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

Prince Jing's Mansion

Xuanyuan Ping sat alone at the table, with a pot of cold wine and several empty glasses in front of him. As the night deepened, the flickering candlelight shone on his gloomy face, reflecting his inner loneliness and desolation.

He drank one cup after another, as if he wanted to use alcohol to numb his mind and temporarily forget his troubles and sorrows. However, no matter how hard he tried, the pain and unwillingness in his heart could not be shaken off.

He thought of his years of dedication and hard work, and his humbleness and obedience before the emperor. He asked himself, in what way was he inferior to those princes favored by the emperor?

Why could they easily gain the emperor's favor and trust, while he could never escape the fate of being ignored?

After Xuanyuan Che disappeared and Xuanyuan Feng returned to Beijing, it was estimated that he had no place in front of the emperor anymore.

It's time to take action. He must complete that great task before Xuanyuan Feng returns to Beijing and pave the way for his future.

Thinking of this, he slammed the wine glass in his hand to the ground. The crisp sound of shattering rang out in the silent night, as if the anger and unwillingness that had been pent up in his heart for a long time had finally found an outlet.

On this day, Xuanyuan Ping finished his routine official business, stood up, straightened his court clothes, and walked towards the emperor's bedroom with an expressionless face.

He was a little different today than usual. His face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it, and there was a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Behind him, a team of well-trained royal guards were lined up in neat rows, their armor reflecting a cold and hard light in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Xuanyuan Ping's steps were firm and powerful, and every step seemed to announce his determination. He knew that today's trip would determine his future fate, and he had to act cautiously without making any mistakes.

He took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and then slowly walked into the bedroom.

After entering the bedroom, Xuanyuan Ping did not bring the medicine to the emperor as usual, but gave a look to the leader of the Imperial Guards behind him. The leader immediately cleared out the palace maids and eunuchs in the palace, leaving only Eunuch Liu. The atmosphere in the bedroom instantly became tense.

Eunuch Liu stood aside and witnessed all this. His expression changed. He looked at Xuanyuan Ping worriedly, then looked at the emperor sleeping soundly on the bed, and asked tentatively, "Prince Jing, what do you mean? The emperor just fell asleep."

Xuanyuan Ping did not answer Eunuch Liu's question immediately. Instead, he glanced around the bedroom with a deep gaze, and then slowly said, "Eunuch Liu, please prepare some writing materials."

Eunuch Liu hesitated and did not move. The leader of the Imperial Guards took a step forward, sword in hand, and glared at Eunuch Liu.

Eunuch Liu turned helplessly and walked to the table and began to prepare writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone. Although his movements were a little slow, he still tried his best to stay calm.

At this time, Xuanyuan Ping stood in front of the bed, looking deeply at the emperor lying on it. The emperor was still sleeping soundly, his face was pale, his brows were furrowed, as if he was enduring great pain.

He took a deep breath, then sat down in front of the bed and called softly, "Father."

The emperor opened his eyes slightly, looking a little confused and bewildered.

Xuanyuan Ping looked at the emperor and asked softly, "Father, how do you feel?"

The emperor tried to dispel the sleepiness that was bothering him, shook his head gently, and said in a hoarse voice, "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired."

Xuanyuan Ping sneered and continued, "Since your father is tired, then you should have a good rest. I am willing to share the country's worries and seek benefits for the people."

The emperor frowned slightly. He heard something strange in Xuanyuan Ping's words. Although he was not feeling well at the moment, his years of experience as an emperor made him immediately alert.

He tried to stay calm and looked at Xuanyuan Ping deeply, trying to read his true intentions from his deep gaze.

"Prince Jing, what do you mean?" Although the emperor's voice was hoarse, his tone revealed unquestionable majesty.

Xuanyuan Ping looked at the emperor with a sneer in his eyes. He knew that this moment had come and he could not hesitate or delay any longer.

He took a deep breath, then spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful, "Father, I am here today for the future of the country and for the safety of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

The emperor was shocked when he heard this. He understood that what Xuanyuan Ping said about "sharing the country's worries and seeking benefits for the people" was actually a challenge and struggle for imperial power.

Xuanyuan Ping continued, "Father, you are old and weak, and can no longer handle state affairs as you did in the past. I am willing to take on this important task and contribute my own strength to the stability and prosperity of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

The emperor took a deep breath and then spoke slowly, "Prince Jing, I know what you mean. However, the succession of imperial power requires careful consideration. Please step aside and let me think about it carefully."

Xuanyuan Ping did not comment, but sneered and said, "Hasn't your Majesty always wanted to see the Sixth Brother? If your Majesty could get rid of the burden earlier, you could also see the Sixth Brother earlier."

"Che'er...where is Che'er now?" The emperor's voice trembled a little.

"Father, where do you think the Sixth Prince is right now?" Xuanyuan Ping's voice was low and cold, like a sharp blade pointing directly into the deepest part of the emperor's heart.

The emperor's body trembled violently when he heard this, and a trace of pain and despair flashed in his eyes. He tightly grasped the armrest of the bed, as if trying to use it to support his shaky body.

"You...what did you say? What happened to Che'er?"

"As long as you write the edict of succession, I will let you reunite with him!" Xuanyuan Ping said fiercely.

At this time, the leader of the Imperial Guards walked up to the emperor, knelt down, and respectfully presented him with writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone.

"You! Rebellious son! Are you trying to rebel?!" The emperor stretched out his hand, pointed at Xuanyuan Ping and roared.

Xuanyuan Ping did not retreat at all. He looked at the emperor coldly, with a mocking smile on his face. "Father, I hope you can make a wise choice. For the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty and for the welfare of the people."

The emperor said coldly, "You are really ambitious. I will not write this edict to pass on the throne!"

Xuanyuan Ping's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. He took a deep breath, stared at the emperor closely, and said in a low and firm voice, "Father, now, do you really think you can refuse me? The situation is now very clear. You are powerless to change the situation. You can only accept the reality."

"Why do you do this?" the emperor asked helplessly.

Xuanyuan Ping slowly spoke, "You forced me to do all this. I have never understood why you always turned a blind eye to me, even though I am also your son."

"I have also tried hard to gain your attention and recognition, but you are always so cold and ruthless. Do you know how painful this feeling is?"

When the emperor heard these words, his heart trembled violently. He had never thought that he would cause such serious harm to Xuanyuan Ping.