Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Yu Ying'er didn't care; as long as her sister was always by her side, it was just a title, nothing more. But what was she going to the Imperial Household Department for?

"The Imperial Household Department is so far away, just send someone from your subordinates. Why bother yourselves, sister and aunt?"

“This brat is hard to deal with. Your Highness is pregnant, and you will need to trouble the Imperial Household Department quite often in the future. Make sure to make some arrangements beforehand. For the sake of the money, the Imperial Household Department will do its best to fulfill any request Your Highness may have.”

Yu Ying'er pouted, not wanting to hide it, "I'm pregnant and I still have to curry favor with those sycophants in the Imperial Household Department! It's such a humiliating job to be a mistress like this."

Xi Qiao patted her hand, "It's not about flattery. Since Your Highness is pregnant, the Imperial Household Department naturally wouldn't dare to be disrespectful. However, Your Highness should know that things are of different grades. Even with the same type of white fungus, there are differences in size and whether it's large or small, or even just pieces."

"Furthermore, if anyone tries to use the Imperial Household Department to smuggle dirty things into Zhongcui Palace, they will try to stop them because they have received favors from us. Even if they can't stop them, they will at least give them a subtle warning."

Yu Ying'er was completely stunned. She couldn't believe it was possible to do that!

"The Emperor has bestowed upon me a box of jewels; Aunt, please take that." Since it's a favor, one shouldn't be stingy.

Xi Qiao nodded in satisfaction, and had Qingzhu stay by Yu Ying'er's side to take care of her daily life along with Jin Shuang. Then he took Xiao Lezi to the Imperial Household Department.

On the way, Xiao Lezi mentioned the palace maid Duiyu, "Auntie is so clever. Duiyu and Jixiang, the head palace maid of Consort Duan of Yanqing Palace, are from the same hometown. After you said you wanted to dismiss one of them, Duiyu couldn't sit still and took advantage of the daylight to run to Jixiang to discuss it."

Xi Qiao chuckled and didn't bring it up again. "What about the people in the front hall? Now that Your Highness is a Noble Lady, you can have four palace maids and four eunuchs by your side. If they have clean backgrounds, it will save you some trouble."

Xiao Lezi immediately smiled; he knew his aunt would ask this, and he had figured it out long ago.

"There are 8 eunuchs and 8 palace maids in the front hall. Among them, the head eunuch Lin and his three apprentices are Consort Hua's people, Donglai is the Empress's people, Xiao Xizi and Xiao Lianzi have not been found yet, and there is also Xiao Luzi who was just assigned here. He is too young to be involved."

"Two of the palace maids had contact with Duiyu, one had dealings with Zhenzhu, and another was acquainted with Huichun from Jingren Palace."

Upon hearing this lineup, Xi Qiao couldn't help but laugh, "They really think highly of our young master."

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Imperial Household Department. A box of top-quality gemstones was handed to Huang Guiquan. Everything Jinghe Palace needed was prepared in the blink of an eye, including a set of allowances for a concubine. "Thank you for taking this back, Aunt."

Xi Qiao was pleased with Huang Guiquan's tact. "Thank you, Steward Huang. Steward Huang is very thorough in his work; no wonder Consort Hua relies on him so much."

Huang Guiquan's eyelids twitched. What did Aunt Chunrong mean?

Xi Qiao leaned closer and stuffed a ten-tael gold ingot into Huang Guiquan's hand. "Princess Zhuang is pregnant and has a light sleep and is easily startled. I would like to ask Steward Huang to put in a good word for her with Consort Hua."

Huang Guiquan immediately smiled and said, "Aunt, you are too kind. Everyone, from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to us who serve you, is very nervous about this pregnancy. Consort Hua is also very concerned about you and often inquires about your well-being. She knows that you are working hard and will not allow anyone else to disturb you in Zhongcui Palace."

Xi Qiao also laughed, "Then I will thank Steward Huang on behalf of the young mistress. The young mistress cannot be without someone by her side, so I will take my leave now."

"Take care, Auntie."

After Xi Qiao left, Huang Guiquan's apprentice asked him in confusion, "Master, what does Aunt Chunrong mean? I've been trying to figure it out for a long time but I still can't understand it."

Huang Guiquan snorted coldly and slammed his hat down hard. "Stupid as a pig! This guy wants me to speak to Consort Hua and ask her to move the Borjigit Consort who was originally assigned to the East Annex Hall of the Zhongcui Palace!"

The young eunuch exclaimed, "Then this..."

Huang Guiquan tossed the gold ingot in his hand and said, "Who has a grudge against gold? Go, take those jade earrings, let's go pay our respects to Consort Hua."

In Yikun Palace, Huang Guiquan presented the exquisite and precious earrings. Consort Hua took a liking to them at first glance and praised Huang Guiquan with delight, "You are doing this job better and better."

Huang Guiquan bowed and smiled obsequiously, "Oh dear, that's all thanks to Your Majesty's excellent training."

Consort Hua raised an eyebrow triumphantly, "Speak, what brings you here now?"

"Your Majesty, you are so insightful and wise. This servant's little scheme could not escape your discerning eyes."

Huang Guiquan smiled obsequiously.

"It is truly unexpected that Consort Zhuang became pregnant so quickly. This servant has come here specifically to ask you for advice."

Hearing that Consort Zhuang was pregnant, Consort Hua was displeased and snorted coldly, "Idea? What idea? That Lady Yu is pregnant right after her confinement period. It's uncertain how long this pregnancy will last. I'll just have to wait and see."

Huang Guiquan replied, "Then, Your Majesty, do you think it would be appropriate to move Consort Borjigit out of Zhongcui Palace?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Consort Hua turned to look at Huang Guiquan.

Huang Guiquan lowered his waist and said, “Your Majesty, think about it. Right now, Consort Zhuang is the only pregnant woman in the palace. The imperial babies of Consort Fang and Consort Xin before her could not be saved. The Emperor will definitely value Consort Zhuang’s pregnancy. He may even visit her often.”

“According to the rules, Consort Zhuang cannot serve the emperor while she is pregnant. If there were no other concubines in Zhongcui Palace, it would be fine, but once Consort Borqijit takes over, wouldn’t that be a boon for Consort Borqijit!”

Upon hearing this, Consort Hua immediately said, "Then let Lady Borjigit move out, it would be best if she were far away!"

Huang Guiquan smiled and readily agreed, "Then where do you think we should move it to?"

Consort Hua thought for a moment, "Let's move her to Chunxi Palace. There's a Mongolian imperial concubine in Cining Palace."

"Your Majesty is wise. This servant will immediately order someone to carry it out."

In mid-September, the new concubines entered the palace one after another. Except for Noble Lady Borjigit, who was moved to Chunxi Palace, the other concubines' residences were the same as in the drama.

The addition of new people to the palace did not affect Zhongcui Palace. Yu Ying'er was in a good mood and stayed in the back hall to rest during her pregnancy. She spent her days eating, drinking, taking walks, and playing with Jin Shuang and Qingzhu. Xi Qiao and Xiao Lezi took care of all her other worries.

In Jingren Palace, the Empress was listening to Jianqiu talk about Zhen Huan, saying, "That Consort Wan's appearance is really too similar, Your Majesty must not be careless."

The Empress gave a cryptic laugh. “It’s good that they look alike! The more a child resembles the other, the more favored they will be, and the better they will be able to outshine that fool, the Third Prince! What about the others? I should have one or two helpers by my side too.”

Jianqiu laughed, "Xia Changzai, daughter of Xia Wei, a bannerman, is beautiful and straightforward, and she has great respect and admiration for Your Majesty. There is also Consort Fucha, who is a noblewoman of the Manchu Banner Army like Your Majesty, and she speaks very intimately with Your Majesty."

The Empress nodded in satisfaction and then steered the conversation back to Zhen Huan, "Zhen is indeed a good candidate, but I really hate her face, which is exactly the same as my sister's. Once she gives birth to a prince for me, she will be useless."

Speaking of the prince, Jianqiu's expression turned solemn. "Your Majesty, Chunrong is in Zhongcui Palace. Our people can't get close to Consort Zhuang, and those good things we sent there probably won't be effective."