Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

When leaving the palace on official business by order of the Empress Dowager, there would naturally be a carriage and maids to help with chores.

Xi Qiao alighted from her carriage at Prince Yong's residence, with green bamboo behind her and a piece of leather given as a gift by the Empress Dowager in her hands.

Upon seeing the waist tag of the nobleman who had been raised to the throne, the guards who were protecting him put Xi Qiao and Qing Zhu inside without saying a word.

Following the arrival of the Empress Dowager, the chief eunuch Jiang Fuhai personally greeted Xi Qiao and the other woman to the main courtyard. After exchanging greetings, Yi Xiu accepted the fur gift from the Empress Dowager and learned the true purpose of her visit from Xi Qiao.

With Yixiu's intelligence, she immediately understood the key point upon hearing this, but she was not happy; instead, she felt embarrassed.

She is the Emperor's principal wife! The position of Empress should rightfully belong to her!

Xi Qiao wasn't unaware of Yi Xiu's disgraceful expression, but for the sake of the lottery that Yi Xiu was so eager to participate in, she could only pretend not to see it.

"The Empress Dowager instructed me to serve the First Lady and the two Secondary First Ladies to collect blood."

Upon hearing the words "Empress Dowager," Yixiu suppressed the hatred in her heart and forced a stiff smile. "Miss Chunrong, please wait a moment."

"Jianqiu—"

At Yixiu's summons, Jianqiu immediately curtsied and left, while arranging for palace maids to invite Consort Nian and Consort Li, and having people prepare things.

When Consort Nian and Consort Li heard that someone from the Empress Dowager's palace had come to the main courtyard, they were overjoyed and ran to the main courtyard. However, when they arrived and heard that it was to transcribe scriptures by blood, their smiles froze.

Chunrong continued to play dumb, smiling as she looked at the wife and two concubines before her: "After all, it is meant to be offered before Buddha to pray for the Empress Dowager and the Qing Dynasty. Copying it in blood shows even more sincerity. But don't worry, Madam and Consort, just take a small amount."

Then she personally picked up a sharp dagger and pierced the palms of the three men, taking a small amount of blood from each. Then, while they were carrying the vessels, she secretly stole Yixiu's and Nian Shilan's blood, concealing herself with her body and sleeves.

OK, got it!

After the blood draw was completed, a maid mixed cinnabar ink and other substances with the blood, and then Yixiu personally copied the scriptures.

After exchanging a few polite words, Xi Qiao excused himself, citing matters to attend to at the palace.

Jianqiu personally escorted her to the front yard, subtly slipping a small, delicate purse into her sleeve along the way.

While stuffing the food into her mouth, she asked about the situation in the palace. "The Princess Consort is very worried about the Emperor, but it is not convenient for her to enter the palace at this time. I wonder if you could tell her a few words? I will tell her later, so as to put her mind at ease."

Xi Qiao glanced at the flowing sleeves: "His Majesty is well. He even went to Shou Kang Palace to dine with the Empress Dowager three days ago."

After saying a few casual words, Xi Qiao paused, and An Fujin's heart sank.

She was the emperor's second wife, but had not yet received the imperial edict to make her empress.

The one who could best reassure Ulanara was undoubtedly the empress!

Having figured things out, Xi Qiao's eyes flashed with a dark light, and he looked at Jian Qiu with a friendly smile, "So that Auntie knows, after the Emperor finished his meal with the Empress Dowager, he talked for quite a while, during which he mentioned the Fujin (wife) many times, praising her for her proper handling of affairs and her thoughtfulness in everything she did."

Although Jianqiu was only the head maid of the Fujin (a high-ranking concubine), she was not young, and she was worthy of being called "aunt".

Jianqiu felt extremely comforted by her repeated calls of "Auntie," and seemed to already see her future glory and prestige as the Empress's most favored person.

Xi Qiao laughed along with her, but it was true that the Emperor dined with the Empress Dowager and that they talked afterward. They did mention Yi Xiu, but it was the Empress Dowager who mentioned her and praised her. The Emperor only mentioned Consort Nian.

Xi Qiao glanced at Jian Qiu, who was still immersed in joy, and decided to flatter Yi Xiu again: "There is something that the Fujin and Aunt may not know. A month ago, the Empress Dowager saw that the Emperor looked tired and there were no concubines in the harem, so she gave Chun Zi, who was good at massage and relaxation, to the Emperor."

Xi Qiao glanced at Jian Qiu's suddenly frozen expression and gently comforted her, "Although she has been granted the title of Lady of the Palace, please rest assured, Madam and Aunt. Chun Zi came from the Empress Dowager's side and will never be disrespectful to Madam in the future. Moreover, she is quiet by nature and will certainly not cause Madam any trouble."

Jianqiu's expression softened slightly. The Empress Dowager was their master's aunt, and those who came from the Empress Dowager's side should naturally respect their master. Moreover, it was indeed not good for the Emperor to be without any concubines after ruling the Forbidden City for so long.

Well, she's just a lady-in-waiting, only slightly better than a maidservant in a prince's mansion.

Jianqiu regained her smile and expertly slipped Xiqiao a bulging purse. "I'm sorry to have troubled you, miss. Please have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."

Xi Qiao did not refuse, "Thank you, Aunt. Please stay."

Upon leaving the former residence, Xi Qiao opened the bulging purse and found five solid silver coins inside. They were quite heavy, each weighing about two ounces.

Xi Qiao took out two from the bag and handed them to Qingzhu, keeping the rest for himself.

Qingzhu also received a reward, but it was just some loose silver, no more than three taels. Upon receiving these two solid silver coins, he smiled broadly and murmured words of gratitude for a long time.

Xi Qiao smiled faintly, "Alright, shut up. If you say any more, my teeth will start to hurt. When you have some free time, go check on Xiao Lezi for me. He's young and might get hurt if no one looks after him."

When the Empress Dowager moved the palace, she only took the servants from the main hall with her.

The late emperor had too many concubines, filling almost all of the six palaces, both east and west.

Although Xiao Lezi was a servant under the Empress Dowager's name, he actually served the concubines who lived in the inner palace.

Such a lowly eunuch naturally wouldn't catch the Empress Dowager's eye.

Xiao Lezi is clever and grateful. As for Xi Qiao himself, he has a good impression of him and trusts him quite a bit, and is willing to take care of him.

Moreover, the original owner, Chunrong, had spent twelve years in the palace and had seen all sorts of people, yet she still trusted and favored Xiaolezi so much, which shows that he should be trustworthy.

Xi Qiao felt that his ability to judge people was far inferior to Chun Rong's, who had spent most of his life in the deep palace. Therefore, he followed Chun Rong's footsteps with great confidence and was particularly kind to Xiao Lezi and Qing Zhu after they arrived.