The former noblewoman, now Consort De, all owes her status to the original owner's efforts.

The saying goes, "Love me, love my dog," and the original owner, deeply in love with Zheng Jincheng, naturally showed much deference and assistance to her future mother-in-law, Zhang Linghua. This caused the original owner to lose face completely. Not only were there many criticisms in the court, but even the concubines in the harem were ashamed to associate with her. For a dignified empress to stoop so low as to fawn over a lowly slave from the Imperial Laundry was utterly disrespectful and unfit for the great responsibility of empress.

The original owner was not ashamed, but rather proud, taking care of her mother-in-law as a matter of course.

That's a good idea, and it seems perfectly reasonable. But the original owner forgot that she was the Empress, and Zhang Linghua was Consort De. They were rivals for power and could never coexist peacefully.

The original owner was completely open and honest with Zhang Linghua, but Zhang Linghua was two-faced and hypocritical, saying one thing to people and another behind their backs. The original owner was framed by her countless times.

A dog that can't be tamed has no reason to exist.

Ji Xiaoxiao stood up and sat upright, while Lanxin tidied her appearance.

"His Majesty has arrived!" The long, drawn-out announcement startled everyone in the Yanjue Palace.

Ji Xiaoxiao got up to greet the emperor, and when she looked up, she saw a skinny old man with hardly any flesh on his body.

"My beloved concubine, please rise."

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoxiao thought to herself, "Did I just kneel? Did I just kneel? Did I just kneel?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Never mind, I'm old, my eyesight isn't what it used to be, don't take it to heart.

Ji Xiaoxiao walked past the thin old man and saw an old woman dressed in elaborate makeup behind him.

"He's not even that good-looking!" Ji Xiaoxiao commented objectively.

Zhang Linghua felt Ji Xiaoxiao's meaningful scrutiny and barbed gaze. Although she was displeased, she still smiled kindly.

You can't hit someone who's smiling.

Ji Xiaoxiao withdrew her gaze and said, "Your Highness, why don't you bow to me?"

Zhang Linghua's smile froze on her face. She paused, then gave a slight curtsy, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Ji Xiaoxiao hummed in agreement, without explicitly telling Zhang Linghua to get up.

Zhang Linghua clenched her palms, suppressing the unease and hatred in her heart. She received news that Ji Xiaoxiao had imprisoned Zheng Jincheng, but she only thought it was an excuse for Zheng Jincheng to spend the night at Yanjue Palace, so she was naturally unprepared for Ji Xiaoxiao's actions.

If the Empress doesn't allow her to get up, the concubine has no choice but to kneel obediently.

Zheng Runren was old and lacked energy. He had no interest in inquiring about the affairs between women. He didn't care what Zhang Linghua did; she was just an old woman anyway.

"My beloved concubine, let's go inside." Zheng Run put his arm around Ji Xiaoxiao's waist and headed towards the main hall. Zhang Linghua's miserable gaze was like that of a clueless three-year-old child.

Ji Xiaoxiao neither dodged nor avoided, and with a cold face, accompanied Zheng Run inside.

After closing the door, Zheng Run jumped onto the bed without waiting.

"My beloved concubine, hurry up, I can't wait any longer."

As Zheng Run spoke, he quickly took off his clothes.

Zheng Run, who was naked, frowned unhappily as he looked at Ji Xiaoxiao, who was fully clothed.

"My beloved concubine, what are you doing? Hurry up and take off your clothes!"

Ji Xiaoxiao ignored him and sat opposite Zheng Run, saying, "Your Majesty, could you please enlighten me? Why did you come to my Yanjue Palace today?"

"I am the emperor, I can come and go as I please." Zheng Run rubbed his hands together, just like a thug or a rogue, and pouted, "Come, my beloved concubine, give me a kiss."

Ji Xiaoxiao left the round stool and slowly walked towards Zheng Run.

"Hurry, hurry, my beloved concubine, I can't wait any longer."

Zheng Run hurriedly reached out to pull Ji Xiaoxiao into his arms, but Ji Xiaoxiao slapped him back, leaving the arrogant Zheng Run completely stunned.

Ji Xiaoxiao took a handkerchief from her bosom, carefully wiped her hands clean, held Zheng Run's still dazed head in her hands, twisted it with both hands, and with a snap, Zheng Run died with his eyes wide open.

"Trash." Ji Xiaoxiao casually tossed the corpse onto the bed and called Lan Xin in.

Lanxin entered, trembling, and nearly screamed when she saw the corpse on the bed.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor...?"

"She's dead." Ji Xiaoxiao thrust her sword into Lan Xin's fragile heart.

Lan Xin was panting heavily, her round eyes bulging and wide open, like fish eyeballs, as if they might fall out at any moment.

"Your Majesty, you must hide quickly! The assassins could come again at any moment."

Lan Xin thought that an assassin had broken Zheng Run's neck, and bravely stood in front of Ji Xiaoxiao.

Ji Xiaoxiao patted Lanxin's head and said, "I killed that beast."

At this moment, Lanxin's mind went completely blank.

After a long pause, Lanxin burst into tears.

“Your Majesty, I know you have suffered, but he is the Emperor. For the sake of the Prime Minister and for your own sake, you should endure it a little longer. If outsiders find out about the regicide, Your Majesty, you would want them to tear you apart alive.”

Lanxin was an old servant in the palace and had taken care of "Hu Miaotian" for more than two years, so she knew a bit about the dirty business. Zheng Run's hobbies were unusual. Every time Zheng Run stayed overnight at Yanjue Palace, "Hu Miaotian" would be covered in bruises and half-dead afterwards.

Marrying a beast like a pig or a dog will ruin a daughter's life.

No matter how difficult life is, there is always hope.

"Your Majesty." Lanxin looked at the lifeless Zheng Run and was truly on the verge of tears.

Ji Xiaoxiao turned away in disgust, unwilling to let Zheng Run pollute her eyes.

After Lanxin's persuasion, Ji Xiaoxiao realized she had acted impulsively. Zheng Run was bound to die sooner or later, but Hu Shao's scheme had only just begun, and Zheng Run's death now would be tantamount to alerting the enemy. But what normal woman could tolerate letting a pig take advantage of her?

Oh well, what's done is done, there's no use regretting it now.

Ji Xiaoxin thought about it absentmindedly for a moment, then decisively put Zheng Run's death out of her mind.

They found a few of Hu Shao's bodyguards, who played music, sang, drank, and roared, successfully pretending that Zheng Run was partying every night in the Yanjue Palace.

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