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

When Lu Lingyuan heard this, her hands seemed to freeze like ice, and she stood stiffly on the door. Her clear eyes lowered as she stared at her pajamas, and she fell into deep thought.

Lu Lingyuan looked outside the door. Outside, the figures of eunuchs and guards were intertwined in the morning light. She thought to herself, if she were to appear in public in such simple attire, wouldn't it arouse criticism and be inappropriate?

Just when her mind was in turmoil, Xiao Chengji had moved silently behind her like a ghost. Suddenly, an irresistible force lifted her up, and before she could scream, she felt his warm lips on her cheek, which pecked her gently, leaving a fiery mark.

"You..." Lu Lingyuan was filled with shame and anger. She clenched her hands into fists, her fingertips like sharp blades, deeply embedded in his clothes, leaving a shocking scratch. Her eyes were filled with rage, as if they could ignite the frozen air around them and turn everything into ashes.

Xiao Chengji frowned slightly, his eyes fell on the deep red claw mark, but he pretended to be angry, with a playful smile on his lips: "How dare you hurt the dragon's body, do you know your crime?" Although there was a bit of teasing in his words, it could not hide the pampering and indulgence in them.

Although Lu Lingyuan felt regretful, she refused to show weakness and said in a firm voice: "Put me down now!" Her tone was full of unquestionable determination.

Xiao Chengji raised a sly smile and walked towards the inner room with her in his arms. Then, he gently placed her on the bed, covered her with his body, and began to "teasing" her affectionately.

Lu Lingyuan's lips were swollen from being kissed, and her neck was also left with mottled kiss marks, but Xiao Chengji always maintained that rare restraint and never really crossed the line.

"If you move again, I'm afraid I will really lose control." Xiao Chengji chuckled, his words carrying a hint of threat, yet also full of tenderness.

Lu Lingyuan finally loosened her grip on his collar, her eyes reddened, and she turned her head away stubbornly. Her cheeks were unusually red from anger, and her eyes were full of resentment and grievance, like petals wet by rain, pitiful and delicate.

Seeing this, Xiao Chengji's heart softened, and he quickly coaxed her softly: "Okay, it's my fault, don't be angry, okay?" As he spoke, he pulled her up, smiled and apologized, trying to calm her anger.

At this time, Rong An's voice sounded anxiously outside the door, and he said in a panic: "Your Majesty, it's really late, we need to go to the Taimiao to perform the kneeling ceremony..." Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Xiao Chengji: "Get out!" There was unquestionable majesty in his voice.

"Yes!" Rong An didn't dare to say anything more. He retreated in a hurry, not daring to stay for a moment.

Xiao Chengji was so anxious that he was at a loss as to what to do. He could only threaten: "If you are still angry, I will kiss you again!" There was a bit of roguery and pampering in his words, trying to calm her anger in this way.

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyuan was so angry that she almost cried, and shouted in a sobbing voice: "How can you be so domineering and rude!" Her voice was full of helplessness and anger, as if she was a bullied child.

"Okay, you heard it too. We still have to go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. We really can't delay any longer. If we miss the time, the censor's impeachment letter will probably fly to the Purple Palace immediately, accusing me of being obsessed with women and neglecting state affairs..." Xiao Chengji said while observing her reaction, with a hint of coquettishness and compromise in his voice.

In a rage, Lu Lingyuan grabbed his arm and bit it hard. Her teeth were like sharp blades, deeply embedded in his skin.

"Ah... you really bit me!" Xiao Chengji felt pain, he didn't expect her to really bite him. But seeing that she had calmed down a lot, he said softly: "Okay, now you've bitten me, are you calmed down?" His tone was a bit helpless and doting, as if he was coaxing a naughty child.

Lu Lingyuan didn't want to pay attention to him. She glared at him fiercely, then stood up and walked to the dressing table. She looked at the kiss marks on her lips and neck in the bronze mirror. She picked up the powder and gently applied it on her neck. She also took the rouge and carefully touched up the lip color, trying to cover up those shy marks.

Seeing this, Xiao Chengji couldn't help but smile, and the pain in his arm seemed to disappear instantly. He looked at her busy figure, and his heart was filled with satisfaction and happiness.

"Someone come here!" Xiao Chengji shouted loudly, his voice full of majesty and power.

In an instant, a group of palace maids filed in, like well-trained soldiers.

Yun'er carried the toiletries and quickly walked to Lu Lingyuan's side, whispering, "Miss..." Her voice was full of concern and awe.

Lu Lingyuan shook her head slightly to show that it was okay.

Yun'er put down her toiletries and began to dress her up.

The lady-in-charge of the Shangqin Bureau stepped forward and watched the maids busy making the bed. When the wedding veil was handed to her, she was a little confused for a moment. She had never encountered such a situation before!

Judging from the situation, nothing happened last night?

But this shouldn't be the case! They all heard the noise inside just now.

The palace maid beside her whispered, "Sir, this...how should I remember this?" Her voice was full of confusion and helplessness.

The female official also looked embarrassed. This situation was indeed a difficult one for her. "Write it down!" After some thought, the female official finally made the decision.

"Yes." The palace maid then made a note of it in the history books.

After they were dressed, they boarded the sedan chair and went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. After the worship, Xiao Chengji brought Lu Lingyuan to Shoukang Palace to pay their respects.

At this time, Zheng Xiyan had just finished breakfast and was playing chess with Xiao Shuyue. Xiao Chengyi was sitting next to her, and from time to time he would instruct Xiao Shuyue and teach her how to play chess.

"Get down here!" Xiao Chengyi couldn't bear to watch it anymore, so he pointed out where she should get down. His voice was filled with helplessness, doting, and a bit of disgust. He said to himself: I've never seen anyone so stupid.

Xiao Shuyue was skeptical, but still listened to his advice.

Zheng Xiyan held the chess piece in her hand, with the corners of her mouth raised, revealing a doting and helpless smile, "You..." Her voice was full of love and indulgence for Xiao Shuyue.

"Mother..." Xiao Shuyue said coquettishly, as if she was acting like a spoiled child. The entire Shoukang Palace was filled with a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Shuang Ning walked into the palace with gentle steps. Her manners were full of gentleness. After bowing, a gentle smile appeared on her lips, and she said softly, "Your Majesty, His Majesty and the Queen have come to pay their respects to you."

"Hurry, let them in." Zheng Xiyan's voice was steady with a hint of imperceptible softness, and her eyes were shining with anticipation.

"Yes! Please let Sister Lu in quickly. I miss her so much!" Xiao Shuyue couldn't contain her joy. Her voice was full of excitement and eagerness. She had never seen Sister Lu again since that day.

Zheng Xiyan was about to open her mouth to remind her to be more polite, but Xiao Chengyi beat her to the punch. His voice was filled with the dignity of a brother: "It's the emperor's sister-in-law, Shuyue, you have to remember this clearly. Don't be so rude again in the future."

"Yes, Imperial sister-in-law!" Xiao Shuyue stuck out her tongue, made a playful face, with a cunning light flashing in her eyes.

At this moment, Xiao Chengji and Lu Lingyuan walked into the hall one after the other, with steady steps and dignified demeanor.

Xiao Chengyi hurriedly pulled Xiao Shuyue up, and the two of them went forward together.

Xiao Chengji and Lu Lingyuan walked to Zheng Xiyan, knelt down respectfully, and performed the ceremony of kneeling three times and knocking their heads nine times, with a sincere and solemn voice: "Your son/daughter-in-law, pays respects to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health and a long life!"

Zheng Xiyan's eyes fell gently on Lu Lingyuan, and she slowly said, "Get up!"

Xiao Chengji stood up and then gently helped Lu Lingyuan up. After the two stood still, Xiao Shuyue and Xiao Chengyi stepped forward and saluted respectfully: "Your humble servant, I greet my brother and my sister-in-law. I wish my brother and my sister-in-law will live in harmony and grow old together."

"You two, get up too." Xiao Chengji's voice was a little majestic, but it couldn't hide the kindness of a brother.

"Thank you, brother!" the two responded in unison, with awe and joy flashing in their eyes.

Biluo announced in a deep voice: "The Queen offers tea!"

Lu Lingyuan took the teacup, walked lightly to Zheng Xiyan, knelt down, raised the teacup above her head with both hands, and said in a gentle voice: "Mother, please have some tea. I wish you good health and a long life."

"Okay!" Zheng Xiyan took the teacup, took a sip, a trace of relief and pity flashed in her eyes, and then she handed a thick red envelope to Lu Lingyuan.

At this time, Shuang Ning came forward with an exquisite box in her hand. Inside the box was a pair of exquisitely carved nine-dragon and phoenix hairpins. The phoenixes were lifelike, and the rubies were sparkling and dazzling.

"This is a phoenix hairpin that I ordered the Shanggong Bureau to make. It suits you perfectly. May it bring you good luck and health." Zheng Xiyan said with a smile, her eyes full of love and expectation.

"Thank you for your gift, mother. I will treasure it." Lu Lingyuan bowed slightly, her voice full of gratitude.

"Get up!" Zheng Xiyan said softly, with both expectation and worry in her eyes.

"Yes." Xiao Chengji smiled as he quickly stepped forward and personally bent down to help Lu Lingyuan up. His actions revealed endless doting and care.

Xiao Shuyue covered her mouth and chuckled: "Royal brother, you are so considerate, the Royal Sister-in-law is really a blessed person!"

Xiao Chengyi stood aside, also lowered his head and chuckled, thinking to himself: When has my royal brother ever cared so much about someone?

"You are the only one who talks too much!" Xiao Chengji pretended to be angry and said with a straight face, but his eyes were full of doting.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Lu Lingyuan's face and she lowered her head slightly.

Zheng Xiyan looked at them, feeling mixed emotions of joy and sorrow, yet also very relieved.

Shuang Ning was followed by two female officials. Zheng Xiyan said, "These are Shang Gong Chen and Shang Gong Zhang. From today on, I will leave the affairs of the palace to you. They are both experienced and will definitely help you manage the harem well."

Lu Lingyuan was a little panicked, thinking that the palace power and palace affairs were like a hot potato, and she didn't want to take it on so quickly. When she was thinking about how to decline politely, Xiao Chengji spoke.

"What mother said is, since you are the queen, you should be responsible for the affairs of this palace. If there are any difficult issues, you can tell me and I will make a decision for you." Xiao Chengji's voice was gentle and firm, giving her endless support and encouragement.

Xiao Shuyue stepped forward and took Lu Lingyuan's arm, advising her, "Yes, sister-in-law, you are the queen now, and you should take care of the harem. Mother will leave the palace for Jiangnan soon, and she won't have time to take care of the harem."

"Go to Jiangnan! I can go with you!" Xiao Shuyue said happily, her eyes flashing with longing for the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.

"And me too. I will protect our mother on the road." Xiao Chengyi also echoed, his voice revealing firmness and determination.

Lu Lingyuan looked at the Empress Dowager, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Xiao Chengji also asked, "Mother is going to take them both to Jiangnan?" He was obviously a little shocked.

"Well, the two of them always stay in the palace to study, but they can't achieve anything. Why not! Just go to Jiangnan with me, so you can worry less." Zheng Xiyan said casually, gently shaking the round fan in her hand. She didn't want to take them with her at first, and she also wanted to have some peace and quiet for a few days, but she couldn't stand their nagging every day, so she had to agree.

"I am truly worried, fearing that the two of them will cause trouble to our mother on the journey. Keeping them in the deep palace may help avoid many unnecessary twists and turns." Xiao Chengji frowned slightly, his words revealing worry that was difficult to conceal.

Xiao Shuyue raised her eyebrows when she heard this, and her displeasure was evident. She quickly retorted, "Brother, you are wrong. How can you be sure that my third brother and I will cause trouble?" She had tried her best to persuade her mother to allow her to go with her. If her brother rejected her, how could she do that? She was unwilling to do so, as if she was choked by a breath and could not let it go.

"That's right, Royal brother. In recent days, Shu'er and I have been very well behaved." Xiao Chengyi interjected silently from the side. Although his tone was light, it was firm and unquestionable.

Zheng Xiyan smiled slightly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "Okay, don't worry. Since I have decided to take them with me, I have made all the necessary preparations."

"Since mother has made up her mind, I, your son, shall obey." Seeing this, Xiao Chengji had no choice but to give up. Although he had a thousand worries in his heart, he could only endure it secretly.

Lu Lingyuan listened quietly, but her heart was filled with endless yearning for Jiangnan. She had only seen the scenery of Jiangnan in books, and heard that there were many merchants there, and women could do business freely, so she had longed for it.

"Well, since the emperor has no objection, I will set off for Jiangnan in ten days." There was a hint of determination in Zheng Xiyan's words, and she had made up her mind.

"Ten days later? So hurried?" Xiao Chengji was a little stunned when he heard this, and he felt even more worried.

"Well, you don't have to worry. Keep everything simple and it won't appear to be in a hurry. Don't worry, your cousin uncle will accompany me this time. Although his centipede is not as good as the palace guards, it is more than enough to deal with some villains." Zheng Xiyan said in a deep voice.