Chapter 54: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 54: Cannon Fodder Little Imperial Consort (54)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"That's the logic: the more you want it, the less likely it will come; when you don't want it, perhaps it will come right away."

Anyway, the system said Xiao Jin and Yu Yansi had no physical problems, so those two would have children sooner or later.

Shen Yao wasn't in a hurry for the time being, and Yu Yansi was young; letting things settle for a few years would be better for the child.

Yu Yansi looked at her mother-in-law with gratitude; no matter what, regarding children, the other party had always done things properly.

Yu Yansi had previously worried that her mother-in-law would send women to Xiao Jin to urge her to bear children out of dissatisfaction.

Unexpectedly, her mother-in-law didn't mention it at all; compared to the two cheap sisters-in-law who were also imperial consorts, anyone who saw Yu Yansi's life would say they envied her.

The two mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted casually, and Shen Yao took the opportunity to hide the news she needed to tell the other party among them.

Yu Yansi was intelligent; refining and summarizing the content in the words and remembering it was not difficult for her.

Shen Yao couldn't help but smile more deeply on her face; having an intelligent daughter-in-law was good, saving her a lot of effort.

And it wasn't just Yu Yansi; Shen Yao's other daughter-in-law She Shi was also intelligent; this might be the law that intelligent people attract intelligent people.

"Imperial Consort, take your leave slowly."

"Auntie, please stay."

Yu Yansi smiled and bade farewell to Qiu Yue, then turned and left the Fengyi Palace Dian Dian.

After seeing the person off, Qiu Yue, upon returning to the bedchamber, did not forget to open her mouth to praise Yu Yansi a few words.

Just as they were speaking, Qiu Yue couldn't help but cough once, and Yu Yansi heard a throat problem from it; this person casually mentioned several medicated diets with good treatment effects for Qiu Yue to try when she had time.

With such thoughtfulness and skill, Qiu Yue sighed, "Commandery Prince Rong can be more leisurely now."

Shen Yao nodded in agreement, "Jin'er nowadays places more of his gaze on the Front Court, which shows he trusts Yu Shi very much."

A person's energy is limited; Front Court and Back Courtyard cannot be focused on simultaneously.

Xiao Jin took care of what was in front, handing what was behind to Yu Yansi; doing so had both good and bad.

Between husband and wife, they must understand each other to do better, but as the two people's contact deepened, friction would become greater.

If not handled well, there might be a situation of collapse.

However, these were temporarily not things Shen Yao should manage; children and grandchildren have their own fortune; matters of the younger generation should be left to the younger generation to handle themselves.

……

The mortal world is leisurely, the years are bright.

At first hearing, one does not know the meaning in the tune; upon hearing again, one is already a person in the tune.

"Empress, please save this subject; this subject knows she was wrong, Empress, Empress……"

A woman in palace attire with a gorgeous appearance knelt in the Fengyi Palace Dian Dian, begging Shen Yao for help.

Shen Yao sat in the top chair; regarding this, she could only sigh helplessly.

"Consort Rou, plotting against offspring is a great crime; moreover, Consort Xian's body was damaged because of this, and in the future there will be no possibility of pregnancy.

Go back; since the Emperor has already given the disposition, this palace has no authority to interfere."

Just as Shen Yao's voice fell, the Consort Rou kneeling on the ground begging raised her face, which was as beautiful as spring flowers and autumn moons.

Even though tears were flowing at this time, it still did not affect Consort Rou's absolute beauty.

Truly deserving of being a beauty who was kept by Xiao Yanchen after just delivering clothes once.

The years had not left any trace on Consort Rou's face; the bias was excessive.

"Empress, this subject knows she was wrong and will never dare to have other thoughts again."

"Regarding this matter, this subject is innocent; it was all Consort Xian herself with ulterior motives, deliberately seducing this subject."

By the end of her words, Consort Rou gritted her teeth, and her expression twisted along with it.

Shen Yao was helpless, thinking to herself that whether intentional or unintentional, pursuing it now had no effect at all.

Consort Xian paid the price of being unable to bear children for life; Consort Rou paid the ending of lifelong imprisonment; did the two of them still need to compete over who was higher or lower, right or wrong?

Rubbing her swollen brow, Shen Yao brushed aside the stray hair falling to the side, "Go back; don't make this palace difficult, and don't make the Emperor difficult."

"Consort Rou, you should know that in recent years there have been many unfair matters in the Huang Hou; this palace has always handled them lightly."

"Don't let yourself end up without the dignity of an imperial consort, following in the footsteps of those who died young."

Shen Yao's words carried a strong flavor of threat, especially those eyes; in the pupil color as still as an ancient well were filled with indescribable profound meanings.

Consort Rou: ……

On her slightly stiff face flashed a trace of fear; Consort Rou pursed her lips, teardrops hanging between her eyelashes, about to fall but not yet.

It looked like a pitiful and lovely picture, but actually everyone present knew clearly that it was all a false appearance.

Consort Rou still felt unwilling; before leaving, she stood up and tried to persuade Shen Yao.

Shen Yao sneered, "Living in the palace, this palace thought Consort Rou could understand after so many years."

How could she still be so naive; losing is losing, with no other way out.

Consort Rou despaired, "This subject loves the Emperor so much; why does he not believe this subject?"

Shen Yao smiled lightly, "There are so many imperial consorts in the Huang Hou who love the Emperor; why should he believe?"

Consort Rou suddenly, finally smiled bleakly, "If this matter involves Empress, the Emperor will surely believe."

After all, it was still that she herself was not valued; why could the Emperor be special to the Empress?

When she was previously favored, Consort Rou had once confidently thought she was the most special one.

Whether becoming an imperial consort in three years or a Noble Consort in five years, both were stronger than the Empress sitting high in the rear position.

What is an Empress? Nothing more than a past-her-prime Favored Consort who had a few offspring and clawed her way up by taking advantage.

And the result? Everything that happened afterward slapped her face nakedly.

So confident in her favor that she imprisoned herself for life, while the past-her-prime Empress still stood high above, looking down on everyone.

How ironic? How true?

Not waiting for Shen Yao's answer, Rong Fei did not want to hear the truth that would leave her with nowhere to hide.

She turned around and walked slowly toward the outside of the hall, then was escorted back to the palace by the attendants waiting at one side.

Shen Yao stood at the doorway of the Dian Dian, her gaze calm as she watched Rong Fei leave.

For a long while, until she could no longer see a shadow, did Shen Yao slowly say in her heart the words she had not answered Rong Fei with.

"I will never let myself fall into this kind of trouble.

Compared to receiving special treatment from the Emperor, what I believe in is always myself."

This is the difference between her and the consorts of the Huang Hou: Rong Fei had always looked to the Emperor from beginning to end, while Shen Yao preferred to put herself first.

"Your Majesty, we should return."

Qiu Yue quietly reminded her mistress, then silently stayed by her side without a word.

"Qiu Yue, my position as Empress has already lasted fifteen years."

Fifteen years—time really flies.

Shen Yao still remembered that ten years ago she had been chatting with Qiu Yue about Consort Rong's favor and Xiao Wei's wedding; five years later, she watched Rong Fei fall to the mortal world while Xiao Wei's children grew up in pairs.

Even the youngest Xiao Wei had turned ten; Shen Yao had truly stayed in the palace for too long.

"Your Majesty, no matter how long, this servant will always accompany you."

"In the Huang Hou, people come and go; the only one who can stay by my side is you."

What men, what offspring—they could be intimate and close with Shen Yao, but they could not be inseparable from her.

Shen Yao looked up at the sky, clear as a wash of blue, and smiled as she called Qiu Yue to her side. "It has been a long time since we talked like today."

"Qiu Yue, do you regret not leaving the palace to marry, not seeing your family and relatives?"

Since accompanying Shen Yao into the palace, Qiu Yue's contact with the Shen Family had gradually faded.

One cannot deny that at first Qiu Yue had passed messages for the Shen Family, but as time went on, she devoted all her heart and mind to Shen Yao.

Nowadays, the two of them were more like family than mistress and servant.

Qiu Yue's eyes brimmed with tears as she shook her head and said firmly, "This servant does not regret it."

Accompanying her mistress into the palace was the thing she regretted least among all she had done.

The way people get along is truly mysterious: some become enemies the more they interact, some gradually drift apart, and some become closest kin.

Shen Yao laughed especially heartily; after laughing, she turned to face Qiu Yue and said seriously, "In the days ahead, we must walk on well."

The palace was hard to endure, but with a peer by her side, Shen Yao feared nothing.

The matter of Rong Fei and Xian Fei ultimately ended with both receiving fifty heavy strokes.

The Huang Hou lost two great mountains at once, which made the consorts very happy, and new favored consorts popped up like bamboo shoots after rain.

Shen Yao remained as before, watching coldly from the sidelines and minding only her own duties.

The benefit of doing this was that nothing touched her and no trouble came knocking.

But the harm was also obvious: Xiao Yanchen at Taiji Hall was unwilling.

He even went so far as to come personally and tell Shen Yao of his dissatisfaction.

Shen Yao:... So what? Did she need to manage the Huang Hou like a housekeeper, and curry favor with others as she had before? Times had changed.

"Does the Emperor's words mean he is dissatisfied with this subject?"

Shen Yao felt that Xiao Yanchen of many years ago surely never imagined that one day he would be at odds with his beloved Yao'er, neither giving an inch.

Pity that this very thing happened, right before her eyes, with her participating the whole way.

"Empress, is this your attitude toward me?"

Xiao Yanchen had grown a beard, making himself look more imposing.

Between him and Shen Yao, they had not spoken for some time.

The older one got, the more one craved novelty.

Xiao Yanchen had the common ailment of middle-aged men: he liked young consorts.

This was no great matter; put another way, Shen Yao had never been moved by Xiao Yanchen, she saw it clearly, and would not feel uncomfortable because of it.

So when facing Xiao Yanchen's questioning, Shen Yao appeared calm and composed.

"The Emperor comes running here and blames this subject without distinguishing right from wrong.

This subject believes that after presiding over the Middle Palace for many years, she has been diligent and never slackened.

Does the Emperor feel that this subject has not done well enough?"

This counter-question directly pinned Xiao Yanchen in place; his expression shifted from shock to anger, with a hint of being annoyed and embarrassed.

Shen Yao's words were still choking; those who didn't know would think they were a married couple with a grudge.

One must remember that back then, to send Shen Yao as Empress, Xiao Yanchen had designed a huge trap and even sent his own son away.

Nowadays everything was already past clouds and smoke; the two were harmonious in appearance but not in heart, showing not a trace of affection.

It really wasn't that time had passed long; Shen Yao simply did not want to pretend—it was time that forced people to change, and a dream had lasted a thousand years.

Xiao Yanchen was cold, suspicious, and liked to overthink; Shen Yao needed to expend enormous energy to maintain her feelings for him, and over time who would still persist?

Moreover, with several children growing up one after another, conflicts between the two sides only worsened, and drifting apart was a normal development.

The situation today, where Xiao Yanchen came to question Shen Yao, was far from the first time; neither needed to pretend anymore.

Xiao Yanchen opened his mouth, thinking it wasn't that she wasn't good enough, just that she could be better.

Shen Yao of course understood what Xiao Yanchen wanted to express, but why should she?

After so many years, even if she has no merit, she has hardship; could Shen Yao truly be the kind to repay enmity with virtue, not striking back when struck, not retorting when reviled?

Don't mention it; even she herself wouldn't believe those words if spoken aloud.

Seeing matters gradually heading toward a collapsing direction, Xiao Yanchen had no choice but to interrupt the topic and forcefully compel Shen Yao to manage the imperial harem's consorts.

The reason was simply that Shen Yao is the Empress; this is her responsibility as mistress of the Middle Palace.

Shen Yao:... Go to hell with your responsibility.

Rolling her eyes enormously in her heart, Shen Yao perfunctorily saw Xiao Yanchen off, even though Xiao Yanchen did not really want to leave.

"Your Majesty, if you speak like this, His Majesty will be angry."

Making too much of a fuss is bad for our own master; the usual silent losses Qiu Yue has swallowed are all recorded in her heart, and at this moment she hates that she cannot throw them all onto the Emperor.

"Let him be angry then; between the two of us, if not for too many intertwined interests, we would have been inseparable long ago — I fear the matter of the Deposed Empress would be reenacted."

Xiao Yanchen has certainly had such thoughts more than once, but pity that Shen Yao is not Wei Jingyi, and Xiao Yanchen does not have so many sons for him to harm.

"Go send a letter outside the palace, tell Prince Rong to enter the palace when he has time; some things must be handled in advance."

Cannot keep dragging on; the longer the delay, the greater the variables. Don't know if Xiao Yanchen has noticed, but his temperament nowadays draws ever closer to the Former Emperor.

Back when the Former Emperor made a scene at Yichang Garden, finding trouble and opponents for Xiao Yanchen, it was precisely Xiao Yanchen's current state.

Round and round it goes, and Xiao Yanchen has become the very kind of person he most dislikes — truly leaves one not knowing what to say.

Outside the palace, Xiao Jin received the letter and naturally entered the palace at the fastest speed.

Mother and son met; no reminiscing, no concern — straight to proper business from the start.

Shen Yao swiftly laid out the contradictions between herself and Xiao Yanchen, and by the way gave Xiao Jin a wake-up call: "Drag on any longer, and I fear you and I will follow in the footsteps of the Deposed Empress and her son."

Seeing his birth mother so serious, Xiao Jin's expression turned serious: "Does Father Emperor insist on this?"

Shen Yao nodded: "Your Father Emperor's health has had some unclear conditions these past two years."

Although Shen Yao doesn't have too much manpower at the Imperial Medical Bureau, Shen Yao has a System Cheat.

Wanting to know Xiao Yanchen's physical condition, the System scans directly — relaxed, quick, and accurate.

"These years, the number of offspring in the harem has never increased; your Father Emperor suspects it is my problem."

When young, Xiao Yanchen might not have thought too much, but as he aged, Xiao Yanchen would always link the few grown children to Shen Yao.

The Imperial Physicians' diagnoses, his own insufficiencies — all were ignored by Xiao Yanchen.

Xiao Yanchen simply believes Shen Yao tampered with things; the purpose goes without saying.

Xiao Jin finds it absurd: "For Father Emperor to think this, it certainly cannot be separated from those young stepmothers in the harem."

Not a single one can give birth, yet they pin the crime on the Empress Dowager who is most capable of bearing children.

Xiao Jin has long known that the scarcity of offspring is the Xiao Family's own problem.

The Father Emperor who was once wise and martial — has he ultimately turned into a muddleheaded old man?