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

Mrs. Cui slumped in a carved wooden chair, her hands trembling like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, helplessness and fear quietly spreading across her pale face.

"Madam... Madam, are you okay?" The nanny beside her asked cautiously in a voice as thin as a mosquito, her eyes full of worry.

"It's okay, you can leave first." Mrs. Cui forced a smile, but that smile was uglier than crying, as if she had used up all her strength to support it.

The servants filed out and the door closed gently. The room instantly fell into silence, leaving only the lonely figure of Mrs. Cui. Her tears fell silently like pearls from a broken string, soaking the lapels of her clothes embroidered with intricate patterns.

On the other side, Cui Zhaoling locked himself tightly in the study. His usually gentle face was now full of painful grooves. His eyes were complicated, with both unwilling stubbornness and deep regret and self-blame, as if he was experiencing a silent storm in his heart.

……

Time passed, and on this sunny day, the Prince's wife of Prince Huai and Princess Lingyang entered the palace to pay their respects to Empress Dowager Zheng Xiyan.

The palace is magnificent and filled with fragrance, giving it an image of solemnity and luxury.

"Your Majesty the Queen Mother is greeted with respect. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health!" The Huai Prince's wife spoke in a gentle voice, and showed her demeanor as a noble person when she saluted.

"Your humble servant pays his respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health!" Princess Lingyang followed closely behind, her voice as clear as a bell, but with a bit of shyness as she had just entered the palace.

Zheng Xiyan's eyes fell gently on Lingyang County Lady, and a warm smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Everyone, get up, no need to be polite."

"Thank you, Her Majesty!" they both responded in unison.

"Ling Yang, I haven't seen you for a while. You're becoming more and more like your mother." Zheng Xiyan smiled, her eyes sparkling with memories.

Back then, the Prince of Huai's wife was famous in the capital for her peerless beauty, attracting countless young talents to pursue her. In the end, the Prince of Huai, with his deep love, came to propose marriage, creating a beautiful story that has been passed down to this day.

"Thank you for the praise, Her Majesty the Queen Mother. I am unworthy of it." Princess Lingyang had a faint smile on her face and soft eyes. Her light blue skirt swayed in the wind, like the most gentle scenery in spring, graceful and beautiful, touching the heart.

"Come, come to me." Zheng Xiyan smiled and waved, her eyes full of kindness and warmth.

Princess Lingyang looked at her mother unconsciously, and after receiving a slight nod from the Princess of Huai, she moved her lotus steps and slowly walked to Zheng Xiyan's side. "Yes, Queen Mother."

Zheng Xiyan looked at her carefully, then reached out and gently held Lingyang County Lady's hand. Her hands were warm and powerful, conveying the care and love of an elder: "How old are you this year?"

"Your Majesty, I have just turned seventeen." Princess Lingyang's voice was a little restrained, but it also revealed the freshness and innocence unique to a young girl.

"That's great. You're still as young as a flower. I feel happy just looking at you." Zheng Xiyan was filled with emotion. There was a barely perceptible loneliness in her eyes. Thinking about herself, she couldn't help but sighing as she realized how time had passed quickly and her youth had passed.

"Mother..." At this moment, the voice of Princess Xiao Shuyue came from outside the door, clear and pleasant, interrupting the warmth in the room.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiyan gently let go of Lingyang County Master's hand and looked in the direction of the voice, full of anticipation.

Upon seeing this, the Huai Prince's Consort and Lingyang County Lady hurried forward to salute and said respectfully, "Greetings, Princess!"

"No need to be polite, everyone stand up." Xiao Shuyue saw that there were outsiders present, so she behaved more dignified and proper, "Your son greets the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed with good health!"

"Okay, get up." Zheng Xiyan responded with a smile, her eyes full of relief and affection.

"Prince Huai's Consort and Princess Lingyang, the Crown Princess is considered your elder, why don't you go up and greet her?" Zheng Xiyan said.

"Yes." Xiao Shuyue stepped forward and bowed slightly, "Greetings, Crown Prince's Consort!"

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. Princess, you really honor me." The Prince's wife of Prince Huai bowed quickly, and the Princess of Lingyang did the same.

Xiao Shuyue was the only legitimate princess of the late emperor, and now she was the only eldest princess. Xiao Chengji loved his sister very much and added another county to her Tangmo County, making her rank like a prince and of noble status. Even though the Princess Consort of Prince Huai was an elder, she could not afford such a gift.

"There is no need to be restrained, Crown Princess. Shu'er is the junior, and it is only natural for juniors to pay respects to elders." Zheng Xiyan said with a smile.

It would be fine for the Empress Dowager to say this, but no one would dare to take it seriously.