Chapter 11: Bound to the Childbirth System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 11: Cannon Fodder Little Imperial Consort (11)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Qiu Yue, leave this matter to you; I'm at ease with it. You handle the arrangements yourself."

Shen Yao didn't intend to say more on this matter; it was also a test for Qiu Yue.

If even such a small matter couldn't be done well by Qiu Yue, then Shen Yao had no need to continue cultivating Qiu Yue; by then she could directly ask the Emperor for a few capable maids to come over, and raise her children easily and freely—wasn't that good?

For ambitious people, having the Emperor's confidants serving by their side might feel uncomfortable, but Shen Yao didn't have such great ambition; her system was a Childbirth System, not a harem-intrigue system, and her mission in each world was simply to enjoy life and experience different lives (while conveniently completing the Childbirth Tasks arranged by the system).

As long as Shen Yao didn't betray her original intention, she wasn't afraid of surveillance; she could even let herself always live within the Yuanhe Emperor's field of vision, as long as the other party didn't shortchange her food, clothing, and daily necessities.

Putting down the empty soup bowl in her hand, Shen Yao contentedly narrowed her eyes.

"Clear the table."

Getting up, Shen Yao rubbed her somewhat sore and stiff neck, drank another cup of tea to rinse her mouth, and then obediently lay back on the bed to rest.

Since her body was too tired, Shen Yao fell asleep not long after getting into bed.

In a daze, when she opened her eyes, Shen Yao was still a bit muddled.

Getting out of bed, Shen Yao looked outside through the window opened by the doorway.

A scene of bustle; coming and going were all palace attendants from the various palaces.

Qiu Yue stood at the very front, smiling and greeting one person after another; turning around and seeing the already-awake Shen Yao, she hurriedly came over to salute and greet her.

"Everyone in the palace has come?"

Looking at Qiu Yue's expression, it didn't seem like she had rested; it was clear these visitors hadn't stopped coming.

Qiu Yue made an affirmative sound: "In the Huang Hou, apart from those whose rank is lower than the mistress and who truly have no favor, everyone else either sent a maid or came in person; they've all made a trip."

Shen Yao was surprised: "Came in person?" And there were those who brought their own slave girls?

Qiu Yue found it hard to explain fully: "They are the three mistresses living in Hai Tang Guan and Song Xue Ju; they went together in a group. At the time the mistress was resting, so this servant made the decision privately and sent them away."

After speaking, Qiu Yue made a curtsy and apologized to Shen Yao. After all, exercising authority without the mistress's consent could be considered, in a grand sense, not knowing one's place.

Shen Yao waved her hand lightly: "You did nothing wrong. Next time they come again, when it's inconvenient for me, there's no need to specially entertain them."

If those coming were the two Imperial Concubines from Fu Rong Guan, then in terms of rank, it wouldn't be bad.

As for Hai Tang Guan and Song Xue Ju, their highest rank was no more than Answering Lady; Shen Yao had no need to wrong herself.

Getting along amicably with the Huang Hou was one thing, but that didn't mean Shen Yao truly had no temper.

On the contrary, Shen Yao, who had already safely passed through several Task Worlds, had a big temper; it was just that Shen Yao knew what she wanted most, always kept herself clear-headed and placed herself in the most important position, thereby maintaining her rationality and never allowing herself to suffer the slightest injury.

Qiu Yue agreed in her heart, while also understanding that her mistress looked gentle and mild-tempered, but actually, the pride in her heart was no less than others'.

"Mistress, rest assured; this servant knows how to handle it."

Anyway, she wouldn't let others make her mistress dissatisfied; as whose slave girl she was, she would serve that person. Qiu Yue was more worldly-wise and shrewd than Chunhua of before.

"The time is about right; have the late dinner brought in advance, I"

She looked up at the sky; before Shen Yao could finish the rest of her sentence, the two of them saw Wei Zhu, who had left in the morning, coming again with a large entourage.

Indeed, the one coming was Wei Zhu, the number-one favorite by the Yuanhe Emperor's side.

Shen Yao was stunned for a moment, and followed her as she hurried out of the room.

The two groups met in the center of the courtyard; Wei Zhu smiled and saluted Shen Yao: "Noble Lady Shen, the Emperor has sent word."

She knew the Emperor had summoned her, but Shen Yao hadn't expected the person sent to be Wei Zhu.

Could it be that the Emperor's satisfaction with her was still rising? This was Shen Yao misunderstanding the Yuanhe Emperor; it was entirely because Xiao Yanchen planned to eat, and then suddenly thought of Shen Yao, so he had Wei Zhu make a trip.

Anyway, the matter of Shen Yao serving in the bedchamber wouldn't change, so Shen Yao coming over early to accompany him for late dinner was no problem, right?

"Thank you, Eunuch."

Shen Yao nodded; she didn't need to prepare anything, and very decisively brought Qiu Yue along.

The crowd left Hehuan Palace in a grand procession; because Wei Zhu had a strong presence in the Huang Hou, the news that Shen Yao had been summoned by the Emperor again to serve in Taiji Hall spread like fireworks without legs.

Fengyi Palace

The Empress listened to the news brought by the maid, her hand not stopping as she turned the account book.

Beside her, Nainai poured a cup of tea for the Empress: "Your Ladyship should take a rest."

The Empress shook her head, her expression unchanged: "Palace affairs are chaotic and disorderly; wait until I'm done."

Nainai, upon hearing this, wanted to speak but hesitated; before she could make up her mind to speak, the Empress continued: "Nainai, are you going to ask what this palace thinks about Noble Lady Shen serving in the bedchamber?"

Nainai's expression was surprised, and she nodded: "Noble Lady Shen served in the bedchamber for only one night, and was promoted to Noble Lady."

"This speed, though it cannot compare to the grandeur when Noble Zhou Guifei first entered the palace, but she might be the next Noble Zhou Guifei; Your Ladyship cannot help but be on guard."

The Empress:... what does this have to do with that.

The Empress's gaze was cold: "Nainai, did the Guogong Fu say something to you again?"

Nainai, looked at by the Empress, breathed unsteadily, and hurriedly shook her head: "Your Ladyship, you misunderstand."

The Empress glanced at her, her tone inexplicable: "Hopefully this palace is mistaken. Nainai, you must know, you are this palace's Wet Nurse, not a person of the Guogong Fu," so, you must understand who your mistress truly is.

Putting down the account book she had read halfway, the Empress got up and walked toward the Inner Room.

Nainai, seeing this, hurriedly followed with quick steps, her hand still supporting the Empress's arm bend.

The Empress turned her head, meeting Nainai's eyes full of worry, and finally sighed: Forget it; even if Nainai had private motives, it was for herself.

"Noble Lady Shen is different from Noble Zhou Guifei; unless Noble Lady Shen can have abundant offspring, otherwise, she cannot climb to Noble Zhou Guifei's current position."

The Empress felt this condition was difficult to achieve for all Imperial Consorts in the Huang Hou, including herself.

Their Emperor had ascended the throne for seven years; counting the time at the Mansion, it was nearly ten years.

In ten years, there were only three sickly little princes; one can imagine how difficult producing offspring was.

As a woman who had a legitimate son to rely on, the Empress understood even more clearly the many difficulties of pregnancy.

Therefore, she had always firmly believed that for the women in this palace, wanting to rise in status was not easy.

After all, the Xiao family of the Great Jing Dynasty was not a clan with affection and righteousness.

Feelings could not be relied upon; only family background could be borrowed a little. And this Noble Lady Shen, daughter of a Fifth Rank Assistant Official, what could she count for in a harem where beauties were like clouds.

"Nainai, there is no need to speak these words in the future. For this palace, what is most important right now is taking good care of the Second Prince."

Only with a legitimate son alive could she sit securely in the Empress's position and advance further.

If one's scope was not large enough, near-term losing the greater for the smaller, then how could one guard against the consorts in the palace? One might as well learn from the current Dong Palace Empress Dowager, who could only adopt other people's offspring, watching someone else's child ascend the throne smoothly. Although she had the title of birth mother, she could only settle in a corner.

The Empress's eyes flickered; thinking of the current harem's situation gave her a terrible headache.

Hmph. Not only was there a living Eunuch, but there were also two mothers-in-law still pressing down on her head, lording it over her. Which family's Empress suffered such stifling grievance as she did.

The Empress in Fengyi Palace could still remain calm because the Empress had offspring to rely on, plus many years of lessons turned into experience. But if the role were swapped with anyone else in the palace, including Noble Zhou Guifei of Chaoyang Palace, they would all be extremely angry and indignant.

The women in the palace were all the Emperor's consorts. When they calculated carefully, they were more like love rivals than colleagues. After all, there was only one man to fight over; your gain is my loss, and they would never be satisfied.

Shen Yao followed Wei Zhu to Taiji Hall, completely unaware of the storms she had triggered.

At this moment, she was sitting next to the Yuanhe Emperor, dining together with him.

At this time, Shen Yao vaguely understood the purpose of her coming early; it turned out she was still accompanying a guest.

A constant smile on her face, Shen Yao carefully observed the Yuanhe Emperor's every move. Whatever he liked, she would pick up for him. At the same time, she did not forget to attend to herself — you one bite, me two bites — making Xiao Yanchen find it funny and, even more, interested.

Indeed, Shen Yao's every move, every frown and smile, seemed to have a special magic power, directly hooking Xiao Yanchen into a state of absent-minded infatuation.

Because he saw Shen Yao eating happily, Xiao Yanchen ate an extra half bowl of rice today.

The two were a bit stuffed, so they went outside the hall to walk and stroll.

Throughout, Shen Yao grasped the admiration and shyness of a little woman toward her beloved. Clearly she did nothing, yet at every moment she attracted Xiao Yanchen's gaze.

"Beloved Consort"

"Your Majesty"

One drooping of eyes, one raising of head — the collision of gazes produced sparks enough to pry open the heart.

Xiao Yanchen's pair of peach blossom eyes flickered slightly; his hand took advantage of the moment to grab Shen Yao's wrist. "The time is almost up. Go back and wash up."

Shen Yao gave a slightly shy "Mm," revealing the curve of her neck hidden at her hair ends.

Seeing this, Xiao Yanchen licked his lips. The two entered the bathroom one after the other.

Because the bathroom had separate bathing, Shen Yao once again saw last night's Sleeping Attendant Matron.

"Troubling you, Nainai."

Shen Yao spread her arms, letting the palace maids remove the clothes from her body.

Water sounds rang softly, carrying the fragrance of bloomed flower petals. Shen Yao placed a hand by her lips and yawned, while not forgetting to send the Fertility Pill into her mouth.

Time was urgent; she had to seize every Bedchamber Service opportunity.

"Noble Lady's skin quality is extremely good. Today there is no need to apply Sandalwood Cream for lubrication; that would instead be unbeautiful."

The Sleeping Attendant Matron returned the favor. Not only did she not give Shen Yao Sandalwood Cream, she secretly slipped Shen Yao a small sachet no bigger than a finger.

"This is a unique He Huan Incense in the palace. The Emperor likes it extremely."

The Sleeping Attendant Matron gave a word of reminder, then sent the freshly dressed Shen Yao back to the side hall.

At this time in the side hall, Xiao Yanchen had already finished washing up. He was sitting in the bedchamber wearing everyday clothes slightly open at the front.

His chest was bare, muscles full and brimming with strength.

Clearly his figure was slender and tall, but once he discarded the covering of clothes, what was revealed was broad shoulders and a narrow waist — a fine physique that made one's face heat and heart race.