Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

She bit her lower lip hard, looking at Su Peisheng with a pleading expression: "That may be true, but there are so many imperial heirs in the palace, how can the Empress Dowager take care of them all? I don't ask you to personally intervene, just send someone to visit Consort Zhen from time to time. Even if the Emperor finds out, you can just say you're worried about the imperial heirs and make an excuse."

Su Peisheng was the emperor's confidant. To outsiders who were unaware of the situation, his sending someone was the same as the emperor sending someone.

Su Peisheng looked at the pair of jadeite bracelets, each worth a fortune, and felt a little hesitant.

Seeing that he was interested, Yun Xinluo hurriedly said, "This bracelet is a thank-you gift for asking you to look after Yu Rao on my behalf. I think the Emperor intends to take me back to the palace with him. After entering the palace, I may never see Yu Rao again in my life. I beg you, Eunuch, to take good care of Yu Rao."

That's alright, the Emperor often inquires about Miss Zhen.

Su Peisheng smiled and tucked the jade bracelet into his sleeve. “Madam, you’re too kind. Don’t worry, Third Miss has Aunt Jinxi serving her. She will not be wronged. If you don’t mind, I will go and visit her on your behalf when I have a day off.”

The next day, the emperor returned to the palace with his concubines.

The emperor's imperial carriage was at the very front, followed by the empress and other concubines.

The convoy formed a long line and slowly made its way to the palace, taking an hour and a half to reach it.

Upon returning to Zhongcui Palace, Yu Ying'er and the others felt a sense of disorientation and unfamiliarity.

The carefree days in the Yuanmingyuan were so wonderful that they felt a little out of place returning to this square, deep palace.

"Three months isn't a short time, but it feels like it went by so fast."

Yu Ying'er sighed with regret.

When she left the Old Summer Palace, she didn't feel anything, but as she stepped into the Zhongcui Palace and looked at the red walls and green tiles all around, she suddenly missed the time she spent in the garden.

Qingzhu, supporting her as they walked step by step toward the main hall, smiled upon hearing this, "This servant feels the same way. However, His Majesty will likely be going to the Yuanmingyuan Garden for summer retreat next year. Your Highness, you must take us with you then."

"Of course, I'll take you all with me wherever I go, especially my aunt."

That little rascal, Xiao Liu, is energetic and clever. He wants to be carried around all day and doesn't want to stay indoors at all. But this little rascal is also very selective about who he's with; he won't let anyone carry him unless he sees them regularly.

Upon hearing Xi Qiao's name, Yu Ying'er quickly asked, "Hasn't Auntie returned yet?"

My older sister didn't even have time to sit down and rest before rushing out with the silver notes to make arrangements.

First, it was to ensure that everyone in Zhongcui Palace could have decent meals. Second, it was to investigate the palace maids and eunuchs who had been placed in Zhongcui Palace.

Shen Meizhuang's power struggle with Asiha not only caused suffering to the concubines, but also to the palace maids and eunuchs who served them.

Those who had masters with them fared slightly better, but the lower-ranking palace maids and eunuchs were in a much worse situation.

They could hardly get enough to eat; each person only received a fist-sized cornbread and a bowl of vegetable soup per meal.

The palace maids and eunuchs at the lower levels mostly did rough and tiring work, which was physically demanding. A single cornbread was only half full, and they would get hungry again soon, so they couldn't last long.

I heard that some palace servants have already fainted from hunger.

Yu Ying'er had also been a palace maid, and she felt quite sympathetic towards these palace women.

In addition, in order to have delicious meals every day, she and her sister had to spend money to bribe officials, and that money was real cash!

Yu Ying'er felt very sorry for her.

Yu Ying'er harbored so much resentment towards Shen Meizhuang! She even wished she could slap her a few times.

Why did she and her sister go through all that trouble to compete for the emperor's favor and get pregnant?

It's all for the sake of eating well and dressing well!

As a result, after finally ascending to the rank of concubine, she hadn't even enjoyed the delicacies for three months before Shen Meizhuang ruined them all.

Not only were there no delicacies, but you also had to spend money to eat a decent meal.

This life is even worse than when she was a noblewoman!

Why are you, Shen Meizhuang, meddling in other people's kitchen's purchasing and procurement?

Whether you buy a lot or a little, it doesn't cost you any money. As long as you get good food and drinks, that's enough!

Not only Yu Ying'er resented Shen Meizhuang, but none of the concubines in the harem still liked her.

The palace maids and eunuchs at the lower levels hated it even more.

Qingzhu looked at Yu Ying'er with a hint of helplessness, "Your Highness, Auntie has only been gone for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. She should only be arriving at the Imperial Kitchen now."

Whenever the imperial kitchen was mentioned, Yu Ying'er couldn't help but sigh.

"Sigh, Auntie's trip to the Imperial Kitchen costs a hundred taels of silver, which is more than my monthly allowance!"

Yu Ying'er was very reluctant to spend money. Even though she was a concubine, her annual allowance was only four hundred taels of silver.

After two rounds of bribery, half a year's monthly allowance was gone.

Feeling heartbroken, Yu Ying'er couldn't help but curse angrily, "It's all that idiot Shen Meizhuang's fault, otherwise we wouldn't have had to spend so much money."

Although they had often bribed the Imperial Household Department in the past, she and her sister had never wasted money on food.

Qingzhu also felt sorry for you, "Your Majesty, don't be angry. Didn't the Emperor give you some money in private? After deducting the money for bribing the Imperial Kitchen, there are still three hundred taels left."

Yu Ying'er snorted coldly, "How can that be the same? If this hadn't happened, I would have two hundred more taels of silver in my money box. Aunt wouldn't have to run around so much."

The original five hundred taels of silver was reduced to three hundred taels. How could one not feel heartbroken!

Qingzhu suppressed a laugh. Although she wanted to remind her mistress that the Emperor would not have given the money if it weren't for Consort Shen's bad idea, she dared not say it for fear that her mistress would be angry.

As they were talking, they had already reached the stone table outside the main hall of Zhongcui Palace.

Yu Ying'er patted Qingzhu's hand, "Don't worry about me for now. Go and keep an eye on things in Aunt's room yourself. I don't trust those little palace maids who are so clumsy. Also, have someone go to the flower room and get a few good green plants and flowers for Aunt."

"Oh, right, put out the ice basins too, it's still a bit hot today. Don't let Auntie feel stuffy. Put ice basins in your room and Jin Shuang and Xiao Lezi's room as well. If you don't have enough ice, have someone go to the Imperial Household Department to buy some."

Although she was reluctant to spend money on favors, she was quite generous when it came to spending it on her own family.

Qingzhu smiled knowingly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, Jinshuang has already gone to keep an eye on things. We've also arranged for someone to get the ice basins and flowers, those little pleasures."

Xi Qiao, whom the two women had been talking about, had indeed arrived at the imperial kitchen.

"Oh, Aunt Chunrong."

Guan Asiha and Xi Qiao had known each other for a long time, and Xi Qiao had given him money not long ago.

Even if you're not enthusiastic towards people, you have to be enthusiastic about the money that's about to go into your pocket.

Xi Qiao smiled and replied, then asked him, "Is Steward Wuya free?"

That requires availability.

"Auntie, you're being too polite. Since you came in person, I had to make time even if I was busy. Aunt Chunrong, please come inside. Let's talk things over slowly."

That was a very kind attitude, but Xi Qiao politely declined, "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but things are busy at Zhongcui Palace right now, and I have to hurry back and keep an eye on things."

Asiha slapped his forehead. "Look at my terrible memory. Who brought Auntie here?"

That's just asking a question you already know the answer to.