My elder sister forced me to become a concubine; I was reborn and remarried into the emperor's

Wei Nanxun originally thought that she would never hear those familiar words of supplication again in this life, after all, she had made it clear many times that she did not like the Crown Prince and would never enter the palace.

Unexpectedly, when it happened again, Wei Mingzhao, now the Crown Princess, still said the same thing.

But whether it's coincidence or fate, she won't be soft-hearted.

"I still want to call you elder sister, just because we grew up together. Don't let me look down on you."

Wei Mingzhao knew, of course, that her current state was ridiculous and pathetic. If she had any other choice, she would never have begged another woman to get into her husband's bed.

She was truly desperate.

Since her marriage to the Crown Prince, Pei Yuyan has never spent time alone with her except on occasions when she, as the Crown Princess, is publicly required to be his consort.

His disgust was crystal clear.

At first, although a concubine entered the palace, she was relatively obedient and easy to control. After all, the Crown Prince was busy with affairs and had no time to favor anyone. She was pregnant with the imperial heir, so no one dared to disrespect her.

But gradually, everyone realized that the Crown Prince did not like her as his Crown Princess.

The harem is full of people who fawn over the powerful and kick the weak when they're down. So what if you're the Crown Princess? You're not favored. The Crown Prince didn't even give her a token from the Eastern Palace.

The reason is that the Crown Princess is pregnant and should not overexert herself.

She had neither favor nor power; even a lowly palace maid could give her the cold shoulder.

All of that aside, a few days ago the Crown Prince actually sent a palace maid to find her, asking her to help him find an identity and settle down in the Eastern Palace.

Although she felt a pang of sadness, she still handled the matter properly.

They changed her name to Yue'e and kept her in the inner courtyard as a third-class palace maid. But this wretched woman, taking advantage of the Crown Prince's presence, secretly sneaked into his study at night and didn't come out all night.

The next morning, she was kept in the Crown Prince's study to perform duties.

If she were only trying to seduce the crown prince, that would be one thing, but this woman is troublesome; she actually came up to her and provoked her.

The language was so foul and offensive that it made her stomach ache all day. What angered her the most was...

She discovered that Yue'e actually looked somewhat like Wei Nanxun.

No wonder the Crown Prince made an exception to accommodate her, ignoring his concubines and favoring this wretched woman instead.

Seeing that she was favored and had received some rewards from the Crown Prince, the people in the Eastern Palace eagerly rushed to flatter her. Even a lowly palace maid with no name or surname dared to boss her around.

She could still grit her teeth and endure all of this, after all, she was the one who could break off the engagement, even though she had lost her virginity and insisted on marrying him.

If we let her go home and cry, who knows how much her half-sisters and the noble ladies of the capital will laugh at her.

But recently, Na Yue'e has become increasingly bold, and she has even been found to have put something in her food.

She went to confront the culprit, but she had no evidence, and the Second Prince refused to see her. She was completely helpless against this little vile woman.

She could endure being wronged herself, but she couldn't bring herself to harm her child.

She could forgo the Crown Prince's favor, but her child absolutely could not be harmed.

Just then, she learned that Wei Nanxun had returned.

She wasn't angry at all; instead, she felt delighted.

What is Yue'e anyway? At most, she's just a substitute or a fake. Wei Nanxun is gentle and much easier to manipulate than her.

In order to see Wei Nanxun, and even more so to win Pei Yuyan's favor and find a powerful backer, she went to Cining Palace every day, despite being heavily pregnant, to talk and dine with the Empress Dowager.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager looked dignified and unsmiling, with eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts, but she was very kind to her.

Perhaps it was because of the child in her womb, perhaps it was the loneliness of being deep in the palace, or perhaps it was because they saw through her vulnerability, but apart from the first two times when she took the initiative to seek her out, they would send someone to invite her afterwards, giving her plenty of face.

*** was also there that day. She had lunch with them, and before leaving, she said she would come again the next day.

The Empress Dowager raised her hand wearily: "Your body is heavy, and it's inconvenient for you to keep walking back and forth. You shouldn't come tomorrow; rest for a few days first."

Yesterday, the Crown Prince finally returned to the Eastern Palace and even took the initiative to ask her about her visit to the Empress Dowager.

This was the first time Pei Yuyan had spoken to her since she married him, how could she not be excited?

She was unwilling to give up the opportunity she had just seized. She quickly said, "Grandmother, Mingzhao is not tired. The nanny said I should move around every day, otherwise the baby will be too big and it will be difficult to give birth later."

"When Mingzhao saw you, she thought of her grandmother at home and felt a sense of warmth. It has been quite a while since I have seen my grandmother."

She lowered her eyelashes slightly and gently bit her lower lip, saying, "Did Mingzhao disturb the Empress Dowager's rest? I... I really have no one to talk to..."

Empress Dowager Jiang was probably aware of some of the situations in the palace, knowing that the Crown Prince rarely returned to the Eastern Palace and that he had taken a concubine after marrying the Crown Princess.

It seemed that the Crown Princess was not very favored, so it was not appropriate to ask her not to come anymore.

"How could that be? I'm just worried about your health. If you don't find it too difficult to come every day, just come. If you can come, I'll have company. In a few days, your aunt will be returning to the Northwest, and I, this old woman, will be all alone in Cining Palace again."

Wei Mingzhao blinked her tears, then thought of something and said, "Mingzhao has a good idea that can solve this dilemma."

She paused for a moment and continued, "I have a younger sister at home, who is the most obedient and sensible. Although she is my cousin's daughter, she has been the closest to me since childhood, even more so than my own sister."

Empress Dowager Jiang frowned. She did feel lonely and lacked a junior to talk to, but not just anyone could enter her Cining Palace.

Moreover, with Pei Ji and Pei Yuyan, their children and grandchildren, visiting occasionally, her act of sending her younger sister into the palace seemed somewhat deliberate.

Having spent many years in the imperial harem, she saw through Wei Mingzhao's little scheme almost instantly and became even less inclined to deal with it.

Just as he was about to raise his hand to let her go back, An Yang, who had been silent all along, put down her teacup and chuckled softly: "Mother, I think this is a good idea."

"Your subject is about to depart, and I am truly worried that you do not have a trustworthy person by your side. Although Mingzhao is a trustworthy person, if we keep her by your side, I am afraid that the Crown Prince will be unable to leave the Crown Princess, and we elders will blame us for being wicked. Since we have a young and obedient child, why not call her in for a visit?"

Not only was Empress Dowager Jiang surprised, but Wei Mingzhao also found it strange.

After all, she had met the Empress Dowager several times, and he had always been indifferent to her. Now that the Empress Dowager was about to refuse, he actually spoke up for her?

Since her daughter had spoken, Empress Dowager Jiang naturally wouldn't contradict her.

"Then let them in and take a look."

This led to Wei Nanxun's entry into the palace.

She knew she would be rejected, but since she had already entered the palace, there was no reason for her to refuse.

"Ah Xun, everything that happened before was my fault. I was confused and said the wrong thing. It's okay if you don't agree. Just take pity on me and talk to me."

"It's been a long time since anyone has spoken to me."

“Ever since I married the Crown Prince, he has never come to my room once. No matter how much I try to please him or how much I lower my pride, he ignores me.”

“The servants in this palace are the most opportunistic. Seeing that I am not favored, they don’t take me seriously at all.”

"Now, no one but you is willing to talk to me."

Wei Mingzhao was the apple of her elders' eye from birth, and was the center of attention wherever she went. Pei Yuyan was her tribulation and her hardship.

It would be a lie to say that it didn't touch him; Wei Nanxun couldn't help but think of his past life.

Isn't she the same?

Forced into the Eastern Palace and becoming a concubine who couldn't see the light of day, the only person she could rely on was this older sister, but what about her?

They harmed the child in her womb, then framed her and poisoned her.

She had long since lost any affection for this older sister; any sympathy or pity had been worn away, leaving only the bitter fruit of her own actions.

"But weren't these things obtained by my elder sister herself?"

She herself didn't respect herself and lost her virginity for Pei Yuyan. How can someone who doesn't respect herself expect others to respect her?

Wei Mingzhao was stunned, a flash of pain and ruthlessness crossing her eyes. What right did she have to teach her a lesson?!

But before she could speak, Lingxi returned and curtsied a short distance away from the two of them: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has some free time. Please come inside and have a talk."

Wei Nanxun was the first to react. She nodded slightly, pulled her hand out of Wei Mingzhao's arm, and said with a smile, "Big sister, we should go in now."

Wei Mingzhao forced a dry smile: "Okay."

Let her be smug for now, she's already in the palace, how can she escape now?

He then winked at the palace maid behind him, who nodded knowingly and slipped out from behind the crowd when no one was looking, running towards the imperial study.

-

Every morning, Empress Dowager Jiang had the habit of reciting scriptures and collecting rice for the Buddha. After collecting the rice and washing her hands, she would talk with the Lady of Anyang in the warm pavilion.

Hearing two soft voices, I looked toward the beaded curtain.

Behind Wei Mingzhao was a graceful figure. Although her face was not yet clear, just by looking at her slightly protruding chest and her waist that could not be encircled by a single hand, one could tell that she was no ordinary person.

Her eyes narrowed slightly: "Rise."

“Grandmother, this is the seventh sister that Mingzhao mentioned.”

"Come closer, come to my side."

Wei Nanxun knew Wei Mingzhao's thoughts, but she really couldn't fathom the Empress Dowager's intentions. After all, she had absolutely no memory of the Empress Dowager from her previous life.

As expected of the former victor in the harem, the emperor and even Prince Su were her children.

Just feeling the gaze falling on her made her clench her fists, let alone looking directly at her face.

Wei Nanxun steadied herself, stepped forward slowly, and respectfully performed another deep bow: "Wei Nanxun greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"look up."

Wei Nanxun's long eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly raised her head, but her gaze remained lowered, not meeting the Empress Dowager's eyes directly.

Even Empress Dowager Jiang, who had seen so many beauties, was still amazed by the young girl in front of her. She was an extremely beautiful girl, like a budding flower, beautiful but not vulgar, bright and energetic, the kind of girl that men would like at first sight.

What's most remarkable is that, despite her striking beauty, she possesses a calm and reserved nature.

It's not something that can't be faked; it's a cultivated and intelligent wisdom.

Beautiful women are not uncommon, but those who are both intelligent and beautiful are rare.

Even Empress Dowager Jiang had to admit that if this young girl had appeared when she was young, the Imperial Concubine would probably have had no place to stand.

"He's a good kid."

Empress Dowager Jiang's voice became somewhat indifferent. If she only had a pretty face, it would be easy to deal with her; at most, she could bewitch men. But she was also clever.

The potential consequences are unpredictable.

Regardless of whether her target was Pei Yuyan or someone else, Empress Dowager Jiang was not very pleased: "Bring me my hairpin; it suits this Wei family girl perfectly."

Her tone indicated that she didn't want to talk about it further, or that she was unhappy.

Wei Nanxun clenched her fists. She didn't know what she had done to offend the Empress Dowager, but she immediately knelt down and kowtowed. She couldn't refuse a gift from an elder, and if she refused at this time, it would be disrespectful to the Empress Dowager.

Just as he was about to accept the reward and return to Wei Mingzhao's side, a lazy voice rang out.

"Mother, the style of Lady Wei's clothes is quite novel; I have never seen them before."

The eldest daughter was Empress Dowager Jiang's first child with the late emperor, and she accompanied her through the most difficult years. If it weren't for her daughter's own desire to marry into a foreign land, she would never have agreed to let her marry far away.

She always felt she owed her daughter a lot and always went along with her wishes.

Upon hearing this, he looked at Wei Nanxun's clothes. He had been so focused on the girl's face that he had overlooked the details.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed special; the sleeves were larger and longer than usual, with several layers of sleeve edges faintly visible, covering most of her hand. Not only were they unique and exquisite, but they also made her hand appear exceptionally slender.

"Indeed, they are quite different."

"Come closer and let me see clearly."

She bears a resemblance to the Empress Dowager, but her eyes and brows exude a more languid quality, making her less stern and more approachable.

Wei Nanxun was already grateful to the stranger because of Lingxi, and these seemingly unintentional words helped her out of a predicament, so how could they not be considered a kind gesture?

She stepped forward slowly and respectfully handed over her sleeve.

He held her arm, seemingly genuinely interested as he flipped through the pages: "What a clever idea! Did you come up with it yourself?"

Wei Nanxun originally wanted to say no, but this involved where it was bought. There was no such style in the capital yet. The intricacies of Guan Pingzhen were really hard to explain.

Besides, this was her idea, so it wasn't exactly nonsense.

She nodded and said, "It was something I came up with myself when I had nothing else to do."

Wei Mingzhao smiled obsequiously behind him, but in his heart he wanted to tear Wei Nanxun's face to shreds.

What do you mean by "thinking it herself"? We've been sisters for so many years, how could I not know she had this skill? She clearly can't even do needlework. I don't know where she got such pretty clothes, trying to attract attention in front of noblemen, how disgusting!

But she couldn't say anything; she could only agree and praise her for being skillful.

Upon hearing this, *** also found it intriguing: "Tell me in detail how it is made, I also want to have a few of these clothes made."

Seeing that her daughter was genuinely interested, Empress Dowager Jiang let the two of them talk, while she pulled Wei Mingzhao aside and asked her how her appetite was that day.

Wei Nanxun had no suspicions and earnestly explained how to make the sleeves.

But then she heard *** lower her voice and say in a playful tone, "No wonder my good brother has fallen for a worldly woman. I like such a pretty and clever girl too."