Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Putting aside the fabricated marital affection, even if it were out of consideration for the Empress Dowager's protection of the Empress, in order to maintain the current three-way balance of power in the harem, the Emperor should not have allowed the Empress to close the palace and worship Buddha.

There must be other untold secrets behind this.

"Have someone investigate this carefully again; this shouldn't be the case..."

Consort Hua stopped speaking. "No, don't investigate yet. Go and see if Consort Jin is resting. If not, quietly invite her here."

Given the emperor's selfish, cold-hearted, suspicious, and distrustful nature, it's astonishing that he could disregard the empress dowager's serious illness, the opinions of the court officials and the people, and the excellent situation he had created.

It is clear that behind this secret lies a deadly danger.

If Zhou Ninghai happens to run into the emperor's knife when she goes to investigate, she may not be able to save him from the emperor's clutches.

It's best to play it safe!

Consort Jin quickly arrived at Yikun Palace and saw figures walking back and forth inside through the doors and windows.

"My lady..."

"Don't stand on ceremony, sit down and warm up, I have something important to tell you."

Before Consort Jin could even offer her greetings, Consort Hua pulled her to sit on the heated kang (a traditional heated platform bed).

Have you heard about what happened at Jingren Palace?

Consort Jin nodded, guessing that Consort Hua had summoned her at this time for the same reason.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this matter should not be solely due to Consort Zhen's premature death."

From the prince's residence to the palace, miscarriages and premature births were commonplace. If the emperor truly cared about these offspring, why would he only take serious action at this time?

If it's because the previous people weren't favored enough, then Consort Zhen is also out of favor now.

"I heard that when Consort Zhen was giving birth, Consort Yun—no, she should be called Consort Yun now—went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and has remained there ever since, not returning to Chengqian Palace."

Cao Qinmo's face revealed a strange look. It was really strange that the mother and daughter were both substitutes for Empress Chun Yuan. When the daughter risked her life to give birth to the imperial heir, the more favored mother was promoted in rank first.

But doesn't this just show that in the Emperor's heart, Consort Zhen is not as good as Consort Yun?

Consort Hua's eyes widened slightly, revealing obvious suspicion: "But does Consort Yun have such great abilities? I've observed that although the Emperor dotes on Consort Yun, it's still a bit lacking. He doesn't seem to have the same affection for Consort Zhen as he did before."

Would the emperor disregard the empress's dignity for a pet for whom there are no vested interests or genuine affections?

It’s not possible, right?

Consort Jin smiled mysteriously: "Your Majesty, it doesn't matter what Consort Yun is like. What matters is who she represents. The Empress Dowager and the Empress are one. I can't think of anyone else who could make the Emperor so angry and disregard the Empress Dowager at all, except for the late Empress Chun Yuan."

Consort Hua's pupils constricted sharply. Empress Chun Yuan!

Consort Jin sighed and was also curious: "I heard that the reason why the Empress was able to become Empress was because of the last wish of Empress Chun Yuan. The Empress was protected by Empress Chun Yuan for many years. I don't know what the Empress did this time, but she actually exhausted all of Empress Chun Yuan's blessings."

Consort Hua was also somewhat curious.

Ever since Chun and Yu Jia Gege mentioned Empress Chun Yuan to her, she had specifically asked someone to investigate her.

Judging from the information found, she is a beautiful woman with exceptional talent.

But when it comes to people and how they conduct themselves...

Tsk tsk, what kind of good woman is she who can seduce her brother-in-law when her own sister is eight months pregnant?

Only an emperor with eyes full of boogers would think such a woman is so noble and beautiful.

Chun Yuan?

Bah, that's a disgrace to those two words.

"By the way," Consort Hua suddenly said, "Zhou Ninghai also found out some news. The Emperor ordered the Empress to close the palace to worship Buddha and pray for the Empress Dowager. He also moved Princess Moyaqi, who was being raised in Jingren Palace, to the Princess's residence."

Consort Jin was utterly shocked, then frowned: "It's that serious?"

How is closing the palace any different from banishing someone to the cold palace?

Her mind raced, and she murmured, "Premature birth, little princess, Empress Chun Yuan, Empress, Consort Jing..."

These are the things that happened in the open today. Regardless of what the Empress did in secret to anger the Emperor and be completely rejected and neglected, it is still inextricably linked to these events.

If we were to connect them into a single line, and also link them to Empress Chun Yuan...

Then there is only one way...

Consort Jin's pupils suddenly contracted sharply.

Empress Chun Yuan died along with her unborn child while being cared for by the Empress.

The stand-in for Empress Chun Yuan was murdered and suffered a difficult premature birth.

Su Peisheng then personally escorted the palace servants of Jingren Palace to the Shenxing Division for interrogation.

Most of the people in Jingren Palace had followed the Empress from her former residence to the palace, so they must have been very clear about what the Empress was doing.

If it were just a routine matter, why would Su Peisheng need to personally handle such dirty and tiring work as interrogating palace servants?

Unless the Emperor wants to know something that could cause a major upheaval!

What constitutes a major event?

The ability to depose an empress is naturally a major event.

The empress is now forced to close her palace, and is only one imperial edict away from being deposed.

hiss--

Cao Qinmo gasped, feeling a chill run down her spine.

"Your Majesty, we can't get involved in this anymore. Let's just pretend we don't know anything. Anyway, this matter is related to Empress Chun Yuan, and has absolutely nothing to do with us."

"As for Consort Zhen and Consort Yun, even if you dislike them, please be patient for now. They were definitely involved in this matter, and once the Empress Dowager recovers, she will surely deal with them first."

Although there is no real evidence that the Empress killed Empress Chun Yuan, upon closer examination, it makes some sense.

Given the Empress's ruthlessness and temperament, Chun Yuan's actions had already crossed her bottom line, so it was impossible for her not to do something about it.

After Empress Chun Yuan's death, the Empress gained the support of the Ulanara family, and also obtained the status of the primary consort and even the current Empress throne. No matter how you look at it, she is the biggest beneficiary.

Therefore, even without any evidence, Cao Qinmo had a hunch that the death of Empress Chun Yuan was definitely related to the Empress!

However, this is not something they should get involved in.

Since the Empress is already on the verge of being deposed, why should they get involved in this mess?

Moreover, even if the Empress is deposed, given the Emperor's suspicion and distrust of the Nian family, it is absolutely impossible for Consort Hua to rise to power.

On the contrary, it would only arouse more suspicion and murderous intent from the emperor. The Nian family and Consort Hua would be driven to a dead end with no way out.

Compared to having the opportunity to ascend to the position of Empress, the current situation is the best.

With the Empress confined to her palace, Consort Hua became the highest-ranking concubine. With Consort Hua's support, her and Wenyi's lives were sure to be better than before.

Consort Hua gave her a reproachful look: "You know perfectly well what I think of the Emperor now. What does it matter to me whether those two, mother and daughter, are favored or not? I hold all the power in the palace. If they dare to make me unhappy, I will make them even more unhappy."

Consort Jin smiled and said, "I misunderstood. Your Majesty is the most open-minded."