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

"Thank you, Queen, for your consideration." Lu Chuyi bowed, her tone full of gratitude. After the two sat down, Biluo came forward lightly, holding a tray with fragrant tea and snacks on it, which made people salivate. The two took the teacups, smiled at each other, and then drank it in big gulps.

"Princess, drink slowly." Shuang Ning's eyes were full of pampering as she reminded softly.

Lu Chuyi smiled like a flower, a hint of mischief flashed across her eyes, and then she said, "Miss Biluo, please add another one."

Zheng Xiyan glanced at the two of them tenderly and said with a smile, "Looking at you like this, you really look like a child who has not grown up."

Hearing this, Lu Chuyi smiled even more, with a hint of longing in her eyes: "It would be great if we could live like this forever, without worries."

"Who wouldn't want to?" Zheng Xiyan whispered softly, with a hint of loneliness in her voice.

Before Lu Chuyi could listen carefully, she asked doubtfully, "What did your Majesty say? I didn't hear it clearly."

Zheng Xiyan just shook her head gently, "Nothing."

After the tea break, Lu Chuyi approached Zheng Xiyan and curiously asked about her recent situation: "What are you busy with, Madam?"

Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly and replied, "I am checking the expenses of the harem last month."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chuyi's eyes flashed with interest: "When I was at home, my mother also taught me how to read account books, saying that it would be helpful for managing the family in the future. But after entering the palace, I have no chance to manage these. Fortunately, I don't have to, otherwise with my brain, I would definitely not understand it." She laughed at herself.

Zheng Xiyan encouraged: "Skills will always be useful. Learn them slowly and they will come in handy one day."

Changing the topic, Lu Chuyi said excitedly: "By the way, Madam, I heard that His Majesty is going to the palace for autumn hunting. Can I go too? I haven't ridden a horse for a long time."

Zheng Xiyan nodded with a smile: "Of course you can. The autumn hunt is a royal event, so you should go along."

"That's great, thank you, Madam!" Lu Chuyi was overjoyed, and then sighed softly, "It would be great if Sister Zhang could go with us, so we can gallop across the grassland together."

Zheng Xiyan patted the back of her hand gently and comforted her: "Empress Yi is ill and needs to rest. When she recovers, there will be another opportunity for the autumn hunt next year."

Hearing this, Lu Chuyi felt regretful but relieved, and nodded gently, "Yeah."

Inside the Prince Xiang's mansion, the autumn wind started to blow, and the fallen leaves swirled lightly, bringing a sense of desolation. When the Prince Xiang heard the news that Zhang Mengxi had fallen ill, a strange look flashed across his brows, and then he calmed down, as if he had known the situation for a long time.

"Your Highness, Concubine Yi's illness came about too suddenly! Moreover, the autumn hunt is about to begin. How could she fall ill at this critical moment?" Jing Yang bowed and reported.

Prince Xiang gently stroked the warm jade pendant in his hand, his eyes deep: "She is weak, so it's not surprising that she fell ill. However, there are not so many coincidences within this palace wall."

"But in this case, she might not be able to accompany the emperor on the autumn hunting event. Wouldn't that give other concubines an opportunity to take advantage of it?" Jing Yang's words revealed a hint of worry about Concubine Yi's situation.

The corner of Xiang Wang's mouth curled up into a cold smile, as if everything was under control: "Don't worry! She won't stand idly by. If there's no Concubine Yi, there are others."

Jing Yang hesitated for a while and said, "Your Majesty! I accidentally learned about something a few days ago. It's related to Concubine Yi."

"What's the matter?" asked King Xiang.

Jing Yang replied, "It seems that Concubine Yi had an engagement with Xie Fengcheng, the son of Marquis Mingyuan."

"Is there such a thing?"

Jing Yang nodded and lowered his voice and said, "It is true. Although they have not been formally engaged, they have been childhood sweethearts and have a deep friendship. Minister Zhang may have not mentioned it to you, Your Highness, for some reason."

Hearing this, the King narrowed his eyes slightly, then he was relieved: "The past is just a passing cloud, don't worry about it. Now that she has entered the palace, all the past has become a bubble."

Jing Yang continued, "But Xie Fengcheng has not yet married, and has not even discussed marriage. He has already reached the age of twenty. I have heard that many nobles in Shangjing City are interested in marrying him, but he has rejected them all. Your Majesty, don't you find it strange?"

Prince Xiang chuckled, his tone was a little amused: "It is indeed strange. Are you trying to say that Xie Fengcheng is reluctant to discuss marriage because he is still obsessed with Concubine Yi, or even that he is still waiting for Concubine Yi?"

"That's exactly what I mean." Jing Yang responded.

King Xiang pondered for a moment, with a glimmer of admiration in his eyes: "If that's true, then Xie Fengcheng is a passionate man. I have to admire him a little."

Jingyang looked worried: "Your Majesty, aren't you worried?"

"What is this prince worried about?"

"If this is true, Concubine Yi will probably hinder your plans, Your Majesty?"

But the King of Xiang smiled more calmly: "She won't, she knows her limits. If she really wants to regain her freedom and be with her lover, then she should understand that in order to realize this wish, she must first help the crown prince ascend the throne."

"The Queen will set her free and reunite with her lover, considering all she has sacrificed."

"But the Queen..." Jing Yang hesitated, "Does Your Majesty trust the Queen so much? Concubine Yi is so favored, wouldn't the Queen be jealous?"

King Xiang interrupted him, his eyes firm: "You don't understand her, she doesn't love Xiao Xuanchen at all, and she doesn't care who Xiao Xuanchen favors, so how can she be jealous?"

Jing Yang heard this, although he had doubts in his heart, he could only nod his head in agreement. He looked at the unfathomable face of the King of Xiang, and thought to himself: The prince sacrificed everything just to fulfill the Queen's wish. Will this deep affection and determination be exchanged for regret one day?

"My subordinate understands."

Early that morning, the concubines from all the palaces, dressed in gorgeous clothes and walking lightly, entered the Weiyang Palace one after another to pay their respects to Zheng Xiyan.

"Your humble servant/your humble servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health and longevity." The voices rose one after another, clear and pleasant to the ears, yet each of them concealed a subtle thought.

Zheng Xiyan, sitting upright on the Phoenix throne, was radiant with brilliance. She gently raised her hand and said softly, "No need to be polite, just stand up."

"Thank you, Her Majesty." All the concubines responded in unison. When they stood up, their sleeves fluttered like spread out brocade, and they returned to their seats.

Concubine Xian's eyes showed a hint of anxiety. She gently adjusted her clothes. Finally, she couldn't suppress her curiosity and spoke first: "Empress, the autumn hunting day is approaching. I wonder who will accompany His Majesty and the Empress to the palace this year?"

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the palace became subtle. A cold smile appeared on the corner of Concubine De's mouth, which contained a bit of disdain and sarcasm. She said leisurely, "Is Concubine Xian losing her temper?"

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xian's face froze slightly.

At this time, Xu Zhaorong's voice was cold and sharp: "You said it as if Sister Defei could keep her composure?"

Li Jieyu also echoed, "Yes! Who among you present here doesn't want to accompany His Majesty and the Empress to the palace? Sister Xianfei is just asking what everyone is thinking."

Outside the window, the autumn wind blows gently, and the fallen leaves fly, as if silently telling something. And in the Weiyang Palace, an undercurrent of autumn hunting is quietly surging.