Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

"Princess, the lady is outside requesting an audience."

Ling Gu walked to Xi Qiao's side and reported softly.

When she spoke, there was no longer any extra emotion on her face.

Xi Qiao frowned. "Didn't I instruct them not to receive guests?"

Ling Gu clenched his fists: "Princess, please allow me to report that Madam did not come alone. She was accompanied by the wife of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Consort Wunaxi."

When Maga Unashi was mentioned, Linggu couldn't help but clench his teeth.

“The wife of the Princess Consort Wunaxi is named Ma Jia. She is the wife of the head of the Juechan clan, who came from a slave background. I’m afraid that the Princess Consort’s visit is for the sake of the slave.”

Xi Qiao looked slightly taken aback, but she wasn't surprised at all. She had already inquired about this clan leader's wife and naturally knew her name.

Ling Gu is a beauty with top-notch looks, talent, and intelligence. At this moment, the only things that could break her defenses, besides the safety of her family, are the fate imposed on her by the Jue Chan clan.

Xi Qiao sighed heavily: "It's finally here. I thought I'd have to wait a while longer. Ling Gu, have you thought about what I told you last time?"

Ling Gu immediately knelt down: "This servant has no intention of currying favor with the powerful, please grant me your protection, Your Highness."

Xi Qiao helped her up: "Alright, I understand. Someone, go and invite Madam and Consort Wunaxi in."

A short while later, Madam Ma brought in a noblewoman dressed in a Manchu-style dress and with her hair styled in a Manchu-style headdress.

"May the Madam be well, and may the Fujin be well."

Xi Qiao bowed to Madam Ma and Ma Jia in a respectful yet aloof manner.

"You're too polite, Princess."

Ma and Ma Jia dared not accept such an honor and immediately stepped aside.

"I had a distinguished guest to entertain earlier, and I apologize for keeping you both waiting. Please don't be annoyed."

Madam Ma's face immediately broke into a wide smile. "It's alright, it's alright. We've all heard about it. It was a lady from the palace who sent someone to deliver the gifts. What a fortunate young lady! She'll be the wife of a prince after she gets married!"

Then, she introduced Ma Jia Wunaxi to Xi Qiao: "This is Ma Jia, the wife of Jue Chan Hacha, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. Today is the eldest daughter's wedding day, and the wife of Jue Chan has come specially to congratulate her."

Ma Jia nodded and smiled at Xi Qiao: "Having heard of the princess's joyous occasion, I have come here to share in the happiness. If I have caused any trouble, please forgive me, princess."

She has a long, slightly plump face with a full forehead, giving her a noble appearance. Her demeanor and speech are cheerful and generous, making a very good first impression.

"It's alright, it's nice to have someone to talk to. Please don't stand, both of you, have a seat."

As soon as Xi Qiao sat down, Ma Jia said, "Jue Chan's family has acquired a ruby, which is perfect and flawless, as red as blood, and as big as an egg. It is perfect to be set in the princess's crown as the wife of the prince."

She raised her hand, and the maid behind her immediately presented her with a carved and gilded sandalwood box.

Princess Juechan personally carried the wooden box forward, opened it in front of Xi Qiao, and showed him the gemstones inside.

However, as she approached, her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Ling Gu.

Xi Qiao pretended not to see her little trick and praised the ruby ​​to her face: "It is indeed a good thing, clear and crystal clear, even the palace is rarely seen. It is too much for the princess. Ling Gu, quickly take it and put it away."

As they were talking, a maid came in to serve tea and snacks.

"Please have some tea, Madam."

Xi Qiao gestured for Ma Jia, who was standing in the room, to sit down, then lowered his eyes and scraped the tea leaves without saying a word.

Ma Jia frowned slightly, returned to her seat, and obediently picked up her teacup.

During the tea break, she secretly glanced up and saw that Xi Qiao's expression was indifferent. She knew that she was not actually popular. The rare ruby ​​had not made him lower his guard.

But upon closer reflection, it makes sense. Who doesn't know about his experiences over the years?

No matter how many good things the bondservants had, they all passed through the palace before flowing out.

But when the tea touched her lips, a fleeting look of surprise crossed Ma Jia's face.

She looked up at Xi Qiao for confirmation: "This seems to be this year's pre-Qingming West Lake Longjing tea. It's already winter, and I didn't expect you to still have it here, Princess. Such fine tea is a rare find at this time of year. Thank you for your hospitality, Princess."

Xi Qiao doesn't know much about tea. He doesn't care about pre-Qingming or post-Qingming tea, or whether it's from West Lake or East Lake, as long as it's drinkable.

However, the fact that Ma Jia could discern the origin and harvest time of this tea shows that she drinks it quite often!

This is the Qing Dynasty! Pre-Qingming Longjing tea is precious, and tea produced in West Lake is even more so, which is considered tribute tea. How could the wife of a fifth-rank official be able to drink it so often?

Xi Qiao smiled. What a great opportunity!

She removed the tea lid and sat up straight: "You're too kind, Madam. Although pre-Qingming Longjing tea is rare, it is still worth its price. But the gemstone that Madam gave me is a rare find."

"I still have some tea, but not much. I'll have someone pack some for you later, so please don't think it's too little."

Princess Juechan immediately exclaimed with delight, "Not at all, thank you so much for your generosity in gifting me tea. I have always loved tea, especially this pre-Qingming West Lake Longjing, but unfortunately the production is so limited that I can only get a little bit each year."

Xi Qiao's smile widened, and he took the initiative to ask about their purpose: "The Princess Consort specially invited the Lady to accompany you, it can't be just to bring congratulatory gifts, right?"

Princess Consort Juechan smiled sheepishly, "As expected, I couldn't hide it from Your Highness's discerning eyes. Since Your Highness asked, I'll just tell you the truth."

"As the saying goes, a man should marry when he comes of age and a woman should marry when she comes of age. I've heard that Your Highness's third brother is of noble character and handsome appearance, and is not yet engaged. I wonder if Your Highness has any arrangements for your brother's marriage?"

As soon as she sat down, Madam Ma, who had been pretending to be a quail and not saying a word, suddenly looked up and stared at Madam Ma in shock.

Xi Qiao raised an eyebrow slightly and followed up on Jue Chan's words, asking, "From what you're saying, Madam, are you planning to act as matchmaker for my brother? May I ask which family the bride is from, and how old she is?"

"That's right. The person I want to speak for your brother is none other than my daughter. I have a daughter who is fifteen years old. Although she is not my biological daughter, she grew up in my room. She is good at managing the household and affairs, and her manners and appearance are also quite good. She is a perfect match for your brother."

Xi Qiao feigned surprise, "It's actually the daughter of the Fujin family."

Juechan Fujin smiled broadly: "Yes, this child is the youngest daughter in the family, and her birth mother died early. I took pity on her and brought her into my room to raise her. Although she is born out of wedlock, she is no different from my own children."

“I have already spoken with her father. After the New Year, we will go back to our hometown and open an ancestral hall to register her under my name. When she gets married in the future, she will be treated as a legitimate daughter.”

This can be considered an increase in the stakes.

When Madam Ma heard this, she almost jumped up. Her eldest daughter-in-law was only the illegitimate daughter of a fifth-rank official, and her in-laws probably had no hope of being promoted in this lifetime, while the head of the Juechan clan was in his prime and would definitely achieve more than just this in the future.

If this Juechan girl were to enter the family, wouldn't she be putting pressure on her two daughters-in-law?

The master already favored Yu Kun and his wretched concubine. If they were to acquire a noble family like the Jue Chan family, how many places would there be for them in the Yu family in the future?