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

In Yihua Palace, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the face of Consort Yi. The aroma of fish maw and chicken soup rose in the air. She gently stroked the delicate wooden box in her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly, and a complex look flashed in her eyes. It was quiet all around, with only the occasional chirping of night birds outside the window breaking the oppressive tranquility.

Finally, she took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and slowly poured the contents of the wooden box into the bowl of warm fish maw and chicken soup, with a hint of relief in her eyes. Then, she quickly hid the wooden box in her sleeve.

"Cai Wei!" Her voice was gentle, calling the maid who was waiting outside.

Caiwei came in upon hearing the voice and saw that Concubine Yi looked solemn. She responded respectfully, "What do you want, Madam?"

"Come with me to the Purple Palace and bring this bowl of soup with you." Concubine Yi's words revealed an inexplicable firmness.

"Your Majesty, it's almost dark. What are you doing in the Purple Palace at this hour?" Caiwei asked puzzled.

Concubine Yi did not explain too much and continued, "Your Majesty, can you summon Concubine Yi to sleep with you?"

"Not yet." Caiwei replied.

"Let's go! Take this bowl of fish maw and chicken soup and go to the Purple Palace."

Caiwei did not dare to be negligent at all, and quickly picked up the fish maw and chicken soup on the table and followed closely.

When they reached the palace gate, it was already dark, and the moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the two of them, lengthening their figures. At this moment, the fifth prince came running like the wind, his young face full of curiosity: "Where are you going, mother?"

Concubine Yi knelt down gently, her eyes full of tenderness. She gently stroked the Fifth Prince's head and said softly, "Mother has important business to attend to and needs to go to the Purple Palace. You must be obedient and wait for mother to come back, okay?"

Although the fifth prince was young, he also felt that his mother was unusual. Although he was reluctant, he still nodded sensibly, with a trace of worry in his eyes: "Will mother be gone for a long time?"

"Maybe, but mother promised that she would come back as soon as possible." Concubine Yi's voice was filled with comfort and promise. She reminded him again, "If mother hasn't come back by late, you should go to bed first. Got it?"

"I understand, concubine."

"Good boy." Concubine Yi patted the fifth prince's back gently, stood up, and walked into the night with Caiwei.

On the way, Caiwei wanted to say something several times but hesitated, and finally chose to remain silent.

When they arrived outside the Purple Palace, the eunuch in front of the emperor saw the figure of Consort Yi from afar and couldn't help showing surprise. Seeing this, the young eunuch asked in a low voice: "Master, why is Consort Yi here? His Majesty didn't summon her!"

The eunuch in front of the emperor looked stern and scolded in a low voice: "Why are you talking so much? Why don't you hurry up and greet him?"

The young eunuch quickly responded, "Yes!"

The eunuch in front of the emperor quickly stepped forward, with a smile on his face, and bowed and said, "Isn't this Empress Yi Zhaoyi? Why are you here at this hour?"

Concubine Yi nodded gently. She raised her hand to signal Caiwei to hand over the food box in her hand and said softly, "This is the fish maw and chicken soup that I ordered someone to cook. I thought about your Majesty's hard work for state affairs, so I sent it to your Majesty to nourish your body."

The eunuch in front of the emperor looked at the food box, a meaningful light flashed in his eyes, and he said quickly: "Your Majesty is really considerate, His Majesty will be very pleased to see it. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty, I will report it right away."

After saying this, the eunuch turned around and hurriedly walked into the Zichen Hall. Inside the hall, the candlelight flickered gently, and ambergris curled up from the bronze incense burner, turning into wisps of elegant smoke, filling the hall with a bit of mystery and solemnity.

"Your Majesty, Empress Zhaoyi is requesting to see you outside the palace. She has ordered people to cook fish maw and chicken soup, saying that she would like to use this soup to nourish your Majesty's body. I hope your Majesty will be in good health." The eunuch in front of the emperor said respectfully.

Hearing this, Xiao Xuanchen paused slightly with the red brush in his hand, and the ink splashed lightly on the rice paper, drawing an unintentional trace. He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, thinking about the gentle and graceful Concubine Yi, whom he hadn't seen for some time. He slowly said, "Let her in."

"As ordered!" The eunuch in front of the emperor withdrew in response, his steps still steady. He stepped out of the palace door and whispered to Consort Yi who was waiting outside: "Consort Yi, His Majesty wants to see you. Please come in."

Yi Zhaoyi was wearing a light and elegant palace dress, with a few simple pearl flowers dotted in her hair, which made her look particularly elegant and refined. She took the food box from Caiwei and said softly, "Thank you, eunuch." Her words were full of tenderness and gratitude.

"Your Highness, you are too polite. This is my duty." The eunuch in front of the emperor smiled slightly.

Yi Zhaoyi carried the food box and stepped lightly into the Purple Palace. Her figure was elongated in the candlelight, and every step she took seemed so solemn and elegant. Caiwei looked worried, but she also stood by tactfully.

The young eunuch approached the eunuch curiously and asked in a low voice, "Master, why did His Majesty suddenly summon Consort Yi? Didn't His Majesty say that he would summon Consort Yi tonight?"

Upon hearing this, the eunuch in front of the emperor sneered, and a deep look flashed in his eyes: "Your Majesty's thoughts are not something you and I can guess. We just need to obey your will and serve you wholeheartedly."

"Yes, Master is right." The young eunuch nodded his head quickly in agreement, but he was still curious and full of speculation in his heart.

At this time, Concubine Yi had already walked into the center of the hall. She slowly knelt down, her posture graceful, like a lotus about to bloom. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health."

Xiao Xuanchen raised his head slightly, looked at Concubine Yi, and then showed a gentle smile. He smiled slightly, "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." When Concubine Yi stood up, tears were already glistening in her eyes. She took a few steps forward and said, "I see that Your Majesty is working hard for state affairs day and night, and I am very worried. I specially prepared this fish maw and chicken soup, hoping that it can help Your Majesty relieve his fatigue."

Concubine Yi held a bowl of fish maw and chicken soup in her hand. The soup was as warm as jade, and steam was rising, carrying a rich but not greasy aroma, slowly drifting towards Xiao Xuanchen who was sitting behind the dragon table.

Xiao Xuanchen looked up, a hint of warmth flashed in his eyes. He had been busy for a long time, and his stomach was rumbling with hunger. At this moment, he was attracted by the fragrance, and he felt even more hungry. "Good! My beloved concubine is so considerate, I am very pleased."

"Your Majesty, please try it and see how it tastes." Concubine Yi opened her red lips and carefully handed the chicken soup to Xiao Xuanchen, her eyes full of anticipation for his reaction.

Xiao Xuanchen took the soup bowl, slowly picked it up, picked up the silver spoon, gently scooped up a spoonful and put it into his mouth.

"Hmm, it's extremely delicious. The soup has the richness of fish maw and the freshness of chicken soup." After tasting it carefully, he exclaimed sincerely.

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhaoyi smiled faintly, but behind that smile was a subtle nervousness and anxiety. She unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hands, her fingertips turned slightly white, and beads of sweat oozed from her forehead.

After Xiao Xuanchen finished drinking the chicken soup in the bowl, Yi Zhaoyi mustered up her courage and slowly knelt down in front of him, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness and resentment: "Your Majesty, you haven't been to Yihua Palace for a long time. I miss you very much. Has Your Majesty forgotten me?"

At this point, her voice was choked with sobs, her eyes were slightly red, and she looked very pitiful. Seeing this, Xiao Xuanchen couldn't help but feel a little guilty and pity. He stretched out his hand, wanting to help her up, but unexpectedly, Concubine Yi threw herself into his arms, hugged his waist tightly, and tears silently fell. "Your Majesty~"

"Your Majesty, I know you are busy with state affairs, but my heart is always with Your Majesty." Her words were a little coquettish and a little aggrieved, which made people feel pity for her.

Xiao Xuanchen patted her back gently, his eyes as gentle as water, and smiled: "Don't worry, my beloved concubine, how could I forget you? It's just that there are so many affairs in the court recently that I really neglected it. When I have free time, I will accompany you to appreciate the osmanthus flowers, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yi burst into laughter, with two red clouds on her cheeks. She leaned against Xiao Xuanchen's chest and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."