Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Upon arriving at the Western Six Palaces, Xi Qiao sent Xiao Lezi to the Imperial Household Department while she went to Shou Kang Palace herself.

Shou Kang Palace has been sealed off for many years, and it will take a lot of time and effort to renovate it.

A full month has passed, and the recuperation is nearing its end, with only some details remaining, such as selecting furniture and decorations to suit the Empress Dowager's taste. These matters need not be concerned by the Empress Dowager's attendants; the Imperial Household Department is full of capable people who will surely take good care of the Empress Dowager.

When the people from the Imperial Household Department saw Xi Qiao, they all came over to greet him with smiles. Xi Qiao returned the greetings in a gentle manner, said a few words, looked around, and inspected the main hall and rear hall of Shou Kang Palace before leaving.

Anyway, this trip wasn't just to see Shou Kang Palace.

On her way back, passing through the Imperial Garden, she deliberately took a detour to the artificial hills. Using the hills to obscure her view, she muttered to herself a lot of seemingly nonsensical things. Given the current lack of oversight in the harem, she figured rumors would spread within a few days.

The trip was a great success.

Xi Qiao, who had successfully orchestrated the plan, was not greatly affected when he heard Yu Ying'er's name on the shortlist.

She originally thought the rumors would spread quickly throughout the palace, but to her surprise, ten days passed without any news!

Seriously? She was that unlucky? There wasn't a single palace maid or eunuch among the artificial rockery that day?

Just as she was hesitating about whether to do it again, the late emperor's concubines were about to move.

The Empress Dowager moved into Shou Kang Palace, and the other concubines who could not leave the palace were all moved into the adjacent Ci Ning Palace. However, there was one special case: the late Emperor's Consort Shu requested to become a nun and entrusted her unmarried son to the Empress Dowager.

Faced with the request from this former rival, the emperor and empress dowager, for reasons unknown, agreed.

From then on, the six palaces in the east and west were completely emptied, awaiting the new emperor's wives and concubines to move in.

After the palace was moved, the palace staff of Shou Kang Palace were very busy. After everything was arranged, it was mid-January, a month and a half after the emperor's ascension to the throne.

Xi Qiao not only failed to see the consequences of his plan, but also failed to find an opportunity to leave Shou Kang Palace and try again.

It wasn't until Chunzi was appointed as an official lady by the emperor and came to Shou Kang Palace to express her gratitude that the Empress Dowager realized that the emperor had not yet officially appointed any of his wives and concubines from his former residence to enter the palace.

"Zhu Xi, what do you think the emperor means by this?"

Aunt Sun remained calm and composed, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the position of Empress will definitely belong to Ulanara and Uya."

Aunt Sun has always been very good at understanding the Empress Dowager's thoughts.

The Empress Dowager was slightly relieved, but Chunyi, who often went out to deliver pastries and soups to the Yangxin Hall for the Empress Dowager, changed her expression slightly.

Chunyi was promoted by Aunt Sun after Chunzi left.

She hesitated for a moment, but still told the rumors she had heard while walking around outside, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I have heard a lot of nonsense while walking around outside these days."

Xi Qiao suddenly realized that it wasn't that his plan had failed, but rather that no one dared to pass it on to the Empress Dowager!

"The news has spread far and wide; everyone is saying that the Emperor has no intention of appointing another Empress."

The Empress Dowager's expression changed, and she immediately said to Sun Zhuxi, "Go and ask the Imperial Household Department immediately if they have made any preparations for the Empress's investiture."

The Ulanara and Uya clans were allied, sharing both prosperity and adversity. Between a deceased Empress Chun Yuan and a living Empress, the latter would undoubtedly be more advantageous.

Sun Zhuxi acted quickly and soon brought back news that the Empress Dowager was not satisfied.

Xi Qiao stood to the side with his eyes lowered, a gleam of excitement in them.

"The Emperor is so attached to Chun Yuan!" The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly. "But Yi Xiu is Chun Yuan's own sister. How can Yi Xiu not be Empress?"

The Empress Dowager quickened her pace as she fiddled with her prayer beads. "Zhuxi, go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation yourself and tell the Emperor that I would like to have dinner with him."

Upon hearing this, Xi Qiao knew her opportunity had arrived. She raised her head, walked to the Empress Dowager, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, please allow me to report that I do have a method that may be useful."

The Empress Dowager looked up at her and said, "Speak."

"This servant is thinking that many places have recently suffered from snow disasters, and Your Majesty's health has been poor since the late Emperor passed away last winter, and medicine has been ineffective. Why don't you let the Princess draw blood to copy scriptures to pray for the Qing Dynasty and Your Majesty?"

This "Fujin" naturally refers to Princess Yixiu of the Ulanara clan, the wife of Prince Yong.

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, pressing and rubbing a bead with her thumb for a long time without making a sound.

"That's not a bad idea." It would be better for the ministers to recommend Yixiu than for her to speak up. This way, Yixiu's virtue and filial piety could be shown, and her weak mother-son relationship with the emperor could not be damaged.

"But it would be too deliberate to do it only for one person."

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly. "Get up. I've just acquired a few fine hides. Take them to Yixiu for me. If you do a good job, I'll reward you handsomely."

Xi Qiao stood up and smiled as well, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant will certainly not disappoint you."