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

It was late at night and the lights in the palace gradually went out, leaving only a few faint lights swaying.

"Crown Princess, it's getting late. You should go to bed early." Mother Wang couldn't help but advise.

Zhao Wanru stood up gently, and a piece of paper slipped off her body. It was given to her by Pei Zhiyan. She opened the paper again, and the handwriting was a little blurred.

She looked up at Mother Wang with a hint of doubt in her eyes and asked, "Mother Wang, what do you think Princess Jing meant by asking me out?"

Mother Wang was silent for a moment, a deep light flashed in her eyes, and she said softly, "Crown Princess, in this deep palace, people's hearts are hard to predict, and no one can fully guess what others are thinking. You can only find out what Princess Jing thinks later."

Zhao Wanru nodded slightly, stood up and walked towards the bed. Tomorrow was the day she had an appointment with Pei Zhiyan, so she needed to have a good rest and recharge her energy.

On the second day, Zhao Wanru changed into simple clothes and put on a hat to cover her face. She came to Fuyun Building and saw the bustling crowd in front of the building. She couldn't help feeling a little nervous. She took a deep breath and walked into Fuyun Building.

Before coming, she still had some doubts in her heart, wondering why Pei Zhiyan wanted to ask her to go to such a mixed place, but she still decided to go and see what Pei Zhiyan was up to.

As soon as Zhao Wanru walked in, Li Qiuniang greeted her calmly and led her to a private room.

Li Qiuniang walked up and knocked on the door gently. A woman's voice came from inside, "Come in."

Zhao Wanru was slightly stunned. The voice was so familiar. It was Pei Zhiyan's voice.

The door opened slightly, and Zhao Wanru stepped into the private room. She saw Pei Zhiyan sitting in front of the window, deep in thought. The sunlight shone on her face, making her look even more picturesque and graceful.

Pei Zhiyan turned her head when she heard the voice, her lips slightly raised, and she smiled and said, "Crown Princess, I knew you would come."

Li Qiuniang skillfully brewed tea for the two of them, then tiptoed out of the door. The door slowly closed, isolating the world of the private room from the outside world.

The two sat opposite each other, the aroma of tea wafting in the air, but their thoughts were more complicated than the tea.

Pei Zhiyan picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then placed it on the table. She looked directly at Zhao Wanru, with a subtle hint of meaning in her eyes, "Crown Princess, how does this fragrant tea taste?"

Zhao Wanru smiled slightly, and also picked up the teacup, savoring it carefully. The fragrance of the tea spread in her mouth, fresh and sweet. "The tea has a rich aroma and a long aftertaste. It is indeed top-grade."

This was the first time the two of them sat together alone and drank tea.

"Princess Jing asked me to come here just to drink tea, right?" Zhao Wanru put down the teacup and looked directly at Pei Zhiyan, a hint of vigilance flashing in her eyes.

"Crown Princess, we are all smart people. Some things don't need to be explained too clearly." Pei Zhiyan's eyes flashed with cunning, and there was a hint of mystery in her words. "I asked the Crown Princess to come here today just to chat with you and talk about the future."

Zhao Wanru's heart trembled, and she asked with some doubt, "What is the future path?"

"Concubine Xiao has entered the East Palace. I'm sure the Crown Princess has seen the Queen and the Crown Prince's attitude towards Concubine Xiao yesterday." Pei Zhiyan said calmly, "I'm afraid the road ahead won't be so smooth."

Zhao Wanru looked up at Pei Zhiyan and saw that she looked calm and her eyes were deep.

How could Zhao Wanru not know that the struggle for power and status in this imperial palace never stops? Haha, yesterday he just married a concubine. Although it did not exceed the standard, it was self-evident how much the Queen and the Crown Prince valued Concubine Xiao.

"I understand what you mean. Whether it's smooth or bumpy, I have my own plan to deal with it." Zhao Wanru said lightly.

"That's good." Pei Zhiyan smiled and said, "I hope the Crown Princess can handle it properly. The road ahead is still long and unpredictable. If the Crown Princess needs help, I will definitely help her!"

Zhao Wanru pondered in her heart. Pei Zhiyan's transformation caught her off guard. This woman, who used to be a cunning fox in her eyes, now seemed to be helping her sincerely. What kind of conspiracy or turning point was hidden behind this?

She looked up at Pei Zhiyan, her eyes flashing with doubt and vigilance. In Pei Zhiyan's eyes, she saw determination and calmness. This fox-like gaze actually made her feel a little uneasy at the moment.

In the capital, in the court, everyone has their own calculations and schemes. Now that Prince Jing is the strongest opponent of the prince, could it be that Pei Zhiyan wants to win him over and use him to deal with the prince? Zhao Wanru sneered in her heart. She naturally would not believe Pei Zhiyan's kindness.

As the Crown Princess, Zhao Wanru knew her position. She would never do something that would betray her and help Prince Jing deal with the Crown Prince.

"Are you really so kind? Have you forgotten that I have done a lot of things against you?" Zhao Wanru said coldly.

"Oh, in life, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. Maybe we can't be friends, but we can work together for our respective interests." Pei Zhiyan picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said lightly.

Zhao Wanru was silent for a moment. She knew that Pei Zhiyan was right. In life, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

The road ahead is still long. Her father has lost power. She is isolated and helpless in the capital. Concubine Xiao is backed by the Zhongwu Marquis Mansion. Perhaps one day, she will have to give up her position to Concubine Xiao. So, maybe one day, she will need the power of this ally.

So, she politely said to Pei Zhiyan, "If that day comes, I would like to thank Princess Jing."

"You're too polite, Princess." Pei Zhiyan picked up the teacup again and took a sip.

Zhao Wanru's figure disappeared in front of the door, leaving only a faint fragrance and a lonely back. Pei Zhiyan's eyes followed closely, and a complex emotion surged in her heart, which was sympathy and understanding.

In the past, she was always arrogant in front of him, but today she was so fragile and uneasy. In the final analysis, she was just a victim of the power struggle.

Pei Zhiyan tapped the table lightly with her fingers. It was impossible for Zhao Wanru to trust her all of a sudden. This time she was just extending an olive branch to her. Nothing could be rushed.