Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

With tears in her eyes, Zhen Huan grasped Wen Shichu's wrist. "I just received news that Consort Zhuang is trying to frame me for falling into the water. Today is the princess's first birthday banquet, and I was the only one who didn't attend. I am indeed the most suspicious, but I really didn't lay a hand on Consort Zhuang."

“Consort Zhuang is the Empress Dowager’s person, but I have incurred her displeasure because of Huanbi’s favor with the Emperor. The Empress Dowager will definitely not allow me to defend myself. Although the Emperor has some favor towards me, Consort Zhuang is the birth mother of the Sixth Prince and has the Empress Dowager behind her. I am really afraid.”

Wen Shichu grabbed Zhen Huan's hand and said, "This Consort Zhuang is truly vicious! Huan-mei, don't be afraid. With me here, I will definitely not let Consort Zhuang succeed. Just tell me what you need me to do, and I will definitely do it for you."

Zhen Huan's eyes flickered. "Brother Shichu, it's fortunate that you're here, otherwise Huan'er would definitely have been doomed this time."

"I heard that Consort Zhuang developed a fever after falling into the water. I wonder if Brother Shichu has any way to tamper with her medicine so that she recovers a few days later."

"Furthermore, I am acquainted with Prince Guo, and the Empress Dowager has always favored him. If he were willing to put in a good word for me with the Empress Dowager, she would surely not have any prejudice against me."

As she spoke, Zhen Huan took out a sealed letter from the side and handed it to Wen Shichu. "This is a letter I have already written. Please help me deliver it to the Prince. If the Prince is willing to help me, after Consort Zhuang recovers, even if she tries to slander me, I will have more confidence to confront her."

Wen Shichu carefully put away the envelope with a pained expression. "Sister Huan, I'm sorry you had to go through this. Don't worry, I will definitely handle these two matters well and won't let Consort Zhuang succeed!"

At the same time, in Anlan Garden.

Yu Ying'er leaned against the headboard, looking dazed.

Prince Guo left the garden and was not only punished, but also won a marriage proposal.

The eldest daughter of the Duke of Pei was betrothed to him as his primary consort.

What a wonderful match!

As she thought about it, tears welled up in her eyes.

She snapped out of her daze and looked at her older sister. "Sister, the Emperor... he really doesn't care about me at all, he doesn't care about Xiao Liu at all!"

Xi Qiao wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. "Yingying, I have seen many concubines in this palace. Some of them are favored and some are not. But regardless of whether they are favored or not, there is one type of person whose life is the most difficult."

"That's someone who places their heart's trust in the emperor. Yingying, remember this: those who cannot guard their true feelings will not enjoy wealth and honor!"

"Think about all the gold, silver, and jewels you've worn, the silks and satins you've worn, and the delicacies you've eaten in the past year or so. Yingying, are you willing to part with all of this?"

"Besides, these are just the tip of the iceberg. You've only been a concubine for a short time, and you haven't even seen many of the fine things in life. Are you really willing to throw all of this away for that illusory, worthless affection?"

Yu Ying'er's tears immediately stopped. How could this be! She had defied the Empress Dowager's protection and resolutely climbed into the Emperor's bed for wealth and glory! For wearing gold and silver, for not having to work!

Besides, her sister had racked her brains to get this concubine title and her current status, and had almost suffered because of her. How could she possibly give up?

Totally impossible!

No one can make her give up, except her sister!

"Sister, I... I want wealth and glory! I was foolish today, I'm just a little unwilling, but I won't do it again!"

Yu Ying'er hurriedly grabbed Xi Qiao's sleeve to express her stance. At the end, fearing that her older sister wouldn't believe her, she raised her hand and swore, "I swear I will definitely protect my feelings. I will not like anyone but my sister and Xiao Liu! Otherwise, otherwise I will be punished by being sent to the cold palace and becoming a beggar in my next life!"

For Yu Ying'er, who was single-mindedly pursuing a better life, this vow could be considered a poisonous oath.

Xi Qiao immediately smiled and looked at her meaningfully, "You, your sister doesn't mean to blame you, but she's afraid that you'll go astray and harm yourself and Xiao Liu. There are quite a few concubines in the palace who are of higher rank than you and who don't have princes."

The first to be affected was the Empress.

However, the Empress is still plotting to have Zhen Huan bear her a child, but unfortunately, without the musk from under the crabapple tree, Zhen Huan's belly shows no signs of pregnancy.

Yu Ying'er was not afraid at all. Instead, she proudly said, "With my older sister by my side to take care of me, I'm not afraid of anything."

Xi Qiao gave her a light tap on the head, annoyed. "Don't you know how to be more careful! If you hadn't been so curious and insisted on eavesdropping and peeping instead of listening to Qingzhu, you wouldn't have had to suffer this punishment today."

Yu Ying'er timidly took her hand and pleaded, "I know I was wrong, Auntie. Qingzhu was also implicated because of me. I will definitely reward her properly later. There won't be a next time, Auntie, don't worry."

Xi Qiao glared at her, annoyed. "Now you remember to call me aunt? You'd better learn your lesson!"

As she spoke, without waiting for her reaction, she got up to wring out a handkerchief to wipe her face, and then brought the Sixth Prince, who had just woken up, to her side.

"You play with Xiao Liu for a while, I'm going to check on Qingzhu."

Yu Ying'er had taken some health-strengthening pills, and after falling into the water, she only had a fever from the shock. To avoid people discovering that her physical condition was too good and causing unnecessary trouble, Xi Qiao let her rest for a couple more days.

However, Qingzhu, who hadn't strengthened her physical fitness, was in trouble. She had developed a fever and had been in a daze ever since she returned, never fully conscious.

Only after she had the imperial physician check her pulse and confirm that there was no serious problem did Xi Qiao feel completely relieved.

"Auntie." Jin Shuang got up, preparing to move Xiu Dun from their room.

She and Qingzhu were both senior palace maids, and they shared a room.

"Don't bother, I've come to check on you," Xi Qiao stopped Jin Shuang's movements and sat down by the bed. Looking at Qing Zhu's pale face, he turned to Jin Shuang and asked, "How is she? Has she woken up?"

Jin Shuang shook her head, "No, but thankfully the fever has gone down."

Xi Qiao could only sigh, "I'm sorry to trouble you to take care of her these past two days. The palace maids and eunuchs in the garden are not our own people after all. If we call them here, we're afraid we won't be able to keep the matter of calling the imperial physician for Qingzhu a secret."

Palace maids were not allowed to be treated by the imperial physicians. If they were sick, they would buy a few pills to take themselves. If they did not recover, they would be carried away to prevent them from spreading their illness to their masters and other servants.

However, Qingzhu, as a senior palace maid, was a confidante of her master and naturally received better treatment.

But the palace rules are there, and if no one reports it, everyone will turn a blind eye. The real danger is that there might be someone with a screw loose, or someone who has planted a spy.

The Yuanmingyuan Garden is not like the palace; it's best to be careful.

Jin Shuang had no objections; on the contrary, she felt very grateful. She reasoned that if Qingzhu was treated so well today, she wouldn't be abandoned if Qingzhu fell seriously ill or faced difficulties in the future.

"Don't worry, Aunt, I will take good care of Qingzhu."