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

After Xiao Xuanchen finished his morning court session, he and Zhang Mengxi had breakfast together in the Zichen Palace. The palace servants removed the exquisite meals one by one, and when only the two of them were left in the palace, Zhang Mengxi whispered softly with a hint of shyness in her eyes, "Your Majesty, I know the rules very well. I should go to the Weiyang Palace to pay my respects to the Queen Mother."

Xiao Xuanchen then remembered the red tape in the palace and nodded slightly, "You are right. According to the rules, I should go and pay my respects to the Queen."

Zhang Mengying stood up gently after hearing this, her skirt swaying gently, like a blooming flower swaying in the wind. She bowed to Xiao Xuanchen, her posture was elegant and dignified, like a moving painting.

Xiao Xuanchen looked at her, and although he was reluctant to leave, he knew the importance of rules. He sighed softly and said, "Okay! I still have memorials to deal with. I will go to Yuhua Palace to have lunch with you."

When Zhang Mengying heard this, her face slightly blushed, and then she nodded gently and said, "I obey your command. I will take my leave."

She turned and left, her back gradually going away in Xiao Xuanchen's eyes. He looked at her back, and an inexplicable feeling rose in his heart.

After Zhang Mengying left the Purple Palace, the maidservant following behind her whispered congratulations, "Congratulations, Madam. You just had your first night with the emperor, and on the second day you became a concubine. This shows how much His Majesty likes you."

Zhang Mengying was slightly stunned when she heard this, and then she smiled faintly. The speed of this promotion was indeed beyond her and King Xiang's expectations, but she knew the dangers in the palace, and this was just the beginning.

She shook her head slightly and said to the maid, "Don't be complacent. This is just the beginning. You should be more low-key in the future. I don't want to become the next Concubine Yi."

Upon hearing this, the palace maid quickly nodded her head and said yes.

Weiyang Palace

Zheng Xiyan sat at the desk, flipping through the account book attentively, her fingers gently sliding across the pages, making a slight rustling sound. Her expression was focused and deep, as if the whole world was immersed in this pile of densely packed words. Beside her, Shuang Ning was staring at the door of the palace with a bit of dissatisfaction on her face.

Zheng Xiyan accidentally looked up and caught Shuang Ning's expression. She frowned slightly and asked softly, "Shuang Ning, what are you looking at?"

Shuang Ning turned around, with a bit of displeasure in her tone: "Your Majesty, it's already this late, why hasn't Zhang Xiuyuan come to pay her respects to you? Are there any rules? After the concubines have slept with the Queen for the first time, they must come to pay their respects to the Queen the next morning. Isn't she setting a precedent by doing this?"

Zheng Xiyan gently put down the account book, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and the fragrance of tea filled her lips and teeth. She said calmly: "Why are you in such a hurry? She is not a stupid person, she will come naturally."

Shuang Ning heard this and curled her lips in disapproval: "Madam, you may think too highly of her. In my opinion, she is just a pretty face."

Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly, with a hint of deep meaning in her eyes: "It's enough to have a good appearance, because not everyone has it."

Shuang Ning was choked by these words and could only lower her head and sulk. At this time, Biluo came forward and comforted her softly: "Shuang Ning, don't let your imagination run wild. The queen knows her limits."

"I know." Shuang Ning responded sullenly.

Seeing this, Zheng Xiyan couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay, I'll ask the kitchen to make your favorite lotus seed and eight-treasure duck for you later, how about that?"

When she heard about the delicious food, Shuang Ning's face instantly broke into a smile, and she said excitedly: "Yes, yes! Thank you, my queen!"

Seeing this, Biluo couldn't help laughing and poked Shuang Ning's forehead: "You! You only know how to eat."

"Being able to eat is a blessing, what's wrong with that?" Shuang Ning retorted righteously.

"Yes! Being able to eat is a blessing." Zheng Xiyan agreed with a smile.

At this moment, Zi Rui walked in from outside and said respectfully, "Madam, Zhang Xiuyuan is here to pay her respects to you."

"Finally you're here." Shuang Ning muttered, with a bit of dissatisfaction on her face.

Zheng Xiyan smiled faintly and ordered: "Let her wait in the main hall. I will be there later."

"Yes!" Zi Rui responded and turned away.

main hall

Biluo accompanied Zheng Xiyan as usual and slowly walked into the main hall. Zhang Mengxi was sitting beside her. When she saw Zheng Xiyan, a hint of complex emotions flashed across her eyes. She quickly stood up, folded her hands in front of her abdomen, lowered her head slightly, and said softly, "I pay my respects to the Queen. May the Queen be blessed with good health."

Zheng Xiyan walked calmly to the throne and sat down gently. She looked at Zhang Mengying for a moment, then raised her hand and said, "Get up."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mengying raised her head slightly, a hint of gratitude flashed in her eyes, and she said respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty." After that, she slowly stood up, and waited for Zheng Xiyan to wave her hand before she carefully sat down on the soft chair next to her.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I was delayed in coming to pay my respects to You today." There was a hint of apology in Zhang Mengying's voice.

Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly, with a hint of warmth in her smile. She said, "It's okay. I'm not one of those people who stick to red tape. Besides, I know that this is not your intention."

Zhang Mengxi was startled, and recalled what the King of Xiang had said to her, that the Queen was a person with a cold face but a warm heart. She was still skeptical at first, after all, the Queen had been sitting on the throne for many years, how could it be so simple. But after seeing it today, perhaps what the King of Xiang said was true.

But Zhang Mengying still had doubts in her heart. She thought to herself that maybe the Queen was really acting, and she was acting for everyone to see.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhang Mengying bowed her head again to express her gratitude.

Zheng Xiyan's gaze lingered on Zhang Mengying's face for a moment. It was an exquisite face, like a fairy walking out of a painting.

Zhang Mengying looked terrified and asked, "Why is the Queen looking at me like this?"

Zheng Xiyan couldn't help but sigh: "Your face is truly worthy of being called the most beautiful in the country." She prided herself on her extraordinary beauty, but in front of Zhang Mengying, she had to admit that she was inferior to her.

Zhang Mengying's face changed slightly when she heard this. She lowered her head in fear and said, "Your Majesty, I am too humbled to accept your praise."

Zheng Xiyan shook her head slightly and said, "If you are not worthy of these four words, then there is really no one in this palace who can be worthy of them."

She took a deep breath and whispered, "The Queen is so beautiful, I am not worthy of her."

Zheng Xiyan smiled gently, and that smile was like a spring breeze, with a bit of gentleness and indifference. She whispered: "Your little mouth is very sweet."

Zhang Mengying bowed her head and answered respectfully: "I am telling the truth. The queen is so beautiful that I cannot even compare to her."

Zheng Xiyan nodded slightly, a hint of admiration flashed in her eyes, and then said: "You should serve His Majesty well. In this harem, opportunities and blessings coexist. Your blessing will be waiting for you later."

Zhang Mengying raised her head and looked into Zheng Xiyan's calm and deep eyes. She asked, "Empress, don't you hate me?"

Zheng Xiyan smiled faintly, shook her head gently and said: "Why should I be jealous of you? In the harem, there are flowers blooming and beauties are everywhere. If it's not you, it will be someone else. The flowers in the imperial garden will wither, but the flowers in the harem will never wither. All flowers are in full bloom."

There was a certain indifference and detachment in her words. Zhang Mengying was shocked when she heard it. She lowered her head and replied respectfully: "I understand. Thank you for your teachings, Queen."