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

Yuhua Palace

Zhang Mengying returned to Yuhua Palace, the palace gate was lightly closed, the courtyard was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and she stepped in lightly. After a while, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence, and Lu Chuyi rushed into Yuhua Palace like a gust of wind, with joy on her face.

"Sister Zhang, Sister Zhang!" Lu Chuyi's clear voice echoed throughout the palace, carrying a bit of a girl's liveliness and innocence.

Zhang Mengying smiled faintly when she heard her voice. She gently put down the book in her hand, stood up and walked out the door. Her figure was like a willow in early spring, soft and graceful.

"Sister Lu." Zhang Mengying called softly, her eyes full of tenderness.

The two walked into the house hand in hand. Lu Chuyi's face was filled with joy, and she said, "Sister, call me Chuyi from now on. It sounds more intimate this way."

Zhang Mengying nodded, with a hint of smile on her face, "Okay, Chuyi."

"Congratulations, sister. You have been promoted to Xiuyuan. This is really a cause for celebration." Lu Chuyi's eyes sparkled with envy and admiration. "I think His Majesty must like you very much. But then again, sister is so beautiful and has such an extraordinary temperament. How could His Majesty not like you?"

Zhang Mengying smiled slightly, pulled her to sit down, and then ordered: "Xiaohuan, go and prepare some refreshments."

"Yes, your majesty." Xiaohuan responded and left, and soon brought back some exquisite snacks.

Lu Chuyi picked up the water chestnut cake on the table, took a bite, and her eyes were full of surprise. "This water chestnut cake is really delicious, even better than the one my mother made."

Zhang Mengying looked at her satisfied expression and felt a little relieved. "Do you like to eat water chestnut cake?"

Lu Chuyi nodded vigorously, with a happy smile on her face, "Yes! I love to eat water chestnut cake the most. My mother's best cake is water chestnut cake. I have been eating it since I was a child and I never get tired of it."

Zhang Mengying smiled gently, "Since you like it, then eat more. If I have time in the future, I can cook for you."

When Lu Chuyi heard this, she was shocked and asked, "Did my sister do this?"

Zhang Mengying nodded slightly, with a hint of pride on her face, "Yes, I made it. In my spare time, I like to study some pastries."

Lu Chuyi showed admiration on her face, "Sister, you are so amazing. You can even make cakes. I must come to Yuhua Palace often in the future."

Zhang Mengying smiled and nodded, "Okay, you're welcome anytime."

The two had a great conversation, with laughter emanating from time to time.

At this moment, the eunuch in front of the emperor walked slowly into the courtyard of Yuhua Palace with steady steps and hands full of rewards.

In the courtyard, Zhang Mengying and Lu Chuyi were already kneeling and waiting respectfully. The voice of the eunuch in front of the emperor echoed in the empty courtyard: "Your Majesty has ordered that Empress Xiuyuan be given a box of gold-inlaid stone orchid hairpins, two boxes of jade ruyi flowers, sixteen pieces of brocade of various colors, and a box of oriental pearls..."

As her father-in-law read, Lu Chuyi's eyes sparkled with surprise. She wondered in her heart, is this the benefit of being favored? Looking at the luxurious rewards, she felt a warmth in her heart, as if the sun had become brighter.

Zhang Mengying had a calm expression, but her eyes also revealed a bit of joy. She respectfully accepted the decree and thanked the emperor, her voice clear and pleasant: "I accept the decree and thank you. Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

The eunuch in front of the emperor came forward, bowed slightly, and helped Zhang Mengxi up: "Empress Xiuyuan, please stand up quickly."

Zhang Mengying stood up and winked at Xiaohuan who was standing beside her. Xiaohuan understood and immediately took out an exquisite purse and handed it to the eunuch in front of the emperor with both hands. The eunuch took the purse and a satisfied smile appeared on his face: "Thank you, Empress Xiuyuan, for the reward."

Afterwards, the eunuch in front of the emperor said to Zhang Mengxi: "Your Majesty, the emperor will come to Yuhua Palace in the afternoon. Your Majesty should be ready to receive him."

Zhang Mengying nodded and agreed: "Okay."

The eunuch bowed and took his leave, leaving Yuhua Palace with light steps.

Lu Chuyi looked at the rewards on the ground, her eyes full of envy: "Sister, His Majesty really dotes on you! There are so many rewards, it really makes my eyes dazzled."

Zhang Mengying smiled gently, like a spring breeze blowing on her face: "Is there anyone you like?"

Lu Chuyi shook her head. She was not interested in the jewelry and brocade. Instead, she preferred the delicious cakes. "No, I don't need them. You can keep them for yourself. But I want to eat the food you cook more. I will bother you more in the future."

Zhang Mengying patted her head lovingly: "Okay! I can cook whatever you want to eat."

Hearing this, Lu Chuyi's eyes flashed with joy: "Really? That's great."

Zhang Mengying looked at her innocent appearance, and an inexplicable sense of intimacy surged in her heart. She always thought of her younger sister at home, the little girl who always stuck to her side and was as cute as Lu Chuyi.

Lu Chuyi tasted the cakes made by Zhang Mengying in Yuhua Palace and rubbed her belly with satisfaction. She knew that His Majesty would come later, so she didn't stay any longer: "Sister, I will go back first and won't disturb you and His Majesty."

Zhang Mengying nodded slightly, "Okay."

Lu Chuyi's figure gradually walked away until she disappeared at the end of the corridor. Zhang Mengying stood alone in the wide courtyard, bathing in the warm sunshine, with flowers blooming all around her, colorful and fragrant.

She remembered what the Queen Mother once said: "The flowers in the harem never wither." She sighed softly. Although the harem was full of flowers, everyone had unknown secrets and sorrows hidden in their hearts.

At this time, Xiaohuan walked over lightly, with a hint of doubt on her face, and asked softly: "Your Majesty, this Concubine Lu looks innocent, but is she really that innocent?" There was a hint of worry and uneasiness in Xiaohuan's words.

Zhang Mengying smiled slightly, and she spoke slowly, her voice firm and powerful: "She didn't have to enter the palace. She is the only daughter of the Lu family who is of the right age, and they were forced to do it. It was a helpless move."

"But she is the daughter of the Lu family after all, and her brother Lu Ran is His Majesty's favorite. You don't have to worry..." Xiaohuan didn't finish her words, but her worry was already evident in her words.