Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Xi Qiao quickly changed his clothes, lowered his head and left Shou Kang Palace. As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, he saw Yu Ying'er standing in front of the flower garden not far away with a young and unfamiliar palace maid.

She looked up at Yu Ying'er, and seeing that Yu Ying'er was looking at her, she immediately turned around and walked towards the small, empty flower garden next to her. Yu Ying'er quickly followed.

Once they were in a secluded spot, Pearl kept watch, and Yu Ying'er threw herself into Xi Qiao's arms, sobbing. "Alright, don't cry. I can't stay out for too long. Tell me quickly, how have you been? How is the Emperor treating you?"

Yu Ying'er then stopped crying, wiping away her tears, "Sister, don't worry, I've been listening to Sister Chunmao and have always been well-behaved. The Emperor is very good to me, often letting me serve him in bed and giving me many rewards. I've selected a lot to save for you, sister."

She looked at Xi Qiao hesitantly, afraid that he was still angry.

Xi Qiao gently touched her face, his expression as gentle as ever. "Don't save any for me, I don't need them. As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

Yu Ying'er nuzzled her hand affectionately, "Sister, I'm sorry, I...I...I..."

“It’s alright,” Xi Qiao said with affection in her eyes. “We sisters don’t need to say these things. I don’t want you to become a concubine because the struggles in the harem are too cruel. One wrong move and you’ll die a horrible death. With your personality, you don’t even need anyone to scheme against you. A simple compliment can be enough to kill you.”

Yu Ying'er felt both fear and regret as she listened to her casually point out her weaknesses.

Consort Hua's arrogance, Consort Li's mockery, and Consort Qi and Consort Jing's contempt and disregard were like knives cutting into her flesh.

Even though Consort Suochuoluo was pregnant, she was still subjected to considerable torment by these people. She was so intelligent and quick-witted, her maids and eunuchs were all trustworthy, and she came from a well-connected family. Even so, she still had to endure this cruel torment. What did she have?

Yu Ying'er was truly terrified. She only had her older sister to rely on, but the Empress Dowager had ordered that she not be allowed to acknowledge her sister.

"Sister, Consort Fang has miscarried." She leaned her head on Xi Qiao's shoulder and whispered.

Xi Qiao put his arm around her trembling shoulders. "This is just the beginning. Watch closely, Consort Fang's situation will only get worse. Yingying, remember your sister's words: if you want to live, you must learn to be humble. What does a temporary struggle matter? If you live long enough, you will have everything."

It has been ten days since Consort Fang fell and started bleeding, and she has only now miscarried, which shows that the imperial physicians have put in a lot of effort.

"Sister, I'm scared." She started to cry softly again.

"Don't be afraid, your sister's here." Xi Qiao gently patted her back. "Are you familiar with Pearl's background?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. She was sent here by Steward Su. I asked her about her family, and she only said that she was an ordinary bondservant with parents and brothers, and didn't say anything else."

"Do you remember Xiao Lezi? He's in Yonghe Palace now. Go find him later and ask him to help you investigate."

As she spoke, she slipped a purse into Yu Ying'er's hand, which contained the pieces of gold she had cut. "We must not underestimate or neglect those people in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Give them generous rewards and don't be stingy with the money."

Yu Ying'er refused: "I don't want it. Sister, you have plenty more. I usually give tips to people, but I only see a few people coming and going, so it's not really useful."

“In the past, you didn’t need to be frequently summoned by the emperor. The palace maids and eunuchs below you had to flatter you so that you would not lack food, drink and clothing. But now that Consort Fang has miscarried, there is no one in the harem who can use the imperial heir to gain favor. So the emperor will start to favor the harem.”

Yu Ying'er's heart tightened, and just as she was about to say something, Xi Qiao stuffed a pill the size of a lotus seed into her mouth.

"Swallow."

This is a fake pregnancy pill, but I can't tell Yu Ying'er the truth.

"This is a medicine to regulate the body. When taken with another medicine, it can help a woman give birth to a boy in one pregnancy. However, this medicine has a drawback: after taking it, menstruation will stop for three months and a slippery pulse will be detected. But after three months, the accumulated toxins and menstrual blood will flow out together, and signs of miscarriage will appear."

Yu Ying'er stared in astonishment. That...that was a false pregnancy!

Xi Qiao patted her head and looked at her meaningfully, "Don't worry, how difficult it is to get pregnant and give birth in the palace. Consort Fang miscarried today, and you will too. Even if no one plots against you, with your sister here, she will definitely protect you and prevent anyone from finding out that you are faking your pregnancy."

If no one causes her miscarriage after March, Xi Qiao will make the emperor take the blame.

She patiently comforted Ying'er: "Your rank is too low. It would take a long time to rise. But if your rank is not high enough, even if you get pregnant and have a child, you can't raise it yourself. You'll be working yourself to death for someone else's benefit. What's the point?"

Xi Qiao whispered his plans to her.

"Now that you are pregnant, you can be promoted to the rank of Lady-in-Waiting and move into the harem as a proper concubine, just like Lady-in-Waiting Suochuoluo. I already have a plan for the rank of Attendant-in-Waiting after that, so just wait and see."

"This pregnancy is for entering the harem. Once you are diagnosed with pregnancy again, you will be granted the title of Noble Lady. With the secret medicine I have, I can guarantee that you will successfully give birth to a prince. You will then be guaranteed a concubine title, and our days of wealth and honor are yet to come."

Yu Ying'er's eyes shone brightly, filled with admiration for her older sister.

“However,” she said, holding Yu Ying’er’s shoulders and looking into her eyes, “all of this is predicated on living.”

“Yingying, we both need to live in order to grasp that wealth and glory. What is the point of vying for the emperor’s favor? It’s nothing more than to live a life of luxury and privilege. But as long as you can live and give birth to a prince, whether or not you have the emperor’s favor, you will still have your share of wealth and glory.”

Yu Ying'er nodded heavily, her bright black eyes shining with determination. "Don't worry, sister, I will definitely behave! I will just bear with them making things difficult for me and I will resolutely not say anything out of line or offend anyone."

Xi Qiao laughed, "Good girl. It's not that I want you to keep giving in, it's just that you're not capable enough to fight alone. I'll definitely help you get your revenge later."

After Consort Fang's miscarriage, Consort Xin will likely miscarry as well, and Consort Suochuoluo will probably do the same. With three concubines suffering miscarriages in succession, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor will be on edge. If Yu Ying'er also miscarries at this time, it would be abnormal for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor not to investigate carefully.

Regardless of whether the Empress actually does it or not, even if it's a frame-up, the blame must still be placed on the Empress's head!

Consort Fang's accusation that Consort Hua had plotted to harm the imperial heir came to nothing. Although the Empress Dowager and the Emperor suspected Consort Hua of being ruthless, they couldn't find any evidence. Besides, the Emperor now relied heavily on Nian Gengyao, so even if there was evidence, what could they do?

After bestowing a pile of tonics upon them, the three powerful figures of the palace left Suiyu Pavilion. Consort Hua deeply resented Consort Fang's arrogance and slander, and ordered the Imperial Household Department to only provide Suiyu Pavilion with its usual allowance.

Consort Fang had offended many people during her pregnancy, and after learning of her miscarriage, quite a few people came under the guise of concern and visits, but in reality, they came to gloat. For a time, Suiyu Pavilion regained some of its former liveliness.

However, Consort Fang had no time to care about these things. She was heartbroken over the murder of her child and was convinced that Consort Hua was responsible. Every day, she sent palace servants to invite the emperor, but when they met, she would only accuse Consort Hua. Her words and actions became increasingly erratic. The emperor's patience ran out and he grew disgusted with her. Before she had even finished her postpartum confinement, he banished her to the Cold Palace.

Meanwhile, in the inner chamber of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yu Ying'er, realizing that her period should have ended, gagged at a dish of braised fish while eating.

Pearl paused for a moment, then her face lit up with joy. "My lady, are you pregnant?"

Yu Ying'er felt a little guilty. "I...I don't know either, but my period hasn't come yet this month. It's already several days late."

Pearl was so happy that she didn't notice the faint guilt on Yu Ying'er's face. "Please wait a moment, my lady. I will go and ask Eunuch Xia to find a royal physician."

After she left, Yu Ying'er grinned. Soon she would be able to live with her sister.