Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

The Empress, having lost her child, didn't dare blame her indifferent husband, and was also powerless against her elder sister who had taken all the doctors away. So she could only vent her anger on the servants who served the eldest prince. But how innocent were those servants?

Xi Qiao pondered carefully: what did the Empress care about most?

It was her throne as empress, her title as the principal wife, the emperor's love, and her son who died young.

As long as the Empress Dowager is alive, no one can shake the position of Empress.

She is indeed the principal wife, but it's a pity that she's not the first wife but a second wife. This can be used to our advantage and will surely strike at the Empress's sore spot.

The emperor's feelings were even more laughable. Putting aside Empress Chun Yuan and those around her, the emperor did have some affection for Consort Hua, but for the empress, all he had was a superficial affection.

There are many sore spots, but we need to find someone to help.

After washing up, Xi Qiao lay on the bed pondering how likely it was that he could persuade the emperor to register the Third Prince under the name of Empress Chun Yuan.

Hehe, if this really happens, wouldn't the Empress be so angry she'd vomit blood? The status of the Empress's legitimate son is much higher than that of the Empress's son.

The fool who was trying to make a living in his own hands put his most beloved son on his head. Tsk, that must feel really bitter.

The next day, the Empress Dowager, on the pretext of plotting to harm the imperial heir, demoted two concubines in Cining Palace to commoners and spread rumors in the inner palace that the miscarriages of Consort Xin and Consort Zhuang were caused by the two women.

To appease the two victims, an imperial decree was issued to promote Consort Xin to Noble Lady and Consort Zhuang to Consort, and people were ordered to bestow upon them many nourishing items.

At the same time, the Empress Dowager was ill, and the Empress, being extremely filial, requested to stay at the Shou Kang Palace to care for her, thus completely handing over the power of the harem to Consort Hua and Consort Qi.

In Jinghe Palace, Yu Ying'er, who had suffered a miscarriage after a false pregnancy, happily held Xi Qiao's arm, her eyes filled with admiration and respect for her sister. She had truly become a Consort!

Xi Qiao stroked her hair and said, "Be more discreet. Of all the people around you, only Xiao Lezi is trustworthy. You must not reveal anything."

Yu Ying'er looked indifferent. "But I'm already a Consort. Even if I gave birth to a prince, I would only be promoted two ranks to become a Noble Lady. But now I'm already a Consort. I should be happy!"

Xi Qiao was speechless for a moment. "Fine."

After talking with her for a while, Xi Qiao came out of the inner room and called Xiao Lezi over. "Now that Princess Zhuang has been promoted, she can have two more eunuchs by her side. I have already spoken to the Imperial Household Department. You can decide on these personnel and then report it."

From then on, Xiao Lezi became the head eunuch around Yu Ying'er.

Xiao Lezi understood the implied meaning of those words, her eyes shining as she gracefully bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sister. Thank you for your trust, mistress. This servant will do my best."

Xi Qiao took out a ten-tael gold ingot and placed it in his palm. "Little Lezi, we have known each other for five years. We survived those days at Yonghe Palace by relying on each other. You know what kind of person I am. Follow the young master well, and the young master will not let you suffer. I will not let you be wronged either."

Xiao Lezi initially wanted to refuse the gold ingot, but after hearing these words, she gripped it tightly with both hands. "My life should have ended long ago. Meeting you, sister and mistress, is a blessing I've accumulated over eight lifetimes."

Xi Qiao laughed, "Last night Aunt Sun told me that your good fortune is yet to come, and I'd like to pass those words on to you today."

"Go ahead and find two clean and usable ones."

She glanced back at Jinghe Palace and saw Yuhe Jinshuang wiping the windows outside, while Pearl sat inside, lost in thought.

It's very enjoyable to be around the Empress Dowager and act like a bully, but there's one downside: it's inconvenient to move palace maids around.

Chunrong has been in the palace for more than ten years and has painstakingly cultivated a considerable network of connections.

But she dared not use these people lightly, otherwise, if the Empress Dowager and Sun Zhuxi caught wind of it, she and Yu Ying'er would both suffer.

We still need to find an opportunity to be promoted openly and legitimately from Shou Kang Palace.

A head maid with a rank is definitely better than a palace maid.

Even if one is highly respected by the Empress Dowager, it is all just a facade. As the saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Having power in your hands is better than having a glorious reputation.

When they returned to Shou Kang Palace, the Empress was copying the Rebirth Sutra in her small study. She would copy one scroll of Jianqiu and then burn it; this was ordered by the Empress Dowager for the four unborn imperial heirs.

Later that evening, Xi Qiao approached Sun Zhuxi and asked, "Aunt, there's something I don't understand. Why hasn't Her Majesty the Empress conceived again all these years?"

It wasn't anything important, so Aunt Sun didn't hide it. "Her Majesty the Empress injured her body when she gave birth to the First Prince."

"The Imperial Medical Academy is full of top-notch doctors. With careful treatment, she might be able to conceive again. Although the princes and princesses are all the Empress's children, those who live in the womb are still not as good as her own. What do you say, Aunt?"

Sun Zhuxi sighed, "What you can think of, the Empress Dowager can't think of? Years ago, the Empress Dowager ordered Imperial Physician Zhang to treat the Empress, but after three whole years, there was no improvement."

Three years is not a short time.

"Although Physician Zhang is highly skilled, there is no limit to medical knowledge. If Physician Zhang cannot cure the Empress, then a doctor in the folk who specializes in infertility may be able to do the same."

"It's just a matter of a few words. Just send someone to find it. If we are fortunate enough to be able to improve Her Majesty the Empress's health, that would be a great deed. If not, it would just be a matter of spending some words and money."

Sun Zhuxi was strangely tempted.

A few days later, members of the Ulanara and Uya clans sent petitions requesting entry into the palace to visit the ailing Empress Dowager.

Afterwards, the smell of medicine from Shou Kang Palace could be smelled even on the long street, which matched the statement that the Empress Dowager was seriously ill.

When the emperor learned of this, he rushed over to visit his mother, fearing that something might have happened to her.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager had a rosy complexion and was in good health, while the Empress looked pale and had dark circles under her eyes, resembling a beast that had eaten iron.

Fortunately, the Empress was unaware of the Emperor's inner turmoil; otherwise, she would have been so angry that she would have vomited blood.

The bitter and astringent medicine had to be poured down my throat three times a day, two bowls each time, and I also had to kneel and copy scriptures. Who could stand that?

Anyway, the Empress can't take it anymore.

After visiting the Empress Dowager and confirming that she was alright, the Emperor left, leaving the Empress to continue suffering.

It wasn't until late July, at the full-month celebration of Consort Cao's little princess, that the Empress Dowager took pity on the Empress and stopped her from kneeling and copying scriptures. However, she still made her drink medicine to regulate her body. "Imperial Physician Zhang also said that if she takes good care of herself for two or three years, she may be able to conceive again."

The Empress looked unwell. "Aunt, I am forty years old this year."

The Empress Dowager knew perfectly well that she was just using this as an excuse to coerce the Empress.

"The Ulanara and Uya clans need a prince. Yixiu, you should decide for yourself."

If you don't want to have children or can't have them, then let someone else have them.

The Empress's fingers dug into the soft flesh of her palm beneath her sleeve. The torment and suffering she had endured these past few days were slowly eroding her reason. The Empress Dowager's words at this moment were like a spark, completely igniting her.

“Since Aunt understands, she should know that everything I have done is for the sake of Ulanara and Uya. The Third Prince is the Emperor’s eldest son, and by ensuring his succession as Crown Prince, Ulanara and Uya can preserve their wealth and honor.”

So, in order to protect the Third Prince's position, he ruthlessly harmed the other pregnant concubines?