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

At this time, Zheng Xiyan had arrived at Zhuangzi with everyone, holding Biluo's letter tightly in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed, as if a heavy burden was pressing on his heart.

"Your Majesty, what did Biluo say in the letter?" Shuang Ning asked softly, with a hint of concern in her eyes.

Zheng Xiyan slowly closed the letter and put it aside. Then, she took the grilled fish handed to her by Shuang Ning, opened her red lips slightly, and chewed it slowly. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and her smile blossomed like a flower: "It tastes very good!"

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately bowed and said with a hint of respect in his fear: "It is a blessing for this old servant that the Empress Dowager likes it!"

"I like it very much." Zheng Xiyan smiled gently, tasted a few more bites, and praised it highly.

Upon seeing this, the old man felt relieved. He bowed again and took his leave, his eyes full of gratitude.

Zheng Xiyan's eyes moved and she winked at Ziluo, her eyes were full of meaning. Ziluo understood, bowed and followed quietly, and then ordered someone to prepare a generous reward and send it to the old man.

After dinner, Zheng Xiyan wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, her expression solemn, and said in a deep voice: "Jier actually issued an imperial decree to ban marriage."

Shuang Ning paused when she heard this, her face full of confusion, her clear eyes full of doubts: "Imperial decree banning marriage? Banning marriage?"

Zi Rui on the side frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, she said: "Could it be... I remember that when Emperor Taizong was in power, in order to suppress the power of the aristocratic families, he issued a ban to prevent marriage between several major families?" There was some uncertainty in her voice.

Zheng Xiyan nodded, her brows furrowed, thinking deeply in her mind.

Shuang Ning's expression changed slightly. She slowly stood up, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

Zheng Xiyan continued, "Taizong did have this intention, but the effect was minimal. The trend of intermarriage between aristocratic families did not stop because of this." After she finished speaking, she fell into deep thought, her fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound. The sound echoed in the silent room and was particularly clear.

"Would your Majesty like to write a letter to advise His Majesty?" Shuang Ning asked cautiously, with a hint of tentativeness in her voice.

Zheng Xiyan shook her head, her voice steady and firm: "No need."

Shuang Ning and the others said no more. There was only silence in the room, as if even the air had frozen. After a moment, Zheng Xiyan ordered, "Grind the ink!" Her voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.

"Yes." Shuang Ning quickly spread out the rice paper, and Zi Rui stepped forward and carefully ground the ink.

The scent of ink permeates the air, as if it could dispel the worries in people's hearts.

Zheng Xiyan pondered for a moment, then walked to the desk and picked up a pen to write a letter to her father.

……

Ten days passed in a flash. That night, Lu Lingyuan sat in front of the dressing table in her elaborate wedding dress. The dress was embroidered with intricate patterns, which seemed to reflect the chaos in her heart. Her eyes were dull, and the figure in the mirror was hazy, as if even her own face had become blurred.

Yun'er stood on one side, her brows furrowed, her worry evident in her eyes.

Madam Lu walked behind her, stroked her shoulders with both hands, and said with infinite sadness in her voice: "My Yuan'er, you are going to be a wife today." Her voice was choked with sobs.

Lu Lingyuan slowly raised her eyes, with a complex emotion in her eyes. Those eyes seemed to hide endless sorrow and helplessness, and then she lowered her eyelids and said softly: "A woman must get married eventually, how can she live in the mansion all her life?"

Mrs. Lu's eyes were slightly red, and she choked up, "If possible, mother is willing to keep you in the mansion forever." Her voice was filled with endless love and reluctance.

When Lu Lingyuan heard this, she knew her mother's words were only for comfort, but she still felt sad and almost cried. She tried hard to hold back her tears and not let them fall down her cheeks.

At this time, the housekeeper came in to report: "Madam, the sedan chair carrying the eldest daughter of the Cui Mansion has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lu burst into tears. She held Lu Lingyuan's hand tightly with trembling hands and earnestly advised: "The Cui family and my Fanyang Lu family are of equal status. Your father and Cui An have a deep friendship. Zhao Ling was raised by your father and I. If you marry him, you will not be wronged in the future. In the future, as a member of the Cui family, you need to take charge of household affairs, command the rear house, abide by the rules of a woman, be filial to your parents-in-law, and be considerate to your husband..."

Lu Lingyuan closed her eyes and concentrated. She was so familiar with these words that she was almost fed up with them.

"Mother, your daughter has already remembered it." Lu Lingyuan finally responded expressionlessly.

Mrs. Lu took Lu Lingyuan's arm and walked her out. At the back door of the Lu Mansion, Lu Xuan, Lu Yucheng, and Lu Yuchen were all there.

Lu Xuan looked solemn and said in a heavy tone, "Go! Your father wishes you and Zhao Ling a loving and harmonious marriage!"

"If Cui Zhaoling dares to bully you, tell your second brother and he will stand up for you!" Lu Yuchen looked like he was not serious.

In the past, Lu Xuan would have scolded him, but not today.

Lu Yucheng looked at her lovingly and said, "Take care of yourself!"

"Yes." Lu Lingyuan bowed slightly, walked out with a determined look in her eyes, and got on the sedan chair to Cui's house.