Quick Transmigration: Refusing to Be a Victim's Child

Since being sent to the palace by Prince Ning, Liu Yuxue has been deeply favored by the emperor, and her rank has been promoted three levels, becoming a fifth-rank concubine, with four palace maids and two eunuchs serving her.

Emperor Yuankang was not fond of women and had few concubines in his harem. Therefore, the east side hall behind Shaohua Palace belonged entirely to Liu Yuxue.

She was given three large rooms all to herself, and her residence was right next to the emperor's bedroom.

Today, the right wing of the east side hall has been converted into a bedroom and bathroom by Liu Yuxue, the left wing is used as a study and storeroom, and the central main room is used as a reception room and warm pavilion.

Looking at the well-organized interior of the hall, Liu Yuxue, dressed in gorgeous clothes, gently stroked the back of her hand, which had been coated with skin cream, hoping that the items provided by the system would improve her slightly rough skin as soon as possible.

This body was born a slave, and she had been doing hard labor since childhood. It was a real pity to waste such a beautiful appearance.

If it weren't for the beauty pills bestowed upon her by the system, she probably wouldn't have been able to stand out in the Prince's mansion, let alone be chosen by Prince Ning and sent to the palace.

Without her, this body would probably never have had the chance to enjoy such wealth and luxury in this lifetime.

Liu Yuxue stood calmly under the corridor, watching as boxes of gifts were carried into the house, her heart filled with ambition.

She looked up at the main hall, her gaze resolute.

That's where I should live.

Liu Yuxue recalled how, when she moved in, she was forced by that old woman, Consort Yun, to follow the rules and stand in the sun for an hour, and her heart burned with rage.

[Hmph, she's just a lowly concubine. Let her be arrogant for a while. Once I win the emperor's favor and give birth to a prince, let's see how smug she'll be then.]

No, no matter how wonderful Shaohua Palace may be, how can it compare to the Empress's Ganquan Palace? That old woman, relying on her past relationship with the Emperor, has seized the position of Empress.

Yet she couldn't even bear a son or daughter. This position should rightfully belong to the capable; what right did this talentless and unattractive old woman have to be empress?

Liu Yuxue felt indignant.

Recalling the novel she had read, she realized that although Emperor Yuankang was infertile, with the help of the system, having a child would be a piece of cake.

"Hahaha!"

Liu Yuxue was overjoyed as she thought about it, and her joy was evident on her face. She immediately decided to grind some high-quality pearl powder and apply it as a face mask.

……

Meanwhile, outside the palace, in the residence of Minister Chen in Qili Lane.

At this moment, everyone in the Chen family was filled with unease.

In the past, although they could not see their own daughter/sister while she was in the palace, they knew that she was also favored by the emperor, and the family was proud of this.

Because of the friendship between Chen Qingyu and Prince Ning, she could occasionally ask Prince Ning to pass on a message.

However, after ten days, not only was there no news of his daughter/sister, but a few days ago, when Minister Chen went to the Prince of Ning's mansion to inquire about the situation, he was unable to even see the prince.

The Chen family was already worried, and that evening they received a plate of meatballs sent by the emperor.

After the eunuch saw that each member of the Chen family had taken at least one bite, he asked them how it tasted.

Already terrified by the palace's inexplicable actions and unable to eat, the Chen family members could only offer forced praise upon hearing this.

The eunuch sat upright in the mansion, listening to their flattery for more than half an hour, until everyone was parched, before slowly taking out an imperial edict.

The text details how the criminal Chen committed insubordination and uttered vile words, which angered the Empress Dowager to the point of vomiting blood and fainting on the spot. He has since been beaten to death by the Emperor.

When this devastating news reached the ears of the Chen family, it was like the sky had fallen and the earth had split open. Some of the more timid people immediately fainted.

Everyone wore mournful faces, fearing that Chen Qingyu's actions would implicate them. They cried out in despair, living in constant fear.

However, Minister Chen had served in the court for over a decade and was quick-witted. Recalling the eunuch's actions just now, an ancient story immediately came to mind, and his stomach churned, making him feel nauseous.

"vomit--"

He covered his mouth tightly, forcing down the foreign object in his throat, and looked at the eunuch's forced smile. His face was ashen, yet he still managed to force a smile, repeatedly blaming himself for failing to properly educate his daughter and praising the Emperor's punishment as appropriate.

Finally, he respectfully saw the palace guard off at the door, and only after the guard left did he begin to vomit uncontrollably.

*

The following morning, at the morning court assembly.

In front of all the civil and military officials, Vice Minister Chen presented a memorial, admitting that he had failed in educating his daughter and had let down His Majesty's great favor, and earnestly requested to resign and return to his hometown.

However, the emperor refused, saying that the former court and the harem should not be confused, and he did not want the court to lose a pillar of the state because of the criminal Chen.

Hearing the ministers in the hall bow their heads and shout that His Majesty was benevolent, kind, and extremely wise, yet the imperial family had no private matters. This Vice Minister Chen had failed to properly educate his daughter, causing the Empress Dowager to fall ill in bed. His crime was unforgivable and he should be thrown into the imperial prison.

These words terrified Minister Chen so much that he trembled and had no choice but to risk his life by banging his head against a pillar, which finally allowed him to resign and return to his hometown.

Seeing his colleagues avoid him like the plague after the court session, Chen Qi shakily left the palace, his legs trembling and his head covered in blood.

Then he urged the coachman to return home quickly and ordered his family to pack their bags that very day in preparation for leaving the capital.

Mrs. Chen covered her face and cried:

"If Master had followed Prince Ning's wishes and married Qingyu into the Prince's mansion, this disaster wouldn't have happened now."

"But the master sent Qingyu to the palace. We've lived in this mansion for so many years, and now we have to leave like stray dogs."

This will make her too ashamed to go out to banquets in the future.

No, once she leaves the capital and loses the title of the Vice Minister's wife, she will be nothing.

Upon thinking of this, Madam Chen was immediately overcome with grief and nearly fainted from crying.

The sons also expressed their dissatisfaction:

"Dad, there are so many things in the house. You only have half a day. How can we possibly finish cleaning them all?"

Enraged, Lord Chen slapped each of his sons once, and angrily rebuked them:

"Shut up! You fools! Our family is only alive thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, and you still dare to complain?"

"Hurry up and pack up your valuables and take them with you. Throw away any other large items if you can. Time is of the essence, so we don't want any more trouble."

If the Emperor changes his mind, or if the Empress Dowager's faction intervenes, the Chen family will likely be reduced to nothing.

Chen Qi also had unspeakable suffering in his heart.

He would be happy to see his daughter marry the prince as his principal wife, but his daughter is determined to refuse. This child has lofty ambitions, how can he stop her?

Moreover, Prince Ning is ambitious but incompetent. Even with the Empress Dowager's support, it would be better for him to enter the palace as a concubine, which would bring more benefits to the Chen family.

Don't be fooled by Prince Ning's current affectionate demeanor; he used to be quite distant from Qingyu.

As a man, Chen Qi was certainly aware of the other party's thoughts.

Women always think that what they can't have is the best.

Only after his own daughter entered the palace did Prince Ning feel reluctant to part with her, finally seeing his own heart clearly.

Why did you go early?

They simply disliked Chen Qi's low rank and position, and openly or secretly wanted him to send his daughter as a concubine.

As a prince's concubine, she would be subservient to others for life; but as an emperor's concubine, if she could give birth to a prince in the future, she might have the opportunity to ascend the throne and also protect the Chen family, making him the emperor's father-in-law.

Anyone would know how to choose in this situation.

Moreover, Qingyu has a relationship with Prince Ning, so he can attack or defend as he pleases, making it a sure-fire victory.

Moreover, Qingyu still has a past relationship with Prince Ning, so he can attack or defend as he pleases, and victory is within his grasp.

Before his daughter entered the palace, Chen Qi specially invited a doctor to examine her and asked a midwife to feel her bones. She was indeed a woman who would have good fertility and be blessed.

Five years passed, and there was still no good news from the palace. The Chen family thought all hope was lost. But a month ago, news of her pregnancy began to circulate in the palace.

However, before the Chen family could rejoice for long, news came that Chen Qingyu had angered the Empress Dowager to the point of fainting and had been beaten to death on the spot.

There must be something fishy going on here, but Lord Chen dared not think any further.

In less than half a day, more than a dozen carriages were neatly lined up outside the mansion, and the Chen family immediately hurriedly left the city...

"Phew, it's finally out."

Looking out the car window at the receding city gate, Chen Qi felt a slight sense of relief.

But just a dozen miles from the capital, they encountered a group of bandits who were highly skilled in martial arts. They wore headscarves and covered their faces, revealing only their eyes.

Strangely, these people only robbed and injured people, without taking their lives, so the guards and servants escorting the Chen family disappeared without a trace in a short time.

The valuables in the car and the clothes and jewelry on the Chen family members were all looted. The family huddled together, trembling with fear, and were stripped down to only their undergarments.

The most tragic were Lord Chen and his sons, each with a broken right hand and several cuts on their faces.

“Under the emperor’s nose, these bandits dare to rob us on the road. They are incredibly audacious. Sir, we cannot let them get away with this.”

"Report to the authorities! We must report to the authorities so that these villains can all be arrested and beheaded."

"Waaaaah, God! All our family's wealth has been stolen! How are we supposed to survive?"

Madam Chen and several other women huddled together, weeping and wailing, threatening to report the incident to the authorities, but were instead slapped hard by her husband.

"Fool, if you want to die, go back to the capital. I won't be foolish with you."

Chen Qi's face was covered in blood, and his right hand hung limply at his shoulder, looking like a demon crawling out of hell. Madam Chen was so frightened that she shrank back and dared not say another word.

The fact that the Chen family was spared is already a great favor from the Emperor.

They still dare to complain; they won't even know how they died.

Chen Qi knew that it seemed his daughter's affair with Prince Ning had been exposed.

He looked up at the sky with a heart full of sorrow and regret, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Before it got dark, he quickly picked some hemostatic wild grass from the roadside, applied it to his wound, and then led his family on a hurried journey toward the nearby county town.

A fierce wind howled, the setting sun was like blood, and the Chen family remained silent as they embarked on their journey home in the twilight.

……

Inside the palace.

Shaolin Shen, who had intended to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden after dinner, had barely stepped out of his bedchamber when he heard a report from his guards.

It is said that Consort Yu of Zhuixia Palace has been making frequent private moves recently. Not only did she ask someone to find a box of butterflies, but she also reached out to the Qin Zheng Hall to inquire about his whereabouts.

"...Now, Consort Yu is on her way to the Imperial Garden. It is estimated that she will be waiting near the Lotus Pond in no more than a quarter of an hour, ready to meet His Majesty."

After explaining the whole story, the guard disappeared back into the night.

"Clap!"

Shao Linshen stopped in his tracks, turned the jade ring on his thumb, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Han Zhong!"

"The slave is here."

Han Zhong, who had been standing respectfully with his head bowed not far away with a group of guards, immediately ran forward from behind to receive the order when he heard his master's summons.

Shao Linshen looked at the starlight overhead and gave a calm instruction:

"Go to Shaohua Palace yourself and tell her that I wish to stroll in the Imperial Garden with Consort Liu to enjoy the moon, and ask her to come see me as soon as possible."

"Here!"

Han Zhong immediately accepted the order and withdrew.

……

"What! His Majesty orders me to accompany him to admire the moon?"

Liu Yuxue was overjoyed and startled awake from the soft couch.

Seeing that the chief eunuch beside Emperor Yuankang nodded in agreement, she hurriedly smoothed her hair and, in her excitement, ordered a maid to hand the man a reward while rushing back to her room to do her hair.

Han Zhong vaguely guessed the Emperor's intentions, and how could he let Liu Yuxue drag her feet? He immediately advised her:

"Your Highness is all dressed up for today. His Majesty is waiting for you in his bedchamber. You must not keep him waiting."

"What Eunuch Han said is absolutely right. Yu Xue was just too happy and confused for a moment. Let's set off immediately."

Liu Yuxue paused briefly. Although she wanted to show her best self to Emperor Yuankang, she dared not delay. She could only reapply her lipstick and then leave with a palace maid and Han Zhong and the others.

In early summer, the Imperial Garden is filled with the chirping of insects, the fragrance of flowers, and the blooming of hundreds of blossoms.

Liu Yuxue was slightly behind Emperor Yuankang and was racking her brains to make him happy, while also checking the panel in the void.

When she saw that Emperor Yuankang's favorability towards her had increased to 50 points in the "system," she was overjoyed and quickly urged the system to open the shop so she could exchange it for the Spring Love Pill, which was the only thing she could afford at the moment.

Tonight, she was determined to make Emperor Yuankang unable to resist her and unable to let go.

The favorability value on the panel was cleared, and Liu Yuxue had an extra pill in her hand. She was about to crush it and secretly apply it to her body when she suddenly heard a woman reciting poetry by the lotus pond.

"...The moon lingers sadly above the tower, its light surely shining on the dressing table of the one who has departed."

The jade curtain cannot be rolled up, and the dust from the washing stone cannot be brushed away.

We gaze at each other from afar, yet cannot hear each other's voices; I wish I could follow the moonlight to shine upon you.

[Wow! Spring River Flower Moon Night? And there's that classic scene from a certain legend—she's a time traveler too!]

Liu Yuxue's pupils contracted, and she almost lost her composure.

The guards nearby quickly drew their swords and protected her and Emperor Yuankang. The chief eunuch, Han Zhong, immediately alerted them and cried out:

"Who goes there? Show yourself at once!"

"Your Majesty, I am Yu Yingying. I was unaware of Your Majesty's presence and have disturbed Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Yu Cairen slowly emerged from behind a cluster of peonies, attracting colorful butterflies to dance around her. Under the bright moonlight, the woman's figure was graceful, her face was beautiful, her skin was as white as snow, her eyes were as bright as stars, and every gesture she made was full of charm.

Not only men, but even Liu Yuxue, a woman, found the other woman charming and was momentarily lost in thought.

Looking at Yu Cairen kneeling on the ground, Liu Yuxue's expression was solemn, but she felt no joy at meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land.

In matters of time travel, one person is the chosen one, while two are superfluous. Resources are already limited, and the more people share them, the less resources there are.

She must be eliminated!

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Liu Yuxue's eyes. Before anyone could react, she feigned terror and threw herself into Shao Linshen's arms, trembling uncontrollably. Her face was pitiful as she said:

"Oh no, there's... there's a ghost."

"Your Majesty, where did this lady come from? How could she appear and disappear so mysteriously? She really gave me a fright."