Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Shen Meizhuang nodded, then looked at her seriously, "Sister, please stop talking. Although the Emperor has not explicitly forbidden it, he has indicated that it is not allowed to discuss it in private."

An Lingrong bit her lip, revealing a timid and weak appearance. "I understand, but this matter... as you know, I've always been timid, and I would never risk mentioning these things unless absolutely necessary."

Shen Meizhuang's mind raced. "Does my sister know something?"

An Lingrong nodded and whispered, "I learned from Consort Jin that Wen Shichu and Sister Zhen had an affair. Consort Zhuang's murder yesterday and the incident at the Imperial Physician's Office this morning were all orchestrated by Wen Shichu."

Shen Meizhuang's expression changed. "How dare she be so bold?"

She had no doubt that the Empress Dowager's unusual decree of demotion already explained many things and could also explain many of the anomalies.

The matter was clearly settled. Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan no longer shared the deep affection they once had, so why would she stand on Zhen Huan's side to protect her reputation and interests? Naturally, she accepted the outcome with indifference.

An Lingrong, with tears welling up in her eyes, grabbed Shen Meizhuang's hand, both frightened and worried: "Sister, although I am not well-educated, I know the saying 'one is influenced by one's company.' We have always been close to Sister Zhen. Do you think the Empress Dowager and the Emperor might also harbor resentment towards us?"

This is also one of the reasons why An Lingrong insisted on instigating Consort Jin and Shen Meizhuang; she was afraid of being blamed.

Shen Meizhuang tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand. It's not necessarily that she harbored resentment, but it's certain that whenever she sees the two of them in the future, she will be reminded of the vile things Zhen Huan did. Over time, they will inevitably become unpopular and eventually be despised.

Unwittingly implicated again, Shen Meizhuang felt her vision blur.

"Zhen Huan!" Shen Meizhuang gritted her teeth, at this moment she hated Zhen Huan to the extreme.

"No," Shen Meizhuang exhaled heavily, her mind racing. "Lingrong, we can't just sit here and wait to die, and we can't let ourselves be implicated for no reason!"

A triumphant look flashed in An Lingrong's lowered eyes, but when she looked up, all she saw was a look of sorrow and a few scattered hopes.

She looked at Shen Meizhuang and asked anxiously, "Sister, do you have a way to make amends?"

Shen Meizhuang frowned in thought, "If we want to avoid being implicated, the best way is naturally to immediately sever ties with Zhen Huan, but..."

At this point, Shen Meizhuang gave a bitter smile, then changed the subject and continued, "Let's not even talk about the fact that we have no excuse to break off our friendship with Zhen Huan now. Even if we did, in the Emperor's eyes, he would probably think we are heartless and ungrateful, and our future favor would be in jeopardy."

An Lingrong hadn't thought of this, and was immediately startled when she heard Shen Meizhuang say this.

She was so eager to distance herself from Zhen Huan that she completely forgot about this!

Thankfully, thankfully she didn't do it herself, otherwise...

An Lingrong was filled with lingering fear and increased her awareness of Shen Meizhuang's importance.

Shen Meizhuang didn't notice the change in An Lingrong's eyes. She was engrossed in her own world, frantically trying to think of a way to achieve the best of both worlds.

However, even after a palace maid came to inform Consort Jin of her arrival, she still couldn't come up with a good solution.

At noon, the Empress suddenly ordered that the Emperor and all the concubines in the Yuanmingyuan Garden be invited to Peach Blossom Valley, including the ailing Yu Ying'er.

When Xi Qiao accompanied Yu Ying'er, who was made up to look sickly, to the Peach Blossom Valley, it was already filled with concubines, including the pregnant Consort Hua.

A dozen or so women gathered together, yet remained completely silent.

Yu Ying'er looked back at her sister with a puzzled expression, while Xi Qiao shook his head at her imperceptibly.

Yu Ying'er had no choice but to suppress her curiosity and step forward to pay her respects to the Empress, Consort Hua, and Consort Qi.

After she finished bowing, she was about to take her seat when she discovered that Consort Li was already sitting in her place, and the only empty seat was at the very back.

Among those in the hall, the Empress sat in the main seat, while Consort Hua and Consort Qi, the only two consorts, sat in the first position on the left and right sides, respectively.

Seated below Consort Hua were Consort Li, Consort Jin, Noble Lady Fucha, and Consort Xia.

Seated below Consort Qi were Consort Xin, Consort Jing, Noble Lady Shen, and Noble Lady An.

Although Yu Ying'er was later promoted to the rank of Consort, her status was significantly higher among the five Consorts because she had a son, the Sixth Prince.

After she was made a concubine, the Empress gave her the position that was originally occupied by Consort Li, which was next to Consort Hua.

Although the Empress's actions were somewhat provocative, there was nothing wrong with it, and it was perfectly in accordance with the rules, so Yu Ying'er felt perfectly at ease sitting there.

Now that her position was occupied, Yu Ying'er naturally wanted Consort Li to give it up.

“li——”

Yu Ying'er had just opened her mouth and exhaled a single breath when she felt her wrist being squeezed hard by her older sister, and she immediately knew to shut up.

At this moment, the Empress, who was sitting in the main seat, saw the bright yellow figure walking in from outside the palace and immediately stood up to greet him, saying, "Your Majesty, may you be well."

Consort Hua, Consort Qi, and others also rose to pay their respects.

Yu Ying'er was startled and quickly moved to the side.

While she followed the crowd in bowing and paying her respects, she secretly glanced at the emperor's face. Sure enough, the emperor's expression was very unpleasant. In her sister's words, it was as if someone had borrowed eight million taels of silver from him and only returned eight taels.

No wonder my sister reminded her to shut up. The emperor has such a bad temper; when he's in a bad mood, he likes to take it out on people. He won't let go of even the slightest mistake and will make a huge scene before he's satisfied.

The emperor, with a stern face, walked to the main seat and sat down. Only then did he mercifully address the concubines in the hall, saying, "Rise, all of you, sit down."

Upon hearing this, Xi Qiao immediately stood up and took a step to the side. It wasn't a big step, but it blocked Consort Li from sitting back.

By the time Consort Li had walked past Xi Qiao, Yu Ying'er was already sitting comfortably below Consort Hua, looking at her with a smug expression.

Consort Li felt a lump in her throat, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed, and just as she was about to argue with her, the Emperor's cold voice reached her ears.

"What are you standing there for! Do I have to ask you to sit down?"

Although this angry remark did not name names, a quick glance around the hall revealed that only Consort Li was still standing. Who else could it be but Consort Li?

Although she was just a pretty face with no brains, she wasn't oblivious to the situation. She had clearly angered the emperor, so she didn't dare to cause any trouble and try to make her presence known.

So, they could only slink away.

To Yu Ying'er's right is Consort Jin, Cao Qinmo; to Cao Qinmo's right is Noble Lady Fucha; and below her is Consort Xia.

Consort Li's seat should have been next to Consort Jing, which is where Shen Meizhuang is sitting now.

But under the emperor's cold gaze, she didn't dare to step over and ask Shen Meizhuang to give way to her.

Consort Jin not only has a princess under her wing, but also has established an extremely close and loyal relationship with Consort Hua. Naturally, she would not give up her position to Consort Li, a traitor who switched allegiance to the Empress.

Consort Li reluctantly retreated further until she reached Consort Fucha's side.

For some unknown reason, Consort Fucha turned her head away to drink tea, pretending not to see Consort Li standing in front of her.

Consort Li gritted her teeth in hatred, suppressing her surging anger, and took two steps to the side.

Xia Dongchun had already been hanging out with her for a while, so without thinking much about it, he got up and gave her his seat.