Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

The east wing of the main hall was where Yun Xinluo lived, and the west wing was the former residence of the Fourth Prince.

Hilarious! In the entire Chengqian Palace, there wasn't even a place for Zhen Huan to stay!

Therefore, she is most likely to slink back to Suiyuxuan.

She didn't really want to give Zhen Huan an extra helper.

He just wanted to leave a mark on Fangruo's heart, to make her remember the name "Suiyuxuan" so that she would think of it at certain "key" moments.

A dark glint flashed in Xi Qiao's eyes.

Xiao Lezi had already told her what happened in Chengqian Palace yesterday, while at this moment, in the main hall of Shou Kang Palace, An Lingrong and Bao Que were reporting to the Empress Dowager about Zhen Huan framing the Empress.

The Empress Dowager will definitely summon her later. It's impossible to help Fangruo with this matter, but hinting at it will still work.

Given the Empress Dowager's suspicious nature, she will definitely summon Fangruo to test her after she leaves.

The Empress Dowager was cunning and rarely made foolish mistakes in matters other than those concerning the Fourteenth Prince. Even when testing Fang Ruo, Fang Ruo might not be able to detect it.

However, Fangruo might have preconceived notions and might assume that she had pleaded for her before the Empress Dowager, and that the Empress Dowager summoned her to the palace to transfer her out of Shou Kang Palace.

Therefore, it is easy to misunderstand and misinterpret when faced with the Empress Dowager's probing.

There aren't many people, things, or events related to Zhen Huan. Since Fang Ruo left Shou Kang Palace because she was going to see Zhen Huan, she would inevitably mention some things or events related to Zhen Huan to the Empress Dowager.

If Suiyu Pavilion happens to be one of them, then...

She looked at Fangruo with amusement.

If this old codger were well aware of the situation in the palace, he would have refused her outright the moment she spoke.

Or if she only knew that Chengqian Palace had not only caught fire last night, but also that Zhen Huan's newly born eldest son had been burned to death, she would have hesitated and wouldn't have been so hasty.

Because Fangruo knew the emperor's personality and preferences well, she understood how much the emperor cherished his reputation, and she also knew how much tolerance the emperor had for someone who was dispensable.

but--

Xi Qiao looked into Fang Ruo's eyes, which were gradually brightening.

"This servant is willing to go to Suiyu Pavilion, please help me, Madam."

Although there is a head maid in charge of Chengqian Palace now, she is not one of Consort Wan's people.

Once Consort Wan has secured her position, she will inevitably promote one of her own people to be the head maid.

Suiyu Pavilion reflects her attitude towards Consort Wan.

If the wife of Prince Mu can help her achieve her wish, she will surely do her best to persuade Consort Wan to give up her hostility towards Consort Zhuang in the future.

"Don't worry, Aunt, I will do my best to help you."

Before she could finish speaking, the palace maids and eunuchs outside screamed for the imperial physician.

Xi Qiao turned to look outside, a look of concern on his face: "Aunt, could you please inform her that I wish to see the Empress Dowager?"

In the imperial bedchamber, the Empress Dowager nearly choked upon hearing from An Lingrong that the Empress had been forced to close the palace to worship Buddha.

Xi Qiao was genuinely a little worried—worried that Wuya might suddenly become so angry that she wouldn't be able to speak.

It doesn't matter what the Empress Dowager is like; what matters is that even if she's going to be completely paralyzed, she should at least leave some words for Chunmao or for her, like killing Zhen Huan or something.

She had been eyeing the connections in Shou Kang Palace for a long time. If she could control them, she wouldn't be able to come and go freely in the palace, but at least any news would reach her ears!

This was one of the reasons why she went to great lengths to get Fangruo out of Shou Kang Palace. If Fangruo occupied the position of the head maid of Shou Kang Palace, she might very well compete with her for people in the future.

As for Chun-mao, she has always been a pragmatic person.

Fangruo responded and went to the main hall, but was stopped outside.

She stood at the entrance of the main hall, her face extremely grim. She, the dignified head maid, had been stopped by a lowly palace maid, who used the excuse that Chunmao wouldn't allow her to enter.

what--

Xi Qiao looked at Fang Ruo, who had returned with a pale face, and understandingly refrained from asking any inappropriate questions. He simply said, "The main hall is in a mess right now, so it's not really appropriate for you to go there."

Fangruo composed herself and said, "What you say is true, Madam. I will go and get you another cup of hot tea."

Xi Qiao was very understanding and gave her time to be alone and process her emotions.

"Thank you, auntie."

However, Xi Qiao did not have to wait long. A moment after the imperial physician went in, Chunmao came to invite her in person.

On the way to the main hall, Chunmao, for reasons unknown, whispered a reminder to her: "Madam, the Empress Dowager already knows everything that has happened in the palace."

Xi Qiao frowned and nodded to indicate that he understood, but inwardly he sneered.

The original owner's friendship with Chunmao, which lasted for more than ten years, could not compare to power and status.

An Lingrong only mentioned the emperor's lavish bestowal of titles upon the harem and Zhen Huan's plot to harm the empress.

The sudden rise of Consort Zhao, who became the emperor's favorite, was not mentioned; the Fourth Prince's plot to harm Zhen Huan was not mentioned; and the Fourth Prince's self-immolation was not mentioned.

Perhaps Chunmao simply thought that what An Lingrong said was all there was to it?

Do not!

Xi Qiao's face turned somewhat cold. The look Chun Mao gave her when she turned around was full of inquisitive intent.

Upon entering the main hall's sleeping quarters, An Lingrong sat anxiously to one side.

"This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

The Empress Dowager lay half-reclined on the bed, with silver needles inserted into her neck and head.

She tremblingly reached out her hand to Xi Qiao: "No need for formalities, come here quickly. Sixth Prince's wife, tell me, is the Empress... is she going to be abandoned by the Emperor?"

Upon hearing the phrase "from Lao Liu's family," Xi Qiao chuckled to himself.

Last time, that old hag called her a slut!

Xi Qiao got up and sat on the edge of the bed, holding the Empress Dowager's hand, which was trembling as if she had Parkinson's disease: "Empress Mother, please don't worry, nothing is more important than your health."

"The Emperor and the Empress were married young and have a deep and abiding love. They also have the legacy of the late Empress Chun Yuan. Even if the Empress occasionally makes a mistake that displeases the Emperor, it will never reach the point you described."

These words sounded like concern and comfort for the Empress Dowager, but only Xi Qiao and the Empress Dowager knew that the death of Empress Chun Yuan was an unsolvable knot between the Emperor and the Empress.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager became even more agitated.

"Your Majesty! I wish to see the Emperor! Send someone to summon him immediately!"

Xi Qiao squeezed the Empress Dowager's hand slightly: "Your Majesty, please don't get agitated. The war in the Northwest is at a critical moment, and the Emperor is probably too busy to get away."

"Rest assured, although the power in the palace is in the hands of the Noble Consort, Consort Zhuang has always looked after Jingren Palace and has not caused Her Majesty the Empress any grievances."

northwest!

Royal concubine!

The Empress Dowager became even more agitated. If the people in Jingren Palace revealed that Yixiu had secretly harmed Chunyuan, the Emperor, given his deep affection for Chunyuan, would surely depose the Empress.

With the Nian family in such a powerful position, the emperor still granted that lowly woman, Nian, the treatment of an imperial concubine, and also bestowed upon Nian's daughter the title of Princess Gulun. With such obvious intentions, isn't it a blatant attempt to establish a new empress?