Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

An Lingrong quickly finished her breakfast and told Shen Meizhuang about the results of her probing the previous night.

"Sister, I think the Emperor has developed a rift with Zhen Huan."

The word "estrangement" was something An Lingrong carefully considered before uttering it.

Shen Meizhuang became interested and leaned closer to her, "What do you mean by that?"

An Lingrong then recounted the Emperor's unusual behavior during dinner last night, "Sister, you may not know this, but last night during dinner, the Emperor barely touched his food before he took the initiative to ask about our visit to Madam Zhen."

Recalling the emperor's expression and tone at the time, An Lingrong still felt a sense of dread and fear, and she couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand.

"The Emperor's tone and demeanor were rather strange at the time. Although he appeared relaxed and at ease, as if he had just asked a casual question, he kept staring straight at me."

"That look in his eyes..."

Recalling the emperor's gaze at that time, An Lingrong paused, her body instinctively tensing up.

"The Emperor's eyes held a penetrating scrutiny, as if he could see right through me. In that instant, I had the feeling that the Emperor had become a different person, as if the Emperor we knew in daily life was a completely different person from the Emperor at that moment."

"When the Emperor looked away, I realized that the back of my clothes was soaked with sweat. Moreover, the Emperor actually addressed Zhen Huan as 'Zhen Shi'. Although the Emperor corrected himself in time, I still recognized the words."

An Lingrong neither exaggerated nor deceived Shen Meizhuang.

It wasn't that she trusted Shen Meizhuang that much, but rather that she knew clearly that the matter between the Emperor and Zhen Huan was not as simple as she had previously thought.

Although she noticed many things carefully, her knowledge was limited, and her power was practically nonexistent.

She might not be able to unravel the mystery and profit from it all on her own. Moreover, she might even get herself into trouble if she's not careful—it's simply not worth it!

She needs to find a shield for herself.

On Consort Hua's side, the disparity in strength between her and the other party is too great. If she were to reveal this matter, she might not gain much benefit in the end. However, the situation is different for Shen Meizhuang.

An Lingrong could clearly feel Shen Meizhuang's trust and closeness to her, which was not superficial as before, but genuine.

Moreover, she and Shen Meizhuang were both Consorts. Although Shen Meizhuang had a higher social standing and held some power in the palace, she was not as favored as Shen Meizhuang.

Her relationship with Shen Meizhuang was almost one of equality and mutual benefit.

When it's advantageous, she can get half; if it's disadvantageous...

An Lingrong's eyes flashed, suppressing the dark thoughts in her heart.

Shen Meizhuang was deep in thought about An Lingrong's words and did not notice the subtle change in her expression.

After a moment of contemplation, she looked at An Lingrong and saw a hint of lingering fear on her face. She quickly and gently comforted her, "Lingrong, don't be afraid. Although the Emperor is our bedmate, he is also the ruler of the world, and his majesty is extraordinary. His expression was not directed at you."

Shen Meizhuang's warm palm pressed against An Lingrong's cool hand, and An Lingrong's slightly uneasy heart was strangely soothed.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and her gaze fell on their clasped hands: "Thank you for your comfort, sister."

Shen Meizhuang's brows relaxed slightly, and she got down to business: "From what you just said, Lingrong, the Emperor seems to be paying too much attention to Madam Zhen."

"This isn't right!"

Shen Meizhuang astutely noticed the clue: "Since the Emperor addresses Zhen Huan as 'Zhen Shi,' it's clear that his affection for Zhen Huan has almost completely vanished. Something major must have happened during lunch the other day!"

The last time the Emperor saw Zhen Huan was before lunch the day before yesterday.

If the two had already broken up before this, the Emperor would certainly not have stepped on Consort Hua to save face for Zhen Huan, nor would he have sent his carriage to Bi Tong Academy after Consort Zhen entered the garden.

Therefore, something must have happened after the Emperor went to Bitong Academy that caused him to develop a dislike for Zhen Huan.

Shen Meizhuang's brows furrowed again: "On the surface, Zhen Huan has just been framed and is pregnant. Logically, the Emperor's pity for her should be at its strongest at this time. What exactly happened to make the Emperor's attitude change so drastically overnight?"

An Lingrong was also very curious, "It's a pity that Bi Tong Academy is currently under lockdown, otherwise we could have asked around about it."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Meizhuang chuckled softly, "Who said only the Bitong Academy could find out the information?"

Shen Meizhuang relaxed her brows and met An Lingrong's questioning gaze with confidence, saying, "As you know, I am currently learning palace affairs from the Empress, so I am naturally aware of what is happening in the Imperial Household Department."

"Isn't it a coincidence? The day before yesterday, Huang Guiquan, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, personally went to deliver the allowance for a concubine's rank and the servants to Zhen Huan! Those palace servants were specially selected by Huang Guiquan after he reported to the Empress. Judging from the timing, the Emperor should have been at Bitong Academy when they went there."

An Lingrong smiled as well, "That's quite a coincidence! Huang Guiquan and those palace servants who went to Bitong Academy together must know something!"

Others might not be able to get anything out of Huang Guiquan, but she definitely will!

Who in the entire palace didn't know that she had pledged allegiance to Consort Hua?

Huang Gui was a close confidant of Consort Hua; they were essentially in the same circle.

"Don't worry, sister, I'll go find Huang Guiquan later and get to the bottom of what happened the other day!"

Shen Meizhuang patted the back of her hand, "Alright, then I'll leave this to my sister. But that's not the most important or strangest thing."

Her eyes were deep and unfathomable. "Although I don't know exactly what happened the day before yesterday, since the Emperor is already angry with Zhen Huan, why does he keep Lady Zhen in the Yuanmingyuan Garden? And why does he pay so much attention to her?"

An Lingrong was taken aback. With the emperor by her side yesterday, she had no time to think things through. Now, listening to Shen Meizhuang's meticulous analysis, she felt a familiar sense of panic.

Yes, since Zhen Huan has already angered the Emperor, why does he insist on keeping her in the garden?

"After I returned to Xianyue Pavilion yesterday, the more I thought about Madam Zhen's matter, the more I felt something was wrong, so I ordered someone to secretly investigate the palace servants who served in the Natural Painting."