Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

Shen Meizhuang reassured her, "Don't worry, Aunt. With Huan'er being so favored, Uncle Zhen will surely return to the court one day."

It was precisely because she saw the emperor's unreasonable "favoritism" towards Zhen Huan that Shen Meizhuang decided to invite An Lingrong to a natural painting session.

Since Zhen Huan was pregnant and unable to serve the emperor, it was the perfect opportunity for these women to seize the emperor's favor while also being pregnant.

In addition, Zhen Huan was protected by the Emperor and no one was allowed to visit or disturb her.

This is exactly what they wanted!

They could avoid having too much contact with Zhen Huan, and at the same time, they could use the relationship between Yun Shi and Zhen Huan to urge Zhen Huan to help them secure the emperor's favor. They couldn't be more satisfied!

Instead of being comforted by Shen Meizhuang's words of solace, Yun felt even more bitter.

The emperor's favoritism is nothing but a smokescreen.

Others may not know what situation they and their eldest daughter are in now, but how could they not know?

Her husband, Zhen Yuandao, is unlikely to return to officialdom, and he may not even be able to save his own life.

The emperor's temperament—

Although the Yun family had very few interactions with the emperor, the emperor's character, as he vaguely revealed, was extremely self-centered and domineering.

The emperor will not allow Zhen Yuandao to live.

Yun felt a deep sense of pain and frustration, but dared not show it on her face. Instead, she felt grateful for Shen Meizhuang's encouragement, which only intensified her resentment.

She forced a smile and said sincerely, "It's my blessing to have two good sisters like you supporting me in the palace. Thank you for your help, Auntie."

Before they could finish speaking, the three of them had already entered the inner room.

"Auntie, you're too kind. If it weren't for Sister Zhen's help during the selection process, whether I would have been selected would be another matter entirely. I will always remember Sister Zhen's kindness."

An Lingrong was talking to Yun Shi when she subtly and naturally shifted the topic to Zhen Huan.

“Aunt, Mei and I have come here today for two reasons: first, to pay our respects to you and say hello, and second, to inquire about Zhen’s situation.”

Her face was filled with deep, unyielding sorrow. "I'm sure Sister Zhen has already told you about the changes that have taken place in the palace these past few days."

"After Sister Zhen in Peach Blossom Village announced her pregnancy, Sister Mei and I wanted to visit her. But before the Empress Dowager could withdraw her order, we were shocked to hear that the Emperor had decreed that Sister Zhen should stay in the palace to rest and prepare for childbirth. Aunt, are Sister Zhen and the baby alright?"

The so-called "closing the uterus to preserve pregnancy" is just an excuse.

At this moment, Yun felt as if she were soaking in bitter water, so bitter that she couldn't even speak.

Her spirits were low, and at this moment she was subtly revealing a hint of her true emotions, which successfully led Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong to misunderstand.

The two exchanged a glance. Could it be that Zhen Huan's pregnancy really had a problem?

"Auntie?" Shen Meizhuang called out softly to Madam Yun.

Yun Shi snapped out of her reverie and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry, I was lost in thought just now. Huan'er and the child..."

Not wanting to curse her eldest daughter and grandson, she could only vaguely say, "Perhaps due to the fright she suffered earlier, Huan'er's pregnancy is indeed not very stable."

Not very stable?

An Lingrong was overjoyed. She was afraid that the situation wasn't just a little unstable, but rather that there was a serious problem!

Shen Meizhuang also had this idea.

But before they could continue probing, Zhen Yurao suddenly ran in with her hair disheveled. She looked sleepy and her eyes were full of unease. As soon as she entered, she buried her head in Yun's arms.

Children are very sensitive, and Yun's anxiety over the past two days has affected Zhen Yurao, making her exceptionally clingy to Yun.

"Mother, where did you go? I woke up and couldn't find you."

Enveloped in the familiar scent, Zhen Yurao's emotions were soothed, and she looked up at Yun Shi with teary eyes.

Yun affectionately brushed the stray hairs from Zhen Yurao's face. "Mother has something to attend to, so she got up first. Miss Shen and Miss An are here, so please pay your respects to them first."

Zhen Yurao then noticed the two extra people in the room. She had seen An Lingrong before, but this was the first time she had met Shen Meizhuang.

"This humble woman greets Consort Shen and Consort An. May you both be well."

She was very well-mannered, standing gracefully beside Madam Yun and bowing respectfully.

Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong hurriedly called out and ordered someone to bring up the prepared gifts.

Although they are children's toys, they are made of precious materials and are extremely well-made, including a jade nine-linked ring.

"Thank you for your kindness, ladies, but these things are too valuable. How can Yu Rao, a mere child, accept them?"

Such a thing was something they never had even in their heyday, and it's nowhere to be found now, so the Yun family dared not accept it.

Shen Meizhuang said, "Aunt, please don't refuse. As you know, the imperial heirs in the palace are of all ages, and many of the finest things go unsold. These things are not the best, but just ordinary ones, which are perfect for Yu Rao to play with."

There were many princes and princesses in the palace, so the Imperial Household Department naturally kept a lot of children's toys.

An Lingrong chimed in, "Indeed, although the palace is wonderful in every way, Yu Rao is still quite young and inevitably finds it rather boring. These items aren't much of a bargain, but they'll be just what Yu Rao needs to cheer herself up."

Since both of them said so, Madam Yun had no choice but to accept it.

After talking for a while, Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong each left a tonic for Yun Shi to pass on to Zhen Huan, and then got up and left Natural Painting.

After walking a distance, An Lingrong waved to the palace servants who were following them, signaling them to step back.

"Sister An, what's wrong?" Shen Meizhuang stopped and looked at An Lingrong.

An Lingrong did not answer her, but pointed to the pavilion not far away and said, "Sister Shen, let's go to the pavilion to talk."

The pavilion was open on all sides, with no shrubs or artificial hills to obstruct the view, making it a perfect place to discuss secret and unspeakable matters.

Shen Meizhuang's heart tightened.

The two entered the pavilion, and their palace servants conscientiously stood guard in various positions to keep watch.

An Lingrong held the handkerchief, her brows slightly furrowed: "Sister Shen, do you still remember the first words Zhen Yurao said after rushing into Madam Zhen's arms?"

She felt that there was something wrong with that statement!

Shen Meizhuang recalled carefully: "At that time, Zhen Yurao said, 'Mother, where did you go? I woke up and couldn't see you,' right?"

An Lingrong nodded, her eyes fixed on Shen Meizhuang: "That's right, sister, don't you feel something's wrong?"

Shen Meizhuang was somewhat surprised to hear this, but upon closer reflection, she did indeed discern a certain meaning in it.

She said thoughtfully, "Madam Zhen went to Bitong Academy in the morning and didn't return until late afternoon. When we went to visit her, it had been no more than a quarter of an hour since she returned to Natural Painting."