Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

"My father is here in person?" Zhang Tianai raised the corner of his mouth and smiled.

Chunmei looked at her daughter's unusual joy, and her doubts grew even stronger. "My daughter, your smile has become even brighter. Could it be that... the Emperor has arrived, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is about to leave the temple? These are ordinary changes, so why are you so happy?"

"I heard that the Emperor is here to pray for the Empress Dowager. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Young Lady will also be returning to the palace with him. The Emperor also wishes to remain here for half a month in seclusion, as the Empress Dowager's condition seems quite serious."

At this point, Chunmei's voice couldn't help but be tinged with worry.

Zhang Tianai smiled softly: "Isn't this a godsend? Without those two people's noise, I can have a few days of peace and quiet."

"Besides, the person I've been waiting for has arrived. As for the Empress Dowager's well-being, it's a matter of fate, not something we can speculate on. Please continue to pay attention to what's going on in the courtyard. Perhaps I'll have something to send you soon."

She thought to herself that, in her memory, the Empress Dowager's illness was just a turn for the better after her father prayed for her. Perhaps, this was what was called "sincerity is the key to success."

"Miss, who is the 'person you are waiting for' you are talking about? Also, although I dare not comment on your evaluation of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Miss, I really don't understand what you said just now." Chunmei looked confused and asked questions like a machine gun.

Zhang Tianai chuckled, tapped Chunmei's nose with her fingertips, and said lovingly, "Why are there so many questions in your little head? Just do as I say. Remember, curiosity is good, but too much is not good."

After saying this, she gently pushed Chunmei, signaling her to step back and continue her surveillance mission until the prince and the legitimate sister left.

Just as Chunmei turned around to leave, she heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Zhang Tianci's slightly anxious voice said, "Sister, how long are you going to sleep? Every time I come, you haven't woken up. What should I do? The Crown Prince and I are about to leave. He doesn't want to visit anymore. If you wake up earlier, maybe we can still see each other."

This was followed by Liu Pozi's flattering response: "Your Highness, you are truly beautiful and kind, no one can compare to you!"

Zhang Tianai heard this and smiled faintly, thinking to herself: This younger sister is really anxious, but perhaps her arrival is part of my plan...

"Madame Liu, please don't say that. Although my sister made a mistake, she is still my family. Although my family has distanced herself from her, I can't hide the pain in my heart."

Just as the atmosphere was growing heavy, Aunt Liu sighed again, "Crown Princess..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianci shook his head slightly and said nothing more.

Zhang Tianai, who was standing by, noticed Chunmei was about to step forward to stop her, and she had a plan in mind.

Seeing this, Madam Liu said bluntly, "How dare you, a mere maid, stop the Crown Princess? If the Crown Princess wishes, she can come and go as she pleases."

After saying this, she quickly turned aside and respectfully guided, "Your Highness, please. If it is inconvenient for you, this old servant is willing to take care of you."

Zhang Tianai knew it well, but Zhang Tianci still had doubts about her awakening.

So, she used the same trick again, her eyes swept over the teacup beside her, she grabbed it suddenly, and threw it heavily to the ground. The crisp sound of shattering instantly broke the silence in the room.

She then feigned surprise and shouted outside the door, "Who is it? Who is here?"

There was silence outside the door, followed by the slightly flustered voice of Matron Liu: "Your Highness, this..." Obviously, even Matron Liu was startled by this sudden action.

At this time, Zhang Tianci's voice came with a hint of joy: "Sister, it's me. Are you awake? What happened? Why did you drop things?" As she spoke, she walked quickly into the house, followed closely by Chunmei and Aunt Liu.

Zhang Tianai looked at the gentle and lovely second sister in front of him, feeling mixed emotions.

We were separated by two lifetimes, and today we meet again, it feels like a lifetime ago.

"I accidentally bumped into the teacup and just woke up when I heard my second sister's voice. I was so excited and wanted to see you soon... Second sister, we haven't seen each other for a long time." She tried to keep smiling.

Her eyes moved and she lightly glanced at Aunt Liu, whose expression changed slightly.

Finally, her eyes fell on Chunmei: "Clean it up."

Chunmei hurried forward and began to clean up the debris on the ground.

Zhang Tianai continued to talk with Zhang Tianci, her words filled with joy and reluctance of meeting again after a long separation.

"Big sister, I'm leaving now, and I really don't want to let you go. It's been so long since we last met, and I haven't been able to spend time with you since I came here. Now I have to go back to the palace. I want to talk to you more, will you be sad? His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to go back with us..."

Zhang Tianci walked gently to the bedside and gently took Zhang Tianai's hand, his eyes flashing with complex emotions: "I thought big sister... Big sister looks fine, just a little pale. But, she is still so beautiful, making people envious."

However, in her heart, there was an indescribable jealousy and resentment.

But everything was temporarily obscured by the joy of reunion.

At this moment, even though Zhang Tianai was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had a stunning appearance, in the eyes of the Crown Princess, she was just a speck of dust under her feet, insignificant.

The Crown Princess knew very well that she was the one who truly stood at the pinnacle of power, and that Zhang Tianai was once just an abandoned child forgotten in a corner.

"No matter how beautiful a face is, it cannot withstand the mockery of fate." Zhang Tianai sneered in his heart, but a gentle smile was on his face.

She whispered to Zhang Tianci, "But, from now on, everything in the harem will be left to you to take care of. Remember to take good care of it." After that, she stroked her cheek, with calmness and confidence, like a wife treating a concubine.

Zhang Tianci was furious when he heard this, but he didn't know how to vent his anger.

She didn't understand what kind of deep meaning was hidden behind Zhang Tianai's sudden "magnanimity".

Just as she was lost in thought, Zhang Tianai suddenly stood up and, in an almost provocative manner, gently stroked her cheek, leaving a tiny scratch.

"Oh, second sister, your face seems to have lost its former luster. I'm so sorry, my nails seem to be a little sharp." Zhang Tianai pretended to be surprised, with a hint of cunning in her eyes. Then, as if realizing her own gaffe, she quickly withdrew her hand, her words full of apology.

Zhang Tianci cried out in pain. The place where she was touched was already wet. She was shocked to find that her cheek was cut!

Chunmei and Liu Pozi were stunned and dared not breathe.

"You! How dare you..." Zhang Tianci was furious and was about to explode, but he saw Zhang Tianai suddenly holding her head and screaming, her whole body was staggering, and finally she fainted on the ground, unconscious.

"Girl! What's wrong with you?!" Chunmei exclaimed and rushed to the bed, extremely anxious.

She knew in her heart that this sudden change must be a trick of Zhang Tianai.

But there was no time to waste. She didn't want to leave any flaws on her delicate face, so she decided to seek medical advice immediately. After all, beauty was her weapon and she couldn't afford to lose it.

She hurried away, leaving everyone in the room in shock.

Mrs. Liu wanted to say something but stopped herself, and finally had to leave in disappointment, feeling unwilling but helpless.

When everything calmed down, Chunmei was still immersed in the shock just now. She saw Zhang Tianai slowly open his eyes, with a cunning glint in his eyes.

She chuckled and said, "Don't be afraid, Chunmei, I was just joking. Now that she's gone, we'll be safe. Besides, I didn't really intend to do anything to her, I was just bluffing."

Although Zhang Tianai felt unwilling and calculated, he also understood that in this deep palace, he had to proceed step by step and not act rashly.

She sighed softly and whispered something to Chunmei. After hearing this, Chunmei was even more confused: "Miss, are you asking her to... deceive the prince?"

Zhang Tianai said no more and waited for the right time.

Soon, the prince came in person. Chunmei followed the plan and after a tearful talk, the prince finally left with doubts.

Late at night, Zhang Tianai changed into simple clothes and prepared to go out, but suddenly changed her mind: "No, tonight, I want to go and pay my respects to the emperor."

Upon hearing this, Chunmei was shocked and worried: "Your Majesty, are you really going to see the Emperor?"

Zhang Tianai's eyes were firm: "Yes, no matter what, etiquette cannot be abolished."

She wanted to call him "Father" but swallowed it back and said, "The Emperor's grace is so great that I should go and pay my respects."

On the way, Chunmei was nervous, wondering how the emperor would easily see her.

Zhang Tianai, on the other hand, was confident. She knew that this move, although risky, was the key to her gaining a foothold in the deep palace.

Arriving at the temple, I saw the imperial guards standing guard outside.