I, the one in the heavens, am here to protect my bottom line in all realms.

Chapter 361 Expressing Stance and Hidden Game
Although Xiao Jiangbao was puzzled, her mother said that when she grew up, if she met a man who looked very appealing, she would understand. So she wasn't curious. At least for now and for a long time to come, she felt that no one was more appealing than herself.

After visiting the Nanfeng Pavilion, they naturally went to the brothel as well, and only returned home after they had had their fill of fun.

As expected, the emperor arrived that night.

Surprisingly, as the two lay side by side sleeping, the emperor suddenly became interested in talking: "Are you feeling any better now?"

Zhang Chengyuan was about to get up to reply when the emperor noticed her movement and stopped her, saying, "There's no need to get up. Talk to me for a bit."

Hesitating for even half a second would be disrespectful to oneself. So she lay down, covered herself with her own blanket, and said in a calm and casual tone, "I'm feeling better. Who knows, I might live for several more decades."

The emperor said with slight interest, "You are somewhat different."

Zhang Chengyuan said indifferently, "Who says otherwise? After praying to so many gods and Buddhas for so long, I've come to terms with it. As for me, I can't bring myself to die, and I can't outlive others. Rather than getting stuck in a rut and stubbornly arguing with myself, I might just anger myself to death someday. It's better to just let things take their course."

"Your Majesty, though you show me no affection, you bestow many gifts upon me. Who can say this isn't favor? So what if I don't have children? Even if I did, I might not be able to protect them. Isn't it fine as it is now? I'm content with just myself."

The emperor thought about it for a moment, and realized that what she was doing was indeed quite good. However, before he could speak, he heard the person beside him chuckle softly.

"Heh~ I don't even need to worry about my funeral arrangements. If I die young, Her Majesty the Empress will arrange for my funeral. If I die late, I'll be buried with you."

The Emperor suddenly felt like he was choking, but upon closer reflection, he realized that her words made perfect sense. Without children, she posed no threat to the others in the harem, and given her attitude, no one could do anything about her. Moreover, he still needed her.

Tsk...this kind of life is really making my teeth ache.

The emperor silently swallowed the thought of informing her in advance about her promotion. He didn't want to talk to her right now; the envy in his heart was making him somewhat defensive.

Zhang Chengyuan curled his lips in the darkness, closed his eyes, and quickly fell asleep.

The emperor, unusually, couldn't sleep here. He was constantly embroiled in intrigues and schemes, living a life less carefree than that of a concubine. Where could he possibly seek justice?

However, even though he felt resentful, he didn't intend to upset her, simply because he could sleep well here, making it a haven of peace in the harem.

The next day, the imperial decree proclaimed her promotion, and she became Cheng Zhaorong.

She discussed with Jiang Siyou, saying, "I'll talk to Yu Qingyuan tonight and ask him to take the initiative to seek cooperation with me."

Jiang Si nodded and returned to the Cold Palace late at night.

"Your Highness, Consort Cheng has been promoted to Zhaorong without cause today."

Yu Qingyuan stared at Jiang Siyou, his eyes like those of a venomous snake, ready to strike at any moment, as if he would kill him at any instant. After a long while, he chuckled in a low voice with an ambiguous meaning: "Hehe, not bad, you are quite lucky to have followed such a capable master."

Jiang Siyou's acting skills became increasingly superb. Her face was bloodless as she knelt down with a "plop," but she refused to say a word.

Yu Qingyuan slowly approached, squatted down, grabbed Jiang Siyou's chin, looked him up and down, then slapped his face in an insulting manner, saying maliciously, "Yu Siyou, don't forget your name. You'd better remember it at all times. If I die, you won't live either, my good little brother."

The next instant, as if touching trash, she threw away her chin, took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped it, her eyes filled with disgust.

Jiang Siyou's face grew paler and paler, yet her heart remained completely unmoved.

"Get out of here. Go back and watch the Emperor's attitude towards Consort Cheng."

Jiang Si left cautiously...

Zhang Chengyuan hadn't slept and was waiting, so he was relieved to hear the voice: "You're back. Is everything alright?" Jiang Siyou replied softly: "No, he just wanted to know the Emperor's attitude towards you."

"Then tell him to go and rest."

Jiang Si responded and went back.

Two months later, late at night, Jiang Siyou returned with the information that Yu Qingyuan wanted to report.

"The emperor visits Consort Cheng once a month, but he never orders water, and he is always in a good mood before leaving each day."

He's already given the message; how people interpret it is beyond his control.

As expected, Yu Qingyuan misunderstood and a strange smile appeared on his face: "There really are hidden talents here. Go back and give this to Consort Cheng."

As he spoke, he took out a small jade bottle from his bosom and tossed it to Jiang Siyou.

Jiang Siyou maintained her persona and didn't ask any more questions, inwardly marveling at how the male protagonist's process was entirely wrong but his outcome was entirely right.

Back at Zhang Chengyuan's place, he handed her the bottle: "Yuanbao, look at this. I reckon he thinks you've used medicine to control the emperor and wants to test you."

Zhang Chengyuan examined it and confirmed that it was indeed poison, the colorless and odorless kind. She and Jiang Si sighed, "How come all these male protagonists are so lucky? Even when they are at a disadvantage, they still have all sorts of adventures. Ordinary people would never come across this in their entire lives, but they can get it so easily and casually. They must be really rich."

Jiang Siyou sat opposite her: "Otherwise, how can we say he's the male lead? But Yuanbao, are you short of money?"

"No, it's just that I feel like the male lead's money comes too easily. Just thinking about having to work hard for someone like that in the future makes me want to have a heart attack."

Zhang Chengyuan felt increasingly distressed, and Jiang Si shared the same sentiment, instantly creating a sense of camaraderie between the two.

Jiang Si took a deep breath and comforted her, "Just bear with it, we're doing this for our daughter."

Zhang Chengyuan rolled his eyes at him, his eyes filled with resentment.

Jiang Si felt guilty and avoided her gaze, her face full of worry.

After slumping for a while, Zhang Chengyuan wiped his face and said, "Tomorrow I'll get some medicinal herbs to make some poison for you, and we'll return it. I don't want to work as someone's subordinate in the future; we should at least be partners."

Jiang Si didn't say anything; he could only say that he wasn't proficient in this skill.

That night, Paper Doll No. 2 set out again, running around the mountains near the capital to collect all the medicinal herbs and poisons it could find, and was heading back before dawn.

With the materials in hand, Zhang Chengyuan immediately began making poison.

It is also colorless and odorless. This one was prepared for Yu Qingyuan, but of course it wasn't meant to kill him. If he got hit, he would at most feel unwell for a while.

Another type is for Jiang Siyou. This type of poison mainly works by changing skin color and pulse. It is actually not harmful, except for a few side effects, such as a seven-day sensitive period for the skin.

Summon Jiang Siyou, make him eat it and explain the dangers, then give him the poison: "Here, tonight, sprinkle it on your clothes, send a plate of pastries to Yu Qingyuan, and tell him it's a return gift from me."

Jiang Si shook the jade bottle, somewhat worried, and said, "Could it be that it's been poisoned to death?"

"It's not that bad. You'll only feel bad for a few days. After all, you're still a tool, and you're still useful."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Si immediately stopped caring and instead became worried about her daughter: "Yuanbao, what plans do you have for our daughter? Are you going to let her get married and have children in the usual way, or something else?"