Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

When the Empress Dowager ordered people to train Zhen Huan, who was three months pregnant, to perform the "Dance of the Startled Swan," a rumor quickly spread throughout the entire harem.

On the 14th of August, Xiao Yunzi waited early at the entrance of Suiyuxuan for the imperial servants to deliver the meal.

Just as he was craning his neck to see why the eunuch who was supposed to deliver the meals hadn't arrived yet, he suddenly heard two palace maids passing by Suiyu Pavilion whispering to each other.

"This Consort Zhen is pitiful. Not only did she not get promoted after becoming pregnant with the emperor's child, but her family was also confiscated and she became a commoner. Now her parents have died in Ningguta, and I heard that even their remains are not complete."

Xiao Yunzi looked at the whispering palace servants in shock, and her feet involuntarily walked towards the two people, wanting to catch up and ask them for clarification.

However, the guards outside Suiyu Pavilion stopped him.

"What are you doing! Get back, or don't blame us for being impolite. Swords have no eyes; if you get hurt or maimed, don't blame us!"

The guard's loud reprimand brought Xiao Yunzi back to his senses. Seeing the two palace maids walking away, he anxiously grabbed the guard who was blocking his way, "Please, sir, be lenient. I just have something I want to ask those two palace maids."

The guards had also overheard the two palace maids' conversation. They impatiently pushed Xiao Yunzi away, saying, "No need to ask anymore, it's all true. The news has already spread."

That's nothing. There's something even worse: they said that the child in Consort Zhen's womb was a jinx, bringing misfortune to her family!

Xiao Yunzi's eyes were fixed, and she felt as if her heart had skipped a beat.

how come?

Didn't Master Zhen and Madam Zhen go to Ningguta with Prince Guo and Liu Zhu?

How could he have died in the accident?

This, this, this...

When Zhen Huan finished her practice and came out after bathing and changing, she saw Xiao Yunzi absentmindedly setting out the meal.

She saw it all but didn't ask immediately.

Instead, after finishing his meal, he called Xiaoyunzi over.

"You look worried. Have you encountered some trouble?"

Xiao Yunzi was moved by Zhen Huan's concern for them, and tears immediately streamed down her face.

"Little Master..."

With a thud, Xiao Yunzi knelt down in front of Zhen Huan, seemingly wanting to say something but unable to.

"My lord, your servant, your servant..."

Xiao Yunzi didn't want to deceive Zhen Huan, but he didn't dare to tell the truth either.

Zhen Huan frowned, a bad feeling rising in her heart. Could it be that Xiao Yunzi had found a way out and wanted to beg her to let him leave?

Seeing the obvious hesitation on Xiao Yunzi's face, Zhen Huan's heart grew colder, and her pretty face was filled with a cold expression.

"Little Yunzi, now that the Empress Dowager intends to help me, I will no longer be trapped in Suiyu Pavilion after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Do you really intend to do this?"

If it weren't for Xiao Yunzi's past loyalty and his undeniable abilities, Zhen Huan would never have kindly tried to persuade him to stay.

Xiao Yunzi failed to grasp the implied meaning in Zhen Huan's words, assuming that Zhen Huan had noticed his hesitation and that her words were merely a warning to him that the news about the Zhen family couple could not be kept from her.

"My lady, please forgive me. It's not that I intended to hide it, but it's just that you are pregnant, and I was afraid you wouldn't be able to bear it."

Zhen Huan was surprised for a moment upon hearing this. Realizing that she had misunderstood Xiao Yunzi, she couldn't help but feel glad that she hadn't said anything harsh.

But upon closer examination of Xiaoyunzi's words, she couldn't help but feel anxious. What did she mean by being afraid that she couldn't handle it?

"It's already this late, why don't you tell me already! I'm definitely going to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet tomorrow. Rather than hearing it from someone else and making a scene in front of the Emperor, it's better to tell me now."

Xiao Yunzi gritted her teeth and kowtowed heavily. "My lady, I have heard that Master Zhen and his wife have both died in an accident."

Xiao Yunzi would never dare to say anything about the incomplete remains.

Zhen Huan stood up abruptly, her rosy face instantly draining of color, turning pale and translucent. She stared blankly and in astonishment at Xiao Yunzi kneeling before her, "What...what did you say?"

Xiao Yunzi looked at her with a face full of worry, "Please accept my condolences, Your Highness, and take care of your health and the imperial heir in your womb."

In an instant, Zhen Huan felt dizzy and disoriented, as if it were all too real.

how come?

Father, Mother...

Zhen Huan felt a tightness in her chest, her vision blurred, and she was breathing heavily through her mouth and nose. Just as she was about to speak, her body suddenly fell forward.

Xiao Yunzi reacted quickly, supporting her body while screaming, "My lady! Someone, someone quick! My lady has fainted!"

Chaos erupted in the Broken Jade Pavilion.

When Zhen Huan woke up, it was already fifteen minutes later.

She grabbed Xiaoyunzi's sleeve urgently, screaming and roaring while crying in anguish, "What happened? What happened? Why did my parents die?"

Xiao Yunzi was originally unaware of the inside story, but the imperial physician who was sent to examine Zhen Huan knew a little about it.

"Please accept our condolences, my lady. I heard that not long ago, the government of Ningguta organized a hunt, and when the master and lady went with Prince Guo, they were unfortunately caught in a pack of wolves."

"Father, Mother!"

Zhen Huan was heartbroken and lay on the bed, weeping uncontrollably.

No amount of comforting from anyone could help.

Finally, Xiao Yunzi had a flash of inspiration. "My lady, the Third Miss is still alive! Even if you don't think about yourself and the imperial heir, you have to cheer up for the Third Miss. You are now the only blood relative she has left."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan's crying subsided somewhat. "Yes, Yu Rao, Yu Rao!"

Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

Royal relatives, high-ranking officials, and nobles were all invited to the banquet.

After several rounds of drinks, the Empress Dowager suddenly looked at the Emperor with a loving expression and said, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it is rare for the palace to be so lively. I am also happy to see this, so I specially had a song and dance performance prepared to add to the festivities. Would Your Majesty be interested in enjoying it?"

Because of the Uya family's affairs, the Emperor and Empress Dowager hadn't had a proper conversation for several days. Now that the Empress Dowager had offered a way out, the Emperor naturally wouldn't undermine her.

"Since it is Your Majesty who has gone to such lengths to prepare this, then I, your son, shall not refuse."

The Empress Dowager nodded happily, "Good, Zhuxi."

"Yes, this servant will go and have someone prepare it right away."

In the concubines' seats, Qingzhu, who had been watching Sun Zhuxi's movements, also apologized to Yu Ying'er and left the main hall at this time.

She didn't go far; she only stood briefly at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony before turning back. Anyone who saw her assumed she had just come out for some fresh air.

Soon, the music of the Dance of the Startled Swan filled the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Zhen Huan entered the scene in a flowing red dance costume and danced gracefully to the music.

Although she was three months pregnant, she was not yet showing. Her figure was light and graceful, like a startled swan. Every turn and glance was as beautiful as a fairy, and every wave of her water sleeves was as graceful as an old friend.

On the main seat, the Emperor couldn't help but rise and walk towards Zhen Huan. He gazed intently at her, murmuring affectionately, "Wanwan~"

After Zhen Huan finished her dance, she knelt before the emperor and smiled sweetly: "Jade beads fall like the moon, and dew is gathered before the palace. I offer this dance to Your Majesty to wish you a joyous festival and a happy year."

The emperor suddenly came to his senses, and the expression in his eyes gradually faded. Zhen Shi!