Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Upon hearing that sickeningly sweet voice, Xi Qiao immediately got goosebumps.

"Alright, alright, stop shaking me. Let me tell you, have you noticed Yun Changzai's clothes and accessories?"

Yu Ying'er recalled, "I don't remember the details very well, but the materials used were all of excellent quality. However, the patterns on the fabrics and the styles of the jewelry were not fashionable this year."

"The patterns are certainly not fashionable, because those are all relics of Empress Chun Yuan, which should have been properly kept in the Empress's storeroom. Even if the Emperor did not recognize them at the time, he would have found out later. With this set of clothes, the Emperor will not only be angry with the Empress Dowager, but will also inevitably take his anger out on the Empress."

Xi Qiao's lips curled up. "When the Empress used Yu Chonglin to scheme against us last time, I had someone guide Xia Zi to discover the presence of Jingren Palace. Once Xia Zi knew, the Emperor naturally knew as well. This time, with both crimes being punished, the Empress will surely lose her power in the palace."

"Do you still remember what I told you before about the purpose of the emperor bestowing titles and honors upon his concubines?"

Yu Ying'er nodded obediently. Her sister had told her that the emperor would bestow the titles and privileges of a concubine in order to promote Consort Jing at the appropriate time to share power and maintain checks and balances.

"Sister, do you mean that this 'suitable time' is tomorrow?"

"Correct!"

"Moreover, in order to increase Consort Jing's weight, the Emperor will definitely hand over the imperial heir in Zhen Huan's womb to Consort Jing. In this way, the child will naturally not have to face the awkward situation you mentioned."

"Furthermore, Consort Hua intends to reconcile with Consort Jing. There are very few things that can move Consort Jing, but an imperial heir is definitely one of them. Therefore, even if the Emperor has no intention of letting Consort Jing adopt Zhen Huan's child, Consort Hua will help Consort Jing obtain it."

The reconciliation between Consort Hua and Consort Jing was inevitable, and the fate of the imperial heir in Zhen Huan's womb had already been decided long ago.

"Yingying, you should be able to take advantage of the situation to gain some power in the palace tomorrow, but you must refuse on the spot and make sure to leave the emperor with the impression that you are not power-hungry or power-loving. But you don't have to get involved at all. For example, the cat and dog room, the laundry room, and the flower room would be good."

Xi Qiao's tone was somewhat like coaxing a child.

We have many rights and nature is good, but now is not the time.

They had no choice but to back down first and take the opportunity to cultivate a persona that would reassure and satisfy the emperor, in order to prepare for the future.

The following day, the emperor summoned his ministers to discuss state affairs.

Without the ministers needing to mention the crimes of the Uya family again, the emperor personally appointed the Minister of Justice, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate to conduct a joint trial, and also ordered the Nine Gates Commander's Office to assist, strictly forbidding any guilty person from being let go.

This emphasis on handling the matter truly surprised the court officials.

However, the court officials were only happy to be able to remove a malignant tumor from the court and to have one less rival to divide power.

After the morning court session, the emperor visited Jingren Palace.

Normally, the greetings would have ended by this time, but today the emperor sent someone to deliver a message that he had something to say. All the concubines, including Consort Hua who was already eight months pregnant, Zhen Huan who was under house arrest, and Yun Xinluo who had just been promoted to the rank of Yun Changzai, were waiting in Jingren Palace.

The main hall was very quiet; you could almost hear a pin drop.

The Empress sat high on the main seat, her face bearing its usual smile and composure, but a closer look revealed that her expression was unusually stiff today. Especially her eyes, which were like icy pools!

Consort Hua sat in the first seat on the left, holding her belly and leaning back in her chair, watching the Empress's expression with great interest.

Consort Qi sat at the head of the table on the right, her shoulders hunched inward, her neck shrunk, and her face downcast, acting like a quail. She had thoroughly investigated the affair between Consort Yun, Consort Yun, and the Emperor. Although the events of last night's banquet had nothing to do with her, Consort Qi still couldn't help but feel fear and shrink back.

Beside Consort Hua, Yu Ying'er appeared to sit obediently and properly with her head bowed, but in reality, she was secretly observing the expressions of everyone present. Except for the Empress, whose seat was higher up and therefore out of her sight, she noticed everyone else's expressions.

Of course, her focus was on Zhen Huan and her birth mother, Yun Xinluo, who had already been granted the title of Yun Changzai.

The other concubines were also secretly watching the two women who used to be mother and daughter, but were now sisters.

It's understandable that they were upset; what happened at the banquet last night was so shocking that they still couldn't accept it.

Although they already knew about the Emperor's affair with Consort Zhen's birth mother when they were at the Yuanmingyuan.

Who could have imagined this day would come!

They originally thought the emperor was just looking for excitement, but they didn't expect that the emperor actually had some genuine affection for Consort Yun.

Not only were they given official titles, but they were also promoted beyond their rank.

Palace maids who were to serve the emperor had to start as officials, but this Lady Yun actually jumped three ranks to become a Lady Changzai and even received a title.

The concubines in the harem were practically spitting fire at Yun Shi. How could a woman who had been stripped of her title have become their sister!

Although they knew in their hearts that whether Yun was willing or not, she had no choice but to accept the emperor's offer.

However, the concubines did not have the courage to blame the emperor, nor could they face the fact that their husband was a monarch who stole his minister's wife and disregarded human ethics and morality.

Therefore, they could only attribute the fault to the Yun family, and blame the Yun family.

It's all Yun's fault. This woman is unfaithful, shameless, and unethical in seducing the emperor!

But if we were to truly consider the concubines who were most hated, resentful, and annoyed, aside from the Empress, it would be An Lingrong.

Before everyone knew about Lady Yun, they all assumed that the emperor was too busy with state affairs to care about the harem.

Naturally, no one would think that An Lingrong had fallen out of favor. They still thought of her as the emperor's beloved concubine, who was pampered and flattered with good food and drink.

After Ke Yun was exposed, An Lingrong's favored status as a concubine vanished instantly.

Those who used to fawn over her have all changed their tune, now only sneering and mocking her.

In just one night, An Lingrong's treatment plummeted.

Thus, An Lingrong naturally came to hate Yun Shi and Zhen Huan completely.

Meanwhile, Zhen Huan and her daughter, who were being subtly observed by everyone, kept their heads down since arriving at Jingren Palace. After paying their respects, they remained silent and made no sound.

Especially Zhen Huan, whose eyes were empty and lifeless, as if her soul had wandered away to another world.

No matter how sarcastic or sarcastic the other concubines were, she ignored them all.

The atmosphere inside Jingren Palace was stagnant and thick, making one feel as if they couldn't breathe.

Fortunately, an announcement was soon made outside the palace.

"The Emperor has arrived——"

The Empress rose and led the concubines in bowing, saying, "Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

"Get up, everyone sit down."

The emperor's tone showed no sign of anger or resentment, and all the concubines, including the empress, carefully restrained themselves, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Ahem," the emperor cleared his throat, "Su Peisheng."

Su Peisheng immediately bowed and stepped forward with a tray in his hands.

The empress looked at the clothes and jewelry on the tray, her eyelids twitched involuntarily, and then a look of fear appeared on her face. She immediately got up and knelt at the emperor's feet.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I failed to safeguard my sister's belongings, which is a dereliction of duty. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

The emperor noticed that the empress had not yet expressed her opinion and had instead started talking about other things.

"I heard that a palace maid in Jingren Palace hanged herself last night?"