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

Pei Zhiyan picked up the teacup again, "Well, we really have to hurry up on this matter. It would be best to pick one from the maids in the mansion who has a clean background and knows her background well."

"This is not a difficult task." Pei Zhixuan said.

At this moment, what she was thinking in her mind was to find a concubine for Xuanyuan Ping as soon as possible, so as not to let Pei Zhiyan take advantage of her pregnancy.

Pei Zhiyan thought for a moment, then looked up at Xiao Cui beside Pei Zhixuan, with a sly look in her eyes, "Sister, I think Miss Xiao Cui is pretty, and she grew up with me since she was a child. If Miss Xiao Cui is not married yet, she would be a good candidate."

After these words were spoken, Pei Zhixuan and Xiao Cui's faces changed. Xiao Cui was secretly delighted. Now there were only the princess and concubines in the palace. If she became a concubine and got pregnant with the prince's child, maybe she could become the lady of the palace by virtue of having a child.

Pei Zhixuan was a little nervous at the moment. She didn't want to share the prince's favor with others, especially the maid Xiao Cui. Although Xiao Cui had always been by her side, Pei Zhixuan knew very well that she was not a person who would keep to herself.

Xiao Cui looks like a foxy girl. If she really becomes a concubine and has ambitions, she may become estranged from him. Moreover, Xiao Cui has been with him for so long and knows many of his secrets. If she betrays him one day, the consequences will be disastrous.

It would be better to go back and discuss with Mother Xu and pick out a girl who is easy to control.

"This..." Pei Zhixuan hesitated for a moment, but decided to express her thoughts. "I think we need to think about this matter carefully."

Pei Zhiyan picked up the teacup calmly and took a sip, but glanced at Xiao Cui from the corner of her eye. She noticed a flash of disappointment in Xiao Cui's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

Pei Zhiyan's heart was slightly moved, but she remained calm on the surface.

"In that case, let my sister take care of this matter." Pei Zhiyan put down the teacup, smiled slightly, and said.

Pei Zhixuan suddenly held her forehead with one hand, her expression becoming painful. "Oh, I don't know why, but I feel a headache right now. It may be because I have been sitting for too long, so I will go back and rest for a while."

"What's going on? Should we summon the court doctor to take a look?" Pei Zhiyan asked with some concern.

“No, no.” Pei Zhixuan waved her hands quickly and said with a smile, “Sister, just go back and lie down for a while and you’ll be fine.”

"Okay then." Pei Zhiyan said, turning her head to Xiao Cui and said, "Help your concubine go back to rest quickly, don't let her work too hard."

Xiao Cui nodded quickly, stepped forward to support Pei Zhixuan, and the two slowly walked out of the room. Pei Zhixuan stood at the door, watching them walk farther and farther away until their figures disappeared from sight.

She frowned slightly, but she had already made up her mind. She knew Pei Zhixuan was looking for an excuse to avoid the question. She had long seen that Xiao Cui was not an easy person to deal with, and Pei Zhixuan didn't want a little maid to be on equal footing with her one day.

When they walked out of the courtyard of Yimei Pavilion, Yinliu could no longer hold back and burst out laughing, "Young lady is really amazing. The expressions on Concubine Xuan and Xiaocui's faces just now were so wonderful."

Pei Zhiyan smiled indifferently, picked up the teacup in her hand and took a sip gently. Pei Zhixuan's headache had just begun. Let's see how they perform the deep love between master and servant.

During dinner, Xuanyuan Ping was chatting with Pei Zhixuan when Xiao Cui came in gracefully carrying the food.

Xiao Cui set the table and walked over to Xuanyuan Ping and Pei Zhixuan. She bowed slightly and said softly, "Your Highness, please have your meal."

Xuanyuan Ping nodded slightly, looked at Pei Zhixuan with warm eyes, and gently helped Pei Zhixuan up, "Xuan'er, let's go, eat something first."

Pei Zhixuan nodded slightly and followed Xuanyuan Ping to the dining table.

Xiao Cui stood aside and served the dishes. She picked up a piece of fish, carefully picked out the fish bones, and then put it into Xuanyuan Ping's bowl.

"Your Highness, this is fresh fish caught from the lake this morning. The meat is extremely tender." Xiao Cui's eyes were charming and her voice became gentle.

Xuanyuan Ping smiled and glanced at Xiao Cui, then gave the plate of fish to Pei Zhixuan and said softly, "Xuan'er, you should also eat some fish, it's good for your health."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Pei Zhixuan said coquettishly.

Pei Zhixuan then looked up at Xiao Cui. She saw that she was wearing an emerald green dress today. Her hair was carefully combed and dotted with a few small flowers, which made her look more beautiful. There was also a faint fragrance on her body.

Xiao Cui has been serving Pei Zhixuan personally for many years, so she naturally knows something about Xuanyuan Ping's preferences.

Although Xiao Cui's appearance was not as beautiful as hers, she was still pretty and was considered average among the maids. She was still young and beautiful.

It seems that Pei Zhiyan's words today made Xiao Cui have thoughts that she shouldn't have. Pei Zhixuan sneered in her heart.

After the meal, Xiao Cui meekly handed the mouthwash to Xuanyuan Ping, her cheeks flushed with shyness, and she said softly, "Your Highness, please rinse your mouth."

Xuanyuan Ping took the mouthwash and glanced at Xiao Cui. He couldn't help feeling a little confused. He didn't know why Xiao Cui was so nervous, but he could feel her shyness and uneasiness.

Xiao Cui handed over another towel and asked Xuanyuan Ping to wash his hands. Pei Zhixuan watched coldly.

"Xiao Cui, I want to drink a bowl of bird's nest soup. Go to the small kitchen and make one for me." Pei Zhixuan said lightly.

"Yes, concubine," Xiao Cui replied with her eyebrows lowered. Her voice was as thin as a mosquito and full of endless grievances. She paused, raised her eyes to meet Pei Zhixuan's sharp eyes, and then slowly lowered her eyes, "After serving the prince to finish his tea, I will go."

"You are not needed here. Go now. I want to drink now." Pei Zhixuan raised her eyebrows and said with a sneer on her lips.

Xiao Cui bit her lower lip helplessly, and had to leave the room and go to the small kitchen.

By the time Xiao Cui had finished cooking the bird's nest soup and brought it over, Pei Zhixuan and Xuanyuan Ping had already rested.

Xiao Cui stood at the door holding the bowl of bird's nest soup, feeling sad. Concubine Xuan didn't want to drink the bird's nest soup, she just wanted to get rid of her. If she could catch the prince's eye, she could turn from a sparrow into a phoenix, and maybe she could get rid of this humble life.

Seeing Xiao Cui's distraught look, Mother Xu understood about what was going on. She walked over to take the bird's nest soup and said calmly, "Xiao Cui, the master is the master, and as a servant, we can only serve the master with all our heart and soul."

Mother Xu's words made Xiao Cui feel helpless and unwilling. The princess had already spoken today, but it was just a word from the concubine. She had followed the concubine since she was a child. Over the years, she had worked hard even if she had no credit. However, the concubine disagreed.