"You two should also go down and keep your mouths shut. Know what to say and what not to say. Be prepared to be summoned at any time."
"yes."
The two men stepped back, and Dong Lizheng lifted the curtain, revealing Yue Lingyin's pale little face. Her originally lively and beautiful eyes now became extremely empty.
She murmured, "How could I get pregnant? I can only get pregnant if I lie in the same bed with my husband. The late emperor is dead, how could I get pregnant?"
She couldn't figure it out. Could it be that the late emperor came back to life and lay down with her while she was asleep?
Yue Lingyin's already pale face became even paler.
Dong Lizheng was a little amused: "Who told you that you need a husband?"
Yue Lingyin placed her hand on her stomach in confusion: "Isn't it?"
Dong Lizheng explained to her: "It doesn't have to be a husband, as long as he is a man, he can make a woman pregnant."
"Can any man make a woman pregnant?"
"No, first of all, the man has to be fertile, and secondly, they have to play games like us."
Yue Lingyin was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into tears, "You all lied to me and bullied me because I didn't know anything. This wasn't even a game."
Dong Lizheng hugged her and kissed her on the forehead: "Don't worry, I will take care of it. You just listen to my arrangements. I will let you out of the palace first, and then marry you as my queen."
Yue Lingyin pursed her lips. Dong Lizheng was not the only one who had a relationship with her.
If the baby in her belly was not his, Dong Lizheng would be furious and both she and the baby would die.
Yue Lingyin shuddered at the mere thought of it, her heart filled with anxiety.
Dong Lizheng didn't know what she was thinking and thought she was just simply scared.
"The day after tomorrow is National Day. Tomorrow morning, I will declare a general amnesty and release you from the palace. I will arrange accommodation for you and marry you as soon as possible."
Yue Lingyin nodded absentmindedly.
Dong Lizheng wanted to ask a palace maid or nanny who had experience in taking care of pregnant women to come and serve, but now the fewer people who knew Yue Lingyin's appearance, the better, so he had no choice but to let Feng Mian out.
As for the group of people who were previously planned to be sent to serve in Qinghan Palace, they had seen Yue Lingyin's face and put their names on the list of people leaving the palace. In this way, after they all left, no one would know Yue Lingyin's previous identity when she entered the palace again.
Feng Mian was dismissed from his post for pretending to obey the order but actually disobeying it. He suffered a lot of torture in the dark prison. He was visibly thinner, with a disheveled beard and looked very disheveled, which was completely different from his former high-spirited appearance.
After all, he was someone who had followed him for a long time. Dong Lizheng's eyes were complicated. "I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. The Queen Mother is pregnant. You must take good care of her safety in the palace."
Feng Mian was kneeling on the ground. When she heard the word "pregnant", she raised her head in surprise, then lowered her head again.
Dong Lizheng looked down at him and said, "I know you won't hurt the Queen Mother, but I don't trust anyone else."
"Yes." Dong Lizheng lay on the ground: "I will definitely live up to your trust and take good care of the Queen Mother and her unborn child."
"I hope you'll keep your word." Dong Lizheng turned around and said, "Once this matter is settled, you can leave the palace. Once you're unfaithful, you'll never be used again. You'll be fine."
Feng Mian did not regret losing his future, but the thought of not being able to see Yue Lingyin after leaving the palace made him feel more painful than killing him.
He said in a bitter voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your leniency."
Dong Lizheng left, Feng Mian found a place to take a shower, changed into clean clothes, and then went to see Yue Lingyin.
Yue Lingyin was delighted to see him: "Feng Mian, where have you been these days? I haven't seen you in a long time."
Feng Mian smiled slightly: "I went out of the palace to carry out a mission and just came back today. Is there anything that the Queen Mother needs me to do?"
Yue Lingyin shook her head: "Dong Lizheng has people guarding the surroundings and won't let me go out. I'm so bored in Qinghan Palace alone. No one talks to me when you're not around."
Feng Mian said softly, "This subordinate will accompany the Queen Mother."
Yue Lingyin nodded vigorously, her smile as beautiful as a flower.
Feng Mian looked at her, and his heart was filled with dense pain. If he could be with her, he would be willing to give up his martial arts and become a eunuch.
…………………………
In the majestic hall, Dong Lizheng sat high up, discussing matters related to tomorrow's National Day with all the officials.
The first is sacrifice, which is an indispensable part. Dong Lizheng had previously sent many ministers to worship heaven, earth, Taimiao and Sheji, so there is not much to discuss at this time.
After discussing the sacrificial offerings, Dong Li Zheng said solemnly, "It is the centennial of Dong Li's nation. I have decided to grant amnesty to the entire nation and reduce taxes. What do you think, my dear ministers?"
A general amnesty does not mean pardoning all prisoners.
As the saying goes, the ten most unforgivable crimes include treason, high treason, rebellion, evil deeds, unrighteousness, disrespect, unfilial piety, disharmony, injustice, and civil strife. Only crimes with less serious consequences, such as theft, can be pardoned.
The ministers knelt on the ground, praising the emperor's kindness and the blessings of the people.
Dong Lizheng continued, "I am planning to release a group of palace maids. What are your suggestions, my dear ministers?"
Some people say that they should be released, and the older palace maids should be allowed to get married, and some young and beautiful palace maids should be replaced.
Some people said that since it was the National Day, the age limit for palace maids should be relaxed by two years, and those who were 23 years old would be allowed to leave the palace instead of waiting until they were 25.
Wei Jinzhi winked at Shen Qingchen a few times, but Shen Qingchen remained motionless. He couldn't help but said, "Your Majesty, I think it would be too cruel for the Queen Mother to die of old age in the palace at such a young age. Since Your Majesty has decided to streamline the palace staff, why not let the Queen Mother out as well?"
Dong Lizheng's face darkened. It was true that he wanted to release Yue Lingyin from the palace, but why did Wei Jinzhi make him so disgusted when he heard it from his mouth?
Don't think he doesn't know what he's thinking!
Marquis Zhongyong was so scared that cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Jin Zhi was really brave. Wasn’t he afraid of being attacked by the censor?
As expected, an imperial censor stepped forward and said, "Although the Empress Dowager is not your Majesty's biological mother, she was personally appointed Empress by the late Emperor. She is your Majesty's legitimate mother. Releasing the Empress Dowager from the palace would be unfilial. Your Majesty must not do this."
Another general said, "I think what General Fuguo said makes sense. It is indeed inappropriate to let a teenage girl die alone in the palace."
The civil officials retorted: "The Queen Mother is second only to the emperor in the palace, so what's wrong with that?" To be honest, they had also thought about living a life of idleness and waiting to die.
The two sides started arguing about this.
Wei Jinzhi desperately winked at Chen Qingchen. Dong Lizheng, who was in full view from above, had a plan in mind: "What do you think, Prime Minister Chen?"
Shen Qingchen: "I agree with General Fuguo's opinion."
Dong Lizheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Since you all say so, then I will release the Queen Mother from the palace."
On National Birthday, the palace was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns.
Before daybreak, the Jinwu Guards rode on their majestic horses, the four armies of the Northern Court formed a square formation, their auras ethereal, their golden armor gleaming, while officials from the Taichang Temple played elegant music...
After a grand ceremony, the prisoner to be pardoned knelt on the ground in shackles. After the Dali Temple officials verified his identity, they read the pardon document, kowtowed and shouted "Long live the emperor".
At the same time, Yue Lingyin left the palace in a sedan chair arranged by Dong Lizheng.
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