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

As night fell, the palace was silent. Xuanyuan Zheng was taken to the imperial study, where he could only hear his heartbeat echoing in his ears.

He was dressed in cloth, kneeling on the cold floor, looking up at the furious emperor, his heart filled with confusion.

The emperor sat on the high dragon throne with a stern face. He looked at Xuanyuan Zheng with disappointment and anger in his eyes.

The emperor spoke, his voice full of majesty, "Rebellious son, do you know your crime?"

Xuanyuan Zheng replied tremblingly, "I am guilty."

The emperor slammed the armrest of the dragon throne, and an invisible pressure instantly filled the entire hall. He threw a blood-stained letter in front of Xuanyuan Zheng.

Xuanyuan Zheng picked up the blood letter with trembling hands, and read it carefully line by line. His face gradually turned as pale as paper.

"Father, I had no choice!" Xuanyuan Zheng's voice trembled, as if he was trying his best to hide the pain in his heart. He looked up at the man in the dragon robe, his eyes full of pleading.

"You have no other choice?" The emperor's voice was filled with disappointment. "You are forced to disregard morality and ethics and disregard the laws of our ancestors?"

I thought that although my son was mediocre in talent, he was a kind-hearted person. I didn't know he would do such a heinous thing!

"You must understand that as a monarch, benevolence, righteousness and morality are the foundation of your conduct," the emperor said sternly. "The laws of our ancestors cannot be violated. You must be responsible for your actions."

Xuanyuan Zheng's shoulders trembled, he knelt on the ground, and begged, "Father, I know I was wrong, please save me."

The emperor looked at Xuanyuan Zheng and shook his head helplessly. This time, he couldn't save him. As a monarch, he had to put the overall interests of the country first.

Xuanyuan Zheng's behavior has violated the laws of our ancestors. If he is not severely punished, how can we maintain the discipline of the country? However, Xuanyuan Zheng is his biological son after all. How can he not feel regret in his heart?

This was his eldest son, his first child, and his birth brought him endless joy. But he also knew that what the prince had done was not only a family matter, but also a national matter, and he had to give an explanation to the people of the world.

At this time, Xuanyuan Zheng finally felt scared. His position as crown prince was really abolished. Before this, he naively thought that as long as he begged the emperor, the emperor would withdraw his order.

"Father, I have something difficult to explain." He whispered, with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice, "Being a crown prince is like walking on a cliff. You have to be careful at every step. If you are not careful, you will be crushed to pieces."

This sentence was like a heavy hammer falling on the emperor's heart. He had also broken through the siege of many princes in the past, so how could he not know that the seemingly noble status was just the shackles of fate.

"I know that I am not talented enough to be compared with the cleverness of my sixth brother or the wisdom of my third brother. The position of Crown Prince is just a matter of fate, not my wish. For many years, I have been walking on thin ice, competing with my brothers, just to live up to my father and the world."

Xuanyuan Zheng looked up, a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes, "In this palace, power and intrigue are everywhere. Although I am the crown prince, I am fighting like a trapped beast, and I am exhausted both physically and mentally. Perhaps, letting go is the best choice."

The emperor was silent for a moment, then he slowly spoke, "Zheng'er, you and I are both father and son and monarch and subject. Your Majesty is also helpless."

"Father, this may be the last time I speak to you. Take care!" Xuanyuan Zheng knelt in front of the emperor, straightened his back, and spoke in a calm yet heavy tone.

"It is extremely unfilial for a son to not be able to fulfill his filial duties to his father." He kowtowed deeply, and when he stood up, his shoulders trembled slightly.

"If there is an afterlife, I hope we can be just an ordinary father and son, without the shackles and constraints of the royal family."

After saying that, he burst into tears, turned around and left. The moonlight shone on him, reflecting a lonely and resolute back.

Sitting high on the dragon throne, the emperor silently watched Xuanyuan Zheng leave, his eyes a little moist. He also somewhat understood Xuanyuan Zheng's difficulties and helplessness.

Although this son was useless, he actually had some royal pride. He thought the prince would beg desperately, but he didn't expect him to be so resolute.

Although he was demoted to a commoner, I will protect him for the rest of his life!

"May everything go well for you." The emperor blessed silently in his heart.

Eventually, the queen was deposed and imprisoned in the cold palace. The once powerful Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness was also executed, and the prince's party was completely eradicated.

"Crown Princess, let me see you off." Pei Zhiyan said.

Zhao Wanru bowed her head and said nothing, but she was filled with mixed feelings. She used to be the noble Crown Princess, but now she has become an ordinary woman, having lost her former glory.

“Princess Jing, please don’t call me the Crown Princess. I am just an ordinary woman now. If Princess Jing doesn’t mind, just call me Wanru.” Zhao Wanru raised her head and said lightly.

"The imperial family is the most ruthless. Perhaps it would be happier to be an ordinary woman." Pei Zhiyan said with a faint smile, her tone carrying some emotion and even some envy.

"I haven't had the chance to thank you. I know that if it weren't for your help, I would not be able to get away." Zhao Wanru said gratefully.

"As a woman, I am helping myself by helping you." Pei Zhiyan said with a slight smile.

"Everything is like a dream. You were once the woman I envied the most, but now you have become my greatest benefactor." Zhao Wanru said with mixed feelings.

"I will keep your kindness in my heart and will never forget it for the rest of my life. I'm afraid we may never meet again after this separation. Princess Jing, please accept my greeting!" Zhao Wanru said as she stood up and bowed.

She was truly grateful to Pei Zhiyan. She knew that the grievances and hatred between her and Pei Zhiyan could no longer be described in words. They used to be rivals, with different positions and interests, fighting for power and interests, but now they found that all those were just passing clouds.

Pei Zhiyan quickly helped her up, "Wan, your words are too serious. From now on, you must take good care of yourself!"

Zhao Wanru nodded, tears welling up in her eyes, but she tried hard not to let them fall, "You should take care of yourself too, I will silently bless you in my heart."

Watching Zhao Wanru's carriage going further and further away, Pei Zhiyan couldn't help but feel deeply moved. Life is like a dream, everything is so unreal, yet so real.

Now that the crown prince's party has been eliminated and the throne of the Eastern Palace is vacant, the court will surely be in turmoil again.

If possible, she also hopes that she can be like Zhao Wanru, leave the disputes in the court and find her own happiness.

However, she still has unfinished business, so she must persevere and face her own destiny.