Chapter 89 The Flawless Cinnabar Scheme (Part 1)
"I remember you're twenty-one this year. In a few years, you'll be released from the palace..."
Inside the main hall of Yanxi Palace, Ruyi dismissed the other servants, took Su Xin's hand, and examined her closely.
Su Xin felt goosebumps all over her body, deeply sensing Ruyi's ill intentions. But on the surface, she still pretended to be obedient and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty is kind."
She was simply waiting to reach a certain age so she could distance herself from Ruyi as soon as possible; she had already planned it all out. When the time came, the girls who left the palace would all work at a girls' school, which would be much more comfortable than staying in the palace.
Ruyi gazed at Su Xin's delicate profile, her eyes flickering, and sighed, "But you have no one else at home, no one to rely on. If we really let you go out, how will you survive without any income?"
She'd rather save face than steam buns. Once she leaves the palace, even if she doesn't go to the girls' school, she can still steam buns. It's better than losing face in Yanxi Palace.
Of course, she couldn't say that. At the same time, Su Xin also sensed something was off about Ruyi's words, so she quickly knelt down and said, "Master, is there something I've done wrong that you want to kick me out?"
Say it's right, say it's right now, or kick me out!
Unfortunately, Ruyi couldn't hear the cry in her heart. Seeing this, she just smiled faintly, "You are naturally very proper in everything you do, but with your looks and character, it would be a real pity if you were to stay in the palace as a maid for the rest of your life. You would be better off getting married."
Su Xin was stunned. Could it be that Ruyi wanted to push her into the emperor's bed? Was she trying to use A'Ruo's unpopularity and her desperate desire for a child to get her pregnant?
But sometimes, even Su Xin had to admit that she had thought too highly of Ruyi.
Then Ruyi sighed casually, "Speaking of which, I've noticed that Wang Qin often comes to Yanxi Palace, and he always has a big smile on his face when he sees you..."
Don't you know your reputation? Why do you think it's because Wang, the deputy chief steward of Yangxin Hall, laughed at Xinxin of Yanxi Palace?
Although she thought this way, a chill suddenly ran through her heart. Su Xin wasn't stupid; she naturally understood Ruyi's implication. She hadn't expected Ruyi to go to such lengths.
She has served him for so many years; even if she wasn't loyal, she must have put in some hard work. Yet Ruyi wanted to marry her off to Wang Qin.
Su Xin thought about it and realized Ruyi's plan. She wanted to use Ruyi to win over the eunuchs around the emperor so that she could understand the emperor's thoughts and whereabouts and have more people to speak up for her.
"My lord, this servant..."
"Alright," Ruyi interrupted Suxin, not giving her a chance to refute, "You've been with me for so many years, I can't bear to neglect you. It's rare to find someone so sincere in this palace. I will investigate for you and stand up for you."
Seeing that Ruyi had made the decision on her own, Suixin could only bear it for the time being. She had connections in high places, and she was going to complain! Complain!
"Yes, thank you, sir."
...
"Don't come any closer!"
Wang Qin let out a sharp cry and knelt down beside Sui Xin with a thud, looking at the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this servant is innocent!"
Those who could serve in the palace were all their own people, and at this moment they were all trying hard to suppress their laughter, their bodies trembling.
Su Xin couldn't help but roll her eyes. What was going on? It wasn't her idea, it was Ruyi! Ruyi!
She should have realized that when Ruyi dared to use the Empress Dowager as a scapegoat, she should have known that it would be her turn sooner or later. Her hopes dashed, Ruixin's face fell, and she pleaded with the Emperor, "This servant truly despises Wang Qin. I beg Your Majesty to do me justice."
Wang Qin scoffed, "Yes, yes, you've taken a fancy to that veterinarian Jiang Yubin, as if everyone knows that."
Looking at the two below, Hongli smiled. Who would have thought that Wang Qin was no longer lustful and that Su Xin was no longer blindly loyal? Away from the plot, everyone became much more lively and turned into people with their own thoughts. How interesting.
"You two can just stall for time. I want to see what Ruyi is up to."
Hongli glanced at Wang Qin, who was kneeling and shuffling to the side as if he wanted to get as far away from Xinxin as possible, and laughed, "Don't worry, Wang Qin, I will protect your innocence."
Wang Ren and Li Yu, standing behind Hongli, lowered their heads and thought through all the saddest things in their lives before suppressing their laughter.
Su Xin felt wronged, and her innocence was also very important.
As if knowing what she was thinking, Hongli looked at her and said, "You don't need to worry. Once this is over, you can leave the palace early and take a job at the girls' school."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Su Xin kowtowed happily. The heavenly voice of early retirement was so beautiful. At this moment, she was even a little grateful to Ruyi for her sudden outburst.
...
The Qing Dynasty won a great victory, and there was a jubilant atmosphere both inside and outside the court. The emperor in the inner palace was generous with his rewards, and everyone was happy and celebrating.
It was at this time that the rumor of a "precious son" spread from who knows where, and it became a hot topic.
"Your son?"
Jin Yuyan touched her belly, feeling a little restless.
Lixin, who was standing to the side, closed her eyes. Ever since Jin Yuyan analyzed the incident where A'ruo was often at home, she knew that the only person in the palace who could be fooled by Ruyi was this seemingly clever "great shrewdness".
Lixin tried to salvage the situation: "My lady, none of the Emperor's children are not precious."
Jin Yuyan nodded, "You're right, but the first child after ascending the throne is always different..."
She wasn't believing in the foolish notion that a noble son could seize the throne. After all, the first thing she did upon arriving in the Qing Dynasty was to be trained in rules and etiquette for a month.
Jin Yuyan is very clear about her identity; her child naturally has no inheritance rights. But! But! Right now, she's facing a career slump!
Although she had partnered with Prince Feng to run a restaurant and received a share of the profits, Jin Yuyan, with her high ambitions, clearly felt it wasn't enough. In order to expand and strengthen the business and ascend to the rank of imperial concubine as soon as possible, she decided to explore other avenues.
This rumor is perfect! If she really gets pregnant and gives birth at this time, wouldn't a concubine position be within her grasp?
"..." After hearing Jin Yuyan's plan, Lixin silently gave her a thumbs up in her heart. She truly deserves to be called a career woman.
This time, she genuinely praised, "The Lord is wise."
...
Under Ruyi's "good intentions," Su Xin began to communicate frequently with Wang Qin, and Ruyi nodded in satisfaction. However, Wang Qin never took the initiative to ask her for help, and she became hesitant, so the matter stalled for the time being.
The Emperor also began to frequently visit the inner palace. Consort Jia was enthusiastic, while Noble Lady Shu was aloof; they were the two most favored recently.
Ruyi taught A'Ruo how to dress and sing in the Imperial Garden, which led to her seducing the Emperor several times. For the sake of her son, she believed she was enduring humiliation. However, every time the Emperor came, she couldn't help but intercept him, which made A'Ruo full of complaints.
In March of the fourth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Consort Jia of Qixiang Palace was the first to receive good news: she was already two months pregnant.
According to Su Xin's report, Ruyi couldn't help but scold A'Ruo that day, and then smashed a teacup. It wasn't that she didn't want to smash more, but mainly that she didn't have the money.
After that, Ruyi became even more attentive to the matter of bringing Su Xin and Wang Qin together.
Hongli instructed Su Xin to continue the investigation.
Not long after, Su Xin came to report with a complicated expression: "Your Majesty, it seems that Consort Nara is pregnant..."
Hongli: "?"
How did Ruyi get pregnant? Was it a spontaneous pregnancy? He didn't even touch her.
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