Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

During the past two weeks, with the strong assistance of Aunt Jinhua, Anshun has interrogated many concubines in the palace.

Despite their many grievances, the concubines had no choice but to cooperate with His Majesty's investigation under the Emperor's unquestionable command and the Empress Dowager's tacit approval, even though she did not explicitly say so.

After all, Consort Chunshu lost her unborn child because of this incident.

His Majesty's actions this time were so grand, even going so far as to demote Consort (Ling Yue) to the rank of Consort for the sake of Consort Chunshu, and also to impose the punishment of confinement on her, and even to revoke her power to assist in the management of the six palaces.

Now it is clear among the new concubines that His Majesty's most favored concubine is undoubtedly Consort Chunshu.

Zhaochun Palace.

Miao Yun, her face filled with joy, walked briskly into the hall and excitedly said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty and the Empress Dowager have finally given their conclusion on your matter!"

Miao Yun's eyes sparkled with an undisguised smile.

"Your Majesty, during the interrogation of the concubines this time, Eunuch Anshun caused quite a few laughable and absurd situations."

"I heard that Anshun initially found out that Lin Ronghua (Lin Miaoyin) arranged for a palace maid to push another palace maid down after the performance at the Empress Dowager's banquet. But in the end, it was found that it was actually Consort Chu who deliberately framed her."

At this point, Miaoyun gently shook her head.

"Now, Consort Chu and Consort Lin, who were once close friends when they first entered the palace, have completely broken off their relationship."

Su Jingyao raised her eyebrows slightly, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

"Why are you so sure that Consort Chu (Chu Yinxue) will hurt me?"

"It was on the day of the Empress Dowager's banquet that Consort Chu noticed the red rash on your body and guessed that you had come into contact with the juice of amaryllis. After all, our people had mentioned this to Consort Chu."

Miaoyun spoke slowly, nodding gently as she spoke.

"Then Consort Chu wanted to turn the tables and try to use you to sabotage the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet."

"If you hadn't been able to hold back and had flared up at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, Consort Chu wouldn't have made a move. But you kept holding back, so Consort Chu sent a palace maid to try and expose your skin poisoning."

"Thus, she disrupted the birthday banquet that the Imperial Concubine was holding for the Empress Dowager, and took the opportunity to frame Lin Ronghua (Lin Miaoyin) for the incident. This was truly a brilliant plan, killing two birds with one stone."

However, as Miaoyun spoke, a look of doubt involuntarily appeared on her face.

Thinking about it, she asked, "But this servant truly doesn't understand why a mere beauty would take such a risk to frame the Imperial Concubine?"

Su Jingyao chuckled softly.

"Miaoyun, the Imperial Concubine sometimes doesn't think things through. She should have known that these noble ladies would harbor resentment towards her after entering the palace, given such low ranks to them."

After saying that, Su Jingyao suddenly frowned slightly, as if something was wrong.

If Consort Chu had been closely watching her that day, she would have discovered the red rash beneath her palace attire.

Perhaps they also noticed that she was frequently clutching her stomach. Could it be that Lady Chu suspected she was pregnant at that time?

So this isn't killing two birds with one stone, but rather killing three birds with one stone.

If she were truly pregnant, it would not only strike at the Imperial Concubine and frame Lin Ronghua, but also cause her to lose her child.

After all, she and Chu Meiren (Chu Yinxue) had a grudge against each other.

When Consort Chu and Consort Shangguan (the old lady of the Eastern Palace, Shangguan Yi) had a dispute, she helped Consort Shangguan and even sent Consort Chu's personal maid to the Censorate for a period of time. Presumably, that maid suffered a lot.

Su Jingyao curled up a disdainful smile.

The affairs within the imperial harem are a mix of truth and falsehood, so why insist on investigating them thoroughly?

Her biggest target in this incident was Ling Yue, so it didn't matter if Jun Zechen didn't find out about other things.

The more murky the matter becomes, the more advantageous it will be for her.

As for the other concubines who took advantage of the situation, she will deal with them one by one later.

A dark look appeared in Su Jingyao's eyes.

Soon, her eyes returned to their calm and still state before she spoke and asked.

"What punishment did Consort Chu receive?"

Upon hearing this, Miaoyun's expression became slightly unnatural.

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Initially, His Majesty intended to banish Consort Chu to the Cold Palace, but unexpectedly, she became pregnant!"

"Heh, you're quite lucky." Su Jingyao's lips curled into a faint sneer.

"So Consort Chu was merely imprisoned in the Jade Hall," Miaoyun continued.

"Hmm, what about the matter of the palace dress embroidery pattern being tainted with red cinnabar?" Su Jingyao asked casually.

"Your Majesty, amaryllis is indeed very rare. Even the imperial physicians could not determine the exact nature of the liquid on the palace dress. However, I secretly had someone give Anshun a hint, and that's when Anshun began to suspect the amaryllis."

Miaoyun spoke softly, her brows furrowing slightly as she spoke.

"After that, the investigation in Anshun went more smoothly. This matter involved Shen Ronghua (the Crown Prince Shen Biwan), but what's funny is that this matter also involved Lin Ronghua."

"However, in the end, for reasons unknown, it was still Shen Ronghua who was convicted in Anshun and Jinhua. Shen Ronghua has now been demoted to a lower-ranking concubine and has been moved from the side hall of the Jade Lotus Palace to a more secluded pavilion."

Miao Yun said slowly, but in her heart she was thinking, how come Lin Ronghua was framed by both sides? Could it be that she was more favored among the newcomers, so she was easily framed?

"Um."

Su Jingyao nodded gently.

Lin Ronghua is probably no ordinary person; how did she manage to escape unscathed?

Ye Ronghua (Ye Yaqin) was not involved at all; the new batch of newcomers is truly full of hidden talents.

The sunlight outside seemed to be slowly pulled away by an invisible hand, gradually dimming little by little.

Then, the magnificent sunset, as beautiful as brocade, gradually and softly enveloped the entire imperial city.

Su Jingyao lay languidly on the chaise lounge, her posture perfectly facing the picturesque sunset outside the window.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, her pupils reflecting the dazzling colors. The beautiful scenery made her involuntarily ignore the filth hidden in the shadows of the harem.

Miaoyue carried a bowl of donkey-hide gelatin soup steadily in both hands and walked over lightly, with a concerned expression on her face.

"My lady, you don't have an appetite tonight and don't want to eat dinner, so I specially made you a bowl of donkey-hide gelatin soup. Please have something to eat."

"Okay, give it to me."

Su Jingyao's voice was very gentle. Although she didn't feel hungry at the moment, she really didn't want to refuse Miaoyue's kind offer.

Su Jingyao stretched out her slender hand, took the bowl of donkey-hide gelatin soup, and then slowly picked up the bowl, tilted her head slightly, and drank it in small sips.

Miaoyue, who was standing nearby, continued, "Master, Lin Ronghua was not only framed by Consort Chu, but also by Consort Shen. It is said that she was quite frightened and even went to invite the imperial physician today."

As she spoke, she carefully observed her master's expression.

"And His Majesty also visited Liushuang Pavilion."

Miao Yun kept her eyes fixed on her master, and seeing that Su Jingyao's face was still calm and composed, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Jingyao remained calm, but a thoughtful glint appeared in her eyes.

She never actually thought that Jun Zechen would completely abstain from other women during the month she was recuperating.

Jun Zechen has endured this for more than half a month, and he even comes to Zhaochun Palace to accompany her every day. Judging from this alone, her status in Jun Zechen's heart is already quite high.

One should not have too high expectations of the emperor.

She narrowed her eyes slightly and said softly, "Find a way to plant some of our people in Lin Ronghua's palace. Find a few with average abilities, but make sure there is at least one with strong abilities."

"We must find a way to make the strong one Lin Ronghua's close attendant. As for the weak ones, we must protect the strong one no matter what, even if it means exposing ourselves."

Su Jingyao's expression turned serious. In this harem, she would not underestimate anyone. She had to think three steps ahead for every step she took, and she needed to have sufficient planning and scheming.

Now that she wields immense power in the harem, she has naturally cultivated a large number of her own people.

She takes precautions against anyone who poses a threat to her.

She's not someone who just waits for others to harm her; if Lin Ronghua really gets in her way...

Oh.

"Yes, Master."

Miaoyue quickly agreed, and then added, "Xilu has recently trained quite a few clever and capable young eunuchs, as has Granny Li. Many palace servants in the harem are secretly passing notes to us because Zhaochun Palace is favored, wanting to do their part for Zhaochun Palace."

"Mm." Su Jingyao nodded slightly, her expression remaining calm.

"These people need to be carefully examined. I trust Xilu and Granny Li."

"Although relationships tied by money are not very reliable, the saying 'money makes the world go round' is not just a saying. We are family, and we don't need to make them suffer financially."

In her view, money can solve 90% of the difficulties faced by people at the bottom of society, and meaningless care and empty promises are not as practical as giving money.

The only people who could get Su Jingyao to show any real affection were the few maids around her.

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand. Miaoxue is in charge of the accounts for Zhaochun Palace. Our Zhaochun Palace is the one in the palace that is least short of money."

Miaoyue said with a proud expression.

Liushuang Pavilion.

Lin Ronghua lay quietly on the bed, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.

His eyes were fixed on the palace maid Yuqi beside him, and he asked in a slightly anxious tone, "Yuqi, hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?"

"My lord, please don't worry. I have already received news that His Majesty is on his way to Liushuang Pavilion."

Yuqi quickly replied with a reassuring expression on her face.

Lin Ronghua frowned slightly, and asked with a hint of nervousness, "How is my makeup now?"

After saying that, she gently touched her cheek with her hand.

"Don't worry, my lady. You are already delicate, and now that you've put on even whiter makeup, it only makes you look a bit sickly, but it doesn't affect your beauty at all."

Yuqi said with a smile, her eyes full of certainty.

Hearing Yuqi's words, Lin Ronghua felt a little relieved, and her expression relaxed slightly.

A short while later, Fuquan's high-pitched voice could be heard coming from afar.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ronghua hurriedly got out of bed, almost forgetting to put on her shoes properly in her haste.

Before she could even step out of the bedroom, Jun Zechen's tall figure strode in.

"Your Majesty, this concubine greets you." Lin Ronghua quickly bowed, her voice soft.

"Hmm, get up. I heard you were sick today?" Jun Zechen said calmly, his expression serene.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have always been in poor health, and I recently suffered a fright, which is why I suddenly fell ill."

Lin Ronghua lowered her head slightly and spoke softly, looking quite endearing.

Jun Zechen nodded gently. "Since you're sick, go to bed. This whole thing has really upset you."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your understanding."

Lin Ronghua's eyes instantly filled with emotion, and her eyes even became slightly moist.

In the inner palace, His Majesty has only personally visited Zhaochun Palace and Yikun Palace. Other concubines are always carried to the west side hall of Qianqing Palace for their nights' needs, and His Majesty will not allow any of them to stay overnight.

Although this incident was perilous, it ended without serious harm, and the emperor even showed leniency towards him.

Now, her Liushuang Pavilion is the only concubine's sleeping quarters His Majesty has ever visited besides Zhaochun Palace and Yikun Palace, and it is the only one among the new concubines to receive such favor.

Lin Ronghua thought about many things, and a sweet feeling inexplicably welled up in her heart regarding His Majesty's special treatment of her.

She believed that if she spent more time with His Majesty, he would not be so cold in the future. She would be content if she could gain even a little bit of tenderness from the majestic emperor.

In the quiet bedroom, Lin Ronghua, with a slightly pale face, lay half-reclined on the bed, occasionally trying to start a conversation with Jun Zechen.

Jun Zechen would also respond patiently.

However, he did not stay in Liushuang Pavilion for long. After a quarter of an hour, he got up and said, "Since you are sick, you should rest well. I still have matters to attend to in Qianqing Palace, so I will be leaving now."

Lin Ronghua originally thought that His Majesty would stay at Liushuang Pavilion tonight, but she did not expect him to leave.

A hint of disappointment flashed across her face, her small mouth opened slightly, and she whispered pleadingly, "Your Majesty..."

Her eyes were full of reluctance and pleading; she wanted him to stay.

But His Majesty came because she was ill, so she couldn't serve him.

Then, she bit her lip lightly, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes, "This concubine respectfully sees Your Majesty off."