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

Zheng Xiyan stood outside the Zichen Palace, staring at the eunuch in front of her. He was pale, with sweat covering his forehead, which he kept wiping with his sleeves. He looked so panicked, like a dead leaf swaying in the autumn wind.

"Your Majesty, are you handling government affairs at this moment?" Zheng Xiyan's voice was gentle, "I have something important to ask for your attention."

When the eunuch heard this, his eyes flickered. He wanted to speak but seemed to be restrained by invisible chains, and only a faint gasp remained between his lips and teeth. Just when the atmosphere was stagnant, a delicate and ambiguous sound suddenly came from the hall, like the ripples of spring water, or like whispers in the dark night, breaking the silence around.

"Your Majesty~Your concubine...your concubine...umm~" The voice was lingering and full of endless charm.

Zheng Xiyan frowned slightly, a complicated look flashed across her eyes, then she regained her composure and asked calmly, "Who's in there?"

The eunuch in front of the emperor was shocked, and replied in a trembling voice: "Reply...Reply to the Queen, it is...it is Zhang Xiuyuan, she...she is still serving Your Majesty in the palace."

Zheng Xiyan smiled meaningfully when she heard this. "It turned out to be her." She spoke softly, as if she was just talking about a trivial matter. "She was in the emperor's bed last night. What time is it now? Hasn't she returned to the palace yet?"

The eunuch in front of the emperor said cautiously: "Yes!"

Zheng Xiyan turned her gaze to the eunuch in front of the emperor and said, "Since your majesty is busy, I will not disturb you. When your majesty is free, please tell him that I have been here."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch in front of the emperor was relieved, but he couldn't help but sweat for this sudden change. He quickly bowed and agreed: "Yes! I obey your command. I will respectfully send the queen off."

Zheng Xiyan slowly turned around and walked onto the phoenix carriage, her posture elegant and calm. With her order, "Return to the palace," the phoenix carriage slowly started.

On the way, Shuang Ning couldn't hold back her indignation and whispered, "How could your majesty do this? And that Zhang Xiuyuan has no idea what shame is!"

Zheng Xiyan gently raised her hand to stop Shuang Ning from continuing, "Shut up!"

Upon hearing this, Shuang Ning hurriedly bowed her head and admitted her mistake: "I know I am wrong, Your Majesty, please calm down." Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly and said no more, but she was already thinking about the next step of the game in her mind.

Inside the Zichen Palace, the imperial eunuch was carefully straightening every wrinkle of Xiao Xuanchen's dragon robe.

Xiao Xuanchen looked refreshed and happy.

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has just come in person and wants to see Your Majesty regarding an important matter." The eunuch in front of the emperor said softly.

Hearing this, Xiao Xuanchen frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Queen? Why is she here?"

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother said she has something important to discuss with you, but..." Li Fuquan lowered his head unconsciously when he said this.

"Did the Queen say anything?" Xiao Xuanchen's voice became a little colder.

"The Queen Mother only asked about Zhang Xiuyuan's stay in the palace last night, but she never returned to the palace. She didn't ask anything else. She just asked me to inform Your Majesty that she has been here." The eunuch in front of the emperor became more cautious in his voice, fearing that he would become an innocent bystander.

Xiao Xuanchen pondered for a moment, a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said coldly: "I know, you can leave."

After all the eunuchs left, the Zichen Hall returned to its former tranquility. Only Xiao Xuanchen was left, standing there quietly with deep eyes, as if he was thinking about something.

At the same time, the bathroom was filled with steam, like a fairyland on earth. Zhang Mengying was in this warm embrace, letting the hot water wash every inch of her skin, trying to wash away all the marks left on her body. Those deep and shallow, dense marks, like a brand, were engraved on her heart, reminding her of everything that had just happened.

Her face was as calm as water, but her eyes were filled with deep fatigue and helplessness. Seeing her like this, the maid Xiao Cui couldn't help but laugh and said, "Empress Xiuyuan is so lucky to be so favored by His Majesty. Why don't you smile?"

Zhang Mengying heard this and a mocking smile appeared on her lips. She said coldly, "Happy? There's nothing to be happy about."

"I have served in the Purple Palace for so long, but I have never seen His Majesty favor a concubine so much. Even the Empress has never been so favored. Your Majesty is the only one."

"Really?" she murmured softly, her tone full of self-mockery and helplessness.

Xiao Cui's face changed slightly when she heard this, but she didn't dare to say much. She could only lower her head and continue to serve.

Zhang Mengying closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift away. The aches and pains all over her body reminded her that Xiao Xuanchen only treated her as a plaything.

Zhang Mengying felt ashamed. If she could choose by herself, she would not enter the palace. But she had no choice. Her father wanted to repay King Xiang, and she was just a pawn.

For several days in a row, Zhang Xiuyuan was the one sleeping in the palace, and everyone in the harem could no longer sit still.

After dinner, Xiao Xuanchen came to Weiyang Palace.

Inside the hall, Zheng Xiyan was leaning over the desk, helping the children practice calligraphy with a mother's heart.

Suddenly, the unique shrill voice of the eunuch in front of the emperor was heard outside the hall, long and clear: "Your Majesty has arrived--" This voice instantly broke the silence in the room.

When Xiao Shuyue heard this, a look of surprise lit up her little face. The wolf-hair brush in her hand slipped off involuntarily. She stood up abruptly, ran towards the palace door, and cheered, "Father~" The clear childish voice was like the sound of nature.

Xiao Xuanchen walked into the hall, his face filled with unconcealable joy, and then he strode forward, bent down and hugged his daughter tightly in his arms, his action full of doting and love. "Yuer, do you miss your father?"

"Yes! Father hasn't come to see Yue'er for a long time."

"It's all father's fault. He has been busy with state affairs these days and neglected our little Yue'er." Xiao Xuanchen gently stroked his daughter's hair, his eyes full of tenderness.

Zheng Xiyan led the two princes out of the study slowly and bowed to Xiao Xuanchen, "Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you the best of health and happiness."

"My son, I send my regards to my father. May my father be blessed with peace and prosperity."

"Everyone, stand up. No need to be so polite." Xiao Xuanchen waved his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty/Father."

Xiao Xuanchen held Xiao Shuyue in his arms and walked into the study. His eyes fell on the children's handwriting on the table, and he couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. "Ji'er's handwriting is getting more and more elegant. He is worthy of being my son."

"Thank you, father, for your praise."

Seeing this, Zheng Xiyan smiled softly, turned around and whispered to the maid Zi Rui beside her: "Zi Rui, it's getting late, take the children downstairs to bed!"

"Yes, your majesty." Zi Rui took the order and left, slowly leaving the hall with the three young masters.