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

"What does grandpa think?" Pei Zhiyan asked.

"Of course he is against it." Madam Lin said, "But, I sacrificed my dignity to ask the Queen Mother for help, so I owe her a favor. Now that she has asked for it, I don't know what to do for a moment."

"Grandma, this matter needs further consideration." Pei Zhiyan said in a deep voice, with determination between her brows.

Pei Zhiyan lowered her head in shame. If she hadn't acted so foolishly back then, she wouldn't have caused so much trouble for her grandmother. However, the Second Prince and her cousin Ruyin were indeed not a good match.

Apart from his weak body, marriage is often a bargaining chip in the game of power. The Second Prince is physically weak, but his wisdom is not weak. If he wants to stand out among the many princes, he needs a strong ally. And the General's Mansion is exactly his choice.

Xuanyuan Ping had the support of the General's Mansion because he married Pei Zhiyan. If the second prince married Lin Ruyin, then he was betting that the General's Mansion might make a new choice. After all, Lin Ruyin's last name was Lin.

Old Madam Lin nodded slightly. Although she lived in the backyard, she knew that the Second Prince's sudden proposal to marry Lin Ruyin must have something complicated behind it. She had to deal with it carefully and not let the General's Mansion fall into a passive position.

After returning from the General's Mansion, Pei Zhiyan's thoughts have been restless. She lay alone in bed, tossing and turning. How to turn down this marriage was indeed a difficult problem.

On this day, the eldest princess had just come out of the Empress Dowager's bedroom and passed by the corner of the Imperial Garden. She saw Princess Yongtai sitting alone in a quiet corner, her back looking a little lonely.

The eldest princess walked over lightly and called softly, "Yongtai."

Princess Yongtai seemed to be immersed in her own thoughts. Her eyes were a little red and swollen. When she heard the eldest princess' call, she subconsciously wiped the corners of her eyes with her hands, then slowly raised her head, revealing a pretty face with a few tear marks, "Aunt."

The eldest princess gently held Princess Yongtai's hand and asked, "What are you doing here alone? Why are you crying?"

Princess Yongtai bit her lip. She didn't want the eldest princess to see her weakness and helplessness, but tears kept falling. Now she had no status in the palace and was like a transparent person every day.

The eldest princess gently patted the back of Princess Yongtai's hand and said, "Yongtai, you must remember that you are a member of the royal family. Your identity and status are irreplaceable."

"No matter how others view you, you must believe in yourself and stick to your dignity and value. Although life in the palace is difficult, as long as you have faith and courage in your heart, you will be able to find your place."

Princess Yongtai raised her head and saw the determination and encouragement in the eldest princess' eyes, and a warm feeling surged in her heart.

She took a deep breath and nodded vigorously. "Aunt, thank you. I will remember your words and try to cheer myself up and not make myself a laughing stock anymore."

"Well, good girl." The eldest princess said, stroking her head.

After a moment's silence, the princess hesitated and said, "Yongtai, do you know how your mother and Zheng'er were overthrown?"

Princess Yongtai's heart suddenly tightened. She had never thought of exploring the secret buried deep under the power struggle in the palace, but at this moment, the eldest princess' words were like a flash of lightning, instantly breaking her inner peace.

She stared at the eldest princess's face with wide eyes, trying to read more information from her. Her voice was trembling, "Aunt, you mean... Mother and the Crown Prince..."

The princess sighed softly and spoke slowly, each word sounding like it was carefully considered. "Yongtai, you know that the struggles in the palace have always been cruel, but there are some things that you should understand even if I don't want to mention them."

She paused, as if she was organizing her thoughts, and continued, "The reason why your mother and Zheng'er fell from power is due to a complex power struggle and palace conspiracy. Someone secretly planned and pushed your mother and Zheng'er into a dead end step by step."

"Although they have confused the royal bloodline, which is an unforgivable crime, they would not have done such a ridiculous thing if someone hadn't pressed them step by step."

"Aunt, is this... is this true?" Princess Yongtai tightly grasped the eldest princess's hand, her eyes filled with fear and anxiety, "Who is it? Who would do this?"

"Now that Zheng'er has been deposed, who will benefit the most from the current situation?" the eldest princess said meaningfully.

Princess Yongtai listened to the eldest princess' words and began to understand. She thought of that person, who became the most powerful person in the court after the crown prince was deposed. She looked at the eldest princess in disbelief, her eyes filled with anger and hatred.

"It's him! He did all this!" Princess Yongtai's voice was filled with anger and hatred, "I'm going to settle accounts with him! I want to avenge my mother and my brother the Crown Prince!"

"Yongtai, you need to calm down." The eldest princess held Princess Yongtai's shoulders, "You need to calm down first and think carefully about what to do next."

Princess Yongtai listened to the eldest princess' words and gradually calmed down. She couldn't act impulsively yet and needed to think carefully about what to do next.

"Thank you, aunt." Princess Yongtai took a deep breath and nodded vigorously. "I will remember your words."

The Wanshou Festival is coming soon, and as a member of the royal family, Pei Zhiyan will naturally go to the White Horse Temple to pray for the emperor.

When Pei Zhiyan stepped into the temple, a faint scent of sandalwood hit her nose. The White Horse Temple was majestic, the Buddha statues were solemn, the ancient trees were towering and lush, and the sunlight shone through the gaps between the leaves onto the ground, forming mottled light and shadows, giving people a feeling of tranquility and mystery.

This time, the eldest princess led the team, and all the princesses accompanied them. Surprisingly, there was only one prince's consort, Pei Zhiyan. Zhao Wanru was deposed, and the others followed the prince to his fiefdom.

Princess Yongtai also went on this trip. Under the influence of the Queen and the Crown Prince, although she was still a princess, her status was not as high as before, and she was less arrogant and domineering than before.

However, she was very angry when she saw Pei Zhiyan, because she heard that the Prince Jing's Mansion was involved in the affair between her mother and brother.

Her eyes were filled with hatred, and she wanted to rush up and tear Pei Zhiyan into pieces. However, she did not dare to do so.

Because she knew that she had lost the protection of the Queen and the Prince and no longer had the power she once had. If she acted rashly, it would only bring herself more trouble.

The princess took all of this in without making a sound. The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a barely perceptible smile, "Yongtai, today there are only two young people, you and Princess Jing. Tonight, you should stay in the same courtyard so that you can take care of each other."

Princess Yongtai was secretly delighted, humph, today I will let you know how powerful I am.

She smiled slightly and said to the eldest princess, "Aunt is right. We will definitely get along well."

The eldest princess nodded and said meaningfully, "That's good. You are all my juniors. I hope you can get along well and don't let me down."

Princess Yongtai and Pei Zhiyan responded at the same time, "Yes, aunt."

The princess turned and left, leaving Princess Yongtai and Pei Zhiyan behind. The two looked at each other, each with a deep meaning in their eyes.

Pei Zhiyan thought to herself, Princess Yongtai used to hate her, why is she willing to live in the same courtyard with her today? The Queen and the Crown Prince were deposed, has she learned her lesson?