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

Zhang Mengying's eyes were gentle and firm. She opened her red lips and said, "I believe in her. Her character and talent are extraordinary. She is worthy of my trust."

Xiao Huan's body trembled slightly when she heard this. She lowered her head and said in a voice as thin as a mosquito: "Yes."

Outside Shoukang Palace

Xiao Xuanchen was in a hurry because of the heavy affairs in the court and was delayed for some time. He finally arrived at Shoukang Palace and made the empress dowager wait in the palace for a long time.

"Your son pays respects to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health." He walked into the hall and saluted with a hint of apology and respect in his tone. The Queen Mother sat at the top with a calm expression.

"Get up." The Queen Mother opened her red lips slightly. Although her voice was light, she had an aura of majesty without even being angry.

"Thank you, mother." Xiao Xuanchen stood up and slowly sat down at the bottom, secretly guessing the purpose of the Queen Mother's summons. He coughed lightly to hide his uneasiness, and then asked, "I wonder if the Queen Mother is so anxious to summon me, is there something important to discuss?"

The Queen Mother looked at Xiao Xuanchen with sharp eyes, and her tone was a little cold: "I heard that the Emperor has just got a beautiful woman, so he was late for the morning court today. Is this true?"

Xiao Xuanchen's heart trembled, but he forced himself to remain calm and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I have been busy with government affairs recently and I am physically and mentally exhausted. I accidentally missed the morning court. It was really an accident." There was a hint of guilt in his smile.

The Queen Mother sneered, and the voice echoed in the empty hall, sounding particularly harsh: "Accident? Humph, what a high-sounding excuse!" Her eyes were like knives, piercing Xiao Xuanchen's heart.

"Mother, please calm down. I know I was wrong." Upon seeing this, Xiao Xuanchen quickly stood up and knelt on the ground, his tone full of sincerity and regret.

The Queen Mother looked at him, a complex light flashing in her eyes, a mixture of disappointment and sadness: "Have you forgotten your father's teachings? Have you forgotten my exhortations and instructions?"

Xiao Xuanchen lowered his head, beads of sweat already oozing from his forehead, and said, "Mother, please calm down. I was indeed negligent."

Seeing his sincere attitude, the Queen Mother's anger subsided a little, but she still spoke earnestly: "Emperor, you are the ruler of a country, and you bear the heavy responsibility of the country on your shoulders. You should always be vigilant and not let beauty ruin the country, and you must not repeat the mistakes of your father. You must be a wise and benevolent ruler, so that you can be worthy of this vast country and worthy of your ancestors."

"I will always remember your teachings, mother." Xiao Xuanchen answered respectfully.

Seeing this, the Queen Mother finally revealed a relieved smile. She gently raised her hand and motioned Xiao Xuanchen to stand up: "Get up!"

"Thank you, mother." Xiao Xuanchen stood up and sat back on the couch.

The Queen Mother's words were like a sharp blade in the cold wind, gently cutting through the air, leaving a chill that could not be ignored. "This Zhang Mengying, is she really stunning?"

Xiao Xuanchen's heart was filled with emotion when he heard this. Zhang Mengying's face slowly spread out in his mind, like a water lily in the early morning light, elegant yet beautiful. He nodded gently, his tone full of unquestionable firmness: "If the queen mother saw her, I think she would like her too."

The Queen Mother heard this and sneered, "She is just a seductive woman. How could she be in my eyes?"

"Mother! You are prejudiced." Xiao Xuanchen hurriedly defended himself, his brows showing anxiety. He knew very well that his mother had a deep prejudice against Zhao Shaoxi, and now she was transferring her dissatisfaction to Zhang Mengxi.

"Prejudice? I have seen countless people in my life, how could I be easily blinded? Zhao Shaoxi once bewitched you, and now there is Zhang Mengying. How can I sit idly by?" The Queen Mother's words were loud and clear.

Xiao Xuanchen knew his mother's stubbornness, so he could only persuade her gently: "Mother, please calm down and take care of your health. I will take care of everything and won't let you worry."

The Queen Mother sighed softly, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "You can go back. I know my limits. If there is a chance, I will meet Zhang Mengxi."

Xiao Xuanchen had no choice but to bow and slowly leave Shoukang Palace, feeling mixed emotions.

The Queen Mother looked at Xiao Xuanchen's departing back, with mixed emotions surging in her heart. Anger and worry intertwined into an invisible net that bound her tightly. "This won't work," she whispered, with an unquestionable determination in her voice, "The Emperor is obviously bewitched by her."

Seeing this, Nanny Yu stepped forward to comfort her: "Queen Dowager, you may be worrying too much. After all, Zhang Xiuyuan has just served you in bed, and it is hard to tell how infatuated your majesty is with her."

The Queen Mother shook her head gently. "She just entered the palace, a little concubine, and after serving the emperor, she was promoted four levels to become a concubine. This is unprecedented. He is my son, how can I not understand him? If even I can't see through his mind, who else in this world can see through his mind? His feelings for Zhang Mengying are definitely not a whim. This Zhang Mengying must be a disaster."

"But Queen Mother, since His Majesty likes it, why do you have to interfere?" Yu Ma Ma advised again, her voice full of helplessness and worry, "Your Majesty is the emperor, it is his freedom to favor which concubine. If you have a grudge against His Majesty because of this, wouldn't it hurt the relationship between mother and son?"

The Queen Mother's eyes became more determined when she heard this: "It is precisely because of this mother-son relationship that I cannot sit idly by. I have personally witnessed the fall of the late emperor, and how heartbroken I was! My son must not follow that old path and become a foolish and incompetent monarch."

"I cannot watch the emperor fall. I cannot."

In the Weiyang Palace, sunlight shines through the delicate window lattices onto Zheng Xiyan and her three children, adding a layer of golden light to this warm scene. Zheng Xiyan is dressed in a light and elegant palace dress, with her hair tied high in a bun, and her brows reveal the radiance and gentleness of motherhood. She sits quietly by the side, stroking an ancient book in her hand, and her eyes occasionally gently fall on the three little ones who are practicing calligraphy seriously.

The faces of the three little guys were full of concentration and seriousness. Although their brushstrokes were immature, they wrote carefully. Zheng Xiyan looked at this scene, and her heart was filled with happiness.

Biluo walked in quietly, her steps light, afraid to disturb this rare warmth. She whispered in Zheng Xiyan's ear: "Your Majesty, His Majesty just came out of Shoukang Palace, his face was very solemn, as if he was reprimanded by the Queen Mother."

Zheng Xiyan paused for a moment while reading the book in her hand, then regained her composure. She opened her red lips slightly and replied calmly, "I know."

At this moment, Xiao Shuyue looked up at Zheng Xiyan, with a hint of inquiry and dependence in her eyes. Tired of writing, she gently put down the pen, and without hesitation, she threw herself into Zheng Xiyan's arms, saying softly, "Mother, Yue'er's hands are sore, I don't want to write anymore."

Zheng Xiyan gently picked up Xiao Shuyue, held her in her arms, and comforted her softly: "Then don't write anymore, take a break." Xiao Shuyue snuggled in Zheng Xiyan's arms, her little face filled with satisfaction and happiness.