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

Zhao Wanru was in the palace, she could only shed tears silently, as the Crown Princess, she knew very well that she had failed to give birth to a child for the Crown Prince, this was her dereliction of duty and also her pain. However, was this her sole responsibility?

Except for the time when the prince often stayed in her room when she got married, he had come to her room only a handful of times over the years, and for this, she was often scolded by the queen.

In the past, when my father was still the Grand Tutor, the Queen and the Crown Prince were quite polite to me, but now their dissatisfaction with me is growing day by day.

She had also heard about the Queen's private selection of concubines. At the Hundred Flowers Banquet that day, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Queen was interested in the daughter of the Marquis Zhongwu, so how could she not see it?

Her father fell from power, she had no family to rely on, and she had lost the favor of the crown prince. In this palace full of conspiracy and competition, how could she protect herself? How could she maintain her dignity and status?

Now there is a rumor in the capital that the prince is infertile. The prince and the queen will definitely blame me.

Zhao Wanru sat in front of a carved pearwood table, gently shaking the jade cup in her hand, the nectar sparkling charmingly in the moonlight. Her eyes were a little blurry, with a hint of helplessness and hesitation in her deep gaze.

“Crown Princess, don’t drink any more. It’s important to take care of yourself.” Mother Wang stepped forward and gently took the wine glass in front of her, her face full of worry.

This personal mother was her wet nurse. The emperor gave her father some dignity and allowed him to retire and return home with her mother. Now in the capital, she only has this close friend by her side.

"Let me drink, Mother Wang." Zhao Wanru smiled bitterly and shook her head, with a hint of complicated emotions flashing in her eyes, "I know you are worried about me, but I am really upset."

"Mother Wang, do you know? Now I feel like I am trapped in a quagmire, surrounded by rumors and gossips that make it hard for me to breathe. The prince is cold and indifferent to me, and I can't do anything about it. Days like this are really like years."

Mother Wang sighed helplessly, "Crown Princess, you have to cheer up at this time. If you give up, no one will be able to help you."

Zhao Wanru bit her lip lightly, a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes, "Mother Wang, tell me, what else can I do now?"

Zhao Wanru picked up the wine glass and drank it all. The strong liquor went down her throat, irritating her heart and lungs, and she couldn't help but frown. However, this wine could not dispel the pain and helplessness in her heart.

Soon, the emperor personally issued an imperial decree, and the marriage of Xuanyuan Zheng and Xiao Lingyun was settled.

Pei Zhiyan was not surprised at all when she heard the news. After Taifu Zhao stepped down, Zhao Wanru was just a discarded pawn in front of the Queen and the Crown Prince. They would definitely look for new forces to consolidate their position.

Last time at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Pei Zhiyan saw through the Queen's intention, and marrying Xiao Lingyun at this time could temporarily solve the problem of the Crown Prince's infertility.

Although the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhongwu is not as powerful as the Mansion of the General, it also holds military power, and its people are military generals for generations, so it has a certain influence in the army.

If the prince were to marry into the Zhongwu Marquisate, it would undoubtedly be a great help.

But Marquis Zhongwu was a vicious and greedy person. After Xuanyuan Ping succeeded in the previous life, he wanted to win him over. He also wanted to marry his daughter to Xuanyuan Ping at that time, but the condition was that his daughter must become the master of the harem.

At that time, because the General's Mansion was still powerful, Xuanyuan Ping would not agree to it. He told Pei Zhiyan about this matter. Later, he used the power of the General's Mansion to seize the military power from the Zhongwu Marquis.

Now, he and Xuanyuan Zheng are getting married, so they must have made a deal. Haha, it looks like Zhao Wanru will have a hard time.

Three days later, the prince got married and the palace was filled with joy.

Pei Zhiyan observed Zhao Wanru calmly. She was wearing gorgeous clothes and heavy makeup, sitting at the table, but she was out of tune with the lively scene. Her face was pale and her body was thin. She tried to hide her emotions, but she couldn't hide her red and swollen eyes.

Zhao Wanru stared motionlessly ahead, watching Xuanyuan Zheng and Xiao Lingyun walk hand in hand. An inexplicable sense of sadness welled up in her heart, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

At this moment, a handkerchief was quietly handed to Zhao Wanru. She looked up and found that it was Pei Zhiyan, who just smiled gently.

Zhao Wanru was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect Pei Zhiyan to hand over a handkerchief at this time. She was silent for a moment, then said coldly, "Stop pretending!"

Pei Zhiyan didn't seem to care about Zhao Wanru's indifference. She chuckled and replied calmly, "You and I shouldn't be enemies. Why can't we put aside our prejudices and live in harmony?"

Zhao Wanru was stunned again. She had always regarded her as an imaginary enemy, but she didn't know that the imperial family was the most ruthless. Even if Pei Zhiyan was not there, there would be Xiao Zhiyan and Li Zhiyan.

"Let go of your prejudices?" Zhao Wanru repeated, looking into Pei Zhiyan's eyes.

Pei Zhiyan smiled and said, "We are all women. We should help each other instead of hurting each other."

Zhao Wanru was silent for a moment, not knowing how to answer. She had often troubled Princess Jing in the past.

"If your princess has time, you may lend me a hand and talk." Pei Zhiyan said calmly, then slipped a note to Zhao Wanru.

Zhao Wanru opened it and looked down. There were only three words written on it, "Fuyunlou". Zhao Wanru crumpled the note into a ball and quietly put it into her sleeve.

Today is the wedding day, Xuanyuan Zheng will definitely stay in Xiao Lingyun's room tonight. Zhao Wanru sat alone at the table, her eyes blurred. Mother Wang came in with a cup of hot tea, the fragrance of tea filled the air, forming a sharp contrast with the deserted room.

"Crown Princess, have a cup of ginseng tea to warm your body." Mother Wang's tone was filled with a hint of heartache.

Zhao Wanru nodded slightly, took the teacup, took a sip, and the hot tea slid down her throat, taking away the bitterness in her heart.

The moonlight outside the window sprinkled on Zhao Wanru's face, reflecting the tears in the corners of her eyes. She thought of her first meeting with Xuanyuan Zheng. At that time, they were both young and frivolous boys and girls, full of longing for the future. Now, things have changed, and only the new people are smiling, who will see the old people crying?

Mother Wang stood silently by the side. She knew the pain in Zhao Wanru's heart, but she was powerless. In this deep palace, everyone has their own helplessness and sorrow.

It was late at night, and Zhao Wanru was still sitting at the table, the tea in her hand had gone cold. She looked out the window, the moonlight was like water, sprinkled on her face, she thought of every little thing with Xuanyuan Zheng, and a trace of sadness rose in her heart.