuanchen's eyes flashed with complex emotions. Zhang Mengxi's face was indeed like pear blossoms reflected in spring water, fresh and refined, making people unforgettable at first sight.

"The queen is right. Zhang Mengying is indeed a rare beauty." Xiao Xuanchen came back to his senses and said to Zheng Xiyan with a smile, "But in my heart, the queen's beauty is the best in the world."

Zheng Xiyan felt sick at the sight of these words. She knew that Xiao Xuanchen's words were just a joke, but she had to put on a smile and pretend to be flattered: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am ashamed to accept it."

Xiao Xuanchen gently held Zheng Xiyan's hand, his eyes revealing some sincerity: "I am telling the truth, there is no need for the Queen to be modest." His palms were warm and powerful.

Although Zheng Xiyan was unhappy in her heart, she had to show gratitude on her face: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." She lowered her head slightly to hide the disdain and disgust in her eyes.

With today's selection, the entire harem is immersed in a kind of inexplicable tension and anticipation, with concubines from all palaces eagerly awaiting news of the selection results.

In Yihua Palace, Concubine Yi's body had not yet fully recovered, but she was still lying on the bed, looking slightly pale. She anxiously asked the palace maid Caiwei beside her: "Caiwei, why hasn't the news of today's selection come yet? What's the situation?"

Caiwei gently comforted Consort Yi and advised her in a gentle tone, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I think there will be news soon. His Majesty has always been cautious about the selection of concubines, so there won't be a result so soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, a palace maid hurried into Yihua Palace, looking a little excited. Seeing this, Yi Zhaoyi hurriedly sat up and asked anxiously, "What news did you hear?"

The maid bowed and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, today's selection has ended, and a total of twelve beauties have been selected. Among them, Zhang Mengxi, the daughter of the Minister of War, performed particularly well, and Your Majesty praised her highly."

"Twelve? So many?" Upon hearing this, Concubine Yi's face instantly turned ugly. "The daughter of the Minister of War? Why would His Majesty praise her so much?"

The maid continued, "This beauty, Zhang Mengxi, is extraordinary in appearance and has a stunning figure. It is said that she performed very well in the selection, with elegant manners and won unanimous praise from His Majesty and the other ladies. Even the Queen praised her repeatedly."

After hearing this, Concubine Yi was in a panic, and her face showed unprecedented fear and anxiety. She murmured to herself: "A stunning beauty? If this face is really so outstanding, what should I do? Caiwei! Do you think I will fall out of favor?"

Caiwei saw this and stepped forward to comfort her: "Don't be excited, your majesty. Take care of yourself. Even if Zhang Mengxi is outstanding, she is just a newly promoted concubine. Your majesty has an irreplaceable position in His Majesty's heart, so why worry about falling out of favor?"

But Yi Zhaoyi didn't listen to Caiwei's words. She leaned on the bed with a look of disappointment, muttering to herself: "Caiwei! Do you think I am really old? These new concubines are all young and beautiful. How can I compare with them?"

Caiwei's heart trembled slightly. Looking at the gloomy Yi Zhaoyi in front of her, she whispered to comfort her: "Your Majesty, don't be so pessimistic. His Majesty's love for you has never diminished, not to mention that you still have the fifth prince."

Yi Zhaoyi sighed softly and murmured softly, "I hope so." Ever since the unfortunate miscarriage, she seemed to be shrouded in a haze. Her thoughts were in a mess all day long and she became increasingly haggard.

Caiwei saw it all, felt pain in her heart, and felt extremely guilty.

"Your Majesty, you haven't had a good rest these days. You should sleep for a while longer." Caiwei said softly.

Yi Zhaoyi nodded, a trace of fatigue flashed in her eyes, she slowly lay down and closed her eyes. Caiwei covered her with a quilt, then sat quietly by her side and waited.

In Shoukang Palace, Nanny Yu was reporting today's selection to the Queen Mother. After hearing this, the Queen Mother frowned slightly and asked, "The daughter of the Minister of War?"

"Yes, Your Majesty the Queen Mother." Nanny Yu replied respectfully, "This beautiful girl is not only stunningly beautiful, but also extremely talented. Your Majesty and the Queen Mother both have high praise for her."

The Queen Mother snorted coldly: "A stunning beauty? This is not a good thing."

Seeing this, Yu Ma Ma quickly explained, "Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. This concubine is a woman of both talent and beauty, and she is well-known. If you go to the selection today, you will definitely be able to see her charm with your own eyes."

The Queen Mother waved her hand and said calmly, "I am old and too lazy to move. When I was the Queen, I participated in many selections for the late Emperor. Now that I am old, why should I join in the fun?"

Seeing this, Nanny Yu stopped talking. She knew that the Queen Mother was getting old and was less and less interested in the affairs of the palace. So she said, "What the Queen Mother said is right. The selection has been made, so you don't have to care too much. You can see them after they enter the palace."

The Queen Mother nodded, a look of fatigue on her face. She waved her hand, signaling Yu Ma to leave. Seeing this, Yu Ma bowed respectfully and left.

In the study room of Prince Xiang's mansion, the lights were on and the sandalwood incense was wafting. Prince Xiang sat alone in front of the chessboard, the black and white chess pieces interlaced, as if he was engaged in a silent contest. His eyes were deep, and he looked out the window from time to time, as if he was waiting for some important news.

At this time, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence of the study, and Jingyang hurried in with a bit of excitement on his face. King Xiang raised his head slightly, his eyes were like torches, and he asked lightly: "What's the matter?"

Jing Yang took a deep breath, calmed down, and replied: "As the prince wished, Miss Zhang has been successfully selected."

Upon hearing this, the corners of King Xiang's mouth slightly lifted up, revealing a satisfied smile. He nodded gently and said, "Good! This first step is the right one."

Jing Yang continued, "I heard that His Majesty and the Queen both praised Miss Zhang highly, and thought she was both talented and beautiful. I think her position in the harem will not be too low."

Prince Xiang smiled softly and said, "She is of high birth and distinguished family background. Now she is appreciated by His Majesty and the Queen, so her position is naturally high. I'm afraid all the concubines in the harem will feel a sense of crisis."

Jingyang nodded in agreement. King Xiang suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, has Lu Ran's cousin been selected?"

Jing Yang replied, "Your Majesty, Miss Lu was also selected. But Your Majesty has never seen her. It was the Queen who kept her."

Prince Xiang pondered for a moment and said, "Lu Ran probably didn't say anything to her. I think the Queen knew Miss Lu's identity and kept her here on purpose."

Jing Yang asked in confusion: "Why did the Queen…"

Prince Xiang shook his head slightly and explained, "Firstly, the Queen wants to take this opportunity to win over the Lu family; secondly, she also wants to take this opportunity to repay Lu Ran for a favor."

Jing Yang suddenly understood, nodded and said: "I understand."

The study room was quiet again, and King Xiang looked at the chessboard again. His fingers gently stroked the chess pieces, as if he was thinking about the next move. And Yang Yang stood quietly by, looking at the chessboard.