[Host, you are truly the most vicious woman! How could there be such a cold-hearted woman like you? I beg you on my knees, but you still won't agree!] The system sobbed and cried.
No matter how much it cried and begged, Xu Wanying remained unmoved.
The system could only watch helplessly as Cen Ying entered the palace. Due to insufficient energy, it was unable to investigate the situation inside the palace and could only wait anxiously.
When Cen Ying left the palace, the system encouraged Xu Wanying to investigate the situation, but of course, it was turned away again. Cen Ying also returned alone and did not bring Xing Xiaoya back to the mansion. She only sent someone to report that she was safe and sound. As for Xing Xiaoya's situation, she did not reveal a single word.
The system was utterly despondent, falling silent as if it had completely crashed.
Despite the ever-changing situation in the palace, Jiang Chengli still appeared in her courtyard every few days. The two would either read books and drink tea or remain silent together, and the atmosphere became more and more harmonious each day.
Until Jiang Chengli brought a shocking piece of news.
"His Majesty favored a commoner yesterday, and this morning an imperial decree was issued to the inner palace, bestowing upon her the title of Fifth Rank Consort and the honorary title of Ming." The man's tone was casual, as if he had mentioned it unintentionally, but the news was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.
Xu Wanying was taken aback, then immediately looked up and asked in a rather urgent tone, "You mean Xing Xiaoya?"
"Exactly."
The couple looked at each other and fell silent for a moment. They didn't need to exchange words; their eyes conveyed a multitude of complex emotions.
"Wasn't she imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court? The Emperor was favoring her there?"
Countless questions popped into Xu Wanying's mind, waiting for answers. Her "gossip radar" immediately went off; this was even more juicy than the gossip the system had mentioned before.
The man nodded again.
"Tsk tsk, isn't that prison full of snakes, insects, rats and ants? How could the emperor sleep there? And Xing Xiaoya must have suffered a lot in there, wasn't she disheveled and filthy?"
In her modern days, she also visited ancient buildings, among which the ancient prisons were so dilapidated that they were unbearable torment to just be inside, without even needing any instruments of torture.
[Hmph, host, what nonsense are you spouting now? Xiaoya is the female lead; she has the female lead's halo. Whether she falls into the water or is in distress, she won't be disheveled; instead, she'll appear pitiful and fragile, making the jailers reluctant to harm her. Besides, the Imperial Clan Court also has side rooms besides the main prison, used to detain the sons of nobles. The emperor would definitely go to those places to favor his concubines.]
Before Jiang Chengli could explain, the system impatiently popped up.
Clearly, the facts were almost identical to what it said. Xu Wanying couldn't help but purse her lips: "You know everything now. If you don't even have the energy to investigate, just stay put."
[I won't say it, but I insist on saying it.]
"Alright, then I'll listen to you. Go ahead and say it." Xu Wanying didn't argue with it anymore, but instead waited patiently.
The system, smugly believing it had the upper hand, chuckled and said, "Hahaha, host, I told you, Xiaoya is a heroine sent from heaven; she'll naturally turn misfortune into good fortune. Even if you don't help her, she'll still come up with a good plan! Hehehe..."
Xu Wanying and Jiang Chengli remained silent, and for a moment all that could be heard was the system's smug voice, which looked like a petty person who had achieved his goal.
But after showing off for a while, no one paid any attention. It waited a few more moments, then finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Host, why is Jiang Laosan no longer talking? Why don't you keep asking?"
"Didn't you say so? I don't want to ask, just tell me."
【No, no, host, you ask me, I'll shut up, okay?】The system immediately gave in. It knew that with Xu Wanying's temper, simply bowing its head and admitting its mistake wouldn't be enough; it would have to beg and plead.
[Host, please ask whatever you want. I'll keep quiet from now on without your permission, okay? Please!]
In order to find out about Xing Xiaoya's situation, the system had to compromise.
Xu Wanying didn't bother with it, not because she was easily swayed by the system, but because she also wanted to know the details.
It would be a real shame to miss out on such a big opportunity.
"What character is the title?" she continued to ask.
"Ming, the sun and the moon are bright."
The couple exchanged another glance, both knowing what was going on.
"With both the sun and the moon, the future is bright and promising. The Emperor dotes on Xing Xiaoya very much, oh no, now she should be called Consort Ming," Xu Wanying said unhurriedly.
【Wow!】The system couldn’t help but exclaim, clearly happy. However, it remembered the promise it had just made and immediately shut its mouth to avoid annoying its host.
“Indeed, very few of the young ladies from official families are directly granted the rank of fifth grade by the emperor’s favor. Only those who are noble ladies receive such treatment. Yet she, a commoner with a criminal record, accomplished this so easily and was given such a prestigious title. This shows how much the emperor favors her.” Jiang Chengli nodded in agreement.
Xu Wanying couldn't help but smile: "With Consort Ming's sudden emergence, the palace's structure is bound to change drastically. With both the sun and moon present, I'm afraid even Consort Yue will be overshadowed and have to give way. Consort Chen is a third-rank official, which seems to be four ranks higher than Consort Ming, but Xing Xiaoya is favored, so this probably means nothing to her."
Her tone was full of excitement, clearly indicating that she was waiting to see a good show.
The ranks of imperial concubines were divided into two levels, a primary rank and a secondary rank, so there was a difference of four ranks between the primary third rank and the primary fifth rank.
As things unfolded as she had hoped, three women make a drama, and what's more, with the Emperor and the Third Prince, father and son, also involved, the situation became even more exciting, with various love-hate relationships playing out almost every day.
He loved her, she loved him, he hated her, she hated her too, she hated her even more, and he was jealous of him…
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