Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

An Lingrong's eyes flickered, and the four words "life and fortune" suddenly echoed in her mind.

"Aunt, I remember you once said, 'Not betraying someone is only because the price of betrayal isn't high enough.' I wonder what price I'm willing to pay before you'll tell me the secret?"

Children can be taught!

Xi Qiao inwardly approved, but outwardly remained unmoved. "Young Mistress An, to be frank, it seems you have nothing in your possession that would make me covet it or risk my safety."

An Lingrong's expression turned even uglier. What An Lingrong had, Consort Zhuang would have even more of; what An Lingrong didn't have, Consort Zhuang could also provide.

Moreover, Chunrong is not only the head maid of Zhongcui Palace, but also a senior palace maid who came from the Empress Dowager's Shou Kang Palace. She has seen more good things than An Lingrong has known in both her lives.

"Aunt, just because Lingrong is gone now doesn't mean she won't be in the future."

An Lingrong's eyes revealed determination; as long as she gained favor, she could get anything.

Xi Qiao chuckled to himself and uttered a rare, seemingly pointless remark: "What Young Master An says is absolutely right."

An Lingrong suddenly blushed and hurriedly explained, "Aunt, please don't be offended. Lingrong didn't mean it that way. It was just a moment of reflection."

She genuinely had no intention of getting something for nothing.

Xi Qiao didn't care; after all, she wasn't saying all this just to get what An Lingrong was offering.

"Your Highness need not do this, I understand."

An Lingrong clenched the handkerchief in her hand. No, Chunrong didn't understand. If she truly understood An Lingrong's character and her situation, she wouldn't have made such excuses.

It was just a few words!

It was clear that if she just spoke up, she could regain the emperor's favor.

Xi Qiao ignored her and turned her gaze to Yu Ying'er, who was reaching for the last piece of mung bean cake. "Your Majesty, the small kitchen should have prepared the meal by now. Please do not eat too many cakes."

Although the Qing Dynasty had a two-meal-a-day system, the Zhongcui Palace always served three meals a day.

However, with An Lingrong present, Xi Qiao couldn't speak openly.

Upon hearing this, Yu Ying'er withdrew her claws and breathed a sigh of relief. Her sister had called her first, and she could finally speak!

She had been listening to her sister talking to An Lingrong for so long, and it was really getting to her!

An Lingrong is truly an ungrateful person. Although her sister mostly used her, she also helped her a lot. Not only does An Lingrong not think of repaying them, but she even wants to use them as weapons!

Hmph, although Yu Ying'er is stupid, she's not without progress. An Lingrong brought up Yun Xinluo as soon as she arrived, clearly with ill intentions.

If it weren't for the fact that her older sister kept this ungrateful wretch around for a while, Yu Ying'er would have already yelled for her to get out!

“Consort An,” Yu Ying’er said with a stern face, her expression clearly showing displeasure, “I’m going to have my meal now, so I won’t keep you any longer.”

Hmph, do you really think those two sisters have no temper?

Just as An Lingrong was about to ask Xi Qiao for leniency again, she suddenly heard Yu Ying'er say to drive her away. Her face turned pale and filled with embarrassment.

When has she ever been kicked out in front of others?

Instantly, resentment and anger welled up uncontrollably in my heart.

But seeing Xi Qiao's unwavering gaze, An Lingrong could only silently suppress her resentment; she was no match for this aunt.

Her face twisted for a moment, and she bit her lip and said stiffly, "Yes, Your Highness, I have troubled you greatly. I will take my leave now. I will visit Your Highness and Aunt again another day."

Yu Ying'er hummed in response, remaining seated without moving. Xi Qiao did not move either, and no one in the hall dared to move. They simply watched as An Lingrong got up and left.

After she left Zhongcui Palace, Yu Ying'er scoffed disdainfully, "An Lingrong has really changed a lot. I still remember the first time I saw her, she was timid and cowering like a bullied little palace maid."

"Now, not only does she have the audacity to try and outsmart her sister, but she also shamelessly tries to get her hands on royal secrets for free. She really has a lot of nerve! Who does she think she is?"

"A mere noblewoman, yet she acts like an imperial concubine! She really thinks she has too much time on her hands!"

Yu Ying'er was never a kind person. It was only because she had Xi Qiao, who took care of everything for her, that she had no room to use her vicious thoughts and methods.

Xi Qiao's lips curled up slightly as he glared at her, "Don't do anything reckless! I still have a use for An Lingrong."

Yu Ying'er puffed out her cheeks, her little mouth so full of oil that you could hang an oil bottle on it.

"No, I'm so angry! I can't swallow this anger if I don't do something! What kind of person dares to scheme against my sister? If I don't teach her a lesson and make her fall hard, I, Yu Ying'er, will change my name!"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, until Yu Ying'er was panting heavily.

Xi Qiao glanced at her and asked, "By the way, have you finished writing your calligraphy today?"

Yu Ying'er was instantly speechless. Oh my god, this is terrible!

"Haha~ Well, sister, didn't we say the meal was ready? Why don't we eat first? Eat, eat! Eating is the most important thing in the world, we can talk about anything else after we eat."

After dinner, I'll play with my son for a while, and then it'll be time for him to go to bed. Once he's in bed, my sister won't urge him to practice calligraphy anymore!

Yu Ying'er gave herself a thumbs up for her cleverness!

Xi Qiao was too lazy to expose her, so he sat down lazily, picked up the last piece of pastry and took a bite. The minty coolness in his mouth was very refreshing.

"It's not like you have to keep enduring it. Once An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang are on the Empress Dowager's shabby boat, you can do whatever you want."

"what?"

Yu Ying'er didn't understand at all.

"No! Sister, is An Lingrong going to join Shen Meizhuang in siding with the Empress Dowager? Wait, no, aren't we the Empress Dowager's people? If they really do side with the Empress Dowager, can we still lay a hand on them?"

"Oh dear, that doesn't seem to be the main point!"

Yu Ying'er slapped her forehead in annoyance. "The important point! The important point is why An Lingrong wants to side with the Empress Dowager? Did you hint at it to her just now, sister? But you didn't say anything!"

She only mentioned that Yun Xinluo's matter was related to a major secret, but her sister didn't tell that ingrate An Lingrong what the secret was!

Xi Qiao chuckled softly. She finally understood why men liked silly beauties; they had a natural, unpretentious, and adorable charm.

"Fool, although I didn't tell An Lingrong any real news, I did reveal an important message to her: Yun Xinluo's favor with the emperor is related to a secret!"

Although the Empress's loss of power was not entirely due to Yun Xinluo, Yun Xinluo did play a certain role.

Once Yun Xinluo entered the emperor's sight, she was constantly favored and frequently summoned by the emperor to serve him in bed. Now, the emperor has even granted her Chengqian Palace to live alone and has registered a prince who has already been established under her name, thus elevating her status and increasing her importance.

Such favor could easily be described as that of a favored concubine.

What An Lingrong wanted was also this kind of exclusive favor, or even unparalleled favor!

But now she doesn't even show her the slightest bit of affection.