Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 144 is getting a bit annoying.
Sure enough, when Zhao Xingjin received the Empress Dowager's message at Chengming Hall, he frowned slightly.

Who went to see the Empress Dowager today?

"Your Majesty, the Empress is in Fukang Palace talking with the Empress Dowager," Yang Zhian said, bowing his head.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xingjin raised his hand and rubbed his temples, seemingly somewhat irritated.

Seeing this, Yang Zhian continued, "After delivering the soup, Consort Chen went to Weiyang Palace."

That connects everything.

No further explanation was needed; Zhao Xingjin understood everything.

He felt a little dissatisfied with Chen Meiren's troublemaking nature.

He had already given Chen Meiren the cold shoulder because of her sharp tongue, but he never expected that Chen Meiren would forget the pain once the wound healed.

Clearly, he had patiently coaxed her a few times today, not wanting Consort Chen to hold a grudge about Xie Jiu. But Consort Chen got the favor she deserved from him, and then she went to the Empress to complain. The Empress, in turn, went to Fukang Palace again over this trivial matter of jealousy.

The Empress Dowager had previously reminded him a few times about his favoritism towards Xie Jiu, and Zhao Xingjin had said he was aware of it. Now that she had come again, he was inevitably a little annoyed.

It's not that there's a conflict with the Empress Dowager. It's like telling your parents, "I'll handle this myself. I have a plan and strategy, so you don't need to worry." But while your parents let you do it, they also frequently interfere, afraid that you won't do it well.

How can this not be annoying?

If this is true for ordinary people, how much more so for Zhao Xingjin, who is the emperor.

Moreover, the Empress and Consort Chen's actions this time were plotting against him and the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager could sense it, but she had no objection and was simply going with the flow, so there was no problem. However, Zhao Xingjin was not happy about it.

Even after becoming emperor, he was still being pressured by people using his own mother as a pretext. How could he be happy?
The next day, when the Empress sent someone to invite Zhao Xingjin to dine at Weiyang Palace, he was turned away.

"I haven't visited Consort Zhuang at Yanqing Palace for a long time. Consort Sun is quite far along in her pregnancy, so I'll go see her as well. As for the Empress, let's do it another day."

Hongmei looked unwell when she came out of Chengming Hall.

Upon returning to Weiyang Palace, he truthfully told the Empress, whose expression immediately darkened.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty also asked me to tell you that the Empress Dowager has been busy managing palace affairs and taking care of the Fourth Prince recently, and she is exhausted. She should rest and recuperate. Your Majesty is very busy these days and does not need to visit her often," Hongmei whispered.

Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression changed.

She naturally understood the deeper meaning in Zhao Xingjin's words; he was telling her not to speak ill of him in front of the Empress Dowager.

"I know, you may leave." The Empress waved her hand impatiently.

Tingyun stepped forward and carefully comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Consort Zhuang has been under house arrest for many days, and His Majesty has not visited Consort Sun for a long time. It is only right that he goes to see her."

"Is this why?" The Empress frowned. "Your Majesty is angry with me because I had the Empress Dowager intervene and forbid Lady Xie from serving you. How did Lady Xie win Your Majesty's favor so easily!"

The Empress did not understand the real reason why Zhao Xingjin was angry. She still thought that Zhao Xingjin was giving her attitude because he doted on Xie Jiu.

After thinking for a moment, Tingyun said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, why don't you listen to the Empress Dowager first and just focus on doing your job well? Once you've prepared a good state banquet to receive the envoys from Xichi Kingdom, the Emperor will surely appreciate your goodness. No matter how much Consort Xie is favored, she won't be able to make the Emperor look good in front of the envoys from other countries, will she?"

The customs of Xichi Kingdom are not much different from those of Dajing Kingdom. The various restrictions on women are almost the same. It is rare for a woman like Xie Jiu, who has been married twice and entered the palace, to be so. In fact, she is even less accepted there.

"Furthermore, Consort Xie is still holding a grudge about the Imperial Kitchen. The dishes at the palace banquets are the hardest to innovate, which saves Your Majesty a lot of trouble. You don't need to worry about these things. When Your Majesty puts in effort elsewhere, you will surpass Consort Xie even more, and the Emperor will then see who is useless and only has a pretty face." Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression relaxed a little.

"Let's leave it at that for now. After all, the Emperor didn't contradict the Empress Dowager, so Xie will have to sit on the sidelines for a while."

However, none of this will affect Xie Jiu, who is currently looking for a few days of peace and quiet.

Outside the palace, Xie Mingshen delivered a message saying that the group of robbers had been captured and handed over to the Ministry of Justice for punishment according to the law.

Looking at the letter, Xie Jiu found it all laughable.

I wonder where they found this group of scapegoats again.

Or perhaps, apart from the steward's nephew, everyone else involved lost their lives.

"Have you packed everything for my sister-in-law and her two children?" Xie Jiu casually tossed the letter into the incense burner to burn and asked in a low voice.

Qingfang nodded, "Everything is prepared, just as Jieyu instructed, nothing is missing."

Xie Jiu lowered her eyes slightly. "Then let's send them all out today. You can send them out yourself. Now that my sister-in-law is back and my mother is not here, she will be the head of the Xie family from now on. It must be hard for her. As for my two nephews, I haven't seen them for a long time. I should show them some respect so that we don't grow distant."

"Yes, Consort, rest assured, this servant will certainly let the young mistress know your feelings." Qingfang bowed.

Why send gifts to my sister-in-law, Madam Fan?

One reason was to strengthen their relationship, and another was to use Fan, his sister-in-law, to keep an eye on his brother Xie Wei's movements.

In his previous life, Xie Jiu knew that his sister-in-law was more insightful and clear-headed than his own brother. Now that Xie Jiu has been reborn, he has seen even more of his sister-in-law's shrewdness and wisdom.

Back then, Xie Wei insisted on going to Lizhou. Whether it was Xie Mingshen, Yang Shi, or even Xie Jiu, they all tried to get Fan Shi, his wife, to persuade Xie Wei to give up the idea of ​​leaving the capital, but Fan Shi rejected them all with various excuses.

Now, looking back, Xie Jiu realized that his sister-in-law, Madam Fan, had helped his mother, Madam Yang, manage the household as soon as she entered the family. She was decisive, efficient, and skilled at managing her subordinates. Moreover, she was a legitimate daughter from a prominent family. She was not someone who was only docile and obedient to her husband.

But at that time, Fan always used the excuse that she dared not question Xie Wei's decision, which only shows that it was just an excuse. It is estimated that deep down, Fan also wanted Xie Wei to leave the capital and get away from his father, Xie Mingshen.

Those involved are often blinded by their own perspectives, while outsiders are always better able to see through appearances to a person's true nature.

Xie Jiu now suspects that Xie Wei's insistence on abandoning everything and leaving Beijing was perhaps supported and encouraged by his sister-in-law.

To be honest, Xie Jiu now sees this move as wise. Over time, it will gradually separate Xie Wei from the Xie family. If Xie Mingshen gets into trouble in the future, Fan's family can help, and their own family will not be implicated.

If there hadn't been a change of dynasty, it should have worked against the incompetent deposed emperor of the previous dynasty. Unfortunately, Zhao Xingjin came out of nowhere, and now he has even issued a transfer order, forcibly dragging Xie Wei back to the capital.

Watching Qingfang leave, Xie Jiu slowly withdrew his thoughts and his gaze fell on the slightly cooled teacup beside him.

Where has His Majesty been lately?

"He went to Yanqing Palace once, stayed overnight at Consort Zhuang's residence, summoned Consort Liu to serve him in bed once, and dined with Consort Chen once, but did not serve him in bed. The Emperor has not been to Weiyang Palace. Since the Empress Dowager sent word, the Emperor has not seen Consort Jieyu for twelve days," Chunrong said in a low voice.

On the 12th, it had been about half a month since Yang's death. But if it were up to the Empress Dowager, Xie Jiu should have been away from the Emperor for at least two or three months. But Xie Jiu could not wait that long.

She still needs Zhao Xingjin's help to get things done.

Therefore, after pondering for a moment, he instructed, "His Majesty has been busy with state affairs lately, so please have someone prepare some nourishing soup. Please send it to Chengming Hall for me later."