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

Consort Mei was overjoyed.

Since my cousin has decided to seize the opportunity, she won't sit idly by and wait for her fate.

Given my cousin's cunning and the Zhuang family's influence, it's not impossible that she could seize some power from Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, or even surpass them, if she were willing to work her way up.

At that time, as Consort Zhuang's closest cousin, she would naturally rise in rank as well.

……

Yongshou Palace.

Shen Zhinian looked up at Xiao Mingzi: "...Has word spread outside that I've assigned more important palace affairs to Consort Xuan and Consort Xian?"

Xiao Mingzi cleverly replied, "Your Majesty, the news has spread. Everyone in the palace knows, and many people are talking about it in private."

"Oh?"

Shen Zhinian asked with great interest, "What are they all talking about?"

Xiao Mingzi said, "Most people envy Consort Xian and Consort Xuan for being trusted by them and saying that the two consorts are blessed."

"Some people also murmured that Consort Xian is aloof and cold, and Consort Xuan is of low birth, so they are afraid she is not capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility."

"Some people secretly speculated why the Empress did not share palace power with the higher-ranking Consort."

Shen Zhinian's lips curved into a smile, having long anticipated this question from the palace: "What's the reaction from Changchun Palace?"

That's what she really wants to know.

Xiao Mingzi said, "On the surface, Changchun Palace seems to be quiet. However, Consort Mei couldn't sit still this afternoon and went to Changchun Palace, where she stayed for about half an hour before coming out."

"However, according to our people, Consort Mei appeared normal when she came out, and there was nothing unusual happening at Changchun Palace."

Shen Zhinian listened quietly, a glimmer of light flowing deep in her eyes.

Nothing special was done?

Consort Zhuang was always very composed.

As for Consort Mei... being young and impetuous is her nature. Going to Changchun Palace is nothing more than complaining, seeking advice, or stirring up trouble out of resentment.

Shen Zhinian then asked, "Are our people in Changchun Palace and Xianfu Palace all safe?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, they are all alert and honest."

Xiao Mingzi affirmed, "Qiangwei has been in Changchun Palace for so long, and no one has noticed anything unusual about her."

"In the small tea room of Xianfu Palace, there was an old woman who tended the fire; she was tight-lipped, but her eyes were sharp."

Shen Zhinian nodded, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, "Pass down the message and tell them to keep a close eye on things."

“Especially those who come and go from Changchun Palace, we must pay attention to what they say and who they meet, even if it is just the slightest clue.”

"And what about Xianfu Palace? Who did Consort Mei meet, and where did she send people?"

Xiao Mingzi respectfully replied, "Yes, Your servant understands. I will go and give the order immediately, telling everyone to keep their eyes open and their ears perked up!"

"Go."

Shen Zhinian waved her hand.

"This servant takes his leave!"

Shen Zhinian gently placed her palm on her swollen belly, feeling the little one inside making occasional restless movements.

The reason for delegating power to Consort Xian and Consort Xuan again was naturally because their bodies were becoming increasingly heavy and their energy was waning.

The hardships of pregnancy can only be truly understood by experiencing them firsthand.

Lower back pain and swollen legs, difficulty sleeping at night. Shortened energy during the day, feeling tired after thinking for even a short while.

The affairs of the imperial harem are numerous and complex. If she were to handle everything personally, Shen Zhinian would likely collapse from exhaustion before even giving birth to her child.

With Consort Xian and Consort Xuan managing the daily palace affairs well, she only needed to grasp the general direction and keep a close eye on the important matters, so she could focus on her pregnancy with peace of mind.

But that's just the stated reason.

Shen Zhinian's ultimate goal... is Consort Zhuang, and Consort Mei!

These two have never been easy to deal with.

The farmer is a big tree with deep roots.

Grand Tutor Zhuang's students and associates are spread throughout the court and the countryside, and Consort Zhuang has cultivated her influence in the harem for many years. How could she willingly watch as Consort Zhuang safely gives birth to her child and gradually ascends to the position of Empress?

Pregnancy is the most vulnerable time for a woman. Countless eyes are fixed on Yongshou Palace.

Shen Zhinian was not so naive as to think that Consort Zhuang would behave herself.

Instead of being on guard day and night, never knowing where a hidden arrow might come from, it's better to... proactively set a trap and lure the enemy into it!

Decentralization was the first bait that Shen Zhinian threw out.

Consort Zhuang, who prided herself on her seniority and illustrious family background, could hardly swallow this insult.

Would she be content to watch someone less capable than herself seize real power while she could only hold onto the empty title of Imperial Concubine?

Consort Mei's shrewdness was far inferior to that of Consort Zhuang.

She was already anxious because the emperor's favor was hard to regain after her ban was lifted, and now seeing her cousin being ostracized and unreliable, she will inevitably become even more impatient and more prone to making mistakes.

What Shen Zhinian wanted was for them to get moving.

As long as the two of them can't hold back and make a move...

Whether it was trying to seize power, sowing discord between Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, or manipulating palace affairs to create trouble.

Even more viciously... they wanted to take advantage of the situation to harm her unborn child.

Shen Zhinian can immediately close the net!

She was no longer the Rou Consort who had to proceed cautiously and test the waters when she first entered the palace.

With sufficient capital and patience, one can devise a plan.

Having caught Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei red-handed, ensuring they couldn't cause any more trouble before her delivery, Shen Zhinian could finally relax and welcome her child.

Thinking of this, she let out a soft breath.

Hopefully, Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei will not disappoint her!

……

In front of the Shen residence.

Shen Maoxue lifted the curtain and got out of the sedan chair.

The gatekeeper was already waiting, and upon seeing the master return, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

Shen Maoxue nodded slightly and continued walking straight to the inner courtyard without stopping.

The maids and old women they encountered along the way all bowed their heads and gave way, respectfully calling out, "Master."

The Shen family mansion was not particularly wealthy, but it exuded the elegance of a scholar-official's family.

The corridors are winding and the flowers and trees are lush.

But Shen Maoxue had no interest in appreciating the scenery.

Now, the first thing he does every day after court is to go back to the backyard and see his wife, who is five or six months pregnant.

Thinking of the Xia family, Shen Maoxue's lips curved slightly.

She was carrying the legitimate son that Shen Maoxue had longed for!

The Shen family has a decent number of descendants, but there are always some... shortcomings...

The legitimate daughter, Shen Nanqiao, is beautiful, but unfortunately, she is impetuous and has a narrow vision.

The second daughter, Shen Zhinian, is the pride of the entire Shen family!

She was born with a clever and intelligent mind, calm and composed, and knew how to handle things. Having entered the palace only a few years ago, she had already risen to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, enjoying the highest favor among the six harems!

Shen Maoxue often thought to himself that Chinen probably inherited ninety percent of his great intelligence.

As for the illegitimate son...

Shen Maoxue paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across the other end of the corridor, where he caught sight of a small figure dressed in a lake-blue silk shirt. She was being led by a nanny from the side courtyard.

That was his third son born out of wedlock, Shen Zhimian, who had just turned eight years old this year.

Upon seeing Shen Maoxue, Shen Zhimian stopped timidly, seemingly wanting to hide yet also wanting to step forward.

In the end, it was only after the old woman gently nudged his back that he moved over and respectfully bowed, saying, "Greetings, Father."

The voice was soft and weak, revealing a cautious and restrained tone.

Shen Maoxue hummed in agreement, his gaze lingering on his young son's face for a moment.