September 12th is Empress Xia Xueyi's birthday.

In previous years, she never celebrated her birthday in a grand manner.

This date is considered very unlucky—it is also the anniversary of Princess Xiuyi's death.

Every year on this day, Empress Dowager Zhang would leave the palace and personally go to the little princess's grave to pay her respects.

When I came back, I felt like I had lost half my life; I was heartbroken.

Even Emperor Lu Xingjian would send his eunuchs to offer sacrifices to the little princess on his behalf, which shows how close the siblings were.

This year is a little different.

Before leaving the palace, Empress Dowager Zhang instructed Xia Xueyi to act as she saw fit, emphasizing that consummating their marriage during this opportunity was of utmost importance.

Xia Xueyi and her family put a lot of effort into this birthday celebration, discussing strategies many days in advance.

However, none of the various countermeasures had any effect.

In the afternoon, Lu Xingjian only sent the birthday gifts through Steward Li, without showing up himself.

A sinister glint flashed in Xia Xueyi's eyes; she had no choice but to resort to her last resort.

She gave the order:

"Bring Su Wanwan over."

When Zhou Wanxiu appeared pushing Su Wanwan in a wheelchair, Xia Xueyi said leisurely:

"I heard that your legs are almost fully recovered. Why don't you stand up and walk around a bit?"

Su Wanwan's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant:

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician instructed me that I cannot put weight on my left leg yet. I will kowtow to Your Majesty once my leg injury has healed."

Xia Xueyi, having been rebuffed, didn't bother arguing with her.

Turning the finger at Zhou Wanxiu:

"Zhou Wanxiu, kneel down now!"

“You have served Su Wanwan for a long time, but her injuries have not healed. You must not have served her diligently.”

If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext.

This is the capriciousness of those in power.

As long as Xia Xueyi holds the title of Empress, she will always be superior to others, and there will only be a handful of people who can restrain her.

Zhou Wanxiu knelt down with a thud, arguing defiantly:

"Your Majesty, you are innocent!"

"The imperial physician said that Aunt Wan's leg injury requires three months of rest, but that time hasn't come yet."

The old nanny beside Xia Xueyi flashed disdain in her eyes and reprimanded her sharply:

"How dare she talk back to Your Highness! Guards, slap her!"

Su Wanwan's heart was pounding wildly.

Overjoyed.

After waiting for so long, the opportunity has finally arrived!

She was genuinely afraid that Xia Xueyi's virtuous and magnanimous nature would leave her with no opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

She quickly took responsibility:

"My leg injury has nothing to do with Wanxiu, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The old woman gave a forced smile, her voice strong and clear:

"Miss Su is joking. People in the palace should follow the rules of the palace."

"If everyone were to be so disrespectful and defy the Empress, wouldn't the harem be in danger of changing hands?!"

Slap him!

"Wait a minute." Su Wanwan stood up from her wheelchair.

He looked at Xia Xueyi calmly.

"Your Majesty, I have stood up as you wished. Can you spare Wanxiu?"

The difference in their social status is enormous.

Xia Xueyi was determined to torment her, and she was sure she wouldn't get away with it.

Rather than trying to fight a losing battle, it's better to go along with Xia Xueyi's wishes.

In any case, this is a great opportunity for a "bitter trick".

Let's take a gamble on what that man will do.

If he really doesn't care, then we'll have to find another way.

This would also temporarily win over Zhou Wanxiu, killing two birds with one stone.

As for whether Zhou Wanxiu will be moved, this time we'll find out.

Zhou Wanxiu looked at Su Wanwan with a complicated expression.

He immediately lowered his eyes, not even thinking of helping her up.

Su Wanwan sighed softly to herself.

After years of being best friends, we've drifted apart, and now all that's left is a facade of friendship.

A hint of satisfaction flashed across Xia Xueyi's face.

"So your leg injury has healed. That's good news."

"I'll grant you some respect and promote you to the rank of a seventh-grade official, and you'll be transferred to Kunning Palace immediately."

Su Wanwan's pupils contracted, and a look of fear appeared on her face.

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."

"But this servant is not knowledgeable enough to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."

"I beg Your Majesty to allow me to resign from my position as a lady-in-waiting and return home to recuperate."

Xia Xueyi was not about to believe her.

Who would believe such nonsense as someone who has already climbed into the emperor's bed and still wants to go home?

"You cannot refuse my command."

Xia Xueyi dismissed all the servants and even took away the wheelchair.

Su Wanwan stood unsteadily in the center of the main hall, directly begging for mercy:

"Your Majesty, you don't need to target me. As long as you let me leave the palace, I will leave the capital and never come back."

Xia Xueyi chuckled dismissively.

Why should we let you leave the palace?

"I have no need to offend the Emperor."

"I also hope that you can work hard to produce imperial offspring, so that the children you have in the future can be registered under my name as legitimate sons."

Su Wanwan looked closely at Xia Xueyi's face, her expression desolate:

"Your Majesty is likely to be disappointed."

“Three years ago, I fell into the icy river in March and injured my body. I can no longer get pregnant.”

She didn't expect that Xia Xueyi had already moved on from romantic relationships.

They directly face the most fundamental interests.

She couldn't help but feel sorry for Lu Xingjian.

Empress Xia didn't love him much either.

Few women living in the palace truly considered romance as a means of survival.

With a legitimate son, her position as empress was unshakeable, and she would become the future empress dowager.

However, it's a miscalculation to treat Su Wanwan as a breeding tool.

Xia Xueyi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news.

A woman who cannot have children poses no threat.

It's just a toy for men to enjoy for a short time.

As long as she doesn't offend the emperor and has the Empress Dowager's protection, she will be the most honored empress, and Su Wanwan will always have to submit to her.

Xia Xueyi smiled smugly.

"Is that so? What a pity. I wish I could have given birth to a prince myself."

Su Wanwan pursed her lips, her words betraying her true feelings:

"This servant wishes Your Majesty all your dreams come true."

The angry words spoken that day suddenly echoed in Su Wanwan's mind.

"I just want to be the empress!"

She didn't really want to be empress; she just wanted to pull Xia Xueyi off the throne.

Only in this way can her vulnerability, far away in Nanjing, be safe.

Empress Xia smiled coldly.

"Then serve me diligently. If I become pregnant, I will reward you handsomely."

Su Wanwan's injured leg could no longer bear standing for too long and began to ache terribly, causing her to be covered in sweat.