Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Zhen Huan looked at her with tears in her beautiful eyes, "I didn't know the truth before. I could never understand why the Empress looked at me with such complicated emotions, sometimes affectionate, sometimes hateful, and sometimes expectant."

“When the new concubines paid their respects, I made a mistake and was made difficult and punished by Consort Hua. Although the Empress always spoke well of me, the look she gave me was one of satisfaction. At that time, I thought that the Empress was also secretly blaming me for breaking the rules and hurting her reputation.”

“When I was betrayed by Huanbi, demoted by the Empress Dowager, stripped of my title, and confined to copy scriptures, the Empress sent Jianqiu to comfort and care for me. I was not comforted; I only saw the gloating on Jianqiu’s face.”

"When I was falsely accused by Xia and forced to reveal my pregnancy, the Empress showed no surprise whatsoever. She seemed to have known all along, and her eyes showed clear disgust as she looked at my belly."

“But ever since I returned from the Old Summer Palace, I’ve always had an accident whenever I go out. Twice, if it weren’t for Xiao Yunzi’s quick thinking, this child would have been lost. But each time, the investigation would run out of clues halfway through, and we couldn’t find the person at all.”

"The only thing I wouldn't have known about was the mushroom wonton incident last time, if it weren't for the fact that my maid Pei'er was from the same hometown and knew the servants under Chef Chen."

"Although I don't know why the Empress wants to harm Consort Zhuang, once the news of the red flower candle gets out, the Empress will surely use it against me. And I don't want to become a weapon in the Empress's hands to eliminate dissidents."

Yun Xinluo exhaled a breath of turbid air and said with a heavy expression, "You did the right thing. Although the Empress has lost power, as long as the Empress Dowager is still alive, the Empress cannot remain silent forever. If this matter is not handled carefully, it will only highlight the Empress's innocence and make the Emperor think about the affection between husband and wife."

"After all, this famille rose vase came from Consort Zhuang's hands, and it has been in your possession for more than a year. It's not impossible that someone with ulterior motives tampered with it during that time. It's impossible to use this to punish the Empress."

"Especially since this matter involves Consort Zhuang. Consort Zhuang is favored by the Emperor and has the Sixth Prince by her side. Now her own sister has become the wife of Prince Mu. Although she has no power behind her, the Emperor's favor and trust in her are comparable to that of Consort Hua."

"With such great favor, the Emperor will certainly not punish Consort Zhuang for a piece of red flower wax that has not committed any wrongdoing. Making a scene will only create another enemy for us."

Consort Zhuang is not a clever person, nor is she magnanimous or tolerant. Once this matter gets out, she will definitely hold a grudge.

Zhen Huan gave a bitter smile: "I won't add any more. Ever since I entered the palace, Consort Zhuang has disliked me. And after the mushroom wonton incident, she has hated me to the core for a long time. I'm afraid Consort Zhuang is also waiting for an opportunity to defeat me in one blow."

Yun Xinluo was at a loss for how to comfort Zhen Huan.

Although the Emperor often summoned her to accompany him and serve him in bed, he would always mention Consort Zhuang when they were eating together.

—This dessert is a bit too sweet, but Consort Zhuang should like it. Send it to Consort Zhuang.

—This fruit is fresh. Consort Zhuang probably doesn't have any yet. Send it to Consort Zhuang.

—This soup is refreshing and nourishing. Consort Zhuang has been working hard taking care of the Sixth Prince lately, so I'm sending it to her.

The emperor had three thousand concubines in his harem, yet he remembered Consort Zhuang's tastes and preferences and often thought of her, which shows how deep his affection for her was.

Because the Empress and her daughter were neglected by the Emperor, and because Consort Zhuang, a favored concubine with both a son and power, harbored resentment, Yun Xinluo truly couldn't offer any words of comfort.

Seeing Yun Xinluo remain silent, Zhen Huan lowered her eyelids and looked at the lifelike embroidery on the quilt, saying somewhat dejectedly, "Mother, go back now, and don't come again."

Yun Xinluo frowned: "What are you saying? How can I ignore you?"

Zhen Huan raised her hand to touch her belly and said meaningfully, "Mother, this child will always need someone to take care of him."

Yun Xinluo's expression immediately changed; she understood the unspoken meaning behind Zhen Huan's words.

Huan'er's pregnancy is due in about two months. Since the Empress is determined to kill Huan'er, how could she miss this great opportunity?

Childbirth is already extremely dangerous for a woman. If the Empress or Consort Zhuang were to interfere and sabotage the process, Huan'er might not even make it out of the delivery room alive.

"Huan'er, don't say such unlucky things. There's always a way out. Let's think of a solution."

Yun Xinluo's mind raced: "The only person in the palace who can help us and is willing to help us is Consort Jing."

The Empress's power in the palace was unfathomable, and Consort Zhuang was favored and held power in the palace. Ordinary people had neither the ability nor the courage to go against them.

But Consort Jing was one of these unusual people.

It was clear that Huan'er's child was to be raised by Consort Jing, and Consort Jing did indeed show extremely high expectations for the child, even after it was confirmed that it was just a princess.

"I observe that Consort Jing is a woman of great integrity and acts with generosity. She is not the kind of person who would scheme against her conscience for personal gain. She is extremely fond of the princess in your womb and has also taken good care of us. Since she cares so much about this child, how could she allow the child to be in danger?"

Difficult childbirth not only harms the mother's body, but also the child.

If Huan'er were to die tragically, the child would not only be physically affected, but might also be branded as a jinx.

Zhen Huan hesitated and raised her eyes: "But Consort Jing has a high position but no real power, which does not help my situation at all. Besides, this child is ultimately going to be raised by her. She is both the birth mother and the adoptive mother. How could Consort Jing allow me to live and fight her for the child?"

Yun Xinluo disagreed with Zhen Huan's words: "Consort Jing is an old-timer from the Prince's residence. If she didn't have some real skills, how could she have become a consort? Consort Xin was also a princess from the Prince's residence. She gave birth to Princess Shuhe and also miscarried once, but she is only a consort now."

"Moreover, I can see that Consort Jing genuinely loves the princess in your womb. Even if she wanted to get rid of you, the princess's birth mother, she would never risk the princess's death during your childbirth..."

“Mother, I don’t want to place my hopes on anyone anymore.”

Zhen Huan interrupted Yun Xinluo, feeling somewhat impatient with her.

What she wanted was to use Yun Xinluo to achieve her own goals, not to keep Yun Xinluo out of it. Besides, the whole "red flower wax" thing was just a fabrication.

Consort Zhuang was dull-witted, but Lady Yu was extremely shrewd and meticulous. How could something from their hands have such a big mistake?

If she wants to deal with the Empress, the best entry point is undoubtedly Empress Chun Yuan.

The best way to resolve the Empress's attempt to assassinate Empress Chun Yuan was for Yun Xinluo to report it to the Emperor.

Because she is practically a living Empress Chun Yuan, only by having her come forward can the Emperor's grief over the deaths of Empress Chun Yuan and her son be brought to light.

Only the most excruciating pain can harden an emperor's heart.

Yun Xinluo's face stiffened, and she couldn't utter the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

To place one's hopes on others? She would never be willing to do so.

But given their current situation, what other options do they have besides placing their hopes on others and gambling on other people's kindness?

Among the concubines in the harem, she seemed to receive the most favor, but in reality, the emperor only treated her as a living object, a tool for him to remember his deceased wife and a way to relieve his longing for her.

An object or tool is not worthy of human dignity.

He has the favor of the emperor, but no real dignity.

Only those involved truly understand the difficulties involved.

The room was silent for a moment.

After a long while, Yun Xinluo lowered her eyes and looked at Zhen Huan's seven-month pregnant belly, and said softly, "In that case, we can only take them by surprise."

However, it's just too risky.

Zhen Huan, however, remained unfazed; this was exactly what she wanted.