"Zhao Aiqing, it's not that I don't give you face, it's that the imperial concubine is too lawless. If I don't punish her, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain to the people of the world." The king's cold voice was faint, but it resounded throughout the hall.

Zhao Meng'er's heart trembled when she heard this. She didn't expect that her father had shown kindness to him and he was still so aggressive. It seemed that he really wanted to put himself to death before he was willing to accept it. He was so sad that his tears flowed down. He was really facing death.

At that time, she was still scared in her heart. She looked at her father for help. If her father could not save her, she would really have no choice but to die.

Zhao Qifeng was sweating on his head, and he didn't dare to reach out to wipe it. After thinking about it, he could only reluctantly give up, "Your Majesty, Wushan Mining Industry is making a lot of money every day, and it has always been my best source of financial resources. I am willing to give it to the imperial court with both hands."

, I just ask the emperor to spare my little girl’s life.”

Wushan Mining? When the concubine heard what Zhao Qifeng said, she was shocked. She turned her head and looked at the emperor. Everyone knew that Zhao Qifeng started his family with Wushan Mining. It was a gold mine with inexhaustible resources.

resources, if you own this mountain, the treasury will no longer have to worry about running out of money. Why should Donghua Country worry about not being developed?

Chu Xia could probably guess from the surprised look on the concubine's face and Jing Yuan's slightly furrowed brows that this was a good way to make money, and it would be a pity to give up. Not to mention whether she could be the queen, she should.

Considering his country, her personal grievances are really nothing compared to the happy lives of millions of people.

He took a step forward, walked to the emperor, and said gently: "Your Majesty, please consider Mr. Zhao's love for his daughter, please spare the imperial concubine this time? After all, people cannot be resurrected, and Chu Xia doesn't want to do it again.

It will be a good thing as long as the imperial concubine can make a complete change through this."

Jing Yuan did not expect that Chu Xia would plead for Zhao Meng'er. She had always been clear about grudges. But he soon figured it out. It turned out that she was thinking about him. It was rare for her to take such pains. His heart suddenly softened, like a warm current passing through.

.

"It's rare for a queen to be so broad-minded and disregard past grudges. It's my blessing and the blessing of the country to have a queen who understands the general situation like you." He took the girl's hand and held it tightly in his palm, regardless of other people's eyes.

, making no secret of his love.

The concubine felt a little relieved. She seemed to be a sensible person. She had prioritized things carefully. Her worries must have been unnecessary.

Only then did Zhao Qifeng see Chu Xia. When he saw her appearance, he couldn't help but feel shocked. No matter how well-maintained she is, it's impossible for her to remain unchanged for ten years, right? It's hard for her to really be...

Jing Yuan did not look at the expressions of the others, but held Chu Xia's hand and said slowly: "Since the Queen is willing to intercede for the imperial concubine, I will be lenient. From now on, Zhao Meng'er will be demoted from the imperial concubine to Zhaoyi and will be grounded.

Three months, repent well, and you are not allowed to leave Ximeng Palace without my permission." caset

This capital crime is exempted, but the living crime is difficult to forgive. According to the order of the harem, below the queen is the imperial concubine, below the imperial concubine are the four concubines, below the concubine is the concubine, and below the concubine is Zhaoyi. This will be the third level.

, for Zhao Meng'er, it is not only the criminal law, but also the shame. How can she still have the face to meet the concubines who were bullied by her? They are now much higher than her, which makes her feel extremely embarrassed.

"Dad, my daughter would rather die." Zhao Meng'er's red eyes could no longer hide the pain and despair.

Zhao Qifeng accepted her request and ignored her daughter. Instead, she said to the palace maid behind her: "I won't help your master down yet." Then he kowtowed to the emperor and said, "Thank you for your kindness, my emperor. I would like to express my gratitude to you on behalf of my little daughter."

Well, my little girl is ignorant, please allow me to take her down and teach her well."

Jing Yuan waved to him, his face full of impatience, "Well, go ahead. Remember, I only give her one chance. I believe the Duke knows what to do, right?"

"Yes, I understand." After saying that, he stood up and followed his daughter out of Huanyi Palace.

"You all should also get up." Jing Yuan said calmly to the palace ladies who were still kneeling on the ground.

After getting permission, a few girls dared to stand up. Although they were not able to execute the woman today and avenge Miss Li Ji, fortunately she was also punished. I believe that the emperor will not favor her again in the future. Wouldn't it be wrong to die alone?

Even more pitiful.

The concubine didn't want to wait for others to drive away, so she knew she should leave wisely, "Your Majesty, the Ai family has also resigned first. As for teaching Miss Chu etiquette, the Ai family will do their best."

Jing Yuan nodded, "I believe in the ability of the concubine, Jin Fu, send the concubine back to Fushou Palace."

"Yes." Jin Fu responded and stood waiting respectfully.

When everyone left Huanyi Palace, and only the two of them were left in the huge hall, Chu Xia had the opportunity to ask the questions in her heart.

"Who is that concubine? Why haven't I heard of her before?"

Jing Yuan pulled Chu Xia to sit down next to him, and then spoke softly.

"The concubine used to be my father's concubine and was named Concubine Hui. Because she was beautiful and beautiful, she was very favored. But after my mother-in-law came back and entered the palace, she completely fell out of favor. It's rare.

Fortunately, she was not jealous because of this, but instead begged the emperor to give her a private courtyard so that she could live quietly alone. She originally thought that she would die alone like this, but she didn't expect that the palace coup was discovered and Chu Cangmo rebelled.

Everyone is affected.

All the concubines were sent to Ninggu Pagoda, but he never expected that Chu Cangmo would fall in love with Concubine Hui at first sight and wanted to take her into the harem.

Originally, this was a good thing for these helpless women. However, Concubine Hui did not appreciate it. She would rather die to protect her father and would never remarry. Chu Cangmo tried countless methods but failed to impress her.

Fang Xin, in her final rage, was thrown into the cold palace, where there was no servant to serve her, and she had to be enslaved by the palace servants every day and suffered all kinds of misery.

Although Concubine Hui is in the cold palace, she knows a lot about the affairs in the palace. When he knew that I wanted revenge, he helped me collect a lot of useful information.

So after I ascended the throne, I took her out of the cold palace and made her a dowager, which can be regarded as a compensation for her."

After listening to Jing Yuan's story, Chu Xia understood the concubine better. She was actually a fierce woman and an admirable person.

"Okay, I decided to learn etiquette from her." It doesn't matter if she is mean, as long as she is not insidious. According to Jing Yuan, this woman is also a kind and compassionate woman who understands how to put the overall situation first.

Hearing what she said, Jing Yuan was overjoyed, "Chu Xia, thank you. I know you don't like those rules, is it all because of me? Don't worry, I won't force you, just do what you like."

She was willing to make a step for her, and he was willing to give her a piece of the sky. In the past, she had suffered a lot due to her wandering around, but now it was time for him to give her a peaceful and prosperous life.

Chu Xia felt a little guilty. How could she tell him that the reason why she agreed was not to cooperate with him but to escape.

Thinking of the little snake in her arms, she suddenly changed the subject and asked him to teach her how to tame it.

Jing Yuan looked at her with a smile. She would not refuse the one she liked, so he taught her patiently. The golden snake was very spiritual, and it seemed to have a natural affinity with Chu Xia, and soon there was a tacit understanding between them.

. Sometimes even without verbal communication, the golden snake can know Chu Xia's thoughts and obey the orders to execute them, which makes Chu Xia extremely happy.

The girls in the palace were a little timid about snakes at first, but after seeing that their master got along well with it, and the little snake was also very cute and did not do any harm, they gradually accepted its existence. If the master is inconvenient

, they will also take the initiative to take care of the little snakes.

They all had a tacit understanding and never mentioned Zhao Meng'er, because this person was simply insignificant.

On this day, Chu Xia was led by Xiao Dezi and went to Fushou Palace.

The Fushou Palace is full of light jasmine flowers, and as soon as you enter the courtyard, you feel the fragrance. No wonder people say that every woman is like a kind of flower. Jingyuan's mother is a peony, graceful and luxurious; the concubine likes jasmine, fresh and elegant.

The maid of Fushou Palace led Chu Xia into the inner hall, where the concubine was sitting on a chair and concentrating on making wood carvings. I didn't expect that the concubine had such skills. Looking around, there were wood carvings of different postures placed everywhere in the room.

Some are standing, some are walking, and some are sitting; their expressions are also different, some are happy and some are angry; some are majestic and domineering, and some are approachable. But what they all have in common is that these different wood carvings are all carvings of the same person.

, that is, the late emperor Chu Junhao.

If you don't love deeply, how can you carve it so exquisitely? It seems that every expression and every hair is so vivid and lifelike, as if these wood carvings are filled with life.

The palace maid was about to step forward to report, but Chu Xia stopped her by keeping silent. She didn't want to disturb the concubine. She was so focused on carving the work. She must be in a happy mood at this time. Maybe the happy time between the late emperor and her was emerging in her mind.

?

After so many years, she relies on this to comfort herself, right? He has never left her heart, even though she no longer exists in his heart.

Love and infatuation have existed in life since ancient times. This matter has nothing to do with the wind and the moon. It turns out that this is not the idle moaning of those literati.

Not far from her, Chu Xia sat down gently and quietly looked at the concubine's meticulous carvings. Her eyebrows sometimes stretched, sometimes she frowned slightly, but there was nothing in her eyes except the things in her hands.

There is nothing.

Looking at this scene, another person suddenly appeared in Chu Xia's mind. When he painted that portrait, was he also so focused, lightly sketching each stroke. After the failure, he was infinitely annoyed and picked up the pen again and again.

, a little bit of meditation. When his deep phoenix eyes saw that the painting was successful, what was the expression on his face?

It's been ten years. At that time, he was just a ten-year-old child. How could he remember her so clearly? There wasn't even a single eyelash difference. She was as perfect as if she had been captured with a camera. This was so much more.
Chapter completed!