They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 504 Deception
Xue Meiren understood what her mother was saying.

Her mother was subtly reminding her that even if the Empress Dowager valued her highly, the Empress Dowager was getting old, and who knew how long she could protect her? A person without foresight will have immediate worries.

She is, after all, the Emperor's person, and everything should be done with the Emperor's best interests at heart.

The most important thing, of course, is offspring.

Xue Meiren suddenly understood.

Yes, the Emperor has few children. If I were to give birth to a prince, the Empress might even give birth to a princess. Then, why would I have to worry about my future?
But the emperor didn't like her at all.

Although she has now been reinstated as a beauty and the emperor has spent two nights in her palace, it was under duress from the Empress Dowager.

Everyone in the palace envied her good fortune; even in that situation, she was able to rise again and regain the emperor's favor.

But who could have known? The Emperor didn't touch her at all those two nights. She slept on the ground for two nights, not even getting close to the Emperor.

The Emperor's gaze was so cold it seemed frozen, as if she weren't a living, breathing person, which sent chills down her spine.

She had her own unspoken suffering.

I'm afraid the Emperor will never touch her again, so where will she get a prince?

Xue Meiren looked at her mother, "Mother, please find some medicine for me."

"Huh? What medicine?"

"A drug that can move people's emotions."

"."

Lady Rong'an was startled.

Isn't that an aphrodisiac?

With tears in her eyes, Lady Xue said, "Mother, I have no other choice."

After she tearfully recounted the truth, Lady Rong'an was shocked, angry, desolate, and terrified.

It turns out that her daughter's life in the palace was so difficult.

"Okay, okay, don't worry, Mother will definitely help you."

Fortune favors the bold, and she couldn't bear to see her daughter's life end like this.

The Empress suddenly fell ill, complaining of abdominal pain. Kunning Palace was in turmoil all night.

For several days in a row, there seemed to be no sign of improvement.

The Empress Dowager was greatly encouraged, and her mind was completely drawn to the Kunning Palace, so she no longer cared about the Marquis of Wuxuan's residence.

That night, Kunning Palace was in an uproar. Rumors were circulating that the Empress was in bad shape, and some even said that she had lost her baby.

The gates of Kunning Palace were tightly shut; the Empress must have been heartbroken and refused to see anyone.

The emperor was troubled and his brows were furrowed.

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and hurriedly summoned the Emperor to speak. The Emperor stammered and stubbornly refused to admit it, but the Empress Dowager was already certain that the Empress's unborn child had not been saved.

The Empress was heartbroken. The Emperor had always cherished her, and probably didn't want to upset her, so he hadn't announced the news yet.

But the deed is done, and even if we don't say anything now, how long can we keep it hidden?

Could it be that the Empress can conjure up another child in her womb?
The Empress is not young anymore, and this time she has suffered a great blow, so it is impossible for her to conceive again.

Her chances of Xiao Yulang succeeding to the throne are even greater.
The Empress Dowager knew perfectly well that she was not young anymore, and that she needed to strike while the iron was hot, so some things needed to be prepared now.

Now that both the emperor and empress are heartbroken, it is the perfect time for her to take advantage of their vulnerability.

Without much hesitation or internal struggle, the Empress Dowager decided to take a big risk and make a significant move.

She decided to take drastic measures.

The Empress Dowager summoned Consort Xue and ordered her to attend to the Emperor. "The Empress is useless; she couldn't even protect the child in her womb. The Emperor is heartbroken. You should serve him well and comfort him. If you can conceive, the Emperor will surely be happy. A joyous occasion will bring celebration to the palace."

Lady Xue was captivated by what she heard, but quickly lost interest.

"Your Majesty, I wholeheartedly wish to serve His Majesty, but... but His Majesty does not favor me, and I dare not approach him and provoke his anger. What if His Majesty blames me?"

The Empress Dowager sneered, "You really have no backbone!"

Consort Xue, humbled, knelt down and begged, "Your Majesty, I am incompetent and beg for your guidance."

Consort Xue wasn't stupid. The Empress Dowager hadn't just casually summoned her to say those words; she wanted to help her out.

She couldn't be happier, and had no choice but to beg in a humble manner.

The Empress Dowager was quite pleased to see that she was sensible.

"You are the person I have chosen. If I don't help you, who will I help? I really hope you will have that good fortune. Just don't forget me when you have a bright future."

"Your Majesty, I dare not! I swear that I will always remember Your Majesty's kindness and repay her kindness. I will never forget it in this lifetime."

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction. "Rise."

"Yes, thank you, Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager instructed her trusted nanny, Jiang, to slip a medicine packet into Consort Xue's hand: "If the Emperor takes this, he will surely favor her, and I guarantee she will conceive."

Xue Meiren's heart fluttered.

The Empress Dowager said slowly, "I hesitated for a while, but I thought that you are my person after all. There is no other use for this medicine if I keep it. It is better to give it to you so that you can rely on it for the rest of your life. I will also have someone to rely on."

"Don't disappoint me."

Consort Xue trembled with excitement. "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured. I will keep Your Majesty's teachings in mind and never forget them."

If the Empress Dowager only says that she is doing this for her own good and for her own benefit, she will be skeptical and not really believe her.

She believed that the Empress Dowager had some affection for her, but it was impossible for her to be entirely for her own sake.

However, if the Empress Dowager was helping him for her own benefit, then it would be quite understandable.

Lady Xue believed it without a doubt.

Xue Meiren left clutching the medicine packet, her heart filled with joy, her steps becoming much lighter.

She knew that as long as she seized the opportunity, she would surely soar to great heights!
Now that the Empress Dowager has given the order, she will definitely create an opportunity for herself.

She just needs to wait patiently.

Lady Xue didn't have to wait long; the Emperor came to her palace the following evening.

Needless to say, the Empress Dowager must have forced him to come.

The Empress Dowager truly lived up to her word; there was no one who could control the Emperor better than her.

The Emperor's expression was not good, but Consort Xue pretended not to notice. She had taken a special bath and dressed up nicely, looking beautiful and charming with a tender smile, doing everything she could to please and flatter the Emperor.

The emperor completely ignored her and didn't give her a kind look at all.

Lady Xue was heartbroken, but her face still wore a smile. Just wait, after today, everything will be different.
Xue Meiren thought to herself.

Consort Xue dismissed all the servants and personally served tea to the Emperor.

"Please have some tea, Your Majesty, to soothe your throat. This is Biluochun tea, a gift from Your Majesty. I know Your Majesty likes it, so I specially brewed it for you myself."

The Emperor merely stared coldly at her, without taking the tea.

Consort Xue was getting a little anxious, but still managed a forced smile: "Your Majesty, please do me the honor of having a sip. It's so hot today, a cup of tea would be good to cool you down."

The Emperor finally accepted the teacup and was about to drink when he suddenly placed it on the side table, looking at Consort Xue with a half-smile: "You seem particularly concerned about this cup of tea today. Is there some secret hidden in it?"