Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Shen Meizhuang led An Lingrong away from Shou Kang Palace, casually asking An Lingrong if she was going back to the palace.

An Lingrong hesitated for a moment before replying, "The Fourth Prince is moving to the Princes' Residence today. I promised Consort Yun yesterday that I would accompany her to see him off."

Although she has not been able to snatch the emperor's favor from the Yun family so far, An Lingrong still holds a glimmer of hope in her heart. Since she has nothing else to do, she might as well use it to pass the time.

Upon hearing the words "Chengqian Palace," Shen Meizhuang's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The words he was about to say, inviting An Lingrong to his Chunxi Hall, vanished.

She took the initiative to come to Shou Kang Palace with An Lingrong today, firstly to please the Empress Dowager and ease her own situation, and secondly to help An Lingrong out.

Now that the generous gifts had been delivered to Shou Kang Palace, she thought she should teach An Lingrong about social etiquette.

Seeking the Empress Dowager's protection is not something that can be achieved overnight; it will require a great deal of time, energy, and resources to maintain in the future.

An Lingrong was unable to enter the palace the first three times, which cannot be entirely blamed on the Empress Dowager and the palace servants of Shou Kang Palace being snobbish.

An Lingrong herself also had many problems.

When she first went to visit him, she left empty-handed.

The next day, she did know to bring gifts and bribe the gatekeeper eunuchs, but all she brought was a peony embroidery.

Admittedly, An Lingrong was skilled in needlework, but the Empress Dowager had spent most of her life immersed in the wealthiest families in the world. What kind of exquisite peony embroidery hadn't she seen?

No matter how talented An Lingrong was or how outstanding her embroidery skills were, she could never compare to the top embroiderers in the Imperial Household Department.

Of course, she wasn't saying that An Lingrong shouldn't have given a gift, but since she wanted to showcase her talent, why not be clever? Instead of giving a mediocre peony painting, why not create something unique by embroidering a Buddhist scripture?

It was no secret that the Empress Dowager enjoyed reciting Buddhist scriptures.

If an embroidered Buddhist scripture were presented to the Empress Dowager, how could she not be pleased?

Before deciding to go today, Shen Meizhuang had already thought of giving An Lingrong some advice. Both of them had fallen out of favor, but at least An Lingrong had the support of the Shen family, while An Lingrong could only rely on herself.

Seeing An Lingrong running into walls everywhere and having no way to please the Empress Dowager, Shen Meizhuang finally felt compassion and decided to help her.

Even if she cannot regain favor, with the Empress Dowager's protection, An Lingrong's life will be better in the future.

However, the obsequious and ingratiating manner that An Lingrong displayed towards Chengqian Palace in her words and expressions made Shen Meizhuang feel somewhat resentful.

As a noblewoman from a prominent family, she naturally possessed a certain arrogance.

Even when they fell into the mud, they never lost their integrity and pride.

Consort Na Yun had a bad reputation. Although she was favored, she was nothing more than a substitute for Empress Chun Yuan. In the eyes of everyone in the harem, she was just a plaything.

Such people should be kept at a distance.

An Lingrong, however, eagerly approached him, even lowering her voice and disregarding social status to fawn over him.

Even though the Fourth Prince was an imperial heir, it was still just a matter of him not being favored by the emperor.

Since his return to the palace, apart from seeing him once on the first day, the emperor has neither summoned him nor bestowed any rewards, nor has he tested his studies or arranged any tutors.

This is a world of difference from the treatment the third-year junior high school student received back then!

At the beginning of his reign, when the emperor was extremely busy with state affairs, he still managed to find time to care about the Third Prince's studies. He even personally selected several great scholars to teach the Third Prince, and the Third Prince's study companion and his son, Haha Zhuzi, were also chosen by imperial decree.

On the other hand, the Fourth Prince was definitely not well-liked!

With the Fourth Prince in such a state, can't anyone see why An Lingrong is clinging to him?

Consort Yun's favor was not a simple act of kindness; how could a substitute possibly steal such favor? Even if someone could, that person would certainly not be An Lingrong.

Therefore, An Lingrong's actions were destined to be in vain from the very beginning. In the eyes of all the concubines in the palace, her efforts were nothing more than adding to the joke.

Shen Meizhuang had heard some unpleasant rumors about her, and planned to offer some advice when she invited her to the palace for a short visit today.

However, the determination in An Lingrong's words made Shen Meizhuang give up the idea.

An Lingrong will not give up on the path of Consort Yun and the Fourth Prince.

The two parted ways in silence along the palace road. Shen Meizhuang sighed and glanced at An Lingrong's departing figure before turning and entering the gate of Xianfu Palace.

On the other side, after parting ways with Shen Meizhuang, Baoque hesitated before speaking: "My lady, I feel that Consort Shen seemed to have something to say to you just now."

An Lingrong scoffed lightly, "Because I've been going to Chengqian Palace these past few days, there have been quite a few rumors about me in the palace. Perhaps Consort Shen has heard some of them and wants to give me some advice."

Baoque looked up at An Lingrong's profile. "My lady, I've heard those rumors too. They're quite nasty and definitely not good for your reputation."

"reputation?"

An Lingrong's expression twisted slightly. "Is a good reputation in the palace something to eat and drink, or something to gain favor? I've had enough of being bullied and humiliated when I'm out of favor! As long as I can gain favor, I'm willing to risk my life, let alone hear a few rumors!"

An Lingrong's eyes were filled with determination. "Baoque, how can you still not understand? In this palace, if you want to live well and with dignity, you must be favored. Otherwise, even the Empress will..."

"Little Master!"

Baoque's heart skipped a beat. In front of everyone, the young mistress dared to criticize the empress! Her audacity was simply too great.

An Lingrong realized she had spoken out of turn and immediately shut her mouth.

"It's alright, there's no one around here."

Although she was emotional just now, An Lingrong only lowered her guard and spoke to Bao Que because she genuinely didn't see anyone.

Baoque gasped for breath, "Your Highness has truly frightened this servant."

An Lingrong patted the back of her hand, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"What you say may be somewhat disrespectful, but it is indeed true. Only with the emperor's favor can one bear a royal heir. As long as you are pregnant, whether it is a prince or a princess, you will have someone to rely on in the future and will not have to worry."

Look at Consort Jin and Consort Xin. Although they only have princesses, they are still among the high-ranking consorts in the palace. Especially Consort Jin, not only is her princess favored, but she also holds considerable power in the palace. Who in the entire palace doesn't envy her?

An Lingrong replied, "While the princess is certainly not bad, who wouldn't want a prince? Consort Zhuang was merely a palace maid, yet she was promoted to the rank of consort after giving birth to a prince. If it were me..."

An Lingrong was a concubine who entered the palace through a proper selection process, and her status was much more noble than that of Consort Zhuang.

"His Majesty has already promised me that once I become pregnant, I will be immediately promoted to the rank of Consort. If I give birth to a prince after ten months of pregnancy, it is not impossible for me to become a Consort!"

Baoque's eyes lit up, as if she could already see the magnificent scene described by An Lingrong.

"Your Highness's wishes will surely come true!"

How glamorous it must have been to be a first-class palace maid for a concubine!

The magpie longs for it too!

Lost in their own thoughts, the master and servant strolled away, unaware that a person was eavesdropping on another path a few meters away.

This person was none other than Xi Qiao.