I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

Shoukang Palace

The Queen Mother was sipping tea in Shoukang Palace when she heard footsteps outside. She looked up and saw the Queen slowly walking into the palace with a smile on her face.

"Greetings to my aunt," the queen said with grace and composure.

The Queen Mother put down the teacup and smiled kindly: "Get up quickly. Is your leg injury completely healed?"

"Thank you for your concern, aunt. I'm fully recovered." The queen stood up and gently moved her legs and feet, her movements nimble and free.

"That's good. Come, sit down and talk." The Queen Mother patted the seat beside her.

The queen sat down as she was told. Warm fragrance wafted through the hall, and sunlight streamed through the window lattices, casting a soft glow on the faces of both of them.

"Empress, this Shen Meizhuang is quite good, dignified and steady."

The Queen was slightly taken aback, then replied respectfully, "My Queen Mother has a keen eye."

The Queen Mother tapped the table lightly, her tone carrying a bit of majesty: "Train her well, she can help you share some of the burden in the future."

The Queen was shocked, but remained calm and replied softly, "I understand."

The palace maids around lowered their heads but pricked up their ears, afraid of missing this important conversation.

The queen's heart trembled, and she couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand.

Yikun Palace

Concubine Hua sat alone in her bedroom, looking lonely. She looked out the window at the falling petals and sighed softly.

"The emperor hasn't been here for a long time." Hua Fei murmured to herself, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes.

At this time, Songzhi whispered, "Your Majesty, Concubine Cao is here."

Hua Fei frowned slightly, but still said, "Let her in."

Concubine Cao walked in gracefully and bowed, "I pay my respects to Concubine Hua."

Hua Fei said calmly, "No need to be polite. What are you doing here?"

Concubine Cao smiled gently and said, "I heard that Your Majesty was unwell, so I came to visit you."

Hua Fei sneered: "I'm fine, no need to worry about me."

Concubine Hua smiled coldly and lowered her voice, "That bitch Shen Meizhuang has become increasingly favored recently. Do you have any way to deal with her?"

A shrewd look flashed in Concubine Cao's eyes. After a moment's contemplation, she said, "Your Majesty, I have an idea."

Hua Fei's eyes lit up and she motioned for her to continue.

Concubine Cao leaned close to Concubine Hua's ear and whispered, "I heard that Concubine Shen is looking for a secret recipe for having a child recently. Why not have Shen Meizhuang fake a pregnancy to win the emperor's favor? When the emperor finds out, he'll be furious. Then, she'll have no chance of turning things around."

After hearing this, Concubine Hua's eyes flashed with surprise, but then turned cold. She stood up, walked to the edge of the pavilion, looked at the palace in the distance, and sneered, "Okay, let's do it."

Seeing that Concubine Hua was in a low mood, Concubine Cao tactfully excused herself and said, "Then I will not disturb your Majesty's rest."

Concubine Hua waved her hand, signaling Concubine Cao to leave. She stood alone in the room, a dangerous glint in her eyes, and muttered to herself, "Shen Meizhuang, your good days are over."

After leaving Concubine Hua's bedroom, Concubine Cao walked slowly along the palace corridor, a gleam in her eyes. She thought of her precious Wen Yi, and a smug smile curled up at the corner of her mouth.

"With this child, my status in front of the emperor will definitely be elevated." Concubine Cao whispered to herself, her eyes full of ambition.

Returning to her Qixiang Palace, Concubine Cao called out to her trusted maid: "Go and find out where the Emperor has been dining these past few days."

The maid took the order and left. Not long after, she returned to report, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has been dining in the Imperial Study these past two days."

Concubine Cao's eyes lit up, and she immediately ordered, "Prepare some delicious snacks. I will personally deliver them to the Imperial Study."

She dressed up carefully and walked towards the imperial study with her maids. On the way, Concubine Cao thought to herself: "As long as I can win the emperor's favor, one day I will be able to break free from Concubine Hua's control."

However, when she stepped into the courtyard outside the imperial study, she saw several concubines of noble birth already waiting there. The smile on Concubine Cao's face froze instantly, and a trace of bitterness rose in her heart.

"After all, I come from a humble background. It's not easy to gain a foothold in the harem." She sighed secretly, but still forced a smile and joined the waiting line.

Concubine Cao waited for a long time in the courtyard outside the imperial study. As the sky gradually darkened, the emperor still did not show up. Her smile gradually froze, and a trace of disappointment and anxiety flashed in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. Should we go back first?" the palace maid beside her reminded in a low voice.

Concubine Cao bit her lip, glanced unwillingly at the tightly closed door of the imperial study, and finally sighed: "Forget it, let's go."

As she turned and left, her steps were a little heavy, and the palace maids followed her, carefully carrying the already cold snacks.

On the way back to Qixiang Palace, Concubine Cao suddenly stopped and looked at the sunset in the sky, her eyes full of loneliness: "Today is all in vain again. Am I really going to be suppressed by Concubine Hua forever?"

She clenched her fists and whispered to herself, "No, I must find a way to gain the emperor's favor. For my Wen Yi, I must not give up."

Royal Garden

Huanbi sat alone in the imperial garden, staring blankly into the distance. She sighed softly and murmured to herself, "Mother, I miss you so much."

A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it the fragrance of flowers. Huanbi stood up, looked around, and after making sure that no one was around, she quietly walked towards the rockery at the back of the imperial garden.

She pulled a wad of paper money and a few incense sticks from her sleeve and carefully lit them. Watching the smoke curl upward, Huanbi clasped her hands together and whispered a prayer: "Mother, please keep me safe."

Just as Huanbi was immersed in the feeling of missing her mother, a sneer suddenly came from behind her: "Oh, so you are doing this kind of thing here."

Huanbi turned around suddenly and saw Concubine Cao standing not far away with a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

"Concubine Cao..." Huanbi wanted to explain in a panic, but was interrupted by Concubine Cao.

Concubine Cao approached slowly, her tone threatening: "Burning paper in the palace privately, do you know that this is a taboo?"

Huanbi knelt on the ground, her voice trembling: "Please forgive me, Concubine Cao, I know I was wrong."

Concubine Cao looked down at Huanbi, a smug smile on her lips: "Get up. I won't talk about this for now, but..." She paused, "You must listen to me carefully in the future."

Huanbi lowered her head, her heart filled with fear and helplessness.