Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Once you're caught up in this scheme, you'll be unable to defend yourself no matter what.

In business dealings, it's easy to commit fraud. Accounts, goods, middlemen—everywhere can be a breeding ground for corruption.

"And the Xia family too."

Before the palace maid could fully process what was happening, Su Qing continued, "The current mistress of the Shen family, Madam Xia, comes from the Xia family, a royal merchant family. Although merchant families are extremely wealthy, they are ultimately considered low-class and not respectable."

"The Xia family's businesses are spread across the north and south, and they deal with all sorts of people. Who knows if any of them have secret dealings with the northern border?"

"Did the Xia family secretly sell prohibited goods from the imperial court to the grasslands for huge profits?"

"Or... have you secretly provided financial assistance to people you shouldn't have?"

"Such a large and influential family, what wouldn't its members do for profit? If we investigate carefully, we can always find loopholes."

"The Xia family and the Shen family are related by marriage; their fortunes are intertwined. If something happens to the Xia family, can Shen Maoxue, their in-law, escape responsibility?"

"How can this Imperial Noble Consort Shen, a woman from the Shen family, be innocent?"

The palace maid now fully understood the Empress's entire scheme.

From the illegitimate son of the Shen family to the in-law Xia family, enough filth has been smeared upon him!

This cloud of doubt is enough to destroy all of His Majesty's trust and arouse the most terrible suspicion!

The palace maid nodded and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"No matter how clever Minister Shen is, or how capable the Imperial Noble Consort is, they cannot guard against the fools within their own family, nor can they control the actions of their in-laws and relatives."

"A thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole..."

Su Qing's lips curled slightly as she walked to the table and sat down. She wrote a few lines on a piece of plain paper, her handwriting neat and elegant.

After she finished writing, she blew on the ink to dry it, carefully folded it, and handed it to a palace maid: "Deliver this letter to my father."

"Tell him to thoroughly investigate the current situation, personality, preferences, and economic status of those illegitimate sons of the Shen family."

"At the same time, we secretly investigated the Xia family's business dealings over the years, especially those involving the border, the area outside the pass, or those related to Hu merchants."

"Don't be in a hurry to succeed, do it naturally."

"Find the right target and vulnerability first, then proceed to the next step."

The palace maid's heart pounded like a drum: "Yes, this servant understands!"

After she left, Su Qing's eyes were filled with a cold glint!

Did the Imperial Noble Consort think that by sitting securely in Yongshou Palace and carrying the emperor's child, she could rest easy and gradually ascend to the highest throne?

Let's see if her belly is more fertile, or if her methods are more ruthless!

The imperial harem and the imperial court were never places where only the most favored were considered.

The daggers lurking in the shadows often determine the final outcome more decisively than the glitz and glamour in the open.

……

The days after the ban was lifted were not as bright and promising as Consort Mei had imagined.

The palace gates are open, but His Majesty has never come.

As the days went by, the woman in Yongshou Palace's belly had grown so large that it could no longer be ignored.

Consort Mei's heart sank lower and lower each day.

Consort Zhuang, and indeed the entire Zhuang family, had the most fervent hope for her: to have offspring!

Before the talent show began, her father hired the most famous gynecologist in Beijing to carefully treat her for more than half a year.

The old doctor confidently declared that her constitution was gentle and balanced, with abundant qi and blood, making her extremely fertile. If she were chosen, she would surely be able to bear children for the royal family soon.

Consort Mei was once full of confidence.

In terms of favor, among the new concubines who entered the palace, she received the most favors.

His Majesty once embraced her and teased her, praising her for being lively and interesting, a hundred times better than those wooden beauties.

But strangely, her belly seemed to be under a curse, showing no sign of pregnancy whatsoever...

Can't wait any longer!

If the Imperial Noble Consort's pregnancy results in a prince, then Yongshou Palace will have two princes!

At that point, what role will the bookmaker play in the second position?

How could she bear to see the Zhuang family, a family of upright officials for centuries, suffer a crushing defeat in the power struggles of the imperial harem?

It's impossible!

But... in all these days since the ban was lifted, she hasn't even seen His Majesty's face...

His Majesty seems to have forgotten that she even exists in Xianfu Palace. He's either staying at Yongshou Palace or summoning Consort Yue and Consort Su for his favor. Occasionally, he'll also visit Consort Xian and Consort Xuan.

Consort Mei, however, was ignored.

For her, the fear of being forgotten by His Majesty was more terrifying than being confined to her quarters.

Confinement at least had a time limit, but now that he was free, he could only watch helplessly as the emperor's gaze lingered elsewhere.

The agony of being cut with a dull knife is unbearable.

Although Xiao Wuzi was punished with a beating and sent to the Imperial Laundry for revealing the emperor's whereabouts, those serving the emperor have become much more discreet.

But so much time has passed, and there are always those who act for personal gain.

That afternoon, Consort Mei spent a lot of money and finally managed to pry out some vague information from a little eunuch in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After His Majesty's dinner, he may take a stroll in the Imperial Garden.

Although it may only be a possibility, it is a rare opportunity for Consort Mei now, and she must seize it!

Seeing that it was almost time, Consort Mei directed Han Cui and Xue Fu to do her hair and makeup.

After much deliberation, Consort Mei finally chose a palace gown made of soft, smoky gauze, embroidered with gold and scattered with flowers in a begonia red hue. The bright and eye-catching color would make her skin appear even more radiant and fair under the candlelight of a summer night.

Her hair was styled into the most charming "Suiyun" bun, with a red gold filigree hairpin inlaid with rubies inserted diagonally, and a few freshly picked pink roses pinned to the side.

Her makeup was also meticulously done.

Her eyebrows resembled distant, misty mountains, her eyes were like autumn waters rippling across the surface, and her lips were adorned with cherry-red lipstick. With a smile, she was so beautiful and alluring that I felt a pang of pity for her.

Consort Mei looked at herself in the mirror, adjusting herself repeatedly until she was sure that every detail was perfect and could instantly capture the emperor's attention.

He then took a deep breath, took Han Cui's hand, sat on the sedan chair that had been prepared, and headed towards the Imperial Garden.

The Imperial Garden on a summer night has a unique charm.

The daytime heat gradually dissipated, and the evening breeze, carrying the damp coolness of the waterside pavilion and lotus pond, gently swept by.

The palace lanterns under the eaves were lit one after another, illuminating the lush flowers and trees.

The cicadas' chirping subsided, replaced by the clear chirping of crickets among the grass, and the occasional echo of unknown summer insects.

The closer they got to the waterside pavilion, the more nervous Consort Mei became, and she took a deep breath.

She must be as charming and lively as before, to arouse His Majesty's affection for her!

After passing a dense wisteria trellis, the outline of the waterside pavilions and terraces came into view.

Sure enough, there were people in the pavilion.

Under several bright palace lanterns, that familiar figure in bright yellow stood with his hands behind his back, slightly tilting his head as he listened to the woman beside him speak.

Standing beside the emperor was Consort Qin.

Consort Qin wore a simple palace dress today, and her hair was styled simply, adorned only with a translucent white jade hairpin.

She wore little adornment, yet possessed a cool and aloof air.

She was pointing to a patch of lotus flowers in the pond, about to bloom, as if she were saying something.

The emperor listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

This scene was like a bucket of cold water poured on Consort Mei's heart!

Consort Qin!

How did she end up here?

Yes, Consort Qin comes from a prominent family; her father is a high-ranking official.

During the last scandal, His Majesty mistakenly demoted her. Although she was later reinstated and compensated, she was still wronged.