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

Pei Zhiyan immediately gave the painting to Zhao Wanru, who happily took it and said, "Thank you, Princess Jing, for the gift."

Zhao Wanru quickly ordered someone to put the painting away, and a barely perceptible glimmer of pride flashed across her eyes.

Pei Zhiyan saw it all, but she remained calm. She knew Zhao Wanru very well, and they had always been at odds. Zhao Wanru must have had other intentions when she asked for a painting today.

Pei Zhiyan picked up the wine glass, sipped gently, and pretended to glance in the direction of Pei Zhixuan casually. Sure enough, Pei Zhixuan also showed a proud look on her face.

Pei Zhiyan sneered in her heart. She wanted to see what tricks Zhao Wanru and Pei Zhixuan could play.

Humph, this brainless woman, Xuanyuan Zheng and Xuanyuan Ping are fighting to the death in the court, and she actually teamed up with Zhao Wanru to deal with her. Doesn't she know the principle of prosperity and adversity? She is really being sold out and still has to count money for others!

After the banquet, everyone packed up and prepared to go back home.

At this moment, there was suddenly a commotion outside.

The eldest princess frowned slightly and said to the maid beside her, "Go and see what's going on outside."

"Yes, Princess." The maid responded and immediately trotted out.

Not long after, the maid ran back panting, with a look of panic on her face, "Princess, a thief was caught outside."

The princess raised her eyebrows, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, "Little thief? Let Commander Xue deal with it and don't disturb everyone."

"Yes." The maid responded.

However, Zhao Wanru interrupted at this moment and said, "Aunt, a little thief actually appeared here in broad daylight. I'm afraid he has ulterior motives, right?"

When everyone heard this, they became interested and started discussing it in low voices.

Upon hearing this, the princess glanced at the guests present with a sharp gaze, and then she said majestically: "Bring the person over here to see what's going on."

Soon, a guard came to the front of the crowd with a young man. The man had a handsome face and was dressed in coarse cloth, but he looked very embarrassed at the moment. His eyes were full of panic and fear, as if he was at a loss.

The princess's eyes were like knives, and her voice was harsh as she asked, "Who are you, little thief? How dare you come here and cause trouble?!"

The man was so frightened that he trembled all over. He stammered, "I... I'm not a thief... I just... I just lost my way..."

At this time, a guard stepped forward, pointed at the man and said, "Princess, this guy has been hanging around outside the courtyard wall all day, and his behavior is suspicious. He is definitely not an ordinary person who accidentally entered the forbidden area!"

Upon hearing this, the man kowtowed repeatedly and said in a trembling voice, "Princess, please understand. I am just an ordinary person who accidentally entered the forbidden area. I have no ill intentions."

"I didn't know this was a noble's residence, and I didn't dare to steal anything. I have disturbed the princess and the nobles, and I deserve death. I beg the princess to forgive me!"

Zhao Wanru interrupted at this moment, "Aunt, he looks so flustered, he must not be a good person. Let the guards search him to see if he has stolen anything."

The eldest princess frowned. Although she was somewhat displeased with Zhao Wanru's meddling, considering the safety of the mansion, she nodded and signaled the guards next to her to come forward and search her.

Under the tense gaze of the crowd, the guard carefully searched the man's body. After a while, he found a worn purse from the man's arms. The guard then presented it to the eldest princess.

The princess took the purse, a trace of doubt flashed in her eyes. She opened the purse, and inside was a yellowed paper. The princess's face changed after reading it.

Zhao Wanru came forward curiously, took a look at the contents on the paper, and said in surprise, "This, is this a picture of lotus flowers?"

Hearing this, everyone gathered around and curiously examined the lotus picture. The lotus petals in the picture were bright and lifelike, as if they could feel the freshness and beauty of the lotus.

Zhao Wanru suddenly remembered something, and she exclaimed, "This lotus painting is very similar to the one that Princess Jing just drew! How come you have such a lotus painting?"

The man lowered his head and explained in a weak voice, "This lotus painting was given to me by an old friend. It is very precious to me. I hope the princess can return it to me."

When everyone heard this, they came forward to look at the painting, and then looked at Pei Zhiyan in confusion.

At this point, how could Pei Zhiyan not know the purpose of this play? She had just painted a lotus picture in front of everyone, and immediately caught a man who hid the lotus picture. Such a clumsy trick, was she afraid that others would not know that it was Zhao Wanru who did it? Pei Zhiyan chuckled disdainfully, she wanted to see how this play would play out next.

Before Pei Zhiyan could respond, another voice came from the crowd, "I recognize this person. Wasn't he a minor official in Taohuayuan?"

"I...I was indeed a minor official in Taohuayuan before. Later, I was appreciated by an old friend, so I...left there. However, the status of that old friend was so different from mine that we gradually lost contact."

"Today, I came here, not for anything else, but just to take a look at that old friend from afar, and I will be satisfied." There was a hint of sadness in the words of the official.

After hearing this, everyone knew that the so-called old friend must be the sweetheart. However, it seemed a bit ridiculous that a minor official came here to look for his sweetheart.

"My sister really loved going to Taohuayuan to listen to operas in the past." Pei Zhixuan seemed to be talking to herself, but her voice could be heard clearly by people around her.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on Pei Zhiyan, and the minor official also raised his head and quickly glanced at her, then quickly lowered his head again, as if he was afraid that everyone would notice.

"Sir, please look up and see if your old friend is here?" Zhao Wanru stepped forward and said to the official.

The official's eyes finally met Pei Zhiyan's. He seemed stunned for a moment, then lowered his head.

For a moment, the scene was somewhat awkward. People were talking about it, some shook their heads and sighed, and some whispered.

"I didn't expect that although Princess Jing looks so dignified and generous, she is actually so unfaithful in private."

"Yes, no wonder Prince Jing has always treated her coldly. Which man can stand a woman like this?"

The discussions around were getting louder and louder, but Pei Zhiyan seemed to be out of it, her face still maintaining a dignified and calm expression.

Oh, Zhao Wanru's move was really vicious. A woman's reputation is more important than anything else, but she actually found someone to tarnish her innocence in such an occasion. She is not only arrogant, but also vicious.