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

Plum Garden

The little maid from the outer courtyard came to report that Xiao Cui wanted to see her.

Pei Zhiyan nodded, Yinping and Yinliu smiled knowingly, and went out to lead her in.

When Xiao Cui stepped into the hall, she saw Pei Zhiyan sitting there with Mother Xue, chatting about some family topics.

"Greetings, Princess." Xiao Cui walked forward and bowed respectfully, with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Pei Zhiyan raised her eyes to glance at Xiao Cui and asked gently, "Miss Xiao Cui is here? But what's the matter with your concubine?"

"Reply Princess..." Xiao Cui hesitated, bit her lip, and whispered, "My concubine has nothing to do. It is this servant who wants to ask the princess for something."

"Oh?" Pei Zhiyan looked at Xiao Cui in surprise and asked curiously, "What do you want from me?"

Xiao Cui knelt in the middle, her voice trembling, "Princess, I want to ask you a favor. Last time you mentioned that you wanted to help the prince find a concubine, and I want to ask your majesty to do it."

"If the princess agrees to this, Xiao Cui will serve the prince and princess like a slave."

Pei Zhiyan immediately understood what Xiao Cui meant and chuckled, "Oh? So you came here for this matter. It just so happens that Mother Xue is here too. We were just talking about this matter."

Pei Zhiyan turned to Mother Xue and said with a smile, "Mother Xue, you see, Concubine Xuan is pregnant now, and she really needs someone to share the prince's daily life. I am considering choosing a suitable concubine for the prince."

Mother Xue put down the teacup in her hand and nodded in agreement, "The princess has considered it carefully. This matter does need to be carefully considered to ensure that the candidate is well-informed and has no flaws."

"That's what I meant. Not only should we know the candidate well, but he should also have good character and be able to sincerely care about the prince and the palace."

Pei Zhiyan turned her gaze to Xiao Cui and said gently, "Actually, I already have a candidate in mind. Xiao Cui has followed Concubine Xuan since she was young, and she knows the rules of the palace and the habits of the prince very well. Moreover, I have heard that Xiao Cui is smart and kind-hearted, and she is a rare good girl."

Xiao Cui was very excited when she heard Pei Zhiyan's praise, but she remained kneeling and said respectfully, "Princess, you are too kind. It is my honor to serve the prince and princess. If the princess and Madam Xue think that I am suitable, I will do my best and live up to their expectations."

Mother Xue looked up at Xiao Cui. Although her appearance was not outstanding, she was pretty, came from a wealthy family, and had no messy affairs. She was indeed a good candidate.

When choosing concubines for the prince, you must not choose those beautiful and coquettish women. These women will often only make the prince indulge in women and unable to concentrate on state affairs.

"The princess has a very good eye, of course." Mother Xue said.

Pei Zhiyan smiled lightly and shook her head. "But, Miss Xiao Cui, it's useless for you to ask me for help. You have to ask your concubine. If your concubine disagrees, I can do nothing about it."

When Xiao Cui heard this, she was panicked and knelt in front of Pei Zhiyan anxiously, with tears in her eyes, "Princess, please help me. I really want to serve you, and I really want to share the burden for you and your wife."

"Hey, you know what kind of temper your concubine has. What she wants is to be with the prince for the rest of her life. If I agree to you, she will never let me go again." Pei Zhiyan said helplessly.

Hearing this, Mother Xue paused while holding the teacup. What do you mean by a lifelong couple? The prince is a man who wants to do great things. How could he be so attached to these sentimental things? Concubine Xuan is really becoming more and more ignorant.

If there were only her and the princess in the palace, how could they better help the prince to have children? Now that she was pregnant, she became even more arrogant.

"Princess, I think the prince is the most honorable person in the palace. We all need to serve him wholeheartedly. Since Concubine Xuan is pregnant and it is not convenient for her to serve the prince, we naturally have to arrange for someone else to do it."

"In my opinion, this Miss Xiao Cui is really good. Princess, why don't you accept her?"

Hey, that’s exactly what I wanted you to say, Pei Zhiyan was secretly happy.

"Mother Xue is absolutely right. The prince is of noble status, so naturally he needs someone to serve him wholeheartedly." Pei Zhiyan's tone revealed her recognition and respect for Mother Xue.

She paused for a moment and continued, "It's just that Concubine Xuan..."

Mother Xue smiled and interrupted Pei Zhiyan, "Princess, please rest assured. Concubine Xuan is pregnant now. Her first priority is to take good care of herself and give birth to a child for the prince. There is no need to bother her with these trivial matters."

"I don't know what the prince means..." Pei Zhiyan sighed and continued, "Can you please ask Mother Xue to talk to us about this?"

"That's no problem at all." Mother Xue nodded and said.

"Mother Xue, I'll leave this matter to you." Pei Zhiyan said.

Mother Xue nodded and said confidently, "Don't worry, Princess. I will do my best."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cui kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Princess. Thank you, Princess."

"Get up, Miss Xiao Cui, you don't have to thank me, the princess. If you want to thank someone, thank Mother Xue instead," Pei Zhiyan said with a slight smile, "Only Mother Xue can make the decision on this matter."

Mother Xue was very pleased to hear this.

Xiao Cui was also smart. She quickly turned to Mother Xue and kowtowed repeatedly, "Xiao Cui thanks Mother Xue very much."

"No need to be polite. I will talk to the prince when he returns home today," Mother Xue said with a proud look on her face. "Miss Xiao Cui, just wait for the good news."

Pei Zhiyan picked up the teacup, an imperceptible sneer appearing on the corner of her mouth. Mother Xue always regarded herself as the mother-in-law of the palace, and she liked to meddle in these backyard affairs, so let her do it.

That night, Mother Xue went to the study to look for Xuanyuan Ping.

"Your Highness," Mother Xue bowed slightly and spoke softly, "Concubine Xuan is pregnant. I know that Your Highness loves her deeply, but I'm afraid she will not be able to serve Your Highness as she did before."

Xuanyuan Ping frowned when he heard this. He and Pei Zhixuan did have a deep relationship, and they had vowed to be together forever.

"Your Highness, as a prince, it is also an important responsibility for you to expand the royal family," Mother Xue continued, "Concubine Xuan's health needs to be carefully cared for, and the palace also needs someone who can share your daily life. The princess and I both think that for the future of the prince and the palace, we should consider raising a concubine."

"I need to think carefully about this matter." Xuanyuan Ping said.

Next, Mother Xue continued to persuade Xuanyuan Ping earnestly, appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him. After a long time of persuasion, Xuanyuan Ping gradually softened his attitude and agreed to take Xiao Cui as his concubine the next day.