I died tragically in my previous life, and I want to be an empress in my next life

It was really boring sitting here, so Pei Zhiyan got up and went to the Imperial Garden.

Pei Zhiyan saw someone sitting beside the rockery and stone table. Wasn't that familiar figure Xuanyuan Che? Her heart tightened, and after a moment's hesitation, she turned around and wanted to leave.

"Since the Empress Dowager is here, why don't you sit down and have a drink?" Xuanyuan Che's voice was calm but a little hoarse, like the wind in the middle of the night, cold and mysterious.

Pei Zhiyan paused, then slowly turned around to face Xuanyuan Che. He had blurry eyes and was clearly drunk. The smell of alcohol mixed with his majesty made the atmosphere even more depressing.

As the protagonist of the Hundred Flowers Banquet, he actually hid here and drank by himself. If I really sat down to drink with him and was seen by others, my reputation would be ruined in less than half a day. I don’t know what this old man is thinking! Pei Zhiyan secretly complained in her heart.

Xuanyuan Che smiled slightly and looked at her with deep eyes, as if he could see through her heart. Pei Zhiyan's heart trembled, not knowing how to respond.

"So it's my Sixth Brother who is here. Today's Hundred Flowers Banquet is very lively. Why is my Sixth Brother here tasting wine alone?" Pei Zhiyan tried her best to remain calm and tried to diffuse the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

"They are just some mediocre people, really boring." Xuanyuan Che's words were light-hearted, but revealed a kind of disdainful arrogance.

Pei Zhiyan couldn't stand his arrogant look and couldn't help but retort, "Sixth brother, you are wrong. These beauties are all carefully selected by various palaces for their beauty and talent. In terms of looks and talents, they are all top choices. It's a bit too much for Sixth brother to look down on them like this."

Xuanyuan Che smiled disapprovingly after hearing this, put down his wine glass, and said lightly, "Why do you have to be so serious, sister-in-law? I already have someone I like."

"Oh? Then I have to congratulate my sixth brother. I will definitely ask for a glass of wedding wine when the time comes." Pei Zhiyan raised the corners of her mouth and a hint of teasing flashed in her eyes.

"Of course. However, I am here today specifically to wait for the Empress Dowager." His voice was a little lazy.

"Wait for me? How did Sixth Brother know that I would come here?" Pei Zhiyan asked, with a hint of doubt and inquiry in her eyes.

Xuanyuan Che smiled slightly and did not answer her question directly. Instead, he turned his head and looked at the quiet sky with deep eyes, as if he was looking for something.

"It's really quiet here. It allows people to forget all their worries temporarily." He said softly.

"So what?" Pei Zhiyan asked.

"The Emperor's sister-in-law always seems to like coming here. She sits here every time she enters the palace." Xuanyuan Che looked at Pei Zhiyan with deep eyes.

Pei Zhiyan's heart trembled slightly. Since her rebirth, she would find an opportunity to come here every time she entered the palace. This Xuanyuan Che actually paid so much attention to her that he even knew such a thing. She chuckled to cover up her embarrassment, "I didn't expect that the Sixth Prince was so observant."

Xuanyuan Che looked at Pei Zhiyan with a hint of gentleness in his eyes, "Don't be nervous, sister-in-law. I have no ill will towards you."

He lowered his head and gently stroked the stone table, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes, "This is also a special place for me."

It was here that he watched a little girl grow up step by step. The little girl was innocent and had a bright smile that warmed his heart like sunshine.

"I see." Pei Zhiyan broke the silence, "Then I will leave first, so as not to disturb Sixth Prince's fun."

Xuanyuan Che did not speak immediately, but looked at her with deep eyes, as if waiting for something.

Pei Zhiyan was a little confused and was about to leave when Xuanyuan Che looked up at her with a mysterious light in his eyes. "Don't you want to know why, sister-in-law?"

Pei Zhiyan turned around and stood there silently, looking at Xuanyuan Che, waiting for his explanation.

Xuanyuan Che took a deep breath and slowly said, "Twelve years ago, I saw a little girl here. Although she was young, she was very brave. Even when facing a dozen palace maids and eunuchs, she was not afraid and dared to express her thoughts and attitudes."

Pei Zhiyan was shocked when she heard this. She remembered her childhood. At that time, she was indeed a timid and stubborn girl. In order to protect her beloved things, she dared to challenge those who were stronger than herself.

"I have never forgotten that little girl." Xuanyuan Che's voice was filled with an indescribable tenderness, "Every time I pass by here, I will think of her eyes that were as bright as stars, and her fearless courage."

Pei Zhiyan was silent. She had not expected that Xuanyuan Che had such an impression of her. A ripple appeared in her heart.

"I guess the Empress Dowager knows who this little girl is?" Xuanyuan Che's words were a little drunken and serious.

Pei Zhiyan's heart tightened. What did he mean by that? She felt a little uneasy. She looked at Xuanyuan Che with mixed feelings in her heart and said softly, "It seems that the Sixth Prince is a little drunk..."

Xuanyuan Che smiled lightly but said nothing, but his eyes became more profound. He spoke slowly, with a drunken tone, "I'm not drunk, I just can't understand why you only have eyes for the third brother..."

Pei Zhiyan's heart suddenly trembled, and she felt her heartbeat speed up, but she didn't know how to respond. She knew that Xuanyuan Che's eyes were full of deep emotions, some infatuation, and some helplessness.

A trace of pain flashed in Xuanyuan Che's eyes, and he stared at Pei Zhiyan silently, as if waiting for her answer.

"Sixth brother, please respect yourself. You and I..." Pei Zhiyan's eyes flashed with confusion and helplessness. She took a deep breath and continued, "You and I are uncle and sister-in-law. I am your sister-in-law!"

When Xuanyuan Che heard this, his eyes dimmed instantly. He smiled bitterly, "I know, this is a fact that cannot be changed." He looked down at the wine glass in his hand, his voice trembling a little, "I just... I just hope you can live a happy life."

"As long as you are willing, I can do everything for you!" Xuanyuan Che's words surprised Pei Zhiyan. She didn't expect Xuanyuan Che to say this to her. She stared at him blankly, with a complex emotion in her heart.

Xuanyuan Che looked at her with tenderness in his eyes, "Do you know that I have always been paying attention to you silently. Your happiness is my greatest wish."

"Sixth brother, you are really drunk..." Pei Zhiyan was interrupted by Xuanyuan Che before she could finish her words.

"I'm not drunk, I'm just speaking from my heart," Xuanyuan Che's eyes flashed with determination, "I will always protect you silently."

Hearing this, Pei Zhiyan felt her face getting a little hot, but soon, she shook her head and patted her face. She should sober up. This guy must be talking drunkenly at this time!

It is not advisable to stay here for long. If we stay any longer, this guy might say something nasty. Let's go quickly, Pei Zhiyan thought to herself. She turned around quickly and prepared to leave. However, the moment she turned around, Xuanyuan Che's voice sounded again.

"Pei Zhiyan, no matter when or where, I will be by your side. As long as you need me, I will appear in front of you. I won't let anyone hurt you! Anyone!"

His voice was gentle and firm, as if it had a magical power that instantly accelerated Pei Zhiyan's heartbeat and quickened her pace.