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

"Your Majesty, this harem is deeply intertwined with the previous dynasty, and it is very complicated. If you really do not favor your concubines, I am afraid that those old officials of the previous dynasty will be dissatisfied and suspicious."

"The existence of the harem has been a sacred place for the imperial family to expand and prosper since ancient times. If Your Majesty does not favor the empress, then the responsibility of continuing the royal bloodline will fall entirely on my shoulders. This matter concerns the stability of Daliang and the peace of the country. I dare not..."

Lu Lingyuan frowned, with a complicated expression on her face, showing both embarrassment and helplessness. Her lips couldn't help but tremble slightly. She didn't want to.

Most of the queens in the past dynasties just guarded the high and lonely throne, day after day, year after year, until their hair turned white and their beauty faded. If you expect too much and pursue too much, you will probably exhaust yourself physically and mentally, and the gain will not make up for the loss.

All she wanted in her life was a stable and smooth life, a peace that would make her feel at ease. She did not desire power, nor did she pursue glory. Although such a life was dull and could be seen to end at a glance, it was not necessarily a rare happiness...

Xiao Chengji listened to Lu Lingyuan's affectionate and earnest words, and his eyes became dark and deep. He had thought vaguely about these words before, but not as deeply and thoroughly as she thought. At this moment, facing her eyes full of expectation and worry, he was speechless for a moment.

"Your Majesty, what I cherish is only your sincerity towards me. Apart from that, I will try my best to understand you." Lu Lingyuan gently leaned on Xiao Chengji's chest, her cheeks still flushed like the morning dew, and her eyes flashed with tenderness and trust. She slowly stretched out her hands and gently wrapped them around his neck. She would let down her guard against him a little, but apart from that, there would be no more.

"Okay, I understand." Xiao Chengji's deep and firm voice rang in Lu Lingyuan's ears. He held her tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to rub her into his bones and blood. The two of them just snuggled up quietly.

The hall was very quiet. It was so quiet that the only sounds that could be heard were each other's soft and even breathing, and the occasional hum of the breeze outside the window.

……

After Xiao Chengji left, Lu Lingyuan stood up, sat on the phoenix carriage, and headed towards Shoukang Palace.

In Shoukang Palace, Zheng Xiyan had already expected that Lu Lingyuan would come to pay respects today, and said, "Quickly let the queen in."

"Yes." Shuang Ning responded and retreated. After a while, she led Yun'er and Shuang Ning, who supported Lu Lingyuan and slowly walked into the hall.

Lu Lingyuan stepped forward, her voice filled with tenderness and respect: "I pay my respects to the Queen Mother, and wish her the best of luck and happiness!"

"Get up quickly, no need to be so polite." Zheng Xiyan looked at Lu Lingyuan with loving eyes.

Lu Lingyuan smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, mother."

Zheng Xiyan's eyes fell gently on Lu Lingyuan's slightly bulging belly, and asked with concern: "Is the morning sickness still severe these days? Can you still bear it?"

Lu Lingyuan shook her head gently and said with a smile, "Don't worry, mother. I had dinner with Concubine Gao this morning and ate quite a lot. Sister Gao is a very interesting person. After spending some time with her, I felt much better."

"Oh? Concubine Gao? But she is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Works?" Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiyan's eyes flashed with surprise, and it seemed that she was quite interested in this Concubine Gao.

"That's right." Lu Lingyuan nodded and smiled, "I will bring her to pay my respects to mother when I have time. Her personality is quite similar to that of sister Shu'er, and she speaks humorously. Mother will definitely like her when she sees her."

"That's great." Zheng Xiyan couldn't help but feel more curious about Concubine Gao after hearing this. "Since the Queen thinks so highly of her, I really want to meet her."

"What do you think of the other concubines?" Zheng Xiyan gently played with the jade-like teacup in her hand, with a look of leisure and indifference.

Lu Lingyuan replied softly, "I think it's very good." Her voice was gentle but firm, and her eyes flashed with caution and intelligence.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiyan gently put down the teacup, and said in a low and meaningful voice: "Now that the beauties have entered the palace, they will serve in the emperor's bedchamber in the next few days." There was a barely perceptible sigh in her words, and the emotions in her eyes were complex and difficult to discern.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyuan still maintained a calm expression on her face, bowed slightly and said, "What the Queen Mother said is absolutely right."

Zheng Xiyan suddenly changed the subject: "Queen, how do you feel about being on the throne? I remember you once asked me how it felt to be on the throne for so many years. Now, I also want to hear your true feelings." Her tone was gentle, but contained a sense of majesty that made people dare not look directly at her.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyuan's heart trembled slightly, and she quickly said, "I was indeed rude at that time, please forgive me, mother!"

Seeing this, Zheng Xiyan quickly explained: "I don't mean to blame you."

Seeing this, Lu Lingyuan raised her lips slightly and said in a deep voice: "What I think in my heart has never changed. Although the position of queen is extremely noble, it also has many constraints. I feel that being a queen is actually quite boring."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiyan laughed softly, with a bit of understanding and resonance in her laughter: "It is indeed the same as what I thought. The position of Queen seems to be glorious, but in fact it is endless torment and waiting. Sitting in this position, you can only endure your whole life, endure the years, endure the people's hearts." There was a bit of helplessness and emotion in her tone, as if she was telling the story of her own life.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyuan whispered, "I understand."

"Mother, I want to ask you a question!" Lu Lingyuan said suddenly.

"You say." Zheng Xiyan said gently.

"Do you still remember how you spent that night when the late emperor favored his concubine for the first time?" Lu Lingyuan didn't know why, but she felt heavy in her heart and didn't know what it felt like.

The expression on Zheng Xiyan's face changed slightly, her eyes drooped, and her gaze became dim.

"It's been so long, I almost don't remember it." A complicated look flashed across Zheng Xiyan's eyes.

That night, it seemed like something happened in her previous life. It seemed like she sat alone from dusk to dawn and did not sleep the whole night.

Thinking about it now, it seems like a lifetime ago.

"I don't know how I managed to survive those years." Zheng Xiyan suddenly became sad. Even though she had gotten what she wanted now, she was not happy.

"Mother, you should have the late emperor in your heart." Lu Lingyuan said seriously.

……