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

Xuanyuan Ping also looked at Pei Zhiyan, with a hint of surprise and confusion in his eyes.

Pei Zhiyan nodded slightly with a faint smile on her face, "Second brother, you are too polite. It's just a small favor, not worth mentioning."

Seeing the confusion on Xuanyuan Ping's face, Chu Xifeng continued, "When I came to the capital, I had no place to live, so I had to live on the streets. I also caught a cold. Fortunately, Princess Jing came to my rescue, cured my illness, and recommended me to the Lin Family Army, which is how I am today."

"I will always remember the great kindness of Princess Jing. If there is any need in the future, I will do my best to repay you." Chu Xifeng raised his glass again to toast Pei Zhiyan.

"Second Prince, you are too polite. We are all a royal family and it is our duty to help each other." Pei Zhiyan said softly.

After hearing Chu Xifeng's words, Xuanyuan Ping felt mixed emotions. He had never heard Pei Zhiyan mention this before.

Chu Xifeng smiled slightly, then turned around to entertain the ministers who came to toast him.

Xuanyuan Ping asked in a low voice, "Yan'er, why haven't I heard you mention this before?"

Pei Zhiyan picked up the wine glass in front of her, took a sip, and said lightly, "At that time, I just saw that he was dressed like a beggar and looked very miserable. With a compassionate attitude, I accidentally saved his life. At that time, I didn't know that he was the current second prince."

After hearing this, Xuanyuan Ping felt bitter. He smiled bitterly, thinking that if Pei Zhiyan had not helped him, he might have really become a mediocre person and been forgotten by the world.

Even if he was found, his fate would be to remain unknown in the palace and unable to attract the attention of his father.

However, since Yan'er saved his life, he owed a favor to Prince Jing's Mansion, and she might be a help in the future.

Not long after the banquet, Chu Xifeng was renamed Xuanyuan Feng and entered the clan register. However, he did not stay in the capital for long, and soon returned to the army to continue serving as his general.

This made Xuanyuan Ping breathe a sigh of relief. Xuanyuan Feng had military merits and had been living among the people for many years. If he stayed in the capital, the emperor would inevitably feel guilty towards him and would want to promote him.

Then, he would become his biggest competitor in the fight for the throne.

The emperor's health was getting worse day by day, and it was time to appoint a crown prince. Undercurrents began to surge in the court.

Judging from the current situation, Xuanyuan Ping has already established a solid foundation in the court with his calm and introverted style, and seems to be the best candidate for the crown prince.

However, recently Xuanyuan Che has often accompanied the emperor, and seems to be more favored by the emperor. Xuanyuan Che has always been the emperor's favorite prince. The emperor is the ruler of a country, but he is also a father, so it is inevitable that he will have favoritism.

In the study, Xuanyuan Ping sat at his desk, frowning, with a lot on his mind. The moonlight outside the window was like water, reflecting his deep eyes, but it could not dispel the haze in his heart.

At this moment, a servant hurriedly came to report, breaking the silence of the study. "Your Majesty, Concubine Xuan wants to see you."

Xuanyuan Ping frowned slightly. He had no feelings towards this concubine. For more than half a year, she seemed to have disappeared from his life, and even his memory of her became blurred.

"Tell her that I'm busy these days and don't have time." Xuanyuan Ping waved his hand, with a hint of impatience in his tone.

However, the servant hesitated for a moment and presented a secret letter. "Your Majesty, Concubine Xuan said that if Your Majesty is too busy to meet, please read this letter first."

Xuanyuan Ping's eyes fell on the envelope, and a trace of doubt flashed through his mind. He opened the envelope and unfolded the letter, only to see the words "Pei Zhiyan's life is only for revenge!" written on it.

Xuanyuan Ping looked at these words suspiciously. He didn't understand why Pei Zhixuan sent him such a letter at this time.

"Go down." Xuanyuan Ping waved his hand.

The servant then retreated respectfully.

After much thought, he decided to go to Yuxiangxie.

Yuxiangxie looked particularly desolate under the night sky, and the breeze blew by, bringing with it the rustling sound of fallen leaves.

Arriving at the gate of the courtyard, Xuanyuan Ping's personal bodyguard stepped forward and pushed open the gate. The courtyard was silent except for an old woman who was on night watch. When she saw Xuanyuan Ping coming in, she quickly stood up and saluted.

Xuanyuan Ping looked around, and everything here seemed different from the Yuxiang Pavilion he remembered. The scenery that was once full of flowers and brocade was now only bare branches and fallen leaves on the ground.

Pei Zhixuan in the room seemed to have heard the noise and ran out.

"Prince, you are here." Pei Zhixuan's voice trembled slightly. She walked quickly to Xuanyuan Ping, looked up at him, her eyes filled with deep attachment.

Xuanyuan Ping was surprised. The woman in front of him looked pale and haggard, with empty eyes. "Who are you?"

Pei Zhixuan's heart trembled suddenly, and the light in her eyes dimmed instantly. She hurriedly covered her face, not daring to face Xuanyuan Ping's gaze.

In order to invite Xuanyuan Ping today, she put on makeup specially, but the thick powder could not hide her increasingly thin face and tired expression.

She had imagined countless times the scene of reuniting with Xuanyuan Ping, imagining how he would hug her tenderly. However, the reality was too cruel to accept. He could not recognize her, and even could not hear her voice.

"Your Highness, I am Xuan'er." Pei Zhixuan's voice was choked with sobs. She tried to make her voice sound steady, but the tears in her eyes fell uncontrollably.

Xuanyuan Ping then carefully looked at the woman in front of him. Is this Xuan'er? How could she still look like the charming girl she used to be?

"Xuan'er..." Xuanyuan Ping's voice was a little hesitant. He stretched out his hand, wanting to touch her face. But his hand stopped in mid-air, not daring to touch her skin.

Pei Zhixuan felt his hesitation and doubt, and an inexplicable sadness welled up in her heart.

"Your Highness, please come inside and talk." Pei Zhixuan wiped her tears and tried to stay calm.

Xuanyuan Ping nodded and followed Pei Zhixuan into the house. The furnishings in the house were simple, and he looked around, feeling an inexplicable emotion in his heart.

Pei Zhixuan walked to the table, picked up a worn teacup, and carefully handed it to Xuanyuan Ping, "Your Highness, please have some tea."

Xuanyuan Ping looked at the teacup in front of him and saw that there was an obvious gap on its edge. Tea seeped out from the gap and soaked the tablecloth. He frowned slightly, a trace of disgust flashed through his mind, and waved his hand, "Forget it."

"What do you want from me?" Xuanyuan Ping's voice carried a hint of majesty.

"Your Majesty," Pei Zhixuan took a deep breath, "I know that what I am about to say may be unbelievable to you, but please believe me, everything I say is true."

Xuanyuan Ping frowned slightly, his eyes revealing a bit of confusion and curiosity.

Pei Zhixuan continued, "Your Majesty, I had a dream, a very real and very scary dream."

She paused, as if she was organizing her thoughts, and then continued, "In that dream, Your Majesty ascended to the throne of the Nine-Five Supreme Being and became the ruler of the world. My sister also successfully became the ruler of the harem. However, my sister eventually died at your hands, and the general's mansion was also confiscated by your majesty, and the entire family was executed."

"My sister swore a solemn oath before she died that she would come to seek revenge on us at all costs!"