Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Chunmao quickly comforted her: "Your Majesty, please calm down. The Fujin said that Consort Wan's fertility has been cut off, which is actually a good thing."

The Empress Dowager's anger abruptly ceased, and she looked at Chunmao suspiciously: "That's all?"

"There are other things, but they are nothing more than the usual scheming and betrayal among the concubines in the harem. I'm tired of seeing these things over the years."

Although the Empress Dowager did not say what the concubines who had previously relied on the Empress behaved after the Empress was forced to close the palace, the reality was that things were just like that.

Fangruo had no intention of mentioning her request for help from the Fujin to the Empress Dowager, even though it would further confirm that Fangruo was colluding with Consort Wan.

However, the Empress Dowager didn't need any corroborating evidence; suspicion was enough.

On the contrary, if she were to bring it up, the Empress Dowager would very likely suspect that the Fujin (the wife of the emperor) also had dealings with Fangruo or Wanpin, which could easily lead to some unnecessary trouble.

The Empress Dowager did not ask any further questions.

With the Empress in trouble, it's no surprise that her subordinates would do anything to protect themselves.

At this point, worrying about these things is a waste of time and energy. The most important thing is how to maintain the empress's position.

During the New Year's Eve palace banquet, the emperor would indeed release the empress out of consideration for his reputation, but what happened afterward?

If it can be released, it can naturally be locked up again.

The Empress Dowager was extremely anxious.

After drinking the medicine in deep thought, the Empress Dowager still couldn't come up with a good solution. Instead, she became so anxious that she felt short of breath and couldn't breathe properly.

She took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to stop thinking about it.

Turning to Chunmao, she instructed, "Later, go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and tell the Emperor that I am accustomed to Zhuxi serving me."

Chunmao's heart tightened, and she looked up at her, only to hear her say with a hint of sarcasm, "The emperor will definitely not agree, but Fangruo can no longer stay in Shou Kang Palace."

Chunmao replied, "Yes, this servant understands. But Your Majesty, if the Emperor asks about Consort Qian's purpose in coming today, how should this servant report it?"

The Empress Dowager's gaze turned slightly cold: "Just say she's out of favor, and beg for my protection."

After she finished speaking, she added, "The connections in Shou Kang Palace are yours to manage. After you've dealt with the Zhen family, the position of head of the household will be yours."

Chunmao's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant understands."

The Empress Dowager exhaled a breath of stale air. After dealing with Zhen Huan, her mind seemed to be clearer. Suddenly, she changed the subject and said, "Call Fang, Fang Ruo here."

Chunmao's heart skipped a beat as she suddenly realized that the Empress Dowager had only asked her to deal with Consort Wan, without mentioning Fangruo.

This……

She didn't dare show anything unusual, and simply lowered her head and left.

The Empress Dowager watched Chunmao's retreating figure. Chunmao was indeed useful, but she had a very deep relationship with that lowly woman, Yujia.

If Zhen Shi had to die, she wouldn't tolerate Yu Jia Shi either.

Chunmao led Fangruo to the Empress Dowager's side, and the Empress Dowager said to her, "Go outside and guard, don't let anyone get close!"

Chunmao bowed and left, but her unease grew little by little.

What does the Empress Dowager mean by this? Is she being wary of her?

But the Empress Dowager gave her the connections in Shou Kang Palace.

But there's still a layer between complete trust and reality.

Chunmao frowned, unable to fathom the Empress Dowager's thoughts.

In the palace, the Empress Dowager looked at Fang Ruo kneeling in front of the bed.

"Just now, Lady Yu Jia told me that you... you want to return to the Imperial Court?"

Fang Ruo suddenly looked up, and the Empress Dowager immediately noticed the look of disbelief in her eyes.

Fangruo was momentarily dazed. She was also curious about how the Princess Consort of Prince Mu would help her achieve her wish, but she never expected that she would so simply and directly bring it up with the Empress Dowager.

Isn't Princess Consort Mu afraid that the Empress Dowager will become suspicious?

Looking at Fang Ruo's expression, the Empress Dowager's suspicions about Xi Qiao dissipated considerably. Very good, it seems that Yu Jia Shi has no personal relationship with this dog servant.

"Your Majesty, I do have this idea, but..."

After regaining her senses, Fangruo first admitted that she had such thoughts, and then looked at the Empress Dowager with hesitation in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

She couldn't understand what the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law meant.

She could sense the Empress Dowager's dislike for Prince Mu's wife, and Prince Mu's wife herself was a rare intelligent person, so it was impossible for her not to be aware of the Empress Dowager's likes and dislikes.

Now that you understand these things, how could you be so crude and direct?

Princess Consort Mu wanted to curry favor with her, not make an enemy of her.

"However, I did not mention it to the Princess Consort. It is because Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is in good health and no longer needs my service. I thought that since we are busy before the New Year, I might as well lend a hand elsewhere."

Regardless, she can't go wrong if she denies everything at this point.

The Empress Dowager's move is most likely a test.

The Empress Dowager nodded: "I can bring it up with the Emperor, but you must understand that while I am willing to release the person, the Emperor may not be willing to accept him."

Fangruo's face tightened, but she pretended to be relaxed and said, "Yes, this servant understands."

"It's just that I was born with bad luck; I'm destined to be hardworking and unable to enjoy a peaceful life. After stealing some leisure time by Your Majesty's side for so long, I feel that my legs aren't as nimble as they used to be."

The Empress Dowager chuckled softly, her expression softening further: "Alright, get up. You've been a senior member of the Emperor's household for a long time. Even if you haven't made any great contributions, you've certainly worked hard. I'll grant you permission to choose a palace for yourself."

Fangruo's eyes lit up: "This servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for your kindness. However, this servant is not very familiar with the inner palace. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to be kind to this servant and point out a good place for this servant."

The Empress Dowager's lips twitched, perhaps wanting to smile, but the stiffness of her facial muscles prevented the movement from happening.

"What about Chengqian Palace?"

It actually happened in one go?

Fangruo felt no joy, only a chill run down her spine.

Without a second thought, she quickly refused: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Chengqian Palace is indeed a good place, but no matter which empress enters the palace in the future, there will likely be a lot of fighting. This old woman's bones can no longer withstand such torment, so please spare me, Your Majesty."

At this time, she shouldn't know about Consort Wan's entry into Chengqian Palace.

The Empress Dowager's eyes flashed, "Then... Suiyu Pavilion?"

Fangruo became even more certain that the Empress Dowager was testing her, and knelt down again, saying, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhen is favored, and the palace officials will surely be of one mind and one heart with her. This servant really does not want to be dragged into the infighting in the harem."

She would have spoken with confidence in the past, but now...

Fangruo sighed inwardly.

Enough, there's no need to dwell on the past.

The Empress Dowager frowned, her gaze involuntarily drifting to Fang Ruo's wrist. Indeed, a gold bracelet could be faintly seen beneath the gray squirrel fur cuff.

However, she was quite far away and her vision was poor, so she couldn't make out the pattern on the bracelet.

But Yu Jia had no reason to lie to her about something so obvious.

Even if the emperor trusted Fangruo, he would never give Fangruo the things that were originally meant for the concubines.