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

Thinking of this, Pei Zhiyan lowered her head and said docilely, "Your Majesty, it turns out that I was not thoughtful enough. I did this today for the sake of the palace and Your Majesty."

"For the sake of the palace and the king? There are so many guests here today. Wouldn't it be a joke for you to do this?"

Xuanyuan Ping looked at Pei Zhiyan suspiciously, with a gleam of inquiry in his eyes. What on earth was this woman up to? He wanted to see how she would explain it.

"Your Highness, Xuan'er is my biological sister. I personally arranged her marriage to you, and I don't want to mistreat her. My original plan was to have her marry into the palace with honor and serve Your Highness together with me," Pei Zhiyan sighed softly, and then said, "However, today's situation has forced me to change my decision."

"Many of the people here today are important officials in the court. The Censor is also here. Our court has always attached great importance to etiquette between legitimate and illegitimate children. If Xuan'er is allowed to enter through the main gate, it will certainly be regarded as against etiquette by those important officials, and she may even be impeached by the Censor." Pei Zhiyan's words made Xuanyuan Ping's eyes flash.

"The current emperor attaches great importance to ancestral rituals. The prince is now at the peak of his power in the court. If this matter happens... I really don't want to see that kind of situation." Pei Zhiyan looked at Xuanyuan Ping's face, and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

Xuanyuan Ping stared at her for a long time before he said calmly, "Xuan'er is a concubine. It is indeed against the ancestral etiquette to let her enter through the main gate. The princess is really thoughtful."

I have finally gained a position in the court, and I cannot be implicated by this matter.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness," Pei Zhiyan said with her eyes lowered, "Your Highness, rest assured, as her elder sister, I will never let her suffer any grievances once she enters the house."

"In that case, then let's do everything as the princess says." Xuanyuan Ping said, then turned and left, returning to the hall to entertain the guests.

Pei Zhiyan finally breathed a sigh of relief after Xuanyuan Ping left. Oh, she almost suffocated herself by wearing the mask and pretending to be so serious. Being a human being is really tiring.

She looked down at the teacup in her hand. It was a cup of cold tea, still carrying the shadow of Xuanyuan Ping and the hypocrisy that filled the room.

"Miss, let me change a cup for you." Yin Liu stepped forward and said.

"No need." Pei Zhiyan picked up the teacup with a smile and drank it in big gulps, as if she wanted to wash away the tiredness and boredom.

The tea in the cup has been finished, leaving a mouth full of freshness and a faint sweetness. Pei Zhiyan gently put down the teacup and straightened her clothes. She was going to put on the mask again and face everything outside with a smile and indifference.

Here, Pei Zhixuan's sedan stopped at the main gate of Prince Jing's mansion, but she couldn't get in. The people outside the gate began to whisper, speculating who was in the sedan?

"Today is the day that Prince Jing is marrying a concubine. This is most likely the sedan chair of the new concubine." Someone said, pointing.

"Hasn't Prince Jing already married a queen? What does the sedan chair mean when it's parked at the main entrance?" a middle-aged man asked puzzledly.

"I heard that Prince Jing is going to marry a concubine. This should be that concubine, right?" another person guessed.

"Concubine? Isn't a concubine just a concubine? Why does she have to ride in a bright red sedan and go through the front gate?" someone asked cunningly.

"That's right." Another person echoed.

Hearing this, Pei Zhixuan tightly grasped the handkerchief in her hand, thinking angrily in her heart, "If it weren't for Pei Zhiyan's sudden change of mind, the sedan chair would have been brought in long ago. Why would I have to listen to the gossips of these unruly people here?"

At this time, another voice was heard, "I heard that Prince Jing doted on this concubine very much and specially let her enter through the main gate. It is not reasonable for a concubine to enter through the main gate. This is simply a slap in the face of Princess Jing."

Another person continued, "That's right. Princess Jing has been in the mansion for many years but has no children. She must have been rejected by Prince Jing. Otherwise, why would it be like this?" His tone was full of helplessness and sympathy.

At this time, Pei Zhixuan's hands gradually relaxed. Oh, my sister has never been favored by Prince Jing. Today, she even refused to let me in through the main gate. Let's see how the prince will slap me in the face when he finds out?! By then, I will add fuel to the fire and make this matter more and more serious. Let's see who will be the joke in the end!

However, soon, the palace's housekeeper Li came hurriedly over, and Mother Xu hurriedly went to greet him happily, but when she heard what housekeeper Li said, her face suddenly changed, and she turned around and came to the sedan chair.

"Second Miss, the prince means..." Mother Xu said hesitantly, "The prince said that everything should be done according to the princess's wishes. We have to go in through the side door."

"What?" Pei Zhixuan was stunned. Her heart trembled suddenly, as if it was grasped by an invisible big hand. She took a deep breath and looked at Mother Xu solemnly, "Are you sure?"

Mother Xu nodded. "It's absolutely true. Butler Li came here personally to tell you that."

Steward Li is Xuanyuan Ping's confidant, so if he came to convey the message, it must be Xuanyuan Ping's intention.

Pei Zhixuan had tears in her eyes, and she looked extremely aggrieved. She pursed her lips tightly and said willfully, "Then I will not enter this door!"

Seeing this, Mother Xu hurriedly tugged at her sleeve and anxiously advised, "Second Miss, this is not okay! You are already at the door, how can you just say you don't want to go in?"

"Mother Xu, you know my temper. I, Pei Zhixuan, have never been a soft persimmon that can be bullied by others!" Pei Zhixuan said angrily, "If I go in through this door today, how can I stay in the mansion in the future?"

"Second Miss, I know you feel wronged, but now is not the time to be willful." Mother Xu gently stroked Pei Zhixuan's back and comforted her softly, "The prince's heart is with you, and the eldest lady can't control you even if she is the princess of the palace. Let's go into the palace first, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to settle today's grudge in the future."

Pei Zhixuan felt a little relieved when she heard what Xu's mother said. She knew that Xu's mother was right, and now was not the time to be willful, and she knew clearly what Prince Xuanyuan Ping meant.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and not let the tears fall.

At this time, more and more people were watching and talking outside. The various looks and discussions made Pei Zhixuan feel more depressed and uneasy.

"Second Miss, if you delay any longer, you will miss the auspicious time." Mother Xu advised earnestly.

Pei Zhixuan bit her lip and nodded helplessly.

Seeing this, Mother Xu quickly signaled to lift the sedan chair, and the wedding procession immediately turned around and headed towards the side door of Prince Jing's mansion. Pei Zhixuan sat in the sedan chair, feeling mixed emotions, with both expectations for the future and helplessness and reluctance towards today.