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

Xiao Chengji's face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it. His slender fingers exerted a little force, tightly gripping the armrests of the dragon throne, with such force that it seemed as if he wanted to pour out all his dissatisfaction and anger onto this innocent piece of wood.

The eunuch standing beside him didn't dare to breathe. He hunched over with a heavy face, as if even his breathing had become cautious, for fear of angering him.

After a moment's silence, Xiao Chengji seemed to have made up his mind. A look of determination flashed across his eyes, and he ordered in a cold voice: "Draft an edict!" Although his voice was not loud, it carried unquestionable majesty.

The eunuch in front of the emperor didn't react for a moment, and was stunned for a moment, then responded in fear and trepidation: "Yes!" There was a little trembling in his voice, and he was obviously frightened by this sudden order.

On the second day, a decree that shocked the court and the public was issued from the Purple Palace: it was forbidden for the major families in the court to marry each other, especially for the descendants of the major surnames Cui, Lu, Wang, and Li to marry each other! This decree was like a thunderclap, and it instantly caused an uproar in the court!

"Your Majesty, you can't do this! How can Your Majesty interfere in the marriages of your subjects at will..." The Minister of Rites immediately stood up to object, with a bit of urgency and dissatisfaction in his voice.

Xiao Chengji interrupted him coldly, a hint of impatience in his eyes: "If you have any objections to this, Minister Wang, please write a letter to state your opinion! Let's adjourn the court!" After saying that, he stood up and strode out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, leaving a group of ministers looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Your Majesty..." The Minister of Rites wanted to say something else, but he could only watch Xiao Chengji's back disappear outside the palace gate.

The ministers in the court had different expressions on their faces, some were surprised, some were angry, and some were in deep thought. Lu Xuan and Cui An exchanged a casual look, the meaning of which was hard to describe.

Duke Zheng frowned slightly, and was also very surprised by this sudden imperial edict. After the court session, he did not leave immediately, but went directly to the Purple Palace to find out what was going on.

"My Lord, you are here?" The eunuch in front of the emperor hurriedly went up to him flatteringly and saluted respectfully.

"Don't be so polite, sir!" Duke Zheng made a false gesture and said in a low voice, "What's wrong with your majesty? Why did you suddenly issue such an imperial decree?"

The eunuch in front of the emperor bowed and whispered in the ear of Duke Zheng: "Lord Cui came back from Yingzhou yesterday and went to the Lu Mansion as soon as possible. He did not enter the palace to report to His Majesty! And I heard that Miss Lu and Mr. Cui will be married soon. Your Majesty..."

Duke Zheng naturally knew that the Cui and Lu families were about to marry, and he also knew that the Queen Mother and His Majesty did not approve of this marriage. But he really did not expect that His Majesty would directly issue an order to prohibit them from marrying!

"Thank you for telling me, I hope you can go in and report it!" Duke Zheng said in a deep voice.

"Hey! Please wait a moment, Duke!" The eunuch in front of the emperor responded hurriedly and turned to enter the Purple Palace.

In the Purple Palace, Xiao Chengji sat on the dragon chair, his face gloomy, as if water could drip out of it. He asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, the Duke is outside seeking an audience!" said the eunuch in front of the emperor respectfully.

Xiao Chengji sighed deeply and said in a deep voice: "Let grandpa come in!"

"Yes." The eunuch in front of the emperor responded, turned around and led Duke Zheng in.

Duke Zheng walked in with a shaky gait and said in a hoarse voice, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"Grandfather, there's no need to be so polite!" Xiao Chengji walked up to him and slowly helped him up. "Grandfather, you are here to ask me to ban intermarriage between noble families, right?"

"Alas!" Duke Zheng sighed, "Your Majesty's intention to prevent the marriage between the noble families is something I understand. But if you rashly issue such an imperial decree, the noble families will definitely not obey. When Emperor Taizong was alive, he issued such an imperial decree, but so many years have passed, and no one has taken this imperial decree to heart."

"Emperor Taizu relied on these aristocratic families to establish our dynasty in his early years. Although their power has been suppressed since then, the prestige of the aristocratic families still remains. I am afraid that the imperial edict issued by Your Majesty will..." Duke Zheng said in a deep voice, his eyes full of worry and helplessness.

"Grandfather, don't worry. I have my own way to deal with it!" A trace of impatience flashed in Xiao Chengji's eyes. This time, she had made up her mind. The family had been prosperous for many years, and now it was time to move on.

"Forget it!" Duke Zheng sighed helplessly, then said, "In the early years, these noble families did not dare to hold weddings openly, and they secretly sent their daughters to their husband's house at night. After Your Majesty issued the imperial decree to ban marriage, there is no guarantee that they will not resort to the same old tricks again!"

When Xiao Chengji heard this, his face darkened slightly and other thoughts instantly came to his mind!

"Thank you, grandfather, for your reminder. Now I know what to do." Xiao Chengji said in a deep voice.