Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

It's true, Zhongcui Palace is really quiet, or rather, the entire Eastern Six Palaces are quiet.

Most of the emperor's concubines were concentrated in the Western Six Palaces. Consort Hua's Yikun Palace, Consort Qi's Changchun Palace, Consort Li's Qixiang Palace, and Consort Jing's Xianfu Palace were all within the territory of the Western Six Palaces. In contrast, only the Empress lived in the Jingren Palace in the Eastern Six Palaces, and all the other palaces were empty.

After Zhen Huan and the others entered the palace, An Lingrong, Fucha Guiren, and others lived in Yanxi Palace in the Eastern Six Palaces.

The Borjigit noblewoman, who symbolized the Manchu-Mongol alliance through marriage, moved into Zhongcui Palace. The other palaces, Chengqian Palace and Jingyang Palace, remained vacant, and Yonghe Palace, the former residence of the Empress Dowager, was even more uninhabited.

The rear hall of Zhongcui Palace is called Jinghe Hall. It has five bays, with the main entrance in the central bay and side halls on both sides. The courtyard is spacious and well-lit. It's a nice place.

When Xi Qiao arrived, Yu Ying'er was already dressed and ready. "This servant greets Young Master Zhuang."

Yu Ying'er quickly helped her up, "Sister, Sister Chunrong, what are you doing? We don't need these formalities."

Xi Qiao smiled faintly, "The proper etiquette must not be disregarded. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was very pleased to hear that Your Highness is pregnant, and specially ordered me to come and present you with a reward. Please accept it."

Yu Ying'er glanced at it and ordered someone to accept it. "Please thank the Empress Dowager for her generous reward when you get back. Sister, you must be busy. If you're not, please have a cup of tea and chat with me. I feel a little uneasy, as if... this is not real."

"If Your Highness doesn't mind, I'd like to keep you company and have a chat."

Yu Ying'er was overjoyed. "You may all step back. Xiao Lezi can stay here."

The three palace maids withdrew as instructed, leaving only the two sisters inside and outside the room, apart from Xiao Lezi at the door.

With no outsiders around, Yu Ying'er immediately threw herself into Xi Qiao's arms, "Sister, I... I agree!"

She recounted the events of the day in a jumbled mess, “...I always remembered what my sister told me: don’t stand out. That’s why I pushed Suochuoluo out. The Emperor praised me and then bestowed the title of Shu upon her.”

This child has made progress!

"Well done, our young master has made great progress."

Hearing her sister's praise, Yu Ying'er smiled and said, "I was so nervous when the imperial physician came to take my pulse that I was sweating profusely. Luckily, thankfully..."

Xi Qiao patted her hand, "Your Highness needn't do this. Don't you trust me?"

Yu Ying'er immediately sat up straight to show that she believed it, "It's just that, it's the first time... I always feel empty inside."

"Then Your Highness must try to get used to it. Tomorrow is the tenth of the month again, and you should go to pay your respects to the Empress. There will surely be many concubines in Jingren Palace asking you questions. If Your Highness looks guilty, others will definitely become suspicious, which will lead to many troubles."

Yu Ying'er frowned, "Then I'll pretend to be shy, and I'll lower my face whenever they speak."

“That’s one way,” Xi Qiao chuckled. “But why should you feel guilty, Your Highness? Even if you deny being pregnant, everyone will just think you’re crazy with joy. The Imperial Medical Academy’s records clearly state that they have confirmed you are over a month pregnant.”

Yu Ying'er was in a daze, as if no one but herself and her sister would believe that she was faking her pregnancy.

The Empress Dowager ordered people to send rewards, and the Empress, Consort Hua, Consort Qi and other high-ranking concubines also sent their own rewards. When Jianqiu came in and saw Xi Qiao, the contemptuous look in her eyes disappeared. "I didn't expect Miss Chunrong to be here as well."

"The Empress Dowager was worried that Consort Zhuang was too young and inexperienced, so she ordered me to give her a few more instructions."