Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is unwell, and the imperial physicians have repeatedly advised her not to have too much emotional fluctuation. The Sixth Prince's opening of his residence and his wedding should be a joyous occasion, but it would be unfortunate if it aggravated Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's illness."

Su Peisheng's acting skills were impeccable. Everyone present clearly knew the truth of the matter, and upon hearing his words, they even had the impression that the emperor was indeed thinking of the empress dowager.

Su Peisheng kept babbling on: "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager's health has been poor on many occasions. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are very close, and His Majesty is extremely worried. This time, the marriage bestowed upon the Sixth Prince is actually partly intended to bring good luck to the Empress Dowager."

"But as you know, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is in a very difficult condition and can no longer afford to worry about such matters. That's why His Majesty has specially asked you to come out of retirement and take charge of things. Once Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has recovered, you can report the whole story to her. Her Majesty will surely be delighted."

After all, even if the Empress Dowager were perfectly healthy, she couldn't possibly leave the palace to take care of the Sixth Prince; she would have to send her most trusted advisor, Sun Zhuxi.

Sun Zhuxi's face stiffened. His gaze swept over the Xi Qiao and Yu Ying'er sisters, who were dressed as quails, and then landed on Su Peisheng.

"Since the purpose of this marriage is to ensure the Empress Dowager's good health, why not have the Fourteenth Prince have the joy? It's a ghost marriage; the Emperor isn't afraid of being impeached by the censors or ridiculed by the people."

Su Peisheng's face turned cold. "Granny, perhaps you're getting old and your memory isn't what it used to be. The marriage between Sixth Master and Princess Yu Jia dates back to the time of the late Emperor. All these years, Princess Yu Jia has been raised in the Empress Dowager's palace, just to wait to marry Sixth Master."

Xi Qiao and Yu Ying'er's pupils widened in shock. Good heavens, the emperor is really going to great lengths to clear himself of any wrongdoing!

Sun Zhuxi was so angry that he laughed, but he was also at a loss for what to do.

The Emperor's decree has been issued, and the pretext has been prepared. Even if the Empress Dowager were to recover now, she would be powerless to stop it.

Su Peisheng ignored Sun Zhuxi and turned to Xi Qiao: "I wonder if the princess has finished packing? This servant has been ordered to arrange for someone to escort you home to await your marriage. What time would be suitable?"

Xi Qiao sighed, "Everything is ready, and we can set off at any time. Please make the arrangements, Eunuch Su."

"In that case, Princess, please follow me."

Yu Ying'er reluctantly grabbed her hand, her eyes filled with tears, and called out, "Sister—"

Xi Qiao patted the back of her hand, "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. Once I enter the Sixth Prince's residence, I will be able to come and pay my respects to Your Majesty more often. Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself as well. If Your Majesty becomes thin by then, I will be very angry."

Yu Ying'er tried hard to hold back her tears and nodded to Xi Qiao with a smile. She wanted to say a few more words to her sister, but she was afraid that she would burst into tears as soon as she opened her mouth.

There were already maids and servants waiting outside Zhongcui Palace. These were people bestowed by the emperor to serve her and to prevent her from doing anything that would damage the royal family's dignity.

Behind her, Yu Ying'er finally couldn't hold back and burst into tears.

Xi Qiao paused, and the palace maid supporting her whispered a reminder: "Princess, watch your step."

She was standing right in front of the threshold of the Zhongcui Palace.

Xi Qiao gave a soft "hmm" and stepped out steadily.

She has her own path to follow, and the amount of energy she can spare is limited.

Besides, she had already given Yu Ying'er enough.

As Xi Qiao walked along the palace road toward the palace gate, he unexpectedly caught a glimpse of the departing figure of the Fourth Prince, Hongli, when he passed Chengqian Palace.

This time should have been the time for the princes to study, but unfortunately the Third Prince was unwell, so the Emperor granted him two days of rest at the Princes' Residence. Naturally, the tutor who was instructing the Third Prince was also given leave.

The Fourth Prince, Hongli, had recently managed to get into the Third Prince's class thanks to his "intelligence and talent," but now that the Third Prince is no longer attending classes, he naturally has no classes to attend.

Hongli, who was eager to improve himself but had no way to do so, was so angry that his eyes almost turned red. After thinking it over, he realized that only his adoptive mother could help him, so he led his people to Chengqian Palace to pay his respects.

He had barely reached the palace gate when he saw his stepmother's personal maid carrying a tray out. Curious, he walked in. The maids and eunuchs along the way were busy sweeping and did not notice his hurried footsteps, so they did not offer him a greeting.

Therefore, Consort Yun, who was talking to another confidante in the inner room, did not notice that her adopted son had slipped outside the door.

Inside the room, Yun Chang's newly promoted trusted palace maid, Jin'er, was having a heart-to-heart talk with Yun Shi, and then dismissed all the servants.

"Although there are many good things in the treasury, only two can be called rare treasures. Today, you sent the Hetian white jade animal pattern pillow, which you originally intended to use to patronize the Fourth Prince, to Zhongcui Palace."

"So, Fourth Prince, are you planning to use those Ru kiln double-eared vases that were prepared for Consort Zhen?"

Jin'er knelt on the footstool, carefully asking questions while massaging Yun's legs.

Upon hearing his own name, Hongli immediately stopped and quietly eavesdropped outside the door.

Inside the room, Yun Xinluo shook her head upon hearing Jin'er's words: "Ru ware is rare, especially this pair, which is sky blue with ice crackle patterns, making them even more precious. Consort Zhen doesn't like gold and silver ware, but she will definitely love this pair of double-eared vases."

No matter how good Hongli is, he is not her biological son.

No matter how despicable Zhen Yuandao was, Zhen Huan was still her own flesh and blood, whom she had carried for ten months and given birth to.

Although she had some conflicts with Huan'er before, mother and daughter rarely hold grudges. Especially since Huan'er was now six months pregnant but was depressed because she was destined not to be able to raise the child, she hoped that seeing the pair of double-eared vases would cheer Huan'er up.

Depression during pregnancy is most damaging to a woman's spirit and is also bad for the baby.

Although the child cannot be raised by her daughter, she is still her own granddaughter, and she still hopes that both her daughter and granddaughter can be well.

Yes, Zhen Huan's belly is already six months along, and the imperial physician diagnosed her a couple of days ago that she is carrying a princess.

Jin'er knew the true relationship between her mistress and Consort Zhen. It wasn't wrong for her mistress to care so much about Consort Zhen, but…

“But my lady, according to the jade tablet, you and the Fourth Prince are the biological mother and son. The Fourth Prince has a bright future, so you can have a better one. As for Consort Zhen, there are many ways to make her happy. Why do you have to send her this pair of double-eared vases?”

"To be frank, the Emperor and Empress Dowager are already wary of your relationship with Consort Zhen, and they may not want to see you associating with her. If our actions anger the Emperor and Empress Dowager, what will become of your future?"

"Moreover, ever since you received your rank, Consort Zhen has neither sent anyone to deliver gifts nor to pay her respects. On the contrary, she seems to want to distance herself from you. It is said that even crows feed their parents, but Consort Zhen's behavior..."

Stung by Jin'er's words, Yun Xinluo snapped at her with a dark expression, "Shut up!"

Jin'er's lips turned pale, and she immediately knelt at her feet. "This servant misspoke, please punish me, Your Highness. But my heart is absolutely devoted to Your Highness, please understand."

Although he was apologizing, his expression was very stubborn.