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

Everyone knelt down and saluted like willow branches blown by the spring breeze, their skirts swaying gently, like blooming flowers bowing their heads in the morning dew. They all said in unison: "I pay my respects to the Empress, may the Empress be blessed with good health."

Zheng Xiyan sat upright on the phoenix chair, nodded slightly, and said softly with a spring breeze smile: "Everyone, get up. No need to be polite."

"Thank you, Queen." Everyone responded in unison, standing up lightly and adjusting their sleeves.

Zheng Xiyan's eyes gently swept over everyone, and finally fell on the new concubines. She smiled gently and said, "After entering the palace, you must serve His Majesty well, give birth to children for His Majesty, and expand the royal family. You must do your best."

The concubines bowed their heads and said respectfully, "Yes! We will follow the instructions of the Queen."

Xian Fei interrupted with a smile: "Your Majesty, these sisters are all iconic beauties. Your Majesty has a unique vision."

As soon as Concubine Xian finished speaking, Concubine De coldly continued, "Yes, each of them has an extraordinary temperament. We old people are really ashamed of ourselves. The harem is a place full of flowers, and it must have new flowers blooming to make it look vibrant. Concubine Yi, don't you agree?"

Concubine Yi was slightly stunned, then she said respectfully, "Sister Defei is right."

De Fei's eyes fell on Zhang Mengxi, and a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes. Then she exclaimed: "I have seen many beauties in my life, but it is the first time I have seen a beauty like Zhang Jieyu. Her skin is whiter than snow, her eyebrows are like new moons, and her eyes are full of autumn water. She is truly a beauty that can topple a country."

Zhang Mengying was a little shy when she was praised by Concubine De. She smiled slightly and bowed her head and said, "Thank you for the praise, Concubine De. I am ashamed to accept it."

Concubine De smiled softly and said, "How can I be ashamed of it? You are worthy of this praise. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Hearing this, Zheng Xiyan's eyes also fell on Zhang Mengying. She nodded slightly and said with a smile: "De Fei is right. Concubine Zhang's beauty can be said to be the best in the entire harem."

When Concubine De heard this, a meaningful smile appeared on her lips. She looked at Zhang Mengying, as if she was provoking her, but also as if she was admiring her. Zhang Mengying remained silent, just lowered her head slightly, as if all this had nothing to do with her.

At this time, Lu Chuyi spoke. She walked to Zhang Mengying, gently held her hand, and said, "Sister Zhang is beautiful. The Queen is right."

Zhang Mengying turned her head to look at Lu Chuyi, a hint of gratitude flashed in her eyes, and she nodded slightly, as if responding to her.

Zheng Xiyan raised her head slightly, with complex emotions flowing in her eyes, and looked at Lu Chuyi. This girl, with delicate eyebrows and beautiful eyes, was shining with pure light. Just as Lu Ran said, her mind was as pure as a blank sheet of paper.

Concubine De sat at the side, her face grim but with a faint smile on her lips. She spoke slowly, with a hint of subtle sarcasm in her voice: "Lu Jieyu is right, this girl knows how to please the Queen."

Zheng Xiyan smiled gently, as if a spring breeze was blowing on her face, defusing the sharp edge of Defei's words. She said softly, "Okay, let's stop here today."

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up and said in unison: "Your servants/concubines are taking their leave." They left one by one, leaving only Lu Chuyi and Zhang Mengying.

Zheng Xiyan looked at the two of them, a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes, and asked, "Is there anything else?"

Lu Chuyi walked forward with a bit of shyness on her face and said softly: "Empress, Yaohua Palace is closest to Weiyang Palace. Can I come to Weiyang Palace more often in the future?" Her words were full of anticipation.

Zheng Xiyan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course, you're welcome anytime." Her voice was soft and warm, like the spring sunshine.

Hearing this, Lu Chuyi's face lit up with a brilliant smile. She said gratefully, "Thank you, Queen. What my brother said is indeed true. The Queen is a beautiful and kind person."

Zheng Xiyan's heart moved. It seemed that Lu Ran had told her a lot of things. She nodded slightly to show that she understood.

At this time, Zhang Mengying looked at Zheng Xiyan, with a hint of complex emotions in her eyes. She remembered the King Xiang's instructions, took a deep breath, and said with courage: "My Queen, I will come more often in the future. Please don't dislike me, my Queen."

Zheng Xiyan looked at Zhang Mengxi, and although she had some doubts in her heart, she temporarily suppressed her worries when she saw how sincere she was. But before she could say anything, Lu Chuyi spoke first: "Empress, Sister Zhang is a very nice person. We hit it off right away. We will come to Weiyang Palace more often to accompany you in the future."

Seeing this, Zheng Xiyan couldn't refuse anymore, so she smiled and agreed: "Okay! I welcome you anytime."

"Thank you, Her Majesty." Lu Chuyi and Zhang Mengying said in unison.

Outside the Weiyang Palace, Concubine De couldn't help but sneer in her heart when she saw that the two hadn't come out yet. She mocked, "They are really good at flattering. They have flattered the Empress so quickly."

The virtuous concubine at the side said, "These two people were chosen by the Empress to enter the palace. I wonder what the Empress was thinking? Concubine Zhang has such a charming face that she could seduce the Empress, but the Empress actually chose her to enter the palace and gave her the position of Concubine?"

Concubine De smiled coldly and said, "She is the daughter of the Minister of War. Your Majesty personally selected her on the day of the selection. What can the Empress do if she doesn't want to? Are you going to stop Your Majesty from letting her enter the palace?"

Hearing this, Xu Zhaorong also joined the discussion. She smiled and said, "My two sisters, do you think the world is going to change again? His Majesty will not summon her to sleep with him tonight!"

Concubine De sneered, looked at Concubine Yi beside her, and said with a smile: "The situation is about to change. It seems that someone is destined to fall out of favor." Her voice was full of gloating.

Everyone looked at Concubine Yi, who looked a little gloomy, as if covered by dark clouds, with a hint of reluctance and helplessness in her eyes. She bowed slightly, performed a standard court etiquette to Concubine Xian and Concubine De, then turned around and left in a hurry.

Xu Zhaorong followed closely behind and bowed slightly, "Farewell, Empress Zhaoyi." Her voice was neither too high nor too low, perfectly expressing her respect and distance towards Empress Zhaoyi Yi.

Afterwards, Xu Zhaorong and Li Jieyu bowed to the two of them and left Weiyang Palace. The two walked side by side on the way back to the palace.

Li Jieyu opened her red lips slightly, with a hint of worry in her voice, "Sister, His Majesty will not really summon Zhao Jieyu to sleep with him tonight!"

Xu Zhaorong smiled slightly, like a spring breeze blowing on her face, and she said softly, "Eighty percent of it will happen. Look at the appearance of Concubine Zhang, why did the Empress choose her to enter the palace on the day of the selection? It's because His Majesty was present. His Majesty must have had feelings for her."

When Li Jieyu heard this, she sighed and whispered, "A face like this would make any man's heart beat faster."

Xu Zhaorong nodded in agreement, but her eyes revealed a hint of depth and indifference, "Yes! But it has nothing to do with us. Anyway, we are not the ones who have fallen out of favor."

Upon hearing this, Li Jieyu also revealed a relieved smile, "That's true." The two smiled at each other and continued to move forward.