Forced to die for his loyalty, he was reborn in the arms of the cold and cruel regent!

After long days of unbearable summer heat, Kyoto finally welcomed a long-awaited heavy rain, which was like a blessing from heaven, sweeping away the stuffiness in the air and bringing a touch of long-lost coolness and comfort.

Inside Xingqing Palace, green tea was brewing in a small red clay stove, reflecting Shen Mengyao's gentle smile.

She personally brought the latest snacks from the store carefully into the palace and placed them on the exquisite table. Each piece of snack exuded an enticing aroma, making people salivate.

Shen Mengyao said to the Queen Mother with a smile: "Queen Mother, please try the most popular snacks outside the palace. They have unique flavors and will definitely suit your appetite."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother gently stretched out her hand and was about to take a piece of peach cake to savor it carefully, but was stopped by Fu Qing who was standing beside her with a worried look. She shook her head slightly, as if she had some concerns.

However, the Queen Mother seemed quite open-minded. She chuckled and said, "It's okay. It's rare to have such a kind heart. How can I let you down?"

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of dessert and tasted it carefully, with a satisfied smile on her face: "Well, it's really good. The taste is really unforgettable."

Shen Mengyao was secretly delighted when she saw this. She continued, "It's good that the Queen Mother likes it. If you think it suits your taste, I will definitely serve you more such delicacies in the future."

However, although snacks are good, they should not be eaten too much. The Queen Mother knew that she was in poor health, so she put down the snacks in her hand and chatted with Shen Mengyao about family matters: "Mengyao, how long has it been since you came to the palace to visit me? I thought you would have more free time after the divorce, but I didn't expect you to be even busier."

Shen Mengyao lowered her head slightly when she heard this, with a guilty blush on her face: "Please forgive me, Queen Mother. I was indeed entangled in some trivial matters and was unable to come to the palace to accompany you often. But please rest assured, Queen Mother, I will try my best to make time to come to the palace to visit you more often in the future."

The Queen Mother sighed softly, her tone full of concern: "You are too sensible, child. But speaking of which, what are you busy with? Why are you so busy?"

Shen Mengyao bit her lip lightly, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "In reply to the Queen Mother, now I live alone in the Princess's Mansion, and all the expenses of the mansion must be borne by me alone. Therefore, I want to earn some money so that my family can live a life without worries about food and clothing."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's eyes flashed with pity: "You are too stubborn, child. As a princess, you have the support of the Duke's Mansion and my family. Why do you have to do it yourself? If you have anything to say, just ask."

Shen Mengyao shook her head, a firm look on her face: "You don't know, Queen Mother, I have been loved by my father and you since I was a child, and everything has been arranged for me properly.

However, now that I have grown up, I have experienced many things and understand many truths. My only wish now is to be able to be independent and no longer rely on others. I have already married, and it is not appropriate for me to return to the palace or my parents' home. "

After hearing what Shen Mengyao said, the Queen Mother felt even more relieved. She patted the back of Shen Mengyao's hand and said lovingly, "Mengyao, you have really grown up and know how to plan for yourself. But I still want to remind you that a woman's happiness is ultimately in marriage. Don't be too obsessed with your career and ignore your lifelong event."

Shen Mengyao smiled slightly when she heard this. She was grateful for the Queen Mother's care and reminder, but she also knew her own intentions and pursuits: "I appreciate the Queen Mother's kindness. But now I just want to concentrate on running my own family business and have no time to take care of other things. As for marriage, I believe that if fate is right, there will naturally be a good destination."

Hearing this, the Queen Mother nodded, her eyes full of approval and trust for Shen Mengyao: "I am relieved that you think so of me. But I still have to say that I will always worry about your lifelong affairs."

Shen Mengyao felt a surge of warmth in her heart when she heard this. She knew that the Queen Mother was truly thinking of her, so she gratefully replied, "Thank you for your care, Queen Mother. I will remember it in my heart."

She chatted with the Queen Mother for quite a while before she stood up and said goodbye.

The Queen Mother was in a good mood. She held her hand and was reluctant to let her go: "My child, you must come to Xingqing Palace more often in the future."

"Yes, Queen Mother, I understand." Shen Mengyao smiled and stood up to say goodbye.

Looking at her back, the Queen Mother sighed leisurely. Fu Qing seemed to understand her thoughts and said with a chuckle, "Queen Mother, you are still worried about the princess's marriage."

The Queen Mother propped up her head, feeling quite troubled: "It is a difficult task for a woman to support a family alone, and it is not something that ordinary people can understand."

Fu Qing nodded and said in a deep voice, "That's right. The princess is in her prime, young and beautiful. How can she remain a widow forever because of an insignificant man? Now the princess has come out of it. In this case, Queen Mother, please worry more about the princess's marriage."

"What can I worry about?" The Queen Mother sighed heavily and said in a deep voice: "Now I have lived in the deep palace for a long time, and I don't know which man in the court has good character and is worthy of the princess?"

Fu Qing thought for a moment, but couldn't think of a suitable person. Who should this person be? He couldn't be too high-ranking, and the princess had to be able to suppress him.

While the two were thinking hard, the eunuch outside reported: "The Regent wants to see you."

The Queen Mother's eyes lit up and she slapped the table, "It's great that you came. Come on, come in."

The decree was passed on, and not long after, Qi Sui'an came over, neither humble nor arrogant, and bowed deeply: "Your Highness the Queen Mother."

"Stand up." The Queen Mother gave him a false helping and asked someone to bring a chair for him to sit down before she said, "What is the important matter that you want to see me today?"

Qi Sui'an hesitated for a moment before saying, "Something happened in the capital recently. I wonder if the Queen Mother has heard about it?"

The Queen Mother smiled faintly and said, "I am in the harem, and my eyes and ears are not clear. I may not have heard the rumors you heard. Just speak frankly, there is no need to hide anything."

With the Queen Mother's words, Qi Suian naturally said whatever he wanted to say and told her everything about Shen Mengyao's previous kidnapping.

The Queen Mother's face changed. "This Li Junfeng is so bold. I didn't expect him to have such thoughts at this time. He is really ambitious. Let him die as a drug dealer. It's a good thing for him. This kind of person should be torn into pieces by five horses."

Qi Sui'an's eyes darkened slightly: "Empress Dowager, although Li Junfeng is dead, the princess is a woman after all, and it is really dangerous for her to be alone, so I ask the Queen Dowager to send more guards to her side."