Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Shen Meizhuang dropped another bombshell that shocked An Lingrong.

"My original intention was just to find someone I could bribe to get some information, but I didn't expect to find out that the palace servants who served me were not randomly assigned by the Imperial Household Department, but were personally selected by Su Peisheng."

"There are twelve in total: six palace maids and six eunuchs. This is the treatment reserved for concubines. Moreover, the layout in the painting is also based on that of a concubine. Yesterday, you and I had a general view of the main hall's layout, which was very magnificent, far surpassing our own living quarters."

"At first, I thought it was just the Emperor's favoritism towards Zhen Huan, and that he had Su Peisheng arrange this to make things easier for her. But now it seems—"

An Lingrong's heart clenched, and she asked her anxiously, "What are you afraid of?"

Shen Meizhuang's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but more so, she was convinced: "I'm afraid our Emperor has some thoughts about Madam Zhen."

An Lingrong stared wide-eyed in shock, her face filled with disbelief: "This, this, this..."

Shen Meizhuang exhaled a breath of turbid air: "Lingrong, although my guess is far-fetched and absurd, I really can't think of any other purpose the Emperor could have for doing this."

"If His Majesty kept Lady Zhen in the garden because of such intentions, then our guess yesterday has a basis. Moreover, it is not impossible to further confirm it."

We can find out simply by observing whether the emperor has entered or left.

An Lingrong was no fool. Hearing this, she naturally understood Shen Meizhuang's meaning. Although she was also tempted, she was more worried.

"But Sister Shen, if the Emperor truly harbors such intentions, he certainly wouldn't want anyone to discover them. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so anxious to ask me last night. If the Emperor discovers our actions, then..."

Shen Meizhuang patted her hand again and said mysteriously, "It's obviously not something that can be discovered, like spying on the emperor's whereabouts. What I mean is to start with Su Peisheng and other people in the imperial court."

“I recently acquired a box of scented powder. The fragrance of this powder is unique, long-lasting, and easily absorbed. Cui Jinxi is currently trapped in the Natural Painting. If the Emperor goes there, she is very likely to come into contact with Su Peisheng and others.”

The reason for not giving the spices to Zhen Yurao and Madam Zhen was that the former was too young to be suitable for delivering spices, as it would easily arouse unnecessary suspicion and trouble. As for the latter, they would not have much contact with Su Peisheng and the others, and the fragrance might not have lingered on Su Peisheng and the others.

Although the emperor might get stained, he changes his clothes frequently, so sometimes you might not even see him.

However, Cui Jinxi was different. Although she was assigned to take care of Madam Zhen and Zhen Yurao, she was still a rank-holding aunt and was familiar with Su Peisheng and others, making it easier for her to have contact with them.

If the Emperor truly has a first love with Lady Zhen, even if it's just for Zhen Huan's sake, Cui Jinxi would have to ask Su Peisheng for information about the Emperor's arrangements for her and her daughter.

Moreover, for Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong, Su Peisheng and other people in the imperial court were easier to approach than the emperor, and it was easier for them to tell whether they had a fragrance on them.

Shen Meizhuang smiled confidently: "Lingrong, you have a keen sense of smell, and you've been accompanying the emperor quite often lately, so I'll have to trouble you with this matter."

An Lingrong readily agreed.

The two devised a plan and immediately split up to carry out their respective actions.

An Lingrong went to Huang Guiquan to inquire about what had happened at Bitong Academy the day before. Shen Meizhuang returned to Xianyue Pavilion and mixed honey-scented incense into mosquito repellent sachets. She also prepared some delicate fabrics and small, exquisite jewelry suitable for young girls.

Then, Caiyue went to the Natural Painting Studio under the pretext of delivering something to Zhen Yurao, and also gave Cui Jinxi a sachet mixed with honey and incense.

When Cui Jinxi saw Caiyue off, Caiyue took out a sachet and handed it to her: "This is a mosquito repellent sachet that our mistress had newly made. It smells better than the usual ones and is more effective. Our mistress thought that there would be more mosquitoes near the Natural Picture Garden, so she asked me to bring one over for Auntie first."

Cui Jinxi had already noticed a very elegant and pleasant scent on Caiyue, and she also noticed that the fragrance was emanating from an exquisitely crafted sachet at Caiyue's waist.

The sachet that Caiyue handed her was exactly the same as the one Caiyue was wearing at her waist.

Cui Jinxi did not refuse and happily accepted it: "This servant thanks Miss Shen for her thoughtfulness."

Caiyue smiled and said, "Auntie, you're being too polite. Our young mistress is currently in charge of this matter. If I don't send it to you today, Miss Zhen will send someone to send it to Madam Zhen and Auntie in a couple of days."

The implication is that these sachets were made for the concubines.

However, even ordinary items like sachets could be obtained by the trusted head maids of the concubines, though the patterns and designs would differ.

As a temporary resident outside the palace, Lady Zhen was naturally neither suited to use a sachet in the style of a palace concubine nor in the style of a palace maid.

So, the same sachets are available, but you'll have to wait.

Cui Jinxi was fully aware of this, so she did not suspect anything.

Furthermore, although she was the head maid, she was ultimately just a servant girl, and had never used such a precious and high-grade fragrance as honey incense.

In addition, the spices contained mosquito-repellent spices, making it difficult for non-professionals to distinguish them, so Cui Jinxi naturally couldn't recognize them either.

Shen Meizhuang's side is progressing smoothly, but An Lingrong's side is encountering difficulties.

Because of Consort Jin Cao Qinmo's reminder, Consort Hua had become wary of An Lingrong. Huang Guiquan had also given instructions, telling him to simply maintain the appearance of affection.

Therefore, when An Lingrong confidently went to Huang Guiquan to inquire about information, Huang Guiquan's eyes lit up, and he was very kind and enthusiastic... and managed to fool her.

"The unusual situation at Bitong Academy? This servant really didn't notice it. But the situation at Tianran Painting Academy is quite unusual! You don't know, the servants there were all personally selected by Eunuch Su. Twelve of them, a full twelve! That's the allowance for a concubine!"

He spoke and gestured, his demeanor extremely respectful and sincere, yet he didn't reveal a single word about what Consort Hua had instructed him to do that day.

An Lingrong, not suspecting anything because Huang Guiquan was as respectful and ingratiating as ever, generously gave him another bulging purse, ostensibly to invite him for tea.

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Huang."

Huang Gui's face was full of smiles. "Oh, my lord, you're too kind."

Watching An Lingrong's departing figure, Huang Guiquan's smile gradually disappeared. He beckoned to his apprentice, whispered a few words to him, and then sent someone to Qingliang Palace to report to Consort Hua.

When the young eunuch arrived at Qingliang Palace, Consort Jin was also there.

Consort Hua did not ask Consort Jin to stay away, so Consort Jin also heard the news.

After the young eunuch left, Consort Jin asked Consort Hua thoughtfully, "Your Majesty, was it because of the aftermath of what happened at Peach Blossom Village that the Emperor ordered Lady Zhen to stay in the palace to recuperate?"

Consort Hua has already informed Consort Jin about Zhen Huan's private dealings with Prince Guo.

Although Consort Jin regretted that she hadn't managed to knock Zhen Huan off the cliff that day, she was quite happy about Zhen Huan's pregnancy.

Consort Hua curled her lips and said, "That's right. The ink that Zhen Huan used to write the letter was mixed with plum blossom fragrance. When Huang Guiquan went to deliver Zhen Huan's allowance that day, he specifically mentioned it to the Emperor."

Consort Jin looked at Consort Hua with some surprise, realizing that her powerful backer had become quite shrewd!

Or perhaps, someone was giving Consort Hua advice behind the scenes?