Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Sun Zhuxi originally thought that Xi Qiao would still refuse outright. After all, the Yu family had offered much more in the main hall of the front courtyard. There was no reason why he would look down on something that was more expensive, but this less expensive one would still be acceptable.

But to everyone's surprise, Xi Qiao actually nodded and accepted it!

Xi Qiao sat in the main seat and sighed, "The family has already repaid the dowry for Mother at the agreed price, but I didn't expect Madam to still feel so bad. Well, since Madam and her two younger brothers and sisters-in-law have brought it up again and prepared generous gifts, if I don't accept them, I'm afraid Madam and her younger brothers and sisters-in-law will be even more anxious."

“I accept your apology gift today, and there’s no need to bring this up again. You don’t need to worry that I will harm you. I’m not the kind of person who holds grudges or is petty, nor am I a hypocrite.”

That's true; she didn't have that much time to argue with Ma.

No matter how despicable Ma was, he was not the ringleader of all evil.

Moreover, she was already plotting to kill Yu Chonglin. Once Yu Chonglin was gone, Madam Ma and her children would lose their support, and naturally, there would be plenty of people to torment them.

Why waste her time and energy and get her hands dirty?

Besides, she only represents herself; there's also Yu Ying'er in the palace.

Madam Ma and her two daughters-in-law naturally noticed the flaw in her words. However, although Consort Zhuang's status was more noble, she was still in the palace.

"Thank you for your understanding, young lady."

"Thank you for your understanding, big sister."

The three women—mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and mother-in-law—were overjoyed, believing they had removed the obstacle that stood in their way of immense wealth.

After seeing the three women off, Xi Qiao had two personal maids register and store the things she had brought back in the storeroom, leaving only Sun Zhuxi in the room to talk.

She pursed her lips and asked, "The nanny was silent the whole way out of the palace. Was she blaming me and Her Majesty for being incompetent?"

Although Sun Zhuxi had decided to stay by her side, he couldn't help but worry about the Empress Dowager.

"Your Highness is too kind to this old servant. This old servant is simply reluctant to part with his former master."

The term "former master" is quite ingenious.

Xi Qiao took a sip of tea. "It's good that the old lady didn't blame me or the Empress. But there's no point in saying more now. I'm just a little curious as to why the old lady suddenly insisted on sending me to the Fourteenth Prince's residence."

It wasn't that Xi Qiao didn't mind the effort and was deliberately putting on a show in front of Sun Zhuxi, but rather that the round-faced old woman was eavesdropping through a wall!

She had guessed that Big Fat Orange would send someone to monitor her, but she didn't expect to be caught by her as soon as she returned to the Yu family.

Ah this...

It's a bit boring.

Sun Zhuxi shook her head and remained silent, only saying, "Your Highness has been in the inner palace for a long time and should understand the principle that secrets can be deadly. Since the Emperor has transferred me away from the Empress Dowager's side, I have already prepared to retire in the Sixth Prince's residence."

"With Sixth Master gone, Princess is my only master. I long for a peaceful old age, and naturally I also hope that you, Princess, will live a long and worry-free life. Therefore, please forgive me for not being able to tell you."

Xi Qiao sighed heavily: "It was my fault for asking that I shouldn't have asked. It's not the old lady's fault at all. But I have another matter I would like to ask the old lady for help with."

“I’ve seen all these people around me, and apart from Xiao Linzi, whom I know, the rest are all unfamiliar faces. You have a long history in the palace and have many connections, so I would like to ask you to help me investigate.”

With her connections, she certainly didn't lack these dozens of people, but Yu Ying'er was still in the palace, and she didn't want the emperor to suspect anything. So she could only go through the trouble of figuring out these people's backgrounds.

Sun Zhuxi was not surprised by her request, but things were different now than before.

Her face showed bitterness: "Princess, the Emperor placed this old servant by your side because he doesn't want me to have much contact with people in the palace anymore. This old servant can't help you with this matter."

"It was my oversight that caused you trouble, Granny."

"Your Highness, what are you saying? It is my uselessness that I cannot help you."

Xi Qiao shook his head, "What you said, Granny, is really too kind. These days, no matter what background these people have, they all need some training to be used effectively. I was also taught by you, Granny, and I know your abilities better than anyone else."

Seeing that Xi Qiao was willing to use her, Sun Zhuxi finally felt relieved. "It's good that she can help the princess."

"Look at what you're saying, Granny. I can't do without you here. You've been busy all day, Granny, go and rest first. When you have time, I'll have to trouble you to take care of the people in this courtyard."

Among the people in this courtyard, besides Sun Zhuxi, who has already resigned himself to his fate, and Xiao Linzi, who is disabled but determined, there are probably quite a few demons and monsters hiding in the shadows.

Especially those two head maids, if their arrogance isn't curbed, their words might not be able to get out of the inner courtyard in the future.

It wasn't that Xi Qiao thought highly of them, but rather that the nannies of the Qing Dynasty princesses' residences were truly famous. Although the Sixth Prince's residence was the residence of an imperial prince, in reality, how was it any different from a princess's residence?

She had no choice but to be on guard.

Within the rights of the head maids, disciplining the maids was the most important part and the most crucial component of their power.

Without this, these nannies would be half useless.

However, this is also something that will offend people. But she has a monster-attracting artifact called Sun Zhuxi!

Sun Zhuxi's identity was common knowledge, so even if the two were dissatisfied, they didn't dare to complain or make any underhanded moves.

Moreover, they will be extremely grateful to her.

The head maids who came from the Empress Dowager's side, managing the maids—is that considered usurping power? That's a waste of talent. Even if those two head maids were sidelined, it would be perfectly reasonable.

After seeing Sun Zhuxi off, Xi Qiao summoned the two head maids.

The woman, with a round face, a smiling mouth, and a kind appearance, was surnamed Kang and was called Granny Kang.

With her sunken eye sockets and thin cheeks, one could immediately tell that she was serious and rigid, surnamed Liu, and was called Granny Liu.

"We two servants humbly request Your Highness's instructions."

"Please rise, both of you."

Xi Qiao took off a pair of gold bracelets engraved with joyful expressions from his wrist and gave them to them.

"I dare not accept such praise. Both of you have weathered many storms and have more experience than I do. You know what you should and shouldn't do, so there's no need for me to presume to teach you."

Establishing authority depends on the individual.

People like the head maids from the palace are shrewd and adept at judging people and controlling their hearts. Every word and action of yours will become a code for them to decipher you. Once they figure out your abilities, just wait and see what they can do!

The two old women were on high alert, and the same thought popped into their heads at the same time: this person is not easy to fool.

Kang Mama bowed with a look of fear: "Your Highness is too kind. I just entered the palace early and ate a few more years of muddled food."

The old woman next to her, Granny Liu, also bowed: "How dare we servants show off in front of a princess?"

The sliding knee movement was quite fast.

Xi Qiao smiled and said, "You two ladies don't need to be so modest."

"I have a lot to do today, so I won't waste time beating around the bush. I invited you two ladies here because there are some things I need to discuss with you in person, so as to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings between us in the future."

“These two are head maids assigned to me by the Imperial Household Department. In principle, the young maids in this courtyard should be under your supervision. However…”