Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

If Xi Qiao could discover it, then Sun Zhuxi, the head aunt, naturally also discovered it.

"What's this, my lady?" Sun Zhuxi looked at Suochuoluo's belly with delight.

Suochuoluo replied shyly, "Aunt, I am nearly two months pregnant."

The Emperor was clearly aware of the situation, and he explained to the Empress Dowager with great joy, "I was just about to tell my mother the good news when she sent someone to fetch the imperial physician, who then diagnosed the pregnancy. Now that Consort Cao and Consort Fang are pregnant, and with this pregnancy of Lady Suochuoluo, there will be three more princes and princesses in the palace."

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and inquired about Suochuoluo's daily life with concern. She even asked Chunmao to find a jade Guanyin statue in the storeroom to reward her.

"This servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for your kindness." Lady Suochuoluo knelt down again.

The Empress Dowager quickly had someone help her up, saying, "Now that you are pregnant with the imperial heir, don't kneel so often. Also, you need to change how you address yourself. You are now a proper imperial concubine."

Suochuoluo, her face slightly flushed, replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I thank you for your guidance."

The Empress Dowager was increasingly pleased with her and rewarded her with many gold, silver, jewels, silks, and satins. She also ordered Sun Zhuxi to personally escort her back to the palace. However, Suochuoluo accepted the reward but resolutely refused Sun Zhuxi's offer to see her off, saying, "Your Majesty cannot be without my aunt."

Xi Qiao figured that the clever Xue Tuan was probably about to lure Yu Ying'er over. She'd better avoid the situation and pretend she knew nothing. Otherwise, she might incur the Empress Dowager's suspicion and dislike.

“Your Majesty, I happen to be free, so why don’t I escort the young lady back? The young lady is pregnant, and moving the palace is a physically demanding task. The more people there are, the more effort we can put in. The sooner things are settled, the better the young lady can take care of her pregnancy and give you a healthy grandson.”

The Empress Dowager immediately agreed, and Lady Suochuoluo did not refuse again. The group carried the generous rewards back to the Yangxin Hall enclosure.

On the way, Xi Qiao reviewed the day's events, summarizing every detail in his mind.

Yu Ying'er's favor with the emperor is sure to come within the next few days. Currently, Lady Suochuoluo is pregnant and unable to serve him, and the emperor is annoyed by Consort Fang's attempt to curry favor by claiming an heir, so he doesn't want to enter the harem. Yu Ying'er's beauty is unlike any of the other concubines in the harem. The emperor could even bring himself to kiss the original Yu Ying'er; surely this enhanced version wouldn't be pleasing to his eye?

As for the Empress Dowager's thoughts, Yu Ying'er is beautiful but harmless and dull-witted. As long as she doesn't give anything away, the Empress Dowager won't object.

Both being concubines from the Empress Dowager's side in Shou'an Palace, Suochuoluo was pregnant and unable to serve the emperor. If they were to form a group, they would definitely choose Yu Ying'er first. With her in front, Yu Ying'er, who was not particularly favored, would not stand out.

They said they were helping Suochuoluo pack her things, but in reality, when they arrived, the palace maids that Su Peisheng had assigned to Suochuoluo had already packed everything. They called two eunuchs to carry the luggage, and the five of them headed to Chunxi Palace.

Along the way, Suochuoluo spoke to Xi Qiao at length, and every word she uttered was meant to win him over and curry favor.

"Please rest assured and take care of your pregnancy, Your Highness. You know how much the Empress Dowager loves the princes and princesses. If you encounter any difficulties, just send someone to inform Her Highness. Even if she didn't care about Your Highness, Her Highness would still do her best to ensure the safety of the imperial heirs."

Suochuoluo felt bitter. Of course she knew that the Empress Dowager would not abandon her, but she was afraid that the Empress Dowager would value the child in her womb too much!

Seeing that she remained silent with her lips pursed, Xi Qiao walked to the table, poured her a cup of warm tea, and handed it to her.

"Please moisten your throat, Your Highness," she said, handing the water to Suochuoluo. "I have something I shouldn't say, Your Highness, would you like to hear it?"